No Electricity

Oh oh... blackout! It's not raining.... there's no thunderstorm.... then I remember last week I received a notice from TNB but threw it away since I'm supposed to be outstation this week. But situations can easily change. Even when you are told the training is confirmed, if it is not your 'rezeki' something will always come up. In this case, the signing of agreement between the main contractor and the sub-contractor has been delayed 2 weeks.

So here I am preparing for my March training and with no electricity nothing much can be done. Can't wash clothes, can't cook rice, no hot water from our Coway water filter, can't heat up food in the microwave, can't watch tv, and my laptop can only last 2-3 hours on battery but what's the point when Unifi is down. Thank God I have my phone that managed to charge to 80% before the power was out, but 3G has exceeded 80% usage few days ago. Thank God tomorrow is a new month so new usage. And  yikes tomorrow is March already. 2 months has passed from 2013. We only have 10 more months of 2013 that will definitely fly as quickly as January and February.

Going back to things I can't do without electricity, of course I can cook rice on the stove but no way am I going to wash clothes manually. So the clothes have to wait. I'll be doing the dishes now before deciding what to cook for lunch. Till later...

Mode: Tak Puas Hati

I went to the clinic this morning. And the charge is $94. Gone were the days where a clinic visit costs around $30, $50 was on the expensive side :(

What I hate most is I could've just bought OTC medication but thought a clinic visit might be better. Who knows if there's anything more serious than OTC remedy. The doctor asked me if I want the antibiotics to which I said do you think I should? Prescribe it if I need it otherwise don't since I already am alergic to many medications.

She did and I later find out it was amoxicillin and I AM alergic to it. I tried my luck taking it once. I feel the extra hungry and onset of swelling eyes effect. Sigh! I ate and ate so the gastric won't effect me and thank God the swelling didn't appear. I dare not take it again and push my luck though. Taking it at night might cause reaction anytime and nearest clinic would be close and I have to drive myself to the hospital... Uh uh... not a welcoming scenario.

Researching on amoxicillin alternatives. Hopefully I'll get better soon.

Mission: Debt Free

Rushed home.
- get the clothes from the drying line, it looks as if it is going to rain
- rushed to the washroom. I've been holding it since like an hour ago
- fry some eggs and heat the rice in the microwave
- quickly have my lunch of fried eggs, yesterday's anchovies dish and ulam raja.
- Alhamdulillah :)

I was famished. This morning's breakfast was 2 slices of bread and hot milo.

I went to Kepong Prima to collect my ASB Certificate, went to PNB in Putrajaya to cash the certificate and deposit into my passbook but the teller told me the bank should send the original copy they gave me to PNB HQ before I can cash the certificate. Duh! Stupid bank.Now I have to wait for a week before I can do the intended transaction.

I decided to settle my ASB loan and I'm feeling great. I have the same feeling when I finished paying for my first car last time. I'm in a mission to settle all my loans whenever my finance permits and where it makes sense. Now it is even easier to deposit into your ASB account via e-banking. Initially I've been wondering how am I going to be disciplined to go and deposit some cash every month either at a bank or post office. Via loan, the standing instruction takes care of it. But while waiting at the PNB office earlier, I saw their e-banking banner and wallah... my problem is now resolved.

On my looonnnggg waayyyy to debt settlement but I'll get there. Slow and steady :)

The Challenge of Time

I've been relaxing for few weeks.

Then my supervisor returned my proposal draft and I'm back in school mode doing corrections.

Then associate company called for 2 main projects. A friend also called for a project. Busy-ness begins.

I'm adamant to relax during CNY at MILs. One of the boys returned with us for violin hunting. Managed to handle that on Wednesday, followed by meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday stayed at home, busy with proposal and training material. Stayed up till late. Friday, 10:30 a.m. meeting with friends for a training project, followed by 3 p.m. meeting with associates also for a training project. Stayed up again.

