How to Build Savings While Paying Off Debt

Most of us would like to have a hefty bank account and would love to put a lot of money from our salaries into savings. However, when the bills start to pile up, our savings accounts tend to be the last things we pay attention to. For those of us who are struggling financially, we may find that we are able to pay our bills, yet our savings and high-yield CD accounts barely get a handful of funds; in fact, they may even suffer.

A good number of Americans are deep in debt. The financial crisis only served to make things worse for everyone. Most people who are in the process of debt repayment are usually seized by the desire to quickly pay off what they owe, their mindset being that it's okay for 50 percent of their income to go to paying their debts in a hurry to slash the total amount of what they owe.

However, there are financial experts who encourage saving along with debt repayment. Some of them encourage that one's debt repayment allotment shouldn't eat up more than 25 percent of one's income. These experts also admonish us to make sure that an allotment for savings is not only a mainstay of our budgets; our savings have to be an immovable component of our monthly or daily budget. Here are our tips to ensure that we can all work towards fattening up our savings while simultaneously lowering, and gradually eliminating, our debts.

1. Pay yourself first. Most of us pay ourselves last, which causes our savings accounts to stagnate, even if we're making headway on debt payments. Turn this practice upside down and never allow the habit of paying yourself first to drop into the sea of forgetfulness or lack of practice. Being vigilant about paying yourself first will not only allow you to grow your savings and investments, but may also propel your finances further and make you a millionaire. To start with, set up an online savings account like FNBO Direct, which returns a higher yield than most other savings accounts today.

2. Limit your bills and daily expenses to 50 percent and debt payment to a maximum of 25 percent of your monthly budget. Yes, your rent needs to be paid, and the credit card debts are piling up. So maybe it's time for a lifestyle readjustment. Maybe you need to move to a house with lower rent requirements. Stop using your cards until you repay your debts. If worse comes to worst, you might have to file for bankruptcy. Sometimes, taking a calculated dive such as this may help you in the long run. For one, though the state of bankruptcy will surely deal a fatal blow to your credit score, at the very most, the growth of interest will halt until you can get back on your feet.

3. Adopt an investment mentality. Start thinking in terms of, "Will this let me save or earn more? Or will this only deplete my bank account?" Ask yourself: "Will putting my money in CDs be better than putting it into a mutual fund? Or will it fare better with an investment portfolio at an online broker like Zecco?" Do this not only with your investments and savings, but also with your expenses as well. Sometimes, it's just not worth it to get a $100 haircut when you can get it for $50.

Being able to grow wealth is not an easy exercise, but it's very doable. Just get rid of the "I can't do it" mentality and encourage yourself to persevere in life, especially in the financial aspect. If things look pretty bleak for you financially at the moment, realize that there are ways out of your situation, and the experience should empower you to have financial discipline, leading you to financial freedom. With guts, gumption, resoluteness, perseverance and willpower, you can do it!

5 Steps to Breaking Bad Work Habits

We all have our own bad habits at the office. Maybe it's gossiping or complaining. Or binge eating or nail-biting. Or checking e-mail incessantly.

Whatever the habit, we'd be happier without it. To break and replace those tendencies, follow these simple five steps:

Step 1: Identify your bad office habits

Routine makes us feel safe, but don't hide under the umbrella of familiarity for too long. The problem with habits is that we let them control us. Our subconscious kicks in and tendencies take over--without us even thinking about them.

Monitor yourself for a full week as you go through average work days. Jot down any potential habits in a job journal. Whether it's an arbitrary ritual like tapping your toe three times before you enter the building or sipping on an afternoon diet soda, include it on the list. The point here isn't to nab every habit and routine, but to find a starting point.

Step 2: Determine which habits are hurting you

Let's shoot big; identify the habit that affects you most negatively. It could be wasting time, putting physical or mental stress on your body, fatigue (from that diet soda), etc. Look at the short-term and long-term picture and prepare to face your worst habit head on.

Step 3: Stop your habit dead in its tracks

Sometimes stopping a habit is as simple as recognizing it. Next time you find yourself carrying out the habit, say to yourself, "Stop!" If you have the luxury of yelling it aloud, do it. If you're in a public office, say it in your head (rather than risk looking bonkers).

Create a physical or graphical reminder that represents the negative outcome of the habit, and access that reminder when you need it. With the soda, for example, hang a picture of decaying teeth near your desk (or maybe in a drawer you open often, where your co-workers won't see it). Next time you reach for that soda, you'll at least consider drinking water instead.

