This sounds like a materialistic blog title, yet I am thankful for every opportunity God has given me to act wise financially. What I have today was not inherited, yet built with careful saving, hard work and an opportunistic eye to earn whenever possible. I am glad I can now slow down, learn to be more giving and give my family a better life. We are yet to live a luxurious life, yet can now enjoy a more spacious place with less concerns to live within a strict budget. Looking back, it is all because of my initial focus to always eliminate rental expense as much as possible.
Up
on arriving in Japan 4 years ago, I had a tight budget as I gave all my hard earned income while studying for my MBA to my family in Malaysia. I settled for a 33,000 yen (USD$330) rent room in a shared apartment, even when I could afford much more as my income was more than 15 times of that. I put up in that small room until I convinced my landlady that I could manage the whole apartment. Then, instead of paying rent, I had supplementary income. All this went to savings and investments. When I got married, I decided I should not pay exorbitant rents but buy a small apartment unit. I bought at the right time when banks were liberal to loan me more than 90% of asset value with dirt cheap interest rates. Again, I thank God for his provision, wisdom and strength to maneuver through Japanese business processes. I ended up saving more by not paying high rental expenses.
on arriving in Japan 4 years ago, I had a tight budget as I gave all my hard earned income while studying for my MBA to my family in Malaysia. I settled for a 33,000 yen (USD$330) rent room in a shared apartment, even when I could afford much more as my income was more than 15 times of that. I put up in that small room until I convinced my landlady that I could manage the whole apartment. Then, instead of paying rent, I had supplementary income. All this went to savings and investments. When I got married, I decided I should not pay exorbitant rents but buy a small apartment unit. I bought at the right time when banks were liberal to loan me more than 90% of asset value with dirt cheap interest rates. Again, I thank God for his provision, wisdom and strength to maneuver through Japanese business processes. I ended up saving more by not paying high rental expenses.
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ow, I am about to move to a new country where apartment space is larger and more conduscive for the family. My company would be paying for the moving cost from my Japan base and the many Japanese antique vases I have acquired in anticipation of that day when my home will have space to display them. If I had not made that commitment to secure a property in Japan, I may not have had this priviledge of a relocation package. Even as I leave Japan, I would continue to collect rent and when it is vacant, I could use it as a transit place before we visit our in laws at Okinawa since there are no direct flights from overseas. My wealth now is beyond material, but the rich human capital I have built through the miraculous hand of God.
ow, I am about to move to a new country where apartment space is larger and more conduscive for the family. My company would be paying for the moving cost from my Japan base and the many Japanese antique vases I have acquired in anticipation of that day when my home will have space to display them. If I had not made that commitment to secure a property in Japan, I may not have had this priviledge of a relocation package. Even as I leave Japan, I would continue to collect rent and when it is vacant, I could use it as a transit place before we visit our in laws at Okinawa since there are no direct flights from overseas. My wealth now is beyond material, but the rich human capital I have built through the miraculous hand of God.
Though, all this travelling have delayed our plans to have a second child. Yet, we are hopeful to buy a second property so we need not be paying rent again. The question is whether it will be within God's grace and timing that God will provide both a child and new home to us. Truly, I do not deserve, yet is thankful for His rich blessings.
(Photos show Haruka enjoying the spectacular musical dance of shoals of fish at the Hakkeijima sea paradise and her acquantance with the Powerpuff girls).
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