Yesterday is work with some fried rice for late morning breakfast and late lunch. Biscuits and Milo to stave off hunger during tea. Managed to complete notes and slides by 7.30-ish. Took a bath and went to have dinner. By this time my head was already pounding and I have a feeling I will throw up. It took forever for my soup, rice and fried egg to arrive. I managed to eat only a small portion of the rice. I didn't touch the egg it looked so oily. Went to buy bread while moaning and groaning in the car. Reached home miraculously and throw up in the toilet. Then I felt better. Decided to sleep early and today I'm in relaxed mode again.

Supposed to go to East Malaysia today but associate company has been postponing the trip. No fixed date yet but I'm OK with it. Gives me more time to prepare. I'm going to take better care of health. No more working till head pounding and throwing up. Time for lunch now and I better eat something before my gastric acting up.

Dugaan Pagi Jumaat

I'm thinking of putting up this sign.

Didn't she looked cute? But if you smile at her, talk to her, try to play with her, make funny faces at her and still she pout like that... betul2 menguji kesabaran.

Another sign I would like to recommend is "NO DIFFERENT OPINION ZONE" in buku yang bermuka itu. If you can't take a different opinion darling, do not post controversial content on your wall. If you can't take the heat, do not play with fire. If you dare post spicy hot messages, be prepared to receive them too. Otherwise, you unfriend me, I blocked you >:) *evil laugh* Sigh! Bukan saja nak cari pasal dengan orang kan. But anyway, when I see people who worked with NGOs or any organization that fight for a good cause, I'd picture Mahatma Gandhi or Mother Theresa. However, that image disappeared when faced with immaturity of some people. They are good people no doubt. But can't accept different opinion and agree to disagree??? Whatever cause you're fighting darling, you have a looonnnggg way to go.

My supervisor has returned my proposal with corrections. My friend has submitted hers to second reader early this week. I might do that right after CNY holiday. The Prof who manned the gate banyak songel pulak. If it is not your area Prof, flaunt your Professorship any way you like, still tak laku. Sigh!

Astaghfirullah al azim... Tak baik pagi2 angin but I really need to get those out. Now calm down.... take a deep breathe... inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale... istighfar and let's appreciate pagi Jumaat yang indah dan berkat. Inhale... exhale...

ASB Loan Consideration - Part 2

Hubby forwarded an article to me and I realized I have not taken all factors into consideration.

6. When we pay installment,  there is a portion that goes to interest and principal. What I didn't factor in my previous entry is the potential gain on the interest portion. With ASB loan, that interest portion goes to the bank. If we deposit the fund ourselves to ASB, for e.g. RM200 per month, at the end of the loan tenure (we didn't take the loan. just assuming the same period of time) we will get more despite not having a lump sum amount in ASB to begin with.

7. Another thing about ASB loan, there is ASBRTA (much like MRTA) which will pay the bank the amount you still owe them if you die and your next of kin will get the total ASB amount invested via loan. Only after you DIE! If you're the only breadwinner of the family and you don't have any other savings and life insurance, that will probably make sense. Otherwise there is no point. The insurance paid could even be used as investment in your ASB account.

There you have it. I think NOW all issues have been considered. Thanks to hubby :)

ASB Loan Consideration - Part 1

ASB Loan Consideration

I've been wondering whether ASB loan makes sense and have spent some time reading about it. Opinions are varied but these are few things that is important to know for whoever is considering this kind of investment. For the record, the dividend and bonus for 2012 is 7.75 and 1.15 respectively, which gives us the total of 8.9%

1. Dividend and bonus are calculated on minimum balance each month. If you save AND take a loan, you might want to find out how much of the dividend and bonus belongs to your savings and loan.

For e.g. Jan ($5000 x 0.089)/12 + Feb ($3000 x 0.089)/12 + Mar ($10000 x 0.089)/12 +....

