Antiques & Furniture Restoration

YOU SAY PARK MALL, I SAY HOCK SIONG

Thank God The Couch Cushion Was Saved By Our Reupholstery Uncle

Lying on my "new" reupholstered faux leather couch, I cannot help but thank our kind reuphosltery uncle at Perling for meticulously restoring the damaged fabric cushions which Cat and I had managed to ravaged through the years - it with the claws and I with the grease and sweat from my reclining head.

Cat & I Were Anabolical To The Poor Couch

I know, looking at the before photo above, many would have believed I either have anger or hygience issues.  But truth be told that fabric furniture and I just do not go - so I promised my partner I would personally lug those damaged cushions (and the good ones too) to our upholstery genious at Perling to have them rejuvenated.  It cost me just MR60 per cushion and voila - we have a new couch nesting in our family room, and all it took was the hassle of transporting the cushions, some patience as the old uncle works at his own pace, and whole lot of love for the old and not throwing them out.

Speaking of not throwing old stuff out, I see a emergence of pre-loved items on sale in Singapore since a few years back.  My go-to for such pre-owned, second-hand, antiques - please use whichever nonmenclature you prefer for these beautiful classics - is none other than Hock Siong in Singapore.  My family home in Singapore has so many of Hock Siong furniture and decorations that whenever we meet the owners of Hock Siong, I joked about my home being a Hock Siong showroom. 



 

The sprawling Hock Siong store is run by the affable patriach and matriach of the family who keep their hardworking staff happily busy with container loads of furniture and other  furnishings from hotels, embassies and property showrooms who need to dispose of these perfectly fine assets due to renovations, relocation or cease of business.

The owners' daughter also helms the marketing of their blooming business, introducing social media marketing into the promotional mix, whose effectiveness can be substantiated by the fact that each time we get alerted on some nice new arrivals, they are more likely already sold than not by the time you head down to the store on the weekends.  So my shopping strategy at Hock Siong is to visit it quite regularly - they have new arrivals almost weekly - and then either reserve or purchase the items on the spot before they are taken.

Contemporary or Classic, Hock Siong Has Them All

Restorations Like The Above Chairs Are Great Conversation Pieces!

We have bought dining chairs, cabinets, garden furniture, and even hotel chandeliers of high quality at Hock Siong.  And we have spent countless hours sanding the furniture down, restain or repaint them, and painstakingly transporting them for reupholstery.  But it was all well worth it.  Not only do your furnishing pieces become custom one of a kind furniture, they are great conversation topics.  And the best thing is you do not need to spend an arm and a leg for high quality furnishings.  For example, a dining chair averages S$55 a piece, coffee tables at S$150, nice Victorian frame art for as low as S$20 to S$40.  For the lazy bone in some of us, I believe Hock Siong does some of the furniture restoration themselves - perhaps ask your friendly salesperson whether they can coat the wood furniture in your preferred color or just give it a new varnish and voila you do not even have to lift a finger.

As for my family and I, we take the restoration of the furniture from Hock Siong in our stride.  One day it may be the whole family settling down at the outside pation sanding the wood, another day it wouod be giving the furniture a fresh coat of varnish or paint.  Rest-assured your children would enjoy the process - they may lament about being away from social media for so many hours - at the end of the day, they learn a new skill and the parents get their quality time with them.  Happy Jalan Jalan at Hock Siong!

HOCK SIONG

153 Kampong Ampat #01-03 Junjie Industrial Building Singapore

Tel: +65 6281 8338 Opens Daily 9:30am - 5:30pm

UNCLE LUM REUPHOLSTERY

Sing Heng Cushion Center 127 Jalan Rawa, Taman Perling, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Tel: +6016 798 5096

Singapore Johor Merger?

A DREAM MERGER INTO "GREATER SINGAPORE"

I Dreamed Of A Johorpura or A Singahor

I have to admit, years ago before I even considered Johor Bahru my home, I knew very little of the city and the state, let alone its state leadership - namely the Johor Royal family.  After we moved to Johor many years ago, I began to take interest in the goingson locally, as an Asing (foreigner) needed to know at least what was going on on the ground, lest I acted or sounded like an ignorant Asing.  Of late,  the Royals of Johor are making news every now and then, and it is with interest that I follow the development due to my respect for the current King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.  I say this only because every time he says something in the news, I find myself reading and nodding my head in acquiescence, thinking "Now that's a wise ruler who wants the best for his rakyats (ordinary folks)!".  For those who have been following my postings, I had recently even wrote an open post thanking the Sultan for highlighting the horrendous causeway jams that impacts both the rakyats here in Johor Bahru and in Singapore.



