MoneyDigest - Personal Finance, Lifestyle, Money Saving Tips

7 Low-Cost (or Free) Ways to Lose Weight

One of the top 10 new year’s resolutions of a million people is to lose significant weight. This may be an ongoing resolution that has yet to happen, therefore the decision to lose weight is becoming more emotional.

Along with the article called “5 Ways to Shop for Healthy Foods Without Spending Too Much“…here are 7 Cheap Ways to Lose Weight…

1. STREAM FREE EXERCISE VIDEOS

Watch free exercise videos on youtube and across the Internet. Personally, I recommend Cassey Ho’s Blogilates as she incorporates Pilates, Yoga, and Cardio workouts. Aside from free exercise videos, the Internet is abundant with free or cheap Fitness Plans and Health Information. So, your only job is to make sure that the website is credible.

2. GO MEATLESS ONCE A WEEK

Nutritionist Rania Batayneh says that a sure way to burn off pounds and to save money is by going meatless once a week. You may substitute meat with tofu, beans, and mushrooms.

3. GROW AND COOK FOOD BY YOURSELF.

Growing your own food is organic at its finest. If you do not have a backyard or an apartment balcony there are community gardens for you to plant your own seed.

Image Credits: woodleywonderworks via Flickr

By dinner time, you can browse online (e.g. Kraft Recipes or Eating Well Recipes) for healthy recipes and cook your own food.

4. GAGA OVER GREENS

Kale, arugula, and spinach are some of the most nutritious and affordable foods you will find in a grocery store. As the color of the vegetable gets darker, the more nutritious it is because of its antioxidants and beta-carotene.

Image Credits: Wonderlane via Flickr

5. BUY CHEAP GROUP WORKOUT DEALS

Take advantage of a low-cost workout class if you are undecided and you do not want to spend hundreds of dollars for a gym membership. Groupon.sg is rich with Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Boxing Classes that range from $28 and below.

For example, here is a “Four 60 mins. Boot Camp” pass at $19 only! It will not only push your limits but it will also aid you in losing weight. Usually, newly opened gyms or studios give 1-week free trial so you better watch out.

6. RUN, JOG OR CYCLE OUTDOORS

The healthiest way to lose weight is neither crash diets nor starving yourself. But, the healthiest way is the gradual increase of exercise. As you increase the exercise intensity and duration, you will change your own body mechanism in time.

Try walking or biking to work if you live within a few miles. If that is not an option, then skip the elevator and take the stairs instead. Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll burn calories as you go.

Image Credits: Fit Approach via Flickr

7. EXERCISE AT HOME

Stay fit in the comforts of your own home. You may choose to buy bargain workout DVDs or use the resources you already have.

For example,

Use paint cans or bottle with rocks to work on your biceps.
Find a stable bar at home for chin ups.
Or, do sit-ups and push-ups without any equipment.

Image Credits: Jordan Misner via Flickr

You are now looking to the future with hope and expectations. What better investment could you make than with your own health?

8 Places To Countdown 2015 Without Hurting Your Wallet

Twelve more hours to 2015! Aren’t you excited?

Christmas is over but the party hasn’t. It’s time to usher in 2015 with a bang!

Where would you be heading to for the last day of the year?

While everyone is flocking to Zouk and Siloso Beach for the countdown and goes hysterical over the Party Rock Anthem, let us take a look at some of the budget-friendly places you can go to!

Marina Bay/Esplanade Singapore Countdown 2015

(Image credit: hongpeng1990, via photobucket)

Where would be a better place than Marina Bay where the fireworks are set? To celebrate SG50, the fireworks display will be eight-minute long choreographed to a score by Julian Wong and Riduan Zelani. The red and white “wishing spheres” will be set afloat in Marina Bay with 400 drummers performing along the boardwalk.

