When you’re working in the Food and Beverage industry, what are the money sappers? As the marketing manager for a well-known group of restaurants in Singapore, Dee’s bubbly personality fits her job to a T. But her weaknesses such as impulse shopping and not counting the little things sometimes land her with big bills to pay. Find out what she has learned about herself in the Money Makeover programme.

By: Lianne Ong

Daryl Dee Teo, 31, is a marketing manager of a well-known food and beverage group that runs several successful eateries.  Having had money management problems before, she enrolled in the Money Makeover Programme conducted by Bernard Lim, founder of the Wealth College, in a bid to get down to the gritty business of managing money.

In the first of two interviews, she shares about her money “personality” and what impacted her in the first two lessons.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself. How do your job, marital status and family obligations affect your financial needs or position?
In my line of work I meet a lot of people on a daily basis, and they come from all sorts of industries like banking, entertainment, fashion etc. So personal grooming and looking good is key.  In addition, for the events and parties that we create or attend, it means money is spent on grooming or a new outfit.

Being single means that I only have to plan for my parents and myself. As they are still working, I do not have to worry too much about supporting them fully for now. However, that also means that I have to start planning for my own retirement, and for the possibility that I may not have kids to support me in the future.

2.  Why did you want to attend the Money Makeover Programme? Do you have any specific financial concerns or struggles?
Yes, I have struggled with debt for a long time. My ignorance or lack of money management know-how has put me in that predicament.

3. What have you picked up from the Lessons so far?  Did any tip or Lesson stand out for you?
It’s the little things that count! When we were told to do Project 555, which involved detailing every single cent spent, it was quite an eye-opener. Little things that we think of as loose change can accumulate to quite a big sum. For example, a manicure treats cost $40 a week, which seems like “nothing”. But when you sum it up, it could amount to $2,080 a year, just for painting your nails! Luxury or a need? You decide!

4. Did you learn anything about yourself from the course?
I realised that I’m reckless with the small stuff; the $9.99, $19.99, or $49.99 never seemed to bother me before. After jotting down all these little items, the amount was quite huge even though I didn’t buy any big-ticket items. If I added up all these little purchases, I could have bought a Birkin bag! These small items are silent killers!

I’m also an impulse buyer, and resort to retail therapy whenever I’m stressed. This often means I end up buying things that I don’t need. I have many things of the same kind, like tops in two colours, rings in a few colours, dresses in two colours – just because! I do not buy big-ticket items, so I use that to justify buying a pair of shoes in two colours!

Catch up with Dee again in a few weeks at the conclusion of the Money Makeover Programme to see whether she’s made progress!’

About Money Makeover and LiFE
The Money Makeover Program was designed by Mr Bernard Lim, the founder of Wealth College, and is based on the Living in Financial Excellence (LiFE) Program.

LiFE (Living in Financial Excellence) has been internationally recognized by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation in the US. Wealth College has been ranked among the list of ‘International Best Provider’ for financial education in the workplace by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation US for the quality of LiFE program. To date, about 1000 participants from different countries have experienced the LiFE program and have given rave reviews. For more information, email enquiry@wealthcollege.com.sg

People are complex beings. Psychologists have likened the individual to an iceberg – what you see is just the surface, the tip of the iceberg. It’s no wonder, then, that working in a team can be tough. Interpersonal conflicts can make or break a team.

By: Dorothea Chow

Whether it’s an in-your-face shouting match or an undercurrent tension that affects your mood, all of us will have experienced conflict at work in one form or another. Managing such sticky situations requires you to understand your own temperament as well as your team’s make-up.

There are all sorts of personality tests in the market today. Personality profiles like D-I-S-C and Myers-Briggs are great tools in helping you get started on understanding your own personality and that of others in your workplace teams.

Understanding Yourself

Sometimes, we live under so many expectations in our growing up years, and even after entering the workforce, that we become conditioned to react a certain way to things and situations. But we don’t really understand why we respond in those ways, and may even be ashamed of our behavior in retrospect.