Tunku Ismail
Straits Times Photo

Something in the news today set my mind on a wild muse chase - meaning my musing went so wild I had to chase my thoughts back to reality.  When I was reading an article in which the Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail was quoted saying that the Johor Royals are not rebellious, but simply want the best for their people.  Again I found my head nodding acquiescingly  in support.  The article pointed out the circumstances which may have encouraged the wrong perception of the Johor Royals as a cantankerous bunch, not collegial enough for the KL administration.  The gist of some of the contentious issues included: 

• Weighing in on current saga of leadership corruption 
• Asking rakyats not to ape their Arab brothers and sisters, instead to embrace their own Malay heritage
• Mooting the establishment of Bank of Johor to help finance loans for rakyats
• Highlighting the issue of secession of Johor state if the government does not keep their end of the bargain on which Johor joined the Malay Federation

The last point above was what set my imagination wild!  What if there were really a possibility of Johor seceding from the Federation in the future? Base on my own deduction, the stage is already set in three scenarios for an act of secession to possibly play out:

Singapore PM Lee & Johor Sultan
Mfa.gov.sg Photo

1. MODERATE ISLAM - From what I deduce, the Johor Royals are more moderate in the interpretation of the Islam religion than some quarters in Malaysia.  This is  why I respect the Sultan of Johor and his thought processes.  It is also one of the main reasons why I feel secure enough to move my family to the State of Johor where extreme form of Islam is neither practised nor encouraged.  So what if one day the extreme form of Islam were to take root in the Peninsular?  That's when I hope Johor's right to secession would be invoked.  With secession, would Johor ally and merge with Singapore to form a bigger powerhouse versus the Malayan hinterland?
2. JOHOR MILITARY - From what I know, Johor is the only state that has its very own small army - like the Vatican's Swiss Army - ready to strike and protect lest their territorial rights are violated. This smacks of Singapore's own national insecurity caused by its surrounding neighbors.  So would it not be a good idea for the two entities who have their own military might, to join forces and be a stronger military power against others?  The Sultan and the PAP government are already in good terms (see photo above) - I say an alliance is a shoo in then should push comes to shove!
3. SECESSION RIGHT - For me this is a no brainer. Apparently there is a provision for Johor to secede should the Sultanate's authority over its state administration or religious affairs be contravened.  If a clause such as this were to be included in the Malay Federation agreement, then to me there is a real possibility of the provision being invoked when terms are breached.  Should that happens, my wish is for Singapore and Johor to consider merging - either as a country or an economic powerhouse to spur GDP growth on both sides. 

So there you have it.  My dreamday scenario inspired either by the 36 degree heatwave or the news article that kickstarted my wild imagination.  If the merger does become the final act on our political stage, should we name the final production JOHORPURA or SINGAHOR?  Or perhaps the more sophisticated and meaningful GREATER SINGAPORE as coined by our Sultan of Johor?

I am fine with any name for the merged entity, for the grandeur of the merger in itself already transcends any grand name the new country may be given.  And of course as long as the merger brings benefits to rakyats on both sides.  Just think of the infinite possibilities:

• We will have Royals and an elected Government
• We will be like Turkey? Except we would have a Muslim side of the country and a multi-creed side
• We will not have labor shortage issues as Johoreans will be able to work freely on Singapore side and vice versa
• The Johor Sultan's dream of people working on the Singapore side and then coming home to live and play in Johor will become a reality.  It would be the birth of what the Royal had called "A Greater Singapore" - how visionary is that!
• The merger would be a win-win where Johor could leverage Singapore's strength as a financial hub while the latter can tap into the former's wealth of natural resources
• Johorporeans or Singahorians will be able to own homes more affordably on Johor side while getting passive income from investment properties in Singapore

I am sure there are many many more mutual benefits from a plausible future merger...but immediately I just know for sure that if we do become one, at least we can Jalan Jalan in JB or visit SG, free of human and traffic jams at the current causeway customs...because by then the bridges would have become freeways - no more passport stamping!

