17 March 2014: Day 17 of Living with Minimum Wage Experiment in Malaysia
Woke up, thought it can be my relax day after a busy weekend. Whilst eating breakfast, suddenly realised that I was accepted for Photoshop training.
Rush to get dress, drove and arrive at the training center in PJ.
Training for co-op members only cost RM25 + rm20 computer lab fee, but you get back travel alllowance. Since my house is near, can only get Rm30...So training cost only rm15.
The training includes breakfast, tea break x2 and lunch.
Training conducted in Malay, and many participants behaviour remind me of typical employees. Come training because boss ask to attend, then rushing for break time and go home early. Very different than private training that you pay thousands of your own money.
I guess this is what happens when training is slow and draggy [this photoshop training is 3 days when I believe if people can learn fast, it can be completed in 1.5days].
Expenditure today: RM16
Total expenditure to date: RM418.40
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM481.60
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Day 16: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment
16 Mar 2014: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment in Malaysia
It's half month already now. How fast time flies.
Its another day for training.
I had to train on e-awards for a few local organisations.
After training, went back home. Then mum ask to go Tesco buy folded table since on promo.
End up spending more than planned. Temporarily forgot that I am in the experiment mode.
Expenditure today: RM132.70
Total expenditure to date: RM402.4
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM497.60
It's half month already now. How fast time flies.
Its another day for training.
I had to train on e-awards for a few local organisations.
After training, went back home. Then mum ask to go Tesco buy folded table since on promo.
End up spending more than planned. Temporarily forgot that I am in the experiment mode.
Expenditure today: RM132.70
Total expenditure to date: RM402.4
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM497.60
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Day 15: Living with minimum wage experiment
15 Mar 2014: Living with minimum wage experiment in Malaysia
Training day.
So had breakfast at home.
Went off to my golf club to touch up my training slides, then went to my ngo office to conduct sharing for new and potential members.
Dinner treat by a past president at nearby restaurant.
Filled up petrol on the way home.
=============
Expenditure today: RM71.69
Total expenditure to date: RM269.70
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM630.30
Training day.
So had breakfast at home.
Went off to my golf club to touch up my training slides, then went to my ngo office to conduct sharing for new and potential members.
Dinner treat by a past president at nearby restaurant.
Filled up petrol on the way home.
=============
Expenditure today: RM71.69
Total expenditure to date: RM269.70
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM630.30
Friday, March 14, 2014
Day 14: Living with minimum wage in Malaysia experiment
14 March 2014: Day 14 of living with minimum wage in Malaysia experiment.
It's been a week since the MH370 goes missing.
And a very hazy day indeed.
Started my day with meeting at MBPJ, at 8.30am.
The first time I had to wake up so early in weeks.
Then went to my audit committee meeting. Didn't have time to eat breakfast at home, so bought nasi lemak with sotong and tempe. It cost RM5..oh my god! complain expensive to the cashier, she was lamenting that she charged me only rm2 for rice, rm2 for 1 piece of sotong, rm1 for the tempe..
remind me to only eat sambal sotong if my mum cook at home or I get free nasi lemak from events.
After that went to library at golf club to prepare for the weekend training materials.
Had early dinner of salted fish fried rice.
=============
Expenditure today: RM5.83
Total expenditure to date: RM198.01
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM701.99
It's been a week since the MH370 goes missing.
And a very hazy day indeed.
Started my day with meeting at MBPJ, at 8.30am.
The first time I had to wake up so early in weeks.
Then went to my audit committee meeting. Didn't have time to eat breakfast at home, so bought nasi lemak with sotong and tempe. It cost RM5..oh my god! complain expensive to the cashier, she was lamenting that she charged me only rm2 for rice, rm2 for 1 piece of sotong, rm1 for the tempe..
remind me to only eat sambal sotong if my mum cook at home or I get free nasi lemak from events.
After that went to library at golf club to prepare for the weekend training materials.
Had early dinner of salted fish fried rice.
=============
Expenditure today: RM5.83
Total expenditure to date: RM198.01
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM701.99
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Day 13: Living with minimum wage experiment
13 Mar 2014: Day 3 of Living with Minimum Wage experiment in Malaysia
Again, went to library to do work after eat breakfast at home.