If you had managed to get hold of the ticket to the show at The Float @ Marina Bay, catch Stefanie Sun, BIG, BANG, Kit Chan in the seven hour bash. It will also feature artists like Dick Lee, Dim Sum Dollies and the 8 Dukes of Caldecott Hill – Ian Fang, Xu Bin, Aloysius Pang, Shane Pow, Desmond Tan, Romeo Tan, Zhang Zhen Huan and Jeffrey Xu.

Community Countdown Party

(Image credit: blacklimosg.wordpress.com)

Hate to travel and squeeze with the crowd? Then head over to your community countdown party just located in the heartlands! The parties will be held at Bishan – Ang Mo Kio Park, Punggol and Boon Lay. Performance such as flash mob dancing, cold pyro fireworks, stilt walking and juggling will keep you entertained and with over 100,000 residents joining in the fun, you will not miss any excitement from this celebration!

The Rink, JCube

Post by The Rink.

Love the foam party at Siloso Beach? Try something new this year with a Foam Party hosted on Ice in The Rink, Cube. It starts from 9.45pm to 12.45am and admission costs $28. For more info, visit www.therink.sg.

Clark Quay Countdown

Countdown to 2015 with MediaCorp Class95FM DJ Glenn Ong and 987FM, Sonia Chew at the Central Fountain Square, Clark Quay! With a long lineup of spectacular performances all the way until 12.30am coupled with colourful street decor and lightings. Make your 2015 GLOW-ing as you welcome 2015 in COLOUR. There are also street parade, roving percussionists and band performance by Goodfellas (SG). Did i say the admission is free?

CHIJMES

Light up your festive mood with a spectacular countdown line-up from CHIJMES! With performance from The Project Band, Attagirl! and DJs with host Derrick Siu, it can’t get better! If you arrive early, you can also catch band performances from Idah & Friends, The Lorong Boys and Sarah Yap. With free admission, and its vicinity to Marina Bay, there is no better place to catch the dazzling fireworks.

The Rabbit Hole

(Image credit: Citynomads.com)

If you around Dempsey area, consider dining at The White Rabbit as you can catch Parisian DJ Zimmer at the Rabbit Hole from 9pm till late. Head over with your grooves. They have got the music. Admission is free.

Bollywood Countdown 2015

Fan of Hindi music? Indian Rock Bands? Then head over to the biggest Bollywood countdown at Dhoby Ghaut Green, Amphitheatre. Featuring live bands from India and Singapore such as PUNKH and Dhuntara, party till you drop! Family friendly event, so bring your kids along to join in the festive cheers. There are dance, buffet dinner, DJ and entertainment. Adult entry cost $35 and Child entry cost $15. Check out www.etickets.sg for the tickets!

Go Loco Local 2015 Countdown Party

Grooves to the gigs by five local acts at the airport’s lobby lounge from 9pm to 1.30am. Singaporean blogger Mint Leong will emcee of the day. There will be a constant stream of events from 9pm with performances by Ciao Turtle, The Jaywalkers, JJ and the PaperPlanes, Marc X Hasy and Orangecove. To add on the the fun, there are also challenges, games and lucky draw. Admission costs $32 per pax with two rounds of soft drinks or draft beers or $48 for two rounds of house white wine, red wine or spirits.

SCAPE Collision 2015

Dance to the music with top club DJ Koflow. Feel the vibes of the place, with live performances by international and local dancers and DJs. Catch the Blue Whale Brothers (Korea), Dominique and Shun (Japan), the Basic Five X The Stand-point Mafia, The Passionate Dancing Elders, Flair Origins and DJ pSyK in the countdown. What about a dance battle from world class dancers at 1am? Admission cost $25 for standard ticket and $20 for students.

Don’t get electrified by Dominique!

8 Inexpensive Home Decor Tips for Newlyweds

After the wedding, the next thing that newlyweds must invest on is the house. You may have to work harder to keep the interior look fresh. And, as you make significant changes in your house, it will have a tow on your paychecks.