Gangland Style BKK SG JB

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO

As a foreigner living in three different foreign countries, I have seen my fair share of cantankerous tourists imposing their recalcitrant ways on the locals - so much so that I feel the urbanite locals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia nowadays are increasingly getting impatient with foreigners - and worse, reciprocating with rudeness too.  The local customs in each of these countries that I have since called home, bear the hallmarks of true hospitality, kindness and warmth, and it disheartens me to see these cultural traits ebbing as the years pass by due to urbanization and internationalization. 

As intruding tourists, we need to adapt as we travel so that we do not bring attention to ourselves, anger the local folks and in turn risk our safety - Read "How I Survive Asia all these years".

THAI ANGER

Respecting The Locals May Be The Best Policy

We have been reading in recent years how in Thailand, some local Thais had taken matters into their own hands when accosted by rude foreigners - be they tourists or expatriates living in their Land of Smiles.  Thailand's age old tourism slogan was indeed a true reflection of the happy Thai people some twenty years ago when I started frequenting Thailand.  When you were there then, one would indubitably be greeted with a Sawadee Ka or Kup from vendors along the streets - and even if you did not end up buying, smiley farewells were de rigueur.  Nowadays, all you get is a cursory glance to see if you are an interested buyer - if not they would just go about their smart phone surfing or texting. 


Click Photo Above To Find Out Why I Avoid Bangkok Taxi

The case of the American expatriate being stabbed to death some years back over his disrespect for his taxi driver and over a mere B51 (S$2 or MR6) taxi fare highlights the stress bestowed upon both locals and foreigners in Thailand as both groups struggle to co-exist and adapt with the country's fast globalization.  This unfortunate societal change has also manifested in Singapore recent years when we see foreigners visiting or living in Singapore getting themselves on the wrong side of the law due to unruly behaviour.

SINGAPOREAN MISBEHAVIOR
Recently a video posted by an irate Malaysian went viral.  The video documented his altercation with a matured Singaporean couple - the latter was filmed being berated for being inconsiderate to park in a handicap lot when they do not have the proper handicap label.  What could have been settled amicably spiralled into a heated argument when the coupled reversed into the Malaysian's motorbike in an effort to drive away.  To make matters even worse, the couple reneged on their promise to donate a sum to charity in lieu of paying damages for the downed bike.  Again, where is the common courtesy which would have circumvented the entire saga if one has observed the right thing to do - especially in a foreign land?  I must say the Malaysian's virtue is commendable, but attitude? Well, they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions!

MALAYSIAN GANGLAND KILLING
Sad news today from Kota Kinabalu when an innocent twin brother was caught in the middle of a gangland style assassination right during the morning rush hour in East Malaysia.  I have always observed that local business owners adopt a very docile and non-confrontational attitude towards doing business in Malaysia.  I have since realized that is because they know bad elements lurk in dark corners of our society, so the more you treat others with respect and integrity, the less trouble is steered your way.  My supposition is that the intended victim - the driver of the car - ran into some business disagreement with the wrong element and was hence  taken out gangland style in broad daylight.  It is very unfortunate another innocent life was taken along during this hineous drive-by killing.

Innocent Twin Killed

Business Owner Killed In His Car While At Traffic Light

So to all tourists in a foreign land - do as the locals do - be respectful and go Jalan Jalan without bringing your high-horse standards of your motherland to others' homeland.  When we steer clear of trouble, trouble tends to steer clear of you.

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ABOUT US

Asing is a local Malay word for a "Foreigner".  I am an Asing in Malaysia. Johor Bahru (JB) who also lives in and commutes between Singapore (SG) and Thailand, Bangkok (BKK) on a regular basis.  My family and I divide our time in various cities of these three lovely countries which we have adopted as our homelands. 

We had lived and worked in the ultra modern metropolis of Singapore for many years - even then we were regular travellers around the Asia Pacific region, and in particular the South East Asia community.  Through these travels, we found ourselves gravitating towards our very own "Golden Triangle" of Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand - which I have detailed in another post on how I managed to do what I do and live a simple life in these beautiful countries. 

