Just a short one.. Babe said something really getting to my head since then. Got me thinking seriously about things but at the same time still climb that career ladder. Oh, before I continue babbling, let me tell you what babe said. As usual, we were thinking of where to have our dinner after window shopping at the new mall near Subang Parade. We were talking about German Pork Knuckle for awhile and we were thinking of going for it last night. But after driving around and not knowing where we can find one near Subang, babe said: Dont know what to eat. We can do nicer at home on our own.
I went: HUH? Oh, so you mean the food I make is nicer than most people?
HAHAHA! That is really nice compliment coming from your husband dont you think?
Anyway, got me thinking, perhaps I should start selling the Special Crispy Pork Log and German Pork Knuckle online. Then I only make to order. The person can then collect or deliver for a small price. Just thinking how to go about doing this.
If I am still in my old company, I can just bring some to office and share but current office, 90% are Muslim (and I am the only Chinese in my department), so, that idea is definitely out! Maybe facebook????? Any1 have any ideas?
Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Money. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Am I???????????
GOSH! All I seem to wanna do recently is SLEEP! I mean I even feel sleepy driving back to work from lunch! Okay, Okay! I know, you guys are thinking, of course la sleepy. Heavy lunch. Well, the thing is, I had only thosai and a cuppa of ice tea. So, definitely NOT a heavy lunch. Already went to the doctor as well because got worried since it has lasted more than 2 weeks already, this tired energy-less feeling.
After I explained my symptom, the first thing that the doc say is, I would like to do a pregnancy test if that is ok with you. I was like, okay, sure. After all, he is the doctor. The test was NEGATIVE but he still insist this could be wrong if it is early stages. So, advised me to come back for 2nd test if I dont get my period on schedule this month. Soooooo....see la. Seriously, I doubt I am pregnant la. I dont have all those other signs such as tender boobs or soreback! Okay, so I am burping alot and nausea but then this could be because of gastric due to stress bah!
So, end of the month, if I dont get my period, mean time to go buy my own pregnancy test kit la. Yar, I discover it is cheaper if I do my own test. I had to fork out extra RM31 to pay for the doctor fee that day. The bill come up to RM71 which RM40 is covered by my company and balance I need to pay my own. IF I didnt do the test, then I dont even have to pay the extra because consultation and medicine is less than RM40! If I get my own kit, it only cost RM20, i.e. saving me RM11 which is enough to pay for McDonald Value meal at lunch time.
This is not call stingy la ok. This is call being money smart! BLUEKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Babbling for the Day
Aiyoo..CNY is less than 2wks away and guess what I have done only? Buy two deco for the door of the apartment and sticked it on. Then babe this morning asked me, this year is the year of the rat meh? ALAMAK! Err..I bought stickers with cute lil rat holding the banner. I forgot lar have the year of the rat. I bought it because it was cute! Damn! Does this mean that I wasted RM6.80 for nothing? Sheesh...
Dunno how else to decorate the apartment actually. Dont feel like buying things that will only last for the CNY and then have to keep until next year. I would rather get something that is more practical. Even if it is just a pot of plant, at least the plant will makes the place looks fresh and yummy all year round and for the rest of its life right? If I get those willow plant or then after a while, it will just die off. Even the fake ones, after the CNY over, it would look weird to remain in the living room.
Other than that, have not gotten any goodies at all too. Going to go shopping abit with babe this weekend. At first was planning to get an oven if it is cheap especially since Harvey Norman is having its electrical warehouse sales this weekend. But I am feeling half hearted about this eventhough my hands are itching to bake. Cant decide between getting and oven or microwave or both! But if I get both, how often will I use the oven? I know I will be using the microwave more than the oven but the fact is, microwave cant bake complicated nice cakes or cookies!
Also, since we are not going back to Kch this year, we didnt get any new clothes ..yet. But I think I might persuade babe to get himself a nice shirt, something that he has always wanted but didnt get because he feel the things are too pricey. Yar, we are both very careful with our spendings. Alot of things to take care and pay ler. Budget budget....
