7 Possible Reasons Why You’re Broke

Aside from cultivating an expensive taste or keeping up with your neighbors, here are 7 reasons why you are currently broke.

#1: YOU LOVE MONEY TOO MUCH

You are excessively preoccupied with the thought of gaining and spending money. Instead of focusing on the fulfillment of building a career or business, you gain satisfaction by flaunting your wealth.

#2: SAVING IS NOT YOUR PRIORITY

For many people, saving does not come naturally. It is a conscious decision to stick to your assigned budget or financial plan. If you are not making savings your priority then, you are at risk of financial stagnation.

#3: YOU ARE ADDICTED TO SALES

Who does not love scoring an item for a cheaper price? I know I do! For avid bargain hunters, there is a fine line between needs and wants.

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For instance, you just spent S$30 on an As Seen On TV product. How much did you actually save on this unnecessary sale item? Well, you saved nothing! You just spent S$30.

#4: SAYING “NO” IS DIFFICULT FOR YOU

You accept every invitation or each responsibility that comes your way. Sometimes, declining or disagreeing with other people is tantamount in protecting your finances. Consider saying something along the lines of: “No! I will not be able to lend you money right now.” or “No! I am not interested in that business venture.”

#5: YOU SPEND MORE THAN YOUR MEANS

It goes without saying that you are creating a mountain of debt by consistently spending beyond what you make. Others spend money based on what they perceive to earn that month. However, some people never actualize that financial vision.

#6: “LEGENDARY” INVESTORS DICTATE YOUR CHOICES

Self-claimed legendary investors are prevelant due to social media. These type of investors have potent skills in marketing and poor skills in managing their investment portfolio. Be careful with whom you worship!

#7: YOU NEVER LEARN

Taking a wrong financial turn is forgivable but, continuously repeating the same mistake can take a toll on your finances. Many people who suffer from financial difficulties never learn from their experiences. Instead of admitting that they were wrong, they have a tendency to ignore the issue or blame others for it.

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Sources: 1 & 2

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6 Money Mistakes That You Probably Make

As human beings that dwell on habits, our personal finance patterns have a huge impact on our monetary well being. Many people are trapped into the same faulty habits that lead to common money mistakes. Recognizing these mistakes is a vital step to improving your financial health!

MISTAKE #1: NOT SAVING FOR EMERGENCY FUNDS

Unforeseen events happen from time to time. Some are pleasant (i.e., birthday surprise) while others are distressing (i.e., sudden layoff). Once an emergency strikes, it have serious repercussions to your finances. Not saving enough money for emergencies such as fire or burglary can mean instant bankruptcy for your or your family.

So, it is recommended to set aside a portion of your earnings each month to an emergency fund. Discuss with a financial professional about the advantages of compound interest and about ask for a feasible money strategy that fits your goals.

MISTAKE #2: LIMITING YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

A large number of Singaporeans believe that property is an investment. There is nothing wrong about that. However, you are displaying poor portfolio diversification if you limit yourself to properties alone. Not only that! If you can only afford to purchase a single property, you will be forced to be homeless soon after.

This scenario highlights the importance of combining different investment options in order to safeguard your retirement.

MISTAKE #3: NOT NEGOTIATING YOUR SALARY

When I was a fresh talent in the “working scene”, I constantly cut my worth short. I believed that my experience was so insufficient. However, my relatively negative mindset was demeaning my knowledge and skills. This is why it is important to evaluate your skills, education, and experiences.

Find out the average salary per year through PayScale. It provides salary information for a particular position from its global online database. For example, the average pay for a Sales Representative at Pharmaceuticals is S$47,566/year. Negotiate salary based on your substantial research. You can do it!

MISTAKE #4: TERMINATING YOUR CARDS PREMATURELY

Whether you are closing out your cards because they are underused or because you had finally paid off your entire balance, this act may not be the best move for your credit score. The utilization rate and he average age of your credit accounts are two important elements of your credit score. The goal is to have a long credit history and a low utilization rate. Both of these elements are affected if you closed out your cards.

A better option is to store your credit cards in a safe place and make a purchase every once in a while to demonstrate that you are a good steward of your card. Immediately pay off the balance too.

MISTAKE #5: NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY FOR YOUR START-UP

Having scarce funding because of underestimating the start-up expenses can lead you to using your own savings just to meet the company’s monetary needs. You can either use your retirement savings or borrow money from friends and family. Furthermore, you will not be able to optimize your product to its full potential. This is not a good disposition to have!

A usual start-up goes through several rounds of funding. It is necessary to analyze all the areas of your budding business and each type of funding opportunities in order to begin the operations on the right foot.

MISTAKE #6: EATING OUT EXCESSIVELY

It is no secret that Singaporeans love to munch! We are blessed with a myriad of cuisines that one cannot resist the temptation of eating out. As with everything that is good, too much can be a sin too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

You may feel that eating out during lunch or dinner daily does not make a difference. But, all your costs add up. The cost of one restaurant meal may be equivalent to three home-cooked meals. Consider packing lunch from home as it is cheaper, most of the time.

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