Cleaning with a Magic Eraser

I'm an apartment renter and don't look forward to the cleaning I need to do when I move in. The recent move to my apartment in Perth was no different. Once I got my keys, I went to the property to give it a once-over.

To my surprise, the ceiling corners of almost all rooms have cobwebs. I called the agent to ask whether the apartment was cleaned and complained about the cobwebs. She responded that it has been cleaned but maybe some residue was left. Ha! How could they have missed the freakin' cobwebs? The agent had the gall to tell me that I should just grab a long broom and sweep them off myself. That was not the point, dear!

I slowly gave everything a once-over as the weeks passed. I found the bathroom requiring the most effort--I find Perth's tap water very calcium-y / mineral-y and would get streaks when I wipe surfaces with plain water.

Now, you see, I consciously stopped buying chemical cleaners over the last year and stuck to the stuff that I have left, vinegar, and elbow grease for cleaning. The soap scum really hangs onto the tiles and grout and I didn't have much luck with using vinegar. I didn't want to resort to using bleach yet, so I tried these Magic Eraser samples that were given to me when I shopped at Howard's Storage World.

To my surprise, these babies worked beautifully. It takes some hard scrubbing especially for bad build-ups but I saw the tiles getting whiter then the water that drips from the eraser becomes this yellowish-brown color. After I rinsed off the tiles, the tiles felt smooth! I also used it on the shower stall and it looks great now.

If you don't have a Howard's Storage World near you, check out your local grocery for Scotch Brite and Chux brands for their magic eraser product. I've used both before, and they work as well.

Avoiding Bank Fees

I am personally against paying bank fees. Coming from countries where banks generally don't change maintenance fees on accounts, I find the bank charges in Australia ridiculous.

When I settled in, I started looking for options to remain fee-free. I signed up with Credit Union Australia, and don't have to pay account keeping fees. I understand that Credit Union ATMs are not as widely accessible as commercial banks, but I just learned to plan better and maximize cash-out services at the shops when you pay by EFTPOS.

Another account to consider--I noticed that BankWest introduced a savings account product that waives account fees provided at least $2500 gets deposited into the account monthly. Since BankWest merged with Commonwealth Bank and you can use ATM facilities of both banks free-of-charge if you are a BankWest account holder.

I am also against paying annual fees for credit cards. Two credit cards fit my needs -- the Classic Qantas American Express card and BankWest's Zero Mastercard. I generally use my credit cards with discipline and pay off the bill in full every month. I am thankful that my mom is a good example of a smart spender.

PVRs

How to maximize decent local TV with a full schedule? Get a Personal Video Recorder. I got myself a PVR a couple of days ago so I can record the shows that I usually miss because I'm not at home--talk shows like Ellen, Oprah, then US NBC Today and ET.

Shop around for features that you may like. Some have twin tuners, allowing you to record a show in another channel as you are watching. There are PVRs that have built-in satellite receivers, allowing you to record shows from a paid service.

PVRs cost above $500 but if you don't mind going into a bit of competition, eBay is a good place to buy one!

Wagyu Bacon

Friday night is late night shopping night in Perth CBD. Since I've settled in, I find myself going through the shops on Murray and Hay Street after work on Fridays. One of my favorite places to browse is the Foodhall in David Jones.

It's located at the end of the ground floor and features a cafe, wine shop, food stations and interesting products on shelf. They carry gourmet and artisan products, and imports from the US (such as Ghirardeli chocolates) and UK (Harrods food products). They also have a meat section where you can get premium cuts of beef and pork and free-range chicken.

My first discovery is their Wagyu Bacon. I found it unusual and to be honest, if it's any indication of how a nice cut of wagyu beef would taste, I want it. It's essentially thin strips of marbled beef and the butcher was nice enough to let me try a sample. You can consume it as is but better when it's warmed on a medium hot skillet for less than a minute each side.

I had it for breakfast the next day and loved it. The meat tasted smoky and flavorful but not overly salty. It's versatile as well. I had it for dinner with brown rice and tomatoes and enjoyed it as well. I can imagine using it for a salad or sandwich filling.

I got mine at A$11 and the pack had around 30 strips in it. I take 5 pieces as a serving. I think it's pretty good for something you can easily divide and keep for those days you need a nice beefy addition to a bland meal.

If you're wondering, I haven't tasted an actual Wagyu beef steak yet-- but it's on my list. :)

Fresh start

I always make it a point to be a better version of myself every single day. I am passionate in finding out what's efficient, what makes me happy and what works best for my circumstances. It sounds very uptight and precise, but I enjoy it; it's fun. I like finding solutions to save time, money and energy.

I am hopeful that my blog will bring me fulfillment sharing I share my takes, tips, tricks and adventures. I hope my blog inspires you, helps you and urges you to find your best self.