Boy! It's tough to write down what I spend on. I guess:
Friday 15/5: The ussual less than $10 on food and transport.
Sat 16/5: Didn't spend a cent as I spent the whole day at home.
Sun 17/5: Had to go to my niece's birthday celebration. Bought her painting stuff and a beautiful box of Sorini Chocolates, 300g spent about $25 in total. Quite a lot of transport costs. From Raffles City to Bedok, and then from Bedok to home. Must be at least $3. Lunch was at Rib-eye steak at Seah Street Deli. It was $12. Thank the good Lord for the feed at Raffles Card. Total: $40. Great. But, still less than $20 on myself. Furthermore, $10 out of the $25 payment was made with a Robinsons voucher. Total: $40
Mon 18/5: Last day of full-time work. Transport below $5. Lunch $3 Went for Korean Language class. Total: $8. Oh very bad.
Tue 19/5: No work today. But had to go look at apartment to be rented out. Brought quite a bit of rubbish. Housing Agent L, gave me a lift there. Later, went to Bedok and took Mum, niece and maid to Condo for a look, and a meal at condo restaurant. Taxi there: $7. Taxi back $4.80, using ECP. Dinner for 4: $19. Transport to Bedok and then back home: $2 Total: $33. Not bad!
Oh dear. Need to spend more!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Facsimile Food
I love making what I call facsimile food. This is food that looks like and sort of tastes like something famous or special. I don't really have the time or ability to make the real thing, but the verisimilitude is usually more than satisfying.
It's now the Rice Dumpling season in Singapore. And I had a sudden craving for these glutinous rice delights. Cost: About $1.50 for a rice dumpling filled with meat. I decided to make my own. I had most of the vital ingredients. Only had to buy a pack of glutinous rice. $3.35 for a 2.5kg pack, NTUC house bnand.
Ther are lots of variations. the ingredients I used:
300g glutinous rice
50g dried prawns or hay bee
20g dried scallops or conpoy
3 dried shitake mushrooms
1 piece BBQ pork
I had the last 4 ingredients at home. You can also add fresh prawns or pork, dried chestnuts, salted egg yolk, chicken, preserved melon, chinese sausages etc.
Method.
1. Wash rice, and then soak in water for 2 hours.
2. Steam the rice till cooked. 15 to 30 mins?
3. Wash and soak dried prawns, scallops and mushrooms. Cut mushroom into small pieces.
4. Cut BBQ pork into small bits.
5. Fry items 3 amd 4 in oil a bit. Add the soaking water and bring to a boil.
6. Mix steamed rice with item 5. Steam again for a few minutes. Ready to eat.
7. You can also put item 6 onto lotus, bamboo or pandan leaves to resteam in order to make the rice dumpling bundles. More fragrant and authentic. But more trouble too.
The ingredients are kind of salty already, but you might want to add extra seasoning: salt, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine? Experiment and surprise yourself and your guests!
Total cost: No more than $3.00 Yield: At least 8 Dumplings' worth.
Real yummy too. Enjoy.
It's now the Rice Dumpling season in Singapore. And I had a sudden craving for these glutinous rice delights. Cost: About $1.50 for a rice dumpling filled with meat. I decided to make my own. I had most of the vital ingredients. Only had to buy a pack of glutinous rice. $3.35 for a 2.5kg pack, NTUC house bnand.
Ther are lots of variations. the ingredients I used:
300g glutinous rice
50g dried prawns or hay bee
20g dried scallops or conpoy
3 dried shitake mushrooms
1 piece BBQ pork
I had the last 4 ingredients at home. You can also add fresh prawns or pork, dried chestnuts, salted egg yolk, chicken, preserved melon, chinese sausages etc.
Method.
1. Wash rice, and then soak in water for 2 hours.
2. Steam the rice till cooked. 15 to 30 mins?
3. Wash and soak dried prawns, scallops and mushrooms. Cut mushroom into small pieces.
4. Cut BBQ pork into small bits.
5. Fry items 3 amd 4 in oil a bit. Add the soaking water and bring to a boil.
6. Mix steamed rice with item 5. Steam again for a few minutes. Ready to eat.
7. You can also put item 6 onto lotus, bamboo or pandan leaves to resteam in order to make the rice dumpling bundles. More fragrant and authentic. But more trouble too.
The ingredients are kind of salty already, but you might want to add extra seasoning: salt, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine? Experiment and surprise yourself and your guests!
