Positive Thinking

The Power of positive thinking must not be underestimated.

That's how our brains works, the energy of these positive thinking gives you the energy to continue on something. On top of that, it improves not just mental health but also physically as well.

These are few ways you may try:

1. Meditation
2. Writing
3. Play

In short, it is simply to find pleasure in things you do.

Notes taken from:
Positive Thinking at Work Place



You know what, i do not feel like writing much on this article, that's why it is so short.
The strangest, thing about the above article here is that.
I have a queue of documents to write review and if have to, promote it.
And yet, by the time for me to write this one, I was feeling really really down and out.
In the end, this short article above had been postponed for more than a week.
Fortunately, i do not have to pay a penalty for delaying this like empower network last time.

For 3 whole weeks, i had been knocked out physically and emotionally in work, at home, everywhere, by events, that put me in despair.

I couldn't get a simple document right, i kept making my boss angry. And i really want to leave, but i couldn't leave because of financial issue. Yes, 720 is not much, i can find better pay in other places.
"But it pays a bill, why not?" quoted from Les Miserables
At least i am not like those Vietnamese girls, using their beauty and their sweet voice, just one request, they received $400 in cold hard cash, sometimes best, just a phone call, $400 goes straight into their account when they are overseas, and it definitely takes less than 1 hours!
I have to slough 45 hours to get the same amount!!
My boss, i feel that, they think i cannot afford to leave because of my heavy financial burden, just keep pressing as if i was made of clay. Yes, i am made of mud, i'm clay, but one day, this clay will dry up, and hardened.
That's why when the Malaysian Girl Blogger recently blogs about how poor thing Singaporean girls are, how easy and rich her life was, ya, i ENVY and i AGREED! Despite the number of flames this blogger got, i must say these Singaporean flamers had not seen and experienced the other side of  Singapore, my side.

At home, housework had been delayed for years, and i had been doing 7 days worth of work within 1 or 2 days (the weekends). And someone actually asked me personally, and on twitter, what do i do during weekends when i am away from my desk job. I do not believe it nobody understands the importance of house keeping. Oh yes, because they do not need to do everything themselves. And they do not have kids who mess it up by many means as soon as you clean up. In fact, the best time to clean up is when all of them are asleep, but once just one, just one, wakes, i am back in Square One! Tell you, it is mission impossible. And everybody is telling me, Don't give up! Press on! Your life will be better! SIGH... I can only say, i will try period.

At Love, is horribly confusing, i do not know whether my beloved husband is with me or just playing along.
Hey boy! I know when one does grocery for me in the middle of night, one is meeting someone out there, and now, instead of direct confronting, the irritating girl,  i simply playing prank calls to that girl every night, hoping to remind her, how irritating she is. So stop telling me there's no frozen/sub-frozen food in the supermarket. L-O-L,  now i can imagine, even my readers here are laughing at the excuse! It is because you don't want to buy it so it will spoil because you are not heading straight home after grocery shopping, giving you away. And stopping giving excuses why i cannot do grocery shopping with you in the middle of the night too, just because you want to meet your loving young leech.
So stop visiting those places, maybe i will forgive you, else, see you in hell.
So please, girls, stop thinking he's rich and nice, he's much poorer than you.
At least you just open mouth, and even sleep with any man, you get your $400 - $1000, in my previous few paragraphs ago.
I can't even squeeze a $500 out of him to pay my grocery bills a month, so you think about it, can you get a $500 out of him by just pouring him a glass a beer!

So much so for positive thinking! A friend of mine whom i know this June told everyone online, that he have to block all negative thinking people on his face-book, i wonder he blocked me, my life and my head is FULL of them!

