Welcome to Geneva!

Welcome to Geneva!

This blog will give you an heads-up on living in Geneva. Take a deep breath and start reading it....

Housing...

Section A: Getting an idea on housing

• Renting a flat can be in multiple ways. You can get it 
• from flat owner directly OR 
• via Regie OR
• Regie - is an organized real estate agent who manage apartments /  buildings. There are many regie's in Geneva and Switzerland
• via Tenant (this is called Sub-Let)
• Usually via owner, most appliances (white goods) will be there. some flats comes with furnishing
• via Regie – mostly flat will be empty - this is best way, as the rents will be cheap and getting via them is bit tricky (you will learn, when you start applying for flats)
• Sub-let – mostly fully furnished. Technically existing tenant rents you since he is abroad or will be moving out soon or going on vacation 
• Sub-let can be three ways.
• Long Term stay (legitimate option) - if the existing tenant (via Regie) has a valid contract, where he can sub-let his/her flat to others. He gives a valid contract of stay with you & him/her.
• Long Term stay (legitimate option) - via Regie – this will involve your documentation with Regie
• Temporary / short stay (ok) – Long Term ( no – don’t take it) – existing tenant or sub-let’er is NOT ready to give contract OR you can stay in JohnKnox

Initially to save cost, go in sub-let (will save you hotel costs), then search for flat via Regie or owner - usually this will take 2-3 months and depends on availability, your likeness on the flat and etc...

Alternatively, lease-takeover is easy option.

By default, a rental contract with Regie is for minimum 1 year and sometimes 3 years or 5 years period. If someone has to move out, then s/he is required to submit 1-2 eligible applicants to Regie/owner who will take over the flat. The existing tenants will post their ads in internet using glocals & FB groups, asking to visit and apply for lease take over. This does not mean that you have to serve remaining period, but it will be new lease in your name. Don’t worry, you will find an applicant when you need to move out.

You can view the ads, by joining / searching in the below websites/groups

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Genevelocation/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/396738560372636/
http://www.glocals.com/classifieds/geneva/housing-and-real-estate/ (similar to sulekha in India)
Geneva Indian Email Group
Indians in Swiss Email Group

Few sites where you can view the ad from Regie

HomeGate
ImmoScout
ImmoStreet
RealEstate Search Engine
BilFinger
Consolidated Regie's Website List


Section B: Understanding how flats are classified & rent sample

• Every room is called piece here. For a 1 BHK - 1 hall, 1 bed room, 1 kitchen, it will be called as 3 pieces flat. You can opt of 3-4 piece flat (1 or 2 BHK). - rent varies from CHF  1200 to CHF 2200 (very old flats [40+ years old] costs less, and new flats costs more)

Average rent price per 20 sq. m = CHF 600.

Decent Studio (size 20-30 sq.m) - CHF 800-1400
Decent 1 BHK - 3 piece (size 40-55 sq.m) - CHF 1000-1800
Decent 1.5 BHK - 3.5 piece (size 60-75 sq.m) - CHF 1500-2000
Decent 2 BHK - 4 piece (size 60-100 sq.m) - CHF 1800-2500
Decent 3 BHK - 5 piece (size 80-150 sq.m) - CHF 2200-3200

Section C: Furnishing

• Appliances & Furnishing (mattress / cost / sofa / TV / washing machine / dish washer / cook top with grill / microwave / vessels / kitchenware ) based on flat, you can get it. 
• Even if you get an empty flat, white goods & furnishing (NEW) will cost around 4 to 6K max as one time.
• If you feel, your stay is 2 years or less, you can think of buying used items also.
• Check out glocals classifieds OR FB groups below
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/132683256821749/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/Goodeal/

Section D: Deposit

• Deposit is 3 months when you sign a contract with Regie or Owner.
• You need to Open an account to deposit the Advance. Check UBS Rental Surety Account
• Duration of contract is by default 1 year or 3 years. 
• 3 months’ notice period and you can't break within 1st year. if you break, then either you need to pay OR find a suitable tenant
• For sub-let. Usually 1 month deposit.
• Remember here, it is advance rent. It means 1st April; you pay rent for April month.
• you need to get Liability insurance 

Living

• Veg - average cost - per person CHF 300-500 month (on the higher end)
• Non-veg - average cost - per person CHF 400 - CHF 600 month (on the higher end) 
• All spices & food is available with grocery shops managed by Srilankans, Pakistani & Indian people.
• http://www.namasteswiss.ch/en/grocery_stores
• check out Asian Spices & Madhura Marché
• Grocery Shopping
• CoOp
• Migros
• Denner
• Aligro
• Border cross-shopping / carrefour

Transport 

• If you know your contract/stay period in Geneva, then opt of an year pass CHF 550 (instead of monthly CHF 70) as it will save cost. TPG is the Geneva transport provider.
• If you love driving (minus parking cost + other expenses), buy used / new car 
• If you are determined to get an car, remember within 365 days of  your arrival to Geneva, you can convert your existing Indian driving license to valid Swiss License.
• Ensure that you have a valid plastic card based license (not an book format), else change it before coming from India
• OR else get an half-fare SWISS PASS (CHF 165 annual renewal)
• Swiss trains/bus are almost ON-TIME
• Get 1 day travel pass (regular CHF 73…if you buy 5, you will get 6, works out CHF 60 approx)
• OR get commune (fixed date) day pass (subsidized rate). Check out the commune site you live in.

Insurance

• Health (compulsory)
• Your travel insurance is NOT a valid insurance in Geneva
• Health Insurance is compulsory and you need to take within 3 months of your arrival in Switzerland. Refer Link and News Link
• Usually if you are deputed from India, medical insurance is managed by your employer, else add CHF 800-1300 for the whole family (of 2 adults + 2 kids) per month.
• Opt for Standard insurance which would cost CHF 400-600 per person with max outgo as CHF300 (premium reduces with deductible increase)
• If you want to save on premium, opt for TelMed or HMO model. Premium would be CHF 200-300 with max outgo as CHF 2500
• Check for Assura PHARMed 
• Check https://en.comparis.ch/krankenkassen/default.aspx 
• Liability (compulsory) when you take an flat from Regie. Check Axa

Income Deductions / Taxation (based on your employer / your work contract)

• Taxation period - Jan to December
• Tax rates varies based on your marital status, income source from members, dependents etc..
• Tax rates vary from 0.04% to 37%
• Based on your employment contract with your employer, you might need to pay for Pillar 1 (Swiss State Pension scheme) OR you can pay EPF in India (Social Security Agreement between India and Switzerland entered into force on 29 January, 2011)
• Pillar 1 (complusory), Pillar 2 (your employer) and Pillar 3 (optional from your end to save tax). To get an idea, do read this.
• If your spouse is home maker, no income, then you need to submit a form with employer so that your tax deduction is less. Do check with your attorney/ employer.
• http://ge.ch/impots/system/files/documents/IS/2014/is_avis_aux_employes-2014-en.pdf
• Refer to the Geneva Canton income tax rates
• if above link does not open, search for bareme impot source geneve 
• Tax rate for 2016 

Typically an bachelor / spinster with 96K will pay 12% tax rate

a couple with spouse no income with 96K will pay 8% tax rate

a couple with spouse no income and 1 kid with 96K will pay 5% tax rate

a couple with spouse no income and 2 kid with 96K will pay 2% tax rate

Schooling

Canton (district administration) has French as the medium, however if your stay is temporary (say 2 years on L permit) then joining to an international school with British (English) curriculum is relevant in Geneva, if you have grown up kids (8+).