Understanding yourself is a key first step to managing your team. Know how you’re wired, why you respond the way you do (your true response on the inside), and what handles you need to contribute effectively to your team – whether as a leader or a team member.

Donna* used to struggle with feelings of fear and insecurity internally every time she had to make a decision for her team, because she knew that different ones might not take to her ideas. There were several vocal players on her team, and their opinions would often cause her to be tentative in sharing her ideas, and easily swayed to change the decision during the meeting.

Then she realized that these feelings stem from her high need for affirmation and approval. As a leader, she needed to conscientiously remind herself to make wise and objective decisions for the good of the team, and while taking input from her team, not to base her decision on their approval alone.

Understanding Your Team

It’s important that you grow to understand how your team members are wired, so you can know how best to communicate effectively to them, and how certain news or decisions would affect them internally. Tailoring your interpersonal communication towards different ones is no easy feat, but demonstrates care and concern for your team, and benefits everyone in the long run.

Don’t jump to conclusions, especially when things go wrong. Listening often pays off, and builds a good foundation for a healthy team. Take the time to hear people out instead of pointing fingers, and to paraphrase a line taken from a prayer by 13^th century saint Francis of Assisi: Strive to understand more than to be understood.

Sara* thought Mark* was a liability to her team, because he never contributed any ideas during their team brainstorming or planning sessions. But she decided to hold her tongue and hear him out, and was shocked and pleasantly surprised to find that he had many good ideas to share – it was just difficult for him to verbalize his thoughts quickly enough during team meetings, because of the fast pace of the discussions.

Subsequently, they set a system in place where he (and others) could share their ideas and interact on an online forum, even after a meeting was over. This has proven very helpful for those like Mark, who need the time and space to formulate their ideas into words.

Resolving Conflict

Even with the extra effort made to understand yourself and your team, interpersonal conflicts can and do still happen – part and parcel of team life. Sweeping conflicts under the proverbial carpet may work for the moment, but after a while, the dirt may accumulate and explode in your face!

So while the alternative is easier, it’s wise to deal with conflicts in your team as early as possible. Based on the context of the conflict and knowledge of your colleague’s personality, use your discretion to decide when and where and how to resolve the situation. Sometimes, when emotions are rife, it might not be smart to talk things out right there and then. And other times, a real-time resolution is what is most needful and appropriate.

Check out:

www.discprofile.com

http://www.nolimitsasia.com/

http://www.singaporeteambuilding.com/

* Names have been disguised to respect the privacy of the interviewees.

Exercise. We know we need it, sometimes we even want it, but all too often other things (like your job, your family, or just plain old fatigue) get in the way of working out.

By: Sharlene Tan

Your schedule is stuffed, packed, overflowing even. Where’s the time to exercise?, you might be wondering. But you can easily fit exercise into your daily routine because every little bit helps. A study by the University of Virginia found that women who split their exercise into 10-minute routines were more likely to exercise consistently and lost more weight than those who exercised for 20 to 40 minutes at a time. So go ahead and sweat the small stuff with these ten ways to add exercise into your everyday activities.

1. Get an early start
One of the first things you do in the morning is brush your teeth (we hope). Brushing your teeth is usually a stand-still activity, but those few minutes you spend every morning – and night – can be put to some use. Do some squats and march on the spot.

2. Skip the elevator, take the stairs
But I live on the 20th floor, you might wail in horror.  Well, you can always get off a few floors earlier and walk the rest of the way. Or, when you’re at the MRT station, skip the queue for the escalator and start climbing the stairs.

3. Park further
We’re all guilty of aiming for those sweet parking spots right next to the elevators and entrances, but instead of circling the carpark and wasting petrol trying to find that perfect space, park further away and walk.

4. Walk around the office
Instead of firing off an email or instant message or picking up the phone, take that short walk to your colleague’s cubicle to make your request or have a quick chat.

