How To Make PTPTN Study Loan Repayment

I still have a few more years to go before I settle my PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Tinggi Pendidikan Nasional) study loan. I can choose to settle the study loan with one lump sum payment. But, given the option to repay the study loan on monthly basis with low interest rate, it is best to pay according to the agreed schedule.

I remember when I first made the repayment to PTPTN few years back, it was difficult as not many repayment options available. The easiest way for me was to open a current account with a local bank and issue the cheque and post to PTPTN on monthly basis. But, later I found that there are other payment option available such as through online payment, which is much more easier, convenient and save a lot of time and money. Now, you can make online PTPTN repayment through most local banks. The charges for online payment is RM1 for each transaction. Other than through ebanking, you can also made the repayment by using bank draft, money order or payment through PTPTN service counter and selected local bank counter.

For the complete list of payment option, you can refer to PTPTN website.

Hair Saloon - The Place Where I Spent My Money

I am not a shopaholic. I dont buy a lot of expensive and branded shoes, bags and other stuff. But, I notice that I hardly control my spending when I went to hair saloon. There is always a way for the hair salloon staff to persuade me to spend my $$$ away. If they failed to persuade me for an expensive hair treatment, they will share with me the benefits of their products. For the past few years, I had bought several expensive hair treatment cream, hair loss tonic, scalp care cream and some styling products. But, to be honest, I hardly use them. So, for my recent trip to hair saloon, I purchased hair shampoo at bargain (buy 2, get 1 free) at RM80. At least, I can use the shampoo everyday. Afterall, I still need to buy shampoo over the counter.

I decided to be more countious on spending for unneccessaries products and items. I decided to only buy the products when I need them. Not because the promoter advise me to buy from them. Wish me luck!

My Pre-Wedding Photography Session @ Mushroom King Bridal Studio, Kuching

I had been doing some survey around Kuching city before deciding for our prewedding photography session. And finally we choose Mushroom King Bridal Studio. Partially because my younger brother and sister in law had their prewedding photography session taken at Mushroom King Bridal Studio 3 years ago. When I first visited the bridal studio, the boss, Eric Chen and his wife who is also his business partner were very friendly. There is a kind of warm feeling when I first sat down and discussed about the pre wedding photography package with them.

The other reason why I choose Mushroom King Bridal Studio is because the package is within our budget and very flexible. Dave and me do not wish to spend more than RM3K for our pre wedding photography, but at the same time we hope to have a wonderful and fastastic pre wedding photos for our memory. Before we decided for Mushroom King Bridal Studio, we have

heard of many stories of other bridal studios who had hidden charges for their pre wedding photography session. We also heard of stories where the photographer scolded the bride and the groom for not being able to pose as instructed by the photographer. One of Dave's friend spent almost RM10K for his pre wedding and actual day wedding photography session. That's quite a lot of money right?

During the pre wedding photo shooting, Eric and his wife had been really friendly and professional. At the beginning, Dave and me not really feeling comfortable and natural as we had never had any profesional photography session before. But, as the session goes on, we find ourselves becoming more comfortable and relax. We also had fun along the photography session. Our photography session took about 9 hours. A big portion of the time spent on make up and hair-do for the bride.

Dave and me were quite worried on the quality of the photos as we both not a superstar. But, when we had a first screening of the photos after 2 days, we're impressed by the quality of the photos. We had a hard time to select the photos because we wish to have all the photos (of course we can have it, but we need to add extra money). After several visits and several screenings, we selected the choosen 21 photos for our photo album and we bought back a portion of the softcopies.

Here I would like to share some of the slideshow from our pre wedding photography taken by Eric Chen from Mushroom King Bridal Studio.

If you are looking for a profesionally taken photos (pre wedding photography, actual wedding day photography, birthday, special occasions, passport size photo, business purposes and any other professional photography session) you can always look for Mushroom King Bridal Studio. Their contact is 082-415527.

Oh! Dave and me met a few of our friends and relatives when we're at Mushroom King Bridal Studio (different visits). When we flipped through the sample of wedding album, we saw some of our friends and relatives as well. Most of their customers came from words of mouth. No wonder they do not need to do any advertisement.

