Ifeel100's Personal Finance Blog

I still rmb my last yr Xmas wishes which posted in my FB, nothing fancy jst bcoz it was necessary:
- Laptop [$3K]
- HP [$1.5K]
- Ext HDD 500GB [$200]
- Nice Logictech mouse [$30]

All achieved!!!

When I changed my job, my co gv me a brand new Lenovo ThinkPad T410 + Nokia E series hp on July. Then after 1 mth later, I got won a prize - DELL netbook fr PLC Petshop bt end up selling cheap 2 my sister for my 8 yr old niece. Bt the story hvnt end yet... I jst won myself a Lenovo IdeaPad S10 fr my co annual dinner too!

So, I was like... wtf, I wish 1 decent laptop bt end up havin 3 in return?! Im really felt lucky & glad of it. Bt im not a greedy ppl, so I decided to cont use my ThinkPad; Dell netbook gv 2 my niece (cough... selling dirt-cheap );

Abt my last S10 IdeaPad, if u r aware of it... It was actually 2 yr ago model (which cost abt RPP$1,799 bt now only cost around $1.2k) which sponsored from partner IBM aka Lenovo. I tested & found out it kinda slow hence decided 2 upgrade its RAM from 1GB [Internal 500MB + ext 500MB] 1.5~2.5GB. Then gift it out as Xmas gift, hohoho~

[Do not waste] I always think tt, if i cnt use it & keeping aside 2 collect dust @ my home, better gift 2 some1 who need it.

Regarding my ext HDD, i brought it last mth w/ free pouch from Western Digital brand. And I got my mouse fr some1 special 2 me Wanna say TQ 2 her...

Saved - $3.5k + $500 + $30 = $4k+
Spent - $1.5k + $200 = $1.7k

I was once a Nike fans bt now I bcm very disappointed w/ their product. All of my Nike spoiled w/in 1 yrs, some said due 2 water soakin mk its glue cm apart fr it's soles; put it aside 4 sometimes & its airbag broke; store in my car boots under sun & leather broken in2 pieces...

Watever the reason was, I throw away almost all of them. No doubt they're fashionable & nice design bt x long-lastin / comfortable if compare 2 others.

End up I gv Asics a try & I search up & down @ my places - KL, M'sia. Bt too bad it wasn't a popular brand in my area, majority of cost a bomb & last season 'left-over' stocks fr other country =_="

No choice bt I go buy it on ebay.uk & it only cost half of the price here w/ latest A/W season model & latest technology. It was a trail runnin shoes w/ Asics gel, Gore-tex, solid outside & yet comfortable inside & superb grip/thread on the bottom...

When I go bck fr office 2day, it was rainin cat's & dogs... Immediately I replaced my suede leather shoes in2 it, no more worry abt those water poles/dirt on my way 2 carpark Startin 2 feel pity on others, hehe~

- 50% cheaper than here (free shippin international) $54 pounds = $280 (RPP $599)
- Save my time & petrol/gas/parking... hassle-free

Expectin it wil last me few yrs~ Wil brin it w/ me 4 trekkin, runnin, travelin...

$43 - Tuffee Nut + Xmas cup @ Starbucks [Xtra]
$214 - WD ext HHD(500GB)@ Lowyat
$15 - HP silicon case
$7 - Mags
$10 - Got scammed by some1 [AVOID]
$81 - Movie + popcorn (Unstoppable), Lunch @ Sushi Zamai
$12 - Turborg beer Session @ Pav Segafredo
$73 - Buffet @ UOB II - Sasaki.[Xtra]
========
$374

$30 - TW restaurant lunch @ 1U New Wing
$20 - Nov Badminton
========
$50

Total spent: $424

2day was PH (Labour Day) - consider a WW holiday, I go 4 a movie ("He jst not tt in2 u")w/ my X at 1U. Knowin tt v cnt book any tic w/in tis very few hours, so I tried purchase online usin my UOB cc -Done. 5th row fr front, stil consider OK 4 me (as long as nt 1st-4th row).

