Send a free DaySpring Ecard Today

I always enjoy receiving cards with heartfelt message. Today, I finally managed to take a breather and want to send ecards to my loved ones, to let them know I care.  I love the meaningful messages and often feel uplifted when I see them. If you don't have time for anything, at least make time for this. Drop someone a note, to show you appreciate or care for them.

Words laced with grace and love, is always well-received. It dawned on me that no matter what, it is important for us to speak with gentless and show we care. No one cares how much you know, until he / she knows how much you care.

Connecting people through the words of God through encouragement. How sweet.

Investment Opportunity in Ringgit (Forex)

Malaysia: Firm economic recovery underpinned surprising interest rate hike; Good for KLCI March 10, 2010


The central bank recently raised OPR by 25 basis points to 2.25% which surprised many investors. Here, we will take a closer look at the implications of the rate hike to the equity market and economy.  (Author : iFAST Research Team)

Keynotes

• OPR was raised by 25 basis points in BNM's latest monetary statement, a surprise to many investors.

• The rate hike was underpinned by a stronger than expected economic recovery.

• Rate hike is expected to damper loan growth albeit in a mild manner.

• RM is expected to appreciate against USD which bodes well for the equity market, but might hurt exports temporarily.

• BNM demonstrates its commitment to ensure a sustainable economic recovery by controlling inflation expectations while interest rates remain accomodative. Equity market outlook remains optimistic.

The hike in interest rate is expected to lead to the appreciation of the ringgit. Interesting to note that there is a stronger than expected turnaround in the economy. Malaysia economy moved out of recession in 4Q 09 by posting a better than expected y-o-y growth of 4.5%, bringing GDP growth of -1.7% y-o-y in 2009. This was much higher than market consensus of -2.4% y-o-y.

With all investments, I always believer in doing sufficient research in websites like FundSupermart, or Poems and more publications, then discern, what is worthy of investing. Do not be penny wise, and pound foolish! :P

Getting Ahead in Finance Careers

Essential Skills in Getting Ahead in Finance Careers

The finance industry is notorious to be THE industry which is well-paying, but demanding. Rightfully so, for the demands of an internal auditor or financial analyst, is high and to be in this industry, one must have tenacity. Long hours during Chinese New Year (also known as the peak period) for external auditors from Big Four, are also "character building". How will I know? Well, having gone through this "character building" exercise, here are some qualities, which are essential to getting ahead in the professional trends in this fast evolving industry.

1) Communication Skills
Finance professionals are expected to communicate with many different departments within an organisation, and even external (such as handling external auditors during the financial year end). It is essential that one communicates and conveys complex financial information to non- financial audiences in a succient and palatable manner. Leveraging on interpersonal skills, to win over the hearts of audiences when making strategic recommendations are essential. All too often, a finance professional focuses on the statistics and forget to weave a story together as a package to the audience.

2) Technology Expertise
I did not realise the importance of upgrading my technological skills, until I joined the commercial world. The use of Micorsoft Access to generate query database, and pivot tables in Microsoft Excel are basics which one should know. If you need to learn how to make the best use of a new system or application, consider taking a software course or attend seminars to leverage on technology. Especially with the emphasis on Fraud Detection, your technology expertise is your selling point.

3) Global Perspective
The world's borders are increasingly blurry and as many functions become outsourced, it is imperative that we continue to demonstrate the need and understanding of accounting principles in other countries. Many countries are ramping up on Transfer pricing, and having a good mind on how the tax authorities are putting things together is a value-adding capbility.

There is so much one can do, in the finance industry. If your are keen to find out what opportunities are out there and seeking career advancements, here is the perfect opportunity- Getting ahead in finance careers.

Staying on Our A-Game for Ladies

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day?

How much time are you willing to invest into your career? Chances are, you have already invested a lot into your career. Everyday, you are expending time, energy and effort to make your career work.

What if you could have a career makeover in just half a day? Now you can!

This specially designed half-day seminar to get you started on your career makeover. At this seminar, you will:

• Discover your personalized inventory of career strengths and how you can build upon them

• Gain fresh new perspectives on your career pathways

• Learn new strategies for achieving work-life balance and fulfilling your dreams

Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex

 Investment Tips from the crisis from Dollardex



1. Don't kid yourself about your risk tolerance

We all know to set our risk level before building a portfolio. But do we fool ourselves into believing we have nerves of steel - and take on too much risk? Shares or commodities always look great during a bull run, but it's easy to forget the downside risks are still high - and arguably get higher as markets reach new peaks.

Examine your own situation and your appetite for risk in a very honest and non-macho fashion. There are no prizes for holding the riskiest portfolio but potentially lots of heartache for over-risky portfolios. No investor should have the majority of their assets in shares or equity funds if they are the type of person who gets nervous every time the indexes turn red.

There are ways to lessen market timing risk, such as to regularly invest your money into the market with a monthly plan. Remember too, if your investment timeframe is short you should seriously consider lowering the risk on your portfolio.

2. Don't panic when markets crash

If you do decide to have a risky portfolio, with more than a small proportion in cash, then it can be a double mistake to panic during a crisis. Although markets are not guaranteed to recover, they usually do. If you sell at the point of crisis you will miss out on the recovery phase. A panicky investor tends to buy high, and sell low - just the opposite of a good investment strategy.

Remember that shares earn more than cash (the risk premium) because they are risky. You should expect ups and downs (not just ups). The best investments over the long term are almost always the most volatile. So if you decide to invest in emerging shares, which have grown much faster than shares in developed countries, also expect them to be most prone to large drops.

3. Understand diversification and risk management

Diversification is one way of smoothing risks and returns, and we've all heard the old saying that you must never put all your eggs in one basket. However, as some investors have found out over the last twelve months, during a crisis many supposedly uncorrelated assets do not provide much diversification protection. Stocks and bonds sank together.

Diversification can be misunderstood and too much expected of it. When we think of two assets that are highly uncorrelated we are tempted to think of them both moving in opposite directions during a crisis, hence buffering our portfolio from losses. This may not be true. For example, the returns of the assets in the chart below are almost perfectly uncorrelated, yet the general trend is still in the same direction. You can imagine how these assets might behave in a crash - both would plummet and the "diversified" investor gets no downside protection.

Don't be pressured or lured into making an investment decision. Any investment that sounds too good to be true, probably is. If a product promises or hints it can obtain above average returns then there must be a catch. The catch could be a more volatile return, an obscure risk condition that one day could bite you, or a too favourable reliance on past performance data.

Great Advice from DollarDex for investment.

CPF & You - Buying a House

It feels like everyone is thinking of buying their dream home and have to rely on our hard-earned CPF savings to pay for the home. I learnt some important things like how much CPF can be used for housing, what is the CPF Housing Withdrawal Limit, what can be touched and what cannot, the special account with extra interest and what happens when I sell my property, etc.from investment saavy.  I am quite amazed that there is so much to learn on CPF.

The CPF Housing withdrawal limits can only be from the CPF Ordinary Account, of which 120% of valuation limits for both private and HDB flats, this is not applicable if finance under HDB loan.

Differentiating A Good Coach from a Mediocre One

If you are a female boss, have you throught of ways to coach your staffs? Although the following article is targeted on sales folks, however, therein lies essence of what differentiates a good coach from a leader who simply instructs.

