Put up a Fight for Free Credit Cards

Credit cards are such a beautiful trading tools these days. There are so many banks offering their services and they only worry if you are not with them! Bingo! Every year when the credit card company going to send me an annual fee, I will always put up a fight with them.

I will begin by telling them nicely, I am not happy with the charges, and other is offering more attractive promotions or fees! Tell them you want to switch, unless they do something for you. Almost 80% of the time they will agrees to WAIVE the annual fee for you. Hehehehehe! Why not! They have been making us using the card and they benefits from it. Somemore wanna charge us annual fee.

However, this stance is only for good paymaster. If you were the kiasu who always have bad paying history then it will not work for you. It will be an answered prayer to the credit card company that you are self terminating :-P

Eating Spree in Japan!

One will never grow hungry when they are in Japan especially in Tokyo! You can eat for free!! No no no, it has nothing to do with pyramid scheme like selling those vitamin or suplements capsules. We are talking about real food here :P

Everytime around 5pm or close to dinner time, I will walk to a big supermarket in Japan like Isetan, Mitsukoshi and etc. Usually under this big supermarket at lower ground, is a food heaven where many stalls allowed food tasting from sushi to candies. All you need to do is walk near the store and check out the item you like to try (with must EAT them in "mind") and smile to (usually an elderly) attendant. They will hand you the sample of their food, sometimes, probably out of genoristy, the portion is a meal by itself. Then move to 2 stores away, to maintain your pride a bit (not seen by nearby stalls), try another kind of food. After all the sampling spree, finish with a mini cup of tea or soft drink. Say Ahhhhhhh! Burp!

Who says food in Japan is expensive! There are free food everywhere, even the local will participate in this eating spree! Who says kiasu is only in Singapore :-P

Meet your Idol after the Play or Musical

Last night I went to a play at West End, London. I went to a controversial play called 'EQUUS'. One of the lead in the play was Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter famed. If you get a chance or it does come to your town near you, go watch it :-)

You must be wonder how can this be under kiasu blog! Well well well, after the play, I joined a small group of kiasu from around the world to the backdoor. Most of them were holding the program book and hoping Daniel will appear. True enuff, he did and we were very excited. He was very friendly and starting signing autograph for all his fans. I did not buy a program book but instead I took out my travel guide book for him to sign. He turned to me and laughed. I told him that's all I have for now. I continued to praise how well the show was - and indeed he was good. Very versatile young actor.

Now now now! I have my travel book signed and I can sell them in EBAY! A colleague in UK already asking me to sell it to his daughter! I am still considering ..... hehehe ;-)

Smaller Notes maybe Tedious but Safer in China

I had been travelling into China many times, however, late last year I got "Conned"! It's like this, usually when you exchange the foreign notes into Chinese Renminbi (RMB) they will give you bigger notes like RMB100 or RMB50. Sooo one day, I went shopping at Pearl Market in Beijing. I bought some bags and handed the lady (looked very honest) a RMB100 note. She changed back with several notes in RMB50 and, the rest in RMB10s and cents.

When I boarded a taxi and try to pay the driver with my "exchanged" RMB50 note, I was told it was a fake note!! Since last month I had been cheated twice! Probably because the Olympic 2008 is approaching and they expect more foreigners coming into the country! They can take advantage on those tourist who are not familiar with their dollars and sense!

So the lesson is when you plan to shop, make sure you change all the bigger notes to smaller notes! Preferably RMB10, because usually they prefer to counterfeit bigger notes! Also, it's worth to invest in a small torch can be used on RMB notes. You can find them everywhere in China.

If you like to shop and you can't tell the real from the counterfeit one! Carry smaller notes !! Although it's inconvenient but at least I feel better! Grrrrrr

Hire a car from 5 star hotel at cheaper rate but Shhhhhhhh

I learned this trick accidentally when I was in India for a holiday. I was new to New Delhi at that time and wanted to hire a hotel car to go around the city. I had checked the car rates around the town and most of the tour agency quoted the similar price as the hotel. So to save all the hassle and time I decided to rent one. I went up to a concierge and started asking for the rental rates. I purposely said it's expensive trying to negotiate with the concierge. What surprised me, the concierge told me he has friends who work as a driver for special prices. And the price is half of all the prices I was quoted before! So so so never underestimate what can a concierge do "outside" of the hotel :-)

All you need to do is smile to them nicely, ask for ideas and probably tip them a little and you get a great bargain! But do it quietly ..shhhhhhhhhhhhh

You want to shine but not your Shoe!

You were in a hotel or office, and next thing you know you need to meet your boss. As always you need to shine in front of them! But wait a minute, your leather shoes was not polished and looked awfully old. What can you do!

Check the toiletries in your bathroom or in your bag. Look for a bottle of cheap hand lotion and rub it on your shoes. The best thing is you can apply on any leather color. It will come just shiny for at least half a day! Impress your boss and it cost you little!

Big Blue Special at Selangor Pewter

Few of us may not aware of this .. however, don't under estimate the IBM badge. If you are IBMer and also happened to be kiasu .. next time when you want to make a purchase at Selangor Pewter in Malaysia flash your card! You will be automatically receive a 10% off! Better than nothing right?!