Total cost: No more than $3.00 Yield: At least 8 Dumplings' worth.
Real yummy too. Enjoy.
14 May Budget Update+ Divert Mail Costs
Been a bit busy lately.
So, just a budget update:
Thu 14 May:
Usual transport costs: to work: $1.81
Lunch: $3.00
Took free bus to MRT station
so transport home: $1.62
Glutinous rice 2.5kg: $3.35
Fruit jiuce. 2 1-litre bottles: $2.00 Total: $11.78
Had gone to the post office to help a friend submit a 'Divert Mail' application. it used to be a free service some years ago, but now, it costs $96.30 to have mail diverted to another address for 3 months.
So, just a budget update:
Thu 14 May:
Usual transport costs: to work: $1.81
Lunch: $3.00
Took free bus to MRT station
so transport home: $1.62
Glutinous rice 2.5kg: $3.35
Fruit jiuce. 2 1-litre bottles: $2.00 Total: $11.78
Had gone to the post office to help a friend submit a 'Divert Mail' application. it used to be a free service some years ago, but now, it costs $96.30 to have mail diverted to another address for 3 months.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Japanese Tea/Lunch Special 50% off!
I'm doing a little better now. Managed to spend $18.35 on a tea-time lunch. Had to rush over to the East of Singapore to have a look at an apartment I'm having rented out. So, had no time for lunch. Spent $1.74+ 41 cents on MRT and bus fare there. That's $2.15. Then, had a nice tea with the estate agent.
We went to a Japanese place called EDOGAWA. They were having 50% off most things from 3pm to 6pm, weekdays. We had 2 free flow lemon teas, $2 each, 1 chicken yakitori $6.80, 1 cod fish teriyaki $12.80 and 1 California Maki-roll(6 pieces) $8.80. A bowl of rice, $1. Prices are before the discount. $18.35 includes service and tax. Not bad for rather good food, and a very pleasant and quiet environment. There was even a rather large goldfish pond to calm you down. We went to the EDOGAWA at Novena Square. There's also one at CENTRAL, and along River Valley Road.
Spending for 13/5: Transport to work: $1.81
Transport to apt: $2.15
Japanese tea: $18.35 Total $22.31
Fantastic! I've breached the $20 barrier. Only problem is that it was not spent entirely on myself. I cheated a bit. Oh well, I guess I'm just not a selfish person.
We went to a Japanese place called EDOGAWA. They were having 50% off most things from 3pm to 6pm, weekdays. We had 2 free flow lemon teas, $2 each, 1 chicken yakitori $6.80, 1 cod fish teriyaki $12.80 and 1 California Maki-roll(6 pieces) $8.80. A bowl of rice, $1. Prices are before the discount. $18.35 includes service and tax. Not bad for rather good food, and a very pleasant and quiet environment. There was even a rather large goldfish pond to calm you down. We went to the EDOGAWA at Novena Square. There's also one at CENTRAL, and along River Valley Road.
Spending for 13/5: Transport to work: $1.81
Transport to apt: $2.15
Japanese tea: $18.35 Total $22.31
Fantastic! I've breached the $20 barrier. Only problem is that it was not spent entirely on myself. I cheated a bit. Oh well, I guess I'm just not a selfish person.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
12 May Spending+ Dinner
Why am I writing this?
I guess it's just a diary to record how I've spent my money. And hopefully learn to spend more as I reread what I've written. I want to spend more, but usually end up spending little or less.
Anyway, yesterday's more accurate spending:
1. Transport to work: $1.81
2. Lunch: $3.00
3. Transport home: $2.03
4. Bananas-6 pieces $0.90 Total: $7.74
I made dinner at home, so did not manage to spend additional money. What did I have for dinner? Two wholemeal snadwiches. The first was with an egg filling. The second, with barbecued pork. All from my store.
I've got a good way to make your scrambled eggs look more. Add 2 tablespoonsful of cold water to 1 teaspoonful of Corn Starch, plus seasoning. Mix well, and add this mixture to half cooked scrambled eggs. And scramle further. This amount should be good for one or two eggs. Experiment till you get a ratio that works for your taste.
I then had a fruit smoothie for dessert. All in a blender: 2 bananas, 2 apples, half a glass of commercial mixed fruit juice., including orange and strawberry. Yummy and mostly healthy. Made a whole litre, and cost slightly more than $1. Bananas: 30c, Apples: 50c. Fruit juice, 30c.