Step 4: Replace your bad habit with something awesome

Because office life is conducive to repetition, the same routine that created your habit might help you replace it with something useful. Instead of reaching for a coffee or candy, or rather than participating in gossip and complaints, do something that's good for you.

Here's one example: every time you receive a new email, instead of dropping what you're working on, take a deep breath and clear your mind. Another positive work ritual, one that helps reduce eye strain, is practicing the 20/20/20 rule. For every 20 minutes of staring at a computer screen or document, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

From breathing to stretching to resting your eyes, there are a million positive things you can do while at work.

Step 5: Hang in there

Some habits are deeply embedded, so don't expect to replace them overnight. Instead, focus on vigilantly monitoring your habits and routines for weeks or months. Consider making "habit inventory" a weekly ritual.

Habits can be powerful, so why not have them work for you rather than against you? Master the art of habit replacement and watch your work experience improve.

Andrew G. Rosen is the founder and editor of Jobacle.com, a career advice blog.

A bullet train to Beijing

Hold onto your seats! The bullet train from Tianjin arrives in Beijing before passengers can get too comfortable on their plush swivel chairs. Travelling at a maximum speed of 350 km per hour, the train takes just 30 minutes to pull up at Beijing South Railway Station.

The ride is so fast that it takes less time to reach Beijing by bullet train from Tianjin then it takes to navigate the traffic congested roads from Beijing international airport into the heart of the capital.

When it was launched in 2008, before the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government said the train was the fastest in the world. Tianjin, about 115 km east of the capital, is a port city with a very different vibe from the country's capital. Tianjin hosted some of the soccer events of the Beijing Olympics and it revamped its waterfront area for the Games. The fast connection between the two cities opens up a wide array of tourist destinations for visitors to China. Even the train ride to Beijing gives visitors a glimpse of panoramic views of the Chinese countryside and farmers at work in their fields.

For only US$15 per ticket for a deluxe seat, which comes with a herbal tea, or as low as US$8 for a seat in the cheapest class, the bullet train is a tourist attraction in and of itself.

Meanwhile, visitors who want to spend a little time in Tianjin before moving onto the sights and sounds of Beijing can enjoy a wide range of attractions in this northeastern Chinese city. Among them is the Dabei Monastry, a Ming Dynasty monastery, a Qing Dynasty Confucian Temple and a wooden mosque that dates back to 1644.

The street life in Tianjin is enticing as well with street vendors spilling onto narrow lanes, and a wide array of streets with houses in traditional Chinese architectural styles. There is even a quixotic street called Machang Dao which is lined with staid English homes. Tianjin has an excellent antique market with many bargains as few foreigners shop there and prices are lower than antique and thrift markets in Beijing.

For architecture buffs, the Beijing South Railway Station, the train's destination in Beijing, is an awe-inspiring building. It took just three years to build the sprawling train station which has glass walls and a glass roof. The station is even larger than the Bird's Nest stadium where the 2008 Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies and athletic events were held. The station generates its own electricity thanks to more than 3,000 solar panels on its roof.

Upon arrival in Beijing, visitors can get into the city by switching to Subway line 4, or they can grab a taxi or bus into the centre where the Forbidden City and many other tourist attractions await them.

Ronaldo, Messi ledak 2 gol

CRistiano Ronaldo dengan gaya tersendiri ketika meraikan kejayaan menjaringkan gol buat Real Madrid pada perlawanan Liga Sepanyol, semalam. Real membenam Hercules 3-1.

MADRID - Cristiano Ronaldo dan Lionel Messi masing-masing menjaringkan dua gol dalam perlawanan berasingan pada kempen Liga Sepanyol, semalam. Ronaldo membantu Real Madrid bangkit daripada ketinggalan untuk menundukkan pendatang baru, Hercules 3-1, manakala Messi membantu Barcelona membelasah 10 pemain Sevilla 5-0.

Bintang Portugal, Ronaldo, yang kehilangan mahkota Pemain Terbaik Dunia kepada Messi, kini sudah menyumbat 10 gol dalam empat penampilan terakhir liga untuk menjadikan 11 gol dihasilkan sepanjang musim ini.

