October 2013 October
Halloween spooktacular: Check out our scary, but sweet, treats inside! treats sweet, but scary, our out Check spooktacular: Halloween
money
Managing your estate your Managing Will-power Food fights Food grocery bills Exorbitant Budget busters going? money your Where’s matters
October 2013
E diTOR-in-chief Tracey Starr t: 2201 9710 e: [email protected]
PUBLIcations director Jo Allum t: 2201 9719 e: [email protected]
A dVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Zara Horner Florence Choy Wan Zara is a true survivor. Born in the ’60s to parents t: 2201 9721 who smoked, had never heard of seat belts e: [email protected] and believed brandy really was the answer, she grew up in London in the ’70s, danced to
Advertising ACCOUNT MANAGER Wham and Spandau Ballet in the ’80s, and Narelle Edwards was fearless enough to go to a university in the north of England despite e: [email protected] being a southerner. Various PR and marketing jobs led her to journalism more years ago than she cares to remember. Having proved her mettle in the UK, she moved to Australia in the early '90s, living and working in the A dVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER best part: Brisbane. In 2002, she moved to Hong Kong and continued to Vanisha Khem t: 2201 9724 work as a journalist, but added personal trainer and fitness instructor to her e: [email protected] qualifications. Zara now splits her year between Hong Kong and Brisbane.
At r DiRECTOR Charlotte Chandler
senior Designer Leon Fok Marie Teather Marie grew up in a former industrial town in north England and, after graduating from university, had a choice: Go home and do what? Or, join G rAPHIC Designer Eman Lam the so-called rat race in London. Instead, she packed a suitcase and moved to Japan for “just one year,” which became seven. Following her love of news, Marie pursued a career in journalism, which has seen her hold Lutayo Artist editorial positions at the South China Morning Post and Haute Living, and been Tania Ho commissioned for The Telegraph, Daily Express, CNN, Quintessentially Asia and numerous luxury lifestyle magazines. She has moved 11 times in the last 12 years, in places including Japan, the UK and now Hong Kong. Marie is now CEO mum to eight-month-old Milo, and lives with her husband and their incredibly David Tait timid but jet-setting cat, Elbe, in Discovery Bay. t: 2201 9727 e: [email protected]
FORbscriptions Su & Distribution t: 2201 9716
CONTRIBUTORS: Melanie Adamson; Belinda Bath; Orla Breeze; Brooke Chenoweth; Rennie Fensham; Zara Horner; Sonia Jackson; Gillian Johnston; Annabel Karmel; Ingrid Keneally; Rachel Kenney; Elle Kwan; Katie McGregor; Jill Mortensen; Nic Parker; Melanie Potgieter; Marie Teather; Nury Vittachi
Pblishedu by: PPP Company Ltd, Unit 713, Level 7, Core E Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road Cyberport, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2201 9716 PRINTED by: Paramount Printing Company Ltd. in Hong Kong ISSN 1726-183X
Published by PPP Company Limited. The publication is sold on the understanding that the publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a purchaser of the publication or not, in respect of any action or omission or the consequences of any action or omission by any such person, whether whole or partial, upon the whole or part of the contents of this publication. All rights reserved, 2012 PPP Company Limited. No part of this work, covered by the publisher’s copyright may be reproduced in any form by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval, without the written permission of the publisher. Any unauthorised use of this publication will result in immediate legal proceedings. October 2013 1 welcome Tracey and models Tara and Nuala
as getting back into the swing of a post-summer routine been as difficult at your house as it has been at mine? After a few lazy, playful weeks, everything suddenly seems a bit H manic and important. Perhaps I haven’t made things any easier for us by opting to focus this issue on finances – a topic that’s certainly caused more than its fair share of stress for families! But, as stressful or unpleasant as thinking about finances can be, money matters, and we’ve done our best to bring you stories that are particularly relevant for families in Hong Kong. Do you have a will? Does it spell out the exact guardianship procedures for your children in the event of your and your partner’s untimely passing? Without one, you’re leaving your kids’ fates in the hands of the state! Do you know exactly how much money’s coming in – and going out – each month? There are easy ways to start budgeting better. What do you want your kids to know about money? And when’s the right time to start discussing it with them? You’ll find expert advice on all of that inside. On a much lighter note, the Playtimes family has grown a bit over the summer. Writer Angela Baura and her husband welcomed baby boy Dhilan into their family on 30 August. Mum, Dad, and his two big sisters couldn’t be happier. Chef Priscilla Soligo and her husband brought baby girl Mya into the world on 20 August. Big brother Luca is already proving to be a great caretaker and playmate. And we’re delighted to welcome new art director Charlotte Chandler – a mum of three herself – to our team. Good news all around!
Thanks for reading,
Tracey Starr, Editor-in-Chief
How do we look? ✽Do you love the mag? Do you have ideas for topics that you’d like to see us cover? Now’s your chance to tell us what you think by taking our reader survey. Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/Playtimes. Thanks in advance for sharing your time and opinions with us!
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reg_letter from editor.indd 2 24/09/2013 7:29 PM
October 2013
mnie i mon y Managers 50
74 58 Going it FEEDING alone THE MASSES news 26 IN YOUR OPINION Readers’ thoughts on timely topics 8 WHAT’S ON A look at what’s going on this month 29 RATED PG Stop your spending, implores one mum. 10 HOT OFF THE PRESS Hip new shops, services and products resources
19 FINGER ON THE PULSE 31 TOY BOX Toys that teach and amuse Relevant news from around the world
21 ECO HERO 33 BOOKSHELF Perfect picks for reading together Ideas and products for greener living advice 34 BABY ON BOARD Stylish and safe carriers for wearing your baby about town Photography 23 BEAUTY 101 Top tips for looking your best Belinda Bath 37 TRAVEL-WRITING CONTEST Want to be a travel writer? Here’s your chance! Model 25 TREATING TORTICOLLIS Nuala If your baby seems to hold her head to one side or have limited neck movements, a 120 STOCKISTS See something you like? We’ll tell you where common condition might be to blame. to get it.
Toy Box pg 31
Bookshelf pg 33
Eco Hero pg 21
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October 2013 96 Time travel 85 sh are adn share alike
81 m ore care l ess cash features
42 MIND OVER MONEY 74 GOING IT ALONE 93 CARRIED AWAY Tackle the family budget, once and for all. Just about 100,000 of Hong Kong’s This month, the world will celebrate children are growing up in a single- International Babywearing Week. We 50 MINI MONEY MANAGERS parent household. What's it like for examine the burdens and bonuses of Set your kids up for financial freedom parents who fly solo? travelling with a baby on board. by getting them thinking about money early on. 81 MORE CARE, LESS CASH 69 TIME TRAVEL In a city known for high prices, a Amid China’s incredible forward 58 FEEDING THE MASSES mother’s crucial postnatal health propulsion lies a peaceful corner that If you have a big family, then you surely services are – surprisingly – free. fuses the country’s past and present. know the pain of exorbitant grocery bills. Is it possible to feed a tribe in Hong 85 SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE 100 BOO-TI-FUL BASH Kong without breaking the bank? From accommodation to cars, This Halloween, we’re dressing up as the internet is turning us from ghosts and making some ghoulish goodies. 62 WHERE THERE’S A WILL consumers into providers and Writing a will doesn’t have to be a painful challenging established 110 COLONIAL STYLE experience, and the peace of mind it business models. Peek inside one Hong Kong family’s home. brings is well worth the time and effort. 88 FRESHEN UP 128 LAST WORD 68 HARDSHIP POSTING? In the right hands, sound waves and All through the year, legendary figures Are the glory days of the high-paying, radiofrequency can enhance looks keep society’s cash moving, writes all-inclusive expat package behind us? without ruining the canvas. father-of-three Nury Vittachi.
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October The hottest happenings around town Babywearing Vaccination basics Facts 10 Chiropractor Michelle Zhou explains IMI presents a free how to choose the right baby carrier to seminar about properly support your baby’s spine, at vaccinations, by Graeme Tiny Footprints, www.tinyfootprints.com. Bradshaw and Dr Barry Decker, for parents in Discovery Bay. To book, call 2523 7121, or email [email protected]. Alignment matters Caroline Rhodes, physiotherapist, craniosacral therapist and founder of The Body Group, explains the importance of proper alignment of the pelvis, spine and cranial bones in babies, at Tiny Footprints, 9&12 9 www.tinyfootprints.com. P arenting Courses 22 Playtimes columnist and parenting coach Orla Breeze presents her popular workshops, Mommy 101 and Daddy 101, for expectant parents, at The Sanctuary, www.thesanctuary.com.hk.
E state planning David de Lacy Staunton from Capstone Financial Group will discuss wills, guardianship and insurance needs for families, including a new website for comparing your options, mymoney.com.hk. 17&28 At Tiny Footprints in Central, www.tinyfootprints.com. Family 2 / 11 S chool Fair fundamentals This year’s Hong Lok Yuen School Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever, 27 with new stalls and entertainment for the whole family. Click www.hlyis.edu.hk.
SHK Private and Top Schools host a seminar on education Halloween disco planning, including finding a Join the candy hunt with live music, place and paying for it. To book, 24 dancing and creative parent-and-child email [email protected], or click activities, all at RockAbaby’s Saving the familyfundamentals.eventbrite.hk. Candy World Halloween disco party. Email [email protected].
