Latest news with #Joneses
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
How to say ‘no' to a child
IT is just two simple alphabets, but it has the potential to cause a meltdown of gigantic proportions in a child. Yes, learning to say 'no' to a child is an essential component in parenting skillset. More pertinently, getting a young child to accept hearing that word without throwing a monumental tantrum would be a feather in a parent's cap. Here is how you can approach it. Erasing feelings of guilt Saying 'no' does not equate you to a bad parent. In fact, saying 'yes' to everything will mark you as an irresponsible adult, with little or no self-control. It is imperative young children realise the world is not going to yield to their every whim and desire just because they so desire it. Pre-schoolers should get used to that word as they will probably be hearing a lot of it from teachers and supervisors at nurseries, kindergartens and eventually, schools. As a parent, there should be no guilty feeling about saying 'no' to a child. Call it prep work for life skills, but the sooner the child accepts that word as being normal in their world, understanding life and its many challenges become a tad easier. Teaching meaning of value The cost-of-living crisis is biting hard into the budget of ordinary Malaysians. This is not the time to be indulging on non-essential items. Kids may not yet understand the economic realities, so try to explain in language that they will comprehend. Illustrate why an expensive toy or going for a fancy dessert does not represent good value. Draw comparisons to highlight that the item being asked for is not the best way to spend your hard-earned ringgit. It may not be easy but you will have to put on your best sales person persona to convince your kid you are just not being a cheap skate. Avoid conspicuous consumption Avoid your child becoming an individual who is always trying to keep up with their peers. Just because their friends are having something does not make it good or desirable. So do not fall for the 'All my friends have it' ploy by making clear you are not in the slightest bit interested in keeping up with the Joneses. Be it the latest toy fad or watching some online junk on social media platforms, reining in their herd instinct at an early age has obvious benefits. Do not be judged by material possessions Echoing the point above, the ability to comfortably say 'no' to a child becomes increasingly significant as they get older. This is when they become more attuned to societal pressures and material desires. It is at this juncture it becomes important that children understand life is not just about accumulating possessions. Life is enriched by experiences, many of which do not come with a price tag.
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
How to say ‘no' to your child
IT is just two simple alphabets, but it has the potential to cause a meltdown of gigantic proportions in a child. Yes, learning to say 'no' to a child is an essential component in parenting skillset. More pertinently, getting a young child to accept hearing that word without throwing a monumental tantrum would be a feather in a parent's cap. Here is how you can approach it. Erasing feelings of guilt Saying 'no' does not equate you to a bad parent. In fact, saying 'yes' to everything will mark you as an irresponsible adult, with little or no self-control. It is imperative young children realise the world is not going to yield to their every whim and desire just because they so desire it. Pre-schoolers should get used to that word as they will probably be hearing a lot of it from teachers and supervisors at nurseries, kindergartens and eventually, schools. As a parent, there should be no guilty feeling about saying 'no' to a child. Call it prep work for life skills, but the sooner the child accepts that word as being normal in their world, understanding life and its many challenges become a tad easier. Teaching meaning of value The cost-of-living crisis is biting hard into the budget of ordinary Malaysians. This is not the time to be indulging on non-essential items. Kids may not yet understand the economic realities, so try to explain in language that they will comprehend. Illustrate why an expensive toy or going for a fancy dessert does not represent good value. Draw comparisons to highlight that the item being asked for is not the best way to spend your hard-earned ringgit. It may not be easy but you will have to put on your best sales person persona to convince your kid you are just not being a cheap skate. Avoid conspicuous consumption Avoid your child becoming an individual who is always trying to keep up with their peers. Just because their friends are having something does not make it good or desirable. So do not fall for the 'All my friends have it' ploy by making clear you are not in the slightest bit interested in keeping up with the Joneses. Be it the latest toy fad or watching some online junk on social media platforms, reining in their herd instinct at an early age has obvious benefits. Do not be judged by material possessions Echoing the point above, the ability to comfortably say 'no' to a child becomes increasingly significant as they get older. This is when they become more attuned to societal pressures and material desires. It is at this juncture it becomes important that children understand life is not just about accumulating possessions. Life is enriched by experiences, many of which do not come with a price tag.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones has unique take on Micah Parsons contract