Had chicken chop for lunch [must remember not to order this again..how could the chef first round poured chili sauce n mayo on top of my fries..sent back ask to redo.
The chicken piece was cut to half..a bit awkward though crispy]
Had thosai for dinner, stayed on til about 10.30pm, then drove home.
Stop buy burger for supper.
=============
Expenditure today: RM20.44
Total expenditure to date: RM192.18
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM707.82
Again, went to library to do work after eat breakfast at home.
Had chicken chop for lunch [must remember not to order this again..how could the chef first round poured chili sauce n mayo on top of my fries..sent back ask to redo.
The chicken piece was cut to half..a bit awkward though crispy]
Had thosai for dinner, stayed on til about 10.30pm, then drove home.
Stop buy burger for supper.
=============
Expenditure today: RM20.44
Total expenditure to date: RM192.18
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM707.82
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Day 12: Living with minimum wage in Malaysia experiment
12 March 2014: Day 12 of living with minimum wage experiment.
It's also Day 5 since the #MH370 goes missing. The biggest mystery of the decade probably.
Nevertheless, I will still choose to fly Malaysia Airlines if it offers cheap deals, better than its competitors. Looking forward to find some bargains during this upcoming MATTA fair this weekend.
Today had breakfast at home, then packed lunch.
Was hungry by 3pm, so stop by A&W to buy 2pieces fried chicken set at RM12.35.
Was supposed to go for a KL entrepreneur meetup at the same place at 7pm, but kinda lazy as too much work to do. So will attend next session probably.
=============
Expenditure today: RM12.35
Total expenditure to date: RM171.74
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM728.26
It's also Day 5 since the #MH370 goes missing. The biggest mystery of the decade probably.
Nevertheless, I will still choose to fly Malaysia Airlines if it offers cheap deals, better than its competitors. Looking forward to find some bargains during this upcoming MATTA fair this weekend.
Today had breakfast at home, then packed lunch.
Was hungry by 3pm, so stop by A&W to buy 2pieces fried chicken set at RM12.35.
Was supposed to go for a KL entrepreneur meetup at the same place at 7pm, but kinda lazy as too much work to do. So will attend next session probably.
=============
Expenditure today: RM12.35
Total expenditure to date: RM171.74
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM728.26
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Day 11: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment
11 March 2014: Day 11 of Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
Was talking with my aunt. She now runs a small convenience store at a local GLC's plant in Kedah. She was saying about her customers spending behavior. Most are on minimum wage. Even her staff is on minimum wage, and overtime is at RM4 per hour.
It suddenly dawns on me that here I am pretending and experimenting on living with minimum wage, but many other people are living on it month by month. Most of us will go back to our normal earning and spending pattern, but not these people who will have to survive with that amount of income for years.
Of course though, there are many business opportunities. She was telling of how she is looking for halal supplies of sardine bun and sausage roll, and yet there are no employees in the plant that are keen to take up this part time business opportunity. That certainly shows that money can be made anywhere. It is just a matter of whether you want to seize the opportunity, put in some effort to get it.
Anyway, after sending her off, I drove to my golf club library to start back my working after the long weekend.
Had roti tisu and tried the mee curry. Disappointed with the mee curry that seems more like mee jawa. wasted my money only. Must remember not to order it next time.
Also just realized that the roti tisu is RM2.65 each, and its so small, also not really worth the money. Must remember to order more value for money items.
Note to self: Must also remember to take some photos of items purchased. The blog is full of words...might be boring for readers who prefer looking at photos.
=============
Expenditure today: RM7.84
Total expenditure to date: RM159.39
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM740.61
Was talking with my aunt. She now runs a small convenience store at a local GLC's plant in Kedah. She was saying about her customers spending behavior. Most are on minimum wage. Even her staff is on minimum wage, and overtime is at RM4 per hour.
It suddenly dawns on me that here I am pretending and experimenting on living with minimum wage, but many other people are living on it month by month. Most of us will go back to our normal earning and spending pattern, but not these people who will have to survive with that amount of income for years.