You might think my fruit prices a little low. True, they are. But there's a reason for it. As I had intended to make fruit smoothies, the fruit I chose to buy were the slightly bruised specials, and hence cheaper. Be careful though, get them from the more reputable retailers. Otherwise, you might be paying good money for impossible to ripen wormy mush! I get mine from Cold Storage. Usually a good 80 to 90% of the fruit is perfect.
I couldn't finish all my smoothie, so I had some with my homemade muesli for breakfast this morning. Wholesome and delicious. Couldn't be more than 50 cents.
And again $1.81 spent on the MRT and bus to work.
I guess it's just a diary to record how I've spent my money. And hopefully learn to spend more as I reread what I've written. I want to spend more, but usually end up spending little or less.
Anyway, yesterday's more accurate spending:
1. Transport to work: $1.81
2. Lunch: $3.00
3. Transport home: $2.03
4. Bananas-6 pieces $0.90 Total: $7.74
I made dinner at home, so did not manage to spend additional money. What did I have for dinner? Two wholemeal snadwiches. The first was with an egg filling. The second, with barbecued pork. All from my store.
I've got a good way to make your scrambled eggs look more. Add 2 tablespoonsful of cold water to 1 teaspoonful of Corn Starch, plus seasoning. Mix well, and add this mixture to half cooked scrambled eggs. And scramle further. This amount should be good for one or two eggs. Experiment till you get a ratio that works for your taste.
I then had a fruit smoothie for dessert. All in a blender: 2 bananas, 2 apples, half a glass of commercial mixed fruit juice., including orange and strawberry. Yummy and mostly healthy. Made a whole litre, and cost slightly more than $1. Bananas: 30c, Apples: 50c. Fruit juice, 30c.
You might think my fruit prices a little low. True, they are. But there's a reason for it. As I had intended to make fruit smoothies, the fruit I chose to buy were the slightly bruised specials, and hence cheaper. Be careful though, get them from the more reputable retailers. Otherwise, you might be paying good money for impossible to ripen wormy mush! I get mine from Cold Storage. Usually a good 80 to 90% of the fruit is perfect.
I couldn't finish all my smoothie, so I had some with my homemade muesli for breakfast this morning. Wholesome and delicious. Couldn't be more than 50 cents.
And again $1.81 spent on the MRT and bus to work.
Making a Holiday Pay
I went to South Korea last month-April 2009.
I realise that some things are much cheaper there, than they are in Singapore. Chief among them are cosmetics. I didn't have time to really compare, but on returning home, I found out that Singapore prices can be three times more!
As an example, the very popular collagen masks from The FaceShop sell at 3 for $10 here. In Korea, they go for 1000Won each. That's about $1.2o at the current exchange rate. So, if you regularly buy Korean cosmetics/toiletries or if you buy on behalf of your friends, you might actually be making money on your trip. It's not difficult to buy $1000 worth of the stuff in Korea. Incidentally, if you buy from 'normal' branches of The FaceShop, you get free gifts worth about 10% of what you buy. You don't get it when you tour guide takes you to the large branch if The FaceShop. Presumably, the tour guide gets a cut.
I realise that some things are much cheaper there, than they are in Singapore. Chief among them are cosmetics. I didn't have time to really compare, but on returning home, I found out that Singapore prices can be three times more!
As an example, the very popular collagen masks from The FaceShop sell at 3 for $10 here. In Korea, they go for 1000Won each. That's about $1.2o at the current exchange rate. So, if you regularly buy Korean cosmetics/toiletries or if you buy on behalf of your friends, you might actually be making money on your trip. It's not difficult to buy $1000 worth of the stuff in Korea. Incidentally, if you buy from 'normal' branches of The FaceShop, you get free gifts worth about 10% of what you buy. You don't get it when you tour guide takes you to the large branch if The FaceShop. Presumably, the tour guide gets a cut.
Cheap Chocolates
I just love chocolates. I love Belgian Chocolates best. A good but value for money brand is Leonidas. They aren't handmade, but use 100% cocoa butter, so they taste as good as the much more expensive handmade varieties like Godiva.
Leonidas Chocolates easily cost $150 a kilogram in Singapore. I try to buy mine in Brussels for about 30 Euros a kg. That's about a third of the Singapore price. Failing that, some other European city will also give you a relatively good deal.
