Asian Tiger

I had a classmate in secondary school. He studies alright and seems to be one of those bright kids. Since school, we have not met each other until some 18 years later. Turns up that that he did not complete his degree but instead opted for some kind of stock option trading education.

Here’s his typical day. He starts work at around 8pm because he trades options in the United States. All he needed is a computer with broadband services and the desk at the corner of his home. He logs on and checks the market (what that means, I have no idea). If he calculates that there is an opportunity for him that day, he will pursue with the transaction(s) and logs off the computer by 12 midnight. If the day does not provide any opportunities to trade, he will log off by 9pm; leaving him enough time to contact me for mamak.

His day time is very much free and he gets to do whatever he wants. Just by working a few hours day for 5 days in a week, he makes close to RM6,000 thereabout. There are days that he loses in a transaction but most of the time, he makes. Averaging at RM6,000 a month, he lives a simple lifestyle which makes his savings big. No boss, no lousy colleagues, no deadlines, no customers, it’s quite envious.

31st December 2007. I received text messages. I received emails. I received phone calls. I received private messages on forums. All telling me to fill up my car’s tank with petrol because the price will be raised by 40 sen to RM2.32 per litre at the stroke of midnight. I am already feeling the pinch from rising cost of living and this is going to be yet another burden. I thought I would have to learn how to trade stocks to earn some pocket money since a day job can only help me scrap through life.

On my way back from work, I stopped by a petrol kiosk near my house and there was a long queue of cars waiting to fill up their tanks. Looks like the whole Malaysia got the price increase message. I took my turn after queuing up for about 20 minutes. Filled my tank to the brim for a total of 30 litres. If the price of petrol did increase, this would have translated into RM12.00 savings.

I woke up this morning to 2008 to be told that it’s all a rumour. I’m feeling so gullible right now. I hope you are not one of those as gullible as me. To all my readers, Happy 2008. May the new year bring bountiful joys, prosperity and health. Happy New Year!!!