Wish you have a wonderful and beautiful pre wedding photography session.

Physical Gold Price In Kuching

Since the past few months, I had been following my family members to do some physical gold shopping in Kuching, as gifts and accessories for my wedding. We had been to a few locations. For most gold shops, the published gold price is about RM125 per gram for 916 yellow gold (between June 2009 to Sept 2009). But, the shop owners always willing to give a certain discount if you asked for it. The lowest I got is RM116 per gram.

When purchasing for physical gold, make sure you not only look at the price per gram but also the quality of the gold and the labour charge. Try to look for shops referred by others to ensure that the gold is with original quality. For labour charge, some shops published their gold price quite low, but will charge the labour charge quite expensive. So, it's wise to do some survey before deciding on your final purchase.

Note: One of the famous place for gold shopping in Kuching is the street near the Main Post Office and the few gold shops in front of Waterfront. There are also other gold shops in Satok, India Street and some shopping complex.

Do You 'Invest' In 4D?

Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday evening, there will be crowds of people at 4D outlets. And I noticed, on Monday, Thursday and Sunday morning, the first page most readers landed on is the 4D result page. Always heard they say 'kena makan' (been eaten) but still they will try again and again.

I myself bought a few times 4D, but so far only strike once, consolation price. Not enough to cover my small investment.

I think many invest in 4D even though they know it is very slim chance to get a strike because:

1) small investment but huge return - Just slightly more than RM1 for a bet and one could win thousands of ringgit;

2) consider as long term investment - They believe that, one day they will win back their investment

3) wish to become a millionaire overnight - Although the chances are very slim, but there are real cases every week where one turned into a millionaire overnight because of 4D

Also, when one started to buy 4D, he/she always cannot stop from investing because he/she worried that their numbers might strike the first price the next morning. I have heard people said they they'll get heart attack if they stop investing in 4D and their number appear as first price.

Do you invest in 4D? Or what is your opinion in 4D investing?

How Much Do You Usually Maintain In Your Saving Account?

My father opened my first saving account when I was 13 years old. That was because I was studying at boarding school and we needed the account so he can place my pocket money in the account. When I need some pocket money, I just withdraw it from the bank. Back then, I don't have an ATM card. I need to queue up to get my withdrawal. It's really not convenient for a young student to travel to the town just to get RM50. If I am not mistaken, the most I ever have in that account was about RM200. That was my first saving account.

After I started work, I opened a different saving account. This account is where my monthly salary will be credited at the end of the month and also the account where I transfer the payment to my creditors. So, towards middle of the month, there will be little left in the account. But, after sometime the amount can be more than few months salary. I used to keep the extra cash in my saving account, but recently I started to transfer the extra cash to other accounts, to be specific the accounts which can help me to earn additional cash. It can be either gold saving account, fixed deposit or investment account.

And I only maintain about one month salary saving in my saving account. There are reasons why I minimise my saving in my saving account to about one month salary. Firstly it is to cover for my super emergency use. So, one month salary should be enough. Secondly, the interest is too low. Thirdly, In case I lost my ATM card and someone manage to withdraw the cash from my saving account, the most he can get is the one month salary.

So, how much do you have in your saving accounts?

What Do You Have In Your Wallet Or Purse?

Currently, I have the followings in my red purse:

1) My IC

2) My driving licence

3) 1 ATM card

4) 2 credit cards

5) 4 pieces of RM10 note

6) 1 piece of RM5 note

7) 3 pieces of RM1 note

8) A few coins

9) My ING Insurance medical card

10) My Popular Bookstore member card

11) 2 pieces of my name card

12) 2 small reminder notes

I used to have a lot more things in my purse, but later I decided to keep most of them at home because I don't see the point bringing so many things especially membership cards around. It's only making my purse fatter and heavier.

I know there are several other things that people keep in their wallet or purse:

1) Receipts and some are very old receipts

2) A photo of oneself

3) A photo of loved ones

4) Lucky charms

5) A string of membership cards

6) A small phone book

7) A small note consist of bible verse

8) Name cards of somone important

9) 4D tickets

Anything else that you have in your wallet? Or anything else that you know other people keep in their wallet or purse? Do share with me.