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.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

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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Last-Minute Christmas Shopping Guide In Singapore

The temptation to turn on the Jingle Bell Rock or the Polar Express movie is approaching its peak level! Despite it being the 24th of December, I am sure that some of you have yet to purchase a set of Yuletide gifts. Your time is running out and your meeting your family soon. What must you do to get all your presents sorted out for the party?

Firstly, throw the online shopping option out of the window. The shipping period will never come in time no matter how much you click the “express” option.

Alas! There is still work to be done. Consider these shopping spots while you begin your search.

#1: THE POPULAR ONE

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of shopping? Well, Orchard Road of course. Its world-class array of malls has gained popularity among tourists and locals alike. Hit up the retail havens such as ION Orchard and Paragon to explore international brands (of different price scales) such as Editor’s Market, Mango, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Nonetheless, almost everything can be found in TANGS.

Score great deals in footwear, cosmetics, clothing, and other items as you stroll around Orchard Road.

#2: THE HIP ONE

If you want to take Instagrammable photos while you continue your last-minute shopping, head down to Haji Lane or Bugis Street. These places attract shoppers and tourists on a daily basis. These two venues may be in close proximity with each other but, they offer contrasting shopping experiences. Haji Lane has an array of vintage or artisanal items that highlight one’s craftsmanship. While, Bugis Street is well-loved for its extremely low prices and Korean-centric stores. Both venues offer trendy and timeless pieces that will delight your fashionista friend or family member.

Get the best prices by strolling around Haji Lane or Bugis Street before committing to a final purchase.

#3: THE ALL-NIGHTER

From traditional Indian clothing to brightly-colored accessories, you can make your way to Little India to shop in a lively cultural part of Singapore. Visit Mustafa Centre for Christmastime gifts varying from children’s toys to sporting goods. What’s more? This massive store is open for 24 hours. Thus, you may literally shop until you drop.

Do indulge in a cultural immersion while you shop around.

#4: THE BIG ONE

What better way to spend your last-minute shopping ordeal than by visiting the city’s largest shopping mall – the VivoCity. VivoCity houses the cheap Japanese outlet Daiso where you can spend as little as S$2 for a stocking stuffer. Furthermore, there are other glistening brands such as Sephora and Pandora. Who can say no to a set of jewels and makeup?

If you have your little ones with you, you may let them have fun at the open-air playground on the second level or splash around in the water-based Sky Park on the third level while you shop around.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

With a countless array of shopping malls and indie outlets, Singapore offers the perfect spot for your last-minute Yuletide shopping. Good luck!

Source: Visit Singapore

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7 Ways To Make The Most Out Of Your Weekend

Who says you need to break the bank to have an awesome weekend? Here are seven weekend ideas that you can dive into:

1: CREATE A SCAVENGER HUNT

Spice up your weekend by creating an exciting scavenger hunt. Start by gathering group of people in one area. Then, divide the group into two. Act as the game master who will hide all the items around the vicinity.

Add an exciting twist to your scavenger hunt by letting each player bring a unique item related to a given theme. For instance, you may have a BTS-themed Scavenger Hunt complete with all the BT21 collectibles! Set a timer and enjoy the hunt. A friendly competition never hurt anybody!

2: VOLUNTEER TO BABYSIT

Parents, admit it! You all need a break every once in a while. Not to mention, many single parents hardly ever get a chance to unwind. This is why most of them would jump on a chance to let someone babysit their children for a day.

If you are passionate about taking care of kids and being surrounded by them, consider volunteering to babysit for a friend or a relative. Spend the day by doing arts and crafts or by visiting the nearby playground.

3: SHOP AT FLEA MARKETS

Expand your wardrobe without breaking your budget by investing in sustainable fashion. Fortunately for you, Singapore has a wealth of flea markets with items selling for as low as S$2.

Begin your search by checking out the Fleawhere and The Luggage Market. Fleawhere is a market organizer known for its regular flea parties at Lucky Plaza. In fact, it will be holding the 7th edition of the “Daebak Sale” this June 29 (Saturday). The Daebak Sale offers affordable items from your favorite Instagram Influencers. All items are under S$12! Check out www.fleawhere.com for more details.

Let us move on to The Luggage Market. As the name suggests, you will be greeted by a huge sight of vendors carrying luggages. These luggages are filled with preloved clothing ranging from S$2 to S$5. These insanely low prices attract crowds from far and wide. Visit the Grand Link Square on a Sunday to check it out!

4: GO ON A WALKING TOUR

See what is beyond the four walls of your cubicle by exploring the great outdoors! Get up close and personal with nature as you embark on any one of the National Parks’ walking or cycling trails.

Feast your eyes as you spot large numbers of biodiversity and hundreds of bird species that most trails provide. Whether you prefer a long seamless walk in a chain of hills or a peaceful cycling experience off the city, there is definitely a suitable trail for you. Learn more about the trails at
www.nparks.gov.sg.