As star edge rushers around the league cash in on contract extensions, Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons is just trying to keep up with the Joneses. But the Joneses, who own the Cowboys, have proven to be tough negotiators. Cowboys ownership has heard the recent cries from fans to pay Parsons as the edge rusher voices his desire for an extension. However, the team appears to be committed to securing a deal on its terms. "We want to pay Micah too. He's got to want to be paid," Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones told reporters at Cowboys training camp over the weekend. Jones' comment insinuates that the team has made an offer (or several) to Parsons this offseason. The edge rusher just hasn't agreed to any of them yet. Parsons is one of two star pass-rushers still embroiled in a contract standoff with his team – the other being Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. Both players are looking to cash in on multiple successful seasons they've accumulated under their current contracts before entering the final year of those active deals. Pressure has mounted on both Dallas and Cincinnati as other star edge rushers around the league got paid earlier this offseason: Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt all received massive extensions from their respective teams. "I will never understand it," Parsons said in a recent interview with WWE wrestler Mark Calaway, better known as The Undertaker. "We wanted to do the contract last year – then you go out there and perform again. You would think, 'All right, we'll get it done early, we know some guys are about to get re-paid.' There's Myles [Garrett], Maxx [Crosby] is going, so you would think, 'Hey, let's get ahead of that.' "You can't want us to take less (now) because you're the one that decided to wait." Though Hendrickson has held out of all Bengals offseason activities, Parsons has attended all mandatory team events so far. Parsons is a four-time Pro Bowler and a two-time member of the All-Pro first team. He's tallied 52.5 sacks and 256 tackles over his four-year NFL career, along with nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. The Penn State product has played in all but five games in his career: he sat out an inconsequential Week 18 game in his rookie season, and he missed four games last year with a high ankle sprain. Parsons is set to play on a fifth-year option in 2025, the final season of the original rookie contract he signed in 2021.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Money dysmorphia' is crippling Brits across the UK - but many don't know they have it
Money dysmorphia is a condition that can lead people to feel anxious, guilty, and stressed. Now, a money expert has explained the ways to recognise and overcome it. Have you ever caught yourself scrolling endlessly through Instagram late at night, envying the extravagant lifestyles your followers showcase on social media? You're certainly not alone. The urge to "keep up with the Joneses" can trigger money dysmorphia – where our understanding of financial reality becomes warped, leading to overwhelming feelings of anxiety, guilt, and stress around spending and saving. Matthew Parden, CEO of money management app Marygold & Co, explains precisely what money dysmorphia involves, the elements that contribute to it, and practical approaches to help tackle and conquer it. What exactly is 'money dysmorphia'? Parden explains: "Money dysmorphia is effectively when the distorted perception of one's financial health, how you feel about your money, doesn't necessarily reflect the reality. This can be emotionally driven, shaped by irregular patterns or social pressures to keep up." READ MORE: 'I live in London for £480 a month including bills and there's just one rule' Money dysmorphia can trigger both overspending and excessive saving, depending on how the individual perceives their situation. "We've worked with anxious savers, avoidant savers and people who like to spend, so there's lots of different types of personality and money dysmorphia can manifest in all of them," shares Parden. Warning signs of money dysmorphia So, what are some warning signs or red flags that someone might be experiencing money dysmorphia? Parden reveals: "Feeling uncertain or anxious about money, even though there is no apparent or immediate shortfall in money, could be a sign of money dysmorphia. It could be that you avoid checking your bank statements or balances and this could be because of stress, or it could be because of a fear of what you might see in there." The money expert continues: "Another sign could be fluctuating between periods where you're spending a lot and reining it back and spending a little, so you kind of vacillate between overspending and underspending. Money dysmorphia could be when you are playing down your success, payments or debts and you feel that you've fallen short, that what you have isn't not enough – even though it might be sufficient." Social media and society's contribution Do social media and societal pressures contribute to money dysmorphia? The short answer is yes. Social media and societal pressures can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy regarding personal finances. Parden explains: "Social media presents a curated version of life, where people are only showing the best side of financial life without providing the context. You don't see the debt, the lack of savings, the stress – that is all hidden. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. "It does kind of amplify these 'norms' and create unrealistic expectations. It provokes spending which is really emotionally driven and creates a constant pressure to keep up, so that even if your financial footing is secure, you still feel that you've got some way to go. And that in itself can lead to insecurity and a distorted sense of your own financial situation and reality." What repercussions can money dysmorphia have? "Money dysmorphia can often make people avoid getting involved with money and that means they are avoiding financial planning and organisation of their financial life," Parden explains. "This can lead to missed opportunities like having a safety net reserve of cash," shares Parden. "You don't have any savings because you are constantly spending, you may feel like you haven't ever got enough and will consistently avoid doing it. That in itself can lead to anxiety, a sense of failure and can affect your mental and physical health." How to conquer money dysmorphia? Ignorance isn't bliss, particularly when it comes to your wallet. It's time to take control and get savvy with your finances. Parden advises: "Take a step back and work out what it is that may be impacting your relationship with money," suggests Parden. "Just start with small, repeatable steps, like taking 10 minutes out of every week to look at your finances and understand what you're doing and where your money has gone and what is coming up. "If you recognise an issue there, try not to judge yourself. Just do regular gentle reviews of your finances because that helps you start to engage with it and might help reduce the fear. It might also help you move towards bridging that gap between how you feel about your finances and actually what is true in your finances."
Focus Malaysia
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Focus Malaysia
Chinese bike vendor vents spleen over ungrateful Malay teen who rejected father's gift of motorcycle
KEEPING up with Joneses. It a common idiom that describes the pressure to match the social status, wealth or possessions of one's neighbours or peers. Although oft-heard and even seen, it did not stem the anger of one young man who purports to be a motorcycle shop owner. In a video shared on Jarang Jarang Nampak's Facebook page, the irate young man could not hide his anger, contempt and disgust at a recent episode that left an extremely sour taste in his mouth. He recounted showing a Malay gentlemen who was shopping for a suitable ride for his teenage son a range of models. The purpose was to allow the son a more convenient commute to his educational institution. Having chosen a model, the gentlemen paid the asking price in full. However, the shopowner was shocked when the prodigal son later was shown the 'gift' and had the temerity to complain that it was NOT what he wanted. Giving a flurry of reasons, the son pointed out that the engine capacity of the purchased motorbike was not as big and powerful of his friends' machines. Labelling the son 'ungrateful', the Chinese vendor also chided him for not knowing the true value of a hard-earned wage. He should just accept the generous gift graciously. 'Brainless kid' He advised the young man to go earn a living himself so he could afford the more expensive motorbike. The shop owner went on to claim that he refunded the payment in full to the father as the motorbike had yet to be registered in the purchaser's name. Labelling the son 'brainless' for making such demands when not yet earning his own keep, the furious businessman slammed the teen for not having the maturity or respect for his family. It was they who were making the sacrifice so that he could have his own wheels. The post has already generated 24K likes, 3.6K comments and 5.9K shares and 881K views, indicating that the subject matter had touched a raw nerve. Although the race was not explicitly mentioned in the video, many commenters assumed the buyer and the teen to be Malay. One commenter compared Malay and Chinese youth during his teaching days, pointing out the difference in attitudes. It was posited that Chinese pupils would be content with whatever mode of transport provided, waiting till they were earning their own keep before buying a fancier ride. They also did not heavily modify their rides unlike Malay children who often succumb to peer pressure. Style over substance. That was the observation of Malay children by one obviously disappointed commenter who placed the blame at the parents' door for cultivating such poor attitudes. She further berated Malay kids who not only failed to excel in their studies but refused to go to school without bikes that are fancier than those who were already working while also pointing out the frugal nature of Chinese pupils. Many echoed similar sentiments, admitting that they were mocked for buying cheaper modes of transport for their offspring. If one wants something better, work for it was the common theme in many of the comments. The comments were numerous, lengthy and entirely in agreement with the irate young sales dude in the video. Sad but true, parents need to shoulder the responsibility to avoid such an entitled attitude from ever arising. – July 23, 2025