After we made the life-changing decision and crossed the still sea north of swanky Singapore into our newly adopted hometown in Malaysia, we quickly realized we could be a huge resource for readers who may relish in doing the same things we find so exciting and refreshing in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  We do travel beyond our "Golden Triangle" and naturally will share every now and then when we do so..  

My current live and blog arrangement was the best decision for me, and I intend to always share useful information from Singapore, Malaysia & Thailand culled from my living experience in these countries  - from properties, travel, automotive repair/maintenance, to home decor & renovation, food & beverage, shopping and basically everything an Asing (Malay for foreigner) has to learn quickly to navigate his adopted home countries.  I blog so that you can enjoy the countries that much more when you next visit.  Happy Jalan Jalan! 

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Rent Rant

HOW MUCH RENT IS ENOUGH?

News today announced the fall in both HDB and private properties rentals.  The harbinger of bad news to the growing number of landlords in Singapore further allowed that year on year, rents of these government-subsidized flats and non-landed private apartments were down over 5% according to flash estimates by SRX Property.

Well guess,  we property owners who depend on rental income to pay our bills and living expenses would just have to tighten our belts and swallow the bitter pill of reality.  This is because authorities are less likely to be on the landlords' side and offer landlords any assistance for they know we are kinda like a "privileged" bunch who "sponges off" tenants' hard earned money and make a tidy profit due to Singapore's generally high rents by global standards.  However we do not have to rant over these doomsday scenarios - for I am dead sure that even with these dips, most rental income still more than covers the mortgage, and then some.

I know of a HDB-owner who is a friend of my ex, she is living the comfortable life jetting to Europe, United States and everywhere to visit friends and her children who are all doing well overseas.  She proudly declared her Yishun flat is fully paid off, and after having renovated her flat where only she have access to the kitchen and living room through her master bedroom, she was able to collect S$1500 by renting out the other rooms legally.  And yet she laments the recent dip in rent - when all the rent is pure passive income.  Just how much rent is enough in our insatiable society?

Yes I would want the government in Singapore to do more to prop up the property market. Why not? The government has conceded that our unemployed forty-something executives would need its help to find jobs FAST to avert a joblessness crisis.  So what about us landlords who are suffering rental income depletion - don't we need some aid too?  Well until that happens, we as property owners should just count our blessings that we have rental/passive income - albeit 5 to 10% less than a couple years ago.  

I used to collect about S$5500 for a unit in town during the hay days of foreign talent influx and booming property market.  I still am happy even though the apartment is now collecting S$4500 - a whopping 18% decrease between now and then. This is because I feel that as long as an apartment is rented, it is passive income in your pocket - even at a lower rental which should ALWAYS more than cover your mortgage.  If it does not, you have overpaid for the property.

"Rental prices for Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and non-landed private properties continued their downward trend in March, led by private apartments in the city fringes. 
Rental prices for private apartments fell by 1 per cent in March compared to the previous month. Year-on-year, rents were down 5.3 per cent, according to flash estimates by SRX Property."

CNA Online

Bing Image of Some Singapore Marina Bay Condos

What is my point here?  My point is go ahead and buy your first HDB or your investment property while prices are languishing - nevermind the low rental market.  This is because a savy investor would know that with Singapore being a small market, when the tide turns, the prices soar pretty quickly and then it may be too late for some to play catch up to buy that dream house or investment property.  So go buy what you can afford now, collect whatever rent you can get (because what comes down must go up eventually), and when the market goes back up, you would be the first one to benefit even more and laughing your way to the bank.

Hope you'll go Jalan Jalan around the island and make that first step - to buy a property - towards financial independence. 

Asing's Other Singapore Property Opinion:

3 Pronged Strategy To Simple Living

To Buy Or Not To Buy?



ReTire Safely

You Can Re-Tire A Flat Yourself

Many a times we have seen motorists stranded along the highway helpless in the scorching sun due to a flat tire.  Our family is no exception, I recalled years back on our way to the Golden Horse resort near Kuala Lumpur, our SUV then had a flat and we were just a few miles of the exit of our destination!

After almost an hour of waiting for service to arrive, we decided to just drive very very slow (which I do not recommend as it may damage your expensive rims or do further damage to your tire) at 10km/h to our destination.  It took us awhile with a great many amused looks from passing motorists.  From there the hotel was able to assist us in calling for tow service to the nearest tire shop.

