Are you one of them?

Husband sent me this link and asked if it sounded that someone we know:
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/why-most-singaporeans-debt-065403829--sector.html

An example of a typical Singaporean couple

Take for example a Singaporean couple who falls in love and decide to settle down. The man is in his thirties and woman in her twenties. They have a combined income of about $8,000. The man buys a proposal ring that costs $7,000 (Larry’s brand as girlfriend likes it). The couple also buy a pair of engagement rings that costs $6,000 (Cartier due to peer pressure). The wedding photo package costs $6,000, wedding dinner costs $7,000, honeymoon to Korea $3,000. They then decide to apply for a DBSS flat after countless tries with HDB’s BTO without success and have to cough up $350,000 (by taking up an HDB loan and wiping out their CPF and savings). They then spend $20,000 on minor renovation and furniture.
The man decides to upgrade his car as he could not resist the latest continental car design and coughs up $100,000 (by taking a car loan). The man likes to collect watches, saw the latest Rolex and could not resist it. He has no cash but buys it for $12,000 with an interest free 24 month installment since it is so cheap per month.

Then the man tells himself that if he loses his job, he is finished. He is stuck in a rat race and saves on food, entertainment and transport cost. He does not drive his continental car to areas with ERP and instead takes the MRT there. The wife is in the finance industry, and with many banks doing cost cutting, she is very concerned now as she realizes she has nothing much to do during office hours.

The above is a real life story.

The only way the couple could afford all that is if they belong to the high earners group, if they have financial assistance from their parents or if they are born rich. Unfortunately, they are not. In the end, their family, has to donate part of their salary or retirement saving to clear off their debt for luxurious lifestyle.

We have not even talked about Singaporeans with lower earnings.

How Singaporeans get themselves in debt

Most Singaporeans will be in debt if they do the following:
1) Earn less than what they spend
2) Have no savings
3) Lose their jobs
4) Stay in a company for too long without promotion and their company pay them pathetic bonuses
5) Spend on liabilities
6) Do not delay gratification
7) Marries somebody that likes Cartier or Larry’s
8 ) Do not invest

To avoid racking up debt and getting stuck in the rat race, don’t do any of the above!

Celebrating Father's day + SJ 6th birthday

This year Oh's family celebrated father's day together with SJ 6th birthday with stay caution at Sentosa Beaufort Hotel. After my alpha's course, i went over to vivo to meet my family for dinner @ no sighboard seafood and was on my treat which made me $600 poorer.

Yummy and expensive crab

Me & Sis...
Guess it's time for me to do something to my hair and take some rest .. I looked horrible

Family members on the dinner. 2 bros were away at work

happy father's day

This is how they heat up the crab when there is no microwave.

*hot running water

 Carmwhoring while waiting to warm up the crab

Early morning, we celebrated SJ's 6th birthday in the hotel room before we check out

yesh! we made it

SJ requested to Underwater World Singapore and here we go

My mom so excited to feed the fishes.

Was quite surprised that my mom wants to do it, usually she is the one who fear of everything..

And Janelle's turn to feed the fishes.. the small fishes

But the fishes dont like her fingers, all the fishes went to the one that's on the left

My new helper with Janelle

managed to catch the pink dolpin showtime

She enjoyed it

And we came home with a new toy "Ms Pink Dolphin"

Looking forward for more family outing...

Sob sob

Mummy: "did papa beat janelle when put fingers in the mouth?"

Janelle: she quietly let her tears flow down and n her mouth



I think she can be an actress.

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A day of good hus and daddy

Today, hus woke me up in the morning and asked me to get change for aus coffee at our usual coffee house after sending janelle to school.

Me working




and he study for his coming tests




Afternoon, while i'm having meeting, he had snack with janelle and taught her writing




And brought janelle for a long walk at Punggol waterway in the evening.




Complained my head had been spinning since morning, he specially went to wet market and got a black chicken and pack herbs to brew duangui soup specially for me :)




And he put janelle to bed tonight.

Thanks God.. #im so very blessed.#
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God Answered

Yesterday after i blogged about how horrible i had been through last week... God answered me with Joseph Prince's daily devotional.

I don't always read Joseph Prince's daily devotional, by chance yesterday late afternoon when I was in a boring meeting, i clicked on the iphone NCC's icon and his message comes to me:
"The closer and closer you get to "the truth" and "God," and the stronger you get, the more vicious "satan" gets in trying to get you and wants to destroy you"

Sounds silly and funny and coincidental but I think it's Satan trying to turn me away from God.

But....I know I'm doing the right thing by following God. I choose to believe in Him with no doubt. His work is in progress as we are seeing improvement in Janelle and soon we will see the result. God is never late.

