Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Buy and forget !!! Thats what I have done many time...



This is a confession !!!

From last many years, I have some weird kind of habit , when it comes to buy cosmetics. I buy most of fancy items shown on glossy pages of woman's magazine. But when it comes to use it, I feel awkward. I feel, I dont go to lavish parties, I dont visit big malls or pubs all time, so , why should I waste my make up ? And in this confusion, the cosmetics became stale and I have to throw it...Sob sob.

Now, you will say me, If I am not using it, I should not buy it. My mother used to tell me always, use what you buy and buy only what you can use. But sometime, I guess, I become obsessive about some specific lipstick, eye liner, eye shadow or even hair accessories. In day to day life, I prefer to use normal make up, which does not need many colors. When I buy colorful cosmetics, I think, some day I will surely use it. That some BIG day never arrives. Last time when I used all my cosmetics properly was 3 yrs ago in my brother's marriage. :)

I guess, all ladies are having obsession with their make up kit. I am purely in love with my lipstick, eye liner, kohl, face cream, eye shadow and even the small small hair clips. What is your obsession??

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Multi Level Marketting-- a boon or a trap???

Today morning, I was about to leave for my office, when a neighbor came and started stating me the advantages to join some XYZ company as member in their MLM chain. I was so much in hurry to reach office and she was so much desperate to include me in her chain. She counted many advantages to join it, like money flowing to you endlessly, you can use product of that company with discounts, blah blah blah.. Then finally, I bluffed that we are already members of this MLM chain. suddenly, she lost interest in me and she remembered some work at home. This way, I saved myself.


We Indians are looking for easy money and think that if making 2-3 ppl as member, we can earn for the lifetime, this is an opportunity. And we start making MLM tree. Our this mentality has been identified by some crooks in our country as well as foreigners.And we forget the great principle of Karma and the 'Phorener' proverb-- there is no free lunch. Many people insists their friends, relatives, neighbors and colleagues to join the tree. And the under pressure friends join it also, but then, they dont make anyone else members, and by that the tree never grows. and no one will be benefited by the efforts, but the master minds behind the MLM idea.

Yes, there are some good players in market, who follows MLM as marketing strategy, e.g. Amway. But they are rare. Also, a company can not grow only with MLM . They also need some other strategy. Even the great Amway also have TV commercials.

God saves all of us from this MLM influenced friends,relatives and peers.. Aamen..

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Started studying after roughly 5 years - Part 1





Last week, I thought to study PG again, and wanted to accomplish my  dream, doing PG in Finance Management. It is also needed for my career development ahead . I decided to get my PG degree from Symbiosis Center of Distance Learning. As the funding was not the issue for me (Thank God!!), I asked my friends and well wishers what they though t about it.  All of them told me to go for it, as this will be very useful for me. As BBA with Advance Finance Management, PG with Finance would be a great help in my career development.  My hubby, Anmol is the biggest supported for me in this decision.  Even, my boss  and my organization  is ready to pay 75 % of total fees .. J

I went to college on this Saturday and was so excited.  I inquired each and everything about the course, including the exam pattern, fee structure etc. and pretty convinced about the feasibility and profitability of the PG program.  I was so super excited that I even bought Symbiosis’s branded Gym Water Bottle.

Keep reading for my experience about re start of study.!!!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Excercising and me - part 2

Excercising and me - part 1

  

I was somehow convinced that I need to change my life style and food habits. I started with small changes, one by one.

My pain points were-

1. Waking up late in morning and then rushing for everything literally - working in an MNC , I need to be available for my US counterparts. Due to that, late night work was very common. As I sleep late, I wake up late. This is the routin.I hardly used to see sun rising from the horizons. I used to wake up late and then , trying to do all household chores faster to manage hubby's timing, maid's timing and office timings. In this process, I used to have very less time for myself.

2. Not having healthy breakfast at all - As said in point # 1, mornings were literally rush for me. To avoid time spent in break fast (which is hardly 10 mins), I used to fill myself with tea. The tea used to mask my hunger for long and make my digest system numb. I used to have my first meal at round about 12 noon or even late.