A good sales leader coaches, while a poor sales leader simply directs. Most people who desire success focus almost entirely on themselves, not others. However, this is not the way to be truly successful. As a sales leader, team work is paramount and coaching, becomes a rewarding calling. Certainly, it takes work and may not have immediate returns. Yet in the long run, you get to build up a dream team, exceeding your group target beyond your wildest dreams. How do you develop sales coaching? This article seeks to demystify the area of sales coaching in 3 simple steps.


1. Getting your team members to articulate

A seasoned sales man knows how to ask the right questions to his customers. Similarly, a good sales leader coach must ask his team the right questions and get them to answer. This is truly a powerful tool as the personal articulation creates a self- realization. A good sales coach helps others learn how to analyze their own performance, take responsibility for their own development, find their own answers and gain the team members' commitment to doing it.

2. Focusing only on one priority at a time

Most of us are highly ambitious and seek to accomplish a lot at a time. Perhaps in a bid for time, we often rush through the motion. However, to engage your team and for them to be able to give issues the focus they require to accelerate change, one should not have too much on the agenda. The team member has to learn the ropes and take time to internalise the good habits. Research has shown that simple repetitive tasks require a timeframe of approximately 21 days to condition!

3. Separating evaluation from development

Your team member may feel threaten if they feel that they are being appraised when you are trying to coach them. There is a time and place for everything, thus try to separate the development and evaluation aspect. In fact, some staffs that correctly identify areas to develop may be evaluated more positively. It is good for you to have a list of your team members, with their names, greatest strength, areas to develop and resources to share clearly tabulated in a list. This will allow you to picture your dream team clearly!

When these things are in place, sales coaching become your most powerful tool in achieving results and will far surpass a directive approach. The foundation is then built on trust and strengthening relationship. When coaching your sales staff, you are better able to gain an understanding of the areas where one is stuck and can broaden their perspectives, based on your experience and help to formulate a solution for their obstacles. Sales coaching require affirmation, time and effort. However, this is resources well-invested, and this will help you, as a person to develop lasting qualities for life.

Work Life Balance for Singaporean Women

Source: Robert Half
http://www.roberthalf.com.sg/portal/site/rh-sg/menuitem.b0a52206b89cee97e7dfed10c3809fa0/?vgnextoid=164b7052d3571210VgnVCM1000005e80fd0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6dff20fa5e38f110VgnVCM1000003041fd0aRCRD

Highlights:
* Work-life balance the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals

* 68% of participants expect to progress their career in the next five years

However, 45% do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting

* Only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/ diversity policy

Singapore, 21 May 2009 – Female accounting and finance professionals in Singapore today have strong aspirations to move up the corporate ladder; however, obstacles still line their paths in an environment where fair and equal opportunities for women are not yet entirely entrenched. Work-life balance is importantly also the top priority for women and the key to attracting and retaining female talent in this increasingly challenging environment.

These are the conclusions of Singapore’s first detailed survey of women within the finance and accounting profession in Singapore, jointly launched by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (“ACCA”) and Robert Half Singapore (“Robert Half”). Conducted in March 2009, the survey polled over 700 female finance and accounting professionals across all age groups from a wide range of organisation type, size and industry sector.

The survey found that many women in accounting and finance in Singapore see themselves as career mobile and hold ambitions to develop beyond their current role. When asked where they see themselves in five years, 68% expect to advance their careers, with 32% saying in a new role with their current employer and an even higher 36% citing a senior position in a different firm. The majority of the respondents from the 35 years or younger (44%) age group expect to move on to a more senior role with a different employer, suggesting that younger female workers in general have higher job mobility and are strongly motivated to advance their careers.

However, against the backdrop of a highly mobile female workforce, the survey found that support for female workers in career development and leadership development is currently not forthcoming in many organisations. 27% of respondents claim they do not receive any training support from their companies, with those from the 36 to 45 years age group receiving less support than their peers. During the last 12 months, 64% of respondents had not attended a leadership course and those employed by smaller organisations were less likely to do so than their counterparts in larger firms.

Correspondingly, a significant number of female employees (45%) do not think they will reach a senior management position, such as a Directorship, within finance and accounting. Indeed, 39% of the respondents said their Board of Directors do not have any female representation, with approximately one third (31%) citing that only 1-20% of their board members were female directors. Reasons for this imbalance allude largely to existing gender inequality within their organisations, with comments such as “Such positions are usually given to men” or “There are very few women at the top management levels and these continued to be male oriented”.

The lack of equal opportunities for women is also underscored by the fact that only 49% of participants claim their organisations have a formal equal opportunities/diversity policy. Much obviously still has to be improved on this front, as a sizable 32% do not have such a policy in place, while 21% of respondents are simply unaware if it even exists in their organisations. When asked where an equal opportunities policy would have the greatest impact, 30% said on organisation culture, while a combined 28% saw it as a tool to attract and retain both new and current female employees.

Lastly, but very importantly, even in today’s challenging economic market, female employees are clearly still seeking more balance and flexibility in their lives and the relationship between work and family commitments. According to the survey, work-life balance is the top priority (59%) for female accounting and finance professionals, with respondents ranking flexible hours (61%) and the ability to work from home (51%) as the top flexible benefits that organisations needed to offer to attract and retain female employees. So important is it that the majority of respondents (53%) would leave their current job for one that offered an improved work-life balance, even if it means less pay.

However, contrary to their desire to enjoy an improved work-life balance, an overwhelming 74% of respondents said they are now working longer hours compared to a year ago. The main reasons cited were increased responsibilities (34%) and an increase in workload (24%). Seven percent cited organisation growth which could imply that while business is growing, extra resources are not being brought in to cope with the growth. On average, female accounting and finance professionals work 46.1 hours with those who are married without children working the most number of hours (46.4 hours per week) and those married with children working the least number (45.8 hours).

Mr Tim Hird, Managing Director, Robert Half, comments, “The results of our survey underscore the challenges that female professionals face in Singapore. While women continue to seek greater career advancements, barriers to progression evidently still remain in the workplace today. With Singapore still facing a shortage of skilled professionals despite the weak job market, it is more important than ever that organisations put in place practices to ensure that the funnel of female employees moving up the corporate ladder continues, or risk losing valuable members of the team.

Corporate leaders need to start planning for the eventual market recovery and understand the implications of a talent shortage as we emerge from the recession. Removing these barriers and improving access to flexible benefits is the first step in ensuring that top female talent are not just brought into the workforce, but most importantly, retained.”

Concludes Mrs Penelope Phoon-Cohen, Country Head, ACCA Singapore, “With better education possibilities and career opportunities, women have made a difference to the workplace in the last 50 years and now play an integral part in today’s workforce. As the advancement of women continues in Singapore, it is crucial to understand and ensure that gender equality and fair opportunities exist for female employees. Today, the world is facing unprecedented circumstances. Bringing to the table their unique characteristics and qualifications, women, like their male counterparts, play an important role in tackling the challenges of an increasingly complex economic landscape, and in rebuilding confidence to move businesses forward into the future.”

Handling Tricky Money Situations with Your Loved Ones

Marriage and money can prove to be a stressful combination, as many couples fight about money. During stressful economic times, marriages can be strained when money troubles arise. Here's how to find harmony with your marriage and money.


Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Ongoing

Here's How:

Remain Calm

When tempers flare, people can say things that they wish they could take back -- but can't. It's best for your marriage and money stress levels to remain calm when discussing finances. This means using stress management techniques like breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, exchanging massages, or simply putting on some soothing music. Keeping each other calm can help your marriage, and can help you solve your money problems.

