Pandemic – Thoughts on Future Personal Spending and Budgeting

I usually do not prepare much when I am writing a post.

I just type it down just like how my brain wants me to say.

I have read through some of my previous journals and I am happy I did that last time. (although reading them back make me cringe SO much), but I've realised I've also grown so much as a person mentally! 

For the next phase of MCO, I would like to type out my thought in here and let it be jotted down as a journal for my future references.

It has been a while since I write my last post, in fact, 4 years. Major contribution definitely is the MCO; that has left me with so much free time.

It is also scary to see how this pandemic is causing big downward spiral of the economy. 

To be honest, to us, or at least to me, the impact of this pandemic on my job, at this moment (DAY41), is still not quite apparent. We receive our basic pay as usual for the past 2 months (without entering to the office). Our allowance, however, has been deducted throughout the MCO period.

I think this decision is fair, since we are not even travelling to get and coordinate projects. No project is moving and neither is our production line.

I presume after this pandemic is over, our company is going to be more conservative in restructuring its budget allocation. Of course, one of those plans is to be more conscious on overhead allocation. This means that the chances of getting pay raise is lesser. I have to accept the fact that bonuses will get lesser. And this trend will remain for at least 3-5 years.

In fact, this is the nature of my job. I am working in a manufacturing company which supply construction-related materials. When construction field is slowed down, so does our company.

Unlike other field, eg: logistic and shipping, education, F&B related where the demand is still on-going, I can see they can recover in a faster pace than us.

One thing I have to look at is for sure to diversify my income sources. Active income for me is a must as those are the income that is more realistic and grounded. Passive income like investing has its risks. Besides, I have lower interest towards managing its risks and to full time study its strategy. Juggling between my work and investing is also challenging for me.

So all in all, the only thing I have to do right now is to be mentally prepared to cut down on spending. The best measure is to have a change in my lifestyle. Spend less and be more money conscious.

1.      To cut down on vacation trips (this is one of the most painful decision that I have to make)

2.      Spend lesser online on insignificant things

3.      Stop chasing for latest gadget trend

4.      Opt for cheaper alternatives for social lunch, gym, etc.

To be clear, I think I don’t dramatically spend on something useless or unnecessary. See, I don’t subscribe Netflix or Spotify (well for obvious reason, it is not a necessity for me and we can get it online for *cough* free *cough* anway). I don’t change my phone that often (the last time I upgrade my phone was a 4 years old iPhone). I do, however, LOVE traveling with my friends and family (but we always opted for cheaper places mainly ASEAN region). I am not a sneaker head (I don’t really understand this hobby). I seldom go for expensive fancy restaurant. (well, I’m still a Single motha-fakkaaa). So basically I am quite a boring person in general. 

Basically the above is still manageable and the only thing I need to remind myself is that I don’t “progress” myself into the type of mindset where spending more on luxurious is equivalent to more happiness.

I have trust in my own company, but I low-key think that the future prospect is going to be tough. I sincerely hope that everything will go back to normal, and for me, progress forward as smooth as the past 4 years in the company. 

See you in the next post. 

Nonsense 2016.. what have I done?

I have been too addicted to mobile phone gaming lately.
once I came back from work I will drained up my phone battery just by keep playing the game..
then go to bed.. then wake up for work, and come back from work again just to play the game.. and repeat.
and that is how I spend my time after work for almost everyday.
#worklifebalance #wtf

I know this has to stop.
But till now I still unable to figure out how to do that.

thank god I still have the realisation that I know this ain't good for me.

So here I am, back at it again blogging.
I am here blogging cos I know I have to change!
Like what I usually do every year, I write my 'goals' here,
and when I know I have written them down.. I will have the responsibility to accomplish it!

Although not every aims I have written down are fully resolved, but I am happy at least I am aware of what should I do and try to do that.

This leads me of thinking why there are a saying which says that: "Don't tell your goals to somebody or you will not achieve them".
I don't think this theory is completely true.
Sometimes if we tell somebody of what we want to achieve in the future, we tend to have the pressure applies to ourselves, or rather, a goal.. a motivation.. for us to have hope, and try our best to achieve it.

