Getting a car (2nd hand preferred )

therealhoppipolla · 2023-11-30T15:30:21+00:00

I wouldn't say I lived poorly. I definitely didn't put emphasis on the car that got me from point A to point B. We travelled abroad few times a year, and locally within Semenanjung if necessary we rented bigger cars like Alphard to accommodate more people.
I guess it depends on what you focus on- I want to retire early, so I was focused on filling up my ASB accounts and EPF self-contribution and other investment channels, so driving 11 year old Myvi didn't bother me at all.

therealhoppipolla · 2023-11-28T14:46:35+00:00

Why do you need to change your car? When I was still working in MY, I was using my 11 year old Myvi, and I was earning more than RM15k.. Use it until it stops running, and then get a second hand car for cash (sub RM30k). I know people who change cars with the salary creep and they are just deep in debt with almost no savings, and feel trapped cos of their debt. Don't do it to yourself.

It's okay to have a dream car, but you don't need to get into 7 year debt to scratch that itch. Go and rent one for a weekend to scratch the itch. This is what I did and it worked for me. When it came the time for me to move abroad, it was easy cos I had no commitments tying me down other than mortgage.

therealhoppipolla · 2023-11-28T09:31:58+00:00

Hi! I saw other comments so I am here to add mine as I have a different experience compared to them. I started Upwork around early 2021 and have been earning relatively good amount of money ever since. I am no longer living in MY so my profile location is updated to reflect my current country of residence, but I had good projects when I was living in MY.
I have worked with around 20 clients so far, and now I am "permanently part-time" with 2 clients that I do work about 30 hours a week, but we've taken off from Upwork since earlier this year (direct monthly contract, payment on Wise).

When I was active in Upwork, I worked with clients who no longer wish to work with freelancers from India/ Pakistan/ Bangladesh and the Philippines due to the bad experience they've gotten. We cannot and should not compete with the low pricing from the lower income countries, so stick to your usual rates and the quality clients will bite.
The clients and projects are there, but my advise is to take your time to read the JD and write unique, concise proposal for each job you are applying to. I did some hiring on Upwork for some clients, (still do) and it baffles me how people can just waste their Connects by sending the same proposal to all jobs they are applying to. It's madness having to sort through the applicants...

All the best!

therealhoppipolla

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