Shopping spree

Shopping has been my favourite pastime since my university days. A young kampong boy who just set his foot on Kuala Lumpur soil was curious enough to explore every shopping mall in the city back in the early 90’s. From the elite one to the budget shopping mall, he had purchased at least one item from those places. Among the popular malls at that time were Globe Silk Store, Batu Road Supermarket, Keramat Supermarket, Yaohan, Hankyu Jaya, Mun Loong, Metrojaya, Pertama Complex and The Campbell, just to name a few. Most of his shopping was done alone as he hated to be disturbed while making his choice. And he never failed to come back with a few merchandises to show to his floor mates.

That’s was me when I was young, a shopaholic. But now, in my late thirties, I seldom go shopping as I have to spend more money on my daughters. They need new clothes as they grow up fast. I just change my pants and shirts when the need arises and it’s likely to happen once a year. When I go shopping I will buy my clothes in bulk so that I need not make a few trips to the mall. Last weekend I went to Pantai Timur Shopping Centre in Tanah Merah to buy two shirts and belts each and two pairs of trousers. Every time I buy pants, I have to alter their size to fit my body size. I am short and potbellied so some adjustments need to be made.

Lastly, shopping is definitely an enjoyable pastime for those who earn high income and not for the poor ones.

Follow @zukideen

No subsidy for RM50 service tax

Almost all credit card issuers revealed that they would not subsidise the RM50 service tax for credit card that came into effect on Jan 1 this year. With the exception of Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia, which unconditionally subsidises the service tax, all credit card issuers impose specific conditions upon customers in order to offset the amount. (see graphic)

Most credit card issuers allow the amount to be offset with the cardholders’ reward points earned. However, the amount of points required to offset the RM50 is usually lower than a department store shopping voucher redemption of similar value.

Another mechanism offered is a RM50 cash rebate specifically tackling the service tax amount. It requires cardholders to utilise their cards – usually with a minimum value on transactions – to be entitled to the rebate.

In principle, the service tax is to be paid by cardholder, who may also utilise reward points earned from using the card for the purpose.

Many credit cardholders have already started cancelling their surplus credit cards. So, if we have more than one card, we have to decide what to snip and what to keep based on the best cash rebate and reward point deals. For the time being, I just stick to my Maybank credit card. One is enough especially during this economic downturn.

Follow @zukideen