Money, Money, Money..............
Money does not always solve the problem, but without it, we will all be struggling.
(a) Lodging
Just imagine walking on the street with thin cotton summer clothes, surrounded by strong wind, and have no idea where to spend the night.
That is real life for some low income earners or the unemployed. With long waiting list of public housing and booming house price, some ends up sleeping in cars.
(b) Clothing
How about walking on the street, pass by a shop with clothes that you love? You will probably be in a dilemma whether to settle the credit card bills or pay of the clothes.
(c) Food
How about following all the tips you gather from websites, tv shows to shop with a list, at a best discount time, but yet, don't seem to save enough for a holiday?
Well........ you are not alone and hope you find the following website helps.
101 Ways to Make Money : http://www.101waystomakemoney.com/page/1/
It talks about ways to make money with ClickBank, become virtual assistant, with Youtube, writing poetry. The list goes on and on.
Have a look at it and you might find something interesting that you are not currently aware of.
Remember that there is no free lunch in this world. If you need to make money successfully, you need to process the information you read and use it to work for you.
Example: Never throw a big junk of your savings into stock market blindly. Simon says.............. BAD BAD BAD idea............
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
It does not have to be logical
(A) Moth
One groomy friday, as usual, I went back to office for our weekly meeting. In our meeting room, there were more than 10 moths flying in the room. Some colleagues were really hesistate to go into the room. I found it really funny seeing some of their reactions when they got scared by the moth that just stop by the side of the table.
When I shared with my housemate my funny story, she said: "If you are scared of something, the size does not matter. Eg:, It does not mean you will not be scared of little tiger just because it is little."
You Cannot Explain Fear Logically.
(B) Complement
In a gathering, a Mummy in her forties was chatting with her Son (age 15) as usual. A nice complement came for the mum: "You look very young and you both look like sister and brother. You look as if you are aged 30."
Like every women who receives the complement, Mummy was very happy.
If you think of it logically, if Mummy looks like 30, the Son must look slightly mature than his age. After all, he is only 15. So, while Mummy enjoys the complement, don't forget what it reflects on the Son.
It is just a complement, it is not supposed to be explained logically. I think the whole complement fails when a specific age was referred.
Anyway, I was laughing my head off while teasing the Mummy that when she enjoys her nice complement, don't forget that may not be a complement for the Son.
You Cannot Explain Complement Logically.
One groomy friday, as usual, I went back to office for our weekly meeting. In our meeting room, there were more than 10 moths flying in the room. Some colleagues were really hesistate to go into the room. I found it really funny seeing some of their reactions when they got scared by the moth that just stop by the side of the table.
When I shared with my housemate my funny story, she said: "If you are scared of something, the size does not matter. Eg:, It does not mean you will not be scared of little tiger just because it is little."
You Cannot Explain Fear Logically.
(B) Complement
In a gathering, a Mummy in her forties was chatting with her Son (age 15) as usual. A nice complement came for the mum: "You look very young and you both look like sister and brother. You look as if you are aged 30."
Like every women who receives the complement, Mummy was very happy.
If you think of it logically, if Mummy looks like 30, the Son must look slightly mature than his age. After all, he is only 15. So, while Mummy enjoys the complement, don't forget what it reflects on the Son.
It is just a complement, it is not supposed to be explained logically. I think the whole complement fails when a specific age was referred.
Anyway, I was laughing my head off while teasing the Mummy that when she enjoys her nice complement, don't forget that may not be a complement for the Son.
You Cannot Explain Complement Logically.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Right decisions
We make decisions every day. How do you know whether you are making the right decision?
It is right when it works. After all, a bad decisions is always better than no decisions.
(a) What to study for a degree.
When I finished high school, I wasn't sure what to study for a degree. I only knew I like mathematics and psychology. My aim was to get a degree as soon as possible and get a job.
Unfortunately, psychology wasn't popular back in my country 15 years ago. I didn't think I like to be a mathematicians. So, I chose accounting. That's right, the boring accounting.
My reasoning is, knowing accounting can set a strong foundation if I ever choose to be in business, be manager , sales, etc etc.