Horrible week I had

Last Tuesday, Janelle was down with cough and flu... With 2 days of durians and not enough rest in the night due to janelle's cough, i'm also down with very bad soar throat, ulcers and flu. Doctor says i'm over heaty, this reminds me that i'm no longer young.. can eat and do things like in the past :(



Having a weak me to work and take care of a cranky child at the same time, it is really a challenge for me. This new maid is good in cleaning, but not taking care of children. I need to remind her it's milk time, it's snack time, it's shower time... she cant put Janelle to bed too.. argh.. so basically this maid is a house cleaner.When Janelle not in school, she can takes the whole day in cleaning and for days..  My mom was out of town, my mil MIA. cant even get her thru her phones.. Times when i have noone to depends on. So, dragging myself each day to take care of Janelle and rushing for dateline everyday. When i really cant take it, i have no choice but to take 2 days of sick leave, to rest... but you know having a sick child, i can only rest with her and active with her... so my day and night is basically messed up.. Lucky hus is in town, he helped me to put janelle to bed every night and wakes up in the night to check on Janelle.

Saturday, it's a Oh's family stay-caution at Sentosa to celebrate Fathers' Day and SJ's Birthday. Hus asked me what's my plan in the morning, and he gave me words like "I just want to have a simple days with my sweeties having enough rest and recovered from the sickness". With this, i dont dare to bring Janelle over to sentosa.. So, dropped the idea of staying overnight in Sentosa and join them for the underwater world on Sunday.

Shopped for one hour to buy 2 gifts for SJ.. One from ah gong and one from me..



Glad she love the present I got for her




The afternoon, I have alpha classes.. when half way of the class, hub smsed me and told me Janelle had an attack and she bites her own lip.. My heart skipped as this had never happened before and was so worried about her, cant really focus. Checked on her after the class, and she was ok but  had 4 ulcers on her lower lip. :(
her poor lower lip




After the alpha, i joined my family for dinner and leaving Janelle with my hus.. At 10pm, hus smsed me again and said Janelle had another attack, my heart sink, a day twice is not common. Rushed back and both are sleeping well.

Sunday morning, i was in a dilemma if to bring janelle out for underwater world, as it will be a full day and she might not have time for her afternoon nap. Was thinking thinking... suddenly i just says let's go without my hus as he wants to have his day off for study for his exam... was glad that we made it. Janelle enjoyed herself in the hotel room, running around checking here and and there... She enjoyed the underwater world.

In the evening, went over to bil's place for dinner and hus date me out to do some shopping and have something cold... when we are getting tmr breakfast, MIL called and says Janelle is having fever.. Goodness me... my mind is in a complete lost. We rushed home to check on Janelle and thanks god it's a false alarm. It's a hot day yesterday, and of cos she will be feeling hot and sweat.. MIL keep chasing us to go home and let Janelle rest.

hus wanted to get this old man chair, didn't managed to stop him on time..




What a week....

Mobile Bill

Had been paying giro for my mobile bill hence didn't really take note of the details of what's I'm paying. Last year my bill was abt 60+ but this year onwards it had been at 80+. Thinking its because of my outgoing call which I need to dial in using my mobile phone for meetings for hours while waiting for Janelle. So didn't take it to heart.



But this month, cos janelle HFMD, and less meeting on the road, the bill still as high.. Hmmm.. Finally this morning spend some minutes to study the bill, then realized that i've paying on added-value service voice mail and auto roam without knowing. Called and checked, then realized that the added value service is activated when I recontract my plans in last oct due to free for FIRST 3 MONTHS. And I have been paying it since feb without noticed it till now. Goodness me, $15 monthly.




Look at the fine print...

If you are like me, without having a detailed look at your bill and let giro do the work monthly. I reckon you spent a few minutes look at your bill to ensure you are paying what you are using. Be more careful on those so-call value added services. This is to add value to their revenue.

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Mua Chee

Taking sick leave today to rest but curving for mua chee, so here's my first attempt of home made mua chee and was done in 5 min:




(Serves: 2-3 | Preparation: 5 minutes | Cooking: 5-7 minutes)
Ingredients:
1 Cup Glutinous Rice Flour
3/4 - 1 Cup Water
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1.5 - 2 Tablespoons Shallot Oil/Cooking Oil

Peanut Coating:
1.5 Cup Peanut Powder
1 - 2 Tablespoons Caster Sugar, optional
1 Tablespoon White Sesame Seeds, optional

:) I bought ready made from SS @ $1.50



Method:-
1. Prepare shallot oil (saute 4 thinly sliced shallot with 2 tablespoons of oil in Non-stick pan over low heat till golden brown, remove the shallot and leave the oil in the pan)

2. Place glutinous rice flour and sugar in a mixing bowl, slowly stir in water with a whisk till well combined.

3. With Non stick pan on medium low heat together with the shallot oil, slowly swirl in the flour mixture and stir it using a wooden spoon/chopstick or spatula till it begins to form a soft dough.