B4 tt I hvnt took my dinner, jst grab a cream butter while Im on my way 2 cinema. So, v decide hv sth at nearby restaurant - Vietnam Crusine. I jst cm bck fr Vietnam, bt I found out tt their food x really suit me. Bt I do love their coffee (taste thicker / strong aroma) & beer - coz it was CHEAP as water :P

Ok, I let my X order which she always does a gd job on tis... A seafood noodles, tomyam soup, fried vege, 2 bowls of rice & tri-colors ice kacang (ice-blended). A bit rushin 4 us 2 finish it all, coz movie gonna 2 start w/in 40 minutes~ Phew~

The movie was nice, I love it... N it mk me laugh somehow. I love Jennifer Aniston since the "Friends".

Show end, v decide go 4 a drinks. So, v drive 2 The Curve - Laudry (aka pub / bistro). I ordered a bucket of Heneiken (consist of 5 btl). Bt somehow, v nt much in the mood of talking... felt borin & dead air. V agree 2 go home earlier after knock-off those beers.

Wow~ Wat a day... I spent over budget again. At 1st I tot jst a movie would b nice, bt end up other activities.

Here u go abt my spendin of the day:

Movie $21
Vietnam Cruisine $48 [Cn b avoid]
Pub / Bistro $78 [Cn b reduce]
-----------------------
TOTAL $147
-----------------------

*Im told myself nt 2 spend much again during tis mth...

How many book did u read this month / year?

Im a books fan of all kind, bt I usually only buy it during a book fair. Compare with english book, chinese version was far more cheaper. Im glad tt I knew chinese language since Im fr Asia country.

I do relised tt an english book can easily cost at least RM50++ above. But same book title in chinese max was only RM60 or lesser ( I can found it around RM30).

Not to mentioned publisher in China was always cheaper than in Taiwan. Altot paper quality wasn't that good & nice looking.

End up i brought total of 8 books & cost RM110 only. I think it shld b enuf 4 me 2 past my free time 'til end of d year 2007

Every penny spends in book was worth...

Car Loan
========
Left 6 yrs 6 months

P.Loan
=======
8.8K - 4K = 4.4K

CC Debts
=========
Citi $4,500-$350 = $4150
HSBC (M) $5,300-300 = 5K
HSBC (V) $4,000-$700 = 3.3k
------------------------
$13,800 - $1,350 = $12,450
------------------------

UT (PAIF)
=========
1k+40% = $1,400+

EF
===
$200

Car Loan
========
Left 6 yrs 9 months

P.Loan
=======
8.8K - 2.4K = 6.4K

CC Debts
=========
Citi 4k-0.5K = 3.5K
HSBC (M) 4.5K-1K = 3.5K
HSBC (V) 2K-2K = 0
------------------------
10.5K - 3.5K = 7K
------------------------

UT (PAIF)
=========
+28% = $280+

EF
===
0.5K

After broke-up w/ my gf, i didnt bloggin on tis until now. Bt start from tis week, I'll try mk it as a habit 2 make a post at least once/week.

Wat's the majority changed now... I brought a house (condo) w/ helps of my parent, i manage 2 pay the 10% d/p & loan from 90% Citibank (period was 30 yr - bt 4 sure I'll try my best 2 cut into 20 yr).

My salary cnt afford me a house rite now, bt it only start 2 payin bck after 3 years (at the mean time, I jst ned 2 pay interest). Sound stupid, bt I got my reason too.

1. Coz I'll changed my job soon, mean got increament on my pay.

2. Property after 3 yr wil bcome xpensive than now, I cnt find any nice location & house which cn below $200k.

3. My parent willin 2 borrow me the d/p. As long as I can pay them bck monthly (no interest :P)

4. Always ought 2 hv my own home sweet home. I planned 2 get it when I reach 30. So, buyin now & after completed wil b a perfect timing.

5. If I dont spend my $ in2 some proper way, I'll jst waste it like tt. So, it was actually a kind of "forcing" me 2 puttin all my $ in2 a worthy way.