There are around 5-7 schools in Geneva. Would recommend http://www.iil.ch/en/ . The overall cost for private schooling is between 25K - 40K (depends on which school you join). If your employer will take / coverage of schools fees from 50-85% ...so it would be well in control on the finance.

Schools start on Sept. while admission starts in Feb/Mar of every year (in some schools previous Dec itself). Get school admission and then search for flat, so that you have walkable distance from it.

If you want to join public school, select flat near your work place, as public schools are there everywhere.

Public School is subsidized or say free, so you will have to pay nominal charges, when required.


Swiss Banking / Transferring Money to India

• Before travelling open an SBI NRE account else convert your existing account from SB to NRO.
• Recommended would be opening an NRE Account from your favorite bank, in case you feel SBI is cumbersome
• UBS is recommended bank as have nominal charges and have ATM's widely.
• Transferring to India (international transfer) they charge only CHF 5
• remember to select *charges borne by the receiver* when sending money to India
• You can also use TransferWise instead of UBS direct transfer.

Miscellaneous

• Internet, TV/Mobile device licensing, other charges (heating / electricity), mobile  - approx 100-250 CHF per month
• Mobile
• If you will be speaking only to people in India, buy an LycaMobile. Data plan is the cheapest and you can opt for VOIP & WhatsApp / Viber calling.
• If your work depends on mobile locally, then opt for Company provided or Sunrise / Swisscom better.
• Internet for home comes with bundle or standalone.
• Standalone package is only internet, which can be subscribed from UPC. They have tie up with Naxoo (who are local providers) separate charge (CHF 20-30) for them. Do check with Regie, before subscribing to Internet, as sometimes only certain provider will be allowed/subscribed to.
• BILAG
• This is mobile (radio) /TV licensing. If you have internet connection and watch programs using it, then you need to opt for BILAG with radio licensing. If you don’t do it, ISP will send report and automatically you will get bill. So better opt on your own.
• If you have TV, then opt for TV licensing

To sum-up, Monthly Expenses would be

Housing (rent/heating/internet/BILAG) - CHF 1200-2000
Living (food) – CHF 500-1500
Health Insurance - CHF 300-900
Transport – CHF 70-200
TDS / Tax - approx CHF 500-600 (varies on your marital, dependent status)


Enjoy your stay in Geneva!

Health & Food - See them the way, you are!

Update on Dec'14 : ScienceAlert on "How to reduce fat in our body?"

When ever there is topic on health or food, many in fact start talking about many types of exercises and diets that should be followed to be healthy. I just wonder, how many people really can stick to that regime for life?

We are made of 5 senses, which are unique to us and shunting them is one of the most disaster things we do to our healthy well being, which many forget.

Just to recap the senses we have Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell, Touch. Though we have more than these senses, but these are the profound for  being a human and makes us unique.

In our human civilization, there are many cultures and traditions every place has to offer, it is up to you to understand and live, else you need to follow what others tell you, which would forgo your own identity and trying to become someone else, while they will never welcome you. This is the bitter truth. Oops spirituality in health. Thoughts are so weird that health, food and spirituality all can co-exist and do exist.

In simple terms...

Health - live a life without the need/help of others

Food - eat the way you feel that is good for you

Now when I think of Health - everyone recommends to do exercise like walking, swimming, jogging/running, aerobics, cycling, air silk, gym, treadmill etc... and so many. I just wonder what these do? They burn your calories or fat or excess stuff that you have in  your body and make you look healthy. But are you really healthy? These exercises are so rigorous that your physical body gets like a molding formation structure. It is like a car, you need to keep the structure of it in the way it looks, but are we a car or a material? For how many years you can keep this? Just wondering how many can realize this?

We are human living beings and can never be in the same form or shape, but what we can do it, adapt to the age and have a form that is acceptable by ourselves for a better well being. This leaves us to  understand what these exercise does or how it works.

Most of the people in cold countries, do these techniques. I feel that it might be required, as they don't have heat energy naturally, so they generate it by doing these rigorous activities. Now is this applicable in general(all weather)?

I would say, a big NO. The reason is simple, the food we eat is based on the climate we live in. Though industrialization has happened and many dishes/food varieties are available in most the places, but people eat the most, which is want is available in their surrounding environment. This is the reality.

I am not referring to the immigrants or refugees but the natives in these places!

Stating this, in a climate with no chill breeze or cold weather, what is better? Already there will be heat in the climate, what ever we eat, it drains out and makes to always intake more. Doing these kind of rigorous activities, is like you increase the portions of your food and going against the nature/environment you live in.

How or what this does (rigorous exercise)? It increases your breathing capacity in turn rejuvenating the whole body/mind by increasing the oxygen levels. 

Can we achieve this by any other method? Yes. It is simple and requires only the space you occupy. It is called Holistic Exercise and in local terms called as yoga. This is one form of exercise or say positions that increases your breathing capacity there by changing/improving your health overall. If you think that rigorous workout is the only option , think again. Try learning these positions, there are many, however start with Sun Salutation or locally called as Surya Namaskar formation, which has 12 positions that makes you feel the purpose of your body in the way, you are.

When your mind and body is conditioned with all the energy to burn it, why should you worry about food? Just eat what you like, when you like. But remember anything excess can be harmful. So understand your body and fine tune them where it is required. Restricting your 5 senses is not the only way, to be healthy. Being holistic healthy is more important.

2 GB Internal Storage Android Phones & Issues

Growth of Android phones was majorly due low pricing and during early 2012-13, most of the phones that were sold was having 1 or 2 GB as internal storage and running in Jelly Bean version of Android OS. 

But around mid-2013, many mobile manufacturers started introducing phones with internal storage with 8/16 GB, while users fumed on it, as it didn’t come with SD card slot. However lately (2014) we have phones with 8/16/32 GB as internal storage and SD card slots with 32/64/128 GB capacity.

Now why did they increase internal storage suddenly from 1 GB to 8+ GB?

