Inflation rate has gained, what are you going to do?

Inflation rate has gone up and is going up further in the future. What is your preferred way of handling higher inflation rate?

Reliable broadband service with minimum 200kbps download speed from international servers in Malaysia?

As I have mentioned before, to have broadband connection uptime of 99% and above, 2 ISPs are required. However more than one Malaysia-based ISP does not solve excessive slow connection for international servers, e.g. below 100kps. To solve this problem, a Singapore-based proxy server is required. The reason is most international links are connected to other cities via Singapore. See Asia Pacific map of network operator, REACH. Since most Malaysia ISPs have no problem maintaining 200kbps connection to Singapore servers, therefore 200kps download speed for international servers via a Singapore proxy is almost guaranteed.


REACH Asia Pacific network


22/6/08 Singapore web proxy - free trial

More information about Maxis wireless broadband and Celcom wireless broadband

On 15/11/07 afternoon, I was in Maxis centre at KLCC and Celcom centre along Jalan Ampang. The objective is to test out wireless broadband services. Below is information that I have discovered.

	Celcom wireless broadband	Maxis wireless broadband
ping newmediaexpress.com(1)	150-250ms	250-350ms
mimimum subscription period	0 month	18 months
modem cost(2)	RM 1300++	RM 0
max usage	unlimited(3)	3G
384k plan(4)	RM 68 per month	RM 68 per month

(1) For TIME dotNet broadband, ping time for newmediaexpress.com(hosted in Singapore) is between 20ms and 150ms.
(2) Conclusion: wireless modem is not free for both wireless broadband providers.
(3) If the network is slow, it is the same as usage cap.
(4) If you subscribe to 384k plan for 18 months, Maxis plan is cheaper. You can get cheaper 3G card from independent sources. However you are free to switch for Celcom plan. Consider Digi/TIME dotNet may introduce 3G services next year.

My opinion is at the moment wireless broadband is still too slow for the additional cost of modem(RM 1300++).

16/11/07 Just found out I can get a reasonable 3G card at RM500. So I am tempted.... :)

12 ways to tackle fuel hike

One of the inevitables in Malaysia is fuel hike. Below is ways an individual can do to tackle fuel price hike by reducing transportation costs

• Travel less




• 1. If you go out for lunch during weekday, share a car with your colleages.


• 2. Consider car pool. If you drive for more than 30 minutes to office on a working day with minimum traffic jam, consider sharing a car with a colleague on a large part of the journey. For example if your office is in Sungai Buloh and your home is in Bukit Jalil, share a car with colleagues in Puchong, Serdang, Seri Kembangan or Sungai Besi.


• 3. Reduce shopping frequency. If you shop once a week, consider shopping once every two weeks or even once a month. By buying less frequently, you can also buy in bulk.


• 4. Shop in nearby areas. Add transportation costs into shopping bills. If you drive to a shopping mall, not only you have to consider fuel cost, you have to consider depeciation and maintenance cost.


• 5. Stay in an area closer to your working place. If you stay in your own property that is too far from your working place, rent out your property and rent another place closer to your working place.


• 6. Telecommuting. Ask your company to allow your to work from home for at least one day in a week, specially Saturday.


• 7. Use self-service technologies as much as possible, e.g. phone banking, websites.




• Use more efficient vehicles




• 1. Use vehicle with more mileage per liter.


• 2. Use vehicle with smaller engine. If you drive a 1500cc car, consider 1000cc car.


• 3. Empty car boot.





• Use substitute




• 1. Use natural gas for your car


• 2. Use LRT. If you stay near a LRT station or travel in small group(two members or fewer), consider LRT

If you have other ideas in handling of fuel hike or cutting transportation costs, please share with us in the comment section. Of course you can 'subsidise' fuel hike by using money saving tips in other areas or increasing your income :)