Frugality in Kuala Lumpur has just gone one level deeper. A saving of about $550 monthly, a 2 hours exercise sessions for FREE and an opportunity to explore natures within the city has just been proven recently with just ONE simple ACT ! As everything goes, there is some trade off or 'risk' too ...
Its Cycling To Work !
Mathew was a guy who suffers from a terrible 24.3% inflation in 2009. After he started to follow this blog, he has learned a trick or two to keep things going smoother. Today he is working as a top executive in a public company but situation hasn't changed much. He is still in middle level income group. After his 5 figures income divided by the number of people he has to support, his actual cash-at-hand per person monthly is much less than average personal income ie. $1,500.
Many staffs who worked for Mathew always complains about how tough their lives are and demand a salary increment without extra performance to the company ( while their single income is about $1,500 as well). Mathew thinks it was obvious his staffs weren't educated well enough in personal finance so he decided to role model to show a point - live frugally.
He used to drive about an hour to work, commute about 22 km and then spent about $10+ for parking fee. Now instead of doing all that, now
After the decision was made, he first bought a huge term insurance to cover this temporary needs. After all, he doesn't want his teaching to his staff to affect his even more important loves to his families.
Once the insurance is approved, he started cycling to work. It wasn't easy. He first followed his driving route. It was dangerous as cars and motorbikes are cruising fast by, ignoring his existence. But the good thing about cycling . . . is that its both a pedestrian and a driver. So very soon he found a much shorter and safer path, only 12.1km instead of driving 22 km away.
It took him about one hour to cycle to work. ( Above 2.5 hours was for walking time ) So practically this doesn't affect any of his schedule at all. As a matter of fact, this improve the stability of his schedule. Even when there is an unexpected traffic jam which would cause a normal 1 hour driving to 2-3 hours, his cycling time remains the same as 1 hour.
Mathew also lost 6-8kgs since then, has a much tougher built body now. He used to pay a lot joining fitness centers etc. but never got the time to actually exercise because he is a workaholic. Now he HAS TO exercise 2 hours a day.
Mathew also started a health diet to eat more veggie and fruits even before this cycling idea. Thanks to this cycling exercise, his cycling route passed by a local market at Chow Kit ( one of the oldest and largest wet market in Kuala Lumpur ), he now manages to buy 5 star fruits for only $1, which fuel his breakfast and lunch.
There are much more indirect benefits he received since he started cycling to work. But as everything goes, there must be some Cons that comes with the Pros. Should one accident happens during his cycling commute, it would most probably cost him his life. While he was well aware of the risk, he took action to insure against that rick and he also find ways to improve his own skills and awareness to maximize his own safety.
There are quite a lot of tips and tricks he has developed since he cycles to work. If you were moved by this article and wanted to try this too . . . be warn ahead, there is some risks involved. Do spend some time to buy me a cup of coffee so I can share with you whatever those tips and tricks are so that you can minimize your risk and maximize your return / saving / investment.
I am just glad living frugally in a city like Kuala Lumpur has just gone one level deeper. With tons of other extra benefits and with only ONE major risk that a person who really cares can mitigate easily with skills and experience.
Have you managed to find any innovative ways to cut your expenditure or increase your saving by 25% !?
Its Cycling To Work !
Mathew was a guy who suffers from a terrible 24.3% inflation in 2009. After he started to follow this blog, he has learned a trick or two to keep things going smoother. Today he is working as a top executive in a public company but situation hasn't changed much. He is still in middle level income group. After his 5 figures income divided by the number of people he has to support, his actual cash-at-hand per person monthly is much less than average personal income ie. $1,500.
Many staffs who worked for Mathew always complains about how tough their lives are and demand a salary increment without extra performance to the company ( while their single income is about $1,500 as well). Mathew thinks it was obvious his staffs weren't educated well enough in personal finance so he decided to role model to show a point - live frugally.
He used to drive about an hour to work, commute about 22 km and then spent about $10+ for parking fee. Now instead of doing all that, now
He cycles to work
After the decision was made, he first bought a huge term insurance to cover this temporary needs. After all, he doesn't want his teaching to his staff to affect his even more important loves to his families.
Once the insurance is approved, he started cycling to work. It wasn't easy. He first followed his driving route. It was dangerous as cars and motorbikes are cruising fast by, ignoring his existence. But the good thing about cycling . . . is that its both a pedestrian and a driver. So very soon he found a much shorter and safer path, only 12.1km instead of driving 22 km away.
It took him about one hour to cycle to work. ( Above 2.5 hours was for walking time ) So practically this doesn't affect any of his schedule at all. As a matter of fact, this improve the stability of his schedule. Even when there is an unexpected traffic jam which would cause a normal 1 hour driving to 2-3 hours, his cycling time remains the same as 1 hour.
Mathew also lost 6-8kgs since then, has a much tougher built body now. He used to pay a lot joining fitness centers etc. but never got the time to actually exercise because he is a workaholic. Now he HAS TO exercise 2 hours a day.
Mathew also started a health diet to eat more veggie and fruits even before this cycling idea. Thanks to this cycling exercise, his cycling route passed by a local market at Chow Kit ( one of the oldest and largest wet market in Kuala Lumpur ), he now manages to buy 5 star fruits for only $1, which fuel his breakfast and lunch.
There are much more indirect benefits he received since he started cycling to work. But as everything goes, there must be some Cons that comes with the Pros. Should one accident happens during his cycling commute, it would most probably cost him his life. While he was well aware of the risk, he took action to insure against that rick and he also find ways to improve his own skills and awareness to maximize his own safety.
There are quite a lot of tips and tricks he has developed since he cycles to work. If you were moved by this article and wanted to try this too . . . be warn ahead, there is some risks involved. Do spend some time to buy me a cup of coffee so I can share with you whatever those tips and tricks are so that you can minimize your risk and maximize your return / saving / investment.
| Driving | Cycling | |
| Time | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Petrol | $10 per day | $0 |
| Parking | $5 - $10 per day | $0 |
I am just glad living frugally in a city like Kuala Lumpur has just gone one level deeper. With tons of other extra benefits and with only ONE major risk that a person who really cares can mitigate easily with skills and experience.
Have you managed to find any innovative ways to cut your expenditure or increase your saving by 25% !?
5 comments:
The major concern about cycling to work is the safety but if he found the safer route, then it should be fine.
Would getting a motorbike instead better in terms of efficiency? I believe he still needs to take shower when he arrives at office? Does he? :D
Even better, find a work where you can work from home :P
Freelance, etc..then no need to spend time travelling around.
CD: yes motorbike is more practical but Mat doesn't know how to ride one.
Actually cycling in the morning is quite a breeze and cooling, he doesn't even sweat a bit despite the work out. But he didn't know that in the beginning so yes, he actually setup a shower facility at office.
Kris: If there is a like button, I would 'like' your comment already :)
Salute.
Just hope it doesn't rain.
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