These pre-2013 phones were having an issue, which manufacturers or say even Google recognized lately that most of the app was getting installed on the phone storage and these apps like FB, G+ or any app started consuming lot of cache / data space which displayed ‘storage issue’ whenever we try new app as there was no space in the phone. This started making the phones unusable or not able to experience new apps and features.

Many users either changed phones or were using old features. Instead of changing your mobile or rooting it, I am going to list few steps that might solve this issue, to an extent.

Tips:

• Clear the cache of the apps that you are using in your device. You can search for App Cache Cleaner in your Play Store. Do them at regular intervals or schedule it.
• Move the apps to SD card, if the developer has given an option during install. You can use App2SD or Move2SD apps for this.
• Usually apps working from phone storage are faster, but now that we have Class 10 SD cards available in the market, apps running from SD card (class 10) has also similar experience. 
• There are some apps, which is not required to be in the Phone Storage, but still gets installed and occupy space, as the developer makes it with his program. These can be moved by doing the below steps.
• Connect your phone to the PC /Notebook and install the correct mobile driver in your PC or Notebook, so that the phone is recognized by the system.
• Download ADB tools
• Windows Version : http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/platform-tools_r19.0.1-windows.zip
• Linux Version : http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/platform-tools_r19.0.1-linux.zip
• Other Platforms : http://ady.my/viewer/platform-tool.html
• How to do this?
• http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-install-apps-onto-your-SD-Card-No-Root/?ALLSTEPS

Enjoy the same phone with all the new features, instead of changing them ;)

Home remedies

We have become so much dependant on external factors, that sometimes, we feel that without these we can't live/survive. Well, I am talking about medicines, which has become part of our daily routines now-a-days due to the environmental changes, social changes, work, relationship, climate ......changes.

Change is inevitable, but does medicines really bring change?

Our human body are designed in such a way that it has self-healing capacity, however we need to give some time. But due to various external factors, we want things to happens 'NOW' and due to that reason, we take the medicines / drugs.

Not only human body, every living creature has this capacity, but only WE don't use it properly.

I found a book written in Tamil, which provides some benefits of daily veggies, herbs, fruits etc.... that can bring back or reduce the usage of drugs in the long run.

Recommend you to read it, so that you can get benefited.

Here is the link for the same 'Home made remedies'

NOTE: The book is pretty exhaustive [321 pages]

Landing : UK

Few things you need to know and do before and after coming to United Kingdom.

Before You Start

1. Check out what you need from your Country : Handy Travel Kit List
2. Plan your  flight 
1. You can book additional baggage for least cost, if  you are travelling by BA or opt for any flight which provides 46 Kg luggage space!
2. Visit SkyScanner to get good prices for your air-trip
• Tip :  If you travelling from South India. Why can't  you try booking flights from Delhi - London? Costs will be halved! Check out plans & options.
3. Take a chest X-Ray of yours and keep it in Hand luggage
1. Currently there is Restrictions on TB patients or diseases related to it. Do check before travel.
4. Planning to buy a new mobile?
1. It is 30-40% cheaper compared to India, so why not shop @ UK?
5. Get your friends or relatives address, where you are planning to stay.
6. Get the bus or transport / contact details, to where you are going. Keep them handy.
7. If you know car driving and have valid India Driving license, then would recommend you to get a International Driving License from your RTO. The International Driving License or your Indian Driving license is valid for 1 year here, after that you need to obtain a UK Driving License. Driving in UK is one of the cheapest mode of transport for trips especially and you can rental car which are very affordable.

Once you Land in UK

1. Get a mobile number [ SIM]
1. If you are always going to get in touch with your friends & relatives back in India, then you might need specialised SIM from any vendors like Lyca / Lebara /  Vectone /  Nowmobile / GTmobile etc...
2. If your profile requires UK calling and India [personal] calling then opt for providers like O2 /  Orange /  Vodafone etc.... 
3. Tip : Every vendor has various schemes, which will work out from ½ pence to 1 pence, when you top-up depending upon the scheme you are in. Currently direct calling to India is 1 penny. If you manually dial the number, then it might be ½ pence. You can take 'Unlimited Landline scheme' from Orange or any similar providers and top-up, which will make you ½ pence.
2. Get a bank account [Similar to Savings Account in India is called as Current Account in UK]
3. If possible [just ask for it, will be very helpful], get a Credit Card provided by your  UK Bank
4. Register you UK debit & credit card in the CashBack Sites listed below
1. Fivers
2. TopCashBack
3. Quidco
4. FutCash
5. BeforeIShop
6. uPromise
7. FatWallet 
8. Bing 
9. ePionions
10. Quidsinuk
11. Cashback
12. Wepromise
13. UKRewards
14. PennyMix
5. Accommodation [Either plan with your friends or get enquire an agent to get houses/flats for rent]
1. Rent Cost Approx : UK except London City - £500 - £700 for 1 or 2 BHK
2. Rent @ London City - £ 900 - £1600
• Tip : Don't worry about furnished or unfurnished accommodation! There might be difference of £50 - £150 on monthly rental between unfurnished flat & furnished flat. hmmm...so where or how to furnish a flat then? Check out your local area / nearest charity shops. You would find Good Sofa Sets, TV [CRT] at a very high discounted price and they will also deliver them with minimal cost! Though it might be seconds, it is worth trying them. You can recover the cost in 3 months. While departure, you can either return to the charity shops for free and throw them away!! [This is how it works here]
6. Shopping – Grocery
1. ALDI for Veggies & fruits
2. Asian Shops – for Asian Veggies & sub-continent products
3. LIDL for Special Weekend offers
4. Morrison’s – multiple offers, value for money
5. Sainsbury’s – multiple offers, value for money & quality
6. ASDA - multiple offers, value for money & but it might  be far from your place :( 
7. Tesco – Think of this, as a last option, as mostly it is Volume based buys
8. Co-Operative - If this the nearest!
• Tip 1 : Most of the dishes we use need Tomatoes. Try 'Can Peeled Plum Tomatoes' the nutrients or tastes the same with less cost. Other items, which you can try from frozen or can are Garden Peas, Corn and some times drumstick, bitter-gourd, cauliflower.
• eShopping for Groceries..
• Amazon
• AsianCookShop
• eMasala
• SpiceofIndia
• iTadka
• Heera
• Thanima
• For Germany : GetGrocery
7. Shopping – £1 or cheaper shops
1. Poundland
2. Pound-stretcher
• Most of your initial purchases and also while returning to your home country, will/can be in  Poundland, which will save you a lot :)
8. Internet Connection [ In UK, you need to have phone connection to get this]
1. For bundles - Phone, TV, Internet - Virgin Media / Sky / BT
• NOTE: You need to have TV License to watch live programs [ it can be broadcasting from anywhere]
2. For only Internet + Phone - Plusnet / O2

Will add more, based on further experiences... do pop-in later!

Madurai : What it is famous for?