Each day passes, when i walked along the streets going work, going school, coming home, even every night i will wake up in the middle of sleep, just couldn't help it to shed tears. Just as lonely the streets are, this world is, no one comes up to comfort. I, of course, not surprised because even anyone do, they will be turned away, so, no one does this anymore. It is a torture to face everything, and everything looks like a failure. i do not know how to console myself, i do not know how not to make my boss angry, i do not know how to avoid fear of getting sacked everyday. I look at my children, i see their homework, test results, phone calls of concern from their teachers, i do not how to face myself, what a bad mother, no money to pay for their tuition, so stupid, don't know how to teach them, discipline them, let them play all day, all night, they didn't even bother to revise homework, they don't realize the importance. Husband comes back, messy house, his gadgets spoil by children, i am so ignorant, and couldn't control their mischief. So, positive thinking? Try me. When your life is FULL of downs. Try.

Let me know whether it works:
First, LOOK DOWN... there are more miserable people out there who have no help and support at all, not even a written or spoken sentence.
Second, THINK how LUCKY you are, that you can access to blogs, or your face-book, or even twitter, with endless, boundless support groups, in every way. I would thought, people will let me die if i just leave a suicide message, in the end, i gets encouragement even from stranger whom i might just added as friend in less than an hour.
Third, CONTRIBUTE BACK to the support groups you receive from, be it face-book, be it twitter, or even streets. See someone crying silently on the streets, approach them, offer them a tissue. See cases like me, words of console help, and please, for God's sake, use your empathy.

Signing out
Jane
Night Desperato Project.

Walking may be harmful

I am not a person who loves exercising, however, I was blessed not to have a overweight body. My only form of exercising, is, walking.

When I came upon this article at "10 Weird Things Walking Does to Your Body". I was shocked.

True enough, all forms of exercise will impose one or more kinds of problems to your body.
Why don't you think further, do you rather have your body stiff up and your arteries clog up due to lack of exercise?

Maybe we should address these 10 weird conditions:

1. Your Fingers Swell Up Like Sausages
• Hand swelling during exercising is a common problem. This is due to increase blood flow to lungs and heart, reducing blood flow to hands. However, it can be further reduced.
• Do you wear rings? Watches? Bands around your wrists? That explains it, all these causes fluid imbalances especially after a long walk. Loosen them or don't wear them!
• Doing finger stretching helps.
• If not, you better check if you have the rare problem called, "hyponatremia", this comes with other symptoms such as confusion and vomiting.


2. Your Feet Grow A Size During Your Walk
• Legs swelling due to vigorous walking, may be caused by Edema. Causes of edema are vast and include a poor diet, sodium retention, varicose veins, drug and laxative abuse, and trauma.
• If these problem are un-rectified, it can causes long terms problems like headaches, high blood pressure, weight gain or swelling in other body parts.
• However, it can be easily treated by elevating the legs, wearing compression socks, increasing exercise and improving your diet.
• For those who wear toe rings, please, this is the same concept of swollen hands, take them off!
• Your shoes are one size too small. Exercising should be done with comfortable sports shoes. You should get shoes of slightly bigger to cater for the slight swelling.
3. You Get a Weird Leg Heat Rash
• Some of these rashes are not itchy, some are.
• This is so, when our  veins are equipped with valves to ensure that blood flows only in one direction.
• This may a heavy-legged feeling as well as swelling, itching, a burning sensation and a change in skin colour. If you experience pain in your legs during or after walking, you should see the physician.
• However, this is can be eased by rising the legs, wearing compression socks and taking anti-inflammatory medication.
4. Your Nose Runs
• Because you breathe more, and faster and you are out there! So, what's in your environment that you are walking, you are breathing it!
• You may be allergic to pollen, smog (depending how polluted the environment is), or even something your neighbour is cooking!
• If you exercising in a controlled environment, like a gym, and you still have this problem, it could be the air-condition being too cold (or too hot), or their filters is already clogged or dirty!
• You could be suffering from rhinitis.
•  Symptoms such as allergic reaction symptoms such as congestion, sinus pain, runny nose, headaches, itchy eyes, asthma, hives or other rashes, and in rare cases, even anaphylaxis.
• Doctors will prescribe nasal spray. And off-the shelves, self medication such as Claritin and Zyrtec may help. May have short term side effects such as lost sense of smell


5. You Have to Poop - Badly!
• Exercise in general improves bowel movements. If you are doing your walks in places with no or little public toilets, then, you should wait half an hour after a meal before starting exercising.
• When you exercise, your body removes water from your colon, and hence hardening your stools. That's why the bad feeling of waiting to poop. Drink some water. BUT
• Don't drink too much water when walking, this cause the other effect. Stools too much softened.