Sorry for sounding so money minded but my boss said something to me on Tuesday that really makes me wake up. If the current generation goes on as it is now, then, one day, our children's childrens who are university graduates might need to go to China or Taiwan to work as maid. Reason? We are having an economy meltdown with more than 10K people retrenched and out of which 8.5K are Malaysian. WD in Kuching, Sarawak can declare it will close down in Mar09 just like that. And yet, alot of people are still not aware and is not sensitive to the effect of this.
And instead of looking for solutions to prevent this from happening again, some people are still saying: 'No, we are not affected by the economy crisis. No, we are not going to retrench. Our economy is very strong'. Or even better, a call NOT to retrench Malaysian but to retrench the foreigners. Geez! I really shivering with fear at this prospect.
Can you imagine how things would be if one day we wake up and see on the news that our RM no longer have value. Lots and lots of factory shutdown and move to more productive and cost effective country to invest in? Where is the world would our children find job? Even university graduates?
Do you ever wonder how Malaysia can prosper from a third world country to a developing country? But in the recent years, the country development seemed to have stagnant? I have to give credit to my boss for this because I agree with him when he says that is because of the way we think, i.e. our mindset bought about by our culture and upbringing. Our parents and forefathers lives in proverty at the time and hence, they are programmed to work hard to earn a living.
Every cents count in their lives and their aim is to work hard at the best that they can so that the company that they work for will continue to prosper so that they will continue to have a job to do. Young people now are very fortunate because most of us have never endure the true hardship in life. Most of us have never suffer true proverty. We have so much luxury in life that we take things for granted.
College students drive a merc to work? In the pass, being able to go to college was a big thing. Being able to drive a motorcycle to college an even bigger thing. But now, a college kid driving a kancil will feel ashame because his friends will laugh at him for driving a cola-can-on-wheels. This is how insensitive the younger generations are to the situation around them.
Even people in my generations are insensitive. They are encased in their own little shell and thinking that if there is not them, then there will not be a product to sell. But if there is no buyer, even if there is a product, who is going to buy them? And if no one buys them, where will the revenue of the company comes from? Drop from sky? Perhaps lor since our government has been so kind to spoonspeed most of us.
Sorry for being so lenghty and talked alot about this. Like my boss, I am starting to worry not only for my own future but for my childrens and their childrens. If the country's mindset do not change, then, one day it will be true what my boss prophesized, i.e. one day, we will find Malaysian university graduates working as maid in China.....
Dunno how else to decorate the apartment actually. Dont feel like buying things that will only last for the CNY and then have to keep until next year. I would rather get something that is more practical. Even if it is just a pot of plant, at least the plant will makes the place looks fresh and yummy all year round and for the rest of its life right? If I get those willow plant or then after a while, it will just die off. Even the fake ones, after the CNY over, it would look weird to remain in the living room.
Other than that, have not gotten any goodies at all too. Going to go shopping abit with babe this weekend. At first was planning to get an oven if it is cheap especially since Harvey Norman is having its electrical warehouse sales this weekend. But I am feeling half hearted about this eventhough my hands are itching to bake. Cant decide between getting and oven or microwave or both! But if I get both, how often will I use the oven? I know I will be using the microwave more than the oven but the fact is, microwave cant bake complicated nice cakes or cookies!
Also, since we are not going back to Kch this year, we didnt get any new clothes ..yet. But I think I might persuade babe to get himself a nice shirt, something that he has always wanted but didnt get because he feel the things are too pricey. Yar, we are both very careful with our spendings. Alot of things to take care and pay ler. Budget budget....
Sorry for sounding so money minded but my boss said something to me on Tuesday that really makes me wake up. If the current generation goes on as it is now, then, one day, our children's childrens who are university graduates might need to go to China or Taiwan to work as maid. Reason? We are having an economy meltdown with more than 10K people retrenched and out of which 8.5K are Malaysian. WD in Kuching, Sarawak can declare it will close down in Mar09 just like that. And yet, alot of people are still not aware and is not sensitive to the effect of this.
And instead of looking for solutions to prevent this from happening again, some people are still saying: 'No, we are not affected by the economy crisis. No, we are not going to retrench. Our economy is very strong'. Or even better, a call NOT to retrench Malaysian but to retrench the foreigners. Geez! I really shivering with fear at this prospect.