Goals for me can have a lot of definitions..
Goals can be as small as :
1. To spend less time on FB
2. To play only half an hour maximum on mobile game daily
3. To spend less time on YouTube watching nonsense videos =..=!! (BuzzFeed wtf bullshit and tempting at the same time) making people less productive for so many years.
4. To spend more time reading.. books/article
5. To reward myself sometimes a.k.a. to be less stingy.. lol. saving up and don't know how to spend. wtf
6. To spend less time in the living room (ok.. this is getting too specific.. this is not a goal wtf LOL)

Goals can be as big as :
1. To be good at what I am doing (the definition of good? still unclear.. (I have to write a separate post about this later))
2. Find a partner in crime (not trying to force it.. but.. I know it will be bad for me if I still refuse/have the guts to commit in a relationship)

So!
2017 is about the year of CHANGE. In a better way.
I have a lot of things to express.. but ain't no other way better to express other than writing them down.

So fingers crossed.
Here comes another new year, and growing another year older.. before hitting mid-life crisis..

Treat me better 2017!
__________________________________________________________
Blogging is time consuming..
Usually a blog post like this will cost me an hour.. 
because of my limited vocab.. and constantly wanted to read back.. (suck at blogging)
so I have no intention to write a blog as often as what I did during school/uni time.
depends on mood tho.. I enjoy blogging anyway.

Talk the Talk

You know I have came out with a new plan for myself, that is, to not waste time on TV and mobile games.. and don't spend too much time sitting in the living room.. cos I am not doing something productive..
So I came back blogging instead.
also not something to be proud of... LOL!

No lah, at least I am spending more time in front of my lappy browsing info and start reading few pages of some useful books.. *achievement unlock*

Then I stumbled across this post that I drafted super long time ago since I was still in the university.
Super funny reading back and decided to post it now.
I think it is not so overdue yet lah hor. XD

****

So I was eating biscuit in my hostel room while enjoying my web-surfing time after the stressful exam. It was the last piece of my absolute favourite biscuit and I decided to be a gentleman and offer to share to my roommate if he would like to have it. *pat my back for always being so considerate* lol
He look at the cookie for a moment and told me he was full and thanked me for sharing.
wtf

Then the next week I manage to 'reload' these biscuit.
(The freaking soul of my room is back to me again! wtf)

So I opened up the new pack of biscuit and decided to share them again with my friend. This was already my second attempt for offering, but still he rejected it.
Ohhhh...
At this point, I understand that he possibly does not enjoy eating this type of biscuit.

Talk about being thoughtful, this is definitely a more rounded and well-mannered way one can reject something he/she doesn't want it.
Being sharp and direct to people is not a bad idea, but a well-packaged choice of word is always accepted by many.
(At least at that point one would not feel so hurtful when got rejected right lolol)
And, sometimes it is also important for a person to get the whole situation clear.
Not getting a scenario clear is like not having a common sense, and it is awful.
Fundamentally, it is up to the good fisher to hook up fishes even if the lake has not many fishes.

Talk about lunch.
Lunch is not only about the overpriced ayam merah, your hungry stomach, or posting #foodporn to Instagram.
Lunch has a total another way of meaning in it.
Normally we have our lunch together in a round table in our faculty's cafeteria. At that moment, I can't deny that sometimes me and my friends have a clear distinct kinda topic to talk about. At certain moment it is all acceptable.
But once we are showing disinterest, stop being selfish and start acting smarter. Jump out of your you-think-it-is-interesting topic and start talking something everyone can relate. At least that is the bottom line out of all the reasons of a gathering is all about right. We call each other friends because we all have something in mutual and common. Start talking those. No one would ever enjoy one-way talking. Two ways communication~~
Down to the point, it is still up to a person to have a common sense to realise that one-way talking is not anything better to you yourself too.
And start knowing what your friend is doing lately.. not just some virtual topics that you thought we both enjoy it very much, well, at least I am not enjoy talking those. Very awkward indeed.

At the end of the day, it is up to us to decide whether we prefer to walk with the person who is walking using both legs or back-flipping all the time.

***

That was how I felt during that time and started writing all the psycho post as above. lol

Okay I started to miss all the ups and downs and all the crappy nonsense that happened in my uni.
People might think that the people in the engineering faculty is boring. But to me, it is not about how many activities that you have joined throughout your uni life, but to make friends that can make fun of each other, and not angry about it.
and most importantly having a common interest in talking same kinda trash.
Not just a hi-bye friend that you will meet at the other corner of the campus and walk away.
I am lucky lahhhhhhh~

These people are part of the crazy gang:

Picture is taken on the last day of staying in Kolej 10. 

