...when you're no longer a student.
Missing my mid-sem breaks so so much. Feeling nostalgic again. I can't really say that I missed my semester breaks, seeing how I jumped up at every opportunity to do an internship when I was a student. Bit stupid of me, really. I have no idea why I worked so hard. I slaved away at 3 internships and a tutoring job throughout my college years whenever I had the chance. As a result, I developed a solid work ethic and honed my skills to claim the coveted Chancellor's Award, but that's all history now. No one really cares about your CGPA pointer or achievements when you enter the workforce. My hair loss problem, however, has persistently followed my through those years and has not seen any noticeable improvement despite my increasingly desperate attempts of rescue. In short, it's NOT worthwhile.
I like to think that I am making up for my previous sacrifices now, having landed a great job that offers me the idealized work-life balance. Whilst the initial learning curve was steep, I am now pretty good at what I do, and generally lead a stress-free life. What's better, my company is on a one week break this week! The staff who've been working there for some time are headed to snowing Beijing for a well-deserved trip, and me and the other folks who hasn't been there quite as long get a nice holiday. This is in addition to our annual leave! A fantastic arrangement, I'd say. Good time to get my last minute Christmas shopping done and scout for some good shopping deals (MUST. BUY. BEFORE. GST)!
For those who think that life after graduation gets harder, I beg to differ. Unless you're in architecture, then it is only expected (having gone through that, I feel you). After I stopped chasing mountains, I discovered contentment. I treasure the time I spend together with my family, and I am immensely blessed that I do not have to move to other parts of the country to find work like many of my peers. Counting my blessings and looking forward to a warm and joyful Christmas!
Merry Christmas and good tidings to you :)
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
My Credit Card Adventure
A credit card to me, is a symbol of power. It is the ultimate representation of adulthood, a piece of plastic that conveys your maturity and financial position. Now I’ve steered clear from credit cards for as long as I remember, as I felt that I didn’t need them. Until recently, that is.
I have done lengthy research on credit cards ever since a friend started to pique my interest in it by tempting tales of EPP (easy payment plan), cashback rewards, yada yada. The rewards are tempting and very good cash saving initiatives – provided you can control your spending. I am quite confident in my self restraint, and I do not foresee credit cards altering my life drastically or casting me into the deep, dark pits of dreaded debt. After much much deliberation, consulting with my family and much indispendsable advise from GenX GenY GenZ (here’s some publicity, I totally benefited from your advice), I have decided to opt for the Maybank 2 Gold Cards.
At first I was hesitant to pick this as the GST is calculated at RM50 per card, making it RM100 annually. It is not such a good deal when you have to fork out additional RM50 for a card that you don’t really want, isn’t it? I really only preferred the American Express card, as it gives 5% cashback (up to a maximum of RM50 per month) on weekends and 5x treats points daily, whilst the Visa / Mastercard does not offer such benefits. It is much harder to build up your points when you only gain 1 point per RM1 spent instead of 5 points per RM1 spent. Nonetheless, the current promotion is not bad, with 3 swipes on each card, the RM50 GST is waived! However this is only for the Maybank 2 Gold cards, the Platinum Amex card is ineligible for the GST waiver (see below).
I have used my card unashamedly by volunteering to pay first when I go out with my family and friends and have them pay me back the money (free treats points + cashback). Oh oh, and since I signed up at the Maybank promotional kiosk (yeah, those booths with clingy and desperate salespeople who try to tempt you with their credit card offers), I got a free Maybank mug and recycle bag. Very cheapskate of me right? Haha but since I’ve planned to get the credit card anyway, might as well reap all benefits available. And it’s a good quality mug, quite happy lah. I got the card within 5 days (still need to call and pester them for it), so it’s not too bad. OCBC takes 3 weeks to process a credit card, which is far too long in my opinion (and 0.5% cashback is so pitiful, really). Kudos to you, Maybank!
