My kid knows many languages!!!

 As you all know that I am a mommy of a toddler, and my kid is now learning to speak. Babies grasp whatever is happening around them and the same is applicable for learning to speak as well. Me and Anmol are coming from different language speaking families. We have been grown up speaking different languages, reading different languages and thinking in different languages. Now, Ira - my baby is an addition to our multilingual family. I speak my language and Anmol talks to him in local language (Not his mother tongue). Ira may go to a school wherein medium of instruction will be English. But Ira seems to understand everything !!

I had seen many families where parents talk to kid only in English, or I can say, try to speak to kid only in English. Whereas the entire family speaks in their mother tongue and talk to kid into English. I guess, kids get super confused due to this differentiation.

I will keep talking to my kid in different languages, and I am sure that kid will understand many languages , and she will not have any communication problem, What do you think?

Searching for that 'EXTRA' time !!!

When did last time you take time to

• Watch the rising sun?

 

• Feed the birds?

• Play with colors?

• Have a home facial? Or Manicure? Or pedicure?

• Have a talk with your loved once? Not a casual talk , but talk to show your affection, love and care?

• Have a god night sleep? And sleep regime like bed time snacks ? milk or body wrap with lotion?

These all tasks are simple tasks , but we dont give more imporance to these. The excuses are , no time, too tired, too busy, not in a mood..

Lets try to do these tasks, from now onwards, at least one daily..

Amen ...

Do let me know what are you going to do today, extra than your daily tasks??

Raising emergency household fund !!!

I am working from last 7 years. During this time, I have taken some good financial moves, like buying own house (though with 33% mortgage).

When Ira has not been born, we were typically free birds. We were eating out a lot and  buying stuffs that we hardly used. But then also, we were able to save one salary and raise emergency fund.

 The finance blogs say that you should keep 6 month's salary as emergency fund. Now, be realistic!! You can save up to 6 months' household expenses as emergency fund...Here I am sharing my ways to save for raising emergency fund.

• Allocate some amount every month and keep it in one separate account.
• Don't use that money when you are tempted to buy fancy items.
• You can raise emergency fund by opening recurring deposit in bank. Keep it as an open ended account so that you can withdraw as and when needed.

Ok, now as your emergency fund is built up.. Will you stop saving money? No... Now do one thing... Keep saving at the same pattern.. You can use that parked money to buy stocks, mutual funds, gold or bonds and earn interest on this..

This is how I do.. How do you save for emergencies..Do share..

When Doctor has not time to see you !!!

Last Saturday, my baby was suffering from constipation. I was nursing her till now, but recently I have stopped it as she is 1 year old and this milk is not sufficient for her. She may take other food which may provide her more nutrition. 

The adverse effect of this was, baby was suffering constipation. I tried home remedies and some Ayurveda remedies, but she was crying when passing the stool. So, we have decided to take her to doctor. We called up the same doctor whom we were consulting from long for immunization and any illness of baby as well. He is an M.D. with gold medal. He used to be always busy and his clinic's phone is always engaged. I tried calling his clinic for an appointment. The phone was busy. I tried again!!! Busy again... and after 1 hour's trail and error, I was lucky to get connected. It was 11.00 AM that time.The receptionist gave us appointment of Monday evening ... Ohh God.. How can I leave my baby in pain for more  2.5 days.. I was screaming and complaining  to the receptionist out of frustration and anger... My baby was in pain and I can not do anything...

I called up my other friend and got contact details for her baby's pediatricians. She is equally qualified person. We got appointment for next hour and she has prescribed some medicines and food changes to baby. Baby is fine now.. But this incident, there are few questions come in my mind.

1.The doctors are for our health care? Doesn't it mean that he should be available at need. The health issue does not come with pre notice. And so, Doctor should be available on call. The appointment system is only applicable for immunization or for  the illness which can wait for some time.

2.Even if the doctor is busy, and he cant give time to your need just now, he should give appointment in next schedule. Not after 2 days or so.

3. When they are charging high amount, they should be also available at request.

I am surely going to change my baby's doctor. Have you face the same issue ever? Do share..

So much of Laundry to do...

From last few days, I am fighting with laundry task. So many cloths to wash, dry, fold, press and to put away. My laundry bag is always full. And I get tired to manage everyday washing and folding.

So, I tried to do root cause analysis on this. What takes laundry task too overwhelming?
What can I do to make it simple??

I discovered that washing cloths daily was the root cause. As due to rainy and humid climate, the cloths are not drying properly. When I am ready with new load to dry, previous load used to be half dry.. And that was increasing my stress and decreasing the beauty of my balcony.

So, I started washing cloths every alternate day, mostly at early part of morning. So that I can utilize sun when its available for few hours. Indeed, I wash Ira's cloths daily as if not washed, bacterias may settle and its not hygienic.

