(Finance)-Financial Freedom/Kebebasan Kewangan

Today im gonna write about financial, money. A topic that really relevant, and it is related to our life every day. We need for foods, paying our utility bills, and to survive. Students sometimes spend their money mostly on their assignments a lot rather than their meals.

When we have money, we tend to spend it on ridiculous items. We achieve satisfaction and feel happy when we spend our penny, especially when our way of spending match our personality.

It’s okay if you do that with your own money. But it will turn into a problem when we start take a debt to go shopping and finance our lifestyle.

Saving vs investing

When I was in the primary school, I am a saving person. Usually my parent give me RM1 to buy meals during recess time. I attended Primary School and Sekolah Agama (Muslim students attend religion class at Johor. It is not compulsory but most parents do send their children here.), so I got RM2 per day. But most of the time I save my money by not spending it.

Why I am not spend them? Well when I was a kid I was a cerewet person. I am only eat meals that’s taste delicious in my opinion. Furthermore I don’t like the meals served at the school, they look unattractive, cold and tasteless.

So, I ask my mom to prepare for me bekal makanan from home. I can still remember my mother prepared for me egg sandwiches, chicken nugget and bingka roti. After sometimes, I felt bored because there was no variety in menu, but still they taste delicious, better than canteen-served meals. Oh yeah, I am also concern about level of hygiene of the foods served at the canteen, as there was many flies around.

The money I received from my parents I put in the special container. All money that I received from my relatives, aunts, uncle I put also in the container, including those duit raya.

So far my story was going well.

My major mistake is I don’t have any plan with my saving. I don’t put them either at any investment trust such as Tabung Haji or ASB, or at least save them at saving account at the bank.

I end up use those saving to pleasure my short-term needs. I used my saving to buy toys, such as Gundam, Bakugan, B-Daman, and Hot Wheels. Just name any popular toys that came out at 2000s, I had invest my money on them. To make things become worse, I also used my savings to buy PS1 and PS2 CDs and DVDs.

I realised that if I start save my money in those investment trust, at least I will gain dividends every year. My money also would not be easily spent, as I can’t access to my saving easily, which would lead to unnecessary spending.

Now I have to start from scratch. But I realised that before you can invest your surplus money, you need to have saving first.

Financial Freedom

Financial freedom can be defined as a situation where your assets generate income, and it is higher than your expenses. You don’t have to work actively for your basic necessities. A person might also achieve financial freedom when finish paying for their debt.

I realised that my investment portfolio would be higher if I started invest earlier. I would achieve financial freedom earlier too.

My personal opinion is it is better for every person to achieve financial freedom earlier. It is suck when you work for paying the utilities bills, debt and other obligations. For me it feels like you become a slave for your whole life. Instead of you work for the money, why don’t money works for you?

Budgeting your money

To achieve financial freedom means you have agreed to strive hard and make a lot of scarification.  Before you have money to be invested, first you need to have your own savings. But the most ultimatum thing is you need to change your lifestyle first.

Every expenses has to be justified first. Any expenses that unnecessities should be excluded. You also need to prepare your own cash flow budget. Make sure money inflow in your account exceed the outflow.

If you target to have RM100,000 in your investment account in 10 years more for example, you need to set a realistic and achievable targeted saving annually. If you target to save RM10000 annually for example, you should ensure you achieve your monthly target.

Those statements sound difficult to be achieved. Yes it is look impossible, but actually attainable. It requires hard work, determination and commitment over the years.

Where to invest?

Well there are many investment trust and platforms to be invested, but I’m gonna write about the common ones, Tabung Haji and AHB.

1.       Tabung Haji

Tabung Haji is synonym with Muslims who performed pilgrims at Mekah. It is a regulatory body that supervises and handles thousands of Jemaah Haji from Malaysia every years.Tabung Haji also actively investing in business and property development project.

I don’t remember how much money needed initially to open the account. But what I certainly confident is the dividend is quite high, around 7 to 9 percent per year.

Tabung Haji also can be linked with your other bank accounts. It is easier nowadays to transfer money from your dominant bank account to your Tabung Haji account. 

But the bad point is it is also easier for you to use money saved in Tabung Haji account.

