Top 3 Posts in October 2012

1. How to Live Longer Meaningfully

According to an item in the news you live longer when you work longer. Look at the chart below:

Retirement age and life span

Country           Retirement age   Average life span

 Singapore       62                       84(F) 79(M)

Hong Kong     Nil                       86(F) 80(M)

Japan              60                       87(F) 80(M)

Korea             60                       84(F) 77(M)

Malaysia         55                       77(F) 73(M)

Indonesia        55                       72(F) 68(M)

The key to longevity is meaningful activities. What can you do to extend your life span?


2. 7 Effective Ways to Cope With Unemployment

The U.S. unemployment rate is at 8.1% with no clear sign of improvement. What do you do when you are suddenly retrenched from a well-paid job? You have been working in a company for more than 20 years and you are given a house and a car plus other benefits. Here are practical ways to face such a challenging situation:


3. 10 Ways to a Healthy Brain

Here are 10 ways to look after your brain so that you stay alert, read and understand faster, remember more, think clearly and are more creative:

10 Most Read Articles in October 2012

1.      10 Positive Words to Motivate You (Part 1)

Here are ten simple and yet powerful words to provide the spark and keep the fire in you burning:

2.      10 Psychological Secrets about Human Relationships

There are many ways to apply psychology for better human relationships. Here are the top secrets:

3.      12 Tips to Take Care of Your Digestive System

A healthy body needs to be nourished by nutrients. A healthy digestive system will digest and absorb nutrients effectively. How do you take care of your digestive system? Here are the top tips:

4.      7 Psychological Needs of Children

A healthy growth of your child needs to be satisfied with certain psychological needs. To understand and promote the growth of your child you need to understand his psychological needs:

5.      10 Bad Habits of the Ugly Malaysians to Avoid

According to an article, http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/relationships/how-polite-are-we  HOW POLITE ARE WE, published by Reader’s Digest about a recent survey of 36 cities in the world, New Yorkers are the most courteous people in the world with a score of 80% and the people of Kuala Lumpur are among the least courteous people in the world scoring 37% and occupying position 34 out of   36 cities. Singapore may be one of the richest countries in the world. Its people are also among the least courteous people in the world posting 42% and occupying position No.32.

6.      Why Working Overtime is Bad for You 

You try to impress your boss that you are hard working by working late all the time. It does not work that way because overtime has a negative connotation and it is working against you in many ways:

7.      What do you value in life? 

What are the things that you treasure the most in life? I find the following essential to live a fulfilling life:

8.      The 3 Pillars of Success – IQ, EQ and AQ

Every day we need to make wise decisions and solve complicated problems. We also have to manage our self well so that we can deal with others in order to get things done. In addition, we have to face the challenges of ups and downs in life. We need the three pillars of IQ, EQ and AQ to excel.

9.      5 Areas to Develop Your Career Successfully

Today, many companies are reporting that their number one constraint on growth is the inability to hire workers with the necessary skills. ~ William J. Clinton  

10.  15 Energetic Quotes to Start a New Day

Here are 15 powerful quotes to kick start your day enthusiastically:

Related post:
Top 30 All-Time Happiness Posts (Part 2)

Top 3 Posts in September 2012

1. Why Working Overtime is Bad for You

You try to impress your boss that you are hard working by working late all the time. It does not work that way because overtime has a negative connotation and it is working against you in many ways:



2. 4 Tools to Evaluate Your Loan Application (Last of a 3-Part Business Loan Series)

A bank employs ratios to check the pulse of your financial health. Ratios are used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your business. These are the four major tools used when a bank is reviewing your loan application:  



3. Top 25 Business & Finance Books

Global Finance is celebrating its 25^th anniversary with a special Spring/Summer 2012 issue.

Inside the magazine there is a list of 25 most influential business & finance books over 25 years:

Top 3 Posts in August 2012

1. 10 Bad Habits of the Ugly Malaysians to Avoid

According to an article, http://www.readersdigest.ca/health/relationships/how-polite-are-we HOW POLITE ARE WE, published by Reader’s Digest about a recent survey of 36 cities in the world, New Yorkers are the most courteous people in the world with a score of 80% and the people of Kuala Lumpur are among the least courteous people in the world scoring 37% and occupying position 34 out of   36 cities. Singapore may be one of the richest countries in the world. Its people are also among the least courteous people in the world posting 42% and occupying position No.32. 