Pray About it
Like all things, pray about it. Nothing beats having a prayer to ask God for His direction. With a gentle note of prayer, remember the fruits of the Spirit and make sure no mean words spout out through your mouth. Instead, gentleness is the way to go.

Get A Clear View
It may not be fun, but it's important that you both have a clear view of your money situation. You both need to know what you have, what you owe, what you make, and where it goes. Sometimes one person does the bulk of the budgeting, but when coming up with solutions for money problems, it's important for both of you to know where you stand. Get everything on the table, and look at it together.
Focus On Solutions
When faced with the sometimes stark reality of money problems, it's sometimes easy to slip into patterns of anger and blame. Don't. This can cause more stress in your marriage, and can actually lead you away from solutions! Focus on accepting the situation you are in now, and working on a clear plan to get to a better financial future together.


Work Together
Two heads are better than one, and in a marriage, it's important for the two of you to be on the same page when it comes to money. Work together to come up with a budget that will work for both of you, and stick to it. (You owe it to one another, as well as to your kids, if you have any.) Encourage your partner's ideas, and remember that your marriage and your money situation will do better of you two are managing money as a team.

Get Help If You Need It
If your money situation is quickly deteriorating and you don't know how to make a plan that can save your finances, it may be a good idea to talk to a financial advisor together. This can provide fresh ideas and an educated perspective, and give you both a neutral third party to trust in. If your marriage is quickly deteriorating from money fights, it may likewise be a good idea to talk to a marriage counselor. Money problems can take a toll on a relationship, and a counselor can help you examine your patterns and come up with a healthier way to relate to one another.

Tips:

Remain Connected--Even when you're frustrated by your situation, you can still hold hands as you talk, take breaks to give each other massages, share a joke, and keep your connection alive in simple ways. You can help one another through this!

Be Aware--If you always seem to fight about money, and especially if you don't entirely know why, it may be a good idea to examine your history and your partner's history and take a look at your 'money issues'. Just being aware of whether you carry negative patterns from childhood, unrealistic expectations, or 'hot buttons' that keep getting pressed, can help you to deal with your triggers.

Take a Break If You Need To--If things get too stressful, take a break and do something you both enjoy together, or take some time alone, and then come back after you both have a set of 'fresh eyes' and an extra dose of patience.

Remain Calm--I've said it before, and it's important enough to mention again. Staying calm when you're dealing with finances can make the difference between a fruitful planning session and a damaging altercation. See the suggestions above, or the resources below.
 
(Source: Stress.about.com)

Make Money while Going on a Holiday

Do you want to save money, make money and yet travel freely? Here is the inside scoop that travel agencies will not tell you and yet, it will make your holiday a memorable one. Have a secret dream of being a merchandiser, well, this is really the stuffs that you want to know, but cannot find in brochures!

The next time you go on a holiday, challenge yourself to turn a holiday trip to a money making venture!

1) Keep your eyes peeled for popular brands / trends

It never hurt to ask the locals for the best places of attractions. When in Rome, do what the Romans do. Check out great sights and sounds with a local, make a new friend! And what is best, is the possibility of seeing something interesting and bringing back a franchise! Do take note of the popular brands in the market, or something that has caught your interest. It may be the latest craze that catches on!

2) Make bulk purchases and sell back home

There are some popular face masks or unique products which are sold elsewhere at a cheap price. You can start surfing the websites and knowing what are some of the popular items sold in the country you are visiting. By doing so, you are able to defray the cost of your travel and it is always fun, to have the feeling of being a merchandiser! Do read up adequately, thus minimizing the probability of getting stuck with a lot of inventory. Keep the items simple and choose items that are relatively easy to be placed in your luggage!

Turn that holiday trip into an investment trip by simply opening your eyes to business ideas! Very often, a travel trip may turn out to be a gem, giving you ideas for even a franchisee! The money spent, is money well-invested! Check out my blog if you want more great tips in turning pleasures into money making ideas.

Insider Tips to Save Money from Travel Experts!

The inside scoop that others will not tell you. From getting the cheapest deals, to finding the best spots in a country. Here is the stuffs that you can't find in brochures!

1) Travel off-season
If you can be flexible about when to go, then travel during off-peak (no June or December school holidays)! Prices can easily be a few hundreds cheaper and no peak surcharge! The queues at amusement parks (such as Disneyland) will also be shorter!

2) Find the cheapest flights
Don't assume that budget airlines will always be the cheapest. This mantra is only true if you book early. Traditional carriers, with the onslaught of poor economy last year, moderated their airfares downwards. Despite slowly creeping up again this year, there are still tie-ups with credit cards and all-taxes packages worth considering. If your dates are flexible, choosing the right day of the week can also slash your flight costs substantially. Friday (people on a holiday) and Sunday flights (people on business trips) are usually the most expensive! Try midweek flights for the best deals and a good bet for long haul flights to UK or USA!

3) Arrange your own excursions
If you are on a package holiday, the tour representatives will be keen to sell you excursions (of course there is comission to be earned!) You can usually get the same trip more cheaply by booking directly. Do your homework!

4) Get the room you want
If you want a room with a king size bed, make sure the hotel knows. Inform them in advance, instead of lamenting about it at the end of the stay. If you want a high floor, just state it. You never know the extra mile the hotel manager may go. I remember staying in Shangrila and receiving a hand written card from the hotel manager to make sure everything was ok for me.

Having the Faith in God's Grace At Work

This is an excellent article from Chip Ingram which I have to share. Many of us have to manage the strugles and dissapointment at work. Have we thought about why do we stumble? It is with the hope that this article can touch you, and remind us, on riding the faith. This is really quite a message, considering my church is doing the Book of Hebrews!

Why do I stumble?

I came into the office early this morning to get some extra time with the Lord. It seems that once the day gets going all the dizziness and people crowd out any quality time to sit, reflect and develop that calm and quiet center to live out of Gods grace.

I’m reading through the book of Hebrews in my personal devotions and was struck this morning by the warning in Hebrews 3:12: “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” Later in the same chapter, verse 19 he says, “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” I know this is nothing new, but it struck me that at the heart of all my issues in relating to God is my struggle with temptation in sin; one simple common denominator – unbelief!

I get stressed out because I don’t believe – God is in control!

I get anxious about what might happen because I don’t believe – God is good!

I get worn out trying to do too much because I don’t believe – God will accomplish what concerns me!

I get frustrated when things don’t work out the way I think they should because I don’t believe – God is all wise; His timing and His methods are perfect!

I get afraid and wonder how we will cover all of our costs because I don’t believe – God is a faithful provider!

In chapter 4 the author encourages those who are struggling because of the persecution and difficulty that they’re facing not to drift away from the Lord through unbelief, but to enter His rest. To rest in the fact that He is in control, that He is good, that He cares and knows about all my needs, and is an all-wise and faithful provider. I love the line in Hebrews 4:10, “For anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.”

This is not a command about being passive because the very next verse commands us to make every effort to enter His rest. It is a command to believe in who God is and what He has done. So that we may rest from our self effort trying to earn God’s favor and to orchestrate what needs to happen in our own strength to fulfill what we think is best.

My prayer for you and me today is that we will take our eyes off of our to-do list and all the demands that we feel and simply ask God, “What does it look like to trust You today?“ What would it look like to trust You when I feel overwhelmed? What would it look like to trust You in this problematic relationship? What would it look like to trust You for my finances? What would it look like to trust You for my future?