(*nothing related to the above post, but kinda related cos it's part of my university life)

:D

My Working Life : The Day I Quit My Job

Don't know if I am suppose to write this in the blog.. feel that when I become famous one day all the people will dig this out and scandalize me *PUIIIIII* #behpaiseh

But seeing my blog has documented so many of my past stories.. reading them some of them make me cringe, but some of them make me smile so much.
how innocent I am whining about my life, which makes me look so dumb. eventhough now still not smart 
and sometimes I feel like deleting my blog and start a whole new one so that all these dumb memories can never be brought back to me.
however, thinking back to this.. I feel like all these blog posts are super precious! all my life has been documented down at that particular moment when I felt that way.
Take it as the part of the process in life yo!!
Always stay positive! I wanted my post to be in this way too because I am afraid if I do it the other way around, the next time I read back all the negative energy will brought back to me. #tooabstract lol

To write about my working life is literally only thing I can write now.
Cos that is what I am all about now...

People is surprised when I say I have changed my job.
As a fresh graduate with less than a year of working experience changing a new job seems to give people a not-so-welcoming impression to yourself.
Personally, dealing with all of these is not easy too.

I broke down many times before I have decided to hand in the resignation letter.
I did not tell anyone about this.
My parents were kinda shocked when I told them I have resigned from my last company.
Just kinda.. not really really shocked.., I think they have predicted this day will come, but not so soon, and just.. still a bit beyond what they have expected that I would do.

Only come to realise is that I have been so naive and mentally un-prepare for all the work flow and the nature of the work that threw to me in such a short time.
It is not a bit at all that I have issues with the boss or colleagues.. My boss even wanted to give me a raise in pay.
Rather than saying I am still not able to cope with the company's environment, I would say it is more about the nature of the job.
I thought I am capable and mentally prepared! But I have to admit I am not!
I broke down part of the reason is that I have found my weakness and I cannot deal with it.
I gave myself so much unnecessary pressure despite I can just let it go.
I brought home so much of the emotion in work back to home.
and this is wrong.
absolutely soooooooooo wrong!! A BIG NO NO!!

So I stopped.
and started thinking what to do with my life now. ha-ha, LKW, you have no choice but to stand up and move on. people are running and you just stop down? not even slowing down but stop it completely. wtf

I started browsing for new job.
I have only few months of experience in this industry.
I have received so little feedback from all the company that I have sent in my application.
the industry is slowing down.
that is the reason.
I always thought it was just a saying people will talk about in the kopitiam.
and at that moment of my life I started to felt it.
what if no company wants to take me?
Is it I am not good enough?
Did I made a wrong decision?
what is the next step I am going to do?

all these questions keep shooting in to my mind.

I took things for granted. That was the lesson learnt.
NEVER TAKE EVERYTHING FOR GRANTED!
Just when I thought changing a new environment could be better for me, I was so wrong.
I don't even have the chance to be in the new environment now.

That was inner struggle that I have been through from this process.
The insecurity hit me so hard.
I just need someone to understand that I have no choice but to move to a new environment, but I need support. I need people to listen and understand... but I felt embarrassed to talk about it to my friends.

and then almost a month later I received several interview invitations. (I have sent in more than 15 applications)
and I received several offers.
thank god.
all the negative thoughts that hit me during that time has instantly flushed down to the drain.
but I know I need to calm down and make this important decision.
and to always remember all the lesson that I have learnt from this painful experience and to make a decision that will not make me regret again.
I need to decide on my career, this is not just plainly a job for me.

It took me 2 weeks to reply the offers.
I sincerely grateful and thanked them for their offer. Thank you for seeing my capability and giving me a chance to offer me a position in your company.
They saved me from all the insecurity in my heart. Indirectly, they build all my confident back.

and then I made this decision to be in my current company.
gotten my confirmation.
thank god.
I am all good now..
I hope all my family and friends are happy for me too...

I have learnt so much from this experience.
I can't imagine when this happened to me for the first time when I am at my 30s or 40s.
I know I have to stepped up the game. I need to be more competitive.
and not to be this weak anymore.
I really mean it.

It also makes me realise the priority in my life.
There so much of ego in me. I can feel it.
I don't know why but career to me right now at this point is everything to me.
I feel like all the dramas that I have had from my past that I tend to care so much has become so minimal to me. I am paralysed to these. Numb and no feeling towards it.
hahaha.. tell me I am old now.

ohhh wait..
my Clash Royale notification has just popped up.

the clan needs me!
*entering battle and fully focused*

wait.. ehem.
what is my priority now?
OPSSSSSSSSSSS
.
.
.
.
hit me baby one more time. *britney spears' impersonation*
SUPER RANDOM ENDING LAH DUHHHHH!!!

Motivation need to recharge

We have been surrounded by competition along the way when we grow up.

