Money crunch - Making Every Ringgit Count - Part 1

"Our moral economy went bankrupt long before our financial one..." ~ Steve Maraboli

In the name of Allah s.w.t., the Benevolent, the Most Merciful.

Hello readers.

This a reader requested post. A reader was asking me how I made the best value out of every ringgit I spend due to the ringgit crunch this year. She has been requesting for this post since June, and I am so sorry it took me so long to write this post up.

Anyway, this post is about how I get most value out of my ringgit personally. This is not a budgeting post, but more of like, you are spending anyway, so why not choose places where you can get perks out of what you are ordinarily spending anyways right? Something like that.

Okay so here goes.

1. Petrol pump cards

This is a must for me. Oil is something we must always buy anyway. So we might as well frequent petrol stations that give us perks for filing up our tanks there. 

Petronas :- Get the Mesra card, redeem the points for exciting stuff, even fuel.

Shell : - Shell uses the bonuslink card, which I just totally love! It offers tons of goods that you can redeem. And Shell has ongoing promotions at every station in respect of products. How do you check what's on offer? You just look out for signs. For instance, right now there is an offer to buy 2 bottles of any Seasons Tea beverage for RM4.00 only. 

BHP :- You collect points and redeem them with items from the petrol pump shop as well.

I have yet to have the Caltex or Petron pump cards, so if anyone can share the perks of having these cards in this post as well, that will be great. Sharing is caring.

2. Apps 

  

I have a few apps on my phone which I love that ultimately gives me a bang for my buck (*if you know what I mean* wink wink).

Manis - This app is awesome. What you do is simply this. Simply buy stuff that you would normally buy anyway. Keep the receipt. Check in the app on whether the shop you spent money at is listed. Click on the shop. Snap a photo of the receipt, and sit  back while the money you spent are converted into Manis points!

See, those are my manis points. The points can be redeemed in a variety of ways which includes even Zalora vouchers. Major value for money you will normally spend anyway! Yeay! The app is available on both the Apple store and Google Playstore

Nando's App - Airiel loves Nando's and I make a point of having a mother son lunch date with him every weekend here. Nando's have come up with an app where you get perks for every meal you buy. Just flash the app where your membership number is shown to get the points.

See, this is my membership page. I am already entitled to a quarter chicken! weheeee. I get free chickens by buying chickens which I would normally buy anyway yeay! The app is available for both the Apple store and Google Playstore.

CIMB Deals - Who has a CIMB account? If you guys do then go download the CIMB deals app. It offers a variety of discounts on selected stores and also vouchers for stuff (kind of like groupon but cheaper).

Currently there are rebates if you shop in Isetan and Melium outlet discounts as well. The app is available on both the Apple store and Google Playstore

RHB Lifestyle - This is by far my most favourite app by any bank I am a customer in. Not only does it have privileges where you get discounts at chosen places, there is also a coupon section where you can get deals for as cheap as RM1.00 (no joke). Check up on the app frequently because the 1 ringgit deals sell out quick. Just choose the coupon you want to buy and it will be deducted from your RHB account/card automatically,

The app is available both on the Apple store and Google Playstore

MOLTI - This app is pretty new and is only limited to 2 malls at the moment. The app will list malls participating and the retailers in on it as well.

The deal going on at Citta Mall at the moment is so beneficial to me. I go there everyday to buy my daily coffee fix and for Molti members, Dr. Cafe gives a 13% discount on all purchases from the store. Value for what I buy daily, yeay! The app is available on both the Apple store and Google Playstore

Smart Shopper - This is app is awesome because it makes a comparison for the prices of goods and showcases where you can find the lowest price for a particular product you intend on buying.

You can also contribute to the smart shopper community by putting in the price of a particular product and where you bought it.

This can eventually help you plan your shopping trip. You can head out to the location where you can find the best price of stuff.  The app is available on both the Apple store and Google Playstore

MyKad Smart Shopper - I did not know this app until recently. Apparently you get discounts and points at participating outlets just by flashing your IC.

