Putrajaya, Malaysia

Putrajaya Bridge

Palace of Justice

Large boulevard toward Prime Minister Office

Government Building

Some might say that Putrajaya building like 1001 Arabian Night. Putrajaya is new state capital of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur now concentrating as commercial hubs. Putrajaya is like Washington D.C. and Kuala Lumpur is like New York.

Both city are linked by dedicated highway and fast rail network.

Among attraction at Putrajaya is wetland and Putrajaya Mosque. Near Putrajaya Mosque there a lot of shops and eateries. There are also river cruise so you can admire the beuty of Putrajaya via waterways.

How to get there

1) Via ERL from KL Sentral to Putrajaya Sentral and then proceed by Putrajaya Bus or taxi.

2) By car or taxi from KL proceed to MEX highway to Putrajaya.

Extreme house modification

Extreme modification

Setia Tropika, Kempas, Johor Baharu

On my recent trip to Johor Baharu, I encounter a corner house with extreme modification. Extreme in term of the design which is not align with the Setia Tropika theme.

But anyway it depend on the owner taste. But for investment purpose, it is not recommended.

For investment, modification is done to add more value to the house. For example more pleasent, more space and better interiror (tiling, paint etc)

Smoking is Dangerous for Plant

Translation: Please do not throw cigarette butt into the vast. It will cause the plant to die.

You normally seen in the cigarette box that smoking may cause cancer and impotency. But do you know smoking also kills plant.

If cigarette can kill tough plant. Wonder what it will do to us.

Stop smoking and start investing.

Mee Bandung Muar, Pagoh Bus Station, Muar, Johor, Malaysia

Mee Bandung Abang Sayang

Mee Bandung and Sirap Bandung

Muar River Sunset near the Muar local station Bus

Muar Second Mosque seen from Muar local bus.

I've been to Bandung Indonesia and you will never see a single restaurant selling Mee Bandung. But if you go to Muar, majority of the restaurant sell Mee Bandung Muar.

Actually Mee Bandung Muar is yellow mee served with thick gravy made from fish and spices. The mee bandung muar is quite hot. My personal preference is to consume mee bandung with chill sirap bandung (rose syrup with milk).

Next time, when you visit Malacca, do visit Muar and joint Muarian and eat Mee Bandung.

Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Tourist thanking Bali Volunteer to cleanup beach

You can learn surfing at Kuta beach

Kuta beach is a long stretch beach.

When I am teenager, I enjoy a song called Denpasar Moon. Denpasar is capital of Bali. Denpasar also international airport for Bali.

About 15 minute drive from the airport is Kuta town and Kuta beach. Along the beach there are dozen of high end hotels. But on a second layer of the building, there are a lot of budget hotels which is affordably price.

As an international destination, Kuta beach is well known among westerner. So there are a lot of bikini clad sun lover enjoying bright sunny Kuta beach.

Kuta beach also popular with surfing as the wave can reach 10 meters high. In term of safety, the beach equipped with life guard and loud speaker to warn people if there is an incoming Tsunami.

In term of cleanliness, local government of Bali cooperated with local petty seller to spend 30 minute of their time to clean the beach.

Do: Surfing, swimming and sun bathing

Don't: Think about your work. Hahaha.

Investing for future generation

One of the objective to invest and to save is for future generation or for your children. People spend hundreds  or even thousand per month to buy insurance and takaful.

In my opinion, the basic pricinciple of protection is to protect the income earner. For example you must buy insurance for yourself first before buying insurance for you children. The insurance will protect you as a bread winner of the family.

As for myself, even I have some Takaful to protect me and SSPN for my children, buying property for example house is also protection for my family.

My housing loan is protected by Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance (MRTA). Read further from http://www.maybank2u.com.my/consumer/online_insurance/products_services/mortgage_reducing_term.shtml

The advantage of property as an investment for future generation is as below:

1. Value of the house is usually appriciate. (Sum vovered by Insurance is fixed)
2. Pay the house and get direct benefit (Insurance you pay every month and get benefit only something happened to you or upon maturity of the insurance if applicable)
3. MRTA will cover the loan if disability to you
4. If you rent the house, the rental will cover your investment and protection. Free house and free protection for you.

But you still need insurance or takaful to cover your medical expenses. MRTA will not cover for you.

Hooray! Early retirement for me (In the game only)

My first encounter of the magic word "passive income" is about 8 years ago when I am in final year of my study. I bought a discounted paper back edition of Rich Dad Poor Dad which cost me about RM50. A huge sum of money because I am still student.

On my first year of employment, I am in dilemma because I was offered cheap house by my friend. Less than RM40k. My dad (not a rich dad type I guest) did not encourage me to buy the property since my income was not stable. But the word "passive income" make me determined to buy the house and once I get the key, I rent the house.

I need to up hundred ringgit per month on house installment because my loan tenure is very short. After 5 years, It will become positive.

Property or house is one of the simplest (not easy) way to get passive income. Put deposits, buy house and rent it. Makesure the location of the house is strategic. Near city and near to the public transportation. Buying cheap house instead of condo enable you to easily rent the house.

It's better to buy multiple low cost house than to buy single condo. The risk is split and the return is higher.

Let me put example. I rent my 4ok house each month is 300 bucks. My friend rent his 100k house for 550 bucks. Which is better (80k = 600/month) or (100k = 550).

But bear in mind investment is about risk. Only invest when you can bear the risk. Investment without risk is totally lies.