Sunday, June 17, 2007

Random Thoughts and Observations

1. GST

Going to be 7% soon and profiteers are all out to rip the poor souls, namely those big companies that had majority of the market control. For a start, thos darn cable guys...

2. Multi-racial society

A lady that had difficulty speaking all 4 of our ethic language trying to get her point across to the counter lady at Singapore Post Centre. If you dun understand what we are talking about or dun speak like we do, for god sake get someone who does and dun hold back the queue.

3. Shipping Rates

Kudos to those people who thinks they know everything about Singapore postal service. Thank you for commenting on the postal rate for Speedpost when realise that it is going to cost a couple of hundreds to ship the can foods, maggi mee, t-shirts, shampoo etc to your loved ones in some foreign land that dun have such necessities. Quit commenting and try DHL, FEDEX or UPS... you will be even more surprised.

4. $5 a pair shoes

Never failed to work. Some couple running a stall that sell lady shoes for $5 a pair, sure to get plenty attention of those "money" savvy ladies who would skim to get the best deal. But yes, no size anymore and limited patterns, so how about this $12 pair, Taka selling $30 to $40, we are selling at a loss..

5. ET

ET does not means the extra-tressentiall.. whatever. It is someone I know. Pls spare me of all that bragging shit, like you know best about everything...

6. NTUC Linkpoints

2 more weeks to the end of June and still 200 points short to change for the $20 voucher... anyone care to help?

7. 4989

The owner of the cargo van with the above number had not bother to call, sms after our spat over a trip we are suppose to go on Vesak day. Come on, be a man...

8. Buying House

Mom brought a house at Bright Hill on saturday just facing grandma's house, guess she dun think we would afford to pay for her house when she is gone so better to buy first while she is still around..

9. Lychees

It is the season and oh mine, am I craving for them now...

That's all for now folks, take care and keep those comments coming in!

Isn't Life Great? Almost...

Wow, wow, wow, how time flies, it had been 2 weeks since my last post and 1 year since I started this blog. As I am turning 31 in a weeks' time, I have been reflecting on the past year on the things that I did and the decisons that I had made. I can say that it had been a rather exciting or in some case wasted year.

For a start, let's talk about my financial situation, it had simply become worst. I try to give myself excuses such as I wasn't generating income for a few months from Aug to Dec 2006. But come on, I dun think that is the main reason. I had to face the fact that the years of overspending and self-indulgence had taken its toll and this is getting more evident. I had been blessed with a good life so far, doing better and earning more than a lot of my peers but emm, I am worst off financially than most of them. In my early teens, I was faced with the prospect that my family is no longer able to provide for my own spending pleasure, so as anyone would do, I started working part-time. And yes, I am doing very well, up to the tune of earning $600 a month, which in some way is good money in those days, especially for a 15/16 yr old. After "O" levels, I signed on with the navy and was given a very decent allowance of almost $1000 monthly while I am studying full-time in poly which means I am very much well-off compared to my poly peers. After poly, I was blessed with a job with the navy, which paid me more than $3000 before I reach the age of 23. This was totally put of my imagination as when I was 15 or 16 yr old, I was thinking of how can I earned $2000 a month. So far so good right? So complain what? Ya, I wasn't suppose to complain, but where is my money? Instead of having a nice financial nest or at least reaching a comfortable standard of living, I am seriously in the red up to the tune of the price of a brand new car.

O.k, now facing up to the fact, where do I stand? I just changed my job and is earning what most people would say is a very decent salary but after doing a bit of calculation last friday evening, I realise that even with my pay, my short fall monthly is almost $1000. You may wonder why so much, I also amazed myself with this fact. But it is real and it is here to stay for a while. So what am I going to do now? For a start, I had to remain positive that it is one phase of life that I am going through now and I will get over it. Drastic times require drastic measures, so what am I going to do, for a start, I think I will have to do some OT to help with some of the bills and also hopefully get a decent part-time safety related job that I can do in the weekend. It may not be able to cover the $1000 shortfall but emm, it will at least help. Other than that I think I had to start selling off whatever I dun need. My cards, CDs, whatever.

As I am typing this, something comes up in my mind, when I was 15 yr old, my late grandma used to tell me the importance of saving. One of the thing which I did which I will always remember is to go and buy a $700 gold bracelet and some $400 worth of gold jewellery from the old jewellery shop with the grandma. She told me that no matter what happen, gold is the best source of getting money during needy time. And yes, was she right, till date I had pawned away them twice just to pay for my overspending. And both times, I thought nobody will know, but as the saying goes, Mom knows best. My Mom knows everything about me and my siblings but acts as she dun know anything at all. She just dun want us to feel bad about our situations. Everything I told her about me getting a better paid job or a good bonus, she will always give the standard reply, you earn more you spend more, better save some for the future. Did I listen, nope, not at all, looking into my current financial situation.