6. You Get a Black Toenail - Or Lose it Completely
• Shoe too tight? Socks too tight? Remember in point 2? Legs get slightly bigger during and after exercising.
• Fungal Infection: This is no joke, visit the doctor.
• Lose the toenail? No worries, if it have to come off, let it be, Nature will replace your toenail in no time! 


7. You Chafe in Unmentionable Places
• Due to dried up sweat, creating salt crystals. Targeted at crotch, underarms and under-breast areas.
• Whatever you do, if itchy, DON'T SCRATCH!
• To prevent:
• Stay Hydrated (but not too much)
• Fitting, comfortable clothing. (Too tight, and too loose will cause the problem)
• Stay Dry (Using Talcum power or corn starch absorbs the moisture from your sweat)
• Lubricant (for between the clothing and skin, to lessen chances or abrasions)


8. Your Boobs Hurt
• Sports Bra!


9. Your Face Turns Purple
• Weather or exercising conditions too hot.
• Caused by faster circulation of blood.
• It's Normal, let it be! So what if you look like the characters in "Avatar"?


10. You Get Itchy
• You started with too much exercise! Start slow!
• Temporary solution: Anti-itch cream.
• You may have dry skin: using lotion, oil helps.
• Poor blood circulation: See doctor if this itch causes pain.
• Hives: Use Cold packs/baths, use sunscreen if outdoors

So get up and do some walking! And slowly build up your distance, not few kilometres or miles in first round and to your limits, please!

From Dead Broke to Cash Rich (Part 4-FINAL)

This is the final part of this book review.

Once again, I have to thank
Noryani Ismail from "From Dead Broke to Cash Rich" and 
Susan Reynolds and Lauren Bakken from “One-Income Household – How to Do a Lot with a Little”
for their guidance.

During my tours on the internet yesterday, I do encounters many on-line advices on how to reduce credit card bills. Some of which even told me to shift all my debts to a 0% or low interest account. I have something to say, "Tried that, Done that & Screwed that too". Closing credit card accounts, as said on these sites, will make a bad financial credit record. But, you will be a worse condition by shifting all your debts into one account, clearing up the offending accounts and yet not to close them. I would advise otherwise, as on the same track as these writers, who may also "done the same".

Once you cleared the account, you are no longer in debt with that bank, and if you do not need so many cards, for God's sake, REMOVE them. I know the banks not going to like my statement here. But that's the truth. So if you take the advise or not, it is entirely up to you.

 This is the summary we had discussed:

1                     Recognise That The Root Is the Problem

2                     Show Me the Money

3                     Open Up

4                     Seek Professional Help

5                     Make Tough Decisions

6                     Keep Daily Financial Records

7                     Avoid Monthly-Instalment Payment Options Like The Plague

8                     Change Your Shopping Habits

9                     Create Multiple Sources of Income

1      Create Multiple Sources of Income

a.       Spending less and saving more is the first strategy out of financial misery. However, no matter how much you save, it will take you a very long time to repay all of your debts and set you on the road of financial freedom, with just one income.

b.      As there are multiple methods of spending money, of course there will be more than one way earning money.

c.       Developing multiple sources of income does not mean that you will be using your employer’s time. You can develop alternative source of income on your own time. Or develop business that does not require your presence to run. You can hire someone to work in the business you own.

d.      Some runs a leasing services, like taxis, shops. Some write books and earn a royalty out of it.

e.      There are plenty of opportunities out there for you. Just keep an open mind and do not stop looking. Remember, if you cannot afford it or do not like it, do not let anyone talk you into it. Your new venture should not require a large chunk of your money at this time or require you to make monetary commitments that you cannot afford.

