Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Penang_J

Fed up with current lifestyle

Penang_J — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:17:38 +0800

I am early 90s, working as a general insurance manager now. When I first joined two years ago, the workforce is on 100% capacity and now reduced to 80%, everyone is heavily loaded with works and getting more selfish. To achieve my targets, I have to work 7 days a week (answering to clients) day and night without any rest day. Nobody willing to help and share the burden.

Furthermore, the Operation team and support staff makes me feel stupid to work with them which resulted I have to cover for their tasks and fully utilised my personal time. Those jokers cannot be sacked cos this is not China man company and they are working like JPJ officers.

Already highlighted to my boss on these issues, but unable to get more manpower and better solutions. The working culture in this company are horrible, terrible and the IT system are very far outdated. Just that the remuneration package is 30% better than my old stupid company.

I started to work 10 years ago and living in the same state since the day I was born. Currently, got two houses and one car under bank financing. Overall debts close to 900k.

In 2023/2024, many of my friends have left and moved to Singapore, some got a better jobs or internal transfer.

I don’t mind to have the same salary working in Singapore (annual income now 100k) and I just want to leave this shit place due to work problem and some personal family problems and planned to start over again.

If I don’t leave this horrible place, I feel I cannot “tahan” already. The next year bonus might cover up for some initial expenses in Singapore (rent house and living expenses).

I know my boss will counter offer me to stay, but I really don’t planned to stay in this company anymore after these nightmares!

I always want to explore new city, meet new people and leave these jokers behind. After working for so many years, I know Malaysia is not a good place to work, the wages here are relatively low and I only got 20% of my bro’s salary working under foreign company.

Should I wait for my next round bonus on March, i know still got long time to go but already suffering for 5 months in 2024.

A few other competitors have approached me, but I did not answer to their calls yet. Definitely they willing to pay me more compared to current pay, really hard to make decision to stay in hometown or start a new life in Singapore?

Upgrade car or house?

Penang_J — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:54:31 +0800

Currently I owned two properties in Penang and one Honda City (just bought two years ago).

First condo bought about 9 years old and resale value about the same. Bad location and price just cannot go up. Currently rented to others, just enough to cover instalment.

Second house bought during MCO, price increased a lot but no planning to sell since just renovated 8 months ago.

My wife just recently finished her car loan, I plan to upgrade to CX-30 for her but need fork out extra RM100k car loan. ASNB got some money, but I don’t want to touch the “emergency funds”.

Currently feel “lack of motivation”, unless me and my wife focusing in 5 years to settle one of the housing loans.

Should I sell the first house now and continue to invest in property or otherwise since I’m early 30+??

Bank release payment to developer

Penang_J — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 21:51:25 +0800

I bought a condo which is under construction. I had received a Letter Of Release payment (date: 15/01/2021) issued by the developer to Bank which is also copied to me. I saw the due date is one month later and Bank already start to release the payment on 22/01/2021 and charged me the progressive interest for that.

My question is since the due date is one month later and why Bank had to release the payment so early to the developer and charged me the daily interest (for 100k payment). If 10 days still considered reasonable but 3 weeks? Something is not right for me.

Career advice - leave or stay

Penang_J — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:44:15 +0800

Work 4 years in same company - senior position, salary less than 4k but got petrol allowance + car allowance

Pro
- flexible working hours, 7-8 working hours per day
- doing routine work tasks, less responsibility as all the works o/s by managers
- stable company with high volume of assignments, able to hit personal targets easily
- Increment (about 15% per year)
- Consistent petrol allowance
- New people confirmed in two weeks (workloads can be reduced)
- High bonus (but need wait very long to get)

Con
- bonus last 2 years not yet paid out, bonus for 2018 (maybe wait till 2020).
- High turnover as most of my ex-colleagues had left the company [(more than 15 of them, about 4-5 people left per year)]
- Medical claim capped at RM 50 per month (cant afford to sick twice)
- High volume of work loads as many had left my company last year.
- About same salary as juniors who just joined the company about 1 year (as those people from different industry and nearly 40 or they know how to demand).
- Junior got higher increment as she can work with my boss (insider news)

Current
- Had discussed with my boss who promised to give promotion about 2 months ago, now roti canai and asked me to wait till next increment (3 months later). With my current situation, the increment wont be high like always (usually few hundred not in term of percentage)
- Bonus 2018 will be forfeit (easily more than 10k based on past performance)
- Got job interview and looking around 5k (maybe management position with higher responsibility)
- CNY bonus coming soon, secure (1) one bonus for 2018
- High commitment as got house

Many friends advised me to leave but most of my competitors also not doing well and pay lower salary. Should I stay or leave after my interview?

Should I stay or leave ?

Penang_J — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 18:52:58 +0800

My company is a medium size organisation and 20 people in my branch. 15 people left us in this 4 years from the day I join as a new graduate. Now senior level, insurance line.

Pros:

-flexible working hours but (Monday to Saturday)
-good increment (15~30%, salary high become lower) (200-400 normal increment).
-good monthly allowance
-3 months bonus (based on last year, this year don’t know)
-comfort zone
-good relationship with current management team.
-stable company compared to other firms, good sales.