As I ponder these questions and look at the relationship between a “sinful and unbelieving heart,” I realize that nearly all of the sins that we commit are rooted first and foremost in our unbelief. It’s when I do not believe God and take shortcuts in an attempt to make life work through – a white lie, a subtle manipulation, attempts to please people, neglecting my body to work more, pretending I’m something more than I am to impress others or gain their favor… and the list goes on.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

So let’s trust today with believing hearts and enter His rest.

Keep pressing ahead,
Chip

The Face Shop Inspiring Interview

The Face Shop

When we see inspiring stories of women who have it all, we realise it is possible. With that extra grit and strength (women really have the tenacity within us- see how we queue relentlessly when there is a bargain), we will reach our destination.

The Face Shop is ubiquitous in Singapore and many Asian countries. How was it brought into Singapore from Korea?

Here is an interesting interview, with The Face Shop owners, Ms Doreen Kho Ching Kim & Peggy Kho Ching Ling  when they first start up.

1. Please describe your business.

Our business is made up of a group of young enthusiastic people who wants to offer our customers excellent service and good quality Korean cosmetics to customers at affordable prices. We hope to encourage Singaporeans to be more adventurous with colours for the face and for Singaporeans to have a wider choice of skincare choices formulated from unique natural ingredients.

2. What made you embark on this venture choice?

Personally, I have always been vain at heart and I have a deep passion for cosmetics. I can spend hours at cosmetic counters and experimenting new products. In particular, Korea's cosmetics have caught my attention as they have one of the best technology for skincare development. The ingredients used are also very unique and since Korea has just opened their markets, it is a good opportunity for Singaporeans to finally discover their secret to great skin.

3. How does your business work?

We import our products from Korea and retail them in our outlets located at Bugis Junction and Plaza Singapura. Currently all our shops are self owned as we are apprehensive about franchising too soon.

4. Did you have the capital to start the business or did you have to borrow from someone to get started?

Our partnership includes me, my sister Peggy, my husband Leslie and 2 sleeping partners. Together, we have enough capital to invest into this venture.

5. Do your parents have their own businesses too? Have they inspired you in one way or another?

No, my parents do not own businesses. My mother passed away when my sister and I were young and my father passed away recently, both from illness. Yes, they have inspired us but in a different kind of way. Both our parents fought their illnesses, patiently and silently. When they are in pain, they hide in their rooms to weep and would never let us see their sufferings as they do not want us to feel sad. Seeing their resilent nature in overcoming adversities has made us stronger people. We learnt never to complain no matter how tired we are so that we will not demoralize the people around us. My grandmother and father had come from very poor families. They had worked very hard to make a living. My father had to study at the corridor because they could not afford the electrical bills. But because of that, he was even more determined to succeed so that he could get out of poverty and he did. He had passed on to us his spirit of determination.

 Join our mailing list to read the full interview article!

3 Money Saving Tips In Singapore

Saving Money in Singapore!
(And where/ when to get cheaper movie tickets)

Do you have a habit of compliling your monthly expenses? Each time I tabulate my monthly expenses, the huge proportion of my expenses that goes to food never fail to amaze me. I have to admit a good 30% of my expenses go to food! How do I cut back on my expenditure while enjoying that occassional high teas and nice restaurants? I do want to save, but not live life painfully. This list came about due to my own money saving circumstance.

Let's think creatively of ways to to live decently and learn how to spend wisely! Everyone do chip in! :)

1. Save Money On Food

For a little luxury (try to limit the number of such occassions), scour through the credit card brochures and find 1 for 1 treats! Check out those restaurants and instead of going for the same restaurants, introduce some variety into your chill out spots! You never know when you might find a gem in the making! This gives you the perfect opportunity to try new places.

Another smart move will be to cook at home! The first thing to take into account is where to eat and where to buy your food from in order to save money.  The wet markets and supermarkets are definitely cheaper alternatives! (I will look into introducing easy to cook and economical receipes for busy women in Singapore). One of my greatest desire is to cook for my loved ones! Perhaps you may want to whip up a meal at home and invite your friends over for the weekend.

2. Locate Those Warehouse/ Factory Outlet Sales
Check out the Straits Time for the ads (Especially Saturday's paper) and you will find a lot of warehouse sales in Genting lane, some obscure places in Tampines or Jurong! Get your comfortable footware and rush for the great bargains. They can range anything from furniture, to Scholl shoes and more. Just look for advertisements in the newspapers to find out where and when the next warehouse sale will be. You can expect prices with more than 50% discount. Be prepared that it may be last season, but still good value nonetheless!

Other great places to go, if you are travelling to nearby Malaysia, check out the Factory Outlet Stores (FOS)!They used to have an outlet at Le Meridien in Singapore, but I wonder where has it gone to.

3. Take Public Transport

For a long while, I have been pampered and often tout sticking my right arm and hailing a cab one of my capability. That is until I started collating my taxi receipts and getting another rude shock there. My transportation expenses (or well, taxi expense), was draining my piggy. Piggy needs a new breath of life, and that is where I figured- make use of the public transport.

I do occassionally treat myself to that cab hailing exercise, but that sense of awareness has taught me better to keep my hands to myself and use my legs a little more. Oh well, nice shapely calves after taking that brisk walk can't hurt!

P.S- Having a car in Singapore is one of the most expensive things. Not only are car prices about five times higher than the European car prices but the maintenance costs are huge as well. Do I have to mention ERP? If you really need one for a special occassion, maybe think og renting? If not, buy a weekend car (with it's more user- friendly scheme). Or try car pooling with your friends!

Join our money saving mailing list for more great tips! We will let you know where to get the cheapest movie tickets!

Online exclusive Deal: You can also check out OCBC MSA 123 (which is the monthly Savings Account (As Easy as 1-2-3!) and start saving regularly for your dream goal with very attractive rates! Plus, they're giving away free Shaw movie tickets if you sign up now (Online Exclusive!)

Stylish ways to Decorate your Home without Spending a Bomb!

Stylish ways to Decorate your Home cheaply!

The rising prices of homes on our headlines lately just reminds us to be more frugal with our spending. Yet, we do not want to sacrifice the beauty of our homes. Is beautifying it on a budget possible? Instead of spending hundreds on arty art pieces.  I think these clock- arts just do the trick. They simply give the whole place a different feel. All with the ease of adding on a simple art clock!

These art clocks have an ability to add character to the room and yet, fully functional. It was killing two birds with one stone! There were so many art pieces to choose from that we were spoilt for choice. We could play according to theme, and simply change the look of the place by hanging the different designs or even the placement.

Want to know more about the art-clock or contribute your ideas on decorating the home on a shoe string?

Do share with us! We love to hear from you. :)

BEAUTIFUL OBJECTS CAN BE FUNCTIONAL TOO!

http://womenurock.blogspot.com/p/latest-updates.html

imSaavy has a lot of great articles on financial planning. I tried the quiz and you should too! It'd be interesting to see how much or how little you know about CPF!  Instead of searching everywhere for the local bank numbers. Here is a quick listing- Local Phone List for Banks Fixed Deposits

Hope it'll save everyone some time! :)

10 Tips on What to Prepare Financially for Your Upcoming Marriage

If you have finished school, worked for a few years and is attached, your most likely plan next in the agenda is to get married. Marriage is going to be the most significant decision you will make. It will affect you mentally, emotionally and financially. It also happens to be a national interest to pro-create (legally of course)! Here are some tips on financial matters for which you should look out for if you have decided to tie the knot:

Source: http://www.cpf.gov.sg/imsavvy/blog_post.asp?postid=209343995-1-3427659272
1. Determine what kind of residential flat you are going to stay together. This will depend on the property price both of you can afford. You can consider renting or even stay with parents if you feel that both of you are not prepared to make a large property purchase commitment initially. Do not be pressured by your peers. You do not need to follow the crowd to commit a large loan if you are not ready. It is OK to rent when you get married. Personally, I rented a 3 room HDB flat for 1 year after marriage as I couldn’t find a satisfactory place to buy.
2. Loan Scheme- You will need to borrow money if you are going to purchase a property. Make sure you understand the various schemes such as HDB Concessionary Loan vs Bank Loans.