Of course though, there are many business opportunities. She was telling of how she is looking for halal supplies of sardine bun and sausage roll, and yet there are no employees in the plant that are keen to take up this part time business opportunity. That certainly shows that money can be made anywhere. It is just a matter of whether you want to seize the opportunity, put in some effort to get it.
Anyway, after sending her off, I drove to my golf club library to start back my working after the long weekend.
Had roti tisu and tried the mee curry. Disappointed with the mee curry that seems more like mee jawa. wasted my money only. Must remember not to order it next time.
Also just realized that the roti tisu is RM2.65 each, and its so small, also not really worth the money. Must remember to order more value for money items.
Note to self: Must also remember to take some photos of items purchased. The blog is full of words...might be boring for readers who prefer looking at photos.
=============
Expenditure today: RM7.84
Total expenditure to date: RM159.39
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM740.61
Monday, March 10, 2014
Day 8-10: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment
8-10 March 2014: Day 8-10 of Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia Experiment
Did not go out anywhere on Saturday 8 March. Was at home cleaning up my room and following the stories and updates of #MH370. So ate all meals at home.
Then on Sunday 9 March and Monday 10 March, had relatives came from Kedah.
So stayed home and occasionally become driver to go to the uni and apartment of my cousin.
Only expense was toll RM1.60.
The missing Malaysia Airlines plane was a real mood damper. Could not concentrate much on work. Room is still messy. How to clean when every hour is spent watching TV or reading live updates on FB. #PrayforMH370 is the main focus on almost everyone's mind now.
Expenditure today: RM1.60
Total expenditure to date: RM143.19
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM756.81
Did not go out anywhere on Saturday 8 March. Was at home cleaning up my room and following the stories and updates of #MH370. So ate all meals at home.
Then on Sunday 9 March and Monday 10 March, had relatives came from Kedah.
So stayed home and occasionally become driver to go to the uni and apartment of my cousin.
Only expense was toll RM1.60.
The missing Malaysia Airlines plane was a real mood damper. Could not concentrate much on work. Room is still messy. How to clean when every hour is spent watching TV or reading live updates on FB. #PrayforMH370 is the main focus on almost everyone's mind now.
Expenditure today: RM1.60
Total expenditure to date: RM143.19
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM756.81
Friday, March 7, 2014
Day 7: Living with Minimum Wage
7 March 2014:
Day 7 of Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
Another day of working in my golf club library.
Had breakfast and lunch at home.
Then had roti tisu and roti bawang for early dinner at 6pm
Was hungry so stop by for burger on the way home at around 10.30pm.
Did not buy anything else for the day.
Expenditure today: RM8.36
Total expenditure to date: RM149.95
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM750.05
Day 7 of Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
Another day of working in my golf club library.
Had breakfast and lunch at home.
Then had roti tisu and roti bawang for early dinner at 6pm
Was hungry so stop by for burger on the way home at around 10.30pm.
Did not buy anything else for the day.
Expenditure today: RM8.36
Total expenditure to date: RM149.95
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM750.05
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Day 6: Living with Minimum Wage experiment
6 March 2014: Day 6
Another day in the Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment.
After woke up, eat breakfast and lunch at home, then went to my golf club library to rush my board report and develop the award scoring sheet.
Had Spaghetti Carbonara for dinner, a cat keep on coming asking for food...end up giving the beef bacon in my pasta to him instead. [must remember to bring cat food from home trow]
Then rush off for board meeting.
Finish board meeting, hungry [meeting use up a lot of brain energy], so stop by the burger stall nearby in Sunway Mas area and got ayam special..it cost RM4..wow!
I am definitely going back to my normal burger stall in SS17.
========
Expenditure today: RM19.79
Total expenditure to date: RM141.59
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM758.41
Another day in the Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment.
After woke up, eat breakfast and lunch at home, then went to my golf club library to rush my board report and develop the award scoring sheet.
Had Spaghetti Carbonara for dinner, a cat keep on coming asking for food...end up giving the beef bacon in my pasta to him instead. [must remember to bring cat food from home trow]
Then rush off for board meeting.
Finish board meeting, hungry [meeting use up a lot of brain energy], so stop by the burger stall nearby in Sunway Mas area and got ayam special..it cost RM4..wow!