2.       Amanah Hartanah Berhad(AHB)

          AHB is a new investment portfolio, as it is just launched few years back. Unit per               share is sold at RM1, but initial minimum purchase is 100 units, minimum                           subsequent subscription is 50 units.

          AHB requires the subscriber to own or have a Maybank saving account. If you don’t             have yet the account, you are required to open the account with minimum opening           account RM250.

          Dividend is given at interim and final year basis. Last year the dividend recorded is           6.50 cent per share.

I have my own target. I want to achieve financial freedom by the age of 38-45. I predicted that by that age, I has no commitment to pay debt.

I have about 20 years more to achieve the target. Theoretically speaking, the target is achievable. But again we are dealing with major uncertainties here. 20 years is a long 

journey to be faced. But nothing is impossible.

Please follow twitter @kewangangraduan or visit kewangangraduan.blogspot.com for further reading.

Muzium Negara,Sejarah dan Kita

Beberapa hari lepas,aku baru sahaja ambil Kad RapidKL Pelajar yang dah siap.Jadi kenalah aku dating Pasar Seni sebelum Subuh.Pukul 8 sebenarnya baru gerak.Biasalah,kita hanya mampu merancang,tapi Tuhan yang menentukan.

Dipendekkan cerita,aku sampai Pasar Seni dalam pukul 9.30 pagi.Proses ambik kad Rapid tu sekejap je,pergi dekat kaunter pertanyaan,ambik kad,habis.Masa nak buat je lama.

Zaman Sekolah

Jadi macam mana aku boleh sampai ke Muzium Negara?

Masa sekolah menengah dulu aku suka baca artikel pasal konspirasi,hidden history,dan semua yang seangkatan dengannya.Jadi adalah aku terbaca artikel pasal orang Melayu,moyang-moyang kita dulu pernah menggunakan senjata api.

Dalam peristiwa penentangan melawan British,Siam,bahkan sejak Melaka diserang Portugis lagi.

Info-info yang aku baca ini kebanyakkannya aku jadikan sebagai pengetahuan am je.Additional info.At least ada jugak modal buat sembang dengan member.

Akhirnya SPM,sekolah dah habis,dan maklumat-maklumat yang aku baca tu terbiar dalam benak fikiran kepalaku.Kalau boleh tengok isi kepala aku,rasanya tak ada apa-apa,melainkan habuk setebal 2 inci.

Semuanya tenang-tenang sahaja,angin bertiup sepoi-sepoi bahasa,ombak memukul lemah pantai,sampai aku ada terbaca satu confession dekat IIUM Confession(http://www.iiumc.com/peninggalan-arwah/).

Story itu,bagi aku,telah trigger aku untuk cari info pasal senjata melayu lama.Terakol,Lela,Istinggar.Ada la jugak aku tanya cikgu Sejarah aku untuk minta pandangan pasal isu ini.

So,aku decide nak pergi ke Muzium Negara.Pendapat aku,muzium simpan benda-benda bersejarah.Jadi,info mengenai senjata tu,bolehlah aku jumpa dekat muzium.

Ke Muzium Negara

Nak dijadikan cerita,dari Pasar Seni ke Muzium Negara tu aku jalan kaki.Ya,bagi aku ia agak gila.Selain daripada aku tak tahu nak naik apa ke sana,aku memang saja nak jalan ke sana,dengan niat nanti aku nak jadi street photographer,Nampak subjek yang menarik,ambik gambar.Lagipun,masa aku guna Google Maps nak cari jalan,aku perasan aku lalu banyak landmark dekat KL.Yalah,biasa pergi KL aku singgah KL Sentral,Lowyat,Times Square.Kira sambal menyelam minum air ah ni.Hari itu pun redup,tak panas sangat,so kira nice ah.

Nak ke Muzium Negara,aku kena lau Masjid Negara.Aku ada jugak tersesat dekat KTMB Stesen Kuala Lumpur.Kontra betul dengan KL Sentral,stesen ini nampak klasik.Macam ada dalam part cerita P Ramlee.Rasa nostalgia.Kemudian,lalu Planaterium Negara,tapi tutup.Cuma nasib baik jalan yang aku lalu tu redup tak adalah panas sangat.

Aku rasa lepas ni nak beli photography gear ah.

