Lifestyle Archives | Page 27 of 55

Exploring Other Lifestyles That A Singaporean Can Have

Bidding farewell to the mainstream lifestyle and jumping into the wagon of alternatives can be a little scary. For starters, it mixes various subcultures and applies different financial approaches. Are you ready to glance through some of your potential options?

Well, let me start with an option that is relatively expensive to maintain. I shall dub this lifestyle as the “YOGAHOLIC“. Having a Yogaholic lifestyle consists of a balance between work and leisure.

Several years ago, I worked at a fitness studio. This allowed me to cultivate lasting friendships with a few of the Yoga teachers. Many of them led a Yogaholic lifestyle. They frequently go to wellness retreats to rejuvenate their bodies and mold their skills. You do not need to be an expert at Yoga to reap the benefits of a wellness retreat! Two retreat centers came into my mind as they are near Singapore. Enjoy a serene getaway at the luxurious center called The Farm. Located at Batangas (Philippines), The Farm creates a well-rounded program to aid you in restoring your balance. Try their signature spa treatments while you are in there.

The other famous spot nestles in the heart of Ubud (Bali). The Yoga Barn offers daily yoga classes and workshops to establish holistic healing. Embodying the Yogaholic lifestyle allows you to deepen your practice and to adapt healthy eating habits.

Now, let us drastically tip the pointer on the cheaper scale. Let us inspect a way of life that limits one’s spending – the “MINIMALIST” lifestyle. A genuine minimalist does not step out with a pair of brown sack-cloths with hoods or step out of a Muji catalog. Instead, a minimalist tries to purchase as little as possible. This idea contradicts with the materialistic culture that Singaporeans had build. Just notice how many times an average citizen changes his or her smartphone!

Start leading a minimalist lifestyle by keeping your wardrobe simple. You do not have to wear the same shirt or same outfit everyday. Instead, you must avoid hefty designer clothing by purchasing clothes from thrift shops or clearance sales. Do not be afraid to repeat an outfit for a different occasion. Take a hint from the Duchess of Cambridge herself.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The last lifestyle marries the aforementioned ones together. It prefer to label it as the “ECO-CONSCIOUS” way. Going eco-conscious creates a balance between Mother Earth and its inhabitants. Furthermore, it uses controlled consumption and later saves you money. The conscious effort to create less waste and choose fresh produce will help build a sustainable country that new generations can indulge on.

You may not be ready to join the divergent train, but some of these alternative lifestyles are actually good for your finances. Would you at least consider one option?

Sources:1 & 2

How To Efficiently Declutter Your Personal And Financial Life

The perfect time to organize your thoughts, to arrange your bills, and to declutter your home is NOW! Here are five strategies that you can start with:

CLEANSE YOUR PHONE

We are constantly glued to our devices. I do not mean to be a bearer of bad news, but your devices are not entirely sanitary. Various researchers have found Escherichia coli bacteria, Streptococcus, and other pathogens living on mobile phones. It is important to employ measures to keep yourself healthy and to minimize medical bills.

One of the first few things that I do upon coming home from work is to cleanse my phone. I grab a couple of cotton pads and spray it with Isopropyl Alcohol. This helps me disinfect my phone as I am constantly in contact with relatively sickly children. You can adopt this habit too!

FLOSS YOUR PEARLY WHITES

Many experts encourage the importance of flossing in one’s daily grooming routine. A floss is designed to reach between the gums and the teeth. It acts as an efficient tool to lower the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

You do not want to go to a job interview with a flaming bad breath!

PURGE YOUR ITEMS

Are you getting trapped under a mountain of rubbish? Tidy your space by practicing the one-item-in and one-item-out policy. This policy works by bringing a new item in and dropping an old item out. You can either donate, sell, or throw the old item. Doing this regularly will improve both your financial and mental health.

ORGANIZE YOUR BILLS

Never forget where you put the bills or when their due dates are by designating one place for them. You read that right! You have to decide whether you are going to file all your bills in a tangible box or in a computer folder.

Some bills arrive by electronic mail while some arrive by postal mail. Printed bills must be kept in a labeled box. While for virtual storage of bills, make scanned copies of those that arrive in the mail and put them into a labeled folder in your laptop.

EASE YOUR MIND

Create a healthy division between your work and personal life to lessen your stress. For instance, my co-worker does not respond to the client’s calls after 7 PM. You may do the same thing, if necessary. Another way to keep your mind at ease is by not checking your email before you go to sleep.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is inevitable to spot a message that will your mind buzzing all throughout the night. Furthermore, it may make you anxious to go to work the next day. Do you want that to happen?