I am definitely going back to my normal burger stall in SS17.
========
Expenditure today: RM19.79
Total expenditure to date: RM141.59
Balance to survive on minimum wage: RM758.41
Thrift Living Tips: How to save money when eating out
After 5 days of doing the Living on Minimum Wage experiment, I notice one main thing when it comes to food bills. I am paying for something unnecessary that I don't benefit immediately from = 6% tax.
The food I ate at my golf club (because that's where I go to work at their library and use the electricity and air-con for free), is quite cheap compare to many other private clubs in Malaysia.
But nevertheless, comparing to my other food expenses, I do notice of one apparent way to save.
Thrift Living Tips:
Eat at shops / stalls that don't charge you any tax, when you are paying it yourself.
Example:
Fried koay teow at my golf club price is RM4.90, but after tax 6%, it becomes RM5.19.
My favourite fried koay teow in USJ4, although the price has increased to RM5 per plate, is still cheaper coz there is no tax imposed.
Similarly buying the burger from road side..ayam special is Rm3.80..that's it, not 3.80 + 6%.
So next time you are eating out or buying takeaway, think about this.
Note: I am not advocating tax evasion here... so it's your choice where you wish to spend your money. Just take note that when living with minimum wage, every cent counts.
The food I ate at my golf club (because that's where I go to work at their library and use the electricity and air-con for free), is quite cheap compare to many other private clubs in Malaysia.
But nevertheless, comparing to my other food expenses, I do notice of one apparent way to save.
Thrift Living Tips:
Eat at shops / stalls that don't charge you any tax, when you are paying it yourself.
Example:
Fried koay teow at my golf club price is RM4.90, but after tax 6%, it becomes RM5.19.
My favourite fried koay teow in USJ4, although the price has increased to RM5 per plate, is still cheaper coz there is no tax imposed.
Similarly buying the burger from road side..ayam special is Rm3.80..that's it, not 3.80 + 6%.
So next time you are eating out or buying takeaway, think about this.
Note: I am not advocating tax evasion here... so it's your choice where you wish to spend your money. Just take note that when living with minimum wage, every cent counts.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Day 5: Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
5 March 2014: Day 5 of Living with Minimum Wage Experiment.
Absolutely loving the freedom and flexibility of my work. Typical work day starts at 12pm or 1pm, and end either by 7pm or if I don't have any meetings, I continue to work til 10pm.
Breakfast at home, then takeaway food and went to work at my golf club library.
p/s: If you dream of being a freedom entrepreneur, check out our programs that helps you learn How to Escape from Corporate Cage by Thrift Workshop
Had early dinner of Char Koay Teow & Fries. Brought own water today.
Then went off for project meeting at my NGO office.
Meeting lasted til midnight.
On the way home, drove past my favourite burger stall, but it was closed, so can't buy my supper. Went home and cooked instant porridge instead.
================
Total expenditure = RM10.49
Expenditure to date = RM 121.80
Balance to survive on minimum wage = RM 778.20
Absolutely loving the freedom and flexibility of my work. Typical work day starts at 12pm or 1pm, and end either by 7pm or if I don't have any meetings, I continue to work til 10pm.
Breakfast at home, then takeaway food and went to work at my golf club library.
p/s: If you dream of being a freedom entrepreneur, check out our programs that helps you learn How to Escape from Corporate Cage by Thrift Workshop
Had early dinner of Char Koay Teow & Fries. Brought own water today.
Then went off for project meeting at my NGO office.
Meeting lasted til midnight.
On the way home, drove past my favourite burger stall, but it was closed, so can't buy my supper. Went home and cooked instant porridge instead.
================
Total expenditure = RM10.49
Expenditure to date = RM 121.80
Balance to survive on minimum wage = RM 778.20
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Day 4: Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia Experiment
4 Mac 2014: Day 4 of Living With Minimum Wage in Malaysia Experiment.
It's time to get out of the house and do some work, after resting and working at home yesterday.
Started the morning with my Audit Committee meeting.
Ate breakfast at home, and takeaway for lunch.
Then went off to library at my golf club around 4.30pm to continue working there.