 

Planetarium Negara

Sampai Sana

Sampai dekat Muzium Negara,aku beli tiket.RM2 untuk dewasa,RM1 untuk kanak-kanak.Ada dua muzium,satu yang besar,Muzium Negara yang utama.Segala info mengenai Malaysia,daripada zaman Neolotik,Mesolotik,Gangsa,Batu,Kesultanan Melaka,Penjajahan Barat sampailah hari ini ada dalam muzium ini.Semua info yang kau belajar dalam Sejarah Tingkatan 1-3,kau akan jumpa dalam muzium ini.

Muzium lagi satu nama dia Muzium Dunia Melayu,dan ada Muzium Orang Asli.Aku tak masuk muzium yang lagi dua.Pihak muzium buat system tiket berasingan,kau bayar RM2 sama ada untuk Muzium Negara,ataupun Muzium Dunia Melayu dan Orang Asli.

Aku ambil keputusan untuk masuk Muzium Negara yang utama tu,sebab muzium tu lagi umum.Tempat first yang aku pergi lepas aku masuk pintu depan muzium tu ialah kaunter pertanyaan.Bila aku tanya acik dekat kaunter itu,aku hampa betul sebab acik tu cakap maklumat yang aku cari taka da dalam muzium itu.Dia cakap pameran senjata zaman dahulu baru sahaja tamat minggu lepas.Dia cakap,kalau nak tahu pasal senjata,boleh dating dekat perpustakaan muzium.Masalahnya perpustakaan muzium buka hari bekerja sahaja.MEMANG TAK AH NAK DATANG LAGI.

Di Dalam Muzium

Sebab duit dah bayar kan,jadi kenalah utilise RM2 tu sebaik mungkin.Walaupun hati agak hampa,aku gagahkan diri masuk bilik pameran dalam muzium tu.Ada 4 dewan pameran utama,iaitu zaman Pra-Sejarah,Zaman Kesultanan Melayu Melaka,Zaman Penjajahan dan Zaman Hari Ini.Macam aku cakap tadi,semua benda ni ada dalam buku Sejarah Tingkatan 1-3.

Aku sebenarnya cuak nak ambik gambar,sebab aku teringat yang kalau ambik gambar benda antik,roh mereka akan terperangkap dalam gambar.Kalau kau tengok cerita Interchange kau tahu lah.

Apa yang bagusnya pergi muzium ni,selain belajar sejarah,aku belajar rempah ratus juga.Budak-budak zaman sekarang bukannya tahu pun beza jintan,bunga lawang dengan pegaga.

MMM Banyaklah aku belajar daripada pergi muzium ni,atau dalam bahasa lain aku cuma revised balik sahaja sejarah yang aku belajar masa dekat sekolah.

Rempah ratus

Senapang Matchlock

Tak ingat ni mural apa.

Persoalan

Sepanjang perjalanan balik tu,ada beberapa benda yang aku terdetik dalam minda.

1.Apa akan jadi kalau Malaysia ini tidak pernah dijajah?

Jawapan aku yang pertama,Kesultanan Melayu Melaka akan bertahan lama.Mungkin kita tidak akan belajar Sejarah Kegemilangan Johor,sebab Sejarah Johor adalah kesinambungan peristiwa runtuhnya Kesultanan Melayu Melaka.Mungkin tidak wujud negeri-negeri di Malaysia?

Mungkin nama negara kita pada hari ini bukan Malaysia.Tapi bagi aku,yang paling penting,mungkin tidak wujud negara Malaysia pada hari ini,yang walaupun ada rakyat pelbagai kaum,agama,warisan,tetapi masih boleh hidup dengan aman dan sentosa.Mungkin negara kita akan menjadi sebuah negara yang berasaskan kaum,seperti China dan India,tapi versi Melayu.Maksud aku,negara kita ini didiami lebih 2/3 Melayu.

Mungkin rakyat Malysia tidak hidup harmoni seperti hari ini.

2.Kalau tiadanya pengkhianatan pada zaman dulu,apa akan jadi sekarang?

Apa yang kita belajar dahulu,Melaka jatuh sebab pengkhianatan Si Kitol.Aku ada baca juga,golongan pedagang yang telah menjadi pembelot kepada Portugis dengan membuka rahsia pertahanan Melaka.