5. Turn your stroll into a brisk walk
Make it a point to walk like you’ve got some place to be, although you might not be going anywhere. Consider picking up a pedometer to calculate the number of steps you walk each day. Keep in mind that over 10,000 steps a day is considered ‘active’. How many steps do you actually walk everyday?

6. Exercise your chores away
Household chores are quite the bore but put on some great music and turn it into a mini workout by exaggerating your moves, like squatting lower to pick up the laundry. Or turn it into a challenge – how many chores can you do in half the time they usually take? Work up a sweat and get your house clean in the process!

7. Cook up a storm
Cooking is a great exercise in itself. Your arms get a workout with all the stirring, whipping, sauteing, tossing, chopping and more. While you’re waiting for the water to boil, do some lunges or calf raises. Of course, make sure you have ample space in your kitchen to exercise, and keep your eye on the stove!

8. TV
Most of us can’t quite do without some TV watching after work. But you can add in some exercise to make your TV viewing less sedentary. Jog in place or do some sit-ups or push-ups during commercial breaks. Leg lifts and lunges are easy enough to do while watching your favourite programmes.

9. Play with your kids
We don’t mean board games here, but really play with them. Play catching in the garden or playground. Run when they run, jump around and just be a kid again. You’ll be giving a beneficial kickstart to your heart, arms and legs.

10. Involve your family
On the weekends, do your family activities revolve around the TV, movies or food? Make it a point to use the weekend to be more active with your family, by exploring Singapore on your bicycles or taking a walk in one of the many parks.

Karen Goi, 38, juggles a full plate as a mom of three and an agent with both Great Eastern Life and ERA. With her children between the ages of 8 and 18, Karen knows that managing her finances is crucial to ensuring that her children are well provided for. She shares with Nanzinc.Com why the Money Makeover programme is helping.

By: Audra Lim

What prompted you to sign up for the Money Makeover programme?
I felt this course would be good in refreshing my financial planning knowledge so that I can better handle both my personal financial planning, and financial planning for my clients. I took on selling property seven years after becoming an insurance agent in order to supplement my income, but I’m finding it tough to straddle both industries.

What did you have to commit to when you joined the programme?
To be punctual for all seven lessons, and to diligently complete all homework assigned.

Describe your financial habits before Money Makeover.
I am the one who pays for all the family expenses, and am always finding that there is simply not enough money. Whenever I receive my commission, the money goes immediately to paying the bills. It seems as if my money disappears – I do not know where it goes and what I have spent on.

What are some financial challenges you need to overcome?
I hope I would be able to continue providing for all of my family’s needs, and to also save enough to buy and fully pay for an HDB 4 or 5-room flat of my own. My family and I currently live in my mother’s 4-room flat in Tampines.

Have there been any breakthroughs in your financial habits so far?
Project 555. It is using a little booklet to record all my daily expenses. I love it and now not only do I do it, my children and maid also do it. I know where exactly my cash goes to now, and whether I am spending on wants or needs.

What are the key lessons learnt so far?
Project 555 is one. I have also learnt how to do up a timetable for my daily activities, so that I ensure I do the important things I need to do first before filling up my days with other things that I want to do.

About Money Makeover and LiFE
The Money Makeover Program was designed by Bernard Lim, the founder of Wealth College, and is based on the Living in Financial Excellence (LiFE) Program.

LiFE (Living in Financial Excellence) has been internationally recognized by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation in the US. Wealth College has been ranked among the list of ‘International Best Provider’ for financial education in the workplace by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation US for the quality of LiFE program. To date, about 1000 participants from different countries have experienced the LiFE program and have given rave reviews. For more information, email enquiry@wealthcollege.com.sg

Like a trapeze act, changing careers calls for patience, some know-how, a safety net and at the end of the day, the willingness to take that courageous plunge.

By: Sharlene Tan

Many of us dream of escaping the mundane, meaningless corporate drone life and finding a career that makes us excited about going to work in the morning. But few of us will actually act on that dream. After all, it’s daunting to have to start over from scratch. Of 14,000 US job changers surveyed in 2004 by career transition consultant Right Management, only 5% started over in a new field.