Can you imagine how things would be if one day we wake up and see on the news that our RM no longer have value. Lots and lots of factory shutdown and move to more productive and cost effective country to invest in? Where is the world would our children find job? Even university graduates?
Do you ever wonder how Malaysia can prosper from a third world country to a developing country? But in the recent years, the country development seemed to have stagnant? I have to give credit to my boss for this because I agree with him when he says that is because of the way we think, i.e. our mindset bought about by our culture and upbringing. Our parents and forefathers lives in proverty at the time and hence, they are programmed to work hard to earn a living.
Every cents count in their lives and their aim is to work hard at the best that they can so that the company that they work for will continue to prosper so that they will continue to have a job to do. Young people now are very fortunate because most of us have never endure the true hardship in life. Most of us have never suffer true proverty. We have so much luxury in life that we take things for granted.
College students drive a merc to work? In the pass, being able to go to college was a big thing. Being able to drive a motorcycle to college an even bigger thing. But now, a college kid driving a kancil will feel ashame because his friends will laugh at him for driving a cola-can-on-wheels. This is how insensitive the younger generations are to the situation around them.
Even people in my generations are insensitive. They are encased in their own little shell and thinking that if there is not them, then there will not be a product to sell. But if there is no buyer, even if there is a product, who is going to buy them? And if no one buys them, where will the revenue of the company comes from? Drop from sky? Perhaps lor since our government has been so kind to spoonspeed most of us.
Sorry for being so lenghty and talked alot about this. Like my boss, I am starting to worry not only for my own future but for my childrens and their childrens. If the country's mindset do not change, then, one day it will be true what my boss prophesized, i.e. one day, we will find Malaysian university graduates working as maid in China.....
Monday, November 24, 2008
8% or 11%??
I got this off the an email that I received that further confirmed my decision to stick to 11% instead of reducing my EPF contribution to 8%. For some, the 3% might seem like alot of money at first but after seeing the below calculation, perhaps it would be a good idea to reconsider and fill up the form to keep the contribution at 11%?
Assume monthly basic salary is RM4000 for easier calculation.
- If your monthly EPF contribution is 11% ( RM440 ), taxable income = RM3560, income tax payable per month= RM77.
- If your monthly EPF contribution is 8% ( RM320 ), taxable income = RM3680, income tax payable per month = RM109.
So, 11% to 8% means that you get extra RM120 on your gross income, but after deducting the income tax payable per month of RM109, you are actually only getting RM11 extra monthly. In today high priced market, what do you get for RM11? A lunch meal at the economy rice corner for one and a drink perhaps. The reduction in EPF contribution is suppose to boost up the slow-down market, but from this example we see that the money does not go into the market. Instead the money goes direct into the government's pocket through the greater amount of income tax that we will have to pay. Obviously this measure does not help the market at all. So, please tell me again what is the purpose of the VOLUNTARY reduction?
Assume monthly basic salary is RM4000 for easier calculation.
- If your monthly EPF contribution is 11% ( RM440 ), taxable income = RM3560, income tax payable per month= RM77.
- If your monthly EPF contribution is 8% ( RM320 ), taxable income = RM3680, income tax payable per month = RM109.
So, 11% to 8% means that you get extra RM120 on your gross income, but after deducting the income tax payable per month of RM109, you are actually only getting RM11 extra monthly. In today high priced market, what do you get for RM11? A lunch meal at the economy rice corner for one and a drink perhaps. The reduction in EPF contribution is suppose to boost up the slow-down market, but from this example we see that the money does not go into the market. Instead the money goes direct into the government's pocket through the greater amount of income tax that we will have to pay. Obviously this measure does not help the market at all. So, please tell me again what is the purpose of the VOLUNTARY reduction?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
From Sarawak, Am I Rich or Poor?
I promised myself that I will not post anything related to politics or remotely linked to it and been trying really hard not to do that. But it is becoming increasing hard not to say much especially when I read this:
Sarawak and Sabah is the state in Malaysia that is richest with natural resources but is among the poorest state in Malaysia.