What are the top ten wrongdoings of Malaysians? Here is the list, not in any particular order, according to a local news item in China Press:

2. Natural Remedy for Joint Pain

As a senior citizen, I used to take Glucosamine and Calcium carbonate plus Vitamin D for the promotion of healthy joints. However, it is not effective to eradicate joint pain. I was recently introduced to embryo rice. So instead of eating white rice, I switch to embryo rice as rice is the staple food for Asian people.

 After consuming for a few months, I don’t feel any pain walking up the stairs. Moreover, my joints are more flexible than before and when I perform stretching I don’t hear the cracking of the joints.  

3. Why You Need to Add Related Posts to Every New Pos

When you have done with an article, it is wise and beneficial to add some related posts at the end of your article. There are benefits when you do internal links within your own domain: 

Top 3 Posts in July 2012

1. 5 Secrets for a Healthy Heart

According to a popular local health magazine, there are five simple and easy ways to protect your heart:


2. Quick, Easy and Effective Way to Relieve Tired Eyes and Body

Are you staring at the computer screen all day long? Your eyes are tired, your neck is stiff and your back is aching.

When you are at the PC, Just spend 3 to 5 minutes every hour to do it and you will feel better:

3. 7 Effective Money Tips for Young Workers

   According to the latest survey of Financial Behaviors and Financial Habits of Young Workers by The Consumer Research and Resource Centre, 47% of the young adults were seriously in debt because their monthly debt payments were 30% or more of their gross income. 37% lived beyond their means and 15% were without savings. Most of them were lacking in financial knowledge. On a score of 1 to 6 (1 – strong financial knowledge and 6 having no financial knowledge), 43% scored 4 and above. That is why they felt that they had poor financial knowledge.

Top 3 Posts in June 2012

1. 10 Ways Happy People are Productive People

Happy people are smart and successful people. They get things done and they are happy to accomplish their tasks.


2. I Have Been Hit By Google Update Innocently

According to Wikipedia, Google Penguin is a code name for a Google algorithm update that was first announced on April 24, 2012. The update is aimed at decreasing search engine rankings of websites that violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines by using black-hat SEO techniques such as keyword stuffing, cloaking, participating in link schemes, deliberate creation of duplicate content, and others.

3. 7 C’s to Live a Happy Life

It's all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends and family.

Philip Green

Top 3 Posts in May 2012

1.  What Can You Do With Scoop.it?

Nowadays the Internet is abuzzed with curation. To be precise it is about content curation. There is a great platform just for that; Scoop.it is it. Like Pinterest, it is loaded with stunning images, but it is also filled with texts like a magazine.  How do you take advantage of Scoop.it?


2. 20 More Wise Quotes to Live Your Life

Here are 20 marvelous way to live your life:

1. Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
~William James

2. Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
~Buddha

 3. The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work. 
~Oprah Winfrey


3.7 More Soul-Searching Questions to Ask Yourself

Is your daily life fulfilling, satisfying and happy? Do you feel you are living purposefully? Touch base with yourself with these soul-searching questions: 

Top 3 Posts in April 2012

1.  10 Productive Ways to Adopt

Focus on being productive instead of busy.         

 ~Tim Ferriss

There are simple habits to acquire, but the benefits are far-reaching in your life. Here are 10 ways to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in your life and be happy:


2. 15 Quotes to Live Your Dreams

Here are 15 inspiring ways to realize your dreams:

1. Nothing happens unless first a dream.     

~Carl Sandburg

2.      All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

~Walt Disney

3.      Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

~Henry David Thoreau

3. 20 Delightful Ways to Boost Your Well-Being

"I believe the recipe for happiness to be just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends and a wife and children to share life's beauty with you."

~J. Kenfield Morley

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, well-being is general health and happiness. I like the simple explanation and I can think of many ways to promote your well-being:

Top 3 Posts In March 2012

1. 10 Benefits of Writing Diary/Journal 

According to Maud Purcell, the University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker contends that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. Other research indicates that journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Pennebaker believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health.