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Pitter patter Looking for a unique gift for the grandparents or a precious keepsake from your baby's early years? Cindy Lam is delighted to share her enthusiasm and passion for bronzed baby shoes with you. The baby shoes are bronzed in the UK and, with good care, can last many years. Is there any better way to capture and cherish unforgettable memories of your baby’s first walking experiences, for generations to come? Email [email protected], or call 9389 7190 to learn more. Brilliant beanie Tortle is the only medical beanie patented and US FDA-cleared to help prevent flat head syndrome. This beanie is a simple solution that travels with the baby from car seat, bouncer, swing, stroller and bassinet. Dr Jane, a Colorado-based paediatrician and mother of four, invented the cost-effective and stylish Tortle, which is best used from birth to six months. Stockists include Bumps to Babes and Rainbow Care Centre. Three lucky readers will each win a Tortle (worth $179) for their wee one. Email [email protected] by 31 October and include “Win Tortle” in the subject line. hot off the press Pamr pe & play We all know that looking after children can be exhausting, and mums often forget to look after themselves as well. Rainbow Pamper House has come to the rescue! Take a break and have an organic lymphatic hand/neck/shoulder massage while your child has fun exploring their three-floor playhouse, including a play structure designed to develop hand-eye coordination and encourage role playing and imaginative activities. It is also the perfect place to hold your child’s birthday party. Call 2389 6963, or email [email protected]. Bang for your buck Seedling’s new Pocket Money Collection is an ethically sourced assortment of quality toys. The hand-picked collection offers children a choice of affordable ($10 to $95), fun toys to buy with their own pocket money. Parents will enjoy old favourites including Dominos ($45) and Magic Spring ($50), while the Amazing Spitting Frogs ($75) and Monarch Butterfly Ring ($35) are sure to delight. This range, appealing to kids and adults alike, is ideal for party bag gifts and Christmas stocking stuffers. Find them at Bookazine and Indigo for Kids, or online at www.seedling.com.hk.
10 Playtimes Refresh & recharge Children are back into the hustle and bustle of school, often with jam- packed schedules. Optimise their precious time with Touch2Learn Education Centre’s Montessori, highly interactive and fun, yet relaxing and calming, learning approach. They’ll help your kids learn, but won’t wear them out so much that they can’t cope with everything else on their little plates. Playtimes readers can call 3996 8738 to book a free trial hour. Learn more at www.touch2learn.com.hk. Bang for your buck
Peaceful play
Happy The Sai Kung Playhouse, conveniently located in the heart of Sai Kung, was set up with both children and parents in mind. Little ones can socialise in a bright, airy play-space that’s anniversary! packed full of new, quality toys guaranteed to keep them My Happy Sunflower is celebrating their fifth occupied for hours. For mums and dads, there’s a cosy corner anniversary by offering a ten per cent discount with comfortable couches, tea/coffee facilities and Wi-Fi on all jewellery items. And, if you meet any of the to relax whilst children enjoy the supervised play area. The following criteria, you can take an additional five Playhouse holds regular mum and baby groups, as well as “drop per cent off, for a total of 15 per cent. off” sessions when you can leave your kids and go indulge in 1) Five friends all order a piece of jewellery; some “me time”. Check out www.thesaikungplayhouse.com. 2) You were born on the fifth of a month; 3) Your mobile number begins with five; 4) Your child is five years old; or 5) You purchase five or more pieces. The promotion runs from 5 October to kee psake treasures 5 November. Learn more at Little Milly was born after two friendly sisters-in-law were inspired by their exciting www.myhappysunflower.com. new surroundings, having following their husbands to Hong Kong. Both of their young daughters love all things naughty and nice, so they established a business offering treasures for boys and girls. The globally-sourced, quality products include soft toys, dining wear, accessories and storage. The founders hope children have as much fun receiving the gifts as they did creating them. Select items are available from Babushka in Sai Kung and Bizzie Lizzie in Mui Wo. Discover more at www.littlemilly.com.
October 2013 11 Browse Birthing basics & buy A Mother’s Touch has recently launched a Fashion-forward babes and tykes are new fast-track antenatal course designed snapping up their duds, gifts and more especially for parents-to-be with busy at the newly launched, Hong Kong- schedules and work commitments. based online company Olive and Moss. Essentials4Birth is made up of three two-hour There are loads of international brands sessions, covering all the must-knows for birth to browse, from Korea to Denmark, and beyond. Parents will learn about the by simply clicking away. Even better, birth process in a fun, relaxed environment, Playtimes readers can take off an along with natural and medical comfort additional 15 per cent when purchasing strategies (including relaxation and goodies online until 30 November (offer breathing techniques), breastfeeding, and excludes discounted products). Please newborn care. Courses run monthly. Learn enter the promotional code Playtimes more at www.amotherstouch.com.hk. upon checkout. See the fashions at www.oliveandmoss.com.hk. stick 'em up Each Monster Factory, Cloud Factory and Robot Factory sticker activity pack by Jam & Soda comes with more than 150 sticker components, which kids can mix and match to design their own creatures. Stickers are removable, so children can stick them on lunch boxes, sketchbooks or anything they think of. Buy them now at Hong Kong Book Centre, Dymocks Sai Kung, selected Page One stores, and at CitySuper and Bookazine in the near future. Check out the collection at www.jamandsoda.com. R ead and Learn All About Me – Hong Kong is a newly launched company that creates personalised children’s books all about Hong Kong. The books combine a unique personalised story with informative facts about our city. The first publication, Dragon Hunting in Hong Kong, received excellent feedback. Children said they loved seeing their name in the story, and the books enabled them to learn about Hong Kong at the same time. The second edition, The Search for Snow, is available in time for the festive season. These books make great gifts or keepsakes of time spent here. Visit www.allaboutmehk.com.
premium products Jettfoods.com is an online shop that delivers premium foods to your doorstep. Jett Foods' motto is “Value, Premium, Easy”: “value” because their prices are incredibly competitive but fair for quality products; “premium" because it’s the same premium quality you’ll find at high-end supermarkets, including USDA prime steaks, Spanish Duroc pork, US organic chicken and a selection of seafood; and “easy” because there’s free home delivery for all orders $500 and above, and if you order before 10am your package can arrive the same day. Find the food at www.jettfoods.com.
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Personal Portraits Lun Tang is an international award-winning photographer who specialises in family, maternity and neonatal photography on location. According to Lun Tang, “Love, bonding and intimacy are the soul of our photos”. She adores capturing the human bonding between clients and their loved ones, and telling their stories in a natural way. She believes natural things are revealed in a natural environment, which is why she enjoys shooting sessions outdoors. Book a session before 30 November and receive a complimentary canvas for all packages (20” x 30”). Get Your Learn more at www.luntangfamily.com. Skates On Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved, long-running musical on roller skates, Starlight Express, explodes onto the Hong Kong stage this month, direct from a sell-out tour in the UK. This futuristic musical is about love, rivalry and hope in the face of adversity, and features 3D spectacles, daredevil stunts, award-winning costumes, exciting roller-choreography and a high-voltage soundtrack. Learn more at www.hkticketing.com. One lucky reader will win six tickets to the 13 October performance! Email [email protected] by 9 October and include “Win Starlight Express” in the subject line. S porty celebrations To actively celebrate your child’s birthday, try a RugBees fun-packed sports session, where the kids will be entertained and get a workout. Prizes, treats and piñatas add magic to the day, with each child receiving a RugBees ball, stickers and stamps at the end. Choose from a jungle-, space-, underwater- or farm-inspired theme, and leave it with RugBees to provide party bags at a nominal cost. What’s more, you’ll soon be able to invite Peppa Pig, Mickey Mouse or Iggle Piggle to drop in to your child’s party to make it extra-special. Email [email protected] for party package details. Fit for LIFE Flex’s new classes can help if your tween or teen slouches, lacks energy or isn’t getting enough exercise at school due to increased academic pressure. Flex’s co-director Heather Thomas Shalabi believes regular exercise is critical to children’s physical, emotional and intellectual well-being, and also helps optimise academic performance. Classes for tweens and teens include Capoeira, yoga, Zumba and even aerial Pilates. Great deals are on now for the new term. Learn more at www.flexhk.com.
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reg_HOTP v2.indd 14 24/09/2013 7:37 PM reg_HOTP v2.indd 16 25/09/2013 12:18 PM Language learning The recently rebranded Little Champs Academy has nurtured confident kids since 2002. Their speciality is language enrichment, and programmes include English phonics and reading, Chinese reading and writing, Mandarin pinyin, and speech and drama. Their courses are designed for children from pre-nursery to Primary Six and aim to develop confidence, self-esteem, social skills and conversational ability. The Academy obtained a 78 per cent distinction rate in the recent Trinity Exams and their students have received numerous awards from speech competitions through the past years. Click www.littlechampsacademy.com. Fly high Local low-cost carrier Jetstar Hong Kong launched the Dream High Program, a partnership with Social Ventures Hong Kong and the Youth Arch Foundation. Children can be inspired to Dream High, Fly High through student-orientated education campaigns about aviation. The Fly High Experience Workshop lets students participate in role plays with Jetstar pilots and cabin crew, and experience a flight simulation. The Dream High Students Award will grant eight outstanding students a sponsored study trip. The competition (running from September to December) will judge students on their academic improvement and contribution to society. Learn more at www.facebook.com/JetstarHK. Dinky hampers If you’re looking for the perfect present for a baby shower or tot’s birthday party, Pamper Hamper has the answer. Sonali Piyush Baid, owner of Pamper Hamper, recently launched an exclusive line of usable, fun and innovative gift hampers in different shapes (including a train, cradle, cake Posh pastries and bouquet). Each A Little Pastry Chef’s Adventure enables budding layer of the hamper young chefs to enter the magical world of The is decked with baby Peninsula Hong Kong’s Pastry Kitchen, with towels, napkins, clothes hands-on tuition by the hotel’s expert pastry and other delightful chefs. Donning their very own Peninsula Academy goodies, which can be apron, little chefs will revel in the delicious customised to taste. culinary secrets that are revealed in this Peninsula This is a unique way to Academy programme. Priced at $880 per child, celebrate a baby’s birth, the class is available for a minimum of four baptism or birthday. To children, with a maximum of ten per class, with an see the designs click age range of four to ten years. Booking must be www.facebook.com/ made three days in advance. Find more details at pamperhamperhk. www.peninsula.com.
