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6 Habits to Drive Up Your Fortune This 2025

As we step into the Year of the Wood Snake, a time symbolizing adaptability, diversity, and lateral growth, many are seeking ways to channel these traits into personal improvement. With New Year’s Eve just behind us, the air is filled with aspirations and a touch of superstition.

From wearing lucky colors to gobbling up 12 grapes under a table at the stroke of midnight (yes, that’s a thing – just ask my friends flooding social media with it), everyone seems to have their own ritual to invite fortune into their lives. But here’s the catch: luck can only work its magic when paired with action.

So why not take a proactive approach this 2025 by adopting these six auspicious habits?

#1: SET A TIMELINE

Resolutions don’t have to start on January 1. If the timing doesn’t feel right, delay them until you’re ready. For instance, I have put my Thesis Writing on hold while I celebrate Christmastime with my family.

Stressful now? Begin in February, or whenever suits you best. The key is to align your goals with your energy and mindset, not an arbitrary date.

#2: QUIT COMPARING YOURSELF

Your journey is uniquely yours. While it’s tempting to measure your progress against others’ resolutions, resist the urge. Set goals that reflect your personal aspirations. Ignore what’s trending on social media or in social conversations.

#3: LEAN ON OTHERS FOR SUPPORT

Teamwork makes the dream work. Whether it’s joining a fitness group or a professional development community, surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals can boost your motivation and keep you accountable.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

And don’t forget clear boundaries are essential. If certain friends or environments trigger unhelpful habits, communicate your needs. True friends will uplift you rather than drag you down.

#4: PRIORITIZE FITNESS

Health is wealth, and there’s no better time to make 2025 your year of transformation. Use fitness tracking apps or smartwatches to monitor your progress, set achievable goals, and push past your limits. Every small step counts toward a healthier, happier you.

#5: BE KINDER TO YOURSELF

Slip-ups happen. Instead of berating yourself when things don’t go as planned, analyze the situation. What led to the setback? How can you handle it better next time? Celebrate even the smallest victories because progress is a journey. Personally, I like to reward myself with items from my wish list (e.g., lip gloss or perfume) whenever I achieve a certain goal. What items are on your wish list?

#6: PRACTICE GRATITUDE

Negativity can fuel bad habits, but gratitude can extinguish them. Replace self-doubt with affirmations like “I can” and “I will.” Write down three things you’re grateful for each day or place uplifting notes around your home. These reminders of your power and resilience will keep you grounded.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

The Year of the Wood Snake offers a perfect backdrop for growth and renewal. Embrace these habits, and watch your 2025 flourish!

Sources: 1 & 2

How Some Singaporeans Welcomed The Prosperous Li Chun

Last February 4, waves of people conquered queues at the banks and the cash deposit machines across the nation.

Why? You may promptly ask.

It is because practices of Li Chun (Farmer’s Day) fall on that day. Li Chun traditionally signifies the beginning of Spring in numerous Asian cultures including Singapore. On this day, farmers celebrate with special events, offerings, and rituals to welcome a successful and blissful new year.

While in recent years, some Singaporeans believed that banking in money on Li Chun can ensure good fortune and help grow their wealth. Furthermore, a superstition dictates that wearing a red top on this “auspicious” day can bring luck!

According to the charts available online, there are four two-hour windows designated for each individual to withdraw cash. The varied “lucky hours” are based on the person’s Chinese Zodiac Sign or the year they were born. This is why a number of brave souls were seen falling in a long queue for the whole course of the day.

Some banks and companies were aware of the popularity of this practice to the point that they have had things prepared beforehand. Two key players were United Overseas Bank (UOB) as well as DBS/POSB banks.

A spokesman for UOB shared that the bank had incorporated more services and staff to handle the higher demands of that day:

“Longer queues were seen at our cash deposit machines after 3pm, as it was the auspicious timing to usher in the year of the Monkey.

To ensure that our customers had a good customer experience, we catered for extra manpower at our branches, and also ensured that cash deposit machines were serviced and emptied to accommodate the extra volume of cash deposits.”

Then UOB stepped up their services by adding special seated queues for elderly, pregnant woman, and disabled.

On the other hand, about 10,000 DBS/POSB employees had their February salaries credited to their account last Thursday. According to Theresa Phua, DBS Bank Singapore Head of Human Resources, the bank had been crediting salaries before Chinese New Year in order for their valued employees to enjoy the festivities well.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

How Much “Ang Bao” Money Shall You Give This Chinese New Year?

The festivity of the Chinese New Year is about a month away. Abundant food, family reunions, and little red packets called “Ang Bao” will grace Singapore once again.

These red packets are usually given during social gatherings such as weddings or the holidays. Its color embodies “good luck” that is supposed to ward off the evil spirits.

Married couples usually give these red packets to single people (e.g. children or work colleagues). Its history is rooted from the Chinese belief that you achieve the “adult status” once you get hitched. So, the newfound status comes with the privilege to distribute “Ang Baos” to those who still remain single or are younger.

Image Credits: Paul via Flickr

Since Singapore is a mixture of different cultures, we as a nation have created practices centering “Ang Bao” gifting. It is not uncommon to have marriages between two different races, leading to traditional practices being modified or ignored. But aside from the Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Filipinos and South Koreans have similar customs.

A simple survey on TheAsianParent Facebook Page showed that readers usually give out S$2- S$80 to children in 2014. Furthermore, “S$4” was avoided due to its similarity to the word “death” in many dialects.

Ultimately, PerfectWeddings.sg showed that economy and income status affects the money given. During good economy, it was common to receive “Ang Baos” with a minimum of S$6 each for children but economic recession urged its reduction to S$2 each. Since, economic downturn affects the whole country, there was no judgment in the amount you give.

To help you find the right amount to give…here is a concise “Chinese New Year Ang Bao Market Rate 2014” chart by PerfectWeddings.sg :

As you can see, a red packet containing a minimum of S$2-S$20 is common to give for children, while it ranges to about S$8- S$88 for parents. Your in laws will not take it against you if you give them S$88 in the New Year. Lastly, you may give the same amount of money to your friends or colleagues’ children as you did with your own children.

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