I am happy now with my new laundry routine...

Have you faces same problem? If yes, what was your solution??

A blogging vacation... Sick leaves indeed...

 I was not able to write any post in last 10 days due to cold and fever.  After I feel little better, I tried to mend up my house , which was big mess while I was not 'in action'.

I am planning to take 15 days vacation and go to my native.. So again, there will be blogging vacation...

Dont forget me !!

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9 years of togetherness!!

10th July, 2003.. Masters degree class commenced.. I was student at that time.. It was Masters in Computers.. I first time seen Anmol Singh along with other classmates.

10th July, 2012..After 9 years... We are happily married with a little bundle of joy, Ira..  Time flies with blink !

There were thick and thins in our life as well. But happy to inform you that we are now settled with own house, own car, good bank balance and at the top of it, good understanding..

Now, lesser the fights, more the conversation.. Lesser the ego, more the understanding..

Wish to spend more more years with you, hubby!! 

Shopping Incident - How local shopkeepers cheat ?

Every 1st to 5th , I shop for groceries, toiletries, washing needs, cloths and many more. I make a list of stuffs I wanted to buy thru out the month and buy most of items on first week of upcoming month.

I usually shop from nearby super market, mainly Star Bazaar or Dorabjee's. I love the discounts, deals and offers they provide. I also like the cozy environment over there.

In last few days, I was down with cough, cold and mild fever. The shopping was needed and so, I headed up to local grocery shop for grocery shopping. Local shops here are run by individuals as sole proprietorship and there is no use of computer, Barcode scanner or CCTV there. Also, no bargain, no offers, no deals, they sale everything on MRP (Maximum Retail Price) printed on the package.

I have no other option and so, given my list of shopping to the shopkeeper and he got what I have ordered. There were more than 30 things, in different pacing, different weights and different states.

At last, he filled all the groceries in a big plastic beg. He handed me a bill of roughly 2000 INR. I paid the bill and put the bag in my car.
After coming home, I re calculated the bill and seen the grocery. The shopkeeper looted me in 3 ways.

1. He calculated INR 17 more in the bill-- I went back next morning and got this money deducted from next purchase.
2. He did not give free gift, which was coming free with a washing supply I bought--  He denied about this miss and told me to recheck in my home.. I know he was lying.
3.I bought black grams. I paid for it. But it was not in my shopping beg. When asked, he lied again.

I have made up my mind not to visit that place again. There is no point to go to consumer court as I don't have sufficient proofs and its very much time taking .

By doing cheating, the local grocery shopkeeper has lost one recurring consumer.


Do you have similar experience? Waiting to hear from you...

My life, My home, My rules !!!

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

~ Johann Von Gothe

Last month, I kicked my maid out of my home. I found her stealing grocery and so, I need to pink slip her ..  She was the one who used to come to my home at 10.00 AM (Or late, but never early) and leave my home at 5.00 PM(Or early, but never late). She used to babysit my little daughter and clean house and do dishes.  I am work from home mommy. Everything has an end and so her tenure too.

I take my baby to park every evening. Over there, I have few friends, who also are mommies of babies . We are friends and our kids are also friends. When I talked to them that I fired my maid, everyone was shocked.

"Why don't you happily give to your maid what she wants? Let her take whatever she wants from your home" ( I was giving her everything, from food to cloths, hair dryer , as I have 2 hair dryers, some of working cosmetics she liked , but her hunger was more)

"Its just grocery baby, not gold ornaments"

"Hetal, you need to compromise if you want to keep your maid"

"Getting a maid is so tough now a days. Just overlook"

But next morning, I fired her...

And now, I have one part time maid, who does dishes .

I do babysitting. My kid is very nice, She has proper nap times, which she never misses. She is not fussy about food. She can now signals potty.

Even my hubby is helping and shares some household work when I work late evenings.

Now, I have cleaner home, Better surroundings and everything in control. Yeah, some days, I don't clean my home in depth, but its always better than maid's cleaning.

And my monthly saving is about 5000 INR.

Domestic help is an essential part of Indian household. It symbolize the wealth of the household. The wealthier you are, the more maids you have. The more money you have, the less household work you do..

In that case, I am the poorer.

Please comment and motivate me, in my decision.

Kitchen decluttering on sunday, so much work !! -- Updated

As you know,  I was organizing my kitchen this Sunday, this is what the final output is.

All the kitchen trollies cleaned and rearranges with the junk out..

The storage trolly beneath sink is cleaned with only needed supplies.Mainly boxes and some washing supplies.

The grocery cupboard is looking like this..

And I am super content with the output..

How do you like my kitchen organization? Please comment..

Kitchen decluttering on sunday, so much work !!

It was a bright Sunday morning outside, and busy day inside my house. I was all set to  de cluttered and organize my kitchen. Its just a incident of yesterday, 1st July.