It is good to know that journaling has health benefits, but I have found the following ten reasons to write every day: 


2. Are You Taking Advantages of Your Tax Deductions?

In Malaysia, the tax system offers individuals many tax deductions. Are you aware of it and are you taking advantage to reduce your tax burden?  Find out the deductions that you are entitled:


3. 7 Negative Behavior of Rich People

According to a news item, rich people are more likely to have a negative attitude.  It is noted in a seven-part study by psychologists at the University of California Berkeley and the University of Toronto analyzing people’s behavior through a series of experiments.

Top 3 Posts in February 2012

1. Are You Ready For a Tax Audit?

The tax department may call you and send you a letter telling you that they are coming to do a tax audit. It is an examination of your tax returns, especially for those who are in business, to make sure that you have reported correctly your income and expenses and paid the correct amount of tax. Like fighting a legal case, whatever you have reported, it must be properly supported by documents.  Here are a few things you must observe and watch out for:


2. 7 Ways to Obtain True Wealth

If you don't think you're rich, try counting all the things you have that money can't buy... ~Rob Hawkins

Yes, money is a measurement of your material wealth, but money is not everything in your life. Your true wealth is more than your fortune. You can be truly wealthy in seven great ways:

3. How I Get Ideas to Write an Article Every Day

It is by sitting down to write every morning that one becomes a writer. ~Gerald Brenan

Yes, I have the habit of writing every morning, but reading and writing go hand in hand. To improve writing is to read widely and write every day. Here are the main sources of my writing ideas:

Top 30 All-Time Happiness Posts (Part 3)

21. 10 Effective Ways to Live a Peaceful, Simple, Happy, and Healthy life

The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Everyday life can be plain and without excitement, but it is the simplicity that you get to enjoy peace of mind and happiness in a healthy way of  life

22.  Be Active and Happy when You Retire

Retirement has been a discovery of beauty for me. I never had the time before to notice the beauty of my grandkids, my wife, the tree outside my very own front door. And, the beauty of time itself. ~Hartman Jule

Retirement is a time that you are able to do so much more than ever before. Time is by your side and it is up to you to live a full and active life and be happy. What can you do so that you can look forward to each new day eagerly and enthusiastically like a child? 


23. 10 Keys to Live a Balanced and Happy Life

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony. ~Thomas Merton 

A balanced life is an effective and productive way of life. You are able to strike a balance and take care of all the important things in life. These are the 10 keys to living a balanced life:

24. Be Free Be happy

It is a state of mind to be free and happy. It means your mind is 100% on the task at hand at work or totally having fun at play. How do you feel free and enjoy peace of mind?  Here are the tips:

25. Getting Things Done – 10 Advantages of Happy People

Getting things done means getting yourself organized for a day’s work by following the to-do list which you have prepared the day before. However, the execution of the tasks separates happy people from those who are less happy at work. Happy people do a better job than those who are not for the following reasons:

26. Be Happy Here and Now

You turn on the music and you decide to listen to some uplifting and happy songs.  Life operates the same way, you decide on the outset to be happy or gloomy. When your mind is focused on happiness you will find that you will react to all things positively. In other words, you look at the bright side of things. How can you be happy here and now?  Here are some suggestions:

 27. Promote Happiness Every Day

Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don't find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be, and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.
David Leonhardt, The Happy Guy 

Daily life can be happy and enjoyable   Happiness is the by-product of what you do every day and what you make out of it. Do the following to get more happiness out of your daily life:


28. Instant Happiness in 10 Things You Do Every Day

You can be happy every day. Your happiness is within your reach. Change your thinking and your attitude and you will be happy. Let’s take a look at the 10 things:


29. Be Joyful Be Simple

There is a glass panel in my office. It is facing a green field, a river, and a blue sky. It is a feast for the eyes by just looking outside to relieve the tired eyes after gluing too long to the PC. It is also a joy to appreciate nature by looking at the passing boats in the river and the changing pattern of the clouds in the sky and not to mention the trees in the field. You can discover joy in your everyday life. The secret is in doing things that you find joyful and meaningful.


30. Don’t Worry Be Happy

Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen.  ~ James Russel Lowell

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.  ~ Swedish Proverb

Worrying in itself can only zap your energy and make you stressed and pessimistic. Here are the things you can do to stop worrying and be happy.   