Now, I hope everything wil b fine. Gettin a better job, earn more & njoy my life. I lost a beloved gf, bt I got bck gangs of buddies. I travel a lots, w/in a year I been 2 5 islands (Redang, Lang Tengah, Perhentian, Bali...) Next month wil go Bangkok too.

Start njoy my life alone, keep on moving ahead...

Eat alone at home, mk my own speghetti/instant noodles... kinda pity

BB $650
Car $434
Rental $500
Insurance $200
Citi $200
HSBC $770
P.Loan $400
Mom $200
----------
$ 3,354(salary$2900+ x-gf$300 + bro$200)
----------

I swear 2 god tt I really pay hard on my debts... bt it seem like a long way 2 go
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Last month spent $110 for jst 2 btls of Corona beers only - SUCKS!
*Borrow CC 2 bro 2 buy his gf bday gift $370... y im so softhearted *sigh*
*Buy a pair of ear rings $130 2 gf -_-"

CC Debts
========
Citibank 4.5K
HSBC VISA 3.5K
----------------
Total 8K
----------------

P.Loan
=======
8K - $800 = $7.2K

Car Loan
=========
Left 7 years

Tried get bck 2 my trek after NY, CNY, V-Day, car insurance... blah blah~ Really a big spender, hai~ *o*

Gf bday gift aledi cost me $600, she lost her mobile phone few months ago, that's y I promised 2 "sponsor" part of the price. SonyEricsson 850i, wat a pricey ($1.6k)@_@

I still got 2 CC debts + personal loan (2 years) worry now~

My Bali trip was another month ahead, I still need to stretch another 1k for it. Air ticket was brought last year...

I worked since last Sat until tml (6 days in a row & 72 hours), quite tired & felt pity 2 myself too Whole 2 towers left me only th chinse ppl who still woring durin public holidays (CNY)

Well, get xtra pay 4 it.. bt I missed all my family & frens' gathering. Bt still managed 2 join 4 our Reunion dinner at Golden Palace (bside Swiss Garden). As FYI, tis dinner was VERY IMPORTANT 2 chinese, all must gotta attend no matter wat's reason / cost.

A table of 8 ppl cost abt $725+ WOW~ (it origin was $599, after addin tis & tt) That must b hurt 2 Alan (my bro-in-law).

Ytd my sis house got steamboat, i go there after working. Yummy~ No 2 mention, i got few angpao from them too. FYI, all married ppl must gv angpao 2 who not yet marry tt's really a good traditional, way 2 go dude~

Tis Sat wil go 2 my uncle house, self-service dinner there & lots angpao too... hehehe we normally ez cn get few hundred $ from angpao... hehehe additional $ 2 pay bck my CC debts...

I guess tis whole CNY wil b eating & eating none-stop.... OMG~ I'll gain more weight after tis festival season, hahaha~

*Angpao = $ sealed w/in a red small pocket*

My new apt was havin mold problem due to too humid (14th flr & less sunlight xposed) & lack of enuf air circulation.

I tried searchin 4 an solution, I knew the best way was to purchase a unit humidifier. Bt it cost too much 2 my wallet & hard 2 find it here.

Alternative solution was homemade dehumidifier as T-tree oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract & Vinegar. The most cheapest way was Vinegar, I guess I wil gv it a try Below info was wat I managed 2 find online:

######################
* Tea Tree Treasure
---------------------
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.
Makes 2 cups
Preparation Time: Under a minute
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in the spray bottle

#########################
* Grapefruit Seed Extract
---------------------------
The advantage of using grapefruit seed extract instead of tea tree oil for killing mold is that it is odorless.

20 drops grapefruit seed extract
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.
Makes 2 cups
Preparation Time: A minute or so
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in the spray bottle

################
* Vinegar Spray
------------------
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

I heard those salt lamp oso wil helps fight mold problem as well, coz it was made from salt (salt wil sucks wet/water away) ??!