However, I can also appreciate other brands of chocolate. A good value/taste brand is Merci. Carrefour house brand chocolates are also worth eating. But best of all, I like expensive chocolates at a bargain price.
So, if you're buying chocs for your own consumption, then there's nothing better than to go to The Cocoa Trees chocolate shop for their "soon to be expired" chocolates. They start marking down the chocs about 2 months before the expiry date. And they get progressively cheaper. I've bought lovely Grand Marnier filled Swiss chocolates for $1 (Original price: $7). Just buy one box or bar first. Taste it, and if you feel it's still good, then buy as many as you think you can possibly eat. Don't worry if you still have some past the due date. If they come from a reputable manufacturer and have been properly stored, they will still be good to eat. If not, bake cookies or cakes with them!
But if you do this, you'll end up saving even more money. I've got to change.
Leonidas Chocolates easily cost $150 a kilogram in Singapore. I try to buy mine in Brussels for about 30 Euros a kg. That's about a third of the Singapore price. Failing that, some other European city will also give you a relatively good deal.
However, I can also appreciate other brands of chocolate. A good value/taste brand is Merci. Carrefour house brand chocolates are also worth eating. But best of all, I like expensive chocolates at a bargain price.
So, if you're buying chocs for your own consumption, then there's nothing better than to go to The Cocoa Trees chocolate shop for their "soon to be expired" chocolates. They start marking down the chocs about 2 months before the expiry date. And they get progressively cheaper. I've bought lovely Grand Marnier filled Swiss chocolates for $1 (Original price: $7). Just buy one box or bar first. Taste it, and if you feel it's still good, then buy as many as you think you can possibly eat. Don't worry if you still have some past the due date. If they come from a reputable manufacturer and have been properly stored, they will still be good to eat. If not, bake cookies or cakes with them!
But if you do this, you'll end up saving even more money. I've got to change.
I Have Too Much Money!
People all over the world seem to want more and more money, thinking it will make all their dreams come true. And they either earn more or save more of it.
I used to be like that. I'm in my forties, and now realise that saving money is not that good a thing at all. I've become such a good saver over all these years, that it's now really difficult for me to spend. It's like a disease. I sniff out bargains all the time, I'm sick of it. And if there are no bargains to be found, I simply wait. I don't seem to have many needs. I guess I just don't enjoy spending my money. I'm a miser. But try not to look it.
All this means that my life has been boring, and not lived to the extent that it could have been. That's why I now feel saving money is a bad thing. And it's not that I'm RICH either. It's just that I don't spend enough, for my own good.
So, I'm starting this blog to help myself spend more money. I don't think I spend more than Singapore$1000 a month on myself. Not to be too ambitious, I'll try to aim for $2000 a month. I also hope to spend more and more of my savings so that I'll be able to leave this world with very little left. Hopefully, I might even be in debt. My aim: A life well lived............on other people's money!
It's now 4.30pm Tuesday 12 May. I took the MRT and bus to work. $2.20. Lunch : Mutton Briani $3.00. Oh boy. I need to spend $65 a day in order to reach my target. I don't work full-time, but I earned about $500 today. So you see, my spending is really skewed. I HAVE to do something about it. But I don't want to waste my money. Nor do I want to just give some away. Got any ideas?
I used to be like that. I'm in my forties, and now realise that saving money is not that good a thing at all. I've become such a good saver over all these years, that it's now really difficult for me to spend. It's like a disease. I sniff out bargains all the time, I'm sick of it. And if there are no bargains to be found, I simply wait. I don't seem to have many needs. I guess I just don't enjoy spending my money. I'm a miser. But try not to look it.
All this means that my life has been boring, and not lived to the extent that it could have been. That's why I now feel saving money is a bad thing. And it's not that I'm RICH either. It's just that I don't spend enough, for my own good.
So, I'm starting this blog to help myself spend more money. I don't think I spend more than Singapore$1000 a month on myself. Not to be too ambitious, I'll try to aim for $2000 a month. I also hope to spend more and more of my savings so that I'll be able to leave this world with very little left. Hopefully, I might even be in debt. My aim: A life well lived............on other people's money!
It's now 4.30pm Tuesday 12 May. I took the MRT and bus to work. $2.20. Lunch : Mutton Briani $3.00. Oh boy. I need to spend $65 a day in order to reach my target. I don't work full-time, but I earned about $500 today. So you see, my spending is really skewed. I HAVE to do something about it. But I don't want to waste my money. Nor do I want to just give some away. Got any ideas?
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