October 2013 17 Lascal Buggyboard Yu Fruit Bars & Snacks Mamas & Papas Mustela Bebe Maxi (available mid October) Chamberlain Oak Cot/ Toddler/Sofa Bed
$XXX$750 from $4.90 $6,999 from $45
BBQ Set Grobag New for Autumn at
$225 from $325
Usborne Books Maxi Cosi Rodi Air Protect (15-36kg) (Special edition Vintage Football or Magic available mid October)
from $45 $2,190
Sono Vaso Viola Kiddylicious Fruit & Ergobaby Urban Chic Boo! Centrepiece & Cardigan Vegetable Snacks Carrier Cupcake Stand
$690 from $6.50 $1,290 from$2,190 $118
Pedder Building Store 5/F Pedder Building,12 Pedder Street, Central T: 2522 7112 Horizon Plaza Store 21/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau T: 2552 5000 www.bumpstobabes.com
B2B 13_10 OCT AD PT.indd 1 24/09/2013 12:47 Stutter study Stuttering may be more common than previously thought, but pre-school stutterers also fare better than first thought, according to a new study. A study of more than 1,600 children, which followed them from infancy to four years old, found the cumulative incidence of stuttering by four years old was 11 per cent – more than twice what has previously been reported. However, the study refutes the long- held view that suggests developmental Sleep matters stuttering is associated with a range of Late nights and lax bedtime routines can blunt young children’s minds. The poorer outcomes in the pre-school period. findings on sleep patterns and brain power come from a UK study of more Interestingly, the study found the reverse than 11,000 seven-year-olds. Kids who had no regular bedtime or who went was true, with stuttering associated with to bed later than 9pm had lower scores for reading and maths. Lack of sleep better language development and non- may disrupt natural body rhythms and impair how well the brain learns new verbal skills, with no identifiable effect on information, say the researchers. But they also say it’s possible that inconsistent the child’s mental health or temperament bedtimes were a reflection of chaotic family settings and it was this, rather than at four years old. disrupted sleep, that had an impact on cognitive performance in children. source: MedicalXpress source: BBC News finger on the pulse Similar traits Kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are 20 times more likely to exhibit some traits of autism – such as slow language development, difficulty interacting with others and problems with emotional control – than children without ADHD, according to a new study. Fewer than one per cent of kids in the non-ADHD comparison group exhibited any traits linked to autism, according to the study published in Pediatrics. “These children are not having the full diagnosis of autism, but they have symptoms of autism,” one of the researchers says. “It may be important to screen children with ADHD for autistic traits because they may need more support, particularly in the educational and interpersonal domains.” source: HealthDay Dip dip hooray! Researchers have found that by offering a dip flavoured with spices, children were more likely to try vegetables – including those they had previously rejected. According to a recently published report, researchers worked with children between the ages of three and five years, who tasted and rated six different vegetables. After tasting each vegetable, the children were shown three cartoon faces and asked to pick which one best showed how they felt: “yummy”, “just OK” or “yucky”. The researchers also noted if the child refused to try the sample. In the next session, the children were introduced to five different dips. In as few as four tasting sessions, researchers found that pre-schoolers consumed more of a disliked vegetable when it was paired with a spiced dip than when it was eaten alone. source: Penn State Newswire
October 2013 19 Crazy quilts
We all have those well-loved items of clothing that aren’t being worn any more, but still carry too many memories to toss or give away. That scarf you were wearing when you met the love of your life; the outfit your baby came home from hospital in; the band t-shirt that followed you all the way through university – now they just live in the bottom of a drawer. La Polka to the rescue! They’ll help you up-cycle those items into beautiful, one-of-a-kind items, like blankets, cushions, bags and more. Using fresh twists on traditional techniques – saving a bit of that pocket, the button of that shirt, the knee of those trousers – the stories of your past are woven into one single heirloom piece you can keep for ever. Visit www.lapolka.net to find out more.
Floral Hong Kong’s classic tourist photo opportunity involves a trip to fragrances Kowloon, where you can capture Cath Kidston offers an abundance of sweet-smelling floral-inspired fragrances in your travelling companions their range of skincare and toiletry products – why not find your favourite among against the panorama of Hong these cute, nappy bag-friendly, mini hand cream sets? All Cath Kidston toiletries Kong Island. Sadly, the view of late are eco-friendly: no parabens, no sulphates and never tested on animals, is often obscured by the severe and they are perfect for soothing chapped or sensitive skin as the drier season hazes we experience, thanks to approaches. Prices start at $130 for a set of three 30ml hand creams. Check trapped pollution, much of which out the full range at one of Hong Kong’s six Cath Kidston stores, or visit them on wafts in from the factories and Facebook at www.facebook.com/CathKidstonHongKong. power stations of neighbouring Guangdong province. The solution? Tourists have started to pose in front of a fake backdrop – complete with dazzling blue sky. eco hero source: The Guardian Fancy Pants Established right here in Hong Kong in 2010, Charlie Banana offers modern cloth diapers and eco-friendly baby products. Cloth diaper industry experts themselves, the team at Charlie Banana brought their love for eco-friendliness, quality and design to all of their products – products that mums and dads can feel confident to use on their babies. See the whole range of cool colours and interesting prints at www.charliebanana.com. One lucky reader will win a Charlie Banana prize pack from Tiny Footprints. The pack, worth about $400, includes: a reusable diaper, swim diaper, tote bag, reusable cotton wipes, a disposable insert, disposable liners, and laundry detergent. Email [email protected] by 31 October and include “Win Charlie Banana” in the subject line.
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With Every New Arrival a Brighter Tomorrow Holistic Childbirth Care
Experienced and dedicated professionals provide you with all- Antenatal round care from the moment you begin planning your pregnancy, • 4D ultrasound monitoring birth and delivery – we stay with you on your amazing journey. Our • Pre-natal classes range of luxurious rooms offers you a five-star experience. Maternity Visit our hospital website for details on our maternity packages. • Well-equipped and comfortable delivery rooms • Experienced obstetricians, gynecologists and midwives
Post-natal – In-room Support • Holistic care nursing • 24-hour breastfeeding support • Parentcraft teaching
Enquiries: (852) 3651 8991 Post-natal – Baby Follow-up Service Website: www.hkah.org.hk • 18-month baby vaccination package Address: 40 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong
1307_HKAH.indd 1 17/06/2013 12:47 PM Beauty on a budget You could spend a fortune • pure honey for a hydrating mask? buying every product • olive oil for conditioning your hair? you see. But, with a • coconut oil and sugar as a body scrub? few tips and some • baking soda as a face scrub? smart shopping, you • milk to tone down your skin’s redness? can save some money • eggs as a firming mask? without sacrificing • lemons – which provide a your style. natural source of alpha hydroxyl Multitaskers: Look for acid – to smooth your skin products with multiple after a scrub or mask? functions, like tinted moisturisers that Grandma’s favourite: Cheap contain sun protection; two-in-one and cheerful Vaseline works as a cheek and lip balms; and eye shadows lip gloss, or to tame flyaway hair. You can that, when wet, can be used as liner. even tame your eyebrows – just put a tiny bit on a From the kitchen: Some great beauty treatments cotton bud and smooth your brows for a look that’s are hiding in your kitchen. Did you know you can use: polished and lasts all day.
Award-winning hair stylist and make-up artist Rennie Fensham beauty 101 is well-known for her passion and skills. Her glamorous background spans 30 With Every New Arrival years of working in beauty, fashion and TV, in South Africa, the US and, False for the last seven years, in Hong Kong. Check out her salon, Hollywood Hair, advertising at 23F, 1 Duddell Street, Central. a Brighter Tomorrow Fashion magazines are filled with gorgeous ads featuring gorgeous Holistic Childbirth Care models with gorgeous skin, all designed to convince you to buy the products that allegedly Experienced and dedicated professionals provide you with all- Antenatal created their looks. Who wouldn’t round care from the moment you begin planning your pregnancy, • 4D ultrasound monitoring Kong Kong want perfectly smooth skin, and birth and delivery – we stay with you on your amazing journey. Our • Pre-natal classes if all it takes is shelling out a few must-have bucks for a product… Don’t be range of luxurious rooms offers you a five-star experience. GHD Eclipse fooled! While different products Maternity We’ve already talked about the Brazilian will make your skin look better, Visit our hospital website for details on our maternity packages. • Well-equipped and comfortable Blowout in this column. For those of you it takes a team of stylists and delivery rooms who have opted out of that or other professionals to get those models • Experienced obstetricians, chemical straightening treatments, looking picture-perfect. Lighting but who still crave smooth, straight and photography experts use gynecologists and midwives locks, I recommend the latest Eclipse light and shadow to show the straightener from hair care brand GHD. models’ best features. Then, after Post-natal – In-room Support This is truly a ground-breaking new hours of carefully applied make- • Holistic care nursing styling tool. It can handle any hair up and professional hair coiffing, • 24-hour breastfeeding support texture quickly and easily – even very graphic artists digitally remove • Parentcraft teaching thick, course, or curly hair – using a new, pimples, freckles and any other patented technology from GHD. It can visible imperfections. It can all also style larger sections of hair at a time lead to a beautiful ad, but also to Enquiries: (852) 3651 8991 Post-natal – Baby Follow-up Service Website: www.hkah.org.hk than most straighteners, making styling a look that’s utterly unachievable • 18-month baby vaccination package significantly faster. in real life. Address: 40 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong
October 2013 23
1307_HKAH.indd 1 17/06/2013 12:47 PM feature_Treating Torticollis.indd 25 25/09/2013 11:21 AM treating torticollis If your baby seems to hold her head to one side or have limited neck movements, a common condition might be to blame, writes Melanie Potgieter.