My Trusty Malaysian Compressor from CYCAR

Since that unfortunate experience, I had bought a small compressor from CYCAR Tech near Gelang Patah's Dunlop tire shop who is probably the product's distributor.  It costs just MR150 and it even comes with a handy bag to keep it neat in your boot of your vehicle.I must say it did come useful over the last years when I had a few  tire flats on the roads of Malaysia from driving over curbs or pot holes. 

It is very simple to use, and even my partner had attempted it once when she was out running errands alone and found one tire low on air after shopping.  With me on the handphone, she was able to top up the air and drive home before I bring the car to the shop.

1.   Just plug in the power source to your in-vehicle power source with the vehicle ignition on.  The vehicle engine does not have to be on.

2.   Without turning on the compressor, screw in the compressor hose tip to the tire stem of the deflated tire.

3.   Turn on the compressor switch and turn off when the desired tire pressure is reached on the compressor gauge.  BE SURE TO CHECK WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE'S SPECIFIC RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE FROM FACTORY.  This can be found on a sticker either on the side of the driver's door or inside cap of the gas refuel compartment.  Many people over pressurized their tires hence causing them to pop.  This is due to the fact that they do not know the recommended pressure and so they go by pressing or kicking the tire to see if the air pressure is sufficient - this is wrong.

4.   Unscrew the compressor hose quickly and screw back the tire stem cap and voila - you are good to go!

You can see below how easy this tire flat fixer upper is:  

HDB Or Condo

To Buy Or Not To Buy?
That Is Not The Question.

The Question Is What To Buy NOW?

I believe the penchant for property investments runs deep in the blood of most Asians.  This can be attested by the fact that all posts related to properties on Asing blogsite garners the highest traffic, and with the highest readership by country nationalities  - no prizes for guessing right where most readers are from - they are from Singapore, followed by Malaysia and then Taiwan and Hong Kong.  I was therefore also not surprised that the posts with the highest readership are:WHY SINGAPORE MALAYSIA & THAILAND and
SINGAPORE REAL ESTATE - REALLY?

The news today is certaining singing to the same tune - well may be just the facts from the news are backing up what I had been hawking -  that if you are thinking of buying your first home or making an investment for passive income, do your research and viewings now and then buy that home before things get stirred up into unreachable prices again.

I am not saying that the prices now are low - but at the very least the prices in Singapore are still about 10 to 20% lower than say those smaller units in Hong Kong.  And if you ask me, Singapore remains a high net worth destination to the rich, and hence the capital appreciation (and hence passive income) opportunity is always there. 

Remember my 3-Pronged Approach to having your passive income so that you can be more financially free - from the above link WHY SINGAPORE MALAYSIA & THAILAND - buying a property in Singapore is de rigueur if you are in working in Singapore now or have a fat bank account to buy an investment property.  Then make the property work for you while you move to a much cheaper living environment - like Malaysia.  Young and first time buyers, make use of the government subsidized HDB to make a good profit years later.  Condo seekers - location location location!  Any condo next to an MRT station is a investment GEM.



Click Photo For News Clip

I said above that news these few days had backed up my call for action if you are looking to buy.  Just look at the sky high HDB prices.  It is a sign that HDB flats are over bought and hence elicit a sense of over expectation from HDB owners in terms of their home value.  Therefore, buyers are now flocking back to the condominium scene - as can be seen by private property prices inching up since March.   

For sure there are naysayers - analysts from big name banks like UBS and overseas newssite such as CNBC - have played harbingers of bad news on Singapore property. I for one had never relied fully on their suppositions.  I had bought and sold 6 properties in Singapore.  Most of them were bought when the market was down - Gulf War, SARs, SubPrime crisis, etc.  I bought when everyone was waiting for the bottom.  And when the upswing came fast and furious, they still refuse to buy  citing "miss the opportunity of buying at the bottom".  Its best to believe in your own research and gut feeling, taking the analysts' opinions with a pinch (or ton) of salt - they are not interested in your early retirement plans - you are. And as Warren Buffet said, if they are such great analysts, they would not be sitting behind a desk! (Or something to that effect). 

So go Jalan Jalan and do your own research and buy when your gut feeling tells you THAT'S THE ONE - BE IT HDB OR CONDO!