I worked in auditing and accounting, and now I implement accounting systems. I knew I made the right decision as I applied the knowledge I learnt to my work successfully.
When I don't know what to choose, I use the elimination method, just like doing multiple choice.
When I don't know what is best, I make a decision that will give me the best return.
(b) Manage or be managed
I used to work in a big accounting team with a multinational company with staffs reporting to me. It was a good pay job but extremely long hours. While I enjoyed leading and working in a team, I hate dealing with politics among managers.
Anyway, one day, I decided to change my career path to IT and chose to work in a smaller company.
In big company, there is very clear definition of reponsibilities for each role.
In a smaller company, you will need to be more flexible. Unavoidably, I am asked to work on things which is beyond my technical knowledge. Sometimes it is ok, sometimes I hate it.
The change has brought me:
Good thing:
- a good leader, who I consistently enjoy learning technical stuffs from him;
- less politics and my leader will have to handle it and I just need to focus on my work
Bad things:
- someone else is making decisions for me and I have less say in it.
- less negotiation power to employer as a manager can possibly ask for higher pay
- I am working in a project with a project manager who has very different ways of thinkings from me. I am at a dilemma to make specific request to my boss for not involve in projects managed by him/her. At one hand, I know I should behave and handle it professionally. On the other hand, my frustration is building up. Instead of repeating the cycle of frustration every time we are in the same project, why not just be upfront and get the hit?
There is no right or wrong decision here. It is just a matter of what carry more weights.
It is right when it works. After all, a bad decisions is always better than no decisions.
(a) What to study for a degree.
When I finished high school, I wasn't sure what to study for a degree. I only knew I like mathematics and psychology. My aim was to get a degree as soon as possible and get a job.
Unfortunately, psychology wasn't popular back in my country 15 years ago. I didn't think I like to be a mathematicians. So, I chose accounting. That's right, the boring accounting.
My reasoning is, knowing accounting can set a strong foundation if I ever choose to be in business, be manager , sales, etc etc.
I worked in auditing and accounting, and now I implement accounting systems. I knew I made the right decision as I applied the knowledge I learnt to my work successfully.
When I don't know what to choose, I use the elimination method, just like doing multiple choice.
When I don't know what is best, I make a decision that will give me the best return.
(b) Manage or be managed
I used to work in a big accounting team with a multinational company with staffs reporting to me. It was a good pay job but extremely long hours. While I enjoyed leading and working in a team, I hate dealing with politics among managers.
Anyway, one day, I decided to change my career path to IT and chose to work in a smaller company.
In big company, there is very clear definition of reponsibilities for each role.
In a smaller company, you will need to be more flexible. Unavoidably, I am asked to work on things which is beyond my technical knowledge. Sometimes it is ok, sometimes I hate it.
The change has brought me:
Good thing:
- a good leader, who I consistently enjoy learning technical stuffs from him;
- less politics and my leader will have to handle it and I just need to focus on my work
Bad things:
- someone else is making decisions for me and I have less say in it.
- less negotiation power to employer as a manager can possibly ask for higher pay
- I am working in a project with a project manager who has very different ways of thinkings from me. I am at a dilemma to make specific request to my boss for not involve in projects managed by him/her. At one hand, I know I should behave and handle it professionally. On the other hand, my frustration is building up. Instead of repeating the cycle of frustration every time we are in the same project, why not just be upfront and get the hit?
There is no right or wrong decision here. It is just a matter of what carry more weights.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
How have you been
I have to admit I am not good in keeping contact with friends. Sometimes, my friend never hear from me for a couple of months and then I resurface.
Having said that, I was reading an email from a friend that read:
"I am sending you an email just to check you are still alive, although it is very normal that you disappear a few months."
I do wonder:
1. If I am no longer alive, how will the email tell?
2. Isn't it better to pick up the phone and ask "hi, how have you been? I have not heard from you for a long time and I want to make sure you are fine."
I wonder how the world has changed the way we communicate.
Instead of meeting up and express ourselves directly, we write.
Instead of showing our care in a direct and loving manner, we use negative words in our communication.
Then.......... we all complain "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, YOU DON'T CARE"
Having said that, I was reading an email from a friend that read:
"I am sending you an email just to check you are still alive, although it is very normal that you disappear a few months."