3. Not enough water intake- No time, killing work load and excess intake of tea, mask my water urge and when my body urged for water, I used to fill it with tea and shut. It started showing impact on  my skin and hair.I also got water retention issues.

4. Long gaps between meals and then heavy meals- The first meal used to be around 12 noon, and it used to be heavy. As if, I am componsating for no food and pampering my body now. It used to be heavy parathas, paneer sabzi, pizzas, ice creams, fried food, everything you name, whih carries calory but no nutrician. And it started showing impact on my body as gained weight.

5. No exercise and less physical activity - Again, no time... And I never prioritised excercise in my life.

6.Last but not the least, 4-5 cups of tea daily. - It seems that I keep felling drowsy all day and I need to ahve tea to be awake.Actually, I used to feel drowsy due to less glucose level. I could achieve needed glocose level only by eating something. But I was mistaken need for food as need for tea,

How I overcome these issues?

I overcome these issues with simple 2 steps.

1.Regular Exercise
I bouhgt a bicycle. I used to wake up half an hour early daily and ride the bicycle. The first few days were very tiring.I was not able to consentrate on my routin work for whole day. But slowly, I was able to get my body in synchronisation and I sarted enjoying it. I even dont break my excercise regime on weekends. It makes my day full of energy, I wake up at early morning, see the beauty of sunrise and sleep early, no TV watching.

2.Eat every 2-3 hrs.
Thanks to book 'Don't lose your mind, lose your weight'. I started eaing at every 2-3 hrs, with small meals and find not only dop in body weight, byt also improved skin and hair. My first meal is within 10-15 mins of waking up.

I am still in middle and need to reduce more 5 kgs. But, I am happy that I know and execute the right path. I am going to follow it for life time. Are you on right path, love and respect your body?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Excercising and me - part 1



       I have been a thinker for most of my life. I used to think, plan and no execution..just like most of people. When it comes to exercise and health, I was always thinking that I am fit, what if, I am just some kgs. overweight.I can take care of my house, perform all of house hold work,attend office and an above average IT professional, earning equal to my male counterpart... Being size 0 is not only thing in life.. actually speaking, by this thinking, I used to avoid exercising and healthy diet. I was thinking that I can not have any illness in my life, I am not prone to any health disaster and I always look beautiful. What a foolishness!!!

       Last summer, I went thru some health issues followed by a surgery. Due to heavy medications, I started putting on more weight. I used to feel dizzy and sleepy all the day and even started working from home most of the time, as my employer has permitted it. I started avoiding going out as my dressed became small for me and I simply started hating getting ready. I was not able to sit cross legged on floor, as most of indian prefers while eating. My feet used to be numb when I sit cross legged , or even worst when I sit in same position for long. I started getting knee pain when I walk for long. It was clear sign that my legs can not bear my weight more and this is the time to start healthy diet and exercise. Else, it will be too late.

         But, I was not sure, where to start. Waking up late and then struggling to finish household and rushing to office , skipping breakfast was my daily habit from last four and a half years, and it  is very tough to get rid of old habits.. I used to get bored in cooking and then prefers to eat out 3-4 times a week, I never felt thirsty due to humid climate of pune and so, never used to have even 1 ltr water. In addition to this,I was caffeine addicted and was struggling to get out of the caffeine addiction cycle. I knew that I have bad habits, but I did not know how to get out of these. All my knowledge was bookish. And now I wanted to put in real life.

       In the next blog, I will tell you how I start exercise and get out of the bad habits. Keep reading..

Click here to read further

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

What is the right time to invest in stocks? (For beginners)



Do you always wonder when should you enter in to stock market? Most of people will reply with YES. Even I am also bit scar when I buy stocks. Remember, I am not a trader, I am a pure investor and so, I sometime worry about the future of my picks. Most of us are thinking that they have missed the right time. They entered in to the market when all others have got their share of profit and now, there is nothing left in market.
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Many of us believe and follow the tips given on TV or internet, but this could be very dangerous. Giving you my personal example. I bought a stock of one leading Sugar manufacturing company for short term investment, say 3 months. I got the tip from one business TV channel. When I bought the stock, it downed 30 percent within a week. And I was waiting for it to be up again. But it never came up, and as I gathered money for down payment of my house, I had to sell it for the loss.So, my personal advice is, dont follow what your friend says, what TV anchor says or what Online portals swear by. Always have your own research.