Kindergarten
Aunties Uncles will be asking if I get 100 for my test. And start comparing with their kids.

Primary School
Remember the time when smart student is the coolest kid in the class?
We all want to be the kid that every other kids look up to. This motivation develop within me and makes me want to study harder.
I remember I will jot down the result of the top 3 kids in the class just to keep track of their progress.

KIASU to the MAX LAH OI.
HAHAHA
#stillaloser

Secondary School
Parents send us to tuition. 10 subjects yo. #badass #IKR
We study from morning 7am till 11pm.
Thinking back those days.. the amount of effort we put into study.. it is CRAZY right!!

But I enjoy it very much.
Cos I am always surrounded by these peer pressure. Positive peer pressure = Motivation.
And during one class, few months before SPM, my add math tuition teacher told us everyone about motivation, to set priority, to know your goals.
That was the time my motivation MAX out like crazy. Instant level up! #toomuchgaming

I believe motivation need to be recharged constantly.
I dunno if there is a proverb or quote or phrase for that, but I truly believe that.

Stepped into the society almost a year now (2 months from now), my motivation dropped so much.
Working with no purpose is no good for me.

I need to start develop the habit of reading. and surround with motivated people, inspiring people, and open my ears and listen and learn from them.

LKW, stop phone gaming and TV and YOUTUBE! and FB.

lol

start reading!!!!

(the inner me: I DONT LIKE TO READ!!! NOT EVEN CELEBRITY ARTICLE LAH AHHHHHHH)

Not Motivated. FML.

I still remember when I was in a book fair and holding this book titled "Idiot's Guide: Business Success in your 20s and 30s.
I flipped through some pages, and then my friend ask me if I will read it.
it is only RM8. I thought it is a good deal.
"Books will not expired".

dust-off.

and now.
this book still stay beside my bed.
I am lazy like this.
and it seems like it expire soon.

lol

Will this idea explode?

I like to create.
From creating a storyline for my comic book since I was small, to creating new content for my blog. (although the blog is dead lol)
and creating excuses for my client wtf

I am still excited when I saw a blank sheet of A4 paper. and a pencil.
I will start doodling all the way. so much fun.

till recently I get to know the latest hype where apparently people relieve their stress by colouring a colouring book.
The first time I saw the book in the bookstore I was like ''mehh... what is so secret about this garden" (the name of the book is secret garden or something like that)
and then I flip behind and look at the price.. whatttttttt? go and get a cheaper one at the kindergarten section! they have flowers and humming bird too.

(fun fact: even the feng shui sifu Lilian Too has published her own good luck fortune colouring book wtf check it out at the mid valley feng shui store!)

and then it got me thinking.. what for people willing to spend so much on something so simple where they can get it/do it themselves.

and how this hype started at the first place? colouring book only mah~~~ mehhhhhh!!

It's because of the chain reaction!!

but eventually a hype will only retain at its peak for only maximum of 2 to 3 years, based on my observation lah.
you can see from a lot of the examples too:

candy crush, angry birds, flappy birds?
and remember those days when we love to Q up for so long just for a cup of chatime?
even a lot of the cafe in taman botanic is closing down after the hype is not there anymore lolol. sorry being too specific lol.

where am I now? hahaha
my blog content is getting more all over the place.
fear not!

because I am gonna make a important announcement
I am gonna start a comic/drawing FB page soon!
which I have been planning to do it for sooooooooooooo long!!
one thing of course is because of the hype, and of course: I love to create.

so it has not been officially started yet but I have already drafted out a few ideas.
hopefully more to draft..

The content will be more on the life I am facing right now. More focus on the drawing and not too much on the wording.
I hope to make it to be something that is more relate-able to everyone as a worker working in a company, and for those who interested to see my life as an engineer. (chehh.....nama engineer glam jer, but work like cow and the pay like bullshit wtf lol)
which I find it interesting cos "engineers" is too mysterious for everyone.
The main stream media don't normally talk about this job and how the work life.

I hope I can post more often.
but it will be in only chinese lah cos I think that that is the only way I can express myself more straight to the point and easier for me too. @@''

will try to keep the FB page to be secret and hope not to let anyone know is me cos I wanted to keep myself to be more anonymous to the viewer so that I can post more of my real working life as an engineer so far...

I think it will be interesting right?


don't answer me, I don't care!! hahaha

hope when the page is officially out it will explode in several months.  XD




cheh!!
sweet dream or beautiful nightmare?~~~~


to make the blog more fancy:
here is a portrait of me, drawn by a waiter in Jonny Rocket.

kthxbye.