But, that shall not always be the case. Here are 8 Cheap Home Decorating Ideas for you love birds…

1. FLARE WITH FRAMES

Add the “wow factor” to your side table by adding an attention-getting frame. Here are a mix of photo frames from Ebay.

Image Credits: DarrelBirkett via Flickr

2. POSH WITH PILLOWS

Whenever guests arrive, the first thing that they will see and stay longer on is the sofa. Dress up your dull sofa by adding bold printed cushions such as animal, island-floral themed or a suede pillowcase. IKEA offers a wide range of pillow cushions designs that range from $1.90 to $19.90! It is not only elegant but it is also affordable!

Image Credits: Stacie via Flickr

3. LIGHTS ARE EVERYTHING

Purchase more in lower-wattage bulbs to change a room’s mood from restful to romantic. And, if you want to take the romantic a level up…use table lamps or floor lamps to put a lights wherever you want to cuddle.

4. PUT A PAINTING ON

You may buy pop-art (Product name: KNISTA) , minimalist, and vintage looking (Product name: OLUNDA) illustrations for only $19.90 at IKEA. This will add beauty to your simple rooms.

5. REVAMP THE WALLS

One of the fastest ways to make your house extra expensive is by giving the walls a new look. Paint the walls of your living room with a higher contrast color to make it pop. Paint your kitchen orange to make the food inducing and the bedrooms purple to make it more relaxing.

Image Credits: Maegan Tintari via Flickr

6. GO GAGA FOR COLOFUL-POTTED GREENS

Having a few small plants in the kitchen will make it feel livelier. Adding a pop of color to its pots or vase will surely make your guests green with envy.

7. RUG IT UP

To quickly fix a room’s problem area, you may throw a rug on the floor. Rugs add an interest and an interesting focal point to the room. Shop around for bargain rug that fits your room.

8. WORK WITH WHAT IS AVAILABLE

One of the most efficient yet no-cost ways to redecorate is to rearrange and repurpose the things you already have. Search your house and think of the items you can change the setting in another room.

Make your kitchen chairs look new again with a little splash of spray paint and new fabric covers.

Image Credits: mattwalker69 via Flickr

These simple decor ways will not only change your house but also your lives as Husband and Wife!

Goodbye 2014, Hello 13th Month Bonus?

Phew! After a year of hard work, it’s time to bid 2014 farewell. It may had been a good year for many but a mediocre year for some – whichever the case, it’s time to move on and hope that 2015 will be better year.

It is also the time where everyone starts to set their New Year resolutions.

Improve self? Checked.
Improve fortunes? Checked.
Make new friends? Checked.
Improve career? Checked.
Travel to new places? Checked.

Before you start checking the entire list, wouldn’t it be good to have a fat bonus to accomplish all your resolutions?

It’s good to find out what you will received on top of your monthly salary, or what we call the Variable Wage Components which consists of the Annual Wage Supplement (AWS), Bonus and Variable Payment.

13th Month Bonus or AWS
The Annual Wage Supplement is also known as the 13th month bonus which you will receive in addition of your December’s salary. It is a single annual payment to employees that supplements the total amount of annual wage earned. If you have already received your bonus in December, lucky you!

But wait, is that a bonus or a supplement? While some would argue that it a mandatory compensation for a ’52 weeks in a year/4 weeks’, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) defined it as:

Payment of AWS depends on the contractual agreement between the employer and the employee i.e. whether it is provided for in the employment contract or collective agreement.

What if it is not stated in the contract?

If it is not stipulated in the employment contract, AWS payment is subject to negotiation and mutual agreement between the employer and employee, or the trade union representing the employee.

Unlike countries like the Philippines and Latin America, it is not mandatory although it has been customarily provided for by companies in Singapore.

The AWS was first introduced back in July 1972 by the National Wage Council (NWC) to minimise the gap in the public and public sector and to promote a fair and equitable system of bonus payment. It has since set the precedent on how companies give out bonuses.

