How I Budgeted During a Rough Month

(And What I’ll Do Differently Next Time)

It started with a bang. Not metaphorically, but literally — a strange sound coming from my car engine that turned into a four-digit repair bill.

And as if that wasn’t enough, our electricity bill came in looking like we were running a secret durian freezer business. That was the moment I realized: this month’s budget just got hijacked.

We’ve all been there — that one month where everything hits at once. 

But instead of spiraling or swiping without thinking, I decided to sit down, be honest with myself, and face the music. Here's how I navigated that storm, what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time.

An empty wallet, a notebook with a handwritten budget list, and a cup of black coffee on a wooden table with the title 'How I Budgeted During a Rough Month' overlayed in bold cream-colored font.

To the Ones Who Claim to Speak for Us

A divided illustration showing a suited leader in a cracked superhero mask surrounded by missiles, while civilians hold protest signs saying "We Didn’t Ask For This" and "Not In Our Name," with a tilted scale of justice in the center.

A letter for the loudest voices, from the silent majority.

You say you’re standing up for the oppressed.

You say you’re doing this “for the good of humanity.”

You fly jets, drop missiles, and release statements as if you’re the world’s moral compass.

But let’s get one thing straight —

You don’t speak for us.

Not when your own Prime Minister has an ICJ arrest warrant hanging over his head.

Not when your cities still struggle with deep injustice, division, and inequality.

Not when your own people are crying out for dignity — and you look away.

Not when your humanitarian talk doesn’t even extend to your own backyard.

Woohoo! ASB Dips Us in Sunshine with a Higher Dividend! + Weekend Vibes

Guess what?

My inner finance nerd is doing a victory lap around my brain. ASNB just dropped the big news: 5.25 cents per unit dividend for ASB in 2023. That's a bump from past years, like an extra scoop of whipped cream on your favorite latte.

Imagine 10 million Malaysians, me and maybe you included, high-fiving each other right now.

That's how many of us are feeling the sunshine of this higher dividend. It's a sweet reward for our steady saving and investing in ASB, like watching a tiny seed blossom into a beautiful flower.

Screen shot showing amount of dividend payment by ASB for Dec 2023

Debunking the Myths: Understanding Mental Health and Breaking the Stigma

Mental health. It's a topic that touches everyone's lives, yet it's often shrouded in misunderstanding and stigma. This leads to isolation, fear, and even reluctance to seek help when it's needed most.

Today, we're clearing the air and shedding light on some common myths and misconceptions about mental health. By debunking these beliefs, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

 

Elon Musk's Unyielding Stance Against Corporate Censorship: A Bold Rebuke to Advertisers

Elon Musk's recent remarks at the New York Times Dealbook Summit regarding advertisers on his social media platform are a striking testament to his views on corporate influence and free speech. Facing a backlash from advertisers over a controversial post, Musk stood firm against what he perceived as attempts to sway his platform's content and policy.

His response to the advertisers' actions was both blunt and unapologetic: "If somebody's gonna try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money? Go f*ck yourself."


Beyond the Byline: Unraveling the Authorship Mystique of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad

The question of whether "Rich Dad Poor Dad" was solely written by Robert Kiyosaki is a fascinating one, and it touches on broader issues within the publishing industry, particularly in the realm of personal finance and self-help literature (as mentioned in a recent Kiyosaki's clash).


A mysterious silhouette of a man at a desk with a typewriter, merged with a shadowy figure, against a backdrop of pages with financial charts and text from 'Rich Dad Poor Dad'.