2. Dividend and bonus for the loan investment, let's say is $1600 for the year and your monthly installment is $200 i.e. $2400 per year. Does that say you're making a lost because you have to pay $800 more than what you're getting? You must look at how much from that $2400 goes to interest and principal. The yearly statement will show (if you already have that loan) the interest and principal figure. Let's say out of $2400, $700 goes to interest. Which means $1700 from your monthly installment is like a savings which you will get at the end of loan tenure.

3. Therefore, with $1600 dividend and bonus, and $700 interest, you still net $900. 

4. So now can you happily go and apply for a loan? There is this another consideration of halal or haram. 

- Securities Commission's decision on ASB

- Fatwa Council decision

- use Islamic Financing instead of loan

Basically SC said it did not comply with their guidelines on Islamic Trust Fund as 30% invested in banks and SC guideline only allows 5% of syubahah (non-halal) and the Fatwa Council said it is Harus due to weak economic situation of Muslims in Malaysia. You can read the long version in the fatwa page. So, read up all the views and choose your stand. Will our personal economic situation collapse if we didn't invest in ASB? Certainly not. Will the country development be affected with no fund from PNB? I have no idea but some speculations have been made. So some may say it is black and white and others might say it is grey.

5. Any savings/investment alternative?
- Bank Islam profit sharing ratio RM50,000.01 minimum to enjoy rate of 0.88 % per annum and above RM500,000.01 for 1.53% per annum for savings and 3.84% for 48 months and 3.99% for 60 months and above for GIA.
- Other syariah compliant unit trust
For e.g. PM Ittikal at 5.25 sen per unit

ASB Loan Consideration - Part 2

Berhenti Makan Gaji dan Bekerja Sendiri

Ramai ibu-ibu yang berangan-angan hendak berhenti kerja, bekerja sendiri dengan masa yang lebih flexible agar dapat menumpukan perhatian kepada keluarga. Tidak ramai yang berani buat. Bermacam alasan dan sebab kenapa mereka rasa ia tidak mampu dilakukan. Walaupun masing-masing tidak suka dengan persekitaran kerja atau rasa pemberian tugasan yang tidak masuk akal dan tidak membantu KPI masing-masing.

Mungkin mereka tidak duduk dan berfikir panjang tentang keperluan dan kehendak.

Katalah seseorang itu bergaji RM3000.

Gaji RM3000 - Potongan KWSP dan SOCSO anggaran RM300 - Maid/nurseri RM500 - Perbelanjaan minyak/tol/breakfast dan lunch di tempat kerja RM500 = RM1700 yang mungkin kita guna untuk bayar kereta, rumah dan perbelanjaan lain, harapnya termasuk sedikit simpanan.

Potongan KWSP dari majikan pada 13% atau lebih bergantung pada faedah tempat kerja masing-masing anggaran RM300 agar mudah kita membuat perkiraan. Jadi keseluruhan pendapatan yang kita sebenarnya perlu ialah RM2000 sebulan.

Perkara lain yang perlu kita lepaskan jika berhenti kerja ialah insurans perubatan untuk diri dan keluarga. Mungkin kita boleh fikirkan cara lain untuk menampung kos ini bila diperlukan.

RM2000 sebulan jika dibahagikan dengan 20 hari bekerja ialah RM100 sehari. Apakah perkara lain yang boleh kita lakukan agar dapat keuntungan bersih RM100 sehari. Jika jual barang dengan margin keuntungan bersih RM10, kita perlu menjual 10 barang untuk dapat RM100 sehari. 10 helai tudung atau baju contohnya dari perniagaan internet, atau penjualan cake/cup cake dan barang2 lain, atau apa-apa sahaja perkhidmatan. Tidak mampu kah kita dapat keuntungan bersih RM100 sehari dan bekerja 20 hari sebulan?