Enable your location services to find places that participate. Flash your IC when you are there. Get offers like for instance, this Qnails & Waxing salon offers 5% discounts on treatments. And on top of your discount you get points for every ringgit you spend. The points can be redeemed for products offered by Mykad Smart Shopper. Register as a member here.The app is also available on both the Apple store and Google Playstore.

Alright readers/friends, this is the end of Part 1. Will continue on other exciting ways in which we can get more value for every ringgit spent.

If you guys are aware of any other applications in addition to the above, please let me know so I can share it for the benefit of everyone.

Much love from Airiel and I.

Peace and love to everyone.

Fabric Addict

"No medicine cures what happiness cannot" ~ Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Hello readers,

My besties would know that I am crazy about fabric. It is an obsession I inherited from Nenda hahaha.

These are the recent fabrics I sent to my tailor, to her apparent swooning headache on the design for them all. 

I decided to either do baju kurung biasa for work or baju kurung pahang on some of the designs. What I find though is that its hard for you to find a tailor that can do baju kurung moden these days.

My ready made kurungs and stuff I buy from SACC, Jeddan usually.

These days, I buy nothing unless it has the 'Airiel' seal of approval. Yes, Airiel decides what I buy, and he even picks out what I wear to go to work hari hari. Its so much fun!!

Alright readers.

Later.

Much love from me and Airiel!!

Raya Shopping 2013

"When things break, it's not the actual breaking that prevents them from getting back together again.It's because a little piece gets lost - the two remaining ends couldn't fit together even if they wanted to. The whole shape has changed" - John Green 

Hi All,

How are things nearing raya?

Raya is going to be tough for me this year. I am creating a new tradition for myself. Staying in KL and visiting Akif every year before I go anywhere else.

I must, if not I will miss him for the rest of the raya holidays. It just feels so morbid but I need to suck it up.

Anyways, I just bought something for myself for raya.

I figured with all the crap I have gone through, some retail therapy was in order. I have also figured that I really need a cabinet for all my bags now.

I love my bags, looking at them makes me happy. Does that make sense? Hehe.

Later readers. A lot of work awaits.

Welcome to the family!

"The worst type of crying wasn't the kind everyone could see - the wailing on street corners, 

the tearing at clothes. No, the worst kind happened when your soul wept and no matter what you did, 

there was no way to comfort it. A section withered and became a scar on  the part of your soul that survived" ~ Katie McGarry

Hello everyone.

It's Friday!

Huhu, just want to welcome some new members of my familia.

Meet Addie everyone...

This is Bella...

Have a good weekend...

Just Nuts About Jeans - Part 5

Hello Readers,

It's Monday I know.

So many things change in 1 day. For instance yesterday, feedly's own feeder cloud was up and running for the first time! And so goodbye google reader. All good things must come to an end I suppose.

Now, let's get back to my jeans obsession that has only grown over the years.

My Rock and Republic Jeans and Luxe Jeans

These cost a bomb!

But they are so comfy and make my legs look skinny so what the heck! (boleh?) haha

Have a good week ahead now

Bag Obsession 2013 - Part 1

Hello all,

Just to share with you guys on the bag craze I have had in 2013 so far.

 Idylle Speedy 30. I usually hate the LV pattern bag thing. But I find this one quite pretty. Am planning to get the one in Fusain colour as well. That is pretty.

 This beautiful Celine Trapeze

This pretty Mulberry Bayswater in this hard to find colour

My longchamps from Italy!

Fuhh okay. Maybe I need to stop buying bags for a while. 

Alright, have a good rest of the week readers!

Just Nuts About Jeans - Part 4

Honestly, I can't remember how many parts of my jeans post la already.

It is a Friday and Airiel is off to Mars for GE13 and mama is stuck here in KL for a wedding and a bestie's engagement.

How I am going to miss my little man!

Anyways, back to my jeans obsession.

I bought myself these pair of jeans.

They are from James cured by Seun. So comfy!!!

Ok, work awaits. Tata!

Gotta Love em Bags!

“The only obsession everyone wants: 'love.' People think that in falling in love they make themselves whole? The Platonic union of souls? I think otherwise. I think you're whole before you begin. And the love fractures you. You're whole, and then you're cracked open. ” ― Philip Roth

I am blogging from the office!