Cons:

-Staff turnover is high.
-no reward scheme, boss give bonus on his syok sendiri scheme and no actual payout date.
-no OT claims, no allowance if you outstation for a week or so but once in 4 yrs.
-weak management skills, WhatsApp during day & night. Almost meeting everyday.

3 of my juniors planned to leave this year and one of the management level retire very soon. Got chance to get promoted soon maybe (10-15%) this year.

A friend (ex colleague) from other company want me to join them as they short of people. Their budget is lower compared to my current company (1m vs 3m), If I take the job, expecting 20%, but need further negotiation.

Note: I declined their offer last year and got counter offer from my boss. The staff turnover rate at nationwide is extremely high.

Car accident in roundabout

Penang_J — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 22:47:44 +0800

My friend driving a Myvi involved in an accident while making a turn into 12 o'clock from 6 o'clock. At that point of time, he was driving in the inner lane all the time and followed his path to turn into 12 o'clock. A Proton Saga driving on the outer lane was believed to speed fast and hit the rear left passenger door as he intended to go 3 o'clock. The accident was minor but both of the drivers had decided to make the police report.

Recently, my friend had communicated with the police investigating officer and was advised that he is the one on fault. As he was not convinced with the police investigation result, any advice before approaching a lawyer?

My friend was driving the "light blue" vehicle as shown below.

2nd house before reaching age of 30

Penang_J — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:37:39 +0800

Bought my first house few years back and now renting out to get some rental income. Owned a 7 years old Myvi and might trade in for better car next year. I was targeted to get another house (better one) in the next 5 years to make my financial position more stable and promising. PTPTN cleared and credit card manageable.

Already saving for more than 3 years for first house after graduated from college and now this process going to repeat again for another 5 years (hopefully).....

Really lack of motivation to continue the process~

Plan to get a new car next year

Penang_J — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 02:00:25 +0800

Plan to get a new car as my old myvi already 5 years old (2012 standard spec without any safety features abs)

4K income, single, huge commitment as my house instalment around 2k. Rental income will come in shortly. Expenses 1k per month now. PTPTN settled.

Petrol, parking, toll paid by company. Maybe can trade-in my first gen myvi (family car). Annual travelling about 30k KM. been driving for first gen, second gen myvi since 2010 (accum 250k KM).

I target Honda Jazz or Myvi (again, again and again ??) lazy to get second hand car as no time to maintain.

Can company delay employee bonus?

Penang_J — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 22:25:49 +0800

Last year company paid bonus on Feb and the remaining on May 2016, but this year only receive a month bonus on CNY, bonus letter declared on May 2017 but until today get nothing due to cash flow problem. Salary also delayed for few days..

Financial year closed on Sept every year and were told that they must pay off before closing but now hopeless... Any advice?

What else to get before age of 30?

Penang_J — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 02:52:36 +0800

I am 25 years now, got a myvi (5years old and fully paid) and a house under construction now. This year plan to Invest PRS to reduce tax and clearing my PTPTN loan on monthly basis. Discussed with currrnt GF, she intend to get a bigger house (More expensive) but I plan to get a better car! No plan to get married at this age. If buy bigger house, my concern is the share portion and I would contribute bigger portion and it will not be 50/50. The current house's location not so nice but still a low density condo. Might sell off after 5/6 years to avoid RPGT.

If based on current savings, 20k per year should not be a problem. At the age of 30, maybe got extra 100k. Follow heart or GF's advice ? I belived some people had gone through this difficult times and what's your opinion? I love planned ahead to determine a correct path in my life but driving a myvi does not feel "safe" right now and it doesn't equipped with ABS and my works required me to travel outstation every week.

If buy a 80k car now, it will affect my savings significantly, takes risk now to create better future.

Neighbour's dog bark non-stop

Penang_J — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 23:33:30 +0800

My neighbor's dog barks every night at about 2am morning. I am staying in landed propety (not gated). So his house at rear of my house. My family had some conflicts with them due to the fencing wall issue (they had renovated their house design to the rear fencing wall). As such, there is no way to talk with them and they are those type of people very difficult to deal with. Any solution / advice on the matter ?

Counter offer from current employer

Penang_J — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 02:05:58 +0800

Recently, my competitor's company (a friend) had offered me 25% extra of my current income and same
Position (this is what I request for and I only got 3 years exp) I know need short of people as heavy workload. My boss (head of branch) came to me and counter offer me 30% and management position.

History
My company seniors just promoted after working for 7-8 years (if I accept the offer, I am same level
with them). I am surprised that my boss can talk bad about me and offers me such an attractive offer next day. Nobody know wtf he thinking.

Working with existing company (easy life, lesser files) and higher wages but boss's attitude like shit.

Pros if stay:-
Higher salary (200 extra)
Better position + extra benefits
More familiar with current procedures

Cons
May transfer me to other branch
More stressful life since promoted to management level

Should I stay or go ? At this age, position is not a concern for me, I just want better wages + quality lifestyle since I am just 25.

If go new company, start from zero, fresh minds, no problem working with them (ex-colleague), more workload and balance lifestyle (more freedom). Most important is he know appreciate people.