Madurai a city in Tamilnadu, India is famous for Madurai Meenashki Temple and it is also called as the 'The city that never sleeps' of India, as it forms a hub between the south Tamilnadu and north Tamilnadu for commodities. There are many things, which this city is famous for other then those World famous.

Some of the famous and best places to eat and buy items in Madurai are listed below

1. Madurai Malliga poo [Jasmine flower] : Periyar Busstand
2. Masala milk : Hotel Arya Bhavan- By Night..
3. Lassi : Hotel Arya Bhavan - By night
4. Jil Jil Jigar Dhanda: Vilakku thoon, East Marret Street
5. Briyani & Apple Milk: Amsavalli
6. Briyani and Fossil Chicken: Jaffer
7. Kottu porota and Nattu kozhi muttai Omlett : Hotel Tamilnadu, Kamarajar Salai
8. Viraal Varuval : Amma Mess, Chockikulam
9. Rasam, Mutton chukka, Ayirai Meen Kuzambu : Hotel Arulanandham, Vilakku thoon
10. Curry Dosai, muttai [egg] dosai : Konar Kadai
11. Idly, Chutney, Sambar, Kara chutney and idly podi : Murugan Idli Kadai
12. Idly paaya, Porota Salna : Muniyandy Vilas
13. Fruit Mixture juice : Near Periyar Busstand
14. Cashew Macroons : Raja Barley Bakery, Nethaji Road
15. Idlis : Old Modern Restaurant, Nethaji Road
16. Roti, Green Chilly and Mango Juice: Chunkwala,  Jutieswaran Koil Street
17. Bone Less Crab : Kumar Mess, Chockikulam
18. Paruthi Pal : Road Side hotel / stalls
19. Vellai appam and Karra chatni : Gopu Iyengar hotel
20. Mullu Murunga Vadai : South Masi Street in Town Hall Road
21. Soan Papdi - Arya Bhavan
22. Kothu parottas - Bhai kadai in West Masi St
23. Ginger biscuit / susberry - Vincent Bakery (West Masi St, next to old Shanthi Talkies)
24. Idli with different Chutney, Ennai Dosai : Goripalaym Mudaliar Kadai
25. Bakery -Puppy shop, Kochadai
26. Dominos Pizza, Anna Nagar
27. Sapathi World - Hindu office
28. Variaty Dosai's - Hotel Krishna -Inmayil Nanmai Tharuval Kovil Street
29. Dindigul Velu briyani
30. Cancane - variety can juice
31. Sidewalk Germans -cookies
32. Chilly Parotta From Guruprasad Hotel,Periyar Busstand,Madurai
33. Chithiral porutkaachi - delhi appalam, cauliflower roast
34. Malligai tea shop (behind outpost) - Badam milk
35. Hotel Gangagowri - special dosa
36. Ganesh mess - lunch, especially soyabeans curry
37. Simmakkal bus stop - Kaiyendhi bhavan
38. Pudur Meenakshi Bhavan - wings of fire (gobhi)
39. Jayaram Bakery (periyar busstand) - pastry
40. Pani poori (homemade sold by N.I) - near krishna garments
41. Poori, Kilangu - Hotel Abirami - Simmakkal
42. Sriram mess - wholesome lunch
43. Chilly Parotta From Guruprasad Hotel, Periyar Busstand.
44. Idiyappam with Thenga Milk [Coconut Milk] from Therkuvasal opposite Mission Hospital.
45. Fruits salad from Villakuthoun opposite Raymond's Showroom.
46. Kottu porota and Nattu kozhi muttai Omlett : Hotel Tamilagam, Kamarajar Salai
47. Meen Kulambu - Anbagam mess
48. Best pastry - Blackforest KK Nagar(opp sundaram park) this shop can compete with any pastry shop from the metros
49. Jelebi - Jagerry - Baskar Sweets, East Veli Street
50. Cashew Nut Burfi & most of the sweets - Amirtham
51. Pani Puri, Bhav Bajji - Delhiwala
52. Hot Halwa - Iruttukadai Kadai Halwa, Opp to Thanga Regal theathre
53. Kuthu Parota - Rabia, near Kali temple
54. Hot Bholiyal,  snacks - Near Rajmahal
55. North Indian Sweets - Arya Bhavan, South Masi Street
56. Veg Soup - Opp to Arya Bhavan, South Masi Street
57. Coconut Stem [Thenai Kuruthu] - All over South Masi Street
58. Ragi Pottu with Sesame Oil [nal yennai] - East Marret Street
59. Pottu - near Therku Vasal mosque
60. Puffs - British Bakery, near bus stand
61. Ice Cream - Milkyway [after Amma Mess, Tallakulam]
62. Panam Marathu Briyani - Thavotusanthai
63. Boiled Groundnut [Sweje Kadala], Udith, Thadi Kelanku - Sold by walking Sales person
64. Pathani , Paruthi Pal - Street Vendors
65. Goat Milk - Early Morning milk Vendors
66. Chaina sukkat / Soman Sukkat / Koddi [dried meat variety] - Near Thavotusanthai & Krishnapuram area near Revathy Tiffin Center
67. Sacrine Mithai - Poi Poi mitha [ Mitha (sweet) in bamboo with a doll clapping] - makes Watches, Helicopter, Aeroplane - Favorites among Kids
68. Many Dosa Varieties - Hotel Supreme, Roof Top
69. Patnam pakkoda at Bhagavathin angidi, chinna kadai st
70. Sweet Beeda to Special Beeda - Central Theatre opposite
71. Paruthi Paal - Beside Dinamani Theatre
72. Pattani masaal with Sweet Poliyal - Opposite to Dinamani Theatre
73. Pakkoda and Kelangu ambat hot - Amirtham Sweets (at 11:30 am)
74. Pudu Madapam, Near Temple - To buy books, Fancy items or any temple items, cheapest in Tamilnadu.

Still the list goes on...will update more.

Source : Self & Friends in Facebook, who have been to these places

Credit Ratings in India

Credit ratings are new to India, however currently they don't provide any ratings but provide credit history of the customers to the lenders.

The credit information report (CIR) of yours contains details of your credit history and track record in taking and repaying loans from banks and finance companies. A loan applicant with a good credit record will find access to loans easier, faster and on favourable terms. 

The Credit Information Bureau of India Ltd (Cibil) consolidates the information on individual borrowers' credit history, sourced from different member credit institutions such as banks, credit card companies and NBFCs, into a single report called the CIR. This is then made available to its members (banks, finance companies) to facilitate their lending decisions.

You can access your own CIR for a fee. You can also check and correct errors in the report and to initiate action to improve your credit record. It is a good idea to keep your CIR updated and correct, so it is easier and faster for you to apply and get loans at competitive rates.

1) Fill up a CIR request form. It can be downloaded from www.cibil.com/accesscredit.htm

2) Also submit self-attested copies of address proof (bank statement, utility bill) and identify proof (PAN card, passport or voter's ID.)