4. Lower the heat and continue to toss and cook the dough for another 3 - 5 minutes (depending on the heat) till the dough is smooth and slightly transparent on its surface. Remove and set aside on a oiled plate/container.

5. Transfer the cooked glutinous rice dough to the peanut mixture, toss well and cut it into bite size pieces and serve.




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Weddings coming up

Finally, youngest bro wedding date locked down and baby sis wedding date had somewhat locked down. Both are going to happen in 2013.

I have one inactive January groom and one proactive October Bride, preparing their wedding. Exciting isn't it. Seeing messages like "kor, want to meet up videography together." and he replied "ok". That's all.. I know, i know that's what men do isn't it. Wedding is every bride dream and every groom tomb. So reaction so different.

Last week, accompanied my baby sis for bridal shops sourcing and trying on gown FOR her. The reason she gave is it's very tiring trying and ended no energy and time to see others. I do agreed with her, still remembered my time, after trying the 4th or 5th gown, I'm already like brain dead and take which others says nice and no longer can really visualize the gown on me. Ended up, kind of regret for the evening gown.

After 5 years, putting on gown again, me and sis first sight of love in this gown. A heavy gown with many details and made me looked slim. Hus says I look good in this gown.




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Janelle Improvement

Praise the Lord. I know God is putting his work in progress in Janelle. We have been seeing improving in Janelle these few weeks. Looking forward to have more to share with everyone the goodness of God.

Last Friday morning, when i walked Janelle to the door for school, she turned and hugged me, says "bye bye" with hand waving to me. So sweet of her... That's melted me and brighten my Friday instantly. This is her first time doing this and yes, words started to come out from her and she did it with correct purpose and meaning.

Now, she started to "sing" songs.
At times, she will voice out the last word of the lyrics of the songs.. For example: There were nine in a bed the little one said "Roll over, roll over"So they all rolled over and one fell out. and Janelle will says "Out" :)...Or sometimes she will sing along with the song with words that we don't understand.

In school, maid had feedback that Janelle has improvement. She willingly to sit down more (maybe 5 minutes more) to listen to the teachers instead of walking around. And she is now sitting down in the chair and finished her lunch, no more walking around and need helper to catch her back to the chair.
Thank you for those who had prayed for Janelle. God had heard our prayers and he is putting his works in Janelle. Amen.

My #2

Finally, i have submitted to sponsored a child from World Vision with a $45 per month to help the community build a transforming platform by providing access to nutritious food and clean water, education, basic healthcare, and opportunities to economic and leadership development.  Had been wanted to do it, but didnt dare to commit as this is a long commitment. I saw the asking for help ad in IMPACT newsletter last weekend and sharing with husband and friends about my thoughts but i was still hesitating.

On early wednesday, no idea what causes me... The first time i on my PC, went to Word Vision Child Sponsorship Website to read up more and submmited my application and shortly i received the details of the child.

We choose Thailand to be country and World Vision had assigned a 7 years old girl from Bo Kluea. Let's welcome Pornsawan to our family. God bless her and family. :)

Giveaway Grow Milk Powder

Hi mommies,

I have a "Grow" growing up milk in vanilla favor for children 3-6 years old sample sachet, together with $3 discount voucher from cold storage to giveaway.

If you are interested, please leave me a comment with ur name and mailing address. Not to worry, all comment is filtered, will not be publish.






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Another wedding @ Singapore Marriott

2nd weekend at Singapore Marriott Hotel for wedding. Congratulation to K & T, finally completing the courtship chapter and going to marriage after 13 long years. This is another ex-colleague of mine, the crazy batch of friends where we used to hang up at st-james for drinks after work, the crazy things we did in Beijing trip and she is a friend who enjoys Hi-Tea. :)

T had put in lots of effort for her wedding, she added-on with engaged live band, instant photo-shoot and desert bar. Made me feel bad for just giving a market rate red-packet. :P

We had much fun with the instant photo-shoot especially with long time no see ex-colleagues...

Good Bye Pacifier

Praise the Lord, we have finally says good bye to Pacifier.

We had been trying to quit her from her pacifier many times but never success. Without the pacifier, she cant sleep and once she over tired  and she will has fits. People blamed me for introducing pacifier to Janelle, and people blaming me too for not giving her Pacifier and caused her overtired.

Blessing in disguise, because of HFMD, she started to reject pacifier due to discomfort. Followed the flow, I decided to go for another attempt to get her quit the pacifier. Managed to waive off for the night but maid having problem to get Janelle to take her afternoon nap. Ended up these 2 weeks, i have to put her to bed myself, 2 hrs each time with songs and prayers. When i was about to give up, the only shop that carries the brand of the pacifier closed down and mum & babes discontinue to carry the brand. Told my maid she had no choice but have to do it. 

And Yes, Janelle did it, manage to fall asleep on her own without overtired. Praise the Lord.