All this blatant Maybank promoting is just me being overexcited about having my first credit card. I like to believe that I struck gold this time bargain hunting for credit cards, and it’s a huge learning experience for me, stepping into the grown up world of personal finance. Still, self control is really important with this piece of plastic — it is SO easy to go overboard. But I’ll leave that story for next time ;)
I have done lengthy research on credit cards ever since a friend started to pique my interest in it by tempting tales of EPP (easy payment plan), cashback rewards, yada yada. The rewards are tempting and very good cash saving initiatives – provided you can control your spending. I am quite confident in my self restraint, and I do not foresee credit cards altering my life drastically or casting me into the deep, dark pits of dreaded debt. After much much deliberation, consulting with my family and much indispendsable advise from GenX GenY GenZ (here’s some publicity, I totally benefited from your advice), I have decided to opt for the Maybank 2 Gold Cards.
At first I was hesitant to pick this as the GST is calculated at RM50 per card, making it RM100 annually. It is not such a good deal when you have to fork out additional RM50 for a card that you don’t really want, isn’t it? I really only preferred the American Express card, as it gives 5% cashback (up to a maximum of RM50 per month) on weekends and 5x treats points daily, whilst the Visa / Mastercard does not offer such benefits. It is much harder to build up your points when you only gain 1 point per RM1 spent instead of 5 points per RM1 spent. Nonetheless, the current promotion is not bad, with 3 swipes on each card, the RM50 GST is waived! However this is only for the Maybank 2 Gold cards, the Platinum Amex card is ineligible for the GST waiver (see below).
So for the first year I can save my RM100 on the GST, not bad isn’t it! This card is free for life too (as all credit cards should be, in my opinion)! After checking out other credit card offers I feel so happy that I got the “best” deal (“Best” is relative since there isn’t a perfect credit card, just one that best suits your needs). I will be happily swiping my Amex card on weekends and getting 5% cashback as well as 5x treats points muahaha. Can’t do much shopping on weekdays anyway.
I have used my card unashamedly by volunteering to pay first when I go out with my family and friends and have them pay me back the money (free treats points + cashback). Oh oh, and since I signed up at the Maybank promotional kiosk (yeah, those booths with clingy and desperate salespeople who try to tempt you with their credit card offers), I got a free Maybank mug and recycle bag. Very cheapskate of me right? Haha but since I’ve planned to get the credit card anyway, might as well reap all benefits available. And it’s a good quality mug, quite happy lah. I got the card within 5 days (still need to call and pester them for it), so it’s not too bad. OCBC takes 3 weeks to process a credit card, which is far too long in my opinion (and 0.5% cashback is so pitiful, really). Kudos to you, Maybank!
All this blatant Maybank promoting is just me being overexcited about having my first credit card. I like to believe that I struck gold this time bargain hunting for credit cards, and it’s a huge learning experience for me, stepping into the grown up world of personal finance. Still, self control is really important with this piece of plastic — it is SO easy to go overboard. But I’ll leave that story for next time ;)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
December shopping hauls
In lieu of the looming inflation and goods and sales taxes in Malaysia, my family is going on crazy shopping sprees. The Ringgit is at its lowest in 5 years, and the cost of living situation here is looking bleak for future years to come. This coffee shop I frequent for lunch near my office has upped its price for a glass of Chinese tea to 70 cents from 50 cents! Please tell me what sorcery is this! I will be boycotting your thin Chinese tea from now on hmph!
So yeah, back to shopping. Using the same analogy as investing, there's no better time to do it than the present ;)
I got an early Christmas gift for my mom. She has never owned a luxury bag before, so here's our first foray into the world of branded and luxury goods. Also a good time to start pampering her now that I'm working and earning my own keep. Initially I wanted to get her a bottle of Chanel No.5 but this came up as too good to pass on hence I scrapped my plans.