orticollis is a common has limited neck movement; When she’s on her tummy, position condition where the head has one shoulder that’s higher than your baby so she has to turn away is tilted to one side with the the other; from her favoured side to face you, chin turned to the other has stiffness in the neck muscles; and encourage her to look by talking andT there is usually difficulty turning has difficulty breastfeeding on one or singing. If this position is difficult the neck. It can happen in adulthood, side (or prefers one breast only); for your baby, place a rolled up towel but it’s more common in babies. In has an asymmetrical head shape or under her chest to slightly elevate her fact, it occurs in about one out of every a flat spot on the head (plagiocephaly). head. 250 infants, and although present at Ninety per cent of babies with Alternate the sides that your baby birth, it can take up to three months torticollis also have this and it can be sleeps on. to fully develop. In the vast majority of present from birth or develop from Reposition the cot or place the baby cases, it’s reversible, and most babies repeatedly lying in one position; so that her favoured side faces the wall. don’t feel any discomfort. has swelling in the neck muscles. This will encourage her to turn to No one really knows why some Then your doctor can perform a watch you or look out onto the room. babies develop torticollis and others physical examination to determine During play, draw your baby’s don’t, though it’s thought to be related whether the baby has torticollis. attention with toys and sounds to make to the position of the baby in the womb The doctor might suggest that you her turn in the other direction. or as a result of muscle damage during take your child to a physiotherapist, Position foods or toys closest to the delivery. It often results in tightness who will provide treatment and weak side in order to encourage your in the muscle that connects the demonstrate a programme of exercises baby to reach with her hand. breastbone and the collarbone to the that you can do at home each day Make use of a Tortle – a beanie- skull. to assist in stretching the relevant style hat specifically designed by a Less commonly, torticollis can be muscles, including these: paediatrician to prevent or help with caused by abnormalities in the shape Gently stretch and massage the neck flat head and torticollis. (See page 10 of the bones in the neck or by their muscles. for more details.) becoming fused. It’s important to know Gradually stretch and reposition the If torticollis is discovered early and the difference, as the treatment is very baby’s head – this should be performed you follow the prescribed stretching different. In rare cases, there can be several times a day for maximum programme, improvement can be other serious underlying conditions. effect. apparent within weeks, and, except in If you have any concerns, your baby Stimulate and encourage the baby severe cases, the condition should be should see a doctor. to turn her head to her less-favoured fully corrected within one year. If you notice that your baby has side. This can be done while bottle- any of the following symptoms, visit feeding. your doctor for a full examination. Place your baby on her tummy when Check to see if your baby: she’s awake, which is important for Melanie Potgieter is a physiotherapist at holds her head to one side; developing the neck muscles. Island Health Family Practice.
October 2013 25 ntroduce it gradually when y children have learnt about money and finance since the they are four or five. Few age of five. Even though we have a maid, my children do things build self-confidence chores around the house to earn beads, which we put into I like walking 20 metres from a jar. The beads are converted into money at the end of Mummy to buy your own ice M cream and receive change for a each day: one bead equals one dollar. My children then put the money they have earned into their money box. After a couple of months, we twenty. –Andreas divide the money up in two: half gets deposited into the bank and half they get to spend. –Julie in your opinion We asked: At what age – and how – should kids start learning about money and finances?
oney cannot be taught overnight. I think y children started learning about it’s best done in stages, progressively money around six years of age. They getting more advanced as they get have daily chores to complete and, M older. Starting with basic money M at the end of the week, they get paid concepts around six or seven I think is about right. for their work. If they don’t do their chores on one One thing I firmly believe is that they should be given day, they lose half their pay. It seems to be incentive the opportunity to blow it all on whatever they want. enough for them to stick with it. By starting them Better now than later. Savings is a more advanced young, they see it as part of daily life. Each school concept. –Mark year, they get a pay rise and a different set of chores. –Wendy earning the value of money has become e started giving our rom the time I was able to earn good really important daughter pocket money grades or do big chores around the L for children today. They when she was almost house, such as taking care of the garden W F don’t have to struggle for six. She spends a third, saves a and mowing the lawn, my parents gave me things and earn them as third and shares a third with the pocket money for it. Money was something that we used to, so I feel the less fortunate. –Naomi had to be earned. At 12, I learned about the learning needs to start at value of money when my mom encouraged a young, impressionable me to take my first job at the library. When age. –Tarana she discovered I spent everything and saved ow we manage nothing, she sat me down for a serious talk. money can mean She taught me to prioritise my H the difference purchases and why I should between being financially always put a little aside stable and stress-free, and for savings. At 13 or 14, unstable and depressed. she had me maintain a Children should get ledger of incomings and this training as soon as outgoings. –Sherry they start demanding toys and snacks. Giving them a budget early-on means they can try and think about managing think at four years their money. Start with old kids should start a jar of one-dollar coins to learn how to amounting to, say, $20 per Imanage money. week. Children can then They can learn by accumulate the coins, bit buying a hamburger by bit, to buy a small toy or by themselves snack they want. –Shari or even playing Monopoly. –Sonia
26 Playtimes sponsored feature
reg_IYO.indd 27 25/09/2013 3:04 PM reg_rated PG.indd 29 25/09/2013 11:30 AM (rated PG)
Can’t buy me love
Stop your spending, implores Orla Breeze.
’m not typically one to spread and clear, but I’m telling you this deal is edge of the bath watching your mum rumours, but I’ve been hearing the worth taking. Think of the savings for you put on her make-up before she went out same one for quite some time, so I and your family. No more spending on for dinner? I think it’s probably OK to share. I mean, phones, consoles or tablets. No need to OK, I confess that last one’s mine, you guys aren’t the kind to gossip, right? feel pressured into keeping your child but my point is that our most treasured Great! Lean in. up to date with the latest and greatest memories are bound up with the times So, I’ve heard it on good authority device. That stuff adds up! that our parents had time for us. And so that it’s OK to stop spending all that But it’s not just about the financial it is for our own children. Yes, of course, money on entertainment for your kids. gains. Oh no! This little change in your they want all those shiny new things in Yup, you heard right. Nobody from the lifestyle could significantly increase your the stores, but they want our time far Parenting Police will pay you a visit if you happiness, too. more. And if we offered them a choice decide right here and now to put your Think about your own memories of between all the toys in the world or some wallet away when it comes to your kids’ childhood and the particular ones that guaranteed regular time with us, they entertainment needs. Seriously. Isn’t that make you smile the most. Was it really would choose us. Well, the vast majority the best rumour ever? that bike you got one Christmas or that would. There’ll always be a rebel or two Look, I know it sounds insane. I mean, outfit you got for your birthday? Or, out there. even I refused to believe it at first. But I’ve could it have been that time you went So next time Junior appears to want tried it and it’s all true – although there for a walk with your dad and he told you to add to his toy collection, try a new is an accompanying caveat: You can – and only you – the best joke you ever approach. Offer him something far definitely stop the spending, but you are heard? So funny that you almost peed more valuable than anything you could required to replace it with something your pants? (Don’t worry, your secret’s buy anywhere: regular time with you. It else – your time. I know, I know, time safe with me.) Or, that day when your doesn’t have to be hours and hours of isn’t something you have in abundance parents pulled you out of school on your time you don’t have; even a guaranteed right now; in fact, you barely have time birthday to go and have ice cream? Or one hour a week playing football or a to even look at a clock. I hear you loud possibly, all those times you sat on the short bedtime story every night will pay dividends. The smallest amount of time still matters to them. Plus, you will be creating memories for your own child to treasure when they’re all grown up. Keeping your child happy really doesn’t have to cost the earth or even the price of a small car. Swap your spending for time spent with them and watch your investment grow in a way that money simply can’t.
Orla Breeze’s parenting classes, including Daddy 101 and Mommy 101, offer tips, techniques and humorous insights into life as a parent. If you’d like to discuss what every parent thinks, but seldom dares to talk about, and learn other secrets to parenting success, visit www.orlabreeze.com.
October 2013 29
3 5
2 1 toy box 1 Hape Checkout Register 3 Monopoly: Hong Kong Edition $295 $229 Age 3 to 5 years Age 8+ years This wooden register has buttons to push, In this edition, properties are Hong a scanner, credit card processor, drawer Kong locations and the railways are that slides out and pretend money for MTR stations. This version also includes 4 hours of imaginative play. the Speed Die, which makes the game Available from Toys Club move faster. Available from Toys“R”Us 5 Mercato Electronic-cash 2 Pocket Magic: Ultimate Coin Tricks $499 $95 4 Sevi Wooden Abacus Age 4+ years Age 5+ years $600 This flashy electronic cash register comes Entertain and amaze your friends with Age 3+ years with everything but the batteries: lights simple magic tricks, including putting Teach your child numbers, counting and and sounds, scales, a conveyor belt, a nail through a coin, making coins colours in a fun, safe and colourful way, scanner, speaker, till, calculator, play disappear, and turning one coin into two. with this old-school abacus from Italy. money and more. Available from Tiny Footprints Available from The Baby Shop Available from ItsImagical
October 2013 31
Raising Financially Confident Kids by Mary Hunt $72 Learn how to talk to your kids about money at each age, from pre-school through to the teen years, including savings and donations and avoiding pitfalls. Available from Fishpond
The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain $45 Brother and Sister Bear know some things about money – it can buy baseball cards, ice cream, candy, balloons and more. What they don’t know is how to manage their allowances. Available from Pollux Books
National Geographic Kids Everything Money by Kathy Furgang $117 Kids can learn all about money in this colourful, energetic and accessible book, which includes a look at different currencies, fun facts and amazing photographs. bookshelf Available from Pollux Books
123’s Anne’s Disappearing Allowance One Cent, Two Cents, Old Cent, by Charley Harper by Kevin Sullivan New Cent: All About Money $140 US$5 by Bonnie Worth Before they can understand money, Anne wants to be independent, and $72 kids need to learn their numbers. This to be independent, she needs an The Cat in the Hat puts to rest any notion classic board book is quickly becoming allowance. But, when she gets one, she that money grows on trees in this super- a favourite among parents and teachers can’t seem to control her spending and simple look at numismatics, the study of alike. the money begins to disappear. money and its history. Available from Tiny Footprints Available from Amazon for Kindle Available from Paddyfield Baby on board Celebrate International Babywearing Week, 7 to 13 October.
