Malaysia Money Matters

Woah, my pay got revised upwards.. suddenly got more money comin' in than expected! Wah, very grateful and happy liao! Am going to focus my mind on wealth building up instead of the usual destructive line of thought i.e. spend more money on things, getting into more debt because of more income.. ish.. no more! Banish such poverty-creating thoughts!!! From now on, I shall: 1. Aggressively save to build up an 8-month emergency fund (RM24,000) 2. Once that is done, continue to save to create an Opportunity Fund i.e. money that is for grabbing opportunities like buying properties or if I leave to get big enough, to open the gym / health club of my dreams 3. Also lead a balanced life and enjoy some of the money. It's all about the balance! This is my affirmation to myself :)

Reminder to self - to write review once done reading it. Am about 75% through, very quick and easy read. Finished half of it in an hour, then on and off again. Nothing really concrete, more motivational than anything.. not that there's anything wrong with that. More to come.. + THREE YEARS LATER + OMG, it is now 2012! I *did* finish reading it years ago but didn't write the review, oops, my bad. Actually, I recently picked it up again and dipped into the book here and there.. So yeah, as I had said earlier, it's an easy read - written in a very conversational manner, kinda like an uncle telling you what to do. Are there any secrets in there? Mmm.. guess you'd better buy the book to find out! LOL

Just to get this off my chest: Why do poor people take their children to expensive private hospitals then expect the public to donate money for their kids' treatment? I've had personal experience with government hospitals (HUKM) and it has been positive. The doctors and nurses are good and the cost is reasonable. I know this sounds heartless but I think these people should do the right thing and go to a government hospital. After all, that's what its there for. Maybe there's something I'm missing but I believe the level of specialist care is just as good, if not better at a govt hospital. I'm sure the private hospitals are just scaring these low-income folks into a lot of unnecessary procedures, then suggesting to them to go to the press to solicit for donations from the public to pay the exhorbitant bills of the private hospitals. This whole snobbery about going private has got to stop amongst those who really cannot afford to go there. Don't like it, bite

2008 has been a crazy year for me.. changing jobs mid-way and breaking up.. but now that most of the dust has settled, I'm very grateful and happy with my finances now.. Firstly, the company car benefit - have paid off my car and now don't need to service that loan anymore! yay! Now, just need to pay for Pa's car but luckily it's cheaper as he got a good trade-in value on the old car.. Second, managed to refinance my house with an OD at a decent rate - not the cheapest - but that's the premium to pay for the flexibility, now I can pay down much faster and have the option to redraw if need be.. love it! Also, I can consolidate all the credit cards at a MUCH lower rate than 18%! aiyo... just have to make sure I don't go crazy with spending again Third, unexpectedly got a bonus despite being with the new company for less than a year.. err.. less than 6 months actually, but Boss said he's happy with my work wor, so ok lor, take it lor.. :) well, means I'm l