So, how do you know when the best time to invest is?

The best time to enter in to stock market is when market is down or whe it is starting to go up.. And the best time to sell the shares is when the market is up or when it is starting to fall.

There are 2 kinds of investors.

1. Who invest on regular basis, Say, 5000 or 10000 every month on selected scripts and continue untill they really need money badly.
2. Who invest lumpsum ammount once, sell the scripts when market is up and then re invest.This is bit risky approach and needs lots of research. But the return is also very good.

If you are type 1 investor, all time is good time for you. Provided, you should park money for at least 2 years. There is less risk and less returns. But some lucky people gets bonus shares and good dividends as a result of their loyalty towards scripts.

For type 2 investors, as I wrote above, enter in to market when it is down or about to go up... and get out of it, when it is on peak, or about to fall. Then park your money in something else, like gold, Short term FD etc, and restrt the cycle again with lots of research. There is more risk, more pain and more gain in this approach.


In times of great uncertainty think with your head and do not make investment decisions out of emotion. The best time to invest in stocks is when the heavy selling is at a climax. Shortly thereafter, all who were fearful enough to sell already have, and rational investors are starting to rush in to buy at bargain prices.

When buying and greed take control, prices go up and those who are still in the game make money. Then it becomes a matter of someday determining the best time to sell, because every market trend comes to an end. Dont worry about the market trneds, if your research is correct.

So, never rely on luck or tips, always do your own research... and you will get sweet fruits of your hard work on research.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

How I celebrated Diwali 2010


Hmm.. At last, Diwali is over..from many days, or almost a month before Diwali, I was preparing and planning for the big Indian festival.. And as now, it is over, I feel somewhat vacuum in myself. Diwali over?? Ohh no.. Planned for many days and it is over in 3-4 days.. so bad..


The typical Diwali celebration started at Dhanteras. We had a team lunch with office colleges at Rajdhani, Kalyani Nagar, Pune. This restaurant is famous for serving authentic Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisines. And I forgot all my diet plans.. The food was so good..and the best part was it was with my team mates – frank and full of sense of humor..


The next day, means the day before Diwali was food preparation day, and I cooked many dishes. Most of them were dry snaks , which used to be served to the guests..And of course, shopping for Laxmi pooja. I am happy that I took care of  my diet and gym plans that day.

And the festival of lights arrived..Diwali. Entire day went in making rangoli, decorating house, calling friends and relatives and yes, year longed awaited Laxmi pooja. There was a heavy rain in afternoon, that day. And how to forget the 'Firecracker session' at night?

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Maslow’s theory--- Hierarchy of need


     Famous Economist Abraham Maslow has given a Theory of Human Motivation in 1943. It is well known as theory of need in current day life. This theory is not only management or economics theory, but it is also giving us insight of what we want in life. The gyan of Geeta is embedded in this theory. Lets have a glance of this theory in Indian context.






Have a look of above pyramid. The pyramid has 5 divisions, vertically.
1.Physical need
2.Safety
3.Love/Social needs
4.Esteem
5.Self Actualization.


1.Physical need- Maslow says that the first goal of human life is to fulfill the physical needs :food, water, shelter and other physical needs. You cant think about love if you are damn hungry. You can not think about the safety or your hidden talent if you don’t have shelter on your head. Even the smallest baby knows that the fulfillment of this need is very essentials. Most of our life, we are mainly focused on this part of need pyramid.

2.Safety- Once all/most of your physical needs are satisfied, you will start thinking of your own safety. The first man, Adimanav has thought first to find out food and water and then he thought to settle down and have his own house/territory.  The development of mankind happens in this way that firstly our forefathers have satisfied the first need and then slowly and gradually they planned to have their house , settled down somewhere and develop the cities. Same is true in our case too. We look for food and water first, the only we look out for settling down in life, settling down at some place. Even we start having relatives and friends afterward, Relatives and friends are also mean of safety for us. The same manner, once our basic physical need is satisfied then only we look out for saving/investing money. Money is also a source of safety.