Jawapan dia akan lebih kurang sama macam jawapan di atas,tapi bagi aku,kalau tiadanya pengkhianatan,kita tidak akan pernah tahu.Kita tidak akan pernah belajar daripada kesilapan.

Sebenarnya bukan Tamadun Melaka sahaja yang jatuh disebabkan oleh pengkhianatn,banyak je tamadun lain yang jatuh sebab pengkhianatan.Kalau kita baca sejarah balik,kebanyakkan tamadun jatuh sebab faktor dalaman.Faktor luaran seperti serangan musuh cuma asbab kerajaan itu jatuh,dan memainkan peranan yang minor/kecil.

Sejarah,pasti akan berulang untuk orang yang tidak pernah belajar daripadanya.

3.Hebatnya orang zaman dahulu

Aku ada baca,ketika Portugis memasuki Istana 7 Petala Langit Sultan Melaka,mereka jumpa 8000 laras senapang matchlock,pelbagai saiz.

Daripada Confession IIUM tu,kita tahu yang moyang Mus(writer confession tu)ada membekalkan senjata untuk orang Melayu menentang British.

Sama ada benda AKU BACA  tu betul ke tak,at least kita dah ada bukti bahawa nenek moyang kita dulu bukannya calang-calang orang.Mereka pernah memerintah sebuah tamadun yang agung.Pelabuhan Melaka menjadi tumpuan pedagang Timur dan Barat.Bahasa Melayu diangkat sebagai lingua franca,atau bahasa pertuturan utama dunia ketika itu.

Just imagine hari ini orang Amerika guna bahasa Melayu.Transaksi perdagangan dalam bahasa Melayu.Berita,hiburan,orang-orang berkulit hitam bertutur dalam bahasa Melayu.Tidakkah kita berasa bangga?

Jangan salah paham.Aku bukannya poyo sangat nak mendabik dada pasal sejarah ni.Im just a normal boy who plays PES in free time,and eat a lot of junk foods.Aku cuma ada keobsesan dalam mencari benda yang aku tak tahu.

Aku rasa jawapan yang aku bagi tadi tak lengkap.Mungkin aku belum mengkaji lagi.Tapi yang aku pasti,aku akan temui cebisa-cebisan jawapan sepanjang aku melalui kehidupan ini.Sebab kadang-kadang bila kau ajukan soalan,kau takkan dapat jawapan yang segera.Mungkin bukan esok,lusa.Tapi kau akan temui jawapannya.

Setiap detik,setiap saat,kau dan aku,kita adalah sama.Kita adalah sejarah.

Kalau ada artikel/rujukan yang kau rasa aku boleh refer,boleh tulis di bawah.

KAD KONSESI KTMB DAN RAPIDKL/KTMB AND RAPIDKL CONCESSION

I’m only write about Concession Cards which students are eligible to apply for.

I once has written about RapidKL Student Card and KTMB i-Student Card and Commuter Link Student Card.I’m gonna compare those cards, and discussing on how students can maximise their saving by utilising those cards.

Comparison between Concession Cards

 RapidKL Student Card.

Good point	50% discounts on ALL RAPIDKL PUBLIC TRANSPORT(LRT,MRT,RAPIDKL BUS,MONORAIL)
	Cheap registration fees-RM5
	Lots of privileges
Bad point	No online registration portal available
	Registration only at Pasar Seni-people who live far may face hassle to go here
	Only valid for RapidKL Public Transportations-not valid to use outside Klang Valley

KTMB i-Student Card.

Good point	40% discounts on ETS and Intercity Trains
	Has online registration portal
Bad point	Registration fees is expensive-RM35
	Rarely using the card in Klang Valley
	Only valid for KTMB Intercity Trains and ETS

3.       KTMB Commuter Link Student Card

Good point	50% discounts on Commuter Trains
	Has online registration portal
Bad point	Registration fees is expensive-RM35
	Some areas may not be covered by the Commuters
	Only valid for KTMB Commuters

Picking the Best Card

It is true that as a student, each and every one of us want to ensure that our scarce money is worthful spent (unless you are born with golden spoon, so money is not your limitation.)

But, you don’t have to make all of those cards to gain the discount. You need to justify first either the benefits exceed the cost of making of the card.