Finally get my bonus 2day, not much since Im contract basis. Plan to use it as my car insurance & road tax

Basic salary / 12 x 5 = Bonus
$1900/12x5 = $800 (little only)

But I got do xtra OT last month, so this month my salary was the highest in my record

Basic + Shift + OTs + Bonus = Jan Salary
$1,900 + $300 + $800 + $800 = $3,800

Ytd go shoppin at Isetan-Lot 10, found 1 great deal in Best Denki - LG refrig (single door;capacity 150L+-) sellin for $599~ WOW!!! Tt's really cheap & value buy.

Me & gf straight away go ask the sales person regardin the shippin fee (v dont mind addin tis on since it was really a worth buyin item, bt stil v hope it was FOC).Well, good new... our location was included in their free shippin area

Now was time 4 us 2 decide wanna pay it in full / installment...unfortunatelly all of our CC must purchase more than 1000+ then only cn choose "0 interest-installment plan".

Nvm, since it wasn't a really huge amt 4 both of us coz v r sharin equally & our next paycheck might included the yearly bonus/OT & got CNY angpau durin Feb

Now, my Q was = LG was a korean brand, jst like Samsung... Any1 know abt LG home appliances can last longer or not??! Bcoz I never use any LG appliace b4...(It does come w/ 1 year warranty)

Finally after 2 weeks+ my personal loan approved. YEAH! I can go enroll an IT pro course (eg: Linux/CCNA/MCSE...) & most important paybck half of my CC debts.

Compared with CC 18% & Personal loan 8.99%, it still worth 2 apply it.

My loan amt was 8k, paybck $400 x 24 = $ 9.6k (interest $1.6k + processin fee $200)

My plan
========
$7.8k - $2k(study)
=5.8k - $300 (GF)
=5.5k (HSBC Master) PAID OFF

Still left VISA & Citibank... wil workin on it slowly. Hopefully can paid off tis year (my target).

====================================
BANK - 3 6 9 12
------------------------------------
EON 3.4%* 3.5%* 3.65% 3.8%*
HSBC 3% 3% 3.05% 3.7%
RHB 3.1% 3.5%* 3.6% 3.7%
Affin 2.92% 3.22% 3.44% 3.66%
ABNAMRO 3.1% 3.2% 3.2% 3.7%
HL 3% 3.1% 3.7%* 3.7%
CIMB 3.4%* 3.5%* 3.6% 3.7%
SC 3.2% 3.45% 3.6% 3.7%
Alliance3.3% 3.5%* 3.6% 3.8%*
Maybank 3.3% 3.5%* 3.6% 3.7%
UOB 3.18% 3.38% 3.58% 3.7%
AmBank 3.3% 3.5%* 3.6% 3.8%*

*Highest interest compared w/ other

I guess I'll choose puttin $ in 3 months FD (3.4%). Flexible & reasonable rates too. Altot banks offers as high as 4%++ for 15 months, bt tt's too long 4 me.

I dunno u guys Savin A/C rates, bt here if ur amt less than 2k = 0%~0.2%; If 2k+ above only get abt 0.xx~1.xx% interest rate only... *sigh*

Tt's y I rather put my $ in mutual funds (current average was 10% P.A). Our BLR was 6.75%, inflation was 4% (in real life, around 6% actually). Even my personal loan was 9% P.A

Wat's the point puttin $ in bank w/ only 1.xx% or even ZERO. Tt's really a JOKE, dude~

An increase from RM1 to RM2.10, WOW!!!!!
Tt's too much, over 100% inflation~ !@#$%&*

Althought the 50 cents shortfall bein paid through subsidy = RM1.60 paid by us, still 60% increase...

Per trip wil cost me 0.60 more,round trip is 1.20(extra pay, actual cost was 3.2)! Every month end wil definitely scary

Dont wanna use these tolls anymore, find alternative way & drive durin off-peak hour 2 avoid traffic jam...I dun understand, y v ned 2 pay tolls when v travel in intercity?!Tt's not fair~

Finally decide wanna start my $20 challenge in New Year 2007. Wil find 1 piggy 2 put $ in after goin bck from work.

