Card Rebates

Recently, I was sent a flyer on a promotion to use a certain credit or credit card to enjoy 15% discount on purchases over the weekend. I was about to start my shopping list until I read the fine print. 

Well, first of all, one would only qualify for the rebate for minimum purchase of RM150 in a single receipt, but then, maximum rebate is only RM30. Fair? I don't think so but we have to play by the rules of the game. 

After a thought, I said, forget it. I don't need this stress. LOL

Career Change

A friend, who was a DJ turned emcee, now has a new job. A musician. All these while, he does know how to play music and in fact, owns a cool ovation applause guitar, but he hadn't thought of making it into his bread and butter.

I don't know what made him take this new challenge but I have to say, after having sat through his sessions at the local bar, the guy has talent! It looks like he will survive in the industry. If not, he could always switch back to emceeing, or even DJ-ing. LOL 

Sometimes, it is great to take a back seat, and maybe do something else. Humans need new challenges all the time.

Credit Card Bills

A friend told me the each month, his credit card bills go as high as RM5000. For a family of four, that's a lot of money spent. For me, my credit card bills are not more than RM1500 a month. Truth be told, I get stressed out when they exceed RM1000. I know, I am cheap but I don't believe in overspending. 

And even if I have unavoidable expenses some times, I make sure that I tighten my belt the following few months so that my overall yearly expenses will not be too high. 

Anyway, credit card may be of great convenience but have to make sure to settle the bill in full so as not to incur interest! That snowballs really quickly!

Young Recording Artiste

My little cousin sister is bugging her parents to help her record an album. It's going to be amateurish because I don't think we have a professional recording studio in our area but of course, as proud parents, they are willing to go to any length. 

From what I understand, they have already bought a cheap shure sm57, and once they have got all the equipment together, they will start recording, albeit at home. 

I can't wait to get hold of the album. I am sure it will be good keepsake!

Acceptable Waiting Time

Reading my blog, you would know that I have recently made one too many purchases from group deals and coupon websites....and sad to say, so far, I have only received about three items out of the ten that I have purchased. 

Why? I have been told to wait, and I have faith that these items will arrive, and I won't lose the money I paid. BUT, actually how long should we wait? No doubt, I am not urgently in need to use these items, BUT still, I hate the fact that these purchases are still hanging after more than a month! 

I think this practice should be stopped. It's not as if we are getting a good discount...

Interbank GIRO Fees Revise

Good news if you are always sending money between banks, either to your own accounts or to other people. I sometimes have to do so, to make payments or to send money to my parents. 

Well, whatever the case, the good news is that beginning 2nd May, it is a lot cheaper to do so as the fee has been reduced to just 10sen per transaction. Do note that some banks may charge a slightly different rate. 

This revision is in line with Bank Negara's new guidelines, to encourage us to make more online (paperless) transactions. 

At the same time, cheque issuers have to pay more instead.

Hit & Miss

I have made almost twenty purchases online in these past two months, via deals and coupons sites. While I admit that I do appreciate the convenience, I wouldn't say that all the items that I bought are discounted. Prices fluctuate quickly and items sold a month ago could return at a way cheaper price. Sellers just want to clear their remaining stocks, I gather. 

I really don't mind waiting a few weeks for my item to arrive since there is no urgency, but what really pisses me off is when a purchase is cancelled, after waiting for quite a while! No doubt, payment is reversed but the fact that I made the purchase means I want that item right?

Baroness Margaret Thatcher Memorabilia

With the passing of Baroness Margaret Thatcher, or simply known as "Maggie", on Monday, the online world has been flooded with her memorabilia. People either loved or hated her, but there is no denying that the former Prime Minister of Britain was one of the most popular figures in the modern world, within Britain and outside of it. 

Some of the more common items found on eBay this week are autographed books, but there are also some rare novelty items like nut crackers, a thimble and a scary looking doll. 

Now, I love collecting items but I have not reached the 'crazy' stage yet. But I know that even if I do concentrate on one person's memorabilia, it wouldn't be of Margaret Thatcher. She didn't appeal to me. What about you?