f.        Many have been cheated during their quest on finding additional income the quick and easy way. Many invested in Stock, options and properties only to lose it all. What they do not understand is investment is not something to do with your life saving or your emergency fund. Every single individual should have money saved for their retirement. Money saved for retirement and emergency cannot be used for anything else because this is your lifeline. It is something you fall back on should everything fails.

g.       Many unscrupulous business people, especially ones with a gift of the gab, successfully convince people to invest in a business, scheme or fund that they are developing. And many people lose money in the process. So how do we know whom we can trust?

h.      Number one rule of investing is to invest in something you understand. And it you do not understand it, learn about the business before you make any decisions. And you are not 100% sure what to do, do nothing. Simple as that. Investment brokers and agents may rush you into a decision satin that if you miss this chance, you will lose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Do not fall for that. Whenever you are rush, you often cannot think straight. The Richest Man in Babylon says, “Better a little caution than a great regret.”

i.         Most people say that you need money to make money. And they will say it with frustration written on their face. Many people think that they need to take on a huge loan to start a business. This is because they are only familiar with large scale business such as opening a restaurant. What about something small and capable helping you make a lot of money, as long as we are willing to work hard.

j.        We want to do something today that will make us rich in the quickest possible time. This is why many people fall for scams. You see, you can make money with no money or very little money, there are ways that are legal and morally acceptable by all standards. You just need yo get your creative juices flowing on ideas. Then choose one path and get going.

•           Planning the savings

There are many ways in planning savings, I heard of splitting into 4 taught in one of scriptures, which 

(1) Savings (2) Donation (3) Expenditure (4) Investment

Otherwise, noted from the 2 books, which sounds more or less the same:

a.       With the money you have accumulated, split it into 7.

                                                               i.      Savings & Emergency fund (Save it and forget it)

                                                             ii.      Investments

                                                            iii.      Paying down debts

                                                           iv.      Charity

                                                             v.      Own Expenditure

                                                           vi.      Family Expenditure (2 portions)

b.      Many of us are too deep in debt to think of dividing the money into so many portions. If this is the case, use the money from second third and fourth to do this. If you do not start distributing your cash this way, you will never get any closer to achieving any amount of financial success.

c.       Remember, it is not the size of your pay check or income that leads you down the road of financial freedom but what you do with the money that matters.

d.      While waiting for the money in your investment to grow. It is best to learn about good investment opportunities. Legal and lawful ones only.

e.      Do not be surprise how your nest egg can attract unwarranted attention. With your growing pile of savings, you may find a growing interest from others wishing to borrow or suggest that you partner them in an investment deal or a venture. Be alert and aware of some people and their attention. Look, if you can go through the sweat, heartache and tears getting yourself from dead broke to cash rich, there is no reason why others cannot do the same. Furthermore, if you loan them money, you are not helping them in anyway; you are merely helping to eliminate the symptoms and not the problem itself.

f.        We may feel pity for others but will they feel the same for us when they do not repay us? Pity or any such emotion will not put money or food on anyone’s table. So unless you are a bank or financial institution, it is best that you stop offering to give your money to people who have no means of repaying you. If they could, wouldn’t the banks approve them for a loan? So if the banks are wise enough not to do it, so should you.

Instead, why don't you teach them how to plan their expenditures and savings as well? 

                     Spread the knowledge!

3                     Conclusion

a.       Above Steps to get back on track. After doing so, it is easy to slip back to old ways. Therefore, your mind-set must be changed first. Once you change your thinking, actions to complement your thinking follow automatically, and you will have the power to change your life. Let this be your lifetime occupation, building as many income pipelines as you deserve. In order to continue to rise up the path of financial success, grow your interest in the subject of money, read more, attend seminars and surround yourself with people who have already achieved what you want to achieve so that you can learn from them. You have got nothing to lose!

