Malaysians cut spending to cope with rising cost of living

[GaryL]

...In my previous HK trip more than 5 years ago, I went for high tea at Peninsula Lobby, queued for an hour - don't think I will do this again this time. Also I went to Lung King Heen a 3Michelin - thinking to go again.

Well, I think it is the glamorization of experience of having an afternoon tea in this historical and majestic hotel, not about the tea. Of course, my wife will always tell me this Peninsula tea worth every penny of it ( I agree also as long as it is not my penny... )

In my opinion, Michelin cuisine is about eating with class, not just the taste of food. When talk about Michelin restaurant, I would say money is more worth to spend on western cuisine than Chinese cuisine. Don’t know about others, I like to dine in a small and refine restaurant with only a few tables. I have not seen such set-up in any Chinese restaurants, star or no star. Dining should be a complete process, not just the taste of the food.

Here is a brief of how Michelin star is derived, historically…

" Michelin Food Guide started as a road atlas for Michelin tire customers. Back then, one star meant - you can safely eat here without getting the runs, two stars meant - if you happen to pass this place do stop and have some food,”and three stars simply conveyed - if you’re hungry, this one is worth adding twenty miles to your trip and taking a diversion.”

[bslee]

I'm guessing this Michelin star grading is all hyped up on Discovery Food channel on payTV here. I don't think I heard of this when I was in the hotel line years ago.
Anyway, this article is interesting, 1st thing on the attraction..THE FOOD!..anything else matters much less as good and great food is the #1 matter in most people's mind when going abroad. It must be worth. Anyway, my thoughts about M.Star...its all biased to cater for western clientele. I'm guessing a million best street food can easily qualify for numerous MS for unique taste and innovation, but they're not going to get it.
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/tr...-its-expensive

[Naka]

Naka: there are only 2 pax, what is good to order in Fook Lam Moon - lunch or dinner?

With 2 persons only, hard to order cos there are only 2 mouths and also what I like to eat may not be what you like.

Best thing to do is ask the captain's recommendations on their signature dishes ie for 2 persons only.

BTW, there are 2 Fook Lam Moon, first one-original...2nd one started by another brother and is also in Wanchai.

All Taxis know where Fook Lam Moon is but insist on the former

[lly]

Ok

There is one at 53-59 Kimberley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon and another one at 35-45 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong - according to the website.

[GaryL]

..Bruce, I beg to be different, Oiip be it Greenwich or Sentinel,there is nothing wrong quarreling unless cursing to the person/s .I think both of them are equally articulate in today's affair both in their 50's. Unless anyone met him in person only you know what kind of character he is...Cheers

Well.... oiip is oiip, greenwich is greenwich..

If you search the internet, oiip means oil-initially-in place..

and this is greenwich (less than a year ago)...

[Naka]

Ok

There is one at 53-59 Kimberley Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon and another one at 35-45 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong - according to the website.

You are right....I only go to the one in Wanchai many times which is not far from Central.

[cskok8]

For good food but without the mega$$$ just look for small shops with a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG queue

[panadol]

Yes, something is very wrong in Boleh...someone is sleeping on his job or he has no clue on what is going on

So sad ..people just too scared to speak their mind ..in 'boleh'...?

[GaryL]

Ok, I am speaking my mind now. Malaysia is still cheap, cheaper than you expected..

My kid bought the last Harry Potter book - "The Deadly Hallows" from a bookstore in London, less than 2 years ago. It is £9.90 which is about RM55.

I just bought the same book from Popular book shop here as a gift for my young niece, the price is RM39.90. There is a 20% discount (don't know for what reason) and the final price is RM31.90.

With or without discount, the same book is cheaper here...

[bslee]

Ok, I am speaking my mind now. Malaysia is still cheap, cheaper than you expected..
My kid bought the last Harry Potter book - "The Deadly Hallows" from a bookstore in London, less than 2 years ago. It is £9.90 which is about RM55.
I just bought the same book from Popular book shop here as a gift for my young niece, the price is RM39.90. There is a 20% discount (don't know for what reason) and the final price is RM31.90.
With or without discount, the same book is cheaper here...

