Economy, Politics, Life...

Recently there are lots of going on whether you read newspapers, web news, radio or magazines...

Economy....
With US unemployment rate up and staying in an alarming rate plus the credit crisis which saw some financial intuitions being 'rescue', it shows signs of economy downturn and recession. Financial reports and quarterly earnings forecast from many MNCs have reported lower for next quarter or remaining of the year. Worst, oil price has surged from 120s to close to 150s now compare to 70+ a year plus ago with no significant sign to slow down (as none of the oil exporter willing to increase output ...except Iran?...) hence either we have a sweet 6 months now and the price of petrol will hike another 30% by early 2009.

If you go to market, you will notice all the food prices went up. Some even told me eat out is cheaper than cook yourself nowadays. (of course, i mean not eatting at luxurious restaurants ..compare to home cook). I expect next year my son's school fees will increase, milk powder already at RM75-RM80 per tin (Enfakid), I will need to pay more for babysitter probably extra RM50... of course plus electricity, streamyx, water and sewage... bus fares or air fares...

Something has yet to increase is price to service my car still remains at RM100 range but expect to go up soon... newspaper... clothes...

I am spending extra 30-35% now. :P Imagine those who take RM2000 a month pay to survive with a car? No wonder below RM2500 is consider "poor" in Malaysia now. Lots of jobs in Ipoh still pay below RM2000.

If US went to recession, then all these new development projects will stuck, and some might not finish develop... so beware to buy new apartments/condos/house which is ready by 3 years time...

Politics
What can I say? It was slightly exicited in March and April. Get bored in May and now by July, I am 'immune'. (But lots of colleagues here still talking about DSAI.. LOL) Good is that it took people away to focus on increase in prices in everything, bad is it create instability in the government. Frankly, protest on the road or stadium should not be a norm. If the opposition can win, they have won it. So should have just focus on managing those states (like mine) and build up reputation for next election. If this continues, if recession happens, it will double up the consequences and impact to everyone.

Life
It could be better and I need to look for better jobs as 'insurance' for future. Less look into what I want but more into what my family needs. I have my 'sixth sense' tell me recession is coming... so health insurance and ...etc need to buy/increase (as medicine price might increase)... Less traveling (was planning to go one more round to Japan and a family trip to US)

Good things do happen, I recently manage to find my primary and secondary schoolmates in Facebook, yeah! Cool stuff! Funny is my ex-schoolmates remember my smile and not my name :P. We even chat on the phone for awhile to catch up each other... Now trying hard to find more schoolmates and collegemates...

On jobs, I have a firm offer from Jabil and waiting for next. Soon...