Boring life

Penang_J — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 01:35:28 +0800

I am 24, already working for 2 and half years. Earning about 3k right now, everyday handling claims and answer numerous calls; very boring . I bought a condo (together with my dad) last year and half of my salary goes to my house, the rest of them pay ptptn credit card etc. Got about 800k bank loan (principal + interest). Can't really lose my job and have to deal it alone since my dad already retired.

Many things still not yet take into consideration, renovation, MOT etc easily fetch 100k, can't really go travel as I already fk up !, still lucky compare to those don't really own a house.fk life!

Should i stay or leave the company?

Penang_J — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 01:34:08 +0800

I am about 2x this year, had been working under insurance for about 2 and half years. Based on the past records, i am always the top of the producer (same level as i) in my company. I was unhappy working with those jokers (unhelpful supporting staffs) and expecting better increment and bonus but.....

These are the challenges i facing right now

1. After few years of working, found out the supporting staffs just want easy job (8.30 to 5.30). Basically, i did almost 80% of their jobs and they are not helpful and not supportive as they only got small numbers of them. Unable to cope with them and they (working for many years) try to push all the jobs to me.

2. Lack of manager team and no clear instruction from managers (due to newly promoted manager), unable to solve the difficult tasks and (talks more than actions)

3. Rewarding system is not based on production and hard work. (the increment of salary and bonus almost same among those lazy and hardworking). (don't encourage people to work hard)

4. Low remuneration package (about 200 more than junior only).

Pro -

1. Playing push game on the assignment given (better workforce now) and got more quality time to accompany my family members.

2. More quality time and flexible working hours.

3. Got chance to promote to higher level (after working for years)

Another option - Competitor's company (a friend of mine) had offered me same job position (maybe 10% higher salary negotiable) due to smaller firm and workforce.

Should i stay or leave? FYI, i am the youngest in my company~

Should I quit my job?

Penang_J — Wed, 03 Aug 2016 23:45:44 +0800

I had been working for two years since graduate. According to my colleague, company minimum requirement to hit personal target (4x of my salary).

In the first year, I managed to hit 6.5x and 7.5x of my salary in last year (June) so my boss increased my salary about 15% same as those people (lower production ) than me. Their salary even higher than me and yet we get the same bonus.

In this company, I have to work extra for new business to hit my production in order to achieve better, but what's the point of fighting so hard and boss not recommend high remuneration for those who work harder.

My company is big firm in this industry, no worries about losing job. So, should I continue to slack or change a better company can offer me 10-20% more?

RDGS

Planning to get a new car

Penang_J — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 02:19:28 +0800

I had been working for 1 year since i graduated from college. Planning to get a new car and pass my old myvi to my mother. My family already had 3 myvi(s) so no more myvi for next vehicle.

My monthly salary around 2.5k without allowance. After deduct off all my expenses, nett around 1.5k. With my salary how much bank loan i can get? and what is the healthy zone budget for me to get the suitable car.

By looking at my friends, with 2k salary able to obtain around 75k bank loan. 9 years with monthly installment around 900. My main priorities for car are good handling, petrol & maintenance (without any major issues). Monthly traveling around 1.5k-2k depend on work.

At this stage, no commitment for me except for the Ptptn loan (slowly pay back). My myvi 4 years old and no more bank loan.

Shall i save more funds to get a better vehicle (C-segment or plan for B-segment vehicle)?, anyway i don't want to have financial problems to finance my bank loan. (life is easy, don't make it hard)

Sifus advise TQ

Burberry or LV?

Penang_J — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:06:55 +0800

I actually looking for a Messenger bag to fit in laptop and casual outing with my friends.
I understand that Burberry got summer sales of 40% off (maybe London Messenger calf leather) or Louis Vuitton Damier graphite?
I had been using calf leather goods like LV wallet and belt, so Burberry leather or LV Canvas which might be better for me? The LV price is expensive than Burberry by 2k. Any issue on Burberry leather goods? i don't want something that can easily damaged as i had been using LV for more than half years.
Any Sifus can help? thank you.

Need help on working shirts and pants

Penang_J — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 01:41:00 +0800

i am 23 years old right now , looking for something better than g2000, slim fit for skinny guy like me..any recommendations ??thanks sifu

Face a little problem on iPhone 5

Penang_J — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:10:18 +0800

I had been using iPhone 5 for two years and I play some videos on facebook but it comes out with no sound/ music, is there any setting to radify the thing ??thanks sifus

Coach or Braun buffel?

Penang_J — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 00:25:14 +0800

I'm looking forward to buy a messenger bag for myself, able to fit in 13inch laptop and documents and casual purpose so which one shall I choose?My budget around 1.5k
Below is the breakdown of the details:
Coach 400 usd ( friend able to get in USA) (in Malaysia 2k+)
Braun buffel (malaysia) maybe 10% ( free polish )( 1.5k~2k)

Both of the function and purpose is the same , I using bb wallet and belt too
Never tried Coach before, so which one is the wiser choice for 22 years old ?
Suggestion and explaination are acceptable