3) Make demand draft Rs 142 in favour of 'Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd', payable at Mumbai.

4) Send documents and draft to Cibil at:

Hoechst House, 6th Floor,

193 Backbay Reclamation,

Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021

Points to note

Restricted Access: Your CIR is accessible only to you and to members of Cibil who may want to cross check the credentials of a prospective borrower. A third person cannot see your CIR.

Corrections: If you find errors in your CIR, you have to approach your lender. Cibil will alter the CIR only when members report changes.

Rating: CIR only provides factual information on your repayment record. It does not classify, rank or rate you based on your credit history.

From 2008, this report is widely used by banks & lenders. If you are planning to obtain any kind of personal loan, credit card or housing loan, ensure that credit history is verified before you apply from CIBIL, so that you avoid any rejections from the lenders.

Mistakes happens...but never repeat them!

This is a story about a famous research scientist who had made several very important medical breakthroughs. He was being interviewed by a newspaper reporter who asked him why he thought he was able to be so
much more creative than the average person. What set him so far apart from others ?

He responded that, in his opinion, it all came from an experience with his mother that occurred when he was about two years old. He had been trying to remove a bottle of milk from the refrigerator when he lost his grip on the slippery bottle and it fell, spilling its contents all over the kitchen floor — a veritable sea of milk !

When his mother came into the kitchen, instead of yelling at him, giving him a lecture, or punishing him, she said, “Robert, I have rarely seen such a huge puddle of milk. Well, the damage has already been done. Would you like to get down and play in the milk for a few minutes before we clean it up ?” Indeed, he did.

After a few minutes, his mother said, “You know, Robert, whenever you make a mess like this, eventually you have to clean it up and restore everything to its proper order. So, how would you like to do that ? We could use a sponge, a towel, or a mop. Which do you prefer ?” He chose the sponge and together they cleaned up the spilled milk.

His mother then said, “You know, what we have here is a failed experiment in how to effectively carry a big milk bottle with two tiny hands. Let’s go out in the back yard and fill the bottle with water and see if you can discover a way to carry it without dropping it.” The little boy learned that if he grasped the bottle at the top near the lip with both hands, he could carry it without dropping it.

What a wonderful lesson !

This renowned scientist then remarked that it was at that moment that he knew he didn't need to be afraid to make mistakes. Instead, he learned that mistakes were just opportunities for learning something new, which is, after all, what scientific experiments are all about.

Even if the experiment “doesn’t work,” we usually learn something valuable from it.

Make mistakes, you learn from them . . . . but never repeat mistakes.

Tax System explained!

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.

If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.

'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your beer by $20’.

Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes.

So, the first four men were unaffected.

They would still drink for free.

But what about the other six men - the paying customers?

How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.

So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth would now pay $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7      (28% savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12       (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18       (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59      (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before.
And, the first four continued to drink for free.
But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.
'I only got a dollar out of the $20,' declared the sixth man.

He pointed to the tenth man, 'but he got $10!'
'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man.

'I only saved a Dollar, too.

It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'
'That's true!' shouted the seventh man.

'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two?

The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison.

'We didn't get anything at all.  The system exploits the poor!'
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him.

But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists, and college professors, this is how our tax system works.

The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction.

Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.

In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.
For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Why men change, when first kid is around 3 years old?

The topic might seem to look like a controversial as some might feel that I am targeting men however I wanted to bring this as many are not aware of the issues pertaining to marriage & parenting nurtured in Indian traditions and due to small mis-understandings between a couple might lead to neglect and some unprecedented situations in life.

To start with, just a recap on what is marriage?. Marriage is an arrangement between two like minded people, which will lasts long, when there is emotional and physical attachment are there in equal. If one is high then the other, then a gap is formed in the marriage, which is never spoken and live a life that leads to clashes.

Usually, the first or second year of marriage will be good, due to equal physical & emotional attachment and a feel factor will exist within new couples due to various factor like new view points, new information, new approaches, new relationships, new emotions and so on. Every thing is new and the brain forms a good factor about life.

Let us consider a baby is conceived or born for the couple around the first or second year of marriage. Again, new relationships,  emotions & physical attachment are renewed between the couple, due to the baby.

This feel factor will exist around when ...

if it is baby boy for 3 - 3 1/2 more years
if it is baby girl for 2 1/2 - 3 more years

If you look at the above statement, I have mentioned that the couple happiness lasts only 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 years after a kid is born? Seems to controversial and very targeting isn't it?

Let me try to explain you on this, in simple terms.

In Indian parenting traditional approach, when a kid is born, the attachment between the Mom & kid is there till s/he turns 12 years. What happens due to this? The attachment between couple reduces slowly. Remember physical & emotional attachment should be in EQUAL.

Just an eye-opener on this is :

The kid always hugs his/her Mom and sleeps, and naturally the husband/dad gives-in the first initial 2 to 3 years of birth of a kid, however when it prolongs, he feels that he wants the normal life back. This is the period where physical has been reduced drastically however emotional attachment still exist in the relationship, which bonds the couple to an larger extend.

For a relationship to last long, definitely you need to have both of them [things] in equilibrium. If you blame that the other is demanding, that is inability to understand the situations.

How do we over come this?

When the kid turns 3, teach him/her to sleep in a separate bed, preferably a separate bed-room also. Stick to it, what ever the situation is created by the kid. Why I am trying to say you this is, kids will be demanding and we might give-in very easily. Remember, this is parenting and you are not going to lose your relationship due to that hardship put on him/her. Don't give-in.


Once the kid is trained to sleep alone, then you will feel the attachment between couples blossom again and life is worth rewarding!

NOTE: I have specifically not used certain words & lines in this post, as I felt that those are not used to discuss in public, which is part of Indian tradition.

Are we greedy?

conférence de l’ONU Rio de Janeiro 1992


Watch this and you will find out yourself!

Are we doing enough?!

Compromises...

Hope you would have read my earlier blogs on finance or the need of wealth creation by plan. If not, do take some time to understand why you need those...

While you need to plan your finance, you also need to rejuvenate yourself by holidays. Now saying this, quality what we are going to get is based on the price what we pay for it. The better the quality, the higher the price, however remember while higher the price does not guarantee you a better quality. So, why do you want to buy a product where there is a quality compromise?

Some years ago, while few companies were producing goods in quantity and making profits, few others realised the products that others had produced, where not reliable in the long run. So they created their own standards for higher reliability compared to the existing products which later due to mass acceptance by consumers became a benchmark for other similar products and thus the birth of quality.

Using the benchmarks, that they had created, these companies developed a strategy called BRAND BUILDING, which let the wide acceptance of re-defining Quality as BRAND.

In today's market scenario, if you buy a particular brand, by default you feel that you will have the best quality.