Here v go - $20
I skip movie 29 (watch DVD at home)- $20
-------------
Total = $40

28 Dec 06
----------
Car installment - 450*
Parkin + LRT - 18

29 Dec 06
---------
Lunch - 10*
Teddy bear - 35
Nichii - 70
Parkin - 6
Dinner - 10*

30 Dec 06
-----------
Apt Rental - 200*
Mobile Phone - 90
BB cosmetic - 170
Watson - 35
Lunch - 15*
Ace Hardware - 35
Ikea - 50
PetShop - 12
Tesco (dinner) - 40*

31 Dec 06
---------
CC (HSBC - 480)*
(Citibank - 500)*
Gas - 50.10*
Lunch - 10*
BB - 140 (cn get bck)
Dinner ??
Party & Drinks ??

* = Is a must, other tt cn cut or reduce
Total = 2,436++ (My whole month salary, wow~) My wallet left few hundred only, most of $ wil b spend tonite... how 2 survive after tis NY 2007?

I guess jst ned 2 work & stay at home. Dont wanna go out anymore *sigh*

Up-coming xpenses:
Car insurance & Road tax - 1000
Car service - 200
Valentine & bb bday - ????

CC Debts:
Citibank 4k - 500 = 3.5k
HSBC (M) 3.6k + 1.6k - 200 = 5k
HSBC (V) 3.5k - 500 = 3k

#From 10.6k to 11.5k (increase 900 due 2 xmas season)

*Bro stil owes me RM1100*

Tis month spent A LOTS!!! *sigh*

*sample pic
Ytd chat w/ klly on MSN, she got a pair of tutles in her shop 4 a FengSui purpose (biz wasn't tt gd, sigh)But 1 of of d turtles was blinds, hmm... actually it dont hv eyes at all.

Tt's weird, I nv seen a turtle w/out eyes... She said wil return it 2 petshop & get another 1 bck. I asked her gv it 2 me, instead of return bck.

So tml after fetch gf 2 office wil go buy some foods 4 it & get it from Klly. Hvnt think of a name yet, any gd name out there?!

Cn any turtle xpert there gv some advices? Wat's the DO & DON'T feedin a baby turtle?

27 Dec Rountine
----------------
Wakeup at 7:30am
Mk coffee & fried hotdogs as break1st
Workin at 8:30am
Lunch at 2pm+ ($4)
Bck at 8:30pm
Dinner at home - Speghetti w/ mushroom (2 ppl - $12)
Watch soap drama until 12 & sleep

Tml holiday, yeah!!!

Moved 2 my new apt almost 1 month, stil dont hv any sofa in our livin room...Bt out of sudden, my best fren Zeenie called me ytd & wanna gv me her old sofa (instead of throwin away).

She plan buyin a new set of sofa in Feb (b4 CNY) bt the old 1 stil looks new & gd in condition. Some more she tot throwin away was a waste & ned 2 pay 4 the movin cost too. So she decide deliver it 2 my house, tt's mean i got a FREE sofa & no deliver cost as well.

Coz she knew my place still lackin of sofa, keep on persue me accept it as the sofa still looks new & very comfortable..blah blah... hahaha, no reason I reject her, rite?!

Wat a gd xmas gift,TQ... :P It save me few hundred $$ now

Im plannin enroll some courses in next year 2007. I dont wanna be a Level 1 support in d rest of my life. Therefore, I ned 2 learn some skills & obtain a pro cert b4 I cn changed my working environment. Bt I'm puzzled which courses shld I attends?

MCSE 2003: Security Specialist?
CCNA & CCNP?
Oracle 9i?
Linux: Sys Admin?

Any gd advise/suggestion would b appreaciate, thanks~

Bside, I wish 2 apply a personal loan 10k (courses - 5k ; 2 CC debts - 5k) w/ interest rate 8.99% & 12 months period. I dont know izzit a gd move?!

Since I was pay all my last penny every month 2 my debts. I didnt left any xtra $ to enroll above courses.