Also, if you going are for a business trips in China under IBM, when you eat around IBM Beijing at Chaoyang office, remember to flash your card. Most of the restaurants especially in Pacific center building itself will give 10-20% discount!

Flash them today!

Save your $$ at Baskin Robbins

The following kiasu tips is from Bahija! Thank you in advance.

The next time when you go to Baskin Robbins, you wanted to buy a single scoop of ice cream. Your friend also wants a single scoop as well. Usually if you buy single scoop if noT wrong a junior super small scoop cost you around RM6 witH tax.

Following is the kiasu stance you can use .. Get A 2 scoop ice cream pay around RM8, then buy a sIngle cone only for RM1. Ask the ice cream attendant to pLace one of your double scoop to the cone. TA dah .... total RM9. You may saved RM3 ! (Prices above are estimation)

We have not tried this trick at HaageN Daaz or other vendor yet .. but please explore this kiasu stance!

Good deal at the Malaysia Hall in Australia

I always noticed the Malaysia Hall with a big car park compound and probably 2 km away from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Being a Malaysian I am curious what do they do inside the hall. Later, I found out it actually can host Malaysian students or parents /relatives who has kids studying in Australia.

The charges for the hostel are unbelievable good deal. Of course this is only open for Malaysians only. For Undergrad : 4 AUD a night; For Postgrad : 6 AUD a night and For Parents/Relatives : 12 AUD a night. Maximum you can only stay for 3 nights. For parents/relatives, you need your kids to fill in the form for you. There are currently hosting in Sydney and Melbourne only.

This is a great deal, anyhow no harm trying eh! For 12 AUD a night, that's a cost of a movie ticket in Australia!

More at http://www.msdaustralia.org.au/Myhall2.htm

Rebates from Energy and Waterworks New South Wales, Australia

For those who are living in Australia, this piece of information is very handy. The government often come up with ideas to save energy and water. If you comply to their measurements you can get your rebates. For example, if you buy a washing machine, make sure it complies with the announcement below :

Washing machine rebates reach 20,000
(7/12/06) Sydney households receiving a rebate for purchasing a water efficient washing machine have reached 20,000 and together they are saving 420 million litres of water a year. Customers can receive a $150 rebate from Sydney Water for purchasing a 5A water efficiency rating washing machine before 31 July 2008.

There are many various forms of rebates. Just visit http://www.deus.nsw.gov.au/index.asp , go to search and type "rebate". Ta Dah you will be able to find out what you can claim back in no time! Yeah Kiasu rules again!

Clean Budget motel in China

I discovered this chain when I was looking for motels for my aunt. It's call Super 8 motel or "SU BA" in putonghua and it's expanding throughout China today. It is an American chain and the focus is cheap and clean rooms.

Personally, I stayed once in Shanghai. I was amazed with the location of the hotel. Most of them time it is centrally placed near the sightseeing areas or very near to a subway! The hotel is a bit small but if you are on a shoe-string budget, no complaints! If you want slightly comfortable room, book a business executive room - above 50RMB more usually. I had even tried to tip the housekeeper and they refused to accept! How can you beat that?? You can save more! Kiasu rules!

You can book through the internet http://www.super8.com.cn/en/index_en.asp , or you can give them a call directly. I realised during off peak, you can use this trick. Call them directly, tell them you are checking prices and comparing with other motels! Guess what, 80% of the time, they will tell you they will give you more discount and cheaper than internet rates!

How to eat and drink for "free" at the airport

When you have a long haul flights, a good airlines lounge is what you need! However, some of us may not have clocked enough mileage points to use one. So what can you do? Easy, always travel or find a friend (you newly met at the airport) who carry a GOLD Singapore Airline's Krisflyer! Their policy allows each Krisflyer to bring in a guest. Usually in the airport lounge, they have free flow of beer and liquer, food, TVs, internet access blah blah blah!

Ta Dah! Be alert when you see a GOLD card holder travelling alone! Smileeeeeeeeeee to them ;-)

Books - where can you get cheap books!

I had visited several countries in Asia, but India is the best place for book shoppings! For example, a latest novel will cost you around RM25 (USD 7) but if you get them in Malaysia it will cost you like RM38-42 (USD 11). The main reason for the cheaper price is because of the Indian publisher has a lower publication rate. However, if the books are not published in India, it is usually still 20% cheaper than outside India :-)

Now you know, if you happen to go to India or friends going there! Pass them the rainbow bag (balik kampung bag) or golf bag ..and stuffed them!

Welcome to Kiasu-Dom!

Hello all my friends out there. I had decided to put up this blog to share all our kiasu tips in order to save our pocket money for future big houses or diamond rings ;-)

All this while during my travel either outside or within Malaysia, I came across many goodness and sometimes it does not cost you a cent! Ahhh why did not think about blogging them earlier! Anyway, never too late to do so!

If you know any good tips, do let me know and I will share them with all the readers here. Good things must not be hidden!

Long live the Kiasuuuuuussssss :-)