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Budget

Economy 101: Pakistan & Sri Lanka Economy Screwed By Dumb Policies & Mismanagement

Economy Currency Sing Dollar Malaysia Ringgit

The curse with Malaysia is that we never had a good Government that managed the country’s economy well and often hard-earned money is spent on dumb fiscal policies & decisions that are designed to consolidate political powers and this often runs along the lines of race and religion. Just see how Singapore’s Dollar has strengthened against Malaysia’s Ringgit in the last 14 years. Chart source: Trading View

Read More »Economy 101: Pakistan & Sri Lanka Economy Screwed By Dumb Policies & Mismanagement

Budget 2022: Pre Budget 2022 Statement, Some Points to Ponder

Petronas Budget Expenses Government Financial Economy

It was reported in TheStar back in February 2021 that Petronas had contributed almost RM1.2 trillion since 1976 to the national budget income. In Budget 2020, the Government projected a one-off special dividend of RM30 billion from Petronas which represented 10% of the overall RM297 billion income. The question is how long Petronas can continue to contribute significantly to the national budget? Source: Petronas

Read More »Budget 2022: Pre Budget 2022 Statement, Some Points to Ponder

Money 101: Best Things I Ever Bought Via Online Shopping Part 1

Online Shopping eStore Lazada Shopee

My first experience with online shopping dates back to the year 2013 with me purchasing cheap phone accessories from IPMart and this was way before online shopping was the norm. Back then shopping at Lazada or Shopee was something totally new and there were not many options available. Fast forward to 2021, it is a totally different story. Infographic source: Midec / Exabytes

Read More »Money 101: Best Things I Ever Bought Via Online Shopping Part 1

Prepping 101: 5 Essential Things You Must Have When You Move To New House

wrench set house prepping toolbox hardware

(My favourite set of tools as I can use for both house related DIY fixes and also car repairs. It is easy for my kids to use to fix their own cabinets and book selves for their rooms. Image source: Lazada) 

In the last 2 years, a number of my colleagues, friends and relatives had bought new houses and immediately set on renovation and interior decoration. However with the global pandemic where the future is uncertain, it pertinent for all to revisit on the idea of prepping the house so that you can depend less on others for simple fixes and works.

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Special Projects 101: Part 1: New Car Makeover 2021 – Suspensions

car makeover Proton suspension 2021

Image of the leftover suspension parts changed after they had collected all the old parts and replaced it with brand new original parts. The decision to change all in one go is to save cost and time before it breaks down.

This will be Part 1 of the car makeover project but please expect this series to take some time to complete considering the budget and progress of work in this pandemic. The makeover project actually started back in the last quarter of 2020 and not because I planned for it but it was the other around.

Read More »Special Projects 101: Part 1: New Car Makeover 2021 – Suspensions

Special Projects 101: New Car Makeover 2021(Prelude)

car makeover restoration project

A makeover makes a lot of difference given the time, passion and cost that one has. Owning a car is one of the “must-have” items for anyone in the modern era – however, a car is an asset that is expensive to buy and maintain and depreciates and prone to wear and tear depending on its mileage and usage. Image source: 5-Minutes Craft Youtube

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Budgeting 101: Easy Project – Fix It Yourself Water Heater 2020

drill DIY tools toolbox water heater wiring

(The year 2020 was ripe for a water heater replacement project and you need to have one of these items on standby – a proper toolbox set with the basic items like screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, etc, extendable ladder, water leakage tools, spare bulbs & cables and of course a drill. Image source: Pexels).

One of the promises that I made to my wife beginning this year was to finally replace the old, broken water heater in our master bathroom. Actually it is an old promise dating many years ago as the old water heater needed to be replaced years ago but every time I wanted to replace it, I would have forgotten about it or some overseas assignment would come and I would get busy with that. That will be the case until the next year comes and my wife would be reminding me again.

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New Malaysia 101: Positive Case for PR’s 100 Days Plan

PR Pakatan Rakyat Harapan Malaysia

(Pakatan Rakyat or simply known as PR is making its case to the general public that it can make a positive difference if it becomes the Government but we need a more convincing case. Image source: http://wargamarhaen.blogspot.com)

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Highway 101: The Sneaky Highway Promise

touch n go highway queue jumper

(We are ok with highways and highway toll booths but we are pissed off with the one-sided agreement and the huge compensation being paid from the tax payers’ pockets. Image source: Compare Hero.my)

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Tech News 101: Brand New Laptop, To Buy Or Not To Buy

Dell Inspiron 1501 Buy Laptop

To buy or not to buy a brand new laptop when the company already provided me with a good laptop – that is the question which been running through my mind for the past few days. Image source: Notebook Check

Read More »Tech News 101: Brand New Laptop, To Buy Or Not To Buy

Fuel Price Increase: 30 Cents Up, It Is Time To Do A Budget

budget

(A sample of my very crude but effective budget dashboard template in worksheet format – of course, I have multiple sheets for daily input of expenses and consolidation by months. The consolidation by month is more for the yearly income tax reporting)

Is this sound very familiar to you?

You received your salary on the dot and based on a rough calculation (some use only their 10 fingers), deducting estimated expenses for the month (it was food, beer and transportation for me), you gather that there is a surplus of almost RM1,000 (I know RM1,000 is bloody lot for some.… [Click to read the rest] “Fuel Price Increase: 30 Cents Up, It Is Time To Do A Budget”