Dawn, 31, was one who dared to take the plunge. Looking for more meaning and purpose in her career, she quit her journalist job and took up a post-graduate diploma in social work. She told Nanzinc.Com: “It was a wonderful personal growth journey for me, where I learnt so much more about myself, understood my family a lot more, and appreciated what being human was really all about.”

Just remember that major changes in life will take time. Charles A. Buck, co-author of Escaping the Mid-Career Doldrums: What to Do Next When You’re Bored, Burned Out, Retired or Fired, told Fortune: “It’s a gradual process. There isn’t necessarily a “Eureka!” moment, but rather a series of patient steps that will get you where you want to go.” Before making your move, consider these steps from Nanzinc.Com.
Assess and analyse
Sit down and think about your current job situation. Are you considering a mid-career change because you’re feeling bored? Any routine will eventually feel mundane and boring. Perhaps you could ask for a new and more challenging assignment at work or switch to a different company that may provide a wider job scope. However, if you do feel like you’ve lost all interest in what you are doing and are in need of a change, you should analyse your own qualities, qualifications, interests and experiences. Look into yourself: “Sometimes it’s useful to do some ‘blue sky’ thinking: “If I could do anything I wanted, what would it be?” says Buck.

Research and reach out
A common mistake in switching careers is a lack of planning and guidance, says David Wee, managing director of Lee Hecht Harrison, a career consulting and leadership management firm. Reach out to people in the industry you’re interested in, and find out as much as possible about the new career. Don’t forget to rework your resume and rebrand yourself. Research the marketplace and find out the requirements of organisations in your industry of choice.

Dip your toe in the water
Try to find ways to dabble in your chosen career path, such as volunteering or freelance work. Are you interested in becoming a chef? Take a part-time job at a restaurant. Thinking about becoming a veterinarian? Volunteer at an animal clinic.

Saving up
Make sure you have a big enough safety net. Whether it is your spouse’s income or savings, give yourself a buffer, of at least 12 to 18 months. Starting a new career often means starting at the bottom, and with it, a huge pay cut, so prepare yourself by taking a look at your finances and cutting your expenses.

Going back to school
Explore educational requirements for your new career path. Make sure that a degree or graduate degree – and all the expenses that come along with it – is necessary for your career switch. Wee suggests contacting professional groups and associations in your chosen field for recommendations about qualifications and educational institutions.

No regrets

Dawn warns that you might start to wonder if you had wasted your time at your old job, or regret not starting your new career earlier on in life. She suggests that you learn to appreciate that your past career was there for a reason: “Whether to offer new insights into your personality or strengths, whether to provide direction towards what really satisfies you, or whether to teach you valuable life’s lessons that you can’t learn elsewhere. Your past career was there for a good reason, so learn to celebrate it!”

Do you feel like your marriage could do with a little improvement, but not sure how to go about it (since nagging doesn’t seem to work anymore)? Here’s why being open to changing yourself is the first step to changing the relationship dynamics with your loved one.

By: Ng Lin-Li

Change what you can control
In an ideal world, our spouse would do exactly what we wanted, when we wanted (after all, they are the ones with the problem!). However, in reality, the only thing within our control is our own actions, attitudes and character. Rather than trying to intimidate or manipulate your spouse into change, look at how your own behavior can be improved.  By turning the focus away from the flaws of your spouse, to areas that you need to work on, you can positively impact your marriage. Surprise your spouse and ask what he thinks you can work on (but try not to get defensive).

Stop thinking “nothing will ever change around here”. Something can change immediately – you. You have close to a majority share in the marriage and anything you do will change the dynamics of the relationship.

