Change Your Lifestyle

Poor | Edited from starbuck_555

I should stop talking about myself. I was thinking about finalizing my summer holiday post when I suddenly saw a STOP sign below a lamp post in front of my house. When did they put it there? So, like a good citizen with an obligation to mother nature creation, I think I will need to postponed the post (again). Honestly, I kinda embarrassed - one of the feeling that has been disappearing for the past few years, for talking about myself to much. Plus, people will think that I am a self centered bastard who like to brag (not that I care much about what people said). Nevertheless, taking the cue, I will talk about more important matter in order to save the world (I could feel the world is shaking when I say that phrase).

The global price of oil already hit a time high with $139 per barrel last Friday. I check on this site to take a look at today's price and what a surprise! I was greeted with a WELCOME! The last word you want to associate with oil price. Anyway, the price is $132.90 today and I left the site without looking for "Good Bye and Have A Nice Day". The new oil price in Malaysia is RM2.70 per liter (increased by 40%) and I sure all around the world, the price is increase too. And they even forecast that the global oil price will be double ($250) in the near future. Consistently, other goods prices will be up too unless the government do something. Of course, waiting for the government to take action is simply a long and painful wait, so I decided to list up what you could do to reduce the burden of the price war. Viewer Discretion Advised. This May Not Be Suitable For A Light Hearted Audience Reader.

Reduce Your Electrical Bill
Two things that usually end up a chuck full lot in your electrical bill are water heater and air conditioner's usage. Oh, by the way, Malaysian electrics rate will double start from next month. Be prepared..

• You should get use having your bath in the cold water especially for Asian people who don't experience 4 seasons through out the year. What is a better way to start your day with the coldness of the morning running water splashing your face that will literally shake you up and actually awake you?
• Open up your room windows and feel the breeze of fresh air so that you won't have to use air conditioner at all time (this step is not advisable for the city housing).
• Sleep naked when it's hot rather than switching on your air conditioner or fan. Make sure you lock your room door before trying.
• Try to switch off the unused plugs, including your water heater and air conditioner's plug - most people forget about it.
  
• Try to get your eyes use to see in the dark, switch off the unnecessary lamps. It's better than having a cheaper electrical bill than to be robbed at night.
  

Reduce Your Entertainment's Budget
You should not indulge yourself with entertainment too much (although "too much" is depending on your state of finances). As matter of fact, this should be the last thing in your budget. However, I am a normal person, and like any normal human being, entertainment plays a big part in our life.

• Cut your you-can-live-without-them-expenditures. For example, I will cut my Astro bill (a local satellite TV) by unsubscribed my Movie package. Of course this may be due to the fact that I rarely watch the movie channels (as I already saw most of the films there). My father wanted to unsubscribe it for a long time ago, this may a little push he needs.
• You-can-live-without-them-expenditures also may include the budget for clothing. Try to buy one expensive (and a good quality) cloth once in a year. You could always wear it for many years to come. Avoid buying something too trendy, as trendy is very seasonal. Classic is always a good (and save) choice.
• Try to reduce you-can't-live-without-them-expenditures. For me, it is the broadband internet (again, it depends on people). Try to choose the cheapest but reliable one. Although I am quite certain I can't do anything about mine.
• Try to reduce what I like to call, your "social visits" rather than "hanging out with friends" phrase (You would be less guilty, trust me). One of these social visits would easily make a hole in your pocket in no time. Less shopping, less hanging out at fancy cafés and restaurants, less clubbing, less cinema going and less everything you usually do on your social visits.
  

Reduce Your Vacation's Budget
Other example of you-can't-live-without-them-expenditures is vacation. You're stressed a year out and you really need this holiday to make you humane again.

• If you want to go to oversea vacation, try to choose a country that its currency exchange rate is high. This is because you would not tend to spend a lot of money on shopping on top of other expenditures. London is one of the places that you shouldn't go although the currency rate is high because the price for things there are relatively cheaper (unless you have a very very high willing power to stop shopping).
  
• Whereas Europe countries are the best choice. It offers you many historical places to go without the urge to excessively shopping.
  
• Try to adjust yourself into having only one long vacation per year rather than an oversea trip every two months. Oh, and of course, try to explore interesting vacations in your own country.
• Opt to public transports whenever you're on holiday. You don't need to rush or anything right? Just enjoy the holiday. (This step may not apply to those who already use public transport every day to get to work).
• Plan your journey well and ensure you save some of your money for emergency situation when you're on holiday. Try not to be over budget.
  

Other steps that can be done:

• Reduce the usage of water. You don't need to wash your car or motorcycle every week. But you should take a bath at least thrice a day.
• Hoop in your colleague's car to work, use public transportation or simply walk.
  
• Teach your children the value of money. Reduce their monthly allowance if possible (this should be your last resort).
  
• Eat outside less. Try to cook at home. Which may or may not cause several food blogs and restaurants to close.
• Stop buying newspaper, there all bullshit anyway. Read them online instead.
  

There you go. Give it a try! I am doing some of the steps on my own. If you know other effective steps, do tell us. I am sure we all want to know. Changing your lifestyle may be hard, but we should not let it to be a problem to meet the end of month. Kindly note: this life changing tips are not brought by any party government, N.G.O, or any influential figure - although they should. Any similarities are regretted.

Bluecrystaldude

Poor People Marches | Edited from starbuck_555

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear our beloved Malaysian Government,

We are faithful and law abide citizens have done what you have ordered. We have changed our lifestyle. And now what? No, telling people to stop eating rice when the rice price is high is not a solution. No, telling people to change their lifestyle could not solve all the problems. What about for those who struggle for the end meet, live just to survive another day and do not spend much or any on their "lifestyle"? No, not everyone send their children to study in U.K or Australia. No, not everyone has a chauffeur to drive you to work. You should try take one of our public transports, Minister. No, the rebates given will do little to cope with increasing prices and done nothing for those who don't own car or motorcycle. No, paying the same salary for government servants but in two installments is not the same as increase their salary. And no, we are not doing any street demonstration. What will be your action now?

Three simple steps that should be considered to cope with the price war:

• Increase the effectiveness of public transportation services. Increase the effectiveness of public transportation services. Increase the effectiveness of public transportation services. Read about Neomesuff and her vivid experience when she took the real public transport.
• Reduce tolls and car prices. Neighboring countries (except Brunei which news easily forget to compare with) may charged on higher petrol fuel, but their cars there are much cheaper than us.
• Tighten up the enforcements. Check that daily goods and services so that they do not increase their prices as wish.
  

The acts of men sometimes come so kind
And with such love do well express, yet
The deeds of men sometimes come so mean
And with great disgust is well despised.
These conflicts unresolved for times,
Someday, somewhere resolves to meet.

(Life, The Unfinished Business | Oliver Mabamara)


No, I don't think it already late to talk about oil price. It never too late for something like this. No, I don't think it's too late to review the price structure. And no, I am not an anti-government, yet.

A true Malaysian at heart,

Bluecrystaldue

View blog reactions