Wahaha, I am back and man, I have to admit that its good to be back after 4 and a half months away from the office.

I have been very very naughty and bought me some bags.

And that is not the end of it yet.

Nenda is going to Italy. And I cannot pass up the chance to ask her to buy a ton of Longchamp bags for me. Despite my love for all these different type of bags, I usually end up using my beloved Longchamp. Spacious, durable and light.

Huhu. Alright everyone, work awaits!

This is happiness

Bag Dillemma

Work is crazy this week for both me and Aries.

I have opinions, submissions for the mega appeal from the mega trial, submissions for other appeals, hearings on Thursday and Friday and I'm just getting started...

Aries ada hearing hari-hari, although he still has time to play golf lepastu...shesshhhh. Bz bos and kuli lain skitlah kan. Me being the kuli and Aries as his own boss (jelesnye).

So blogging is absolutely necessary to retain my sanity.

Ok, have you guys seen the Airasia 10 cents deal? Hehe, am definitely gonna get some tickets. Where to? Not sure yet, have to get instructions from Aries. But London is like RM550 jer! Wah Wah, am so excited.

Now, my Mia (purple handbag) is in such bad shape. The stitching for the zipper has come slightly undone, berbulu plak kat tempat stitching tu. I know I put a lot of stress on my Mia because I put absolutely everything in there and I take it everywhere, I hate switching handbags and I use mine until rosak before I buy another one and I am not the collecting type.

So, in light of the current status of my Mia, I am now officially looking for another bag. Thinking of Kate Spade this time around. The bags are just so super cute!

Aren't these just divinely cute? Look at the polka dotty insides! Hehehe. I found a Cole Haan bag which I quite liked as well

Love the light shade of pink! Ohh, what a way to make the heart flutter! and the weave is just so cute!!

As the prices are reasonable, should I just buy all three? (I can imagine mata Aries yg terjojol bila baca statement ni - sabar ye suami?). But that would be contrary to my statement above that I am NOT a collector of bags hahaha. So maybe not (Well, isn't someone relieved betul tak? heheh).

Dear heart, please stop beating so fast hehe. hummnnn...decisions decisions...what shall it be friends?

Want to help me decide? Drop me a line because I am confused!!

Hehe

Going soy...inter alia

This weekend was a profound one on me...

I have managed to talk to Aries about some issues between us and I feel so relieved.

He was trying to pujuk me by taking me to Bora Asmara on Saturday night..but the place was booked for a wedding. We ended up at Tony Roma's in the Curve instead..

Kickin Shrimp

The starter was the only thing we liked, my lamb chops lacked seasoning and hubs said he did not like his ribs and that his side dishes were overcooked...it was a disappointment. I took pics tapi mcm dah takde dlm fon, maybe Airiel dah padam.

On Sunday, we went to Mid Valley to buy my anniversary pressie. Bought my SKII toner and was scouting around for a blazer but could not find one I liked. Went to buy the pressie!! hehe..hope it will be ready before anniversary date. Anyways...

Bought Airiel his first.....

Golf Set hehe!!!!

Ohh, in Mid Valley and Gardens, we ate at Belanga I think..

Aries' nasi kerabu daging 

Me nasi kerabu ayam 

My soya grass jelly and Aries' bloody goody (yes, that was the name of the drink)

There was a snack 'keropok lekor black pepper' which sedap gile tapi takde gamber sebab habis makan dulu. Keh keh. Prices for the food was not really cheap though... 

I have decided that from now on, all coffee I buy, I would substitute milk with soy milk. harap takkan  menggemukkan la kan...hence the title of this post. 

Ohh, I am also in love with the smell of Calvin Klein's new fragrance, "Beauty". Despite the fact dah byk sgt perfume sampai tak terpakai-pakai...

Ish..esok nak puasa sunat...jom!!!

My weekend

It's been a while since there was a proper update on my weekend activities, food and all..

Will try do that today..

On Saturday, Aries wanted to have brunch at my workplace.. we were on our way to Oxford's to get his court shirts.

