Cutting down CNY expenses
So! We are back from the Chinese New Year holidays – fatter and more prosperous perhaps? 
Unlike previous years where I’d do the textbookstyle CNY preparations of buying new clothes, I only made do with one new top this year and this was bought a few months ago during the end of year sales. Yes I do plan ahead 
I also cut down on tidbits and decorations, opting to reuse my decor from last year. I did not really plan it so, but when I spoke to a few retailers, they did say that pre Chinese New Year sales this year was slower than previous years.
The restaurants are still full though. So, I’m not sure everyone is cutting down just yet. Maybe we’ll see the effects after Feb or March. Did you cut down on your Chinese new Year expenditure?
Always check for the Health Ministry’s approval
We can’t deny that we are now in the age of instant results. When we go to a restaurant, we no longer want to wait for our food and we get impatient when we do. We forget that food preparation is an art. We want to get our food NOW and eat NOW hence the proliferation of fast food restaurants.
With all that instant food comes instant fat and then we want instant results in getting rid of that fat – liposuction, plastic surgery, tummy tucks, never ending searches for the best diet pill to get rid of that fat RIGHT NOW!
Well, if you belong in that category of wanting to take a diet pill in the hope that it will help you lose weight quickly without having to exercise and cut back on food, be sure to do your research first. Remember, it is medication and that means it comes under the Health Ministry and they have to obtain the Ministry’s approval before letting the product go on sale. This is to ensure that the product is safe for consumption even if it might have other side effects. At least you know you aren’t going to die from taking a poisonous pill!
Here is a link to the Health Ministry’s site where you can check if a pharmaceutical product has passed the Health Ministry’s approval. It not only covers pharmaceuticals and medicines but also cosmetics and skincare! Don’t believe me? Try searching for Bobbi Brown and you’ll see a whole long list of items plus their owners/distributors. Pretty cool tool!
Do you want to subscribe to a time share?
This is purely my view only so if you have had a bad experience with time shares I sympathise. Thus far, mine are fairly decent ones. I am a member of a time share where essentially, we pay RMX and get Y nights a year to stay at any hotel or resorts locally and worldwide. I actually got my package at a good price so I won’t complain too much.
I have used the time share nights allocation both locally and internationally and both times, I have no complaints. In fact, its saved me a ton of money on hotel rooms and vacation rentals which I would otherwise have to pay anyway!
If you are looking for a time share, you might want to bear these points in mind:-
- There are usually annual fees payable which aren’t that high but can add up.
- If you don’t use up your allocated nights within a certain period they are forfeited which means you end up losing money on them.
- If you don’t book early you risk not having any space available at your chosen hotel or resort or having to pay extra surcharges for an upgraded room
- You have to plan your holidays well in advance.
- You won’t be able to use your allocations in all hotels – some hotels might require a surcharge.
As I have said above, I have had decent experiences with my time share company (I will not name them) and my savings from overseas accommodation has far surpassed whatever I paid to join. So, for me, I would recommend it for those who plan their vacations in advance. Otherwise you might just want to stick to booking your hotels online.
Do you think having loyalty cards are a good idea?
How many of you are like me and have a wallet that is literally bursting with plastic? Not credit cards but loyalty cards. Ever since every store decided to have their own version of the loyalty card, my wallet has been full of different coloured plastic for different purposes.
Some loyalty cards are useful – they offer discounts or give you rebate points. Some others don’t serve very much purpose.
However, the key idea behind a loyalty card is to keep you loyal to the store – spend more and get more out of it.
The only loyalty cards I presently hold are – Isetan card, Jusco card, MPH card and the Esso Smiles card. I have a ton of other cards but I don’t use them as much because I’m not as loyal to those stores. Also, I’ve realised that if I keep my loyalty to as few as possible stores, I get to accumulate points and get my rebates quicker.
The Esso Smiles card for example, entitled me to a free bag of rice or oil. How many cards would give you that? I’d rather have that than some useless towel or umbrella that I’d have to accumulate thousands of points for.
So I think having loyalty cards is a good idea if you know how to work it and tailor your shopping needs. Otherwise, its just another piece of useless plastic.
What do you think?