The point to note is that it is more of a privilege rather than a right, unless provided for in collective or individual agreements.

Bonus
Bonus, on the other hand, is paid out once to reward you for the efforts and contributions you made to the company. Like the AWS, it is not compulsory unless it is a contractual obligation and if it is provided for in the contract.

There are many different types of bonus such as Performance Bonus, Variable Bonus and Dividend Bonus.

Variable Payment
Variable payment is paid out as an incentive to increase the employee’s productivity or as a reward for your contributions. Take for example – commissions, overtime, variable allowance, incentives and gratuity. Variable payments are also not compulsory unless provided for in your contract.

As civil servants rejoiced at their 1.8 month bonus, which of you has received even more generous bonus? And how are you going to spend them? Discuss them in the forum here: http://moneydigest.sg/forums/index.php?threads/how-much-bonus-did-you-get-for-2014.248/

3 Tips to Performing Fundamental Analysis

You may have already known that there are two ways to analyse a company, fundamental and technical. In this post, I will be focusing on fundamental analysis and zoom into the things that are commonly looked out for when performing such analysis.

For a start, it would be good to have a foundation on basic accounting and financial accounting since you will be looking into Income Statements and Balance Sheets. Fundamental analysis is all about making sense of the numbers to give you meaningful information that can profit you.

Compare Against Past Data

When I first begin my analysis, I look at the latest financial statements released by the company. I simply look at their financial highlights to see what happened in the recent quarter if it’s a company that I’ve never researched on before. These numbers alone are not enough to tell you about the performance of the company. Always compare your numbers, quarter-on-quarter or year-on-year as some company businesses are cyclical in nature and what may seem to be a spike from the previous quarter may actually be normal or underperforming. This is one of the reasons why sometimes you may see companies report that their profits rise, but share price still falls. When you compare against past datas, you can also see trends which might help you to forecast the upcoming results and what you can expect will happen. These datas can be obtained from SGX’s website, which makes obtaining data or information really easy!

Look Out For Unusual Spikes Or Abnormalities

The numbers won’t lie. Thanks to FRS regulations and many other accounting regulations, companies must be transparent when reporting their results. You will notice that some numbers experience tremendous growth and these could be important or significant figures. This could be a spike in net profit margin, etc. It is then when you should open up your eyes and find out what is going on. There should be some questions that go through your mind as you see spikes. “Is it a one-off spike? If so, what is the impact?” Always question the numbers because this is where you can draw meaningful information out of it. Being able to discern what the information means can help you to gain a deeper understanding of the company and possibly give you a glimpse into the future of the company such as new projects, acquisitions, etc.

Financial Ratios

This is where your financial accounting will help you out. However even if you don’t have a financial accounting background, not to worry because these days the ratios are given to you already. Knowing how to calculate the different ratios and understanding the impact of a high or low ratio will give you that extra edge against other investors who do not know what the ratios mean. The few ratios that I like to look out for are Debt Ratio, Return (Efficiency) Ratio and Liquidity Ratio. These ratios are a way to make a better sense of the numbers that you see on the income statement or balance sheet. This is drawing out meaningful information from face value information. Do remember that these ratios are not one-size-fits-all. Different industries have different norms and you will have to take account of that. Always do a cross-comparison with other companies in the similar industry to get a rough gauge of what the norm is.

In A Nutshell..

There are a lot of information flowing around that we have access to. Simply put, it is how we make sense out of the information and taking the right steps to profit from the information given to us. All of this takes time to learn and it’s a never-ending journey of learning. Do not be too overwhelmed by the things that you have not learnt yet if you are just starting out, and take things one step at a time. Over the weekends, pick up a book in the library and expand your knowledge on the subject. Or you could also simply google the questions you have in mind. Even better, ask your friends who are already in the know. Investing is a journey to requires one to keep learning and improving. This is a long journey that will be worth it at the end!

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