I usually do not prepare much when I am writing a post.
I just type it down just like how my brain wants me to
say.
I have read through some of my previous journals and I am
happy I did that last time. (although reading them back make me cringe SO much), but I've realised I've also grown so much as a person mentally!
For the next phase of MCO, I would like to type out my
thought in here and let it be jotted down as a journal for my future references.
It has been a while since I write my last post, in fact,
4 years. Major contribution definitely is the MCO; that has left me with so
much free time.
It is also scary to see how this pandemic is causing big downward
spiral of the economy.
To be honest, to us, or at least to me, the impact of
this pandemic on my job, at this moment (DAY41), is still not quite apparent.
We receive our basic pay as usual for the past 2 months (without entering to
the office). Our allowance, however, has been deducted throughout the MCO period.
I think this decision is fair, since we are not even travelling
to get and coordinate projects. No project is moving and neither is our
production line.
I presume after this pandemic is over, our company is
going to be more conservative in restructuring its budget allocation. Of course,
one of those plans is to be more conscious on overhead allocation. This means
that the chances of getting pay raise is lesser. I have to accept the fact that
bonuses will get lesser. And this trend will remain for at least 3-5 years.
In fact, this is the nature of my job. I am working in a
manufacturing company which supply construction-related materials. When
construction field is slowed down, so does our company.
Unlike other field, eg: logistic and shipping, education,
F&B related where the demand is still on-going, I can see they can recover
in a faster pace than us.
One thing I have to look at is for sure to diversify my
income sources. Active income for me is a must as those are the income that is
more realistic and grounded. Passive income like investing has its risks.
Besides, I have lower interest towards managing its risks and to full time
study its strategy. Juggling between my work and investing is also challenging
for me.
So all in all, the only thing I have to do right now is
to be mentally prepared to cut down on spending. The best measure is to have a change in my lifestyle.
Spend less and be more money conscious.
1.
To cut down on vacation trips (this is one of
the most painful decision that I have to make)
2.
Spend lesser online on insignificant things
3.
Stop chasing for latest gadget trend
4.
Opt for cheaper alternatives for social lunch,
gym, etc.
To be clear, I think I don’t dramatically spend on something
useless or unnecessary. See, I don’t subscribe Netflix or Spotify (well for
obvious reason, it is not a necessity for me and we can get it online for *cough*
free *cough* anway). I don’t change my phone that often (the last time I upgrade my phone was a 4 years old iPhone). I do, however, LOVE traveling with my friends and
family (but we always opted for cheaper places mainly ASEAN region). I am not a
sneaker head (I don’t really understand this hobby). I seldom go for expensive
fancy restaurant. (well, I’m still a Single motha-fakkaaa). So basically I
am quite a boring person in general.
Basically the above is still
manageable and the only thing I need to remind myself is that I don’t “progress”
myself into the type of mindset where spending more on luxurious is equivalent
to more happiness.
I have trust in my own company, but I low-key think that the future prospect is going to be tough. I sincerely hope that everything will go back to normal, and for me, progress forward as smooth as the past 4 years in the company.
See you in the next post.