1 Ergobaby Original Carrier $990 to $1,090 Ergobaby Carriers are comfortable for parents, ergonomic for baby, offer multiple carry positions and allow you to carry your baby from day one. Available from Bumps to Babes and other leading nursery retailers
2 theBabasling $599 The hammock-style baby sling is perfectly shaped to support a newborn’s developing spine, while providing essential closeness and bonding between parent and child. Available from Bumps to Babes and other leading nursery retailers 1 2
3 Hippychick Hipseat $449 This is a back-supporting belt with a padded foam shelf, developed to allow adults to carry their children naturally on their hip without the usual strains on the back. Available from Toys“R”Us and other leading nursery retailers
4 BabyBjo¨rn Baby Carrier One $1,999 Suitable for wee ones up to 15kg, this carrier allows babies to face a parent’s chest or older kids to face outwards and discover the world around them. Available from Mothercare and other leading nursery retailers 3 4
Boba 3G Safari Carrier $1,250 Front and back carry positions accommodate newborns through to toddlers. One lucky reader will win this carrier. Email [email protected] by 31 October and include “Win Boba” in the subject line. Available from Tiny Footprints
34 Playtimes playtime-sep-2013-gro.pdf 1 18/9/13 1:31 PM
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travel-writing
You’ve taken amazing trips, regaled your friends and family with the tales, and thought you could give Bill Bryson a run for his money. Now, consider sharing your stories with Playtimes readers in our third annual travel-writing contest. Our January 2014 Travel issue is your chance to shine. Think about a trip you’ve taken. What was special about it? What made it so memorable? Why would other Playtimes readers want to know about it? Tell us your story and you might just see your work in print! Past winners Jill Mortensen and Aquin Dennison-Mathew have gone on to become regular Playtimes contributors!
Word limit: 900 to 1,200 words Deadline: 1 November 2013 Format: Email a Word document to [email protected] and include “Travel Writing” in the subject line.
Before you start typing, read a few other Playtimes articles, especially those from last year’s travel issue, which you can download at www.ppp.com.hk/(click on the Playtimes link). We’re looking for well-written pieces that fit the magazine in style and tone. Take an extra moment to edit and proofread, and send us your best effort. (We do reserve the right to edit entries as needed, for grammar, punctuation, style and clarity.)
October 2013 37 clubmed.indd 128 24/9/13 6:56 PM June 2013 129
clubmed.indd 129 24/9/13 6:56 PM
It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy. -George Horace Lorimer
October 2013 41 mind moneyover Tackle the family budget, once and for all. Elle Kwan shows you how.
or many of us, the word Group, says budgeting doesn’t have to costs still come as a surprise. School budget has more in common equal a lifetime of limitation. “Many trips, flights home and even gifts can with the word boring than people equate budgeting to dieting be an unexpected drain on finances. just beginning with the – having to give up something they Although we might suspect large letterF B. By the time we’ve struck off really enjoy. They see budgeting as sums are at stake, many of us don’t our daily to-do’s of feeding, bathing, restrictive – limiting and no fun. But realise the full extent of uncalculated clothing, educating and entertaining properly done, budgeting provides spending. “I meet a lot of couples our clans, the only B we have in mind flexibility and freedom, and reduces who are actually spending more than is in Sauvignon Blanc. But experts say relationship conflict.” they make – even with seven-figure budgets can actually enhance your With rent costs rocketing and food incomes – because they misjudge the life in much the same way as wine: prices following fast behind, most of amount of taxes they need to pay,” relieving stress and inducing a good us would likely feel happier cutting says Jessica. (As a guide, most financial night’s sleep. With your numbers some costs. Budgeting, or simply being experts agree that putting away 15 per crunched, they say, your life will be aware of where your money goes, is cent of your wage will see you safely more relaxed. a good-sense path to spending more through tax season, and in many cases Jessica Cutrera, managing wisely. It doesn’t seem to matter which will leave a little additional cash to director with The EXS Capital income bracket families are in, some play with.)
42 Playtimes I meet a lot of couples who are actually spending more than they make – even with seven-figure incomes – because they misjudge the amount of taxes they need to pay.
Find the magic number have an accurate figure. That means how much goes to rent, helper, gym Do you know how much money is getting nifty into note-keeping for one fees and entertainment, including actually coming in each month? to three months. TV and phone, each month. Then, Figure that out first, so you know Hoard up receipts like they are enter both sets of numbers into what’s available for spending and precious dollars, and write down two lists: your fixed monthly costs saving. any other cash spends that come – those regular payments that are Now that you’ve got your total, without receipts. Some budgeting the same every month, like rent – in it’s time to start tallying up your apps, like Wally, allow you to scan one column, and your discretionary expenses. Budget breakthrough receipts, which it reads and allocates spending – irregular costs that number one is being aware of what to targeted categories. Plugging in change, like your shopping bills or you are spending, and this means amounts electronically can make eating out – in a second column. Ta- getting real. These numbers show budgets easier to do on the fly, da! You have the start of a budget. what you actually spend – not what although a simple spreadsheet or For some, just keeping this tally you think you spend or would like to even a notepad and pen do the job is a source for satisfaction. This basic spend. To find your magic number, just as well. tracking allows families to monitor money experts recommend detailing As you calculate everyday costs, exactly where their money goes, and the family’s every expense until you attack that stack of bills and tot up to readjust month to month if they
October 2013 43 wish. “If what we spent on the kids last month seemed high, we can just go into the category on the computer and see where the money went,” says Samantha Harvey Saxena, who uses a budget tracker app called Koku. Samantha decided to implement a budget about a year ago to monitor spending. “Initially it was an exercise to see just how much we were spending, because we had no idea,” she says. Her financial reports revealed a few surprises – like the extra $1,000 spent at duty-free while travelling. Another discovery confirmed suspicions on how much money was spent on the children, between school fees, “which we can’t do much about,” to unnoticed medical costs, to extracurricular activities and treats. “A hundred dollars here and there with two kids becomes a lot very quickly,” says Samantha. The tracking has helped them tailor their spending in a number of ways. Samantha says she discovered vaccines were cheaper at private hospitals than at a nearby practice. habits for a year gave her enough for a activities or treats, giving you a budget She also fixed a sum for discretionary child’s ticket. “Which is mad, really,” of $5,000 for the week, or $20,000 for spending on the children, easing her she says. the month,” he says. Richard takes out mind quite unexpectedly. “If you have Big incentives, like Emily’s, help to a weekly allowance at the start of the a budget that you’ve decided is more keep resolve high. But weigh carefully week, and then withdraws cash for the than enough, you avoid feeling guilty what you can comfortably cut. A spa- weekend separately. “That way, if I’ve saying no when they ask for more,” lover who sacrifices every treatment run out by Sunday I know it’s time to she says. could become seriously de-motivated, go home,” he says. He advises clients but that same spa-lover might be to get into this habit to monitor money Fixing the magic number happy to give up her lattes if it means and incorporate a budget comfortably To implement a change in spending she can keep her facials and massages. and successfully. habits, identify monetary goals with Richard Bolton, a senior your partner. Planning for children’s consultant with The Henley Group, Making the grade education is high on many priority and a new daddy to a baby girl, Staying home is a great money saver. lists, as is setting up financial security splits his spending into weekday Take playdates in turns at home or go for old age. But factor in the fun stuff and weekend budgets. His weekday to a local playground. It also pays to too, like how many holidays you want spending is usually fairly fixed, while shop local, says mum Eva Wong, since to take each year. Work towards his weekends are where he loosens premium costs on imported products compromise on both sides of the his purse strings on eating out and are high. The market is a great place marriage to stop resentment building. entertainment. “You may budget to begin. Often fruits and vegetables Emily Baxter, a mum to twins, $2,000 for weekly expenses, like food from the same depots are sold at both saw flight costs boom once the and transport, and $3,000 for weekend supermarkets and markets, but are children were past two years old. She expenses, like eating out, kids’ cheaper at the markets – especially wanted to make sure she could go back home to the UK at least yearly, and imaginatively readjusted her budget to allow for it. “I realised how much If you have a budget that you’ve I spent in coffee shops and eating decided is more than enough, you lunch out,” she says. Trying to keep the twins active and social came with avoid feeling guilty saying no when a hidden financial commitment. She calculated that just reducing her coffee they ask for more.
October 2013 45 46 Playtimes
feature_Mind over money.indd 42 25/09/2013 12:14 PM Budget it list Not sure what to include in your budget? Try these categories for starters, advises Richard Bolton of The Henley Group.
Fixed Costs: (These should be the same, or almost the same, every month.)
• Rent • Tax savings • MPF • Helper and/or driver wages • School fees • School transport • School meals • Fixed bills (like broadband or phone contracts which are regularly the same every month) • Transport • Regular extracurricular activities
Variable costs: (These are discretionary and variable costs.)