My 2/3 paycheck was gone 4 CC debts (i pay 15%, instead of min 5%) & monthly Car installment. If I tk tis personal loan, situation wont change much, jst wil save half of the interest on my CC. (P.Loan 8.99% ; CC 18%)

My Q was shld I tk a personal loan 2 paybck some of my CC debts & enroll some course 4 a better future? Which I cn start immediately bt higher risk...

Or I shld pay bck my debts asap then only save 4 the course fee? It wil tk abt 9 months + 3 months later then only I cn start study, a bit too late... coz TIME = $$

(Similar design)It cost abt RM1xx (Opss... my gf wil know by now) Altot it wasn't a luxury gift, bt i really hope she wil like it. As u guys all know tt women wil crazy abt any 'shinin' object, hehehe~

Xmas was jst around d corner, everybody was bz deco their home, buyin gifts, plannin where 2 go... Altot I stayed in Asia, bt everybody here was so xcited abt Xmas

I was wonder, wat kind of present tt u all plan 2 gv 2 ur partner? I mean some1 special 2 u, u cnt jst simply buy sth & gv away, rite?!

Luxury gift? Useful stuff? Fancy dinner for 2? Or a simply DIY xmas gift/card? Which 1 was ur fav? I hope I cn cook myself & DIY sth special 4 my gf, bt unfortunately my cookin & design skills wasn't qualify enuf, haha...

Any1 got any gd idea? Cn share some? Would appreciate all advice / suggestion... TQ!

*No 2 mention, my gf was an romantic pisces woman,bt Im ego Leo kind of ppl

Last week was a bz week 4 me & gf. V finally decided wanna move out from my family & rent an Apt nearby office. It was a new apt, everything was jst furnished & only 60% of space got rent out/occupied.

Some xtra xpenses occurs, like rental,gas,water & electricity bills. So far no phone line/internet service yet. V dont plan install it too, as v cn mk call usin cellphone & surfin durin office hours.

Whole apt consider quite big 4 both of us, stil left 2 empty room. Wil plan rent out soon, bt jst wonder when only Since tis was my 1st time movin away from home, nothin much in our apt. V bring some cloths, queen size bed, cabinets, table, chairs, kitchen utilities & lots of cushions/pillows :P

No TV,Hi-Fi, Air-con, water heater, refrig, microven, not even sofa...so, our electricity bill wil b very little. I was thinkin 2 top-up those facility 1-by-1, since I dont wanna pay by monthly installment. I hope my decision was right, coz when movin-in here aledi cost us some $:

Rental x 2 months
W&E deposits
Moving transportation xpenses
Contract & Agreement fee
Some basic utilities

Bt v r happy so far, finally got our own home sweet home. Altot there wil b xtra xpenses monthly, bt if plan carefully I think I cn manage

Now wil try rent out those empty rooms 2 relief some of the cost.
Try find a 2nd-hand TV & water heater.
V done most of our laundry once a week in my parent place.
Since v stayed in 14th flr, quite cozy & cold durin nite, not ned 2 install air-con at all. Fan was more than enuf

So far v cook durin my offday & Tesco was really nearby. V brought some meat & vege, spend abt 1 hour less & our dinner was done. 3 dishes + 1 soup + rice = 2 ppl only spent RM10+. Most of the time less than RM10 too bcoz v cnt finish all too... haha.

Wil consider buy a small refrig next month, if my xmas gift 4 gf & daily xpenses nt xceed my budget. So far our entertainment at home was watchin movie/soap drama in my laptop / listen radio / reading. Looks quite pity, ha!

Dont worry, jst half month movin-in, stil left plenty of time 4 us 2 add-in tis & tt. Im sure slowly our home wil bcome really a home sweet home :P

CC Debts:
Citibank 4k - 500 = 3.5k
HSBC (M) 3.9k - 300 = 3.6k
HSBC (V) 3.9k - 400 = 3.5k

#From 11.9k to 10.6k
*Bro stil owes me RM1200*

PRSF - 13.8%
PITIKAL - 14.24%
PDSF - 12.73%

(4 Months+)

PAIK - 5.97%

(3 months)

Not bad rite?!