Sigh! Coming from Kuching, Sarawak, this statement really hurts even though it is the truth. By right, as a state that is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas and timber, shouldn’t Sarawak be getting more percentage of the money back for more meaningful development? Of course, I am not saying that we do not have any development at all but who can honestly say that we have been developing rapidly? I think the only thing that is developing rapidly is the inflation. Most of us KNOW EXACTLY who is responsible for this but alas, no one DARED to do much. Non-Sarawakian might not understand how expensive it is to live in Sarawak, in terms of income vs expenses.
Average income for fresh grad degree holder in Kuching would be around RM1,500-1,600. If you are lucky, might get RM1,800-2,000. Few multinational companies offer engineers RM2,200. I heard my friends in Kuching told me that a glass of ice lime is RM1.80 and a bowl of Sarawak kolo mee is RM3-4. It was RM1.50 and RM2.80 respectively before I come to KL about a month and half ago. Of course, they also suffer the increase in staple food such as rice. Some of my friends are even switching to eating local rice instead of those imported one because it is getting too expensive. Although Sarawakian save on toll charges, but petrol price is just RM0.01 different from KL. This is for a state that produces oil and gas!
So, after counting here and there, let say:
Lunch RM8 x 30day = RM240
Petrol RM10x30day = RM300
Internet RM110 (1MB)
Handphone bill RM52.50 (postpaid with 5% tax)
Groceries RM10x30 = RM300
Utilities RM100 (water, electric and gas for cooking)
Maintenance RM100 (car maintenance averaged)
Insurance n tax RM100 (car insurance n road tax averaged per year
Car loan RM500
Wait a minute, already overspend! And not yet even add in entertainment, housing, household items like shampoo, soap, detergent, etc. Of course, I am assuming the person is staying on their own and not with parents or friends lar. That is also assuming the person have a degree and earn up to RM1,800. It is not uncommon for income earner in Sarawak to be SPM leavers that earn RM600 – RM800. How to survive?????
With price of everything increasing and it really feels as if we are paying double for groceries, household items and day-to-day necessities. A 10kg bag of rice that cost RM28+ a month or two ago has increased on RM35+. That’s 25% increase! Does this mean that our salaries need to shift up by 25% too? Of course, when that happens, the traders will have another reason to increase the price further and cause even worse inflation!
Before I took this job, my good friends in Kuching feels that this is a good offer. Based on my calculation on paper, I should be able to save plenty after deducting expenses and loans. But now, I am not so sure. But it is too late for me to turn back. Just need to be more careful with my expenses and not let it run away. (Already start to have the wind blown and tornadoes spinning sensation actually…sigh!)
I dare not tell my parents that I might be having difficulties making ends meet here. Do not want to worry them. I know the moment I open my mouth or if they find out, my dad will immediately jump to my rescue. But come one, that is too embarrassing and I think I will rather be almost at death doorstep before I let my parents help me out financially. And also, whatever extras they have now if for them to enjoy themselves after many years of hardwork.
I can only laugh at how young I was last time when I told my mom that I will buy her a BMW when I start working. How naïve I was. As I said, life being an independent grown up is no fun at all. Kids that is reading this, enjoy and cherish your life now!
Sigh! I hope SOMEONE in the BIG G ORGANISATION will do something soon......
Sarawak and Sabah is the state in Malaysia that is richest with natural resources but is among the poorest state in Malaysia.
Sigh! Coming from Kuching, Sarawak, this statement really hurts even though it is the truth. By right, as a state that is rich in natural resources such as oil, gas and timber, shouldn’t Sarawak be getting more percentage of the money back for more meaningful development? Of course, I am not saying that we do not have any development at all but who can honestly say that we have been developing rapidly? I think the only thing that is developing rapidly is the inflation. Most of us KNOW EXACTLY who is responsible for this but alas, no one DARED to do much. Non-Sarawakian might not understand how expensive it is to live in Sarawak, in terms of income vs expenses.
