Malaysia Money Matters

OMG... stumbled across another TLC 'gem': "Extreme Cheapskates"! LOL I know, I know, it's IS extreme after all but really, it's crazy, where do they find these people?? At first, I thought that you could get some innovative tips on saving money but seriously, I AM NOT going dumpster diving to get furniture and thrown-out food that one lady referred to as "gold" (for her compost heap, I hope.. oh please, let it mean for her compost heap!). After a couple of episodes, all I can say is: Stop. Don't. Please. Just stop. Stop. It. Seriously? You can't get rich being cheap, honey. Money is energy, it must flow. It's like the Force, it moves around us and through us. If you project an aura of cheapskate-ness; then the money energy that you attract is going to just a little bit only - because what you're telling the Universe is "this is all I need and can handle". Penny-pinching will only lead to you accumulating pennie...

I'm going to rant a bit. Ever notice how some people, despite a nominal RM1 parking charge Will Still Park Outside and BLOCK TRAFFIC? Yessss.... so I've come to label them as "cheap asses". Cheap. Ass. Of course their justification would be, "Oh you know, anywhere you can save a dollar, why not?" etc etc. I agree. One should save where one can. But if you become a NUISANCE in your so-called quest to save money, then you are a Cheap Ass. Here is my definition of being economical: Saving money through proper planning and creativity. Let's break it down: Proper planning = planning your trip to the mall to get whatever it is you need, knowing what's on sale, buying things you need (NEED, people. Not 'want'). Cheap asses don't plan. They just do whatever they want like go crazy, snatching stuff at sales, thinking they're saving money on parking by parking on the street, flood F&B outlets with their damn Groupon vouch...

Hands up those who got all excited about the concept of Groupon and other similar websites that offer seemingly impossibly high discounts on goods & services? Frankly, I've always been wary of these deals. Unfortunately, I have friends who love this kind of thing and want to drag you along on whatever 'deal' they've gotten. Sigh... So what happens is that I go along and invariably, it sucks. Here is why: Experience 1: Buffet, supposedly. It was a small pub / bistro in PJ. Well known for their BBQ lunch. This time, they did a Groupon deal for a buffet and free-flow of alcohol. Really got such a big frog jumping on the road*, meh? [* - literal translation of Chinese saying; meaning 'seems to good to be true', ie it (the frog) would have been caught and eaten a long time ago ] Holy crap, I tell you, it was the most painful experience EVER. The drinks were watered down and you can tell it was not a good brand that they used, very harsh tasting. I...

"Extreme Couponing" on TLC Honestly, I dislike this show even though it does give some tips on how to save money. My reasons: In general, anything extreme is not good. These people seem to spend way too much time, energy and space to clip coupons, organise them, spend hours shopping for a huge haul, then create enormous stockpiles of goods in their homes! Err, seems like just a neater, more organised way of hoarding.... Then there is the attitude of the extreme-couponer (if there is such a noun). They revel in 'beating the store' and it seems to come off as rather mean-spirited. And I wonder at the supermarket staff who are there laughing and congratulating the EC, hello? They are making your employer lose money (temporarily, until they impose new T&Cs or raise prices, thus passing the cost onto other (normal) shoppers, of course).. that is breaking your rice bowl, you know! Goodness.. wake up. OK, some of them do donate the food they get for very che...