3.Love and Social needs- Once you get food and daily needs at timely basis and you are secured by your education, money and relatives, then only you will look out for love in your life. Ideally, when first 2 needs are satisfied, then only you should look for third need. Any change in the order can create havoc in your life. I am sure, Many of us has experienced it. Unordered hierarchy is the reason of failure of first crush.. (Wink wink)

4.Esteem- Once you got satisfaction in first three needs, you may tend to get attraction of people and need of self esteem arise . Mainly, the ideal age of rise of this need is 30 plus or more. When you have achieved safety in terms of education, profession and you have your loved once with you  plus all basic needs satisfied. If anyone has this need in early 20, he will surely not get settled in his profession and love life. The disadvantage og this need is it makes person proud and over confident. You can afford the pride and over confidence only when first 3 needs are fulfilled.

5.Self Actualization- Geeta describes this phase is visionary phase, the neutral mind set of a person. When you have achieved all what you wanted in your life and your self esteem need is also fulfilled, now you don’t want to work for money or reorganization. All you want to do is to use all your talent and get most of work satisfaction. This is the reason why people leaves high paying jobs in late 40s and join some  social services. Beware, this need should arise only when all 4 prior needs are satisfied. Else it may create problems in your life.

Not all people in their life are getting realization of all 5 needs. Some stop at love and keep finding their love for the life, some stop at money and keep finding the safety in terms of money for life…and some unlucky people struggles for basic needs like food for life. Hope we all get the 5th need’s realizations.....

Monday, November 1, 2010

Love and Economics



Hmmm… now you must be thinking what is the similarity between these 2  terms. For few.there is no relation between them, love is out of the syllabus or economists and economics is out of the syllabus for lovers.. Lets check out how the principles of economics suit love.


Principle of Demand and Supply—The very first principle of economic and very true for today’s life. It says, when demand is high and supply is low, the prices rise and vice verse.

        Same happens in love, when demand of some special feelings /someone special is high and supply is less, we tend to pay high price for the same. When the person is not available, the supply is low, and the value of person becomes high.Vice verse, when the person is available, the supply is high, and so we depreciate the value of that person and take it for granted..

Division of labor—This principle is given by Adam Smith. Smith says “the division of labor is limited by the extent of the market “. 
       It means, you can divide the labor and get work done by many people. Take an example, you can get your cloths pressed by someone, your house will be cleaned by some one.Your cloths will be stitched by someone else. But you need to pay the cost for it. And there are some tasks which could not be divide or delegated to anyone , but has to be done by you only.

     Sounds familiar?? You can easily ask someone to book movie tickets for you.. Or someone will do home delivery of flowers to your beloved’s home. But, you cant hire anyone for going on date on behalf of you. You cant hire anyone to hang out with your loved one.

Principle of Saturation Point- When hungry, the first bite will give you utmost satisfaction, as you will keep eating , the satisfaction level will decrease. And at some point of time, you will feel that you are done and cant have one more bite at all. This is called the principle of Saturation point. From depriving till satisfaction, your saturation will increase. The first bite of food, the first car, the first salary gives you utmost thrill and as the time passes and you are having more and more of it, you will feel saturated.

This is also familiar, right? You may miss the thrill of your first year with your beloved, of your life partner. The first outing, no matter how cheap it was, is always near to your heart.May be later you will cherish the memories of that trip and forget your Switzerland trip...

Principle of Value and Price- The price is forgotten, the value is never.  The true principle of economic, about the QUALITY.. and it is applicable in real life also...not only in relationship..We cant choose relatives, but can surely choose our friends and loved once. The good relation is not one which is long, but it is the one which is deep. Friends do not need to talk often, but need to understand the feeling of one another without talking. Thats what quality of relationship is. Do I  need to elaborate??

More analysis will be done on this tomorrow..till then keep reading..