• Food and household shopping • Eating out • Additional kids’ expenses (clothes, treats, birthday parties, new or less regular classes or activities) • Lifestyle/Socialising • Variable, but regular, bills (like electricity) • Holidays • Unforeseen expenses/Miscellaneous
in the evenings when vendors are wage.” Once you have decided on a Budgeting doesn’t have to take looking to shift stock, says mum Jessica monthly spend, transfer any surplus up a hefty part of your schedule, Kuwata. Try replacing your boxes into a separate savings account. but it responds to maintenance. of soymilk with fresh locally made “People are very good at spending Samantha says tracking spends as options, or even make your own. exactly what they earn or what is in she makes them has become second Group together with friends on online their account, and need to develop nature – compiling and filing any bills, overseas purchases for discounted a habit of spending what they have premiums or additional paperwork bulk orders and shared discount given themselves as opposed to what takes about one to two hours per codes. And try putting the kids in one they are paid,” he says. He favours month. In the past year, she admits to or two locally run activities. Aside spending cash only, saying interest and letting a few months slip before getting from a reduced price tag, they’ll also charges outweigh points schemes card straight again, although it’s been fairly gain exposure to a new language and issuers advertise; however, Samantha easy, she says, to climb back on the culture. finds credit purchases easier to track, budgeting wagon. Richard also stresses the and sets up auto-payments to clear Of course, this is always best done importance of paying yourself “a each bill as it arrives. with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
October 2013 47 Protecting your Family’s Financial Health tarting a family in Hong A good financial advisor should be Kong is an exciting time, but able to guide you through this process, Join us at our upcoming can also be a bit daunting. alternatively you can visit our insurance Seminar: There is so much to prepare website, www.mymoney.com.hk Sfor your new arrival, that important which is dedicated to helping you Topic: Contingency Planning – jobs often get overlooked. At the compare medical and life insurance Are you comfortable that you have top of your to-do list should be online and getting you the best deals everything taken care of? making sure you have suitable and from leading insurers in Hong Kong. adequate levels of insurance. Date: 22nd October Different types of insurance that You might not want to think about the Where: Tiny Footprints can help protect you and your prospect of not being around for your family: RSVP: children or being too ill to look after [email protected] them and we hope you are never faced Life Insurance – protects a family from with this situation, but the reality is as the loss of income that would have been parents we have a responsibility to our children, not only to raise them but also earned and is needed to cover the costs to protect their futures. of raising children, paying off debts and other expenses. Capstone’s financial Critical Illness Insurance – checklist for parents: Critical Illness insurance can alleviate the financial burden of loss of income Nominate Legal Guardians and extra costs associated with a serious illness: cancer, stroke, heart attack and Update Will many more. Statistically you are 4 times Review your insurance more likely to get a critical illness than to die before retirement. Update beneficiaries Income Protection – replaces your income if you are unable to work Most of the above checklist is easily for health reasons. Typically income completed if you can put some time protection pays a % of your salary until aside, but choosing the correct insurance you are able to return to work. policy can be more complicated. Medical Insurance – covers the high costs of medical bills and allows you to Request your FREE get the best treatment for your family and guardianship forms, valued not to be restricted by the public system. at HKD3,000, from Worldwide cover allows you to get www.capfin.com.hk. treatment in the country of your choice or where treatment is best.
Contact us today and let us help you ensure that you and your family are protected.
Email: [email protected] | Company Website: www.capfin.com.hk | Insurance Website: www.mymoney.com.hk
capstone.indd 128 24/9/13 6:56 PM Ad Article 02.indd 1 23/09/2013 1:27PM Protecting your Family’s Financial Health tarting a family in Hong A good financial advisor should be Kong is an exciting time, but able to guide you through this process, Join us at our upcoming can also be a bit daunting. alternatively you can visit our insurance Seminar: There is so much to prepare website, www.mymoney.com.hk Sfor your new arrival, that important which is dedicated to helping you Topic: Contingency Planning – jobs often get overlooked. At the compare medical and life insurance Are you comfortable that you have top of your to-do list should be online and getting you the best deals everything taken care of? making sure you have suitable and from leading insurers in Hong Kong. adequate levels of insurance. Date: 22nd October Different types of insurance that You might not want to think about the Where: Tiny Footprints can help protect you and your prospect of not being around for your family: RSVP: children or being too ill to look after [email protected] them and we hope you are never faced Life Insurance – protects a family from with this situation, but the reality is as the loss of income that would have been parents we have a responsibility to our children, not only to raise them but also earned and is needed to cover the costs to protect their futures. of raising children, paying off debts and other expenses. Capstone’s financial Critical Illness Insurance – checklist for parents: Critical Illness insurance can alleviate the financial burden of loss of income Nominate Legal Guardians and extra costs associated with a serious illness: cancer, stroke, heart attack and Update Will many more. Statistically you are 4 times Review your insurance more likely to get a critical illness than to die before retirement. Update beneficiaries Income Protection – replaces your income if you are unable to work Most of the above checklist is easily for health reasons. Typically income completed if you can put some time protection pays a % of your salary until aside, but choosing the correct insurance you are able to return to work. policy can be more complicated. Medical Insurance – covers the high costs of medical bills and allows you to Request your FREE get the best treatment for your family and guardianship forms, valued not to be restricted by the public system. at HKD3,000, from Worldwide cover allows you to get www.capfin.com.hk. treatment in the country of your choice or where treatment is best.
Contact us today and let us help you ensure that you and your family are protected.
Email: [email protected] | Company Website: www.capfin.com.hk | Insurance Website: www.mymoney.com.hk
June 2013 129
capstone.indd 129 24/9/13 6:56 PM Ad Article 02.indd 1 23/09/2013 1:27PM
mini managersmoney Set your kids up for financial freedom by getting them thinking about money early on, writes Brooke Chenoweth.
October 2013 51 52 Playtimes ur three-year-old recently posed the Involve them in the process and question, “Daddy, why play around with old bills, pretend do you need to go to Owork?” We explained that the purpose cheques and cash. of work is to make money to pay for all the things we need, like the house, our clothes, school and, most importantly, start. You can then draw their attention Primary school years toys and graham crackers. That’s to the same kinds of exchanges you do In the early years of kindergarten and when we realised that the concept of on a daily basis, when you take them primary school, as basic mathematics money and its uses is quite foreign to shopping or out for lunch, for example. skills are introduced, children become our son, and we’ve set out to change Encourage early saving with a better able to understand that each that. Experts agree that kids are never piggy bank and a goal. At this age, coin or note is worth a different too young to start learning about children need to be able to see their amount, and gradually they’ll be able money, so if, like us, you want to raise savings and the money increasing to add and subtract. Again, games savvy savers, here are some simple, in size. Our son desperately wants a involving the exchange of money are age-appropriate techniques to get you particular type of toy fire engine, so great, but you can increase the level of started. we have set up a jar with a picture of difficulty by requiring exact amounts the fire engine on it. We give him coins – demonstrating the many different The toddler years when he’s being particularly well- ways to make a certain amount – and Children at this age should have a behaved or helpful around the house. then teaching them how to calculate basic understanding of numbers. Even When the jar is full, we’ll take him to change. if they can’t yet add or subtract, once buy the fire engine. Even if the amount This is the ideal time to introduce they can recognise numbers and their in the jar doesn’t correlate with the children to the concept of “needs” and values, you can start to introduce them actual cost of the toy, it still introduces “wants”. Make a list of all the things to dollars and cents. “Play money” him to the concept of saving, and the in the household that “need” to be and games involving the exchange of idea that sometimes you need to wait, paid for each month. Older children money for items are a great place to and work, for something that you want. can then start to help with things like household budgeting. Involve them Teaching in the process and play around with old bills, pretend cheques and cash. them to Simple things like creating a shopping budget their list together and looking at receipts can prepare them for understanding own money is the real cost of running a house. Then also crucial. you can look at the things they may “want” and show them how much Determine money is left each month to dedicate what they to things like toys, entertainment or family holidays. How you manage need to pay money is going to build the foundation for their for their own financial values, so it’s important to set the tone and show expenses and them how to spend responsibly by encourage doing just that. At this age, many parents open them to bank accounts specifically designed for spend wisely young financiers. Whether you choose to hand them a cash allowance, and set regularly deposit money on their limits. behalf, or simply encourage them to save their birthday money from Grandma, it’s a good idea to introduce them to banking at a young age. As part of its Premier Account services, HSBC offers savings accounts for children aged seven and up, in their own name. Kids aged 11 and up can also have an EPS card.