Coach's new arrival, the Turnlock Borough Bag in embossed textured leather, retailing at RM2,400. I got a great deal on this -- a 30% discount for Coach sales and an additional 10% for using my Maybank card. I paid only RM1,465 in the end for a new arrival item! However after some calculation I realized that they billed me wrongly. I think I am overcharged by RM25. I have NO idea how they got to that figure. Should have checked at the store, however it didn't feel right to examine the receipt as I usually do since it was folded up very nicely in an envelope card. These stores play tricks on your mind, I swear. Or maybe I'm just too new in the world of luxury.
Was pretty tempted to get the Michael Kors Jet Set Saffiano Tote for USD$262 at the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali but having examined both bags it is pretty obvious that the Turnlock Borough is of better quality. It feels really structured and sturdy, with many zipped compartments for us ladies to store our infinite amount of items and the stitching work is very fine, whereas comparatively the Jet Set Saffiano Tote is more flimsy and less refined in its build quality. The shoulder straps are roughly finished at the edges (there are traces of glue) and look more prone to wear and tear. I feel that MK is overrated as the product doesn't justify its price tag. And the store assistants are pretty much the epitome of wallflowers. It felt no different to browsing at a department store. Coach definitely has better customer service.
Laneige has some great Christmas sales! Check out our haul -- easily a year's supply to be shared between my mom, me and my sis.
I am a huge fan of their Water Bank series. It's really hydrating and smells so good! I've got their essence, gel cream, multi cleanser (super good buy at RM50 instead of RM85), emulsion and toner. For our purchases, we got free gifts of 2 5-piece travel sets! Isn't the paper bag sweet? I am a sucker for pink and I love it!
Christmas is that time of the year where my pockets empty... and I suspect that my new year's resolutions will include "being more frugal / cut spending!!" somewhere inside. I feel like I am the ultimate consumer these days. But whatever. Life is good and I am happy.
Happy December, everyone!
So yeah, back to shopping. Using the same analogy as investing, there's no better time to do it than the present ;)
I got an early Christmas gift for my mom. She has never owned a luxury bag before, so here's our first foray into the world of branded and luxury goods. Also a good time to start pampering her now that I'm working and earning my own keep. Initially I wanted to get her a bottle of Chanel No.5 but this came up as too good to pass on hence I scrapped my plans.
Coach's new arrival, the Turnlock Borough Bag in embossed textured leather, retailing at RM2,400. I got a great deal on this -- a 30% discount for Coach sales and an additional 10% for using my Maybank card. I paid only RM1,465 in the end for a new arrival item! However after some calculation I realized that they billed me wrongly. I think I am overcharged by RM25. I have NO idea how they got to that figure. Should have checked at the store, however it didn't feel right to examine the receipt as I usually do since it was folded up very nicely in an envelope card. These stores play tricks on your mind, I swear. Or maybe I'm just too new in the world of luxury.
Was pretty tempted to get the Michael Kors Jet Set Saffiano Tote for USD$262 at the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali but having examined both bags it is pretty obvious that the Turnlock Borough is of better quality. It feels really structured and sturdy, with many zipped compartments for us ladies to store our infinite amount of items and the stitching work is very fine, whereas comparatively the Jet Set Saffiano Tote is more flimsy and less refined in its build quality. The shoulder straps are roughly finished at the edges (there are traces of glue) and look more prone to wear and tear. I feel that MK is overrated as the product doesn't justify its price tag. And the store assistants are pretty much the epitome of wallflowers. It felt no different to browsing at a department store. Coach definitely has better customer service.
Laneige has some great Christmas sales! Check out our haul -- easily a year's supply to be shared between my mom, me and my sis.
I am a huge fan of their Water Bank series. It's really hydrating and smells so good! I've got their essence, gel cream, multi cleanser (super good buy at RM50 instead of RM85), emulsion and toner. For our purchases, we got free gifts of 2 5-piece travel sets! Isn't the paper bag sweet? I am a sucker for pink and I love it!
Christmas is that time of the year where my pockets empty... and I suspect that my new year's resolutions will include "being more frugal / cut spending!!" somewhere inside. I feel like I am the ultimate consumer these days. But whatever. Life is good and I am happy.
Happy December, everyone!
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