Top 30 All-Time Happiness Posts (Part 2)

11. 7 Essential Ingredients - Recipe for Happiness

The grand essentials of happiness are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~Allan K. Chalmers

Like a recipe for a dish of delicious food, it is the combination of some vital ingredients that contribute to happiness. True happiness is a mixture of the following:


12. Live Effectively Live Happily

Life is a gift and we must make the best of it, every day of our lives.

How do you feel at the end of each day? Do you have a great day? Are you disappointed? How do you live every day so that you are happy and satisfied at the end of the day? There are easy ways to live each day meaningfully and be contented.

13. How Happy Are You?

You can find out your happiness level by responding to the following statements:


14. How to Feel Good Every Day

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
- Anonymous

It is not difficult to have a great day every day. Feeling good starts with a positive mindset. Here are the things that you can do easily to have a wonderful feeling every day:


15.10 Simple and Effective Ways to Be Positive and Happy in Life

Everything in life starts with a thought or an idea and the right thinking will create a positive frame of mind especially when you start a new day. As you are in full control of yourself you can choose (you should) to be happy and adopt a positive mental attitude. By feeling happy and thinking positively you will act, react, do things and express yourself in a delightful way. The best time to think of positive thoughts and be cheerful is when you wake up in the morning. Here are the 10 ways to be positive and happy about


16. 10 Happy Ways to live life

“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” 
― Elbert Hubbard

“Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.” 
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Life is what you make out of it. When you think life is worth living, it is. When you think it is not, it is also true. Why not change your mindset and live a happy life?  Here are ten suggestions to uplift your mood and be merry every day: 

17. Be Less Be Simple Be Happy

In life, less is more, simple is plentiful and happiness is about free and easy.

Here are the ways to be less and simple but getting more out of life

18. 60 Effective Ways to Live Happily

The purpose of our lives is to be happy. ~Dalai Lama

There are many ways to live an abundant life and be happy. How do you live life happily? Take the cue from the following list:


19. Reiki for Peace of Mind and Happiness

According to The International Center for Reiki Training, Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. What can we learn from Reiki to promote peace of mind and happiness? Check out the following:


20. Find Happiness Be Happy

What is happiness? It is all about you. Let me elaborate:

Top 3 Posts in Janaury 2012

1. How Safe is Your Money in the Bank

In Malaysia, there is a system established by the Government to protect depositors against the loss of their insured deposits placed with member institutions in the event the member institution fails. It is administered by Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) and brought into effect in September 2005.

All types of depositors, whether businesses or individuals are protected. The maximum limit of coverage is RM250,000 per depositor per member institution.

Your deposit with member banks are covered automatically and it is free. When you have one million Ringgit you can deposit with four different banks and not four different branches of the same bank at RM250,000 each to get effective cover.  

Your money may be safe in the bank but is it productive? There are two factors to consider:

2. How Many Bank Accounts do You Need to Manage Your Personal Finance?

One of the aims of personal finance is to control your spending according to your budget. It is also part of your financial plan to save sufficiently.  An effective way to achieve your goals in these two areas is to maintain three separate bank accounts.

3. What Is the Difference Between a Journal and a Diary?

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a journal is a written record of the things you do, see, etc every day. Diary is a book in which you can write the experiences you have each day, your private thoughts, etc.  Both words come from the same Latin word dies ‘day’.

I have been writing a diary ever since I was young. At the end of each year, I will go to Popular Book Store and buy one. It is written on the cover 我的日记 (wo de ri ji – My Dairy). I write about the happenings of the day plus my personal thoughts and feelings on things which affect me.

I do not see any differences between the two:

Top 30 All-Time Happiness Posts (Part 1)

1. How to Be Happy At Work

Zappos is a company which believes in happiness at work. Workers are provided with free lunch, free ice cream and free massage. The company thinks that excellent customer services start with a happy workforce. Even when you decide to leave the company, you are paid $4,000/=. It is better that you leave when you are not happy working there or the morale of the staff will be affected adversely. A happy environment can be created for you, but how do you create your own happiness at work?


2. 7 Characteristics of Happy People

What do happy people do? You can follow their footsteps and be happy too:


3. Slow Down to Live and Enjoy Life – 10 Joyful Tips 

In life, we should seek quality instead of quantity, calmness instead of restlessness and be restful instead of stressful. The fast pace of living is detrimental to our life. Here are the 10 tips to a balanced life for greater enjoyment, better health and more peace of mind:


4. 10 Happiness Tips – An Appreciation of What You Have Got Out of Life

To be happy just take a moment to find out all that you have got out of life and you will be able to appreciate your abundance.


