What are the necessities to run a small time business?

Since I had my little boy, I'm always thinking of ways to quit my job and be a work at home mum so that I have flexi hours and spend more time with him as he grows up. As such, I'm always thinking about starting some sort of business but so far I've not really ventured into anything because of so much uncertainties surrounding the economy as well as my fear of not being able to earn a decent income, not to mention losing money!

But lately, I feel like I am getting a step closer, hoping that what I have in mind to offer in the market is going to be something that people need. Lately I've been very occupied in doing my research and trying to plan on how to start.

I keep thinking of what are the things that I need to first set out so that my little business is reputable and not deemed as a run-by-night business. I thought of incorporating a company to run the business instead of doing it as an individual, investing in things like a receipt printer to offer proper invoicing documents, investing in nice packaging to deliver the products in, and some marketing efforts.

But all these little things add up to quite a lot and I'm stepping back to consider carefully again which are absolutely necessary and important. What I deem as important may not really be, so maybe I should ask around for people's opinions on this. Do you have any for me?

I'm pigging out

I don't know why but the last few weeks saw me pigging out a lot. I could be quite full from a heavy meal but give me 2 to 3 hours later, I feel like having a snack. Sometimes, it's not just a small snack like a bar of chocolate or some chips, but a rather filling meal at tea time. It scares me!

No, I'm not pregnant if that's what you're wondering. If I am and pigging out like that, I won't be that worried. It's because I'm not pregnant but continue to have such appetite that makes me a little worried. Maybe I'm just being greedy. I know that if I keep this up, I'm going to balloon up in no time.

So I better do something about this. Either stop all that binging or go on some appetite suppressants! I don't quite like the latter, so I'd better be disciplined enough to stop myself. It could be the stress that's causing me to snack like this, so first thing I could do is to keep my stress level in check!

A whole mummy again

Last week, I felt like an empty mummy because we sent the boy to his grandparents' place down south and he stayed there for a week while we came back home. Although it was a break for us, I felt empty as a mummy. Every single day, I missed him and had to look for enough things to do to fill up my time and thoughts so that I don't end up crying!

I'm so happy that we have finally gone to pick him up and he's not sound asleep on our bed again. Whilst we missed him like crazy, he seems to have had a jolly good time with his grandparents. And, I'm surprised to learn that he didn't exactly bully them into giving in to him. Rather, he was just as easy to care for as his babysitter has always feedback to us. He seems to be harder on us, the parents, than anyone else! I suppose that's because he knows we are the parents and will be the ones who give in the most. Or at least that's true for me as the mother.

While he was back with his grandparents' for the week, he's gotten some new toys to play with, including his first bicycle and a rattan-made rocking horse! He enjoys the former more, he seems to be a little bit apprehensive of the horse though he did show off to us by rocking on it by himself and singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat while on it.

We didn't take the rocking horse back as we figured the bicycle would be enough of a distraction to him for now. He could learn to ride on it in the garden when the sun's not so scorching hot and punishing. We don't have any outdoor furniture so it's rather clear for him to run about once we remove the cars.

I've also bought him some new toys while we was away, as some surprise gifts when he came home. I gave one to him tonight, a stuffed toy and hoped that he will like it. As we speak, the stuffed toy is lying in bed with him. But he's had a tiring day and is sleeping spread eagle while the toy is casually strewn away. I'm happy enough just to look at that wonderful sight, to know that he is safely home and that he's had a happy week.

Would insurance get any cheaper alongside other things?

In times like these, where banks are lowering interest rates and many FMCG companies have lowered some of prices of their products to help people save more, I was wondering if the insurance premiums would be relooked at.

In bad times, all the more people need protection. And insurance policies don't come cheap for medical, life, travel and even car insurance. I would think that it would benefit everything if insurance premiums could be lowered and everyone can afford some form of protection against any untoward incidences.

I would also like to see the price of useful things like books to lower than what they are now. But of course that's a long shot because they are heavily dependent on the prices of books being imported from the western world as well as the foreign exchange rate.

What else do you think could be cheaper for the benefit of everyone?

Shopping at The Store

We were back in Muar over the weekend. We hardly go shopping while there because it's really no place like in Klang Valley. The one and most reputable shopping place there is Wetex Parade, where anchor tenants include The Store.

Since we needed to buy some household stuff, we dropped by and while at the household department of The Store for the first time, I was actually quite excited to see the kinds of things they had to offer. There were interesting things that we have difficulties finding or even non-existent in Klang Valley selling on the shelves of The Store. They gave me a sense of nostalgia. Seeing things like those hot water flasks that my Grandma used to use, the kind of pencil case which I had used back in primary school days which I don't find selling in town anymore, tiffin carriers, etc. I hadn't expected to find these kind of things there so you can imagine how "ulu" I was, kept exclaiming my surprise to see this and that.

I was also busy checking out the prices of all these stuff just to check if they were expensive. Just being a busy body to see if they were considered antiques or just the normal everyday stuff. Some of the products didn't come with price tags so I was looking out for a barcode scanner in the store to check the prices, but couldn't find any. But for those that came with price tags, the items were actually selling rather cheaply.

Other than The Store, we didn't visit any other shops at Wetex. Was rushing home to make it in time for the boy's bedtime. But if I do visit the next time and have more time on my hands, I think I would like to go browse more. Who knows, I might even buy some of those things back as keepsakes!

I hope the roads won't be jammed this weekend

We're making a trip down south this weekend, to drop my boy off at the grandparents' place. We will be spending the weekend there, and then coming back up to town without the boy because we're heading off for a short break in the middle of the week. So he'll be staying with the grandparents while we're away.

It's been a little easier to pack his stuff whenever we travel these days. At least now we don't need to lug his sarong along because he now sleeps on the bed and refuses the sarong.

But we do need to make sure that we pack lots of his toys, especially his hot favourites, so that he can keep himself occupied. We also need to bring along his VCDs and music CDs which he enjoys tremendously. At least these 2 things will keep him busy a while and give the grandparents a break from chasing him up and down the room.

Seeing that it's Good Friday today and Easter Sunday in 2 days, I hope the roads won't be jammed with holiday makers trying to go back to their hometowns to celebrate Easter. It's quite a dread to be caught in jams especially when the boy starts to fuss and make a scene.

Anyway, here's wishing you a Happy Easter if you are celebrating it.

Me day

Today is a total me day. It's a day off from work and I'm not even taking care of the little boy myself. Just having time being on my own, doing whatever I need or not doing anything, for that matter. It feels good to have a full day of having no plans, doing whatever comes to the mind and heart.

Today I am another year wiser. And I'm feeling good...it's been a long while since I've felt so carefree. Even if it's just for a day, I guess it's enough for me to feel rejuvenated.