*Active Jeans*

How many pairs of jeans do you own? Three or maybe four or maybe more? Jeans has got to be one of the most popular apparel to be ever invented for humankind to cover their bits.

I currently have only 1 “active” pair of jeans that I use. I’m pretty sure that it is almost if not more than 10 years old and I’m still using it. It is a compliment to both my mom’s expert skills of washing it (not that it gets washed too often) and also the fact that at this age, I can still fit into it.

The jeans that I have right now was a line created by Levi’s that was somewhat of a sensation back in the late 90’s. The material used was different from the normal jeans one would see but most uniquely, the seams along the side of the jeans did not go straight down from the hips down to the heel.

The Levi’s Engineered jeans that I’m wearing has it seems run across and around the leg about halfway through rather than the normal straight down design. It was a big deal back then and I had to save up quite a lot together with “subsidies” from my parents in order for me to grab a hold of it.

I’ve brought that same pair of jeans almost everywhere I’ve been. It’s been to all over of Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia. The amount of times it has been washed, maybe once or twice each year and that plus all the traveling gives the “worn out” look that people literally pay for when they buy a new pair of jeans.

I was doing some research for this post when I stumbled upon the news that Levi’s is coming out with a special 10th anniversary engineered jeans design. Unlike its predecessors, this time around they’ve gone back to the original design of the “twisted-leg” for its seams.

If I see it in the malls, I’ll definitely plump out the cash and get me one. That would bring my collection of wearable or “active” jeans to an amazing two. So, how many pairs of jeans do you own ya?

And please, be truthful guys ;)

Cheers!!! :D

*Lets Enjoy The Recession!!!*

The media around us continues to paint a rather gloom future is upon us. Governments all over the world continue to come to grips with what seems to be the worse economic crisis to hit the modern world. Most would be bombarded daily by the continuous stream of bad news concerning the economy.

However the oracle of Omaha was famous for quoting “We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy when others are fearful”. What this means is that one does not have to follow the trend surrounding us just because everyone does. So yes the economy is not at its best but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any opportunities in it.

Such difficult times (recession to some depending on who you read) always presents the “silver lining” and opportunities. There are possibilities aplenty depending on one’s financial position and risk appetite and the following are just a few:

Refinance and/or reschedule loans – Central banks are pressured to maintain the balance between stimulating a slowing economy and inflation. The interest rates in the US are almost at 0% while locally BNM has the leverage to control the OPR which translates to BLR for customers.

It is during these times of low interest rates one should take the opportunity to fine tune one’s loans commitments. While those of variable interest rate loans may see some benefit, those who are on fixed rate loans would have the most to gain from low interest rates.

Considering that big purchase – Low interest rates coupled together with companies lowering prices is a combination that would benefit the consumer indeed. Central banks lower interest rates to ensure that the economy doesn’t grind to a halt while companies continue to drive down margins to meet sales target.

Whether it is a new car or that property that you have been eyeing for so long, chances are the prices of these assets would have been reduced as companies struggle to clear inventories and generate cash flows. Add that to low interest rates and the consumer is definitely in a position to benefit from the increased purchasing power.

Credit card debts – Competition in this market segment is tremendously fierce among the financial institution in Malaysia. Banks continue to provide numerous promotions to get you to sign up with them. Remember the day’s way back when the concept of lifetime validity for rewards points was only offered by very few banks, these days everyone has the same option.

Those with credit card balances should take the opportunity to clear their debt by transferring their debt to a lower charging interest rate card. This provides more flexibility to the consumer to better manage debt payment obligations.

Equities & commodities – Those who invested in the gold or fuel as early as 2005 would have made huge returns during the heights of the end of 2007 and early 2008. While both equities and commodities have significantly come down from their dizzying highs of a year ago, some believe that the floor is still a long way down. In the end, it is the consumer and investor’s risk appetite that would determine one's entry into the market.

Personally I would prefer to purchase during an upside movement of prices rather than trying to time or predict the bottom. The same principle mentioned earlier in the piece becomes a powerful advice during these trying times.