So I took him to Pink Sage Diner..I always go here for tea with a colleague at the office.

We were hungry so terlupa amik gambar ..bila halfway nak abes baru ingat..

 My 'greasy' breakfast and peach coke

Aries' fried chicken

I like the food there, tapi being at Solaris Dutamas, everything seems a bit overpriced lah..

Aries tetibe nak beli tiket kapalterbang to go balik Kelantan this Deepavali weekend (just when I thought I wanted a time out and just relax tp... takpelah) so that concluded the Saturday..

On Sunday I wanted to go survey nak beli kasut court. After watching the Takers movie (Note: Solid cast, plenty of action but a weak storyline) I could not find my shoes still, so teman Aries pergi tengok watch .. last-last we bought this..

Aries' new toy

Takde nasibla nak beli kasut mcmni..Sheesh..

Food escapades this weekend

I am eating too much these days...my muka tembam is a testament to that.

Tgh cuba untuk exercise la ni...Ish..bukan ke kalau mengejar Airiel ke sana ke mari tu pon dah satu exercise yg ok?

Anyways... escapade began on Saturday...after taking Airiel to the zoo (pics will be put up later in FB), we dropped off Airiel for some Aries and Iza time (I think this is absolutely necessary in a marriage, especially one like ours). Aries wanted to watch Salt but I was not actually in the moodlah... so we went and accompanied Aries to KLCC as he wanted to buy something.. we had lunch first though..at this Thai restaurant... forgot the name. Anyways..pics below:-

Aries anxious for food...seriously lapar ok?

My favourite chicken feet kerabu..yummy!!

Scallop and asparagus with garlic and oyster sauce..

Black bean beef

The tomyam and its big ass prawn...

the carnage... *evil grin*

Ohh yeah..this is what Aries bought

His Fred Perry shirt..at 400 bucks a pop, I thought it was a tad bit overpriced..and so I sulked because I did not buy anything..

But wait...to make me smile..Aries got me these

My CD compact powder and lippie!!!

Happie!!! Updates on what I ate on Sunday later k? 

How could I be so enthusiastic about food? Makan crazy lah me nie.. Ish

2 1/2 days

Aries was here until Monday afternoon!

Hence the 21/2 days referred to here...

Hehe..

Last Friday Aries arrived really late...and Airiel refused to sleep..He slept around 2 am I think..waiting for his Abah to come home..

Anyways on Saturday we went shopping at Pavillion where Aries bought a belt and wallet..Habis duit byk kat situ..Fuhhh, tapi consider that the belt and wallet he used dah rosak and he has been using the same one yang dia dpt utk hantaran 3 years back, it's time to beli yang baru..

Kitorang mcm makan dekat this Indian restaurant (forgot the name).. it was ok

Aries had the set, which he finished

I had the nasi goreng set

The chicken tikka which was soft and tender

Aries' mango lassi. 

That night, I had a sushi craving so we went to Sakae Sushi in Subang Parade for dinner..(thanks Aries coz I know you are not a sushi fan) No pics though. Lo and behold, after the sushi session, Aries was still hungry...so we went to Nando's plak.

    

Look at him hungrily devouring the chicken..Grrr

This post has been a bloody tough one on me..The pics won't load for some reason at the office. Ngoks..

Anyways..

On Sunday I had to attend a client's AGM (work on Sunday morning!!) Hehe..but I am ok with it. Anyways, after the AGM finished, I went to Subang Parade (yet again!, Yes I know) to but my full SKII set, which I will blog about later this week.

Aries bought himself a perfume, the Armani Code Summer Edition which smelled lovely! 

And we spent the rest of the Sunday at home with Airiel...

Monday morning we took Airiel for a medical checkup, which I will blog about later as well...

Thanks Aries, teman pergi checkup anak..hope you won't get into trouble sebab cuti with your 'you know what kind of' boss. 

P.S: - Urggh..pembaca blog di &^%* yang share ofis dgn ^*%*) tak payahla nak kecoh pasal content blog ni...terasa macam selebriti plak ..ecehhh..