On Saving Electricity...

Last October, we decided to change the water heater from electricity to gas type. According to the seller and what I (assumed) know of, we are going to save about 1/3 of the bills from the electricity used.

So we spent $1450 on the whole things. New gas water heater $300, 2 new shower heads + 1 water tap (mixer) for the kitchen sink for a total $350, and the installation costs $800.

A big spent, hoping to get a nice rewards in terms of longtime savings in the electricity bills.

But it doesn't turn out well. First month, instead of going down in the bills, it spiked. A bit higher than usual. I blamed it to the usage of air-conditioners (which I think maybe we used it a bit more than the other months)

But December came, it still doesn't show any changes. I am pissed. Something's wrong here. And I just found out the culprit. My mother in-law. Yeah, she used the gas water heater without knowing that she was using it all the time. How? you might ask.

Here's how. The water heater will on when you didn't turn the tap to the most right position (first mistake, believing what she told me that she knows how to use the tap). And she always on the tap to the max/ high pressure whenever she washes clothes, which makes the water out still cold even though the heater is on.

What a waste of money...

Now, I have shown her how to 'operate' the tap properly and hopefully the bills will go down.

Remember friends, if you are changing any water heater from electricity to gas or whatever upgrade you make to save electricity, just make sure everybody in your house knows how to do the things right... Otherwise you just ended up paying more instead of less. (in my case, we assumed my inlaw knew how, and we, I mean I, had a passive aggresive attitude here)

But to be honest, although without my inlaw problem above I don't think I save a lot. Just for information the electric water heater consumption is 2300 Kw/h and compared to the gas water heater consumption is 8000 Kw/h. I am wondering why people always said gas heater is paying lesser bill.

Any thoughts??

Lunch Tote bag

The other day, when I went out for lunch and on the way back to office, I saw this good offer. Which is a magazine that cost $5dollar but it got so many freebies inside like a bottled water, a small sample bottle of laundry detergent and a lunch tote bag.
This is the lunch tote bag I have..

Well, today while browsing online  I saw something similar to that tote bag and it cost US$24.99.

Wow! 

via

It always makes me feel good knowing that I scored on free good stuff! Haha

Happy Day everyone!

Mother's Day

Just happen that I was planning to get a new phone for the past few weeks and my choice is Iphone 5.

So last Saturday we (my hubby, I and Chloe) went to nearby mall and hubby told the Starhub customer service that he intended to recontract his phoneline and get the Iphone for me. To his surprise he was told that he cannot recontract because he already recontract earlier before. My husband knew for sure that he can recontract and was never turned down before. This made my husband so pissed off. He then called the hotline and told that he can actually  recontract but only tomorrow (which is fine for me of course). So we went home empty handed.

The next day, we went to the same Starhub branch (it is near our house) but greeted with different person at the customer sevice. And it was a very pleasant one with a little question asked. We queue for 30 minutes and was attended quite professionally. We were about to sign the contract when the guy attending us said that due to celebrating Mother's Day, Starhub is giving a $50 dollar off for purchase of Iphone 5 on this day only and another gift certificate to dine at the Restaurant of our choice (there were these lists of restaurants for us to choose). We were so happy with this surprise because even without the discount and all that I will still want the phone.

So I guess the incident the day before was a blessing in disguise. From God. Because no matter how we put it, there is no way we can come out with the perfect timing to get the phone. And I purchased the casing straight away that day. The tag said it was member price $29.90. And I feel it is quite good. So we went to cashier to pay and end up we only have to pay $16.00 ( got another further discount). What a beautiful day it is for me. To struck not only one deal but 2 at the same day. I feel very blessed.

Well, this is how I spend my day on Mother's day.
I am not the type who will be fussy over this kind of day. Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Father's Day.. all look the same to me. Just another day. And I was raised like that. In fact, I grown up not knowing have this kind of day (haha.. blame my parents for being so ignorant then). So I did not expect anything other than just to spend my weekend with my family.
Thank you God.. for making this Mother's Day so special.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who celebrate!

Splurging on games

Last week we were bored.. of our mundane lives..
sort of..
So my hubby suggested to buy CD games (the PC one) so that we can have some entertainment at home. But in the end we went home with this..

XBox360

It is an impulsive buying I tell you. We do not have any intention to buy it in the first place.
But then we went to this mall (Funan IT Mall) and met the salesperson and got 'psychoed' there while watching this grown up guy (30+) doing his dance move following the games instructions... the song was 'Ice.. ice.... baby...' And then we were like "What the heck is he doing?" He is not even a promoter of Xbox. Well... he is an Xbox addict I guess. lol
So then I dunno why or how or when but somehow the idea of having this Xbox thing is becoming not so bad at all.

So we came home with this 'baby' and had since tried some of the games. and even have an hour fitness session together with hubby and our goddaughter.
So far so good I think. till the bill come... later...we are all happy. :)

Happy Weekend everyone!

psst,  it costs $549 with all the free games added.
O.M.Gosh. Most expensive games I ever bought. $$$.

Care for myself

I read this blog - Lovely Lue the other day, and I was so called getting my 'enlightment' on things that I never care before. My skin (beauty). Not that I am beautiful in a supermodel kind of standart, I am far from that. But by reading that blog I somehow understand that God makes me beautiful as who I am and I should do something to appreciate it.. by taking care of it. So I make a decision to treat myself better now and give absolutely the best (or better) for myself because I am worth it and I am blessed to have what I have now.
So what I do first thing is... getting a nice haircut. Because it is almost 1 year+ ago the last time I did and got a cheap 10dollar cut.

before

After :)

Now I feel much better already with my new haircut.


Next thing...  do routine skin care (especially face).

my first set of skincare product from Skinfood

For my entire life I never dedicated myself to do this kind of skincare routine day and night so when I read the above blog (which is written by professional makeup artist who is passionate about it) I am ashamed to say that I have neglected the basic care of my skin. Fortunately for me the damage is not so great ( as far as I know.. *fingercrossed*) I only have several dark spot and abit wrinkles here and there due to age and sun.. I think. :)
Well... I am starting anew now by buying a set of skincare product (for my face) and slowly but surely I will try to care for the whole entire part of my body. No more $10 products. I promise myself. Haha.
Thank You God for your blessings in my life.
Amen

Christmas gifts from my hubby

Something that I wont buy for myself... a book. Not just any book. It is a sewing book.
Thank you honey!

and for him I bought this...

as usual. Guys stuff. or thingy. which he claims will make him a better photographer. hehe. Anything just to make him happy.
Love you :) hehe

My money goes to...

this pile of clothes. BHG sale. 

 

 

 

 

total $28. Am I saving? or splurging? hehe