Secondary school years to negotiate how much you are willing weekly budget over the years. A Visa If you haven’t discussed money with to contribute to the items they want. debit card or similar, which is linked your children by the time they leave For example, your daughter needs new to a cash account, is a great way to primary school, don’t panic: it’s not jeans and you offer to pay $150. If the start out with teens. If they prove too late. However, bear in mind that jeans she wants cost $300, she must themselves responsible spenders, then at this age they may be less receptive come up with the shortfall herself. they can graduate to an actual credit to your words of wisdom. The first They’ll soon learn to be careful with card, with a low limit and fairly strict year of university is not a great their cash if they have to pay their own repayment terms. Many parents find time for them to be learning about way, and this will, in turn, encourage that giving their children a loan, with managing their money, so give them saving. Many children are able to take a rate of interest and repayment terms, a head start and prepare them for the on paid employment from the age of is another great way to teach them real world before they leave home. 15, and provided it doesn’t interfere about borrowing money. A degree You can still follow some of the same too much with schoolwork, children of transparency when it comes to the lessons as for younger children, but can learn many valuable lessons household finances, including loans adapt them slightly. Involve older through paid work. and credit cards, is also helpful. children when you’re paying expenses The later teen years are a At school, children with an for them. Getting involved in – and good time to introduce children interest in economics will learn understanding the costs of – buying to the concept of credit, as they about the stock market and more school books and supplies, and paying can “practise” while still at home advanced financial concepts. There fees for extracurricular activities and under parental guidance. To start, are a number of online games that uniforms will help them in the long- they should have the sophisticated are a fun way to introduce teens to run and give them an advantage when arithmetic skills required to work investing, and if they’ve followed all they’re out in the real world. out percentages, and you’ll need your wonderful advice thus far and Teaching them to budget their to demonstrate to them how easily been saving for a few years, they may own money is also crucial. Determine people can get into trouble with have enough capital to begin exploring what they need to pay for their plastic. Explain the concept of interest their options in the stock market with expenses and encourage them to spend rates, and show them the effect that your help. If you’re clueless when it wisely and set limits. One technique is compound interest can have on a comes to investing, chances are you’ll
October 2013 55 56 Playtimes find it difficult to guide them in these new video game in a month, or a new contribution towards big-ticket items. lessons, so it might be a good time to bike in six months, let them decide Providing a percentage of how much get more informed yourself. what they want to spend their money is saved or matching them dollar for on. Remember that it’s their money dollar can really get kids motivated. Making allowances? to spend as they wish. You can guide There are many fun and engaging The decision of whether to give them and discourage them from ways to teach your children about children an allowance is often a wasting it, but give them room to money and how to use it wisely. But controversial one. Some parents make mistakes. ultimately the biggest lessons they’ll connect an allowance or “pocket • As further incentive for saving part learn will come from watching you money” to household chores, while of the money themselves, offer a manage your finances. others feel that payment shouldn’t be given for something that should be a standard contribution to the family home. Financial guru Suze Orman says that an allowance, or as she calls it “work pay”, should be used as a tool to teach kids about having to work for money, since that’s how it works in the real world. A regular allowance may be given to some children with a bonus given for things that you might pay someone else to do, like washing the car or mowing the lawn. However you structure it, an allowance can be used as an important teaching tool. Here are some things to remember: • Before giving your child an allowance, they should understand the value of each coin and note, and at least be able to count money. • Be clear about how much will be paid and what they will need to buy themselves. If you want them to buy their own lunch, expect there to be times when they will ask for lunch money as the allowance has been spent already on other things. • Expect to negotiate. Children will always compare notes with their friends, and if someone is getting more than they are, they may hit you up for a raise. Jayne Pearl, author of Kids and Money: Giving Them the Savvy to Succeed Financially, suggests that you use this as part of the teaching process. She says, “Negotiation skills are an important part of the lesson, which they’re going to need for dealing effectively with friends, teachers and, eventually, their bosses.” Resources • Encourage saving. Give a certain amount and agree on the amount that should be put aside for a rainy day. It here are a number of websites and apps available for children of every helps if you give them their allowance Tage to teach them about money. Here are a few to get you started: in denominations that make it easy for them to put money aside, like www.pinnaclelearningcentre.com $50 in $10 notes. If they need help www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/money.html understanding the concept of saving, www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/ help them to set some goals – both www.cartoonnetworkasia.com/cha-ching/en/apps short- and long-term. Whether it’s a
October 2013 57 58 Playtimes Feeding the masses If you have a big family, then you surely know the pain of exorbitant grocery bills. But, is it possible to feed a tribe in Hong Kong without breaking the bank? asks Jill Mortensen.
ou know you’re a certified additional staff who may be hired to are no surprises at mealtimes. He also Hong Kong expat when accommodate for more children, is sources meat from a wholesaler in you start complaining an unavoidable increased cost that Hang Hau and produce from a local about the cost of groceries expanding families cannot avoid fruit and vegetable truck that visits atY dinner parties. For anyone feeding Owner of Body Balance personal some of the large apartment buildings a family from one of the international training and a father of five, Mike around Hong Kong twice a week. grocery stores, after rent, surely one Maiers, estimates that approximately “I spend approximately $1,000 of the largest monthly expenditures 50 to 60 per cent of his family’s a week on fruits and vegetables, and is food. At the same time, we are monthly budget goes on feeding the I would hate to think what it would bombarded with scary reports about family, which includes two live-in be if we did all of our shopping at the local food scandals that make us helpers and a nanny. supermarkets,” Mike says. promptly remind our helpers not to “We all eat the same meal, no buy anything “made in China”. This questions asked,” says Mike. “And Food fright sometimes leads to paying more than we don’t cater for fussy eaters, so if Conventional advice when it comes to $300 for a melon that we can only someone doesn’t want to eat, they saving on groceries is to “buy local”. assume must have flown first class on go to bed hungry. I know it sounds But there’s an obvious reason most of its journey from South America to harsh, but cooking five different meals us don’t. More than 90 per cent of the Hong Kong. would be a logistical nightmare.” produce sold in local markets comes Families in Hong Kong can To help reduce the stress of daily from mainland China. be very savvy when they need to planning and to organise shopping “I don’t ever buy local produce,” accommodate more children in the trips, Mike’s family develops a weekly says mother-of-four Fiona Johnson. same living space. But, feeding those meal plan, which is then displayed “You just have to read about the infant extra mouths, including those of in the kitchen for all to see so there formula debacle and the stories about
October 2013 59 farmers in China giving arsenic to local, seasonal produce tastes better, is production. cattle to make them grow and prevent more nutritious and less expensive. Fresh “We personally visit and have them from being sick.” ingredients require fewer preservatives relationships with our producers,” Todd But chef Priscilla Soligo, who also because they don’t need to be stored, says. “And we test all of our produce is owner of Rawthentic Foods, says and eating seasonally is a great way to at random every quarter for heavy that replacing the organic produce teach children how different foods grow metals and agricultural chemicals by sold in supermarkets with locally throughout the year, especially when sending samples from deliveries to an sourced, fresh organic produce can cooking together as a family. independent testing facility.” save a lot of money. For scandal-wary “Involve children as much as Customers are welcome to visit customers, Priscilla says that the only possible when sourcing local foods,” any of the farms that Homegrown way people can be confident about Priscilla suggests. “It’s so important Foods sources from. Sometimes what they are buying is to do their that we help them to understand how helpers even join employers to learn own research. connected they are to their food and what is available. The company also “Contact suppliers and ask them how much they can play a part in the hosts school field trips, where students how they grow their food and what entire ‘earth-to-table’ process. Knowing have a chance to interact with the their certifications are,” she says. how to prepare nutritious meals is a farmers and then have a meal at one “Growers, farmers and the smaller skill that will help them throughout of the restaurants that Homegrown organic produce delivery businesses their lives.” Foods supplies, such as Posto Pubblico here in Hong Kong really enjoy talking in SoHo or Linguini Fini in Central. to customers about these things. If you Field trip can make time, visit farmers’ markets Todd Darling, a ten-year Hong Kong Stretching dollars and talk to local growers. This is a great resident and owner of organic produce Vivian Herijanto, chef and owner of thing to do with the kids.” supplier Homegrown Foods, founded Corner Kitchen and Heirloom Eatery, As a chef, Priscilla instantly notices the company on the idea that having says that Hong Kong residents might the unmatched quality and flavour of safe, high-quality organic food would need to give up convenience and local versus imported produce. She says help increase local consumption and shop at several stores when trying to
Markets
• O rganic farmers’ markets in Hong Kong take place every week throughout the year: Star Ferry Pier in Central (Pier 7, Wednesdays from 12pm to 6pm, and Sundays from 11am to 5pm). • Tuen Mun Farmers’ Market (Crossroads Village, 2 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun – opposite Gold Coast Phase 1 – Saturdays from 10am to 4pm). • Tai Po Farmers’ Market (next to Tai Wo fire station, Sundays from 9am to 5pm). • Starting on 15 September, Island East Markets will start running again, offering goods from local organic farmers, as well as local restaurants and retailers. (Island East Markets, Tong Chong Street, TaiKoo Place, Quarry Bay, Sundays 10am to 5pm).
60 Playtimes minimise the cost of groceries. She cooker,” Andrew advises carnivorous recommends looking for high-quality families in Hong Kong who are imported frozen fish, poultry and looking for savings. “The pressure meat, which, if thawed and cooked cooker helps to slow-cook the meat properly, won’t lose quality. in less time than you would normally “You can find a variety of good need to cook it to achieve the tender imported frozen fish fillets in some consistency when it just falls apart shops that are much less expensive and is so tasty.” Andrew buys meat at than the same types of imported fresh Foodtalk, which offers customers a 40 fish sold at CitySuper or GREAT,” per cent discount on bulk purchases of says Vivian, who prefers to buy fresh strip loin, rib-eye and tenderloin cuts. fish at local markets. “We live in a “I usually buy a huge amount from very crowded, industrial city with a them, and have them cut and pack it very busy harbour, so of course there’s into smaller pieces that we freeze and going to be some harmful elements then use for soups and stews.” in the water that have gotten into fish Vivian also suggests buying in or fresh seafood. But I don’t think larger quantities and making as much it’s going to kill you. Countries like as possible out of each purchase. She’ll the US and UK have cases of food roast a whole chicken for dinner and contamination, too. The local people freeze the carcass. When she has two in Hong Kong have been shopping or three frozen, she makes chicken and nourishing their families with stock. She turns vegetable trimmings ingredients bought at local markets for into vegetable stock, and stale bread as long as we know. They trust their into croutons or breadcrumbs. She food source.” suggests involving children in as much Stay-at-home father of four sons, of this as possible to teach them how Andrew Suan, who is also president to be resourceful with food. of the Hong Kong Children’s Skin “It’s often difficult to involve Foundation, says he discovered an the children because they’re so economical way to prepare meat overscheduled these days, so try to dishes when his oldest son with special find a specific time each week and needs started to require more iron get the kids involved,” Vivian says. intake but has difficulty chewing “If you’re buying local, trust your certain foods. judgment. If something looks fresh “Look for cheaper cuts of meat, and smells good, then it probably can’t such as beef chuck, short ribs and be that bad for you. The McDonald’s lamb shanks, and use a pressure across the street is the real enemy.”
Top Tips Try these ideas to cut your monthly food bill.