Kita perlu ambil masa sedikit sekiranya membuat online business untuk dikenali pelanggan. Perlu ada sedikit modal untuk membeli barangan yang hendak dijual. Mungkin kita boleh buat secara sambilan sebelum berhenti kerja sepenuhnya. Dan untuk mereka yang berpendapatan tinggi, mungkin kerak periuknya lebih besar. Duit bulanan kereta lebih besar, perbelanjaan lain pun lebih besar, tapi anda juga boleh duduk dan asingkan keperluan dan kehendak, dapatkan jumlah keuntungan bersih sehari minima yang anda perlu dapatkan dan tidak semestinya kalau sehari dah untung RM100 kita tak perlu berusaha lagi. Ada hari kita dapat lebih, ada hari kurang. Jadi pandai2 lah mengurus perniagaan.

Kenderaan memang amat diperlukan untuk bergerak tetapi mungkin dari kereta mahal kita boleh tukar ke kereta yang lebih sederhana. Kalau dulu makan dikedai, sekarang boleh masak dirumah dan banyak perbelanjaan yang boleh dijimatkan. Dalam erti kata lain, tiada yang mustahil. Hanya perlu mencuba dan berusaha.

Kalau anda suka dengan kerja anda dan tiada perancangan untuk berhenti, teruskan lah bekerja. Alhamdulillah di Malaysia tiada larangan dan sekatan untuk wanita bekerja apa sahaja yang mereka mahu. Kalau suka dengan kerja anda, teruskan. Kalau berfikir-fikir untuk berhenti, mulalah buat perancangan. Jangan sekadar berangan2. It is possible and some already succeed.

Tudung Mahal

Today, I went to collect a long overdue cheque, queue for 1 hour 10 mins to reactivate my company current account only to be told that I can only do it at home branch, brave the Friday afternoon traffic to go to home branch and finding out there are 57 people in my queue and there are other queues for other type of transactions as well. From no. 1066 to 1215, I cut queue at 1079 coz many people have abandoned the wait and since nobody seems to move when the no. is called, I walked to the counter and Alhamdulillah managed to do what needs to be done. Time out from the house 10:45 a.m., time return 4:00 p.m. You need to withdraw money every once in a while people. Not deposits only and not internet transactions only. Duh!

Anyway, the point of this entry is on what I saw when I went out from the first bank branch. A tudung shop next to the branch was full of people waiting to get in. I just searched the shop's facebook page out of curiosity. Ruffles tudung with weird designs and exorbitant price. I don't get it. You pay for a tudung that can probably go with certain blouse or dress only and what with the design, I'm sure it will be fashionable only for a certain period of time. People have so much money to spend nowadays is it? Ditto with many facebook business on tudung, jubah, muslimah blouses, etc. There's nothing Islamic about spending hundreds of dollars on a piece of tudung that doesn't properly cover the aurat.

Sellers have obligations to the religion too. Not simply profit making mindset uncaring that people are wearing products that you sold, products which didn't comply with religious requirements. If you sell sexy lingerie, you may think positive that people buy and wear them for their spouse or themselves. If you sell blouses or pants that didn't comply with religious requirements, you may think positive that people wear them in the privacy of their home. But when you sell tudung, you have to assume that people wear them in public and it must comply with religious requirements so you'll have your conscience clear that you're not syubahah in the matter of aurat (improper covering that is). Sigh!

If any tudung seller or buyer happens to come across this blog post, think about it. It is not easy to do the right thing. If you do it, Allah will reward you for your intention and action.

I'm currently changing my collection of tudung to longer ones, simple design, netural colours that can be worn with many blouses and dresses. It is difficult to find long tudung with nice simple design nowadays, either online or offline. Sometimes online purchases can be of a wrong color and things like that. It is OK I can give it to family and friends or donate them. I want variety too but my purchase for each tudung doesn't cost hundreds of RM. My personal simple style probably helps in making purchases. Always think simple, always think long term, always think value for money. Ada juga masanya 'alah membeli, alah memakai' but mostly I try to be 'menang membeli, menang memakai' :)