Break old patterns of behaviour

May* used to quarrel with her husband often, and the arguments started whenever he raised his voice. She would then get angry and raise hers, and the argument would escalate. If only he would change, she kept wishing, until one day she decided to take control of her own response and improve her temperament and patience regardless of what her spouse chose to do. Now, instead of perpetuating the pattern of arguing, she would hold her tongue, cool off, then come back and tell her husband calmly and kindly that what he said was unnecessarily harsh. Their arguments got less frequent and less intense.  When May’s husband saw how his wife was more mature and had more self-control, he too felt inclined to work on himself.

Putting off change and personal growth simply allows old habits and patterns of negative interactions to be repeated. When someone in the relationship does something differently, then will there be a different outcome.

Health begets health

By becoming an emotionally healthy individual who is open to self-improvement, your spouse can be encouraged to do likewise. Pursue a healthy inner self for your own good, and not with the expectation that your spouse will do the same. Learning to be vulnerable by sharing your desire to change can make it easier for your partner to be vulnerable and open as well, thus building trust. It may be the case that he just never knew how to approach inner change, or never had the opportunity (amidst the tiffs) to be open with his struggles.  Your efforts to become a well-balanced person, and consequent confidence and joy from doing so, will not go unnoticed and be attractive to your spouse- so much so that he might even consider it for himself. Influencing your spouse works better than trying to control him. Commit to growth and bring health to yourself and your marriage.

Joselina Chia, 44, a senior sales manager and mother of three, is currently participating in the 7-week Money program organized by Bernard Lim from Wealth College. We asked her to share with Nanzinc.Com some good money habits and useful advice she has picked up so far from the sessions.

By: Dorothea Chow

1. Why did you decide to join the Money Makeover Programme?
I wanted to understand the right attitude towards money and how to plan for my three children (aged 8, 5 and 2) financially, for my retirement and to learn how to grow my investments.

2. What are some financial challenges/struggles you hope to overcome through this course?
I hope to learn how to discern the line between being thrifty and being stingy with my children. I suppose it will be challenging to overcome my general resistance to understanding financial matters, and my lack of knowledge in investments and insurance issues.

3. What are some financial strengths/good habits do you think you already have when it comes to managing your money?

We live within our limits. We are almost debt-free except for our flat, which we can afford to pay off too. I feel that we manage our expenses quite well, except when it comes to our children – that’s an expense that seems to be limitless at the moment! We keep records of our cash flow and all expenses.

4. What insights/knowledge have you gained so far through the course?
I’ve learnt the value of maximizing our time by disciplining ourselves to focus on things that are important. This was a great insight to me as I tend to have too many things going on simultaneously, and typically prioritize their execution based on their urgency, and not based on their importance. Through structuring my time around what is most important to us, I can now spend a lot more time with my children.

Moneywise, I learned that I have to be more detailed, conscientious and disciplined in tracking my expenses.

5. What financial breakthroughs have you seen in yourself so far as a result of the course?
I now want to set financial goals for all three of my children, and come up with a retirement target plan with my husband. I believe that these changes and plans will make my work more purposeful.

About Money Makeover and LiFE
The Money Makeover Program was designed by Bernard Lim, the founder of Wealth College, and is based on the Living in Financial Excellence (LiFE) Program.

LiFE (Living in Financial Excellence) has been internationally recognized by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation in the US. Wealth College has been ranked among the list of ‘International Best Provider’ for financial education in the workplace by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation US for the quality of LiFE program. To date, about 1000 participants from different countries have experienced the LiFE program and have given rave reviews. For more information, email enquiry@wealthcollege.com.sg

The loss of her normal speaking voice did not silence one brave lady, Emily Lim, but inspired her to share a message of hope and meaning through her beautifully written stories. She started up Mustard Seed Books in 2007 to publish her first book Prince Bear & Pauper Bear. “I see my picture books as small beginnings towards a larger purpose of inspiring both children and adults to find meaning in their lives,” she says. Today, Emily continues to inspire and encourage her readers, young and old alike, with her message of self-acceptance that shines out through her stories.