My question is: are you 100% sure that the hard earned you spend, do you really get the quality? If so, then why there are so many upgrades or so many versions available out there?

    Remember, every product has shelf life that might be 1 day to 20 years. What I mean, every product you buy has an end or change required. If not today, it might be required, tomorrow.

So, why do you want to get the best quality, when you know that after few days it won't be the best?

We need to learn to compromise, else we will always get into the frustration level with the products they come around and go. Products can be changed or bought, peace of mind & happiness can never be.

Compromises are one of human's best features that make them to learn to live, with what we have. Some will argue that if we started comprising there won't be better quality available.

If you see any product in today's market say from basic phones to smart phones, from bikes to high end cars, from flats to villas, the manufacturer had built them with compromises which are inbuilt with them somewhere or the other.

By compromising, you are not losing anything, but gaining an experience of learning to spend on what you need at that instant with a purpose instead of going by the brands or best which will be replaced tomorrow, because you will be there tomorrow to experience it for much better product.

Do we need Holidays?

When I thought about this topic, I felt, probably it not necessary as most of people get a minimum of 1 day to a 3 day off from their work, depending upon the nature & industry they work in.

To be practical, these are not holidays but these are off's from your regular work, so that you can get some rest from the morning rushes, meetings, deadlines etc….

You are just switching off [however your mind is in pause mood] to resume your work on a Monday but you are still on as you need to cater yourself to your family, probably half minded, as you have your next week work load in your mind!

When I meant Holiday, it means you need to off from your work, family & friends far away, probably with your loved one, where you can enjoy and give some time for yourself & your loved ones a thought!

Holidays are something that TRANSFORMS your LIFE to a different one. It gives you the energy, time and mind to review what you have planned for and what you can achieve further ahead of.

What are the benefits of a holiday?

1. It refreshes your mind & body
   
2. It further bonds you with your family / loved ones
   
3. It improves your self-confidence
   
4. It gives new ideas to explore
   

There are so many other benefits which can be listed …however that needs to felt while doing it!

Now, coming to drawbacks…

1. You need to plan it for your stay, travel & food.
   
2. You need to budget your holiday within your financial limitations
   

Taking off or away from duty is not important, you should be away from your city or place or home where you regularly stay.

Recommendations: Take holiday for a span of 3 to 5 days, twice a year.

Choosing a Life Partner

Today, divorce rates are increasing day by day though it is not or part of our culture. Instead of breaking a bond [marriage] let us try to identify some steps before the bond is made.

During a marriage proposal, most of our groom's family members look into...

Early days  : Good Family background [means has good reputation in the society], Beauty, Wealth & Character

Present days : Well educated,  Wealth or Working girl, Beauty, Good Family background [means has good reputation in the society] & Character

Compare to early day system and present day system, only two parameters have been added extra [education & working bride] and some have moved places due to economic conditions & generation gaps but the consequences of it is so high the system is slowly coming to a halt.

Education & work gives the individual a recognition of his/her ability in an organisation or work, however the same is reflected in a family or a bond, which increases this rate without understanding each other after making a bond due to the above factors.

If you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love" or 'Our horoscope matched' or 'It is arranged marriage'; I believe this is the 1 mistake people make when they date. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love or by astrology or by society. Though this may sound "not politically correct", there's a profound truth here.

Love is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: "You can't build a lifetime relationship on love alone"; You need a lot more!!!

Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION-1: Do we share a common life purpose?

Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.

Two things can happen in a marriage: (1) You can grow together, or (2) you can grow apart.

50% of the people out there are growing apart.

To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life!

Bottom line; marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION-2: Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?

This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship.

Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust - i.e. trust that I won't get "punished"; or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION-3: Is he/she a mensch?

A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions. Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis? Are they serious about improving themselves? A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always striving to be good and do the right ";. So ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic? Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement.

There are essentially two types of people in the world: (1) People who are dedicated to personal growth and (2) people who are dedicated to seeking comfort. Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION-4: How does he/she treat other people?

The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure.

Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self- absorbed?

To measure this, think about the following: How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc.. How do they treat their parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation?

If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything; can you do nearly as much for them? You can be sure that someone, who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION-5: Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after we're married?

Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve" them after they're married. As a colleague of mine puts it: "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage for the worse" If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous.

The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating; to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself trouble because you didn't do your homework.

Another perspective...

There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going anywhere relationships. Observe the relationships around you.

Pay attention...Which ones lift and which ones lean?

Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?

Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?

When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse?

Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know, or appreciate you?

The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye"; Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults isn’t really that important.

Do you bring out the best in each other?

Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?

What do you bring to the relationship?

Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?

You can't take someone to the altar to alter them. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.

If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life"; you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Seeking status, sex, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship.

WHAT KEEPS A RELATIONSHIP STRONG IS:

1. TRUST
2. COMMUNICATION
3. INTIMACY
4. A SENSE OF HUMOR
5. SHARING TASKS
6. SOME GETAWAY TIME WITHOUT BUSINESS OR CHILDREN
7. DAILY EXCHANGES (meal, shared activity, hug, call, notes, etc.)
8. SHARING COMMON GOALS AND INTERESTS
9. GIVING EACH OTHER SPACE TO GROW WITHOUT FEELING INSECURE
10. GIVING EACH OTHER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ASSURANCES OF COMMITMENT

If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment withdrawal, abuse, neglect, and dishonesty;

and pain will replace.

In short,

the likes, dislikes, dreams, goals, intimacy, communication of the person should ALSO be considered and discussed by each other before going in for a bond apart from the usual list of education, Character, Beauty, Good Family background [means has good reputation in the society] & wealth or working girl.


Edited & Customised from a forward of 'Golden rules for finding your life partner' by Dov Heller, M.A.

Credit Cards

Every finance needs to be planned, whether it is going to be involved in certain or uncertain times. 

Why I am saying that finance needs to be planned is, if  you spend without planning, then you will end up in debt.

Certainty is like buying a house, car, mobile phone etc....

Uncertain is like injury, accidents, loss of life etc...

Some can be avoided and some can't.

Credit card is one such tool, if used properly, it does wonders else you will end in debt.

This tool also helps us to manage our own economy. When I mean 'our own economy' it means, the way we buy things, make our payments and ways or channels involved for this payments & credits, transforms as a data feed for our economy in which we live in.

By default, credit card has many advantages, however many don't understand it and for them it becomes a nightmare.

Advantages of having a Credit Card

+ 30 - 60 days of credit period

+ Low interest rates or Interest free periods

+ Reward Points

+ Discounts

+ Balance Transfers 

Other factors, that actually work behind are...

+ your purchases becomes legal compared to cash, as your merchant, your credit card provider, payment gateway, merchant's bank are involved in processing this payment.