Notes complemented from

(1) Noryani Ismail from "From Dead Broke to Cash Rich" [ISBN 978-967-5428-10-4]
(2) Susan Reynolds and Lauren Bakken from “One-Income Household – How to Do a Lot with a Little” [ISBN: 978-1-60550-133-8]

From Dead Broke to Cash Rich (Part 3)

So far, we have discussed in the last two parts on seeing where is the problem of being poor, even though you may be earning BIG bucks out there. By now, you should clear on where your money goes, be it paying instalments, interests to banks. Hopefully, your family is aware what you are doing and with their help, your pathway to getting cash rich should be easier. Personally, i have not found GOOD professional help yet. In Singapore, we do have "problem gambling" helps, and there are public counsellors who might be able to advise and address financial issues, and credit card issues.

So far, I had aids from KK Women and Children Hospital, and the MOE to ease my children's medical expenses and school expenditures, and I know these are only temporary. I do admit it does helps a bit, now I just have to focus on reducing my debts, and daily expenses.

Now, we shall continue with the rest of the saving techniques.

1                     Recognise That The Root Is the Problem

2                     Show Me the Money

3                     Open Up

4                     Seek Professional Help

5                     Make Tough Decisions

6                     Keep Daily Financial Records

7                     Avoid Monthly-Instalment Payment Options Like The Plague

8                     Change Your Shopping Habits

9                     Create Multiple Sources of Income

1      Make Tough Decisions

a.       Those who are in businesses, be it a MLM, traditional or modern, check and double check if your sacrifices made is feasible. A business should be able to support itself financially with its own income. Once YOU are supporting your business with your salary from another job, then you should STOP that business.

b.      Start to downsize some of your expenditures, such as having one car instead of two. If not, no car is even better.

c.       Whether to pack lunch or eat out, decisions as such to be made and abide by it.

d.      In short-term, you may make decisions as follows

                                                               i.      What are our absolute necessities?

                                                             ii.      Who to pay first? Who can stall?

                                                            iii.      How can we reduce debt quickly?

                                                           iv.      Where can we drastically cut expenses?

                                                             v.      How long can we sustain our current lifestyle?

                                                           vi.      Do we have any assets we may want to liquidate?

e.      In long term, decision as follows:

                                                               i.      Can we afford to stay in this house?

                                                             ii.      If now, how much should we spend on housing? Where can find housing in that price bracket?

                                                            iii.      Can wage earner finds ways to move up at work?

                                                           iv.      Is there other ways to increase income stream?

                                                             v.      Will the wage earner need additional education or training?

                                                           vi.      Can I fund college for children?

                                                          vii.      Can I fund savings account and/or a retirement plan?

f.        Follow the seven basic rule:

                                                               i.      Accept responsibility for your financial future

                                                             ii.      Pay yourself first

                                                            iii.      Stay fully conscious of your financial situation

                                                           iv.      Reduce spending.

                                                             v.      Earn more at your job

                                                           vi.      Generate additional income streams

                                                          vii.      Invest wisely

2      Keep Daily Financial Records

a.       List down your net monthly income and monthly expenditure. Note that your income is the real cash you take home after all the government deductions.

b.      Money left after deducting your expenditure will be used to pay for your daily essentials such as groceries, petrol, snacks, school supplies, etc.

c.       This could be tedious, but it is very effective.

d.      Separate items such as diapers, cereals, milk from grocery bill as they made up a chunk of the bill, so it is easier to calculate and differentiate.

e.      Compare prices and buy in bulk if a discount is offered, this way you will reduce the number of trips you make to the supermarket, to reduce “impulse buying”.

f.        Once you have a full month’s entry, you can start analysing the data. It may be painful but it will get better as data analysis is the key to solving your financial issues.

g.       This way, you can plan for all your expenses in advance.

h.      Surrender the “Can-have” attitude.

