If only I can earn $4.7m a year!

A bit of trivia, did you know that incoming Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will be earning $4.7m a year plus plus plus incentives! He is the new head of Australia’s flag carrier, and I am sure he would be inheriting a lot of head ache caused by the current financial crisis, as well as other quality issues that plague the company. I am sure he’s got a whole bunch of big responsibilities that would have come together with that big, fat (excuse my politically incorrect term) paycheck.

Rising costs

Today I am finding it difficult to put my thoughts into words, for some reason. Whatever I am thinking just does not come out in words the way I want it to. It could very well be my current state. I guess it must be because of the many things running through my mind. That can happen to one person, when thinking about cash advance payday loan for example and the current rising market prices. I think I am still a bit quite lucky though, as I’ve spoken to a friend in Manila, and she’s mentioned about the rising prices of general commodities back home, such as oil, rice and other things. Everything is just getting to be too expensive. Expensive enough that even high income earners are feeling this big slump in the economy. It is a worldwide thing, but it is even more of a concern for the less fortunate from third world countries. Times are getting to be really hard. It is hitting even the first world countries, and careful measures about planning, forecasting, and the like should be thoroughly studied. This is what globalization means, that whatever is happening to the other side of the world, one is rest assured that the other side feels the effects as well (good or bad)

Another breakthrough in technology to make our life easier?

.. Doing a transaction using one's credit card is getting easier each time. In a few weeks' time (June 4) one will be able to have a choice whether to finalise a credit card transaction with their signature (PEN) or by a secret set of numbers (PIN). More details on this can be found on PENorPIN.

I am not quite sure how it is in other parts of the world, but I think this is quite a tricky one just because some countries have more issues on trust (?!) and the use of credit cards! Well, Australia's chosen to trust the system and so most cardholders of Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express, would have the option! As an introductory thing, there are limited number of merchants who will offer this. There are a few advantages and disadvantages arising from this technology. Merchants would love the fact that they can make a sale easier. Cardholders would think of this as a convenient alternative to having to fill up signature on file forms.

I suppose with anything, there are different ways of looking at a new technology. The good part is, we are given the option. So, there at the end of the day, its your choice and mine as well. What do you think?