USEFUL NEWS

Since publishing the above post, the HDB property market has indeed shown to be stirring, registering the highest resale figures for April2016 since 3 years ago! Click "highest" above for Straits Times May 5 report.

If you are buying HDB - why not look at Yishun & Jurong?

Jurong will be the next big thing - so the first mover gets the advantage.

HDB resale prices starting to fall due to owner's over expectation of their home value.

Woodlands, Pasir Ris & Toa Payoh to be rejuvenated.http://m.todayonline.com/singapore/rejuvenation-plans-pasir-ris-toa-payoh-and-woodlands-released

Printer Secret

 Desperately Seeking Cartridge

I am not sure if any of you techies out there had been frustrated by your home (or for that matter office) printer?  This personal computer and peripheral ignoramus has always been challenged (and lost) by my home electronics.  From frozen laptops that does not want to turn on to printers that spew ink and refuse to print properly - you name it.

Recently the kids had to submit a project which entails their PC skills.  That means they have to research from the laptop, type on Word document or Powerpoint slides and then print them out from the home printer.  Luck had it that the printer ink ran out and printed only grey blurry images and text. 

We went to Aeon Bukit Indah - the largest shopping center around Nusajaya area - also popularly known by the supermarket name Jusco that is within its mall - and NO ONE HAS INK CARTRIDGES for my old Cannon Printer.  I was greeted with cynical sales folks who either said they had not heard of the above model, or expressed mock surprise that I was still using "that old model".  Well, if I showed them my retirement bank balance perhaps they would be more empathetic.  The printer was hardly used, save for those times when we had to print our  budget airline itinerary and boarding passes.

Huge IT Mall For Handphones To PC Needs

In come the white knight in the form of IT Mall near the Woodlands Causeway called Danga City Mall.  We were carrying our printer from one shop to another Desperately Seeking Cartridge and boy did I want to kiss the owner of IDEAINK when he said he could modify my printer to a bigger cartridge which would cost less and last longer. Without hesitation I dropped off my printer for his 1.5 to 2-hour modification. 

We had shopping to be done so we went down to the basement for groceries, and then roamed around looking at furniture, carpets and handphone accessories.  My ancient printer taught me a lesson on IT - that models change faster than the seasons.  So I bought 2 of handphone covers for my old Samsung which I would not trade up ever lest the covers go out of stock.  True enough, the only ones I found were on sale, from MR69 down to MR10 and they were only 5 left.


Danga City Mall Bargains 

We even had time for a quick bite at the Malay Cafe just at the main entrance - small pizza for MR10, Clam Chowder for MR6.50, you know the drill - great food great ambience at great prices.  Time was up and we triapsed up to IDEAINK and voila, our printer - upgraded and ready to go.  The gentleman owner who personally modified my printer told us that we could easily get replacement cartridge with the upgrade as my "new" printer now uses universal cartridge.  All that - modification and a new higher capacity color cartridge for just MR110 - and supposedly it would last about 5 to 8 times longer than my old Canon cartridge which used to cost me MR135 (at a much smaller capacity) to replace and yet does not last very long.

My "New" & Modified Printer With Bigger Capacity Cartridge

IDEAINK is on Level 3, Unit 32, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Danga City Mall, Johor Bahru
Tel:   +607 221 3618
Open 11am to 9pm

Why Singapore Malaysia Thailand?

3 Pronged Strategy To Passive Income

My last few posts detailed how I had applied my 3-pronged approach to achieving my current ability to live in and commute between my three adopted homeland - Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  




Imperial Garden of Tokyo - Autumn Splendor...LOVE IT!

In STEP ONE, I had given you my story on how to maximize money income from high net worth Singapore through the purchase of low cost government housing.

In STEP TWO, I had detailed how NOT to live in the investment home in the high net worth country, but move yourself off shore to a country where you can find cheaper housing - which I find both Thailand and Malaysia appealing in this respect. I am happy to see one of my adopted home countries - Malaysia - voted 3rd best country to retire in by expatriates - according to a survey by International Living. 

Even the King of Johor - Sultan Ibrahaim Sultan Iskandar - reiterated his wish in a recent news interview that Singaporeans will buy homes in Johor and live in Johor while working in Singapore.