3      Avoid Monthly-Instalment Payment Options Like The Plague

a.       A lot of banks and stores offer those zero-interest monthly instalment to pay for certain items. Yes, AVOID them.

b.      Doing so will bury you deeper into the debt, unless you are able to pay out the full amount you own the bank every month. Else, you are forgetting you are paying the interest and hence, you are paying more for the item you buy in instalments than in full.

c.       These offers fool you into a false sense of security because that is what they are doing. Do not be fooled because as the saying goes: A fool and his money are soon parted.

d.      In order to save yourself from these money traps, remember this rule of thumb: If you cannot pay the full amount right away, do not buy! Save the money for it if it is something important and when you have the full amount, you may find that the purchase price has gone down or you may get a better bargain because you are paying cash. Or better still, you may realise that you do not need the item at all!

4      Change Your Shopping Habits

a.       The cons of credits cards frequently far outweigh the pros.

                                                               i.      Credit card issuers are constantly seeking customers who charge beyond their means and make minimum payments carrying 10 or 30 percent interest for long period so time.

                                                             ii.      Always keep in mind that credit card issuers make their money on interest, additional fees and annual fees.

                                                            iii.      Credit companies continues to barrage you with offers even after you racked up debts, such as more low interest rates. These are tempting, you must read the fine print to watch out for hidden charges. Or best, cut them all altogether.

                                                           iv.      Stores are always trying to entice you to open an account, sales personnels are trained to push these offers, and easy to sign on.

                                                             v.      Game plan to reduce Debt

1.       Fund transfers offers, for transferring balances from one card to another, gives you a false illusion that you can get your debt under control. This is a very bad idea. There is no way to address the probe but to tackle it head on with cash and to cease all credit card spending.

b.      Change where you shop

                                                               i.      Changing where you shop is one of the most logical things to do. Sometimes some things are cheaper outside the shopping centres.

                                                             ii.      In hypermarkets, impression that they offer better price. It could be the arrangement of their products causes the impulse buying. And methods to cause buying more than one because the second item is offered half the price. These are few of the many tricks of the trade.

                                                            iii.      However, if you have a big family, though, shopping at hypermarkets may not be a bad idea, as they offer items in bulk, that’s where your financial records comes into play, as you are able to know how much you can buy for a month.

                                                           iv.      On top of these, the lesson comes down, you have to find out how much other stores is selling for the same item be it supermarket or traditional provision shop. This way, it is easier for you to do the budgeting.

c.       Pay attention to great deals and clip coupons

                                                               i.      Supermarket coupons, be it from on-line, local newspapers or even along the supermarket aisle, can be useful.

d.      Plan your weekly consumption and write a shopping list

                                                               i.      Planning your daily consumption for the week is the best way to save on your grocery bill. This comes down to the number of meals you intending to cook.

                                                             ii.      Write your shopping list.

e.      Do Not go shopping on an empty stomach

                                                               i.      When you are full, your subconscious mind tells you I have enough. When you are hungry, it tells you I don’t have enough. I need more, more and more. And you will put more things into the shopping cart, buying things you really doesn't need.

f.        Change brands

                                                               i.      House brands, or even no-frills packaging can save with very little effort.

                                                             ii.      Another trick is to examine items placed at the bottom shelves, where most of the best priced items are placed.

g.       Clothes and accessories

                                                               i.      Make no apologies for wearing same outfit year after year. Change only when necessary.

h.      Trim Energy Costs

                                                               i.      Energy costs are always spiralling out of control, we can’t control prices, but you can control our consumption.

1.       Minimize laundry expenses

a.       Wash only full loads whenever possible. But do not overfull the machine, else, when it does not comes out clean, you have to wash it again.

b.      Wash using cold water, unless clothing is unduly soiled.

c.       Use the correct amount of detergent.

d.      Buy house brands detergents. Leave expensive spot sprays, use old-fashioned soap and scrub method, or dab the spot with white vinegar and baking soda paste or with lemon juice.

e.      Wash delicates in ordinary dish soap.

f.        Consider hanging clothes outside to dry. It will leave your laundry smell clean and fresh.

g.       Limit purchase clothes that require dry-cleaning.

