Malaysia Money Matters

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...

The show has been on for a few weeks now - actually I've missed a couple of episodes but I did make the effort to see the debut. Boy o boy, it was a bit cringe-worthy, I can tell ya! But the production was slick and pleasing to the eye. I've met Chan Boon Yong before, during one of those Carat Club event thingies - he's v. nice. As for the contestants, the only 2 who stood out (positively) are Joel and Carmen. Eddie is too full on, I wouldn't hire him 'cos he is a loose cannon. Dr Azhar, sorry dude, you are useless in a corporate environment- all theory and no action (and a face for radio). Sigh, hopefully there will be a second season with cuter contestants! LOL

Sigh, after months of going around in circles trying to figure out how to get more money and reading all sort of get-rich schemes, what happens? I go and get myself a higher paying job, that's what... ah well, the scope is very interesting and I'm looking forward to it!:) In the meantime, my colleague also tendered her resignation to become a unit trust agent. So I bought some funds through her and in only a month or so, the appreciation - I did make a grand amount of RM66! Which is nothing to sneeze at considering the pitiful amount I bought! hehehe (It was a high risk fund. Buyer beware, ok?) Hmm.. now that that I gots me a higher pay, should I get a new car?? Noooooo!! The temptation of it all... uuaargh!

I caught the debut episode of "Seeds" yesterday - niiicceee... I know, I know, it's a local production of agri-business (how exciting, huh?).. But seriously, folks, I think it is a good step in the right direction. Having Naz as the host is not a bad idea either - ok, I'm biased, he's my junior from high school and he's a nice kid, ya know? (yeah, nice kid who prolly makes more money than me! LOL) Anyway, yesterday's episode was on spice manufacturing (how "Dune"!) and mushroom cultivation with chips thrown in. Kewl... oh yeah, and an interview with the PM Pak Lah. The only grouse I had was that it's a little simplistic compared to, say, Landline but I'm thinkin' baby steps, baby steps.. oh, and the blatant CIMB mention but hey, they *did* sponsor the thing :p Anyway, I'm always keen on seeing stuff like this (agribiz-nerd that I am) because we (as in M'sia) seem to look down on agriculture like it is not 'glamour' eno...

My uncle is a very successful man. He retired as a CEO and is now sitting on the board of directors of a few companies due to his expertise. So when I told him I was looking for a place to buy, he gave me some advice and to be sure, I listened! He said that first, you have to work out what you can afford. Sounds simple and basic common sense, right? But don't be surprised that a lot of people never do that, then get themselves in Heap Big Trouble, Kimosabe when the bills start adding up. THEN, he said, after you've figured out what is affordable, you should stretch yourself (!) and try to buy something a little bit beyond your capability. Now that is counter-intuitive to what he just said earlier, right? So I was like, duh? And he was like, there are 2 reasons: Firstly - you are very unlikely to be 'in love' with a property that is 'affordable' (mind you, this only applies to the purchase of your home, not investment property), so why make yourself feel like yo...