Purchasing any item using your Debit Card or Credit Card provided by your bank has the same advantage, however credit card gives some time to pay-back, where as  when you use a debit card, the money is removed immediately.

When to use credit cards

1. Buying items which are affordable by you.

2. Buying things, which you can pay immediately using your debit card also.

3. In case of emergency or medical requirements during uncertain times

How to use credit cards

Stated earlier, every thing is planned. So, when you are using your credit card, you should plan before using it, else it uses you.

1. Always buy anything immediately after the statement date ONLY, to get the maximum credit period.

2. Use the credit card, which gives you the either of these for your purchases

+ Cash Back

+ Double Reward Points

+ Interest free periods

+ Low Interest Conversion EMI's

+ Flat % Discounts at certain places

What type of credit cards, can be subscribed?

When buying any financial product, never go with the leader however follow the leader constantly. 

The reason is, the leader sets rules, however the contender always tries to defy them and create new ones.

The pressure will be always there with the leader to be in the lead, where as the contender wants to emerge as a leader, so they give 200%.

Most of the market trends are identified or defined by the leader, where as the contender easily taps the market without much issues, because the concept is already familiarized by the leader in that segment.

Why I am stating all this is...VISA card , MASTERCARD and AMEX cards have different set of benefits. So, do compare them before subscribing. 

It does not depend only on these, it also depends upon the bank from which you are getting the card. Emerging banks will always introduce schemes to attract customers. Ensure that you subscribe and utilize those benefits.

Happy credit free days ahead...

First Step towards your dream

In my earlier blogs, you would have understood the need of investments or saving, so that your finance is streamlined based on the type of spenders you are.

Today, I will give you a guideline that will help you to decide the type of investment; you can plan, so that your investment /savings grows with your age & career expands, as you near your dream / target that are achievable and becomes more realistic.

My understanding, further to this recommendation is that, you know the difference between debt & equities. If not, just get the basics on this by earlier blog on Equities & Debt investment type, before you read further down.

If you ask any financial expert, the best age to start your investments or savings is as early as possible.

Especially, in India, during the early 90's and 00's the average age to have a proper / regular job was at 31 and 28 years respectively, if you have completed your graduation in first class. Now, because of economic conditions and to improve profitability by global companies, they started outsourcing to large extend. Due to this job opportunities have increased especially in India and the average employable age has come down to 26 years [without depending parents for monthly expenses], where in the governments contributing majorly by policy changes and awareness creation, making us more educative & employable.

Saying this, I am just giving an idea, what will your time to start your investment and not starting a debate on the age or economic values. The labour force in India is still way behind China, however in one way, we are far ahead as per Deutsche Bank Research report. This report clearly suggests that, the potential is there in India and not elsewhere to be the workforce for the World, intellectually.

If we need to make India super power of tomorrow, then you as an Investor or Indian should start growing with your economic conditions. This means, when you participate in investing in Indian ideas that will guide or groom the World ex: Hotmail, Infosys, Reliance, Tata, United Breweries, Bharti and ICICI, then only these are achievable. I have listed the versatility in Indian industry, which have gone globally and succeeded.

A single tree can't become forest, however seeds from the tree, can become a forest in the later stage. If everybody starts investing in good ideas and good management companies, then we can do more than what others have done till date.

Typical Indian investment mindset is either Safe Investment or High Profit. When you want to succeed or your investment has to grow, you need to think of average safety and average profit, which makes you more reliable and avoids you from falling to traps or economic downsides, literally.

Income you earn by your work or employment is as active investment of yourself, which gives you a passive component called money. However if the same is idle or spend on unwanted things, then the purpose of your ability vanishes.

Make your passive component, work for you actively, without much hassle.

Any age to start investment is right. Don't get worried, since the other person has started early or he is earning higher at less age. All these are economic changes, so everyone is bound to rely on that and you need to understand it.

Typically diversify the investment into [recommending for an average Indian mindset]

Your Monthly Savings = [(Your Age + 20) % = Debt funds] + [Equities]

Scenario 1  Age: 25. Savings is Rs 30000 per month = [(25+20) %= Rs 13500] + 16500
Scenario 2  Age: 30 Savings is Rs 15000 per month = [(30+20) %= Rs 7500] + 7500
Scenario 3  Age: 35 Savings is 45000 per month = [(35+20) %= Rs 25000] + 20000

Debt returns varies from 3 % to 8 %.
Equity returns varies from -30% to +25%.

Sometimes the returns might be higher or lower due to various factors like type of investment, investment horizon, economic conditions etc...However I am trying to ensure that you keep only this average in mind, and follow the investment guidelines properly.

I have kept the average return of 15 to 20% achievable, keeping my basic investment formula and following this on regular basis.

• Saving & investing on MONTHLY basis ONLY
  
• NEVER investing in assets that have HIGH DEPRECIATION value at ONE GO.
  
  • Flat [not house], Car, Electronic items [TV, Mobile phones, Computers, Branded & Luxury items]
    
  • Equity Investment [might give good return, if the economy goes upside, however there is 'if' condition]
    
• ONE GO investments due to cultural barriers & personal needs, which cleans your savings or makes your to achieve your target
  
  • Gold, House, Flat for additional income [ investing due to rental factors]
    
• Investment Timeline – 1 to 5 years.
  
  • Every 1 year, you need to re-check your investment performance and change, if it does not work as expected.
    
• REDUCING YOUR EMI TENURE, where ever possible.
  
  • Typically, for Housing loan, an average person take 20 to 25 years. Instead take 10 or 15 years. Less Interest, your savings or earnings are converted into values or targets.
    
  • Typically for Personal loan, an average person takes 4 or 5 years. Instead take 2 or 3 years.
    
• Credit card purchases – Many try to convert to EMI. NEVER DO THAT.
  
• NEVER compare EQUITY returns Vs DEBT returns. Always sum both the returns, and calculate based on your principal invested.

Prepare Rice using Microwave

Now based on my earlier blog on Microwave Cooking, you would have felt that, this is something new or probably we can buy or make use of Microwave in a better way!

Usually there are two ways of preparing rice...

Traditional way of putting the rice in boiling water and filtering the starch.
Conventional way : putting the rice + water in the pressure cooker and waiting for two to three whistles.

Traditional way of preparing rice :
+ Starch is removed, so the rice is not smoggy
+ - the rice stays good for 4 to 6 hours [shelf life], depending upon the climate
- you need to very careful in this preparation. If the rice is over boiled, then it becomes sticky.
- risk involved, to filter the starch from the rice

Conventional way of preparing rice by pressure cooker:
+ You get the benefit of essentials from the starch, so that food taste improves
+ rice stays good for long hours
+ no risk [as water & rice mix together]
- rice turns brittle after 3 to 4 hours
- eating pressure cooker rice, you will get belly as the gas in the rice are still there and this increases the size of our stomach. This is long term effect, it will take 3 to 5 years to see the person having belly who is eating pressure cooker rice on a daily basis.