By: Dorothea Chow

When Emily Lim was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD), a rare neurological disease in 1999, the then-newly-married and fast-rising executive was hit by many fears and doubts about a future without the ability to speak.

But she bravely refused to cave in to her situation. Instead, Emily continued to rise up the ranks in her job. When she left in 2005 to take a sabbatical from the corporate world, she began to explore writing initially out of interest. After much research and planning, she sent in her first manuscript, Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, to the First Time Writers Publishing Initiative – a competition organized by the Media Development Authority (MDA) and the National Book Development Council of Singapore to support local writers – and ended up as one of eight winners!

Now the proud author of five books to her name, Emily is thankful that she is as good as recovered and for the continued support of her loving husband, family and friends as she strives to bring hope and meaning to her readers. This June, she won her 4th international book award with a Silver Medal for Bunny Finds The Right Stuff at the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards). She is also the first outside North America to win 3 IPPY Awards in the 14 years running of this world’s largest book awards competition.

1. How does one get from balancing spreadsheets to publishing books?

I think that every learning experience I’ve had through my accountancy studies and career has come in useful. I was able to do hotel acquisitions work at Raffles Holdings because of my accountancy background. And now, I find that those ten years of project and international work at Raffles is helpful to me in my current publishing activities. Nothing is wasted.

2. What inspired you to start writing books for children?

It was the First Time Writers Publishing Initiative in 2007, for the genre of Children’s Books. I was attracted to the prize – a publishing grant that required the winners to have their books published as part of the initiative. It was more than the usual certificate-and-voucher-type of prize.

Prince Bear & Pauper Bear, which I wrote and submitted for the competition, was eventually drawn out from my own life story and the emotions I experienced in the whole process of dealing with my condition. The story is about two teddy bears that represent me – before SD and after.

That first book was largely funded by the publishing grant I won from the competition. MDA also gave me additional grants for my subsequent books.

3. How do you come up with the storylines for each of your books?

Very subconsicously, as I’ve discovered on hindsight. The only “requirement” I started with was that I wanted to write stories that are meaningful and can, hopefully, inspire. The rest is divine inspiration, a flight of imagination and looking within.

4. How do your family and friends feel about your job?

My family has been very supportive of my writing and publishing. They help out at my book events and promote my books to their friends. My husband has been my #1 supporter, doing everything from carrying my books, emceeing and helping with my IT setup at book events. I always ask for his opinion on my manuscripts and even character designs.

I have many close friends who have all encouraged me in different ways. But I would say Gail, the mother of my godchildren, has been one of my greatest supporters – she reads and critiques the early versions of my manuscripts. She and her family have read with me at numerous book-reading events. I always dedicate my books to her children.

5. What is your dream for Mustard Seed Books?

Definitely for my books to travel beyond Singapore and be distributed and read all over the world!

Emily’s Works:

* Baby Panda Finds His Way (latest release)
* Bunny Finds The Right Stuff (IPPY Silver Medal  2010)
* Just Teddy (IPPY Bronze Medal 2009)
* The Tale of Rusty Horse (Moonbeam Gold Medal 2009)
* Prince Bear & Pauper Bear (IPPY Bronze Medal  2008)

Find out more at www.mustardseedbook.com

Impressions count, like it or not, and in the workplace it could mean a promotion or closing a deal. You want your makeup to look appropriate for the office, without going overboard. Nanzinc.Com takes a look at makeup tips for the workplace.

By: Lianne Ong

Assuming that you’re not working in the fashion or entertainment industry, you wouldn’t be wearing makeup that is loud and sparkly, topped with fluttery false eyelashes on a daily basis.  Yet you want to look polished, awake and pretty (but not slutty).  It helps you look and feel confident, and there’s nothing wrong getting a spring in your step knowing you look good, and being presentable for the office.

Looking polished

Makeup should be clean and not look like it took ages to put on. Makeup that says “inefficient”, “trying too hard” and “vain” are not impressions you want to leave in people’s minds. Choose a palette of colours that work for your skin tone, and that complement each other. Avoid garishly bright colours – save that for the company’s annual D&D. You don’t want to distract clients and colleagues when you’re talking about something serious.