So yes times are difficult but it does not mean that we should think and talk our way into a recession just because that is what everyone says. Fortune only favors the brave so it is really up to us to see if we are brave enough to do so.


Cheers!!! :D

*Now What?*

What do you do when something that is so much apart of your life is suddenly deemed as contributing to the whole idea of cruelty in this world. How would you adjust to such a revelation? Would you turn a blind eye to it or would you forgo your own desires for probably the common good of all?

That is the quandary that I find myself in. With the atrocities happening in West Asia there has been numerous calls from the people all over the world to react in one way or another. Governments make desperate calls to the “disabled” UN while street protests are carried out in the streets in so many countries.

What worries somewhat is the deafening silence of the incoming 44th president of the US. It all points to nothing more than the same old story from the looks of things. So much for whole change idea and his campaign slogan of yes we can. I’m sure that there are many who celebrated his stunning victory who doesn’t share the same enthusiasm anymore.

Malaysia's former premier has called for a boycott of all American products and Israel's allies. My problem is quite simple. I love my café latte from Starbucks but sadly from what I can research on the internet, Starbucks as an organization and its CEO is a strong proponent of Israel.

The question is can I have an impact on such a global corporation and on such an argument between to factions of people that has gone on for ages? Does my RM11 or so put a dent in this US giant and minimize the donation the company makes to Israel?

Maybe I should console myself that most of my café latte purchases end up in Tan Sri Vincent Tan’s pockets rather than propping up the coffers of the Israeli regime? Is the world that cruel that I can’t enjoy a simple cup of coffee without me being directly responsible for funding terrorism?

I read once of a phrase that says “a butterfly’s wings flapping in one corner of the world would result in a hurricane in another”. Maybe I can make a difference from where I am in helping finally find some peace in another part of this world. Maybe if enough caring, right-minded people thought the same way as I do we could all make a difference.

Information on the relationship that Starbucks has with the Israeli regime can be found on the internet if you just care to search for it. For me, I suggest for you to read up, draw your own conclusions and make up your own mind. Maybe this link will help you. Compare it with the actual one on Starbucks’ own website. Anyone game for a little “spot the difference” challenge?

Until then, I’m not too sure if I should have one last café latte from Starbucks or switch to other alternatives for my caffeine fix :P

Cheers!!! :D

PS>> Some say McDonald's is also similar to Starbucks in its support for Israel.

*It Is 2009, Bring It!*

It’s a tad bit late but I would like to wish everyone a Selamat Maal Hijrah 1430 and Happy New Year 2009. 2008 was an amazing year for me indeed. Having taken the plunge head on was just one of the many highlights that I went through the year that had just been concluded.

It is also in 2008 that Baine’s World was updated more regularly again. In fact, one of the readers emailed me to say how the posts had changed somewhat from what I covered back when I started almost 5 years ago now. In his words, “your posts have gotten a whole lot more grown up and serious lah bro”.

Many will remember 2008 for the shocking results of the general election but not me. Other than my wedding, I’ll forever remember 2008 for the year that separated the rich and the people who thought that they were rich. 2008, the year in which the Chinese believe would be auspicious, turned out to be hell for businesses and investors.

Someone asked me what would be on my wish list for 2009 and I told him I wasn’t too sure but if I were to have one, it would include some of the following:


Allah continues to bless to myself and my family with good health and prosperity.

That the world economy would suffer no longer than till Q3 of 2009.

The people who are either running the country or are hoping to run the country or who think they’re running the country would talk less and do more.

The “Builder of Distinction” would have no problems in completing its work.

Tan Sri Dr. Zeti to bring down OPR rates a bit more and keeps it there for the next 3 to 5 years.

The media (print, TV, internet) would report less noise and more proper and relevant news and information.

And finally but I think most importantly, for everyone to just get along.


It’s 2009 whether we like it or not. Rather than cower for fear of the worse, let’s instead hope for the best but at the same time plan for the worst. As one of the great orators once said “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” (Sir Winston Churchill).

So it’s 2009 and I say bring it on!

Cheers!!! :D