For example, if you are making the RapidKL card, you need to calculate incidental cost arising when applying for the card. If I am applying for the card, I need to calculate my transportation fare to reach Pasar Seni.

Let say, I am from Shah Alam. I need to take a bus that straight away to Pasar Seni,and it costs me RM3.00.

So, total direct cost of making RapidKL card is RM 3*4+RM5 = RM17.

RM3 is multiplied by 4, because I need to go to Pasar Seni twice, when applying and receiving the card.

Therefore, I need to ensure that total of my discounts exceed by RM17. In accounting, this concept is called Relevant Cost concept.

If you are taking LRT from Subang Jaya to TBS, it costs RM6 if you are paying cash. If you are using RapidKL Consession Card, you save RM3. It is the discounted fare portion. You need to ensure that discounted fare portion exceed the cost incurred when applying for the card. Same goes for KTMB Concession Cards.

But look, sometimes you have to take different public transports from different providers, like you might want to go to KL Sentral by commuter, but to reach the nearest station, you have to take RapidKL Bus. You want to obtain discounts for the ride.

Touch n Go Card

You may use TnG card for any public transport. It can be used at KTMB Commuter and RapidKL public transports. You may enjoy 20% discounts by paying cashless .Nowadays; there are many card that equipped with TnG features, for example Watsons Card, Tesco ClubCard, and your own Identification Card.

My suggestion is you apply for card which you use the public transport most. For example, you often go back to your hometown by ETS. Therefore, you should apply for the concession card. If you are student who always travel or go to your destination by commuter, you might want to apply for the concession card, and use the TnG when you take for the feeder bus.

At the end, we are the one who gonna bear the cost. Make your decision wisely.

Kad Konsesi KTM Untuk Pelajar/KTM Concession Card For Students

KTM CONCESSION CARD

I had post entry about how to make a RapidKL Student Card. In this entry, I will share with you guys about KTM Concession Card.

2016

Back in 2016, I preferred to take KTM as my transportation, whenever I heading to KL mostly, or Subang, or when I go to TBS. Near to the end of the year 2015, KTMB has restructured the fare price of the Komuter. The price of Commuter fares has risen, for example, now it is cost about RM4 to take a Commuter from Shah Alam to KL Sentral, which is roughly 90%~100% increases.

I really need to make the KTM Concession at that time, but the price was RM35 at first. OMG, What The Fish. First they increase the fare price, now I have to pay a lot for the discount card. Hello, RM35 is material for me OK!

Luckily, during January 2016, there was promotion made by the KTMB. They reduce the price of KTM Concession Card from RM35 to RM15 (it was a long time ago and I forgot already the price.)

With the help of my friends, I managed to make the card. They had to go to KL Sentral early in the morning to register for the card, as the officer limit the registration to only 100 registrars per day.

2017

Now, KTMB has introduce 2 type of concession cards for students. You may register any of this card online. That means, no more hassle to go to the KL Sentral, early in the morning, just to register for this card. KTMB try to make the registration become easier and more convenient. Let’s take a quick review on those cards.

i-KTM i-Card Student

The major different of this card and its previous version is they no longer offer 50% discount for KTM Commuter.Only 40% discount for Intercity Train and ETS fares.

Discount	40% for Intercity Train and ETS
Validity	1-year valid from date of apply/after complete your study, which one is earlier
Processing days	14 days
Price	RM 35
Method of payment	Internet Banking (debit/credit card) or online banking (maybank2u, cimbclicks, etc.)
Other info	Bring your student card during purchasing the ticket/for inspection by the KTMB officer during the journey.

You may read the term and conditions here,and register for the card here.

ii-Komuter Link Student Card

This is the new card introduced by the KTMB. This card offer 50% discount of cash Commuter fare for ALL LANE. KTMB actually separate concession card for ETS and Commuter. This card is an essential for students who travel a lot around Klang Valley by Commuter.

Discount	50% discount of cash Commuter fare for ALL LANE
Renewal	7-17 years old No renewal Card not valid when the student is 17 years old 18 years old and above Renew annually
Price	Rm35
Document to be presented during registration	Identification Card/Passport (Original and copy) Student card Student verification letter-must be dated not more than 3 month from date of registration or renew Period of study must be more than 6 month ,and stated clearly in the student verification letter

You need to download the student verification letter form first and fill it.
You may register for the card here.