Sure..These are called "bargains", throwouts, stock clearance, all along those lines. I could list numerous things I've spotted and bought to save and within my affordability. Not too long ago I mentioned I bought a Zebra tiffin carrier for RM39.90, when its list price is RM99.90 and won't be much cheaper if I buy the same product at Hatyai Thailand. (I nearly asked a relative to buy one there if can get cheaper). Its never urgent but buy one if can buy for much much cheaper, In the end I found it here at "steal" price. It all depends how we focus and make the effort to only buy or buy most wisely depending on our need for the purchase. I guess many have made impulsive purchases just because they want it, with thinning purse, then complain prices are just too much...cannot lah! Recently my wife went on a budget RM700 3 day 2 nights Ho Chih Minh travel package including flight on Malindo Air..she considered affordable..but due to sister's contact on where to find cheap tour package. Its indeed a bargain. My flight alone to China cost that much during some off peak season.
I won't stroll or look into many shops which don't offer even 1% discount which is not their retail policy. Their policy is strict and firm prices, take it or leave it. Its a fact that most Malaysians love to buy imported products often or once a while. What is expensive is what is not native to us. Dairy products are not native to us, therefore expensive. Medicine, drugs, pharmaceuticals are also not native to us, thereon at the mercy of rising medical costs. I could list more and the trouble is price inflation increase incrementally at the slightest excuse is what I get mad. In reality, we have to earn more to keep up, and not everyone is fortunate to do that.

[GaryL]

....I won't stroll or look into many shops which don't offer even 1% discount which is not their retail policy. Their policy is strict and firm prices, take it or leave it. Its a fact that most Malaysians love to buy imported products often or once a while. What is expensive is what is not native to us..

I believe the products from Uniqlo had defied all the above mentioned by you.

- They don't have festive sales or other forms of discount that you normally see in departmental stores. Their price is strict price and only offer Value Buy for off-season items. I find Uniqlo is really value for money. It is much worth to buy Uniqlo jean (in terms of comfort, material and $$) than Levis jean, for example.

- Uniqlo is not native, it is imported but cheaper (in fact far more cheaper) than some native brands like Brirish India.


p/s : Uniqlo's innovation in material science has produced excellent products. The Heattech innerwear for cold climate has made the wool innerwear look like products from stone age..

[bslee]

Well, allow me to put Daiso ¥100 store in the mix. Nothing there is native to us but to most Malaysians, RM5 is means almost nothing and most affordable if buy a thing or two in most Malaysian's mind. An economy meal at some chap fun shop can cost more than RM5 nowadays. 10 sticks of satay is now RM7-8. In reality how much is ¥100 converted? Its about RM3.65 thereabout.
When GST came about, they slammed on 30sen extra to pass on the tax flawlessly, thereon RM5.30 per item. I wish it was RM4 store, duties, taxes, all in. Its S$2 at Singapore Daiso and two dollar barang to them.

[bslee]

Hahaha!..was just looking at one FB post of one former forumer here.. So affordable many products where he is at Germany now.. wage is EUro1480 whereas here you get RM1200..go do your arithmetic. Still can buy lots of things at EU1 or less. Here? your wanton mee cost Rm6 nowadays.. Deserve the gomen you get for rising COL!! Eat your heart out!

[GaryL]

....was just looking at one FB post of one former forumer here.. So affordable many products where he is at Germany now.. wage is EUro1480 whereas here you get RM1200..go do your arithmetic. Still can buy lots of things at EU1 or less. Here? your wanton mee cost Rm6 nowadays.. Deserve the gomen you get for rising COL!! Eat your heart out!

Let’s put aside the purchasing power of weak MYR and the stronger Euro, let’s just focus on available disposable income after mandatory deductions (tax and pension)

In Malaysia, one is required to pay tax if annual income is more than the net amount of RM30k/year after EPF deduction. The EPG deduction for employee is 12%. Thus, someone with monthly salary of RM1480 in Malaysia is exempted from paying income tax and the net take home pay is RM1302 after EPF deduction.

In EU countries like Germany, the tax rate starts from min 14% to max 45%. On top of that, employee in most EU countries must pay contributions to social security benefits. The social security system consist of unemployment insurance, health insurance and nursing care insurance. I don't know the exact details and lazy to find out also, but I believe this is another 5-8% of deduction. Someone who earn Euro1480 after the minimum 14% tax deduction and with another 5-8% deduction for social security contribution, the take home pay will be around Euro1154.

Who will have a better life is very much depend on where they live in that country.

[bslee]

Who will have a better life is very much depend on where they live in that country.

Hmmm..reminds me of all those Mid East refugees knocking on German borders..seeking a good life there.. surely thousands of them are confident of a better life at greener pastures there. Desert places in another direction can offer them nothing worth I reckon.