5: MAKE A TIME CAPSULE

Treasure life’s precious moments by creating a time capsule that you will open a decade from now. A time capsule, often put in a small box, houses preserved articles or records of your present-day life. You can either put a polaroid selfie, a piece of clothing, or a heartfelt letter inside. Be as creative as you can when filling it up!

The fun never stops now! Imagine how you will react upon seeing the changes that happened in a span of 10 years.

6: REVAMP YOUR FLAT

There is a way to change your home’s entire look in a snap. You read that right! Simply rearrange the key elements – the furniture and decorations. Try moving the couch to a different wall or a table to a different corner.

You will be surprised to see how fresh a room looks just by moving a piece of furniture into different positions or angles.

7: PUSH STRESS AWAY

Whether you like it or not, stress is inescapable. Use the weekend to freshen up your mind in time for the weekday grind. One of the ways that you can overcome stress is by practicing the basic meditation technique. Best of all? It does not cost a cent!

Watch this short video to know the essential information on how to meditate:

Sources: 1 & 2

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Rise And Fall Of Sembawang Music Centre

Remember the time when cassette tapes and CDs were a big deal? Well, the popularity of stereo and portable CD players came with the massive impact of Sembawang Music Centre (SMC).

Before we reminisce the existence of this local legend, let us go back to the birth of the CD. The CD is often times attributed to inventor James Russell who used multiple optical mediums. However, it was finalized in the 80’s when Sony and Philips created the famed “Red Book” standard. The standard follows a 120mm diameter disc with music at a resolution of 16 bit/44.1kHz. To many, this is still regarded as the optimal digital standard. This newly revamped CD made its way to the greater public in 1983.

It makes sense why Sembawang Music Centre reigned supreme in the 1990’s to early 2000’s. From cassette tapes to CDs, music enthusiasts of the yesteryears were satisfied with the collection of SMC. It is a mainstay in the music retail industry with an operation spanning for more than two decades. Students often save up every cent of their allowance to buy an album or two!

Image Credits: straitstimes.com

It got its name from the shopping centre from which it started – the Sembawang Shopping Centre. In its humble beginnings, it stored some of the most rare music finds. It made every weekend a musical treasure hunt for adolescents and adults alike. During its peak, it had about 26 outlets in Singapore! Several outlets were found in Raffles City, Thomson Plaza, and Plaza Singapura. Having decent locations were not enough to avoid its downfall! The digital wave in the music industry made retail stores like SMC obsolete. You can buy almost any song from iTunes, stream your favorite playlists in Spotify, or download illegally at no-cost from various websites.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

People like to listen to music and they like it now! The convenience that digital music platforms can offer led to the diminishing popularity of physical music retail stores. As a result, Sembawang Music Center filed for bankruptcy and eventual closure in 2009. SMC, you will always be a part of Singapore’s musical history.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Complete Your Home Gym With These Inexpensive Equipment

One of my partner’s resolutions for the year 2019 is to achieve his ideal shape! With this goal in mind, he enrolled in a nearby gym and set a schedule for his fitness regimen. To support this, he and I exercise at home with the following equipment.

Do not worry! You do not have to break the bank to get ripped.

YOGA MAT
Price: S$9.90 at Decathlon

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Investing in a Yoga Mat is a must due to its versatility. Not only can you do all sorts of yoga poses in a non-slip surface, but it can also protect your joints as you exercise. Exercising on a yoga mat goes beyond the practice of yoga. You can do push-ups or ab crunches while on the mat.

PVC HAND WEIGHTS
Price: S$13 at Decathlon

Easy-to-grip hand weights or dumbbells need no introduction! They simply add resistance to your cardio routine or strength training. You may also step up your yoga poses while holding a pair or two-pound weights!

JUMP ROPE
Price: S$2.50 at Decathlon

There is a reason why boxers incorporate the classic jump rope to their training. It improves a range of skills such as balance, stamina, endurance, and coordination. Not to mention, this lightweight and tangle-resistant rope is adjustable for different heights.

RESISTANCE BANDS
Price: S$3.90 at Decathlon

Resistance bands are cheap, convenient, and light. Toss a couple of resistance bands in your drawer to enjoy the 20 to 50 pounds of resistance in aid of your strength training. Research about the poses that you can do with it.

AB WHEEL
Price: S$10 at Decathlon

The Ab Wheel is one of the as-seen-on-TV products that actually work. It earned the hearts of many due to its ability to tone the abs. If you are sick of crunches, this alternative may be perfect for you! Made of stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic, it is durable enough to last.

MEDICINE BALL
Price: S$4.90 at Decathlon

While I will not require you to spend a huge amount of money on a full set of medicine balls, you may invest in one or two of them. Medicine balls are about the size of a Basketball, but can weigh from 2 to 30 pounds.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Use these weighted balls to support your ab exercises. Ultimately, it is fantastic for building your upper-body power. Try throwing it against the wall or to a partner.

Sources: 1 & 2

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