A Little of Everything

I have been absent from the blogosphere for a while, being busy with work as well as… packing up for a move!

Moving house is truly a daunting task. However, I think it can be - psychologically - made less dreadful and easier to perform if we split the single GIANT task into smaller and easy-to-accomplish parts, and spread them out to be completed in several days. Writing down a to-do list is very helpful here.

Anyway, as I was sorting through the books and magazines, trying to decide which to keep and which to discard, I flipped through one of my husband’s magazine and found something interesting about keeping a notebook. (I’m referring to the notebook that has papers in it, where you jot down important appointments or ideas; not the computer-type notebook.)

In essence, it’s about how to choose a notebook and use it effectively.

1. Have ONE and only ONE notebook. While some people tend to have different notebooks allocate for different purposes, it’s best to just have one single notebook to jot down all the information you need. Be it a reminder of your appointment, a plan of your daily tasks, or some bright ideas that struck you while waiting for the bus, have them all in one notebook. This makes information available at the tips of your fingers when you need it (instead of shuffling through different notebooks to search for the information.)

2. Choose one that is convenient to carry around. Notebooks that are larger than an A4-sized paper is rather heavy, and you will tend to leave it behind (who wants to carry a big notebook around?). As a result, the notebook never gets to serve its purpose; the content of your notebook is not updated frequently, and you may miss the opportunity to scribble down the greatest idea that came across your mind! A better choice will be a notebook around the size of an A5 paper. Also, go for a thinner notebook.

3. Choose one that comes with your favorite color or motifs printed on the cover or inside the pages. Even though it is just making some simple notes in the book, you will feel good doing it, and makes you want to use it more often.

4. Any important or interesting idea that you wrote down on pieces of paper of stick-it notes, remember to transfer the information into your notebook as soon as possible, preferably within the day itself. If you delay this for more than 3 days, it is most likely that the idea will be gone forever.

5. Make a check box at the beginning of all the items in your to-do list in your notebook. Mark the check box of the items that you have completed. This makes it neater and easier for you to read and monitor your progress.

6. Create a special idea column on every page of the notebook. This is where you can repeatedly come back (even after 1 year!) to look for creative ideas that came from yourself but have forgotten about it.

I mentioned about switching career earlier. If you are still not sure if it is possible, or how one could go about it, try to get your hands on last month’s issue of Personal Money.

I came across an article in that issue, which I believe will inspire many of those who have had this idea roving in their mind for a long time. Read how:

• A finance associate turned into fashion buyer
• A sales manager became writer
• A sales and promotion personnel switched path to become photographer
• A chemical engineer - this is the best one - converted his profession to tap dancing and destiny consulting!

So, it is not totally unachievable, as you can see from the examples. As long as you define clearly what your dream career is, find out more about it, gain the necessary experience, and, finally, take action to grab that dream job when the opportunity presents itself!

Is the fuel price hike and economy slow down hampering your traveling plans? Well, if you really think you deserve a holiday, locally or an oversea one, then you shouldn’t give up treating yourself good.

Be a smart traveler - look at cost-cutting traveling options rather than the usual traveling mode.

• Take some time to search online for the best air fare or accommodation deals. Book your air tickets in advance during special promotions or travel fair. That can sometimes save up to 50% from the usual travel fare.

• Choose pedestrian-friendly traveling destinations, where public transport is easily accessible, or where attractions are located within walking distance.

• Forget about major chain hotels like Hilton, and go for smaller budget hotels. That definitely will save you a huge amount of cash.

• Go to destinations where our currency stretches. For us in Malaysia, we will still find that visiting places like Bali, Bangkok and Angkor Wat very much affordable choices.

• If you are traveling with your family and with kids around, why not pay for an apartment that comes with a kitchen? Enjoy the fun of cooking while save huge amount of money by buying food from local stores or supermarkets. This will prevent you from using up your cash fast and constantly puling out your credit card at diners.

• If an oversea holiday is totally out of your budget, well, make it a Visit Malaysia Year for you. Visit attractions closer to home and that you have not been before. After all, holiday is not all about shopping or sight seeing. Taking some time off for yourself to regain a peace of mind is something worth doing, too.