2.       Appliances

a.       Set Air-conditioner temperatures to 25 Degrees Celsius.

b.      If possible use a fan, then air-conditioner.

c.       Replace light bulbs with fluorescents, which use 75% less energy and last ten times as long.

d.      Ask your electric and gas provides to do a audit of your energy use if it is free of charge.

e.      Take shorter showers

3.       Travelling with vehicles

a.       Make sure your vehicle is serviced regularly

b.      Tires are fully inflated.

c.       Use cruise control on highways. This keeps vehicle safer, steady, legal and save fuel.

d.      Join car pools.

4.       Outings without spending more

a.       Picnics in local parks or beach

b.      Play board games

c.       Go for free music, dance, or theatre performances

d.      Watch out for free entertainments around the city

So, there many things to do with these few steps, yet it goes a long way. 

From Dead Broke to Cash Rich (Part 2)

These are the steps to gain your financial holdings:

1                     Recognise That The Root Is the Problem

2                     Show Me the Money

3                     Open Up

4                     Seek Professional Help

5                     Make Tough Decisions

6                     Keep Daily Financial Records

7                     Avoid Monthly-Instalment Payment Options Like The Plague

8                     Change Your Shopping Habits

9                     Create Multiple Sources of Income

1                     Show Me the Money

a)      Getting organised

a.       People who are organised are less likely to have bad debts. So if you one of those who gets overwhelmed by mounting debt, you probably have all your bills and late payments reminders unopened or even purposely misplaced them.

b.      In the end, you find yourself sinking deeper into debt.

c.       So get those letters out of their envelopes and start organising the bills, and file them into different files.

d.      Keep yourself updated of your debts

b)      Lay it out on paper

a.       This is to write out everything on Paper

b.      Yes, making it on computer on spreadsheets are good, but, provided you are not distracted by anything else on the computer.

c.       What to put down is, your income, Gross and net, and your liabilities, Debts, and expenses.

2                     Open Up

a.       Once you have a clear idea on your finances, it is to share with your family, be it your spouse and children if you are married. If not your parents and siblings.

b.      This is an emotional issue especially for breadwinners, as they are usually are unwillingly to share their situation so they can keep the family of being worry free. However, this can lead to much depression and internal stress as they couldn’t voice out their problems.

c.       With this laid out, at least the family is clear that they should not overspend, and do unnecessary expenditure.

d.      However, there are cases that the sharing got back-fired. If this happens, you know it is not a partner you should keep.

3                     Seek Professional Help

a.       Be it whether with the support of family, there’s another group of people who might be able to help you.

b.      However, do not get trick by designations like “Financial Planner”, who will end up selling only insurance plans to you, or saving plans to you, which ended up you into further debts. As you can see, you are already in financial trouble, why would want to buy more things that you may not be able to pay continuous for the next few decades?

                                                               i.      There are fee-based advisors who charge you for their time and expertise. With a monthly fees, these people look into your finances and determine what needs yur attention. They should NOT be earning commission on the product they recommend.

                                                             ii.      In public social service, there are counsellors from Family service centres (if in Singapore) and debt management facilities, who delivers financial advice. These counsellors are trained to advice you on how to manage debt problems and not how to increase your income or diversify your investments.

                                                            iii.      Your own friends whom you trust and who are better versed in financial matters. Do not forget to offer to pay for their services.

c.       It is true that it may be embarrassing to reveal your financial difficulties, however, things to be done, have to be done.

d.      Many will advise you to block your credit cards to prevent further unnecessary spending. This way you can keep up with your payments without further expenditures, and not damaging your credit report. If need be, you may have to talk to the bank to arrange a better repayment methods.

e.      Remember on top of reducing the expenses on debt and interest repayment, you still have a goal to increase your cash flow.

f.        That’s why the best way to pay your debts is to use CASH. If does not have saving, have to get an extra income or work longer hours for more overtime pay. Of course, sometimes your employer may not allow you to work overtime at all, in that case, it is time to get another form of income than to rely on one employer.

g.       Other than restructuring loans, keep a close record of your daily purchases to the smallest cent. This way, you will find out what spent is unnecessary and be able to cut back on that.

h.      With advice in hand and determination to get and stay out of debt, tough decisions are to be made.

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