Average income for fresh grad degree holder in Kuching would be around RM1,500-1,600. If you are lucky, might get RM1,800-2,000. Few multinational companies offer engineers RM2,200. I heard my friends in Kuching told me that a glass of ice lime is RM1.80 and a bowl of Sarawak kolo mee is RM3-4. It was RM1.50 and RM2.80 respectively before I come to KL about a month and half ago. Of course, they also suffer the increase in staple food such as rice. Some of my friends are even switching to eating local rice instead of those imported one because it is getting too expensive. Although Sarawakian save on toll charges, but petrol price is just RM0.01 different from KL. This is for a state that produces oil and gas!
So, after counting here and there, let say:
Lunch RM8 x 30day = RM240
Petrol RM10x30day = RM300
Internet RM110 (1MB)
Handphone bill RM52.50 (postpaid with 5% tax)
Groceries RM10x30 = RM300
Utilities RM100 (water, electric and gas for cooking)
Maintenance RM100 (car maintenance averaged)
Insurance n tax RM100 (car insurance n road tax averaged per year
Car loan RM500
Wait a minute, already overspend! And not yet even add in entertainment, housing, household items like shampoo, soap, detergent, etc. Of course, I am assuming the person is staying on their own and not with parents or friends lar. That is also assuming the person have a degree and earn up to RM1,800. It is not uncommon for income earner in Sarawak to be SPM leavers that earn RM600 – RM800. How to survive?????
With price of everything increasing and it really feels as if we are paying double for groceries, household items and day-to-day necessities. A 10kg bag of rice that cost RM28+ a month or two ago has increased on RM35+. That’s 25% increase! Does this mean that our salaries need to shift up by 25% too? Of course, when that happens, the traders will have another reason to increase the price further and cause even worse inflation!
Before I took this job, my good friends in Kuching feels that this is a good offer. Based on my calculation on paper, I should be able to save plenty after deducting expenses and loans. But now, I am not so sure. But it is too late for me to turn back. Just need to be more careful with my expenses and not let it run away. (Already start to have the wind blown and tornadoes spinning sensation actually…sigh!)
I dare not tell my parents that I might be having difficulties making ends meet here. Do not want to worry them. I know the moment I open my mouth or if they find out, my dad will immediately jump to my rescue. But come one, that is too embarrassing and I think I will rather be almost at death doorstep before I let my parents help me out financially. And also, whatever extras they have now if for them to enjoy themselves after many years of hardwork.
I can only laugh at how young I was last time when I told my mom that I will buy her a BMW when I start working. How naïve I was. As I said, life being an independent grown up is no fun at all. Kids that is reading this, enjoy and cherish your life now!
Sigh! I hope SOMEONE in the BIG G ORGANISATION will do something soon......
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Budget Budget Budget
As you know, we been looking around for suitable apartment to move into and call our own. We are targeting to find something around July or August time. This way, we can save up first while living at babe’s friend’s house. Also, it will give us some time to look for suitable place with suitable environment, location and especially the rental price. So far, babe and I have seen a few places and sad to say, somehow, one of us will always dislike something about the place. Mostly it is babe lar!
There is a place that both of us like very much but it is really too pricey for us. It is about 15 minutes drive to work for me and pretty easy for babe to go onto the NKVE to get to work daily. The distance is not much different for babe compared to where we are staying now. On top of that, the unit is semi-furnish with aircons, heater, wardrobe, fan, kitchen cabinet, stove and hood. We really like the place very much mainly because it is on a hilltop and the atmosphere is so peaceful and serene. The air is cold as if we are in genting! On top of that, it is very low density and security is tight. However, the rent requested was really too expensive in our opinion, RM850.
I know, some might say that is actually the going rate but I doubt it because we found an agent that told us some of the units there are for sale at RM150,000 to RM160,000. Paying RM850 is almost like paying for loan installments on the apartment with some leftover to pay for the maintenance fee perhaps? And this got babe and me thinking (dreaming) that when we are both more settled down and financially stable, perhaps we can come back here again to buy one of the units. But alas, that remain as a dream for now unless I suddenly inherit lots of mullah from some long lost relatives perhaps??? Hahahaha..wishful thinking..sigh!
Growing up and being independent is no fun! Moving so far away from my parents made me realized how fortunate I was. Of course, I will eventually need to move anyways from the nest but that does not mean that I have to like it right? So many things to consider, plan, budget and worry about. I was just discussing with RK on how to budget for expenses and how she and her hubby share them. Yah, although babe and I not married yet and is just planning to do this maybe end of this year or next year, we are living together. This means that we need to share responsibilities and expenses.
So, I drafted a budget since a long long long time and included the few basic items that my muddled brain can think of. And with the help from RK, actually added a few more items into them. Mainly is to decide how much will be put into a joint account main this purpose lar. Of course, since it is a budget, the aim is to spend less than that and whatever extra will then become our savings. As I said, it is no fun at all being an INDEPENDENT adult. Can no longer go on impulse shopping spree without the nagging guilty feeling or just runaway and do something without thinking of others.
So, this is my list of things that we will jointly share. Did I miss anything????????
a. Utilities – water, electric, handphone, internet, astro
b. Food/ Groceries
c. Entertainment
d. Household goods
e. Maintenance
f. Car insurance & road tax
g. Rent
What do you consider is the best way to share the expenses? Open a joint account and one person become the CFO (chief finance officer), who is usually the wife to control and make sure all the bills are paid. Or delegate who pay for what as long as at the end the total amount is what both person agreed on. I prefer joint account actually because we put in certain amount of money and then we work together to make sure we don’t over spend. And whatever extra will be our savings. Of course, option two will be less hassle and straightforward. Any other ways to do this? Really need some help and advice here.
There is a place that both of us like very much but it is really too pricey for us. It is about 15 minutes drive to work for me and pretty easy for babe to go onto the NKVE to get to work daily. The distance is not much different for babe compared to where we are staying now. On top of that, the unit is semi-furnish with aircons, heater, wardrobe, fan, kitchen cabinet, stove and hood. We really like the place very much mainly because it is on a hilltop and the atmosphere is so peaceful and serene. The air is cold as if we are in genting! On top of that, it is very low density and security is tight. However, the rent requested was really too expensive in our opinion, RM850.
I know, some might say that is actually the going rate but I doubt it because we found an agent that told us some of the units there are for sale at RM150,000 to RM160,000. Paying RM850 is almost like paying for loan installments on the apartment with some leftover to pay for the maintenance fee perhaps? And this got babe and me thinking (dreaming) that when we are both more settled down and financially stable, perhaps we can come back here again to buy one of the units. But alas, that remain as a dream for now unless I suddenly inherit lots of mullah from some long lost relatives perhaps??? Hahahaha..wishful thinking..sigh!
Growing up and being independent is no fun! Moving so far away from my parents made me realized how fortunate I was. Of course, I will eventually need to move anyways from the nest but that does not mean that I have to like it right? So many things to consider, plan, budget and worry about. I was just discussing with RK on how to budget for expenses and how she and her hubby share them. Yah, although babe and I not married yet and is just planning to do this maybe end of this year or next year, we are living together. This means that we need to share responsibilities and expenses.
So, I drafted a budget since a long long long time and included the few basic items that my muddled brain can think of. And with the help from RK, actually added a few more items into them. Mainly is to decide how much will be put into a joint account main this purpose lar. Of course, since it is a budget, the aim is to spend less than that and whatever extra will then become our savings. As I said, it is no fun at all being an INDEPENDENT adult. Can no longer go on impulse shopping spree without the nagging guilty feeling or just runaway and do something without thinking of others.
So, this is my list of things that we will jointly share. Did I miss anything????????
a. Utilities – water, electric, handphone, internet, astro
b. Food/ Groceries
c. Entertainment
d. Household goods
e. Maintenance
f. Car insurance & road tax
g. Rent
What do you consider is the best way to share the expenses? Open a joint account and one person become the CFO (chief finance officer), who is usually the wife to control and make sure all the bills are paid. Or delegate who pay for what as long as at the end the total amount is what both person agreed on. I prefer joint account actually because we put in certain amount of money and then we work together to make sure we don’t over spend. And whatever extra will be our savings. Of course, option two will be less hassle and straightforward. Any other ways to do this? Really need some help and advice here.
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