Seriously, I had not idea how to overcome this situation except to stick to my plan of paying my bills on time, trying not to spend on unnecessary stuff etc. I know I will be a stronger man when I get out of this situation.. in the meantime, I just have to be positive....

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Sunday Blues

Most people would only heard of such a thing called "Monday Blues" but emm, I am suffering from what I called a sunday blues. Basically it is just that I am real bored and simply dunno what to do. I spent the whole of saturday sleeping, eating and watching TV, a bit wasteful since my time could be spent on more production things like emm, maybe taking up a second job, doing volunteer work etc. Ya, I am supposed to do volunteer work today at Woodlands CDC but phobia got the better of me and I decided to head home after settling some personal matters at Tanjong Pagar. Why? To keep it short, I am supposed to teach tuition (one to one basis) for kids that are in the EM2, EM3 stream (wonder what is that...). But the kids are so unfocused that they would shout abuse at you or scrutinise you as if you are some kind of low life. I am still featuring out what is their purpose of going for the tuition since it is not a compulsory thing. Even when you are "kind" enough to buy them sweets (M & M by the way), they demand that you have to buy them more... as if I owe them. For the last tuition, I was sort of chased out by the kids so I went to help out in the pre-school and lower primary reading and activities class. Wow, I feel much better, those cute little boys and girls. Anyway, after that session, I feel that I can manage this level better.. Reading story book to them and acting cute isn't that hard.. YES, reading to kids.... hard to imagine but I think it is a good stress relieve. Hope all goes well!

On workwise, I had nothing much to complain, first I surprised myself by been able to wait up at 5:20 am everyday and go to work on time. Kudos to me for doing that... anyway, I am known for my adaptability... but emm, still trying to get use to the work environment, basically it is very simple as the advise given by my predecessor, do your work and stay out of people's business. Sounds easy but been a hyper dynamic and outspoken person, I wonder how long I can last before I burst out.. Actually maybe I had already did, there was this meeting on tuesday which involves a lot of people. The meeting was on some safety issues brought up by the corporate rep during his visit to the plant. Oh mine, was the American reps in the plant serious about this issue when they discussed it. But as usual, the local or loco (as the american called it) that remains quiet and just listen, adopting the famous quote " You talk, You do!". Since my boss was around, I figure that I just take down some notes (or at least I seems to be doing so) and mind my own business. But out of the blue, one of the american rep asked me for my opinion, emm, I had to go from XT mode to Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz in seconds to answer his questions. As usual, I managed to get out of the situation by giving some very politically correct and constructive (meaning trying to pull more people in so that I can get away) suggestions and comments. Apparently, after much discussion, they decided to try out my suggestion.. but emm, american culture is sometime great cos I talk does not mean I do.. anyway, another american rep was arrowed to do the job.

Traps. There are a lot of traps around the company especially when you are new. Many people will try to test your knowledge and ability to handle situations by sending your e-mails or asking for your advise directly (sometimes in front of management staff). Nothing new to me but as experience told me, dun commit too much. Just answer in a political and constructive (here we go again) manner. Anyway, I am expecting more of such traps to come along the way...

Financial. I just find out that I cannot manage my finances anymore, not that I cannot control my spending, which I am doing now superbly but that I can so much bills and debts to pay that it exceeds my current financial means. Drastic situations calls for drastic measures, for a start, I am trying to liquidate whatever I can on Ebay and also maybe start doing some OT to subsidize my income. Anyway, hope all works in a couple of months time.

Frustrations. I am feeling a bit frustrated probably due to my financial situation now.. called my ching last nite, she was out shopping it was rather noisy but she took her time to talk to me and asked me not to think too much.. feels much better, I am starting to like her more and more..

Best Friends. Life had come to such a stage where you close friends no longer called you up to check on you or asked you out for a cup of coffee. Basically I am doing thing much on my own now, going for movies, having lunch at mac, shopping, go orchard jalan jalan... Maybe this is what we called coming of age, all of them are either married, or busy with their careers. For those few that are still in contact, thank you for spending your time with me. Ya, one more thing, I had to keep in record. Mr J, if you are reading this, pls dun be a pain in the ass and keep on thinking that you cared for us when your actions are actually showing that you are trying to show off... we know you well and your words hurt us although it may not mean much to you.

Career. What constitute to a successful career, lots of money? lot of power? I dun think any of this matter if I am given a choice. The most important thing is happiness. Yes, you must be happy with what you are doing. Sad to say that but I think that given a choice, I think my happiest job so far is been a financial adviser.. never had I mixed with such nice colleagues and superior that had given me so much support and show me such genuine concerns. But emm, for me reality kicks in, I have to settle my priorities first which is my bills and debts, so emm, I had to leave this wonderful job. Just a word of advise for those who consider leaving this career without the kind of problems I am facing, you will live to regret it.

Anyway, I will end with this stupid quotes that just comes out of me.

"Fruits don't grow on trees if you dun nurture them"

"Been financially independent or broke doesn't make any different, it is the quality of life that matters"

"Time does flies, especially after you turn 21"