5. Positive Thinking - 10 Delightful Tips to Make You Happy

Are you feeling down most of the time? Are you bombarded by all the bad news in the papers? Is your mind filled with negative thoughts? Here are 10 positive tips to cheer you up:


6. Happiness and a more Satisfying Life - The 7 Ingredients

While true happiness is a state of mind, there are many who pursue fame and fortune. There are also others who follow a life without attachment to all material things. However, God is fair. All of us, rich and poor, can attain happiness and a more satisfying life. Here are the 7 ingredients:


7. Baby Boomers – The 7 Ingredients of Happiness

Baby boomers have special needs. However, it is still possible to have lasting happiness with the following ingredients:


8. 10 Happiness Quotes to Live By

Here are ten quotes that get you true and lasting happiness:  


9. Effective Ways to a Happy Family

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.” -Joyce Brothers

Success is not just measured by the position you occupy in a company or the wealth you have accumulated over the years. If you have a broken family, you are not successful. 

Success is a balanced life and family comes first. How do you promote a happy and united family?  Here are some useful tips: 

10. Happiness Checklist

Here is the daily checklist to be happy and stay happy:

Top 30 All-Time Personal Finance Posts (Part 3)

21. Why You Should Keep Your Credit Cards

Are you thinking of cancelling your credit cards for good? Before you do, consider the following:


22. 7 More Effective Ways to Save Money

What are the children asking from Santa Claus this year? Here are the answers:

A job for their mom or dad. Money for the heating bill. Food or a place to live. Maybe gloves or boots.

Time is so bad that children don’t ask for things for themselves. It boils down to the fact that we really need to save for a rainy day. Here are more ways to save effectively:

23.  How Many Bank Accounts do You Need to Manage Your Personal Finance? 

One of the aims of personal finance is to control your spending according to your budget. It is also part of your financial plan to save sufficiently.  An effective way to achieve your goals in these two areas is to maintain three separate bank accounts.

24. Malaysia’s Credit Rating and Ringgit Foreign Exchange Rates

According to Standard & Poor, the long-term local-currency rating for Malaysia was cut to A from A+, with a stable outlook, while the foreign-currency rating was affirmed at A-. The downgrade has impacted negatively the exchange rate against other major currencies. 

A weak Ringgit stimulates expert but discourages import. It will cost you more when your children are studying abroad or when you purchase items online at Amazon.    

25.  Can You Choose Wisely Between Savings and Debt Settlement?

You are in debt and you also want to save for a rainy day. What do you do? If your income is comfortable enough to cover savings and settling debt, it is good to do both at the same time -reduce your debt and build up your nest egg. What if your fund is limited and you have to make a choice? I would suggest you pay off your debt first. The reasons are not hard to find:

26. Tortoise’s Way of Making Money

You must have heard about the story of the race between a hare and a tortoise and eventually the tortoise won the race slowly but steadily. Similarly, you can’t get rich quickly in investment. Making money is for the long-haul:

27. 10 Tips to Avoid a Default on a Car Loan and Bankruptcy

According to a news item in The Star, there were more than 500 bankruptcy cases every month due to failure of people to service loans for their hire-purchase of motor vehicles during the past five months this year. How can you prevent such a thing from happening to you? 

28. Wisely Selecting a Savings Account

In mid-November, Charles wrote a fantastic post addressing how to decide between paying down debt or saving. His bottom line: your debt interest rate will always be higher than your savings account APY, so pay down your debt.

But, what if your debt is under control? Below I highlight some key metrics to analyze when selecting a savings account, in addition to showcasing some of the best savings accounts on the market! 

29. What an Emergency Fund Can do for Your Car Loans and Credit Card Debts

Your current earning may be good enough for you to qualify for a car loan or get your credit cards. However, it is not good enough when you are unemployed. You need an emergency fund.    

30.  Effective Ways to Avoid Credit Card Debt

The most important thing about credit cards is your mindset. When you have a credit card, what is in your mind? Are you going to entertain yourself and your friends with the card or to buy things you want on credit? Stop thinking about the word credit and treat your credit card like cash. Take advantage of your credit card for the following purposes only: