10 Greatest Songs Ever Written Surrounding Money

Many musicians did not start out with huge paychecks, lavish cars, and bling on their necks. They have gone through the tribulations of life and paid their dues. Believe it or not, some of the greatest songs ever written surround interesting perspectives about money. Moreover, you can apply these songs to your own finances. This is when art imitates life.

So, sit back and relax. Turn your speakers on and immerse yourself in the “10 Greatest Songs Ever Written About Money”!

ABBA: “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY”

“I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay. Ain’t it sad. And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me.”

It is troubling to listen to someone go through this situation. If you are living off from paycheck to paycheck, it is time to take a closer look at your finances. Are you saving a portion of your money for yourself? Consider asking for a pay raise or reducing your expenses to avoid letting your bills take up all of your wages.

BARRETT STRONG: MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)

“Money don’t get everything it’s true. What it don’t get. I can’t use.”

It goes without saying that this is one of the famous money songs out there. It is a classic and rightly so! The first lyric is “the best things in life are free”. I agree! Money cannot buy everything such as lasting relationships and happiness. It is all about striking a balance between your financial goals and your personal life.

THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.: MO’ MONEY, MO’ PROBLEMS

“It’s like the more money we come across, the more problems we see.”

As I said, money cannot buy everything. Getting richer will not necessarily enrich your life. Money can become an instrument to reaching your financial goals. However, it is up to you to use it responsibly in order to help yourself and others around you. Remember that it is easy to be blinded by power and greed.

DESTINY’S CHILD: INDEPENDENT WOMEN

“All the women who independent, throw your hands up at me! All the honeys who makin’ money, throw your hands up at me.”

The late 90s and early 2000s brought-forth the age of women empowerment through girl bands such as Destiny’s Child and Spice Girls. This song is all about financial independence and not relying on someone else to succeed. You can relate this message to Singaporeans of all genders and all ages.

THE BEATLES: CAN’T BUY ME LOVE

“I may not have a lot to give, but what I got I’ll give to you. I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.”

The Beatles are iconic for fusing important experiences and fantastic tunes. This song is a good reminder that you are not defined by how much you make. No matter how much you earn or how much you strive to earn, always remember the important things in life. Prioritize your “own currencies” and work towards these.

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PITBULL FEAT. NE-YO: TIME OF OUR LIVES

“I know my rent was gon’ be late about a week ago. I worked my ass off, but I still can’t pay it though. But I got just enough to get off in this club.”

Yes! It is tempting to give in to the YOLO movement. However, you must be realistic. If your finances are suffering due to your entertainment costs such as going to the clubs or casinos regularly then, you should stop. Take care of your responsibilities first!

CEE-LO GREEN: FORGET YOU

“Yeah I’m sorry I can’t afford a Ferrari. But that don’t mean I can’t get you there.”

Many people fall into a trap by keeping up with their neighbors. You do not have to waste your money to impress someone. Otherwise, you will end up poking a hole in your wallet and having a relationship with someone that is superficial. Invest on things that will benefit you in the long run!

THE BEATLES: FIXING A HOLE

“I’m fixing a hole where the rain gets in, to stop my mind from wandering.”

This band is making another exposure in this list as this song highlights the simple solutions in life. Whenever I am faced with a problem, I always focus on the solution. Solutions do not have to be expensive. It pays to learn to do small improvements on your own than hiring a professional to do it for you.

ROLLING STONES: CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

“You can’t always get what you want,
But if you try sometimes,
You just might find.
You get what you need.”

One of the biggest issues in trying to save funds is determining the difference between needs and wants. The essentials must come first while saving up for your wants. Over time with hard-work, you will be able to get both your needs and wants.

<MACKLEMORE AND RYAN LEWIS: THRIFT SHOP

“I am stunting and flossing and saving my money”

Take it from Macklemore and Ryan! You do not have to break the bank to look good or feel good. Singapore has tons of flea markets, thrift shops, and charity shops that can help you grow your wardrobe without spending too much.

Moreover, saving money on clothes can help you focus on more important financial goals!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Simple Acronyms That Can Help You Save Money

Stuck in a rot? Consider imbibing some or all of these four acronyms to maximize your daily savings!

1: BYOB – Bring Your Own Beverage

Bid farewell to your endless Starbucks trips and say hello to BYOB. Bringing your own beverage and food to school or work has many benefits. For starters, you can choose what you eat for the rest of the day. This is especially helpful to the people who vowed to lose weight or to eat healthier meals this year. Lastly, bringing your own beverage and food lessens your chances of dining out. BYOB prevents you from mindlessly breaking the bank on food expenses.

2: PIYS- Put In Your Savings

Aside from having a physically fit body, you must strive to have a financially fit account. Luckily for you, you can just PIYS. Whether you have accumulated loose change or have work incentives, you can PIYS. Do not spend your extra money! Put it in your savings account instead. You may also enroll your account to an institution’s automatic savings program to ensure that you do not touch your money.

3: YODA – You Overspent Days Ago

If you need a reminder on why you need to save, just think of Baby YODA. This adorable Star Wars character cannot only charm your heart, but also give you a potent reminder. “You Overspent Days Ago or You Overspent Decades Ago” is something that resonates many Singaporeans. If you are bound to repeat the same financial mistakes you have done in the past then, what does that make you? It is time to learn from the past and focus on your needs.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Start building a future that you will be proud of. When faced with another temptation to spend, simply evoke the name of YODA. May the force be with you!

4: ABC – Allocate, Budget, and Cut

Did you know that budgeting is as easy as ABCs? Simply start with Allocation, proceed to Budgeting, and apply the Cut. Allocation is the processes of listing down your expenses and identifying which ones are important. Allocate the right amount of money per expense category.

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Then, maintain a budget that you will keep track of. Monitor your progress and the money you are currently saving. Lastly, apply cost-cutting when your savings remain too low. Cut down unnecessary expenses and focus on expenses that will help you survive.

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Are You On The Same Page About Money As Your Partner?

As a couple, discussing about finances can be a hard pill to swallow. After all, money is a common source of issue in martial relationships. It is not something you discuss casually without emotional attachments.

Whether you like it or not, being transparent about your finances is essential in building a strong relationship. Talking about money increases understanding and facilitates cooperation as you work on the same financial goals.

You and your partner probably would not get too in-depth about your finances in the early stages of the relationship. As your relationship gets serious, so does your conversations.

Conversations about money often takes places when a couple moves in together. When this happens, do tap the fundamental elements such as your income and debt.

The next step is to decide how you are going to manage your finances as a couple and as individuals. Decide whether you will combine all your finances or keep them separate. The decision depends on your preferences and spending habits.

If you decide not to combine your finances, you need to discuss how you are going to divide the household expenses. Usually, couples prefer to either split things down the middle or to divide the expenses based on their incomes.

You will realize how different it is to be completely on your own financially and to have somebody to help you. Discussing money with your partner will significantly reduce the likelihood of relationship issues cause by finances. Furthermore, you will be able to work out on your financial goals.

Common example of financial goals include paying off debt, saving up for a flat, and being able to retire at a certain age. Goals will depend heavily on where you are at financially.

WORKING OUT THE DIFFERENCES

Handling your financial differences starts with determining what you can agree on (e.g., setting aside some money for travel or paying household bills on time). Let me illustrate it for you as a spender and as a saver. The spender should be allowed some leeway while following a specific budget for disposable income. On the other hand, the saver should be allowed to satisfy his or her needs by putting away some money to his or her own account. Compromise is the key!

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At the end of the day, mutual respect can helps overcome any disagreements about money. You might not be on the same page all the time, but being able to honor each other’s individual needs can sustain your loving relationship.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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How To Finally Stop Spending

Unfortunately waving a wand will not help you to cut down your spending. Instead, here are some practical tips that you may start with!

#1: THE 30-DAY RULE

When you spot a tempting item from the mall, wait until 30 days before purchasing it. Write it down on a list of pending items. When a month has passed, cross out the items that you are willing to skip on. The only exceptions to this rule are groceries and other fixed expenses.

#2: WORKING HARD IS NOT AN EXCUSE

How many times have you purchased an item that you “deserve”? Yes! You may be using your hard-earned money to enjoy finer things in life. However, hard work should not be an excuse to spend. Income does not automatically increase as your workload expands! Your budget must outweigh your work stress.

#3: PLASTIC IS NOT FANTASTIC

Leaving your credit cards at home is one of the easiest ways to stop spending. Equip yourself with the amount of cash that you are willing to spend in a grocery store or a shopping centre. You can only bring your card with you if you are planning to pay off an item through an installment plan.

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Leaving these plastics behind will help you avoid the temptation of impulse purchases.

#4: SETTING SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL GOALS

As you alter your spending habits, setting realistic short-term financial goals is a great way to stay motivated. Having these goals will remind you of the reasons why you are making several sacrifices at the moment. It is important to be specific when it comes to thse goals as it will be easier to aim for. Instead of saying that you want to decrease your coffee budget, you may say that you will “decrease your monthly coffee costs from S$200 to S$100”.

#5: THE OPPORTUNITY COST

Lastly, re-frame your thoughts by looking at the brighter side of your goals. The technical term for this is opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is defined as “the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.”

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Saving money and cutting back will give you an opportunity to reach your goals!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Budgeting 101: Taking Over Your Financial Life

Have you created a budget in the past? Were you able to firmly follow through? What were the obstacles that you have experienced?

It comes as no surprise that budgeting is no easy feat! It is a strategic task that encourages cutting down of your expenses. Furthermore, you must find a way to still enjoy the money you earn. Striking a balance between your needs and wants can be stressful for some.

So, where must you start?

Start accept your accountability over the choices you make. Every action has an equal reaction towards your wealth. Regularly subscribing to designer shoes can take a toll on your income. While, decreasing your trips to the coffee shop can help save cash. With this form of thinking, you will practice financial self-awareness.

Financial self-awareness comes the observation of thoughts, feelings, and actions surrounding money. For instance, you will be more aware of temptations such as the “cheap” 24-hour marketplaces.

TYPES OF BUDGETING

A. Traditional

A Traditional Budget maps out a plan for how you expect to spend your money. It indicates the amount of money you allot during a specific period of time for a specific financial obligation. How much will you set aside for rent, entertainment, or insurance?

B. 50/20/30 Rule

The 50/20/30 rule is a proportional guideline that helps you establish good habits through the alignment of saving goals. 50% of your income shall go to essentials, 20% of your income shall go to savings, and 30% of your income will be spent on the unnecessary personal expenses.

C. Envelope Method

Envelope method is a simple way introduce you to budgeting. Begin by track the last month’s spending. Highlight your fixed and variable expenses. Then, devise a plan that will consist of different categories. Segregate each category into various envelopes. You must strictly follow through the allocation of each envelope. Do not get money elsewhere.

D. Event-based Budgeting

The last type of budgeting revolves the life events such as weddings, funerals, vacations, and special holidays. Tweak your budget in accordance to these events.

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Budgeting lies at the foundation of each and every financial plan. It is about understanding how much money you have, where it goes, and how to allocate those funds. Best of luck! 🙂

Sources: 1 &2

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