3. If you are going to purchase a place to stay, you need to budget for renovation. If you are buying from the resale market, you will need to pay the Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) in additional to the downpayment amount which you are unable to take a loan on it.

4. You need to budget for the wedding celebration and honeymoon. To avoid misunderstanding, discuss this openly with your parents and ensure clear communication at all times. Asian parents like to have grand dinner wedding while young people prefer a quiet wedding. So you can see the need for good communication.

5. If you are going to hold a wedding dinner, you will have to pay the bill after the dinner has ended. If you are relying on red-packets (ang-paos) given to you by friends & relatives to help pay for the dinner, you may find some issues with it because you have not fully tally all the ang-paos.

You may wish to pay the dinner using credit card. Usually multiple credit cards can be used. You can ask your parents to pay using credit cards first .You might not want to use your own credit card because you’ll need to ensure your credit limit is not breached if you are going for your honeymoon straightaway. Remember to ensure all credit call bills are settled within the one month grace period.

6. All the above require careful budgeting. If you do not have the money, you need to save or borrow or both. If you are going to borrow to pay that renovation, try to borrow from your own parents first (hopefully they can lend you interest free!). Even if your parents charge you interest (which I feel they shouldn’t), it is better to pay interest to your own parents than to the bank!

7. To save, you must ensure you have a high cash flow now. High cash flow can only be achieved either with high income and/or minimal expenditure. Initially in your career, it is not likely you have a high income. So your only way to have a high amount of money to save is to minimize your expenditure. Avoid luxury spending and ad-hoc holidays. Save up for the ultimate honeymoon holiday!

8. Many young people buy useless insurance when they graduate. Often they are approached by their fellow friends who became insurance agents. Perhaps due to lack of experience, the recommendations are often flawed. Make sure you avoid buying useless or junk insurance.

At this stage, you shouldn’t buy saving plans like endowments and anticipated endowments because your immediate need is to save up for your marriage. Insurance is important but only those that are based on necessities. If in doubt, only consult professional financial planners who will not sell you another unnecessary product.

9. You may wish to postpone investments until you have fully satisfied that you have set aside sufficient budget for your marriage.

10. Finally, do spend some amount of money engaging a good professional wedding photographer. Years later, the only way your kids can know about your wedding is through photographs. Make sure you have both hard and softcopies of these photographs.

Have a good wedding! Make that AWESOME!

How To Land the Job of Your Dreams

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How to Make An Extra $500 a Month

How to Make An Extra $500 a Month
Excllent article By: Audra Lim


Most spend their lives chasing it, while others never seem to have enough of it.

Money.

The Holy Grail that supposedly brings with it promises of everlasting happiness, pleasure and excitement.

While those promises aren’t entirely true, it is always nice to have a little extra cash, just for that decadent Ritz Carlton Champagne brunch and Javanese aromatherapy massage or simply to squirrel away for a rainy day.

We know exactly how comforting some extra cash feels like, so here are three great suggestions on how to make a solid $500 extra a month:

1. eBay

Who hasn’t heard of eBay? Practically synonymous with earning money online, eBay is the place to go to sell stuff you have been keeping but have no use for, such as bags, clothes, books, accessories and that old grandfather clock that has been sitting unappreciated in the corner of the living room. Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Or, you could buy something cheap and resell it there for a small profit. You can also use eBay’s Daily Deals (http://deals.ebay.com/deals) to pick up items that are going cheap for a limited time only, or visit Ebay, Craigslist, garage sales, flea markets, closeouts and the like for things you think may sell.

Potential earnings: $200 (assuming you sell 20 items at a profit of $10)

2. Sprees/ Bulk Purchases

Singaporeans love shopping, especially if they know they can get a good deal. Many popular items originate from overseas though, and sometimes it is too troublesome, too difficult or costs too much in shipping fees to purchase. In steps the Spree and Bulk Purchase organizer, who typically buys things in bulk from a particular brand or shop overseas, and earns a small profit by selling these value-for-money items at spree websites like http://community.livejournal.com/sgspree/, http://www.topsites.sg/tag/spree and the Singapore Motherhood forum.

Potential earnings: $200 (assuming a profit of $4 from each order, with 50 orders)

3. Earnings from Hobbies

Think about your favourite pastimes. Is there something you are good at, or something you know a lot about? Capitalise on these interests and skills. If you are handy with arts and crafts, make things and sell them on Etsy.com, a site that specializes in handcrafted products and supplies. If you are a Ansel Adams-wannabe and love taking photos, put them up on iStockPhoto.com, where publishers can search for photos using keywords – and you get a percentage if your photo is purchased. If you think you are an expert at finding the most suitable toy for your baby as she grows, write articles and post them online at sites such as AssociatedContent.com, where articles are typically paid US$4-10 each. Or better still, set up your own website and sell your writings as e-books. What you get is quick income with not much further work on your part!

Potential earnings: $100 (assuming you sell 20 items/articles etc at a profit of $5 each)

There are so many other ways to make money, including baking organic wheat-free chocolate cakes from home, providing freelance writing, or public relations, or accounting, or data entry or marketing or design services — and how about giving mobile manicures from your spiffy Kangoo van? As with any other job, many of these ideas take time and effort to turn into fruition, but once you get past that learning curve in terms of understanding e-commerce and market demand, it becomes a cinch to make that extra $500 many times over.

Have any other great ideas to help other women make extra cash? Share with us!
http://womenurock.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.html

Being her own boss = time for kids

Being her own boss = time for kids

Former SingTel manager runs two gyms and invests in shares and properties

By Lorna Tan, Senior Correspondent (source: http://meltwaternews.com/prerobot/sph.asp?pub=ST&sphurl=www.straitstimes.com//Invest/Story/STIStory_498936.html)

Ms Priscilla Lim, franchisee of women-only gym Contours Express, with (from left) sons Dong Shen, seven, and Dong En, four, and daughters Yun Jie, eight, and Yun Yu, two. Running her own business has given Ms Lim more time to look after her children. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

After working for more than a decade as a manager at SingTel, Ms Priscilla Lim hung up her power suits in 2008 and became a franchisee of an all-women gym, Contours Express.

With her savings of $120,000, Ms Lim, 36, set up her first gym at Block 253, Serangoon Central Drive, in September of that year. So far, it has more than 300 members. Last December, she opened her second gym at Block 930, Yishun Central, with a partner with a capital of $130,000. It has attracted nearly 150 members.

Ms Lim said she went into business because she wanted the challenge of starting something on her own. Her working hours would also be more flexible, so she could look after her four young children.

Both her father and husband, who run their own firms, were supportive of her move.

Besides her fitness business, Ms Lim likes to invest in shares and commercial properties like shophouses for their stable rental yields. In 2006, she and her husband, Mr Chua Bin Leong, 36, set up a firm, Super Choice Investment, to hold their investment properties, which currently stand at three.

She graduated with an honours degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Bradford University, Yorkshire, England, in 1997.