I do wonder:
1. If I am no longer alive, how will the email tell?
2. Isn't it better to pick up the phone and ask "hi, how have you been? I have not heard from you for a long time and I want to make sure you are fine."
I wonder how the world has changed the way we communicate.
Instead of meeting up and express ourselves directly, we write.
Instead of showing our care in a direct and loving manner, we use negative words in our communication.
Then.......... we all complain "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, YOU DON'T CARE"
Greeting
I grow up being taught that when we see someone, we say:
"How are you?"
"Good morning", "Good Afternoon", "Good Evening"
"Long time no see, how have you been?"
Nice greeting with real care to people around us.
However, the world has changed, I find :
1. Greeting with no feelings
Mr A goes to office, see his collegue, saying "Good morning" with his heads down, no smile, nothing.
What a mechanic greeting. What is the point when you greet someone with no feelings?
2. Greeting with expecation
John goes to office, see Mr A, says "Good morning". Mr A continues working with his head down with no response.
John says: "Aren't you are going to say Good morning?" Fine, I will ignore you next time.
We should greet because we care and we wish someone has a good day, not expecting any return. What is the point of greeting when it becomes a standard procedure?
I heard a story before, I can't really remember the source.
Lisa has a flower shop. Every morning, Mr Brumpy passes by her shop. She always greet him, "Good morning, Mr Brumpy, have a nice day". Unfortunately, Mr Brumpy never response. However, Lisa keeps doing it.
One day, Lisa's brother asks: "Why do you keep greeting him when he doesn't bother to response? That is very rude of him."
Lisa replies, I greet because I would like to wish Mr Brumpy a good day. It does not matter whether he responses.
That's right. We greet because we want to. If we always do things with expectation of return, it probably means we all are so busy with our life, we learn to be so self-focus and we forget the greatness of sharing, giving and loving.
"How are you?"
"Good morning", "Good Afternoon", "Good Evening"
"Long time no see, how have you been?"
Nice greeting with real care to people around us.
However, the world has changed, I find :
1. Greeting with no feelings
Mr A goes to office, see his collegue, saying "Good morning" with his heads down, no smile, nothing.
What a mechanic greeting. What is the point when you greet someone with no feelings?
2. Greeting with expecation
John goes to office, see Mr A, says "Good morning". Mr A continues working with his head down with no response.
John says: "Aren't you are going to say Good morning?" Fine, I will ignore you next time.
We should greet because we care and we wish someone has a good day, not expecting any return. What is the point of greeting when it becomes a standard procedure?
I heard a story before, I can't really remember the source.
Lisa has a flower shop. Every morning, Mr Brumpy passes by her shop. She always greet him, "Good morning, Mr Brumpy, have a nice day". Unfortunately, Mr Brumpy never response. However, Lisa keeps doing it.
One day, Lisa's brother asks: "Why do you keep greeting him when he doesn't bother to response? That is very rude of him."
Lisa replies, I greet because I would like to wish Mr Brumpy a good day. It does not matter whether he responses.
That's right. We greet because we want to. If we always do things with expectation of return, it probably means we all are so busy with our life, we learn to be so self-focus and we forget the greatness of sharing, giving and loving.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Simply Saving
Sigh............. for those who know me, you might be aware I have been home hunting for a long long long ........ time. I can't do much when the housing price in Australia has gone crazy. Some says it will fall, some says it will rise even further due to high demand low supply.
Do I continue, yes. However, I decide to do other things as well.
1. Compound interest - saving account
Look around for savings accounts that offer compound interest daily, ie, the interest is calculated based on the principal and accumulated interest.
Imagine you invest $10000 at 10 percent for 5 years, it will be $10000 * 1.1 * 1.1 * 1.1 *1.1* 1.1 = $16,105
2. Investment - shares
Earn from capital growth and dividends. Of course, only if you get the right shares.
3. Survey
This is pretty slow process, but better than none.
Hooh........ Hopefully I don't have to take up another job.
Do I continue, yes. However, I decide to do other things as well.
1. Compound interest - saving account
Look around for savings accounts that offer compound interest daily, ie, the interest is calculated based on the principal and accumulated interest.