Try to make some time for touch-ups during lunch hour. Politicians are known to use antiperspirant products designed for the face and neck for TV appearances so that they do not appear nervous or anxious. While we don’t need to take such measures, be sure to remove mid-day shine with some facial blotters – looking matte gives a polished appearance and creates a picture of calm. Using a good primer, like Make Up For Ever’s HD Primer will help makeup last the whole day.

Looking awake

Whether you stayed up to finish that report, or your sleep got interrupted by your baby, looking awake is often important to feeling and looking like you’re on top of things. Conceal those dark eye bags well with a pink or peach toned concealer (to neutralise the blue tones), and set it with powder so that it lasts. Even if you don’t wear mascara, curling eyelashes can do wonders in opening up the eyes.

Looking pretty

Working in a man’s world doesn’t mean you have to give up being feminine. We’ve come a long way from the big shoulder pads and fierce eye shadow of the ‘80s. Today it’s OK for a woman to be pretty and powerful at the same time.  So go ahead, wear makeup that makes you feel pretty, not because you need to mask who you really are.

A word of caution: Be prudent with beauty enhancements that alter your look for an extended period of time. Eyelash extensions and eyebrow embroidery are some of the popular beauty enhancements right now, but bear in mind that they usually are not as natural looking as you think they are, especially when they are freshly done. If you must have a go at it, make sure you choose more discrete and natural options, e.g. natural lashes rather than dolly lashes, and make your appointment way before important meeting dates.

With dreams to create an animated short film about morals and start a Christian programme about living life with fulfillment, 47-year-old Edna Teo bucks the trend of the ‘me’ culture in society. Her energy to create a better life for herself led her to join the Money Makeover programme, and she shares more about her experience with Nanzinc.Com.

By: Audra Lim
What prompted you to sign up for the Money Makeover programme?
Firstly, I want to have financial freedom. I want to work because I enjoy the work, not because I have to. I also want to be a part of a group that helps people in vivid and practical ways to achieve this same financial freedom.

What did you have to commit to when you joined the programme?
I committed to finding and confirming what my potential is, and to put it to good use, especially in a way that brings glory to the God of my religion.

Describe your financial habits before the programme.
I have always been rather thrifty with myself. I save a lot and only spend a little. Yet I began to feel discouraged that the money was sitting in the bank and not doing much, and I wondered what else I could do to increase its value.

What are some financial challenges you need to overcome?
In terms of covering my needs and expenses, I have just enough, except for health coverage, where I just trust in God to provide. I am also looking for a job, although it has been hard to get a job offer.

Have there been any breakthroughs in your financial habits so far?
There are no breakthroughs per se as I was not in any financial difficulties before, but I do know that I want to become very wealthy. The key thing to find out now is how I can become wealthy, and develop a habit of thinking about how to turn my skills and talents into generating an income.

What are the key lessons learnt from this program so far?
To discover more about myself, the way I view money, and to learn (in the Biblical way) how to exercise my potential in order to create more wealth. I want to be able to not just have enough, but also to have an abundance in order to contribute in terms of jobs and money to others.

Edna is one of the seven ladies participating in Nanzinc.Com’s Money Makeover with Bernard Lim from Wealth College. This program is adapted from his Living in Financial Excellence (LiFE) Program.

About Money Makeover and LiFE
The Money Makeover Program was designed by Mr Bernard Lim, the founder of Wealth College, and is based on the Living in Financial Excellence (LiFE) Program.

LiFE (Living in Financial Excellence) has been internationally recognized by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation in the US. Wealth College has been ranked among the list of ‘International Best Provider’ for financial education in the workplace by the Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation US for the quality of LiFE program. To date, about 1000 participants from different countries have experienced the LiFE program and have given rave reviews. For more information, email enquiry@wealthcollege.com.sg