Her husband is a businessman who manufactures plastic bags. They have four children: daughters Yun Jie, eight, and Yun Yu, two, and sons Dong Shen, seven, and Dong En, four.

Q: Are you a spender or a saver?

I consider myself very generous when it comes to my children's well-being, especially in the areas of education and food. I'm a saver but at times will pamper myself with facials and spas. I use all of my income for family expenses. My hubby saves about half of his every month.

Q: How much do you charge to your credit cards every month?

I use three credit cards out of the six that I have, and I pay off the bills in full every month. Typically, I charge about $4,000 a month, mainly for my children's enrichment and tuition fees. I withdraw about $200 every week from the ATM.

Q: What financial planning have you done for yourself?

My hubby and I are mainly invested in properties and shares and a small amount in fixed deposits and life insurance. I am currently looking into health policies. We have one commercial property and two residential properties. We are also looking into more commercial properties.

Besides property investments, we have about 45 per cent invested in shares, 30 per cent in fixed deposits,


20 per cent in savings and the balance of 5 per cent in US-dollar fixed deposit. We have a few counters - SGX, SingTel and Wilmar, among others - and some are paying regular dividends. We invested earlier in Genting as we saw great potential when its casino here on Sentosa opened.

My hubby helps me to pick stocks and monitors the stock market daily. He does his own research on dividends, growth, management and upcoming trends, through reading company reports and prospectuses. We may hold stocks for six months to a year. And we may let go when we see a 5 per cent rise. For our total portfolio, we have target returns of about 10 per cent for short-term investments and about 30 per cent for longer-term investments.

Q: Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like?
I have an older brother and two younger brothers. My father is a businessman providing fittings and fixtures to shopping malls, and my mother is a housewife. They complement each other and are not spendthrifts. I did not ask for money from my dad unnecessarily when I was young. We lived in my grandmother's shophouse in Albert Street with her and an aunt, before moving to a three-room HDB flat in Bedok when I was seven. During that year, my father started his business with his savings. Prior to that, he was a carpenter and a part-time salesman. He inspired me to work hard and set up a business on my own. My mother is very caring and dedicated. I appreciate every meal she cooks for us and I am now learning from her and have been cooking for my children for a year now.

Q: How did you get interested in investing?
I started my first investment with an initial public offering of China Milk back in 2006 and made a modest profit upon the listing. Slowly, I learnt to invest in shares. The first one was a Singapore-listed China property counter, Pan Hong Property. I made $40,000 out of the $200,000 invested in just a few months in 2005.

Q: What properties do you own?
My hubby and I set up a firm, Super Choice Investment, for our investment properties in 2006. Our first investment was actually back in 2000, when we got married. It was a 1,300 sq ft condominium unit in Sengkang. We bought it for $570,000, and the current market value is estimated to be about $650,000. We are renting it out for $2,500 a month.

I also own a 1,600 sq ft unit in Marine Vista in East Coast, which I bought for $1.4 million in end-2008. It is rented out at $2,600 a month and is currently valued at about $1.2 million. The commercial property we own is a 1,500 sq ft, two-storey shophouse in Bedok, which we bought for $1 million in 2008. We rent it out for $7,500 a month. Its value has also appreciated, although I don't know by how much.

Q: What's the most extravagant thing you have bought?

I bought a Rolex watch with a pink mother of pearl face for $11,000 in 2008. The most extravagant gift I've received is a one-carat diamond ring from my hubby on my birthday last year. He knew I would not have bought it on my own. It cost $16,000.

Q: What's your retirement plan?
We plan to be financially independent when we are 50. We intend to invest in a few more commercial properties and be able to have a passive income of $12,000 to $15,000 a month. My hubby and I would require about $5,000 a month when our kids are independent.

Q: Home is now...
We live in my parents-in-law's three-storey semi-detached house in Upper Paya Lebar. It has a land area of 7,000 sq ft. We live here with my parents-in-law, two brothers-in-law and their families and my sister-in-law. My father-in-law runs a plastic-making business.

Q: I drive...
A silver Toyota Picnic.

lorna@sph.com.sg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WORST AND BEST BETS

Q: What has been your worst investment to date?
I started trading in shares in 2005. In early 2007, I began to invest more in the stock market. I bought 100 lots of the property share LC Dev at $62,000 with just a forecast of the company from my broker and without exploring further. I have since lost about 70 per cent on paper.

Q: And your best investment?
My best investment is the two-storey shophouse in Bedok.

To Love and Be Loved - The Essentials in Establishing Real Relationships

Everything in life hinges on relationship. Relationship building is essential in our life, work and closing sales. In fact, it is everything. Notice some people seem so naturally blessed at being loved and loving others? There is something alluring in them and others are naturally gravitated towards them. What are they doing right?


Wait no further, let's break the code together.

1. Instinctively give, instead of receive

The most powerful, influential and successful people you will ever meet always look for ways to do nice things for others. When you meet someone under almost any circumstance, one of the best questions you can ask is this, "Is there anything that I can do for you?" This is best when you have established a certain level of trust and friendship with the other party.

In the event that this sense of trust is yet to be established, the above may turn out awkward and obtrusive. Thus, another way of doing this is to listen to what they have to say through the conversation. Subsequently, decipher what they are saying and assess what you can do to help them.

Some people may not be able to articulate their needs well. At this juncture, it is important for you to be intuitive and always look for ways to put in rather than to take out. The successful man or woman of today is a "go-giver" as well as a go-getter.

2. Be Open and Empathetic
The more that people feel that you are open and empathetic and sensitive to their needs and concerns, the more open they will be to your influencing them positively in some way. However, a caution to note. The motivation behind your actions have to be sincere. Remember people have an in- born "lie detector" and some people will sniff you out in disgust if you are insincere.

The more you can influence others with the power and impact of your personality, the more you will accomplish, and the faster you will accomplish it. This will help you move toward the great success that you desire and deserve.

More importantly, positive externalities are created as you raise the bar for those whom you inspired and touched as well.

Good actions have to be multiplied and the more people whom you can inspire, the more value you can create for everyone. Isn't this a beautiful win- win situation?

3. The Power of "Now!"

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

1. Look for ways to do nice things for other people
You can start small and do something for your family. Make them feel appreciated by thanking your wife for the wonderful dinner she has cooked for you, hug your kids when they share their daily life with you. Be thankful for everything. Keep doing it until it is ingrained into you like a habit. Gradually, extend this to your friends, customers and colleagues etc. The more nice things you do for others, the better you feel about yourself.

2. Take time to really listen to people
Try doing this, especially your staff and coworkers. The more and better you listen to others, the more you are able to create a ring of trust. Learn to be a powerful communicator with listening and influence others with the right words and actions. This is imperative for you to create a positive influence in their life.

I dare you to, achieve these two simple actions. Are you up to the challenge now?

"Leave a legacy, make an impact in others!"

Being a Stay Home Mum (Part 2)

Be Realistic- Contrary to what you may think, stay at home moms are extremely busy. Children demand a lot of attention. Obviously, you and your children will be spending more time at home than you were before. The laundry will inevitably pile up, so will the dishes. There are appointments to keep, errands to run, groceries to buy, and events to attend. Kids always need to eat, and then there's that family time thing, the reason why you wanted to stay home in the first place. You will find yourself wondering how you ever had enough time for everything when you worked full time.

Identity Crisis- How much of your identity comes from your career? Will you feel ashamed to go from “Nurse Nancy” to “Mom”? Can you find other ways to feel fulfilled as a stay at home mother?