Imagine you invest $10000 at 10 percent for 5 years, it will be $10000 * 1.1 * 1.1 * 1.1 *1.1* 1.1 = $16,105
2. Investment - shares
Earn from capital growth and dividends. Of course, only if you get the right shares.
3. Survey
This is pretty slow process, but better than none.
Hooh........ Hopefully I don't have to take up another job.
Vitamin in Heart
I am currently reading a book "Vitamin in Heart" by 何南辉. It shares the life phylosophy with short stories. It is really interesting, precise and easy to follow, and telling us what we may/may not already know.
The following is a story that I really like. The original is in Chinese, so, I have tried my best to translate it into English. It is a summarised version thou.
1. A bird that speak seven languages
A husband went overseas for a business trip. One day, he passed by a pet shop and saw a bird that speak seven languages. He found it amazing and decided to pay a good price for it.
As he was still on the business trip, he requested the pet shop owner to deliver the bird to his wife as a surprise birthday present.
A few days later, when he arrived home,
Husband: "did anyone deliver a bird".
Wife: "Yes"
Husbad: "Where is it?"
Wife: "In the oven."
Husband:"What??? It is a precious bird that speak 7 languages? Why would you eat it?"
Wife: "It did not say anything, how would I know?"
Conclusion:
Have you ever felt you are good or even the best, but no one appreciate or understand you? That is because you never say it.
My thought:
It does not mean you go around and blow your own trumpet.
If you are good, continue with the good work, make sure it is flawless. When there is a discussion on topic you are good at, speak up and share your thoughts. Don't voice your opinion over the others. Just listen and answer.
If you are good at what you are doing, make it better and be the best. Expand the knowledge on what you already know.
I have a friend who graduates in MIS. He works in an IT company. His strength is in database modelling. Base on that, he has master reporting wrting skills in Crystal Reports and all his collegues is aware of his skills. He enjoys learning new skills. Now he is learning Reporting Services in his own time, which is another popular report writing tools.
He hates it when he is asked to do things that he is not familiar at work, however, he realises $$$ to the boss is what it comes down to. He needs to have the skills that the employer is willing to pay. To continue with what he is good at, he invests his time to keep up-to-date with what he knows. In the mean time, broaden his knowledge in his area of expertise.
You can keep feeling demotivated or find a solution for yourself. Afterall, if you don't help yourself, no one can.
The following is a story that I really like. The original is in Chinese, so, I have tried my best to translate it into English. It is a summarised version thou.
1. A bird that speak seven languages
A husband went overseas for a business trip. One day, he passed by a pet shop and saw a bird that speak seven languages. He found it amazing and decided to pay a good price for it.
As he was still on the business trip, he requested the pet shop owner to deliver the bird to his wife as a surprise birthday present.
A few days later, when he arrived home,
Husband: "did anyone deliver a bird".
Wife: "Yes"
Husbad: "Where is it?"
Wife: "In the oven."
Husband:"What??? It is a precious bird that speak 7 languages? Why would you eat it?"
Wife: "It did not say anything, how would I know?"
Conclusion:
Have you ever felt you are good or even the best, but no one appreciate or understand you? That is because you never say it.
My thought:
It does not mean you go around and blow your own trumpet.
If you are good, continue with the good work, make sure it is flawless. When there is a discussion on topic you are good at, speak up and share your thoughts. Don't voice your opinion over the others. Just listen and answer.
If you are good at what you are doing, make it better and be the best. Expand the knowledge on what you already know.
I have a friend who graduates in MIS. He works in an IT company. His strength is in database modelling. Base on that, he has master reporting wrting skills in Crystal Reports and all his collegues is aware of his skills. He enjoys learning new skills. Now he is learning Reporting Services in his own time, which is another popular report writing tools.
He hates it when he is asked to do things that he is not familiar at work, however, he realises $$$ to the boss is what it comes down to. He needs to have the skills that the employer is willing to pay. To continue with what he is good at, he invests his time to keep up-to-date with what he knows. In the mean time, broaden his knowledge in his area of expertise.
You can keep feeling demotivated or find a solution for yourself. Afterall, if you don't help yourself, no one can.
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