I forgot to take pic of my kitchen when I started.

This is how my kitchen was looking when Work In Progress.

Some of the mess was 'Thanks to Ira'... As she was playing in the messy dirty kitchen while I was cleaning. She found the entire process so exciting that she was not even moving out of kitchen.

The sink, the washing machine top..everything was full of mess, clutter..

But one need to make his hand dirty while cleaning, isn't it?

And the story continues...


 Your kitchen also looks like mine when you are organizing it? Do share your comments..

Goal update --July 2012

I am planning to write about my goals for the month. At the 15th of every  month, I will have a mid term review and at last, final update with new goals for next month.

The goals for July 2012 are--

1.Read at least 4 books -- As I have got the membership in local library, I have easy and cheaper access to books. I am planning to read at least 4 books in a month, say 1 book per week.

2.Exercise 5 times a week, for 30 minutes minimum.-- I have my own bicycle and also a Joggers' park is near by. So, I am planning to walk/ride cycle at least 5 times a week. Also, I have some in-house exercise supplies like weights, Skipping ropes, which I can utilize if outside is rainy.

3.Plan for my and baby's frugal birthday parties- As Ira's and my birthday fall in July month, 2 parties are due. We are planning to have frugal parties. 

4.Follow envelop system for personal finance- Not for the entire finance, but for some of the areas like, baby supplies, household maintenance and personal shopping.

5.Limit eating out at 2 times a week-- Out of 14 main  foods per week, I am planing to limit eating out to 2 times a week.

6.De clutter and organize house 2 times a week-- Any part of house, kitchen, Bedroom, Storing space or living room.. But 2 BIG cleaning and organizing events a week , thats what I have planned. Daily cleaning is not included here.

7.Stay within the budget- Though I have family visits at the last part of this month and few parties to throw, I am hopeful to stay within my budget of INR 20,000.

What are your goals for July? Do share...

My latest personal shopping.. Local shoes

Last weekend, I visited a house of my husband's relatives. I am well known in the group of my husband's relative as Frugal (they mean 'Cheap' by it).  They think think that I am the person using all local product, not at all buying any quality goods and living my life in misery even if earning good. The discussion happened about the quality of local shoes. I have narrated my experience of one big brand of shoe and how my pair of shoes got torn after 2 months only, while local product works fine for at least a year, though the branded shoes are 5 times costlier than local brand.

This pair of shoes I bought in 350 INR .I can wear it with all types of Indian attire.

This pair of shoes I bought for 120 INR. This is my daily wear shoes at home.

Do you think only branded shoes work fine? 

What did you buy last time? Got something to share?

Maid tantrums -- Part 2

If you are reading this blog first time, for reference, read this.

The update is, although I increased her payment , she left the job today. She has not formally left job, she told it to my neighbor that she is not coming to my work, from now onwards..

I am trying to cope up with this change, cheerfully.. Now, I have made up my mind not to keep part time help and raise my daughter myself and do all household chores by myself.  Though I may need a domestic help for cleaning the floor.


What do you think, am I right?

So Imperfect, the true ME!!!

As defined in Wikipedia, Perfection is, broadly, a state of completeness and flawlessness.

Is it possible to be perfect???

I am proud of not being perfect, I have my own flaws, own incompleteness.

Yes, seeing / meeting people better than me put me down.. I sometimes feel jealous. 

I cant do all my household work alone, and so, I have appointed a part time help !! Being unable to do my household is a flaw, a problem. Getting part time help is a solution.

I cant fix my beauty problems by myself, the solution is parlors and salons.

I cant drive my car (I want to learn, really!!) , so, I need to take taxi !!! Again a solution..

See, my imperfection becomes bread and butter for so many people :)

When I see mom , who is more alert than me, I feel imperfect !! 

When I see someone earning more than me, I feel imperfect. 

When I meet a wife who is more 'in shape' and stylish than I am , I feel imperfect. 

When I meet any housewife , who can allot more time to her house , and her house is more up-to-date, I feel imperfect!!!

But, I am happy with what I am!! (Or a sort of HAPPY).. 

I am lucky to born in such a society where women do not need to pass entire life in a corner of house. I am lucky to born in such a family where girl child is given equal (or more) importance than boy child..

I am lucky to get married to a man , who believes in equally.

I am lucky to follow a religion , which can answer all my questions and capable of taking me to the height of spirituality.

I am lucky to work in a company, which believes in equal opportunities.

I am luckier than half of the world, for having roof on head, running water in tap, food in kitchen and money in bank account.. Plus loving people around..

Do I need to be perfect???

 

Who is behind this blog ???

Hi!!! I am Hetal.

I am an IT engineer, just entered in my 3rd decade of life.  I am mother of an adorable daughter named Ira. I am married to Anmol Singh.

