Tien-Jen

Tip On How To Save Money And Spend Less

Saving money is a great habit to make, whether you want to minimise the things in your life, pay off the bills, save towards a goal, travel the world or invest for the future. Money does provide a sense of financial security that gives us the daily necessities and long term necessities we need. The importance of saving definitely becomes more and more apparent after leaving home! I think it may be one of the sort of things that makes us realise how much our parents sacrifice for us. One of the realisations I had when I left home, was how much of the things I spent – I didn’t need. The things I needed, I already had. It was something to be so grateful for, yet it’s so easy to forget in a world that is surrounded by materials.

As a fashion lover, I would go clothes shopping every week convincing myself that I would wear it for certain occasions or it would be regularly worn – but, oh how wrong I was! The truth is almost the majority of those clothes ended up being recycled or donated away. Looking through my wardrobe I singled out all the pieces that were good investments. They were worn every year and were in good condition. It’s easy to have a quick spend and feel instant satisfaction, but in long term all the $5, $20, $50 spends adds up to a lot.

Identify what you spend on the most weekly. This could be eating out, watching movies or going shopping. As a predominantly black and white wearer, the clothes I know I am more likely to keep are nude or monochromatic colours. For this reason, I hardly buy clothes unless I know it’s long term. If you spend a lot on eating out, try minimising it by cooking five times a week or if it’s that extra cup of coffee, try making your own coffee at home.

List the things you need and want. Often we can blur the lines between what we want and what we truly need. I find listing out what I want, need and already have helps to give perspective on what is really worth spending my money on. Do I really need that extra pair of shoes to match with my clothes when I already have a black pair?

Set goals and make long term saving plans. Write down the goals that you are saving for short term and long term, then list strategies on how you will do it. It could be: save up for new running shoes by walking to work instead of bussing. Or, it may be, save up for a house by minimising extra spendings on materials. Only spend on food and the necessities but allow an extra spending of $50, $100, $150 per month.

Checking prices and comparing before purchasing. This is great for online shopping and also looking online before heading out to the store. There are often stores that have discounts and a product may be significantly cheaper compared to another. Not to mention, you may find something that is better than what you were searching for.

Remember to still reward yourself. One of the best feelings is saving enough money to buy something you do really want. You took the time to work hard for the money and maybe it’s a new series of books, going to the movies or going out for a dinner with friends. Don’t forget to reward yourself weekly and monthly no matter how small it is.

Self motivate yourself. I find really putting long term goals into my mind and visualising them happening, motivates me to save as much as I can. If you’re saving for a plane ticket for a holiday and limit spending on certain things, it can be so rewarding when you go on your trip. Self control is definitely one that involves a lot of self talk (Do I really need this, What about the … I’m saving for?). Remember that most of the things we want, we already have.

The art is not in making money, but in keeping it. -Proverb

Art by Yelena Bryksenkova
What The Little Prince Taught Me

Growing up, you may of read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. As I was sitting in a cafe called Woolloomooloo in Taipei last year with my dear friend, she told me how she was reading the book. It brought back a lot of memories of the book, and as one of those classics that have been read time and time again, I was curious to watch the film which came out in 2015. There are rarely books and movies (with the exception of Harry Potter), where I felt like I loved both of them. The film magically intertwined The Little Prince with the story of a young girl. The most important message I felt was the power of imagination. The wonderful joy, love, happiness and excitement it brings. New adventures and a boundless mind. The water colour paintings, wise words and wonderful story is really a reminder for us that we were all once children. “All grown ups were children once… but only few of them remember it.” – Saint-Exupéry.

When you were younger, did you remember asking endless questions out of curiosity, going on adventures of make believe, having your first imaginary friend and laughing uncontrollably about nothing. Whatever it was, a part of growing up can often suppress many parts of our childhood self, that so often is a crucial part of us to carry within us for the rest of our lives. Human nature can only survive by reaching for what is within, rather than what is without. As we grow older, there are many parts of our surroundings we only look at from the surface. The book shows the little prince, being amazed at the drawing of an elephant inside a boa constrictor, where as the adults can only see a hat. How mysterious we are inside. The secrets we hold, the words waiting to be unlocked and the way we think. When we grow older, it can become a habit to judge on a person’s exterior, rather than realising the journey they have come. The stories that are untold and the wonderful true self that they may partially hide. The Little Prince reminds us not to lose the goodness that is in all of us.

This book is a lot deeper than one may find, but it is also the kind of book you read and do not forget. There are many themes, such as friendship, human nature, truth, innocence, reality, imagination and so forth. We are reminded to be like the little prince in many ways. To hold onto our true selves, to seek from within rather than without and be an honest person. Pulling down the brick walls that can often be built as we grow older. Lessening the judgment of those that walk around us in our daily lives. Remembering to see the beauty and simplicity in the world, and most of all, cherish and nurture special relationships for every individual is a magical treasure of secrets.

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” It could not be any truer. Everything that is truly beautiful, is always felt inside. I’d like to think that we can always encompass a child like imagination and see beyond the surface of our minds. Unfortunately we often assume, look and judge based on what is immediately seen. The Little Prince reminds us to have an open heart, open mind and to embrace our imagination, rather than let it go. If you get the chance, have a read of the book. If you were wondering what had happened to the elephant, he is still inside the boa constrictor.
The Benefits Of Waking Up Early

As someone who is a morning person, I have seen many benefits in waking up early. Having a good sleep, can increase our productivity, maintain a steady metabolism and encourage good health. It creates a steady pattern in our lives and is an important and significant step to becoming a successful person.

1) Exercise. Our bodies are the most alert, when we have woken up in the morning. Exercising in the morning can give you the energy you need for the rest of the day. It can lift your mood and it’s good for your health.

2) Productivity. Your mind is much more productive in the morning. Planning in the morning sets the rest of the day. Everything that needs to be done is written down, and therefore you will feel much more organised.

3) Health. Sleeping and waking up at odd times can cause health issues in the long run. Whether that is difficulties in falling asleep, weight gain, headaches and added stress. Eating breakfast in the morning is extremely important for our performance, which is why you may hear people say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

4) Stress-free. The mornings are a peaceful time of the day. The day is starting, and often it can still feel as if the whole world is still sleeping. Waking early, can teach you that stress is an unproductive factor, which will hinder your full potential, by draining your energies.

5) Time. Time is of the essence. Waking early, not only creates a much more stress-free self , but it also gives you much more time in the world to take it easy. You are able to complete certain tasks that you would be rushing to do so, if you woke up later. You are also able to spend time with loved ones, take the dog for a walk and all the small things that add up in the long run.

6) Success. Many people value waking up early as a step to success. Your mind is in a different state when you wake up early, and your productivity levels are much higher. There is a certain motivation that moves our body to wake up out of bed. They say waking up early puts yourself one step ahead of others. It also allows you time to do things on the side, that you may also have passion for. We hear the term ‘busy’ a lot in this generation. However, one advice that always stuck with me was a teacher who said that no matter how busy you are, you can always make time for it.

Photo Courtesy of Stay HK

Tip On How To Save Money And Spend Less

What The Little Prince Taught Me

The Benefits Of Waking Up Early