Was hungry by 6pm, so went to eat at the poolside cafe.
Ate:
Roti Paper = RM1.90
Koay Teow Penang = RM4.90
Mineral Water = RM1.80 [forgot to bring my own bottled water..its ok, an investment. will keep for later use]
Then on the way home around 10pm, stop to buy ayam special burger at roadside = RM3.80
=============
Expenses for the day are: RM12.92
Total spent to date: RM111.31
Balance to survive in a month on minimum wage: RM788.69
It's time to get out of the house and do some work, after resting and working at home yesterday.
Started the morning with my Audit Committee meeting.
Ate breakfast at home, and takeaway for lunch.
Then went off to library at my golf club around 4.30pm to continue working there.
Was hungry by 6pm, so went to eat at the poolside cafe.
Ate:
Roti Paper = RM1.90
Koay Teow Penang = RM4.90
Mineral Water = RM1.80 [forgot to bring my own bottled water..its ok, an investment. will keep for later use]
Then on the way home around 10pm, stop to buy ayam special burger at roadside = RM3.80
=============
Expenses for the day are: RM12.92
Total spent to date: RM111.31
Balance to survive in a month on minimum wage: RM788.69
Monday, March 3, 2014
Day 3: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment
3 March 2014
Day 3: Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
After 2-days busy weekend, decided to work from home today.
So no expenses for today.
(thank God)
Day 3: Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia experiment
After 2-days busy weekend, decided to work from home today.
So no expenses for today.
(thank God)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Day 2: Living with Minimum Wage Experiment
2 March 2014:
Day 2 of the Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia Experiment.
Woke up in the morning and just ate leftover food from day before.
Then drove to Seremban to attend JCI Seremban Installation & Award Ceremony. So glad that it was free.
So only had to spend for toll. Tried the new LEKAS highway, it was indeed fast and only cost RM4.90 + RM1 at the grand saga highway.
On the way back took the Seremban highway, that took longer due to heavy traffic and cost RM7.20.
After that went to Mydin to return the gift item my aunt asked me to buy on Saturday, which she decided she didn't want. Then say there was special promo for Sharp iron at rm29.90 [original price rm49.90], so got that as well. Since my past customer had damaged my iron, bought it for my next holiday apartment business. Also bought dried fettuccine to cook on Monday at RM3.29.
On the way home, stop to fill up petrol full tank at RM77.
Passed by my favourite char koayteow stall, so decided to tapau that for dinner. Sadly price has now gone up to RM5, even though I ask for no cockles, less bean sprouts..no discount :(
Ask why, the staff say coz have prawn [which I don't event like, and only found 3 prawns when I ate it at home]
==============
Expenses for the day are: RM98.39 {exclude RM29.90 iron as that is business expense)
Total spent to date: RM98.39
Balance to survive in a month on minimum wage: RM801.61
Day 2 of the Living with Minimum Wage in Malaysia Experiment.
Woke up in the morning and just ate leftover food from day before.
Then drove to Seremban to attend JCI Seremban Installation & Award Ceremony. So glad that it was free.
So only had to spend for toll. Tried the new LEKAS highway, it was indeed fast and only cost RM4.90 + RM1 at the grand saga highway.
On the way back took the Seremban highway, that took longer due to heavy traffic and cost RM7.20.
After that went to Mydin to return the gift item my aunt asked me to buy on Saturday, which she decided she didn't want. Then say there was special promo for Sharp iron at rm29.90 [original price rm49.90], so got that as well. Since my past customer had damaged my iron, bought it for my next holiday apartment business. Also bought dried fettuccine to cook on Monday at RM3.29.
On the way home, stop to fill up petrol full tank at RM77.
Passed by my favourite char koayteow stall, so decided to tapau that for dinner. Sadly price has now gone up to RM5, even though I ask for no cockles, less bean sprouts..no discount :(
Ask why, the staff say coz have prawn [which I don't event like, and only found 3 prawns when I ate it at home]
==============
Expenses for the day are: RM98.39 {exclude RM29.90 iron as that is business expense)
Total spent to date: RM98.39
Balance to survive in a month on minimum wage: RM801.61
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