Preparing rice using Microwave, mixes both these factors, and you get a product that are good for health with ease.

How to prepare rice using microwave?

1. Take the quantity required. say 1 cup of rice.
2. Put it in bowl and wash it 2 to 3 times, until the dust or the rice mill extracts come out.
3. Now soak the rice by pouring water in the bowl that has rice. Ensure that water level is higher that the rice level.
4. Wait for 5 to 10 minutes [max]
5. Drain the water and pour fresh water [2 x Cup] in the rice or the water level should be 1 inch above the rice level.
6. Close the Lid
7. Keep it in Microwave Oven for 17 to 18 minutes [max].

When you open the oven, you find little amount of starch is spread in the microwave glass. Don't worry. Remove the bowl and open the lid. You will find the rice, that is very nicely prepared.

Remove the microwave glass and clean it, so that your Microwave is ready for next cooking.

NOTE: In case you have poured less water, and find that the rice is still not boiled properly, pour some amount of water again and keep it for 5 minutes. Rice is ready.

Some doubts will come like this?
Will the little amount of starch spread in the microwave glass, will come every time we prepare rice or rice items?
My answer is Yes & No.

It will come only, if you prepare only plain rice.
It will NOT come, if you mix some items or ingredients with rice like Tomoto Rice, Pongal, Veg Briyani or Non-Veg Briyani, as the ingredients consume those, so you get a clean outcome.

Follow the tips & prepare your rice and let me know the feedback.

Financial Goals

When we talk about financial goals, most of them are not sure or it is decided on circumstance.

To have a better understanding for the need of this, you need to understand what you target for. It has to be done through planned manner.

Remember 'ROME was not BUILT in a day'.

To achieve your financial goals, it might take 5 to 20 years, unless we have spare or free money due to some wealth left by our forefathers, which is not going to happen.

In Simple terms, get your finance streamlined.

• Calculate the current total debts or liabilities, if you have any.
  
• Plan, what you need to buy so that you have a target for your finance.
  

The Basic step of achieving financial goal is by setting up the foundation even before the plan in started.

1. Get one Insurance Policy
   

• Preferably a Term Insurance for [ YourDream x 2 ] ex: If you are planning to buy a house for 25L or your liabilities is 25L, then your term insurance value should be 50L
  
• Other than Term Insurance, I will NOT recommend any other Insurance policy as their value or factors are nil and you get a mere 4 to 5% or less return at the end of its tenure.
  
• Personally I will NOT recommend ULIP based Insurance, as the basic idea of cover during crisis is lost here.
  

1. Get an Health care or Medical Policy
   

• Since most of them are covered under corporate level schemes, it might not be necessary however
  
• Have one additional in hand, it will be useful when we retire to take care of ourselves as that time, the policy cost will be very high or most of them don't allow subscribing / opening new policy after certain age limit.
  

Once you are covered financially & health wise, you need to plan your finance systematically. I have divided that into certain parts, so that you can understand them.

PART A

The first & foremost is close all your existing loans or debts like credit card, personal loan etc..

• If you unable to close them. Convert them in low-interest loans.
  
• If you have a credit card loan
  • By taking a loan from a friend or relative
    
  • Or by opting for Balance Transfers
    
  • Or by taking a Personal Loan
    
• Stop using credit cards, if you are unable to control using it or if you have urge of shopping always.
  

PART B

Once you are out of debts, now it is time to build wealth. Before building wealth, you need plan for the target or what you need to have. It can be anything but remember be realistic or that can be achievable.

Some of the wealth options are

1. Real Estate [House/Flat/Land/Property/Bungalow/Designer houses]
   
2. Jewels / Diamonds
   
3. Four Wheeler / Two Wheelers
   
4. Foreign Holiday Trip
   
5. Child's Education
   
6. Child's Marriage
   
7. To start a business of your own
   
8. Medical Emergencies, if any.
   

PART C

Now you have the target in your mind, so you need to work towards it. Money or wealth can be built in…

In Debt market

In Equity market

What is debt market?

In layman approach: Any investment or savings, which does not change or erode the principle, is called debt market. The outcome is static.

Ex: Government bonds, Savings Account, Fixed Deposits, Real Estate*, Gold*, Jewels*, Diamonds

What is equity market?

In layman approach: Any investment or savings, which increases or decreases the principle drastically, is called Equity market. The outcome is dynamic.

Ex: Real Estate*, Chit funds, Mutual Funds, Share market, Gold* etc...

To understand why you should invest or start saving money…read my earlier blog 'Investment in nutshell'

NOTE: * - Some investment like Real Estate & Gold are both in Debt & Equity. I will tell you...why I have mentioned like that.


For detailed type of recommended investment, I will do inform you in my next blog.


Until then, happy reading.

Microwave Cooking

The one thing, I hated most was Microwave Oven. I know people using it and most of them say that, they use it for re-heat or make coffee ...basically for simple chores. I used to think, why someone should invest Rs 10K for this purpose.

Time came for me to experiment with it, due the handle that broke in my pressure cooker, which I got it & surviving during my initial days of my onsite trip.

With my initial experiments, its outcome was pretty bad with Microwave Oven.

However with the days going by and understands how it works, I can say that I have perfected the approach and can cook some of the daily need or variety of Indian recipe with ease which uses less oil.

Remember Microware Oven is used for less oil or no oil. But still you can use a max of 4 to 5 table spoons. Most of the dish recipe use this much only.

If you need to fry something like onion, chicken or potato …you need to still use the pan with required amount of oil. Never try those in Microwave Oven.

This way of cooking is healthier as it contains less oil but still the taste remains the same.

What are the things that I have tried till now?

1. Normal Rice
   
2. Roti / Chapathi
   
3. All types of Pongal
   
4. All types of Briyani
   

Why I recommend Microwave Oven…

1. Same taste as you get it in Pressure Cooker
   
2. Fewer vessels mean less work & less cleaning.
   
3. No need to wait & watch. Set the time and based on the signal, you know what needs to be done next, if needed.
   
4. Healthier, as it uses less oil or ghee.
   
5. Hygienic & Less space
   
6. Running cost compared to Gas is less or same. Microwave Ovens usually come with 1000 watts to 1500 watts. 1000 w will consume 1 unit per hour if used, translates to Rs 6 per day / Rs 180 a month.
   

What are the vessels that are required?

Typically when you buy a microwave oven, manufacturers bundle free offer of microwave cookware in India. Usually they will be fiber make. My recommendation is glassware for preparing rice items.

Why Glassware?

It handles the pressures due to its weight and cooks evenly similar to pressure cooker.

What type of Glassware?

Get any glassware that has a proper fitting lid. Sample picture below,

Next time, I will write down on how to prepare rice, so that you can give it a try and give its feedback.