Sources: 1 & 2

Do You Have A Financially Toxic Friend?

Whether you notice it or not, the people whom you interact the most with are likely to shape your financial decisions. Some outcomes are less positive than others. The truth is, you may not be able to change the personalities of the people around. The only thing you can change is your exposure to these people.

Filter out toxic financial relationships by distinguishing these people from the rest:

The Dollar-Pincher

There is a huge difference between prioritizing your spending and conserving because you do not want to spend your wealth! “Dollar-Pinchers” see money as a tool that they must conserve at all cost. They aim to spend a little money as possible (i.e., synonymous to a cheapskate or a miser).

Let us be realistic. Many of us have encountered a friend who seemingly dissolves when the bill arrives. To save you from an embarrassing moment with the waiter and to keep your Dollar-Pincher quiet, you opt for paying his or her share. Doing so entails that you will spend more than your allotted budget.

The Investigator

As the name suggests, the “Investigator” digs deeper into your life to reap information that you would normally share with your trusted financial planner. He or she desires to know how much you made, saved, and spend. You need to be especially careful if the Investigator is a co-worker. You see, this type of friend is least likely to be concerned with your well being. Anything you say may be used against you.

When it comes to painting my future, I am not afraid to test the waters. I have had several occupations and there was one thing that I noticed. My Investigator friend would constantly pry into my professional life. He would ask me how much my current job offer was and how much my monthly salary is. He goes even further by asking if what was offered was higher than my previous job. Needless to say, we are no longer friends.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The Show-Off

If you are a frequenter of various social media platforms, you probably came across a friend who has a seemingly successful life. The “Show-Off” brags about his or her financial capacity by sharing his or her local and international endeavors. It is especially hard when you are roughly the same age as your friend and you find yourself making comparisons between each other’s progress.

Regularly bombarding yourself with friends who display or tell you how great they are doing with their finances can trigger unhealthy emotional responses. You may start doubting your monetary choices or start feeling depressed with your career. Please realize that you do not need to keep up with the Show-Off! Simply focus on what you are doing right with your finances.

The Wheedler

Be careful! You do not want to be misguided by the “Wheedler”. This type of friend uses flattering words and thoughts to entice you to spend beyond the bounds of your financial capability.

To put things into perspective, let us say that you are shopping with your chum Atiqah. You wanted to buy an expensive dress that you do not really need. Instead of politely suggesting to skip on the dress, Atiqah encourages you to purchase it immediately. She continues to shower you with exaggerated pleasantry until you give in. If you cannot change the Wheedler’s ways, you must only bring the amount of cash that you are willing to spend with him or her.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is time to turn the tables around. Search within yourself and examine whether you have been financially toxic to others. Are you willing to change for the better?

Sources: 1 & 2

Japanese Beauty Products That Are Worth Every Dollar

The global interest given to Japanese companies such as Shu Uemera and Shiseido paved way for the entrance of lesser-known Japanese brands. More and more Singaporeans are embracing these imported products into their vanity kits. You see, Japanese beauty products shine above the rest due to its adorable packaging and unique design.

The idea is perfectly encapsulated by Ms. Anna-Marie Solowij – the BeautyMART Co-Founder. She once said: “Their cosmetics and skincare products are exciting because they’re novel and exotic and they’re popular thanks to their high quality and innovation, for the same reason as their cars and electronics before them.”

On that note, here are 5 Japanese Beauty Products That Are Worth Every Dollar:

1. DHC DEEP CLEANSING OIL

Get it at Watsons Singapore for a discounted price of S$30.70.

A beauty product that is ever-present in the “best” lists, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil has a water-soluble formula to completely rinse any pore-clogging materials from your skin. Let say you came home from a formal wedding ceremony. Massage the product to your face using your fingertips to remove your waterproof mascara and wipe off other clingy cosmetics. You will never see a greasy residue again!

The formula is suitable for people with sensitive skin as it was made from natural ingredients and is free from Paraben or fragrance.

2. BIORÉ CLEANSING WATER MAKEUP REMOVAL

Get it at Watsons Singapore for S$18.90.

Bioré Skincare made a bold claim when they highlighted that the Cleansing Water Makeup Removal can lift off a significant amount of makeup with just one swipe! I am not entirely sure that one swipe is enough as it depends on your skin type. However, this remover will easily cleanse your face from your pores to your lashes. This is because it is enriched with natural mineral water from the Northern Japanese Alps.