Even More Shopping

Over this past week, since returning from a work trip, I have made even more purchases over the internet. I would like to think that I am not addicted to shopping for the sake of buying something, but purchasing what I need. There is a difference between buying a shoe bag, that I would need when traveling, and buying Reid ball plungers, which I have no need for. 

If I ever buy anything that I do not need, then I know that I am addicted to shopping, and it is time to stay off deals and coupon sites. I know it could be tempting to check these sites daily to see new deals for the day that have been added on, but one has to take control of one's expenses. Luckily I have yet to reach this stage!

Addictive Online Shopping

As of now, I am awaiting five packages in the mail, all items purchased from various deals and coupon sites in Malaysia. These are only a fraction of what I have purchased over the past couple of months. 

Although I shop at such sites, I am not taken in that I am actually saving said percentage of money. It's because I know that the retail price is never real as stated. 

However, I like to think that the reason I am making these purchases is not the fact that I am saving money but am buying what I need. Yes, am buying shoe bags, bra bags, hard disk case, etc, all are what I need, when I travel. 

So far, I have no complaints, except that I wish that shipping could be a lot more efficient.

Banks Urged To Tighten Credit Card Rules

I read a news report recently that more and more people are reporting that they have been chased by financial institutions for credit card debt, from cards that they claimed were never issued to them. 

That's why our photocopy of MyKad should never fall into the wrong hands. But that's not the solution because sometimes, we do need to give out a copy of our MyKad, for business documentation, for example. 

Banks shouldn't simply issue and send out credit cards to people, just from a photocopy of MyKad. They also have the habit to simply push cards to their clients, even if they did not apply for one. 

So, what if these cards fell into the wrong hands? There was a case I remember, where the neighbour picked up the card, and used it for shopping.

Mini Garage

My neighbor, who is a used car dealer, has plans to expand his yard to include a mini garage. He is also on the lookout for a reliable mechanic, who will be his resident foreman, so to speak. 

Right now, one of his main priorities would be to install an auto lift. He has been searching for auto lift deals online, and asked if I could help him out, comparing quality and prices. 

Well, I did tell him that I have no knowledge on auto lifts but he still insisted that I check them out online. I think he just wants someone to share his work burden, or help him make a better decision.

41 New Bankruptcy Cases Daily

I read an article which said that according to Malaysia's Insolvency Department, 41 Malaysians are declared bankrupt daily. Most of them who went bankrupt are below the age of 44. They were unable to pay off their car loans, poor control of credit card usage and failure to pay off personal loans. 

This is hardly surprising, especially the poor control over the usage of credit cards. Hence, the controls set by Bank Negara, where people who earn a certain amount only could obtain a credit card, and each person could only hold two credit cards at any time. 

I know of people who take out personal loans, and they do so to settle their other existing loans! I find that a little absurd as it means they are digging a larger hole. Unless they strike lottery, it will be very tough for them to be totally debt-free.

Traveling Again

Looks like I will be on the road next month again. I was supposed to leave in March but I am tied down with a lot of activities here in town, and cannot get away. Next month is a pretty good month to get away, actually, and I don't mind the slight delay. 

At least, it gives me more time to get what I need for the trip, especially the maha mh-c9000 charger, which I have procrastinated for a long time now. 

Come to think of it, I better clear put my wardrobe first before I go away, as I am surely going to come home with a new load of clothes, which my wardrobe definitely has no space to accommodate.

Credit Card Fraud Higher in SEA

This is according to banks and travel agents. And by Southeast Asia, they mean Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In these countries, credit card information thieves target tourists who use their cards to purchase electronics, or visit night spots. 

However, one cannot clump all Southeast Asian countries together, as surprisingly, Singapore is the safest country to use one's credit cards.

After The Long CNY Break

Many of my friends took more than a week's break to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families back in their respective hometowns. The trend now is to travel overseas to celebrate CNY privately within the family, without going through customary obligations. 

Anyway, now that the long holiday is up, my friends say they hope their online sales will pick up again. As you know, during the holidays, when there is massive human movement, people stay away from the internet. Even when they do go online, it's only to check their important emails. 

Here’s to a better year ahead!