Selepas menjaringkan empat gol ketika membenam Racing Santander hujung minggu lalu, dia menambah dua lagi ketika berdepan Hercules untuk memastikan Real kekal di tangga teratas liga dengan 23 mata daripada sembilan perlawanan.

Penyerang Argentina, Messi pula menjaringkan gol keenam dan ketujuhnya musim ini dalam perlawanan yang menyaksikan bintang Piala Dunia Sepanyol, David Villa turut menyumbat dua gol, manakala bekas pemain Sevilla, Daniel Alves menambah satu gol untuk Barcelona terus menghambat Real dengan hanya dipisahkan satu mata di belakang.

Dalam satu lagi perlawanan, aksi buruk Valencia berterusan apabila terikat 1-1 dengan kelab bermasalah, Real Zaragoza di gelanggang sendiri, manakala Villarreal mampu berkongsi 22 mata dengan Barca sekiranya mengalahkan Sporting Gijon dalam perlawanan lewat pagi ini.

Hercules yang mengejutkan Barcelona 2-0 di Nou Camp, Setember lalu, kelihatan seperti bakal mengejutkan satu lagi gergasi Sepanyol apabila mendahului saingan seawal minit ketiga di Stadium Jose Rico Perez. Bekas penyerang Perancis dan Juventus, David Trezeguet, membuka jaringan tuan rumah dengan menanduk hantaran David Cortes untuk menewaskan penjaga gol terbaik Piala Dunia, Iker Casillas.

Hajat Hercules, kelab dengan bajet kecil, 40 juta euro (RM174 juta) untuk melakar kejutan ke atas gergasi Sepanyol itu bagaimanapun tidak menjadi kenyataan apabila Real menyamakan kedudukan tujuh minit memasuki babak kedua. Jaringan berpunca hasil rembatan jarak jauh Ronaldo yang gagal ditepis kemas oleh penjaga gol, Juan Calatayud untuk membolehkan Angel Di Maria menyambut bola dan melepaskan sepakan ke penjuru gawang.

Tuan rumah seperti akan berkongsi mata dengan Real, namun Ronaldo mengecewakan mereka dengan menyambut rembatan muntah Karim Benzema untuk meletakkan pasukannya mendahului 2-1 pada minit ke-82, sebelum dia memastikan kemenangan 3-1 dibawa pulang hasil jaringan lewat minit ke-88.

"Kami bermain dengan corak permainan sendiri pada babak kedua. Apa yang penting adalah mengutip tiga mata dan terus kekal di tangga teratas liga,'' ujar pengurus Real, Jose Mourinho.

Sementara itu di Nou Camp, Messi meletakkan penyandang juara, Barca di depan seawal minit keempat, sebelum Villa melebarkan kedudukan 2-0 pada minit ke-24.

Malang terus menimpa Sevilla apabila tonggak pertahanannya, Abdoulay Konko dibuang padang kerana menerima kad kuning kedua, beberapa minit sebelum tamat separuh masa pertama. Beraksi dengan 10 pemain nyata membuka banyak kelemahan pelawat, akhirnya Alves melebarkan kedudukan 3-0 buat Barce, lapan minit memasuki babak kedua.

Messi menggamatkan lagi suasana di Nou Camp dengan menyumbat gol keempat pasukannya selepas melepaskan rembatan rendah yang menewaskan Javi Varas pada minit ke-64, sebelum Villa melengkapkan gol kelima pada minit terakhir perlawanan. - Reuters

Merapi hambur awan debu 46 minit

GUNUNG MERAPI yang mengeluarkan awan debu dapat dilihat dari Cangkringan, Yogyakarta semalam.

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GUNUNG MERAPI, Pulau Jawa - Gunung Merapi menghamburkan awan debu semalam selama 46 minit sekali gus menyebabkan ribuan penduduk di sekitarnya panik.

Sebelum ini ribuan penduduk tersebut mengambil peluang pulang ke kampung halaman selepas bermalam di pusat perlindungan sementara selepas gunung itu tidak lagi meletus.

Letusan terbaru itu berlaku semasa ratusan anggota penyelamat tiba untuk menghantar bekalan makanan dan memindahkan mangsa-mangsa yang cedera akibat tsumani di Kepulauan Mentawai di perairan Sumatera semalam.

Tsunami itu berlaku pada minggu lalu akibat kejadian gempa bumi bawah laut sekuat 7.7 pada skala Richter.