The formula’s weak acidity proves that it is gentle and safe on the skin. Thus, it is suitable for young people.

3. MUJI COSMETIC PAPER

Get it at Muji Singapore branches for S$1.90.

When I was in secondary school, oil blotting papers were all the rage! It originates from Japan and has been use for years by Geisha and actors (to freshen their faces before their performances). The traditional version was made from Abaca leaf, but modern technology is able to make it from pulp or rice paper. Muji’s version is made from the former.

Image Credits: muji.com.sg

The thinness of Muji’s Cosmetic Paper makes it more efficient at absorbing oil. Furthermore, the product and its packaging is environmentally friendly. Feel free to put it on the composting bin!

4. SUMI HAIGOU SETTUKEN CHARCOAL BAR SOAP

Get it at Qoo10 Singapore for about S$23.79.

Putting black charcoal on your face may seem “unglam”, using this ingredient properly can provide many health benefits. Some of its benefits include minimizing the pores, soothing skin irritations, and cleansing oily skin. A top soap infused with activated charcoal is the Sumi Haigou Settuken Charcoal Bar Soap.

This bar soap has powder, which comes from the Kishu region of Japan. The makers begin by burning and cooling oak branches for several days. The end result is an activated charcoal powder that users claim to make their skin brighter and more even-toned. See for yourself!

5. TSUBAKI DAMAGE CARE CONDITIONER

Get it at Watsons Singapore for a discounted price of S$14.37.

Shiseido Company Limited houses a myriad of skin care, hair care, cosmetics, and fragrance brands under its roof. As one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the world, Shiseido introduced Tsubaki as its master for hair. The Tsubaki Damage Care Conditioner relies on age-old ingredients such as the Japanese camellia oil.

It is high in oleic acid to moisturize and strengthen your hair strands. It is also full of antioxidants to beat free-radical damage. Regularly using this products will help you achieve a softer and shinier “crown”.

Image Credits: facebook.com/TsubakiSG

Sources: 1 & 2

Netizens Are Going Crazy Over These Affordable Korean Cosmetics

After getting personal with the best cleansers and masks, it is time to learn about the amazing innovations in cosmetics. Make a substantial room in your vanity kit and get ready to play!

CLIO WATERPROOF BRUSH EYELINER (KILL BLACK)

Get it at Watsons Singapore for S$25.90.

Please make way for a showstopper! The Waterproof Blush Eyeliner in Kill Black embodies the inspirational slogan of not quitting. You see, this great black liner from CLIO stays all day long. It is packed with a smudge-proof formula that can withstand various weather conditions. We all know how this could help you in the humid Red Dot.

The Kill Back has a fine marker to help you create the perfect flick. The matte and opaque formula dries quickly to avoid the horrible upper-lid blotch.

BEAUTY SHOT FACE BLUR SPF 15/PA++

Get it at Etude House Singapore for S$27.90.

Bid farewell to your smoothing beauty app as I introduce the Beauty Shot Face Blur by Etude House. This lightweight cream brings you multi-blurring effects for instantly flawless skin. It claims to minimize pores and brighten complexions.

Image Credits: facebook.com/etude.gl

Face Blur is a handy tool for beginners to help them achieve the UV-protected primer effect.

TONY MOLY PETITE BUNNY GLOSS BAR

Get it at Lazada Singapore for only S$7.50.

Oh! I cannot describe how adorable these Tony Moly bunny glosses are. As we all know, Korean Beauty boasts its subtle colors. The tints and faces inside the Petite Bunny Gloss Bars are different. They work well over or under any type of lip product. As a standalone product, it creates an ideal everyday look. You will love how this product does not smear or crease.

The official Tony Moly stores in Singapore are situated in Jurong Point and Bugis Junction. However, you can get these glosses at Lazada Singapore.

PERIPERA AH MUCH REAL MY CUSHION BLUSHER

Get it at Lazada Singapore for S$29.12.

One of this year’s bestselling cult-favorites is Peripera’s Ah Much Real My Cushion Blusher. Showcase a post-workout flush without breaking a sweat by dabbing the product to your cheeks. This cheerfully packaged blush is easy to use due to its sponge applicator.

The creamy formula will brighten your face and leave it with a soft finish. All these are achieved while hydrating your skin.

Image Credits: https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/904782866256498/?rid=321506254528190&rt=6

Image Credits: facebook.com/commerce/products/904782866256498/?rid=321506254528190&rt=6

Sources: 1 & 2

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