 

Visiting Africa For My Friend's Wedding

This page will focus on what I mean in STEP THREE - Let Your Hair Down And Enjoy The World!  I know it sounds contradictory - how could one travel and enjoy the world when there is no fat corporate account to charge to?  No more flying business? - there is now no dearth of budget airlines which are not half as bad as full fare carriers.  No more fine dining and all night drinking? - there are so many more interesting street food places and quaint drinking holes than you would ever imagine.  All you have to do is approach life with an open mind.

With the initial hefty profit from STEP ONE, you could afford to buy a home in a low cost location - bear in mind that for STEP TWO to work - the main objective is a safe low cost home as your base.  This is the base from which you look after your investments in high net worth country - in my case Singapore, and from which you fly off to enjoy the world!



Enjoying Our Yuzawa Hot Spring Water Filtered Coffee & Cakes

Budget Family Ski Holiday @ Mount Naeba

I use STEP THREE to not only take vacations, but also use the travel opportunity to go for medical treatments (like annual check ups in Thailand) or shopping for car parts and other big ticket items that will give me high value savings (like Taipei for parts & accessories).

I know it sounds simple, but that is how I had arrived at my current lifestyle arrangement (1)MAKE SINGAPORE WORK FOR YOU (or you can work in Singapore), (2)LIVE IN MALAYSIA WHERE HOUSING IS CHEAP (or Batam or anywhere you find cheap housing) & (3)PLAY IN THAILAND (and the world over ) WHERE FUN & MEDICAL SERVICES ARE CHEAP & GOOD! 

All the best in your pursuit of financial freedom, now go Jalan Jalan around the world.


With Friends In America - Revelry On The Street

Survival 101

How Not To Get Jumped In JB

Many tourists and day trippers come to Johor Bahru with a little trepidation on getting their cars burgled or their handbags or backpacks snatched by passing petty theives on motorbikes.  Hell, my partner and I even have friends and relatives who do not come to JB as they are fixated with sensationalized news in the media on street crime.  Well, I dare say London, New York and several major Asian cities like Bangkok and Taipei all have their fair share of urban decay.  I also dare say I feel safer in JB than some tourist cities I had visited...and the fact that my kampung (village home) and cars have not been burgled once is testament to how safe JB can be, even for an Asing (foreigner) like me.

Having said that, there are a few golden rules I observe all these years of living in my adopted homeland:

DRIVERS BEWARE!  Observe my Lock Stock Block rule of thumb: 

LOCK

I never leave my car without a steering wheel lock. Even when I stop for gas at a gas station and I leave the car to pay or buy a drink at the gas station mini mart - that is how  you deter car hijacks!  I got wheelocks for all my cars...they cost only MYR50 at Tesco KL.

STOCK

Have you taken stock of things inside the car and make sure nothing is in sight?  By that I mean ALL ITEMS THAT DO NOT COME WITH THE CAR when you bought the car.  Yes I am anal retentive to the point that my children's pencil cases have to be stored in the trunk when we exit the car. Why, you ask? Because like one man's meat is another's poison, one child's pencil case may be a burglar's hunch for an unattended purse. You get my drift.  My neighbor once told me his car got broken into all because his girlfriend thought nobody would want her crummy makeup case left underneath the car seat.  Well,  she was wrong.

BLOCK

By block I mean park your ride in a visible spot along the busiest thoroughfare where it would not be blocked off for the convenience of the wayward ones.  Trust me, having lived in London and New York, I have always seen cars parked in dark alleys and remote areas being broken into, because there is not a car thief who would not love more for a car to be left in a desolate space.

DAY TRIPPERS BE ALERT!

Thousands of day trippers throng the JB area on the weekends, and of late, even the weekdays, although the latter is made up of mostly Singaporean retirees shunning the weekend crowd.  No matter the case, we see day trippers making themselves targets of snatch theft because they speak loudly (the accent is quite obvious that you are not local hello?), dress differently (the ubiquitous cap/hat, backpack & comfy sneakers!!!) and are mostly demanding due to the high standards they hold as Singaporeans which some local service personnel may find hard to comprehend.

My advice would be to dress extreme casual because JB is a laid back city compared to metropolis Singapore, tone down the excitement especially when you come as a group, and lastly, do as the Romans do and enjoy what the locals have to offer in their own unique ways.  This way you will fit in rather than raising red flags to the would-be criminals.

Happy Jalan Jalan in JB and Malaysia!