Ours is a love marriage. I met him during my PG years, we were classmates and now, soul mates from last 6 years !!!

I stay in Pune, India. We 3 are a family... Basically, I am from Gujarat .

The topics I would love to share is, my thought process, frugal life, thriftiness and sometimes about my personal finance experiments...

Hope you will like it !!!

Where to spend weekend??

 This is a prime question. As weekend approaches, I always think about what to do in this weekend. And after some household chores, some beauty care and long sleeps, our car turns to nearest mall , automatically. There, some junk food, some useless but impulsive buying and weekend finished!!! And every Monday, I think, OMG, what a waste of the long awaited weekend. Do you people also thinks the same way.

The marketing gurus know very well , that the empty mind spends most. And so, the strategy has been properly placed in malls near you, the flashy and glossy stuff in the window of each counter, the high rated cloths on show case, the useless cosmetics at most of counters. It looks like , all marketing gurus are going to convert us humans into Christmas trees.I guess, all of us are suffering from impulsive buying but only few know it.


When I was a kid, my mom dad used to take me to lake near my house, garden,  aquarium or to our relatives place. Sometimes, relatives used to visit us and we kids as well as elders were having fun, even without spending lots of money. But now a days, as our social values are weakening and we have less friend and family get to gathers, I guess, kids now a days are also going for shopping with their parents and they also will become impulsive buyer after 10-15 years.  I wish, I could take my kids to lake, garden, aquarium, fun fairs or at relative's place, rather than Malls.

Where do you spend your weekends?

Restoration of Cane Furniture ---Part 2

 Earlier post

You read in the earlier post how I decided to restore my old furniture.  After getting needed supplies, I cleaned cane furniture thoroughly with water + liquid dish-wash solution and cotton cloth.

After that, I spread the news paper on my balcony floor, and placed the furniture over there. I polished  with one coat. Entire furniture  polish took 2 hrs for first coat. After that, I allow the furniture to dry. It took approximately 45 minutes to dry up the first done piece. Then, again  I polish the second and final coat and wohooo,  it was ready to set in my living room.

After that, I spread some  sofa covers  on sofa, table cloth on table and cushions on sofa. I bought the new cushion covers, which cost me 345 Indian rupees.

See how it looks now.

The total cost for restoration--

1. Polishing supply- 125 Indian Rupees
2.Cleaning supply - free, available at home
3. Sofa covers and table covers -- free, home inventory again.
4.Cushion -- Home inventory
5.Cushion covers -- 345 Indian Rupees

Total== Happy and frugal me and decorated my home 

Have you ever restored any furniture?Do share your experience.

Restoration of Cane Furniture --Part 1

Frugality is not stinginess , its all about making each penny last long...

I have a complete set of cane furniture i.e. a sofa set (3+1+1) along with a center table, a side table and a shoe rack.  I bought them in around 6500 Indian Rupees in 2008. Cane furniture is light weight and light on pocket. When we were staying in rented apartments and changing accommodations every year, having  cane furniture was a blessing. 

In 2010, we have booked our own house and in August 2010, we shifted to our own house. From then, I was planning to buy designer sofa set. last month, I put this entire furniture for sell in online e commerce site. I quoted 3000 Indian Rupees for entire , brand new looking, well maintained  set, while the same stuff was available in market for not less than 14000 Indian Rupee. But I got offers like 1500 Indian Rupee for the entire set. This was quite frustrating. 

One night, while surfing Internet, I came across a blog which was stating about restoration of cane furniture. I gave a thought and make my mind to use the same furniture after restoring it.

As the furniture had no scratches or ticks, I needed to polish/color them and just decorate them. i went to local hardware shop and shown the picture of my furniture (taken from my mobile) . I asked the shopkeeper to suggest how to restore it. he suggested me to polish them and they would be ready for use. I bought needed supplies to polish them and one fine morning (or afternoon) , I cleaned the furniture thoroughly and started polishing it. 

Keep reading about my Cane furniture restoration project and its outcome.

Next post

Lost and found

I didnt know, arranging closed could be blessing.. Last week, I organized my closet . Oh God, I never knew I have so many clothes, cosmetics and accessories. I have tendency of buy and forget.

My post pregenecy cloths are fitting me now. So, I don't need to buy more cloths for upcoming family function in July and August, 2012.

I have also found few hair accessorizes  and a scarf holder, which I can use in day to day life as well in glittery family functions.

Well, I am tossing at least 5 things in upcoming week.  I am having some less load in office and so, planning to declutter my house..

The climate in Pune, India is awesome , the blue sky is full of white little clouds.

I have taken this picture when I took Ira to garden , while she was busy playing ball, I was busy taking pics.

What are your plans of decluttering? Have you found anything useful in your last closet organizing, which was in the back of closet, waiting for use?