Whatever card that you apply, the objective is same. We want to gain as many as discount we could obtain, to save our money. In the next entry, I will compare those cards above with RapidKL card, and we will discuss the best card that you should have.

Do write your comment if there is any suggestion on topics that should we discuss.Sayonara!

Kad Konsesi Rapid KL Untuk Pelajar / Make a RapidKL Concession Card for Student

Are you a student?Always travel around Klang Valley by LRT/MRT/Monorel/BRT/RapidBus?
(Warning:This is not a paid review/blog entry)
Therefore,you should have yourself a RapidKL Student Card!

Live as a student can be so stresful.Everyday you will face dilemma,either you want to partying or saving.Sometimes you invest your penny more on your project rather
than your tummy.
You need to ensure every money spent is worthy.Every saving thats you make,means less money spent,therefore more residual pocket money.

RapidKL Student Card is an essential for students,especially they frequently travel from one point to another point on Klang Valley by RapidKL public vehicles.
Especially,if you take public transportation to your college/school/university,this essential card offer you 50%(50% tho,who doesnt love cheap item!)discount for every journey.
Let say you need to take LRT from Subang Jaya to TBS.By using this card,you pay RM6 for return trip instead of single trip.

To make the card,you need to go LRT Pasar Seni.You can reach here by cab,Grabcar,Uber,RapidBus,LRT Kelana Jaya line(Stop at Pasar Seni),MRT(in the future),and KTM.
If you are taking KTM,you need to stop at Kuala Lumpur Station and walk about 1-minute to the Pasar Seni Bus Hub.
The office open Monday to Saturday,9-5(except Saturday,4) and close during Sunday and Public Holidays.

Important documents to be bring during registration:
1.Identification card(Original and photocopy)
2.Student verification letter(Original)
3.Student card(Photocopy,but just bring the original one,perhaps the officer might wanna see it.)
4.You yourself(True,coz there will be photography session.)
5.RM10

When you arrive at the kiosk(i refer it as kiosk,as it is just a small single building under the LRT station),first you need to fill in the registration form at the Information Counter(Kaunter Pertanyaan.)
Then,queue up at the counter to take your number.
Wait for your turn,wait for it,WAAAAAIT FOOR IIIITTTTTT,then when it is your turn,pass all the relevant doc,take picture and,well done,you have make yourself a RapidKL Student Card!


BUUUTTT,you have to wait for at least 2 weeks before your card finished processed.

The moment im writing this entry,im also waiting for the card.ppppfffttt.


Latest info: You need to change your RapidKl consession card before 16 July 2017. You may chane your card at those stations:

Pasar Seni Concession Counter (For new applications, renewals and migration of concession cards)

7.00am - 7.00pm 

LRT Subang Jaya, LRT Awan Besar, and LRT Sri Rampai (For migration of concession cards only)

7.00am-7.00pm

For FAQ, you may refer here.

9/1/16

Tulis.Menulis.Kenapa menulis?

Biasanya kita mendengar orang bercakap mengenai kepentingan membaca atas sebab-sebab dan faedahnya tersendiri.Tapi jarang orang bercerita tentang kepentingan menulis.

Menulis merupakan satu elemen penting dalam sejarah peradaban manusia.Tulisan merupakan salah satu alat komunikasi untuk manusia berhubung.

Dengan tulisan,idea dapat diekspesikan dan maklumat dapat disalurkan.

Sekiranya moyang-moyang kita tidak mengerti kepentingan penulisan,lupuslah catatan sejarah.Mnusia tidak dapat mengesan asal-usul mereka.Tiada yang dapat dipelajari manusia hari ini daripada peristiwa silam.

Aku menulis kerana,aku ingin mengisi masa lapang.

Aku menulis juga kerana aku ingin mengekspesikan,menterjemahkan idea dalam fikiranku dalam gaya penulisan.

Aku menulis kerana aku ingin berkongsi apa yang aku ada kepada semua.

Aku harap,satu masa nanti,aku akan baca balik apa yang aku tulis ni dan gelak(asal macam kerek sangat first entry ni.tak de idea sebenarnya nak start.)