Loneliness- Like other stay at home moms, you may find that you are lonely. Moms who stay home could go days without seeing a familiar face, besides their spouse. Those who are by nature, introverts will more than likely adjust to the life of a stay at home mom without difficulty. Moms who are very social may find themselves lonely or depressed, and even resentful of their mate who works full time.

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Remember, whatever decision you make, it has to be right for you and your family. In most cases, your decision to stay home or work is not a life sentence. A stay at home mom can always go back to work if it proves to be too much. At the same time, a working mom can almost always make the transition to staying home. For some families, the transition to staying at home to raise the children is not a voluntary job. In this economy, many parents are finding themselves unemployed. The does not mean that considering the above points is in vain. You will still face most of these issues regardless of the reason why. Finally, try to stay positive. Keep your communication with your partner open and honest, and try to be understanding of each other as much as possible.

Being a Stay Home Mum (Part 1)

Source:  http://hubpages.com/hub/becomingaSAHM

There is no greater joy than watching your children grow and learn, especially when you are the one teaching them. Being a stay at home mom is indeed rewarding, exciting, exhilarating, gratifying and precious. However, it can also be exhausting, stressful, busy, lonely and financially difficult. Consider these points to help you make your decision:
Finances- Living from only one income is often the biggest tie-breaker when making this decision. Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be. Many at home parents find a happy medium supplementing with part time or work from home jobs. This helps to offset the stress of drastically reducing your family's income. In most cases, living on a reduced income means that sacrifices are in short order.

What expenses are you willing to cut back on in order to make your goal a reality, like:
- Family vacations
- Eating at home vs. eating out
- Cable TV
- Cut back to one vehicle
- Buy generic brand products
- Clip coupons
- Car Pool
- Make your own bread and other baked goods
- Do your own manicures
-Creating a budget

Building your Financial Wealth in 15 minutes

Turbo Charge 15 Minutes
(For Building Your Financial Wealth)

If you only have 15 minutes to spare, what will you invest it in? This turbo charged 15 minute series, aim to empower you, to achieve your goal, in a discipline, intense 15 minutes a day fashion.

1. Apply for a GIRO transfer to your Pay-Yourself-First bank account

Most of us combine our salary and savings in a single bank account. Our savings thus end up being a balancing figure, where income less expenditure for the month. However, one of the best tips in saving money is to pay yourself first. Invest 15 precious minutes in applying for a GIRO and automate the transfer of a portion of your salary (e.g. 20% -30% of your salary) to a savings account. Most bank accounts offer slightly more attractive savings rates for regular savings plans.

2. Set clear milestones for your projected portfolio

Make use of the next 15 minutes, to set clear milestone periods, for your projected portfolio. The projection should be based on your most reasonable and assumptions made based on your best available information. This does not mean perfect information, however, what it does mean is that you are setting specific end goals in mind. This also allows you to better manage your projected cash flow. All too often, we do not have clear milestones and end up drifting aimlessly. This same theory applies to investments as well.

3. Take stock and review your portfolio on a regular basis

Most of us are at a loss at where our current portfolio standing is because we do not mark out specific time in our routine to reassess. Thus, it is important for us to discipline ourselves by taking stock to review our portfolio on a regular basis. This is crucial, even if it is for 15 minutes, to allow us to assess and gain control of the situation. Mark out a date monthly which you will concentrate and take stock of your portfolio. Rebalance if necessary.
Email me at perrineohwrites@gmail.com and I will be please to share with you a copy of the Wealth ebook I have written.

Women- You are an Amazing Juggler! Learn how to juggle the many balls in our lives

Women- The Best Juggler on Earth!

It is certainly interesting that a recent MasterCard Worldwide Index of Women's Advancement 2010, a biannual survey that measures consumer confidence amid prevailing market expectations, studied a total of 3,306 women and 3,316 men in Singapore. The index, which surveyed 200 women and 200 men in Singapore, shows that the proportion of women in Singapore forming a larger proportion of the labour force than before and women’s regular income has also improved against men. Throughout the region, an estimated 66.5 per cent of women are taking on the role of decision-makers, up from 45.6 per cent last year.


The survey results have certainly highlighted how a woman undergoes to be the “perfect juggler”! Women are known to be better multi- taskers, but even that alone, means juggling between a career women, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and other multiple ad-hoc roles we are expected to play. Now, how does one find better ways of navigating through the landmines? Here are 3 possible solutions to the perennial problem of your juggling act.

1. Defining your priorities

Women do have to recognise that we have to balance and adjust our priorities along the way. There is a season for everything. At times, we may have to put family ahead and take a slower pace at work, while at other points, career can take greater priority if we have good family support. It is certainly helpful to identify the goals you are trying to achieve in your life, write them down and stick them on your fridge or the whiteboard at work to make sure the constant sight of it reminds you to head down the right path.

2. Setting Boundaries to Work Smarter

Very often, we are inclined to say yes, even when our gut feel says no. One of the biggest mistake is to take on a job which requires frequent travelling, when you are not the sort who likes to be away from home. Say no to non-family-friendly assignments and set limits at work, even if you are a perfectionist. As women, we need to learn to be more strategic about the work we take on to survive in the long run. Most of the time, things do not have to be perfect, to move on.

3. Protecting your "ME" time

Most of us do not skip work unless there is something important, so make sure you treat your private time the same way. If celebrity couples take time off to have romantic strolls in the park, so can you. It is important to schedule some precious time together with your spouse, to recreate the romance within. It is very important for ladies to remember their spouse need their companionship too! You may don that managerial outlook when you are at work, but give your men the respect they require back home. Just like scheduling meetings at work, schedule in that movie with your husband and make sure you keep the date.

Women Here Doing Better in Workforce

Women Here Doing Better in Workforce

by Pamela Chow(MyPaper March 3,2010)

MANAGING director Joni Ong, 49, is feeling upbeat about her finances, her independence and, indeed, about her place as a woman in Singapore's working world.As a young graduate, she had ambitions of climbing the corporate ladder but, at 27, her plans took a back seat after she and her husband started their family.Eight months after giving birth, she went on to take her master's degree in Education and continued to make progress in the field of human resource.

"Women are very much a presence to be reckoned with... We've always been able to make decisions for ourselves," she said.She continues to feels positive about the economy, even in the wake of the financial crisis, and recently started a training consultancy."This is the year to start... It's time to move forward," she said.Ms Ong is just one example of a Singapore woman who feels she's on solid ground, just a year after the global economic meltdown.The MasterCard Worldwide Index of Women's Advancement 2010, a biannual survey that measures consumer confidence amid prevailing market expectations, studied a total of 3,306 women and 3,316 men in the region.The survey compiles an index to compare whether expectations of economic performance favour men or women.A figure of 100 indicates equality between the sexes.Numbers less than that mean that expectations favour men, while numbers higher than 100 indicate that expectations favour women.

The index, which surveyed 200 women and 200 men in Singapore, shows that:

* Women here form 51.3 per cent of the labour force, up from 51.1 per cent last year.
* Women's regular income has also improved against men's, doubling from 34.9 to 68.9 index points, from the first to second half of last year.
* Singapore women's expectations of future economic performance have also gone up, from 31.4 index points to 86.5 over the same period.
* More women are also taking charge in the household.
* Throughout the region, an estimated 66.5 per cent of women are taking on the role of decision-makers, up from 45.6 per cent last year.

Women continue to make strides in labour-force participation and tertiary- education enrolment, and we are glad to see this translating into a greater sense of self-worth," Ms Georgette Tan, MasterCard's vice-president of communications for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said in a statement.