Bilangan mangsa yang terbunuh dalam letusan Gunung Merapi dan tsunami itu hampir mencapai 500 orang semalam.

Siren dibunyikan manakala terdapat beberapa orang terjun ke dalam sungai bagi menyelamatkan diri semasa Gunung Merapi mengeluarkan awan debu.

Menurut seorang pegawai bencana tempatan, Rusdiyanto, sebahagian orang lagi melarikan diri dengan menggunakan kereta dan trak.

Gunung Merapi itu telah membunuh 38 orang.

Walaupun amaran telah dikeluarkan, ribuan daripada lebih 53,000 orang yang dipindahkan dari zon bahaya bertindak kembali semula ke kampung di sekitar gunung itu semalam untuk melihat haiwan ternakan.

"Ladang saya musnah akibat serpihan gunung itu dan debu tebal. Apa yang tinggal kini ialah beberapa ekor lembu dan kambing," kata seorang mangsa, Subarkah.

Menurutnya, dia perlu membawa rumput untuk memberi makan haiwan ternakannya itu bagai mengelakkan ia mati.

Sejak Gunung Merapi itu meletus pada Selasa lalu, para pegawai berusaha untuk mengelakkan penduduk kampung berada dekat dengan gunung tersebut.

Lebih 2,000 askar dikerah untuk memaksa penduduk meninggalkan kawasan dekat dengan gunung itu kelmarin.

Menurut seorang pegawai dari sebuah agensi pemantau gunung berapi, Subandrio, sejak Sabtu lalu, Gunung Merapi itu telah menghamburkan 63 letusan lahar dan sembilan gas.

GAMBAR yang disiarkan semalam menunjukkan satu kawasan yang musnah akibat tsunami di Kepulauan Mentawai, di perairan Sumatera.

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"Trend itu menunjukkan bahawa aktiviti gunung berapi itu semakin meningkat," katanya.

Jurucakap Kementerian Pengangkutan, Bambang Ervan berkata, lapangan terbang di Solo, 40 kilometer ke timur Merapi terpaksa ditutup semalam selama sejam ekoran debu gunung itu jatuh seperti hujan.

Syarikat penerbangan Garuda turut menjadualkan semula penerbangan dari Yogyakarta kerana bimbang debu Gunung Merapi akan merosakkan enjin pesawat, kata jurucakap syarikat tersebut, Pujobroto.

Sementara itu, seorang pegawai Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Kebangsaan, Nelis Zuliastri berkata, jumlah kematian akibat tsunami di Kepulauan Mentawai meningkat kepada 449 orang ekoran penemuan berpuluh-puluh mayat.

Seorang lagi pegawai bencana, Ade Edward berkata, sebuah pesawat C-130, enam buah helikopter dan empat bot panjang membawa bekalan makanan dan kemanusiaan semalam kepada mangsa-mangsa tsunami.

Menurutnya, antara mangsa tsunami yang dipindahkan ialah seorang bayi yang baru dilahirkan dan seorang budak perempuan berumur 12 tahun yang menghidap kecederaan di dada. - AP

Kapal persiaran nyaris rempuh jambatan

KAPAL Allure of the Seas nyaris merempuh sebuah jambatan di Pulau Fuenen, Denmark kelmarin.

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PULAU FUENEN, Denmark - Sebuah kapal persiaran yang dikenali sebagai The Allure of the Seas bernilai AS$1.6 bilion (RM4.97 bilion) sebesar empat padang bola sepak nyaris mengenai jambatan Store Belt di sini kelmarin.

Jambatan yang menghubungkan Pulau Fuenen dan Zealand di Denmark itu cuma 30 sentimeter lebih tinggi daripada kapal yang melalui di bawahnya selepas ia belayar keluar dari sebuah limbungan di Turku, barat Finland.

Kapal itu sepanjang 361 meter dan lebar 66 meter kapal itu boleh membawa 6,360 penumpang dan anak kapal seramai 2,100 dari 65 buah negara.

Ia dijangka tiba di Pelabuhan Lauderdale, Florida, Amerika Syarikat dalam tempoh beberapa minggu lagi.

Kapal itu mempunyai kemudahan spa, dewan menari setinggi dua dek, pawagam 1,380 kerusi, beberapa buah kolam, gimnasium, bar, restoran, kafe dan pusat beli-belah yang dihiasi dengan barisan pokok.

Pelayaran sulungnya akan bermula lewat tahun ini. - Agensi