Towards a more frugal 2010

I have not been very good at saving money this year, 2009. My husband complains that my favourite word is "BUY!" :P Perhaps I should change it to "SAVE!" next year, 2010, which is just around the corner.

In order to change my "favourite word" to "SAVE!" I am listing down all the things I need to do and how I need to change my mindset to a more Frugal state of mind. I don't really do New Year Resolutions, I prefer to fix resolutions all year round. However, since New Year is just around the corner, maybe this could qualify as a New Year Resolution.

Here's what I hope to do:

1. - Eat in more and eat out less. Eating out is so expensive. When eating out, choose what I eat carefully. It could really matter to my waistline as well as my purse! For example, I will drink mineral water instead because drinks are very expensive when eating at a restaurant


2. - Go through my finances regularly. Check my bank statements against receipts to make sure there is no fraud. Know my bank balances


3. - Use coupons and negotiate, negotiate, negotiate when I buy anything. For example, try to negotiate for better terms or extras when purchasing. Time my purchases during sales periods for a better bargain. Oh, there I go again. I just used my "favourite word" "BUY!" :P I shall learn to BUY smart next year


4. - Buy only things I need. Make a shopping list when I go shopping and stick to it!


5. - Review my insurance policy which just expired. I found that insurance is a good form of "forced savings" for me since I am not very good at saving. I also heard that you can save on auto insurance


6. - Use my credit card carefully and make up to date payments. Try to save from paying credit interests


7. - Buy less toys for the kids. Teach the kids to save too. Teach them about the importance of money and the importance of saving. I think that in any household, savings start with mom. So I shall start with me but I shall teach the kids too in the process


8. - Spend less during the holidays. I must learn to budget during holidays. That will really help me to save. The year end holidays is almost over and I can see how much I've spent! I could have saved more if I had been more careful about my budget. Hmm... Anyway, we have Chinese New Year just round the corner. It is time to budget for that since we've spent so much during the Christmas holidays

I've been long winded as usual. To sum it up, in 2010, I hope to Save More and Spend Less. I really hope to keep my resolution. What about you?

What type of mom are you?

Its funny how many types of moms we have these days. In the old days, we have just mothers.

Now, we have FTWM (that translates to Full Time Working Mom in case you didn't know). Then we have SAHM (Stay At Home Moms. Its just a nicer way to call a housewife) and we have the in betweens which is the WAHM (the Work At Home Mom).

So, what type of mom are you?

I am a SAHM... but I really would like to be a CCHM (Calm Cool Hip Mom) or a RREM (Really Relaxed Easy-Going Mom). I don't think there's any RREM moms out there. Its also almost impossible to be a CCHM.

Most of the time I am a CSWM (Cannot Stop Worrying Mom) I'm also good at being a GNIM (Grumpy Naggy Impatient Mom). I strive to be a LCGM (Loving Caring Giving Mom). I hope I can be an EFRM (Enthusiastic Fun Resourceful Mom) . However, quite often I find that I am an IRDM (Irritable Rushed Demanding Mom). I am also the AFDM (Absent-minded Forgetful Disorganised Mom) though I would really like to be the SDIM (Smart Dependable Interesting Mom).

Hmmm..... I guess at the end of the day, I am just a MOM. The title is not important.

Like all mothers, all I want is the best for my children and in striving for the best for my children, I hope that I can find the best in me and give the best of myself.

What have you done for yourself lately?

Mothers, what have you done for yourself lately?

Mothers have a very important role in the family. They can't break down! Not even when they are sick. They still need to go on. Nurturing, Teaching, Loving and doing all those other ordinary everyday stuff like feeding, bathing, etc or those not so everyday stuff like cleaning up poo and vomit etc.

No, mothers cannot afford to fall sick.

However, in order to look after others, you must look after yourself first. You must take care of your health, your physical as well as mental well being. You just have to. You have to take care of yourself so that you don't feel the pressures of just being a mother.

What have you done for yourself lately? I'm afraid I haven't done anything much for myself lately. I haven't bought anything for myself, spent time just for myself doing things I like etc. When this happens, I sometimes reach "breaking point" and want to yell out to everyone ie the spouse and the kids "Everyone! Give me a break!"

So, before I do that, I better give myself a break first. :) Lets see... what shall I do.... Hmmm..... hmm..... I'm so used to doing things for others that I've forgotten how to give myself a little treat every now and then. It feels so strange to be doing things for myself. Boy oh boy. I really do need a break. lol.

Pssstt... these days with the kids in school, I have got my mornings back to blog and play the piano and just enjoy my own company without interruption or distraction. I guess thats also part of doing things for myself yah.

Helicopter Mom

Sometimes I wonder if I am a "helicopter mom". This is a term used for describing a mom who "hovers" around their children all the time, helping them with this and that, always being there.

Of course I do want to be there for my kids most of the time. However, too much of a good thing sometimes isn't really such a good thing.

I think that by virtue of me being home most of the time. It really isn't easy not being a helicopter mom. I can't help it.

However, I must remember that I must not be there all the time, waiting to catch them when they fall, wiping off their every spill, etc as this is not good for them.

Sometimes you have to fall in order to learn how to get up on your own. Sometimes you have to make mistakes in order to learn how to resolve your own problems. That's life. You can't go around being spoon fed all your life. Spoon feeding is only for 6 month old babies.... and err... some stubborn 6 year olds. Oops! So says the Helicopter Mom who is trying her best not to be a Helicopter Mom.

32 Winners for the Sweet Family Moments Photo Contest organised by Alliance Bank You:nique Credit Card

On May 27, 2009 I posted details about the Alliance Bank You:nique Credit Card "Sweet Family Moments" photo contest. It’s very exciting to find out that two winners tied for the grand prize.

Altogether 32 lucky winners walked away with exciting prizes. I love collecting mommy and baby photos because this is the very theme of my blog. So I’m going to post a couple of them here to liven up my blog. Here are my favourite mommy and baby pictures…..

A Precious Mummy and Baby Bonding Moment. I wish I had a picture like that.

A smile showing off baby's new teeth. It makes me want to smile too!

Baby in Birthday Suit! He looks so comfy on the bed!

Don't you think they all look fabulous? I think they're lovely. Beautiful family moments captured in that one moment of time.

For contest lovers, do take note that Alliance Bank You:nique Credit Card is organising another contest soon. This time it is a wedding theme. It is called the ‘Perfect Picture Love’ Photo Contest.The Grand prize is a Rm10,000 travel voucher. 2ND prize is RM 3,000 cash reward credited into your You:nique card and 3rd prize is RM 2,000 cash reward credited into You:nique card.

Here's how to participate in 3 easy steps.

1. Apply for an Alliance Bank You:nique credit card
2. Log on to https://younique.alliancebank.com.my/ to upload your favourite wedding snapshot as your design theme
3. Fill up your personal details online

That's it! Every approved You:nique credit card application is registered as one entry. You can check out You:nique Picture Card on Facebook for some ideas for your design.

Did you know that the You:nique Credit Card not only allows you to design your own card, you also get to customize your own terms too. This includes Cash rebates up to 2 % for all retail purchases or a Flat finance charge of ONLY 9% p.a. or 2x reward points for ALL local & oversea purchases.