The survey also received responses from people in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Be a Star Performer at Work with Minimal Effort

Be a Star Performer at Work with Minimal Effort


"What's the big secret? What really separates star workers from average performers?" you ask. How will you like to be a star performer without much effort? The article below is written with the simple objective of directing you to the blueprint for success in both your work and life, with minimal effort required.

Now start unveiling that star performer within you, as you equip yourself with the strategies for success.

1. Network

Networking is more than a stack of business cards. It involves identifying contacts and relationships with others who have similar interests, ideas and goals. The purpose is to draw benefit from these relationships. It is important not to have a misconception that networking manipulates people. Instead think of it as synergy, because networking benefits are usually of value to all the parties involved.

Be proactive in getting direct and immediate access to coworkers with technical expertise and sharing your own knowledge with those who need it. The goal is to minimize the knowledge deficit that is inherent in every brain powered job.

The first trick to being a star performer is to know where to get help. By knowing where to get help when you need, you are able to do things faster and more easily. Star performers may not know everything. However, they are people who know where to go for the cooperation, support and expertise they need to do their jobs. Furthermore, they are able to recognize the places where their own knowledge and expertise can contribute to team results.

2. Perspective

Getting the big picture and knowing how you fit into the organization is essential for a star performer like you. Having such a perspective allows you to see a project or a problem in a larger context and through the eyes of the other stakeholders.

By putting yourself in other peoples' shoes, you are able to evaluate the relative importance of various viewpoints. Thus, by being a star performer with a perspective, it gives you an edge by allowing you to pre-empt what other stakeholders will require. This minimizes your effort in doing a task repeatedly and reflects positively on you for having taken the initiative.

3. Self-management

To become your best self - a star, a great leader, a fulfilled worker - you need to know yourself and your goals very well. Take some time to think through what you really desire in life.

No one else but yourself is responsible for your career development. If you feel that you require certain courses to improve your expertise and be better able to handle your work scope, highlight this to your Human Resource department. The onus is on you to convince them of the benefits this will bring to them as you are more equipped to handle the job.

By planning ahead and knowing what is required of you and your job, you are able to minimize your effort in redoing things. Do practice to perform a task so well that you would only have to do it once.

"There is no better time than now." - Start being a Star Performer Today

Star performance on a work-place team follows the same principles as star performance on an athletic team. A talented quarterback on a football team will get nowhere without knowing who is good at running for short yardage, who is good at receiving a long pass, and who is good at the sweeping end run. He also needs to know who will protect him against a rushing offense.

The traits that make stars different from everyone else are the strategies they use to do their own work and to work well with other people. By learning what others have done right, the effort that is required of you is also now minimized.

Exercise:

Take some time today to ask yourself, "Are you well- equipped to be a star performer?"

1. Are you able to get help from others when you need them?


2. Do you often get caught up with the minute details instead of the big picture?


3. What are your goals in life? Is your current skillset aligned with them?

Awake the star potential within you, with minimal effort required. Note that this is also applicable to entrepreneurs as you can excel in your own business too!

3 Life Skills Smart Mums Must Have to Keep Sane!

A stay at home mom is very busy. You may feel you are running in all directions with maintaing your home and the lives of all family members including your own. This leaves very little time for mom to socialize or have me-time, unwittingly causing a lot of stress because mums need time for themselves too. If this echos your sentiments, read on, to figure the
3 simple steps to make every second count and turbo charged your life.

1. Prioritize and write your "To Do" list

Microsoft Outlook has a great To Do List function that sends pop-up reminders at the appropriate times. This allows you to free your mind of the less important tasks and be reminded of the important meetings without looking at the clock. Writing a to do list also allows you to frame your thoughts and prioritize the important things to do at the top of your list. Less mind clutter equals a more productive work week ahead.

2. Be organized

Start getting your labels out and make envelopes and transparent file folders your best friend. I will strongly recommend transparent file folders because you can see the content easily. Similar to the "To Do" list, there is a need to prioritize. Perhaps you might want to separate your documents by their due date. It is for you to find a system that works best for you. For example, I automatically assign my credit card bills to "paid" or "unpaid" envelopes. This allows me to focus on either filing them away, or to take the action to pay them and cut down on overdue payment! Do note that this is also highly recommended for emails. Start sorting the mails once you receive them and I promise your inbox will become a lot more manageable. Try to create folders for messages relating to specific projects or topics, for ease in referencing and searching in future.

3. Plan Ahead

This is especially useful when you have lots of errands to run that day. By working our your route beforehand, especially when you have to beat the traffic in town, you are able to figure out the way to avoid getting stuck during peak hour jams and of course paying less traffic toll (or Electronic Road Pricing in Singapore).

Taking a moment to get yourself organised may not seem like the most productive thing at this point in time. Yet, what you make up in terms of efficiency, is priceless. Try getting organised with these 3 simple tips which you can easily turbo charged your life in this magical 15 minutes. Look out for more quick tips to outsmart your busy schedule.

The story behind the logo and the blog

I like to look at this as a calling from Father in Heaven, who wants me to use the skills I have to empower others in life too. The idea of helping women to succeed in both work and family life, stems from my own desire for excellence in the intertwining of these 2 fields. The word "NU" in womeNUrock, stands for women in chinese character. A character of steel and grace.

Here's a word from Chip Ingram- Living On The Edge. His Message epitomises the purpose of this blog. To share, in His Glory.

February 8, 2010


Are You Sharing What Matters Most?

When you think about the people that have had a significant influence on your life, who comes to mind? Among the many Godly people who have invested in me over the years, five key people emerge. I call them my spiritual “Mount Rushmore.”

God has used each of these people to profoundly shape my life in ways that have eternal impact. From them I have learned invaluable lessons – like how to live as a disciple of Christ, how to speak the truth in love, how to grow a servant’s heart and the essence of integrity and follow-through.

Now, don’t get me wrong – they taught me some other less profound (though greatly appreciated) skills like developing my one-on-one basketball game, the importance of humor and where the threshold lies for too much cologne. My point is that these were regular, everyday people and I learned from them because we were in relationship.

So … who are YOU investing in these days?

The fact is that you and I are passing on who we are, what we value and what we possess every day. For some people this is a highly strategic, very intentional game plan that they are fulfilling. For most of us, this may be more of a haphazard, somewhat random highway that we’re on – and divert from occasionally. We’re filled with good intentions and plan to “get serious” about it at some point … in the future.

How would life be different if your “Mount Rushmore” had postponed, delayed or simply not seen the significance of passing on their wisdom, faith and love?

In 2 Timothy 2:2 we discover that passing on what we learn is part of God’s plan to build His kingdom. This is something we’re commanded to do! Now, I don’t know about you, but for me that brings into focus how important it is to be intentional in sharing the things that matter most to God with those we love.

Some of you might find this idea overwhelming or not know where to begin. I’m here to assure you – it’s not as difficult as it may sound. By practically living out your faith in five key areas you’ll unlock one of the most powerful teaching and evangelism tools there is. As you become more intentional about cultivating this in your life, it will naturally emerge in your relationships and build your spiritual legacy.

We’re beginning a new series called Download that’s focused on how to pass on what matters most. We all desire to leave an inheritance of significant value to those around us. This series will give you some practical ways to invest in your spiritual legacy. My prayer for you is that during this series, God would reveal the special individuals he’s placed in your life to benefit from that legacy. Through these relationships, God will change your life and the lives of generations to come.

Keep Pressin’ On,
Chip