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10 Incredibly Easy and Clever Ways To Save Money

1. MOVE TO A BANK WITH HIGHER INTEREST

If you are looking for a new bank to open a savings account with, choose a bank that has the most beneficial perks and the highest interest rates. Check out “2016’s Most Profitable Savings Accounts In Singapore” to get an idea.

2. USE COUPONS WHEN SHOPPING

Couponing is a strategy used by a shopper to pay less in shopping for groceries, tickets, and more. Get coupons for dining, leisure, toys, pets services, and just about anything at cuponation.com.sg or groupon.sg.

3. PLAN AHEAD

Aside from making a grocery list and sticking by it, it is good to trust your routines by having the previous receipt along when you shop. With that receipt, you can tell when something is on sale. That is when you must stock up.

4. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS

It is best to surround yourself with people who share the same financial values as you, especially those who are frugal by nature. Filter out toxic financial relationships and know the 6 Kinds Of Friends Who Can Positively Influence Your Finances.

5. STAY HEALTHY

Eliminate your consumption of snacks, chips, and sweets. These types of food are not only unhealthy but they are also costly. Who knew that making healthier choices can help you save more?

6. SELL YOUR COLLECTIBLES

If you had spent hundreds of dollars on collectible items, you can start selling them now and use those funds to reach your financial goals. Try selling your items to the worldwide marketplace platform of eBay and Gumtree.

7. CONSUME THE LEFTOVERS

Save the unconsumed food when you either ordered too much restaurant food or when you cooked excessively. Revamp the dish by topping fresh greens, juicy fruits or leftover slices of chicken.

8. UNPLUG REGULARLY

Even if you turn off the switches, your appliances and electronics will continue to consume energy and spike your tariff. So reduce your bills by unplug your cables and electronics when not in use.

9. REPAIR YOUR OWN CLOTHING

Instead of tossing your shirt because of the missing buttons, sew new buttons that perfectly match the old ones. Learning and mastering the basic sewing stitches can help you save money and extend the life of your favorite clothing.

10. USE FREE AND OPEN-SOURCE SOFTWARE

Stop paying hundreds or thousands of dollars on programs that can be obtained for free with the same level of performance, quality, and reliability. Use free and open-source software such as the packages on this list.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Ways To Spot Counterfeit Singapore Notes From The Genuine Ones

Several security features in the currency notes act as shields to minimize the risk of counterfeiting. It is important for every Singaporean to know more about these security features to be able to spot between real and fake notes.

Start familiarizing yourself with these 6 ways:

1. OBSERVE THE PORTRAIT

Late Encik Yusof bin Ishak’s portrait takes up the front of the notes. As it is hand-engraved and printed in intaglio ink, it serves as an anti-counterfeiting feature that is hard to imitate. Look for this feature because the fine lines of the engraving are difficult to reproduce.

2. USE A MAGNIFYING GLASS

Upon looking at the note through a magnifying glass, you shall notice the text “BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY SINGAPORE” or “MONETARY AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE” printed in micro-letters above the word SINGAPORE on the front side. To the naked eye, this line appears in a singular line but the intricate details are clearly seen with the help of a magnifying glass.

3. LOOK FOR THE BRAILLE CODE

To know if it is genuine, look at the note’s unique Braille code. Each note has a Braille code at the top right corner of the front side of the note. It is printed in heavy intaglio ink so that visually handicapped individuals can easily recognize each denominations by touch.

4. USE A UV LIGHT

If you place a genuine note under the UV light, you will see that its denomination numeral, its seal, and its serial number will glow on the front. While on paper notes, fluorescent fibers will glow if the note is genuine.

5. INSPECT THE LION

If the note is genuine, the Singapore Lion symbol on the front shall register perfectly with the image on the back. It is because the front symbol is printed simultaneously with the back symbol. Also, it appears near the watermark.

6. FEEL THE NOTE

A genuine note has an “embossed feel” due to the intaglio printing. The use of intaglio printing on the engraved portrait, the Singapore Arms, the word SINGAPORE, and other parts offers good overall tactility. This is done so that even the tiny details are clearly defined.

Image Credits: quora.com

Although the number of counterfeit cases is very low, you shall report its occurrence immediately to the nearest police station or to the Commercial Affairs Department (Contact: 6325 0000).

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

6 Ways to Save Money as a Yoga Teacher

Various people have an impression that Yoga is expensive or that Yoga is only for the elites.

Compared to a monthly gym membership, perhaps Yoga can be considered expensive. Clothes, mats, and other props can be costly. But, if you prioritize the practice of awareness rather than flaunting for fashion then you may find yourself saving a lot more.

As Yoga teachers, you get to immerse yourself deeper in the practice and its doctrines. You become less interested in wastefulness and more interested in conservation. With that in mind, here are 6 Simple Ways to Save Money as a Yoga Teacher…

Image Credits: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas via Flickr

1. SAVE ON YOGA TOPS

Jessica Matthews, writer on “American Council on Exercise”, suggests that you can wear a simple tank top a fitted and stretchy t-shirt, or a sportswear top, whether or not they were designed specifically for Yoga. An inexpensive top or shirt can be just as comfortable as the designer ones.

2. MANAGE YOUR INCOME AND EXPENSES

In order for you to decide on how much you shall save, first you must be aware of how much you are spending. The typical things you will track as an expense are costs on training, travel, clothing, and books. The challenge now is for you to choose on which expenses you can reduce.

3. MAKE YOUR OWN YOGA PROPS

Abby Lentz, founder of the “HeavyWeight Yoga classes”, shared some Do-It-Yourself Yoga Props.

a. Yoga Blocks

It is possible to make a handcrafted Yoga Block if you have bulky, unused or old books, yellow pages, phone books, and dictionaries. Just slip a pace of hard cardboard halfway between the pages of the book to make it sturdy and tightly tape the entire areas close.

b. Yoga Straps

You can make your own Yoga strap by knotting two neckties together. You may also use a second-hand bathrobe sash from the thrift shop as branded Yoga straps are just made with cotton straps with buckles.

Image Credits: Roy Blumenthal via Flickr

4. PRACTICE AT HOME

Doing Yoga at home along with a video or audio companion is definitely more cost-effective than attending classes. The Internet has an abundant index of Free Yoga videos, health information, and Yoga poses catalog that you may use.

If your studio benefits include free classes, then take advantage of it. Aside from exercising, you will get a chance to study how different teachers conduct their classes.

5. INVEST IN THE BASICS

Two dollars for a mat and a dollar for bottled water may not seem like a lot, but it will quickly add up over time. Instead of buying or renting cheap Yoga mats, invest on a sturdy one that you can use for a couple of years.

Instead of buying mineral water on the studios you practice, buy a cheap water bottle and refill your own water at home. Through these steps, you will not only be able to save money but you will also be able to reduce waste.

6. Aside from saving money on Yoga, you can also save money through Yoga!

Sources: Yogaanonymous and About.com

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