1. Review your weekly receipts to 6. Reduce your weekly meat evaluate how much you’re currently consumption, and try to buy cheaper spending, and look for opportunities cuts of meat and make large batches to switch to less expensive brands or of soups or stews that can be frozen in substitute ingredients. smaller quantities. 2. Evaluate what homemade food 7. Choose imported frozen fish instead of your family likes, trying to avoid recipes fresh imported fish from grocery stores. that require too many canned or pre- 8. Replace sodas and pre-packaged packaged ingredients. foods with water and homemade juices 3. Make a weekly meal plan based on and snacks. seasonal produce. 9. Ensure that your helper knows how to 4. Grow some of your own herbs and select the best ingredients at the best produce, if space allows. prices. 5. Visit local farms and markets to find 10. Teach your helper how to avoid reliable sources for produce where you wasting food by either freezing or re- can buy direct. inventing leftovers.
where there’s a will… It’s a task almost everyone puts off. But Zara Horner discovers that writing a will doesn’t have to be a painful experience, and that the peace of mind it brings is well worth the time and effort.
n alarming number of common-law partners, who inherit brothers or sisters, or have ageing people living in Hong nothing. parents who are too old to care for a Kong do not have a will. It is often marriage or the arrival child, and the instructions haven’t been Did you know that by not of the first child that prompts a spelled out in a will. Ahaving a will, you’re leaving the fate of person to finally draft a will. Even “With intercultural marriages, the your estate to the SAR’s intestacy laws? so, 48 per cent of those parents The couple may have very different ideas To find out just how widespread Henley Group surveyed had not done on who should look after the children, this problem is, The Henley Group so, which Mark finds “particularly and it is not always easy finding a commissioned a study. CEO Mark alarming” because, in the event that compromise that both sides are happy Rawson explains, “A shocking 70 per both parents die at the same time with,” Asa says. cent of expatriates in Hong Kong do and without a will, the state would Jessica Park, the managing not have a will. What is a surprise is appoint guardians. “People assume director of Professional Wills, says that expatriates, who are more likely that a relative can jet in and pick up making a will “should be a no- than the average man to have assets of the kids,” Mark explains. “This is not brainer!” She adds that if there are value, would be so unconcerned about the case. Until court formalities are competing family members, real making a will.” resolved, children may be taken into problems can arise. Most of us know we should [state] care.” When it comes to guardianship, write a will, especially once we’ve You can avoid all of these potential “It could take months for the family had children, but many still put it landmines and ensure that your wishes court to reach a decision,” she says. off again and again. “Perhaps it’s are fulfilled simply by drafting a will “And if a resolution can’t be found, the fear of mortality, or that it will now, before it needs to be executed. the children will enter the orphanage cost a lot of money, or be overly system and be available for adoption. It complicated,” Mark reckons, and adds For the children makes one shudder to think that some that complacency may be another Protecting children from possible parents have not appointed guardians factor. “One assumption many people government interference is the number in a will.” make is that if you die without a will, one reason Asa Wilkins gives for Simply put, a will is about control. the surviving spouse gets the entire writing a will. Asa, the director of It legally binds a person’s wishes, entitlement. However, according to Phoenix Wills, says, “The advice is preferences and directives. Mark from Hong Kong laws, if the person has the same anywhere, but most expats in The Henley Group, adds: “Even with surviving parents, they can [also] be Hong Kong are a long way from home a will, probate – the administrative beneficiaries,” Mark points out. and their natural support group, which process – can take three to six months, If children are involved, then the makes things much harder.” or longer, depending on the complexity intestacy laws recognise illegitimate Phoenix Wills provides clients of the estate. But without a will to and adopted children as well as with a list of things to consider when provide instruction, the process can those who are legitimate, but not preparing a will. Top of the list: Who take a lot longer and prove a harried stepchildren, unless they are legally should be the executor? and, who journey for dependents.” adopted. It’s worth noting that same- should be the children’s guardian? A will can be simple, but it is sex marriages are not recognised in This last one can be particularly critical that it’s correctly structured, Hong Kong, and are classified as problematic if the parents have no names an executor, identifies
October 2013 63 beneficiaries, addresses assets in all the countries where they’re held, and Having one will to cover multiple is signed by two witnesses who are not jurisdictions can add significantly to beneficiaries. “The executor carries out the the time it takes to settle assets, and terms of the will, applies for grant of probate, and access to any safe deposit therefore costs, in each location. box, and for funds from the estate for the dependents while the will is to pre-determine the circumstances Another document the experts in probate,” Mark explains. Without in which further treatment should be advise for is an enduring power of an executor, someone needs to act as withheld is very important, as well as attorney (EPA). A normal power of administrator, a role governed by some stating who should have the power to attorney lapses if a person loses mental elaborate rules in Hong Kong. discontinue treatment.” capacity, but an EPA remains valid, “Given the complexity of most A living will does not carry the and often only comes into effect under expatriates’ financial lives, even a same legal status in Hong Kong as such circumstances. well-constructed will may not be a last will and testament, and must “If you were in a coma following enough,” Mark warns. “Having one be made at a time when the person an accident, bills would remain unpaid will to cover multiple jurisdictions can is in full possession of their mental and it would not be long before trouble add significantly to the time it takes faculties. It may be revoked or altered started because no one would be able to settle assets, and therefore costs, at any time prior to mental incapacity. to use your bank account,” Asa warns. in each location.” While Asa from Living wills cannot be used to insist “If your salary stopped, direct debits Phoenix Wills is quick to point out upon specific treatments (for example, and standing instructions would fail as that “it is no worse for expats than for euthanasia). money ran out.” anyone else in Hong Kong,” she does say an expat situation “can be harder, especially if, as a surviving spouse, you lose your visa and have to leave before all the paperwork is finished; all joint bank accounts might be frozen, so there may be no cash for airfares... Without a will, the courts need to track down everyone who could have a claim to the estate, and will then decide on the final split based on intestacy rules; a split that may or may not be what you would have wanted.”
In the living years “Otherwise known as advanced medical directives, living wills are used to give medical teams and families direction in the event you become incapacitated through accident or illness,” Jessica from Professional Wills explains. “It is used not only in the negative sense – ‘do not revive’ – but also in the positive – ‘do all you can to keep me alive’. One might think this is not an important document or unlikely to be used. But in such an eventuality, it is of much comfort to family and one’s medical team to know that when you were compos mentis you carefully laid out your wishes.” Doctors may be reluctant to accept the decisions of a seriously ill patient because of uncertainty about his/her rational state of mind, Asa explains. “A living will gives healthcare providers some legal protection. Your ability
October 2013 65 66 Playtimes Willpower
What are you waiting for? your tax, mortgage/s, be time-consuming. It’s time to take action. insurances and pensions, • A guardian is needed • Stop procrastinating. plus all necessary for any child under 18 Going for With professional help, account numbers, PINs years of age, unless they drawing up a will is and important contact are married. With your the cheapest easier, quicker and details into one easily partner or loved ones, solution may cheaper than you think. accessible, but safely discuss who you want • Get your estate in stored, file. to take care of your not always be order. Don’t leave your • Think carefully about children, and be sure to dependents with a mess. who you want to act check that the people the best choice, Sort out the shoe box as executor. It is an you select are happy especially if of receipts; organise important job, which can with the arrangement. your situation
Bottom line about our fees, which start at $8,000 is slightly more In theory, you can write your own will for the main will, with $3,000 for complicated at no cost, but it may not hold up in each additional country, if needed. court. “In this business you often get There are sometimes extra charges for – which is what you pay for,” Asa says. “Going for complex wills.” the cheapest solution may not always Planning for death is not fun. But, often the case be the best choice, especially if your failing to plan, especially once you’ve for expats situation is slightly more complicated – got a family to consider, is just plain which is often the case for expats who irresponsible. You know what needs who may may have assets in several countries.” to be done. Now, get on with it so you Jessica agrees. “Local lawyers cost can get back to having fun with your have assets as little as $1,500 for a single will and kids, confident in knowing that you’re in several some law firms start at $40,000. At doing your best for them now, and in Professional Wills, we are very open the future. countries.
October 2013 67 68 Playtimes Hardship posting? Are the glory days of the high-paying, all-inclusive expat package behind us? Marie Teather finds out.
ong Kong often trumps the assists in moving corporate teams from less bargaining power for expats to lists of the most desirable the financial sector to and from Hong negotiate packages. There are many expat locations worldwide, Kong. Yves spent four years in his first locals with experience, including those and foreign professionals spell living in Hong Kong, then two in who left pre-1997 and have returned workingH here revel in the news. In a city Beijing, before moving back to Hong after acquiring foreign citizenship, and boasting great transport links to the Kong in 2007. He explains, “Companies the generous packages of 20 or 30 years rest of Asia, a standard of living that’s are realising it is expensive to move ago have been phased out for all but a easy to adjust to, and the fourth-highest people. It costs three to four times their fortunate few. expatriate remuneration packages in annual salary – especially if they have “If you can get the traditional Asia, it seems we have it all. kids. The whole thing is getting more expat package that pays for schooling, Yet take a closer look and you’ll expensive.” housing, amenities and trips back see a shift in the flow of expats arriving home, you are doing very, very well. and leaving Hong Kong – a shift that’s Diminishing returns Some banks still have this, but many reflected in the nature of remuneration Across all industries, in 2013, it seems are localising contracts,” Yves says. we are receiving. Quite simply, the only senior management, such as those “They are providing a much larger expatriate package in Hong Kong is at director, executive director, managing salary which, although taxable, gives the changing. director and CEO/CFO/COO levels, family the option to choose how they Yves Therien is the general are moving to Hong Kong on full want to spend it.” manager of sales and marketing at Santa packages. Today, without extremely In this new model, expat positions Fe Relocation, a company that often specialised skills and knowledge, there is might still include a housing or lifestyle
October 2013 69 70 Playtimes allowance. If, for example, you’re lived in Hong Kong and Shanghai says, earlier this year. “I loved Hong Kong offered a salary of HK$1,800,000 per “Hong Kong is billed as the gateway dearly, but when an opportunity [in year, you might receive an additional to China, but it’s still not ‘real’ China. Singapore] came up for my husband at HK$150,000 per month, along with the Doing business with the major cities, a comparative salary, we knew it was freedom to choose how you’ll allocate such as Shanghai and Beijing, is hard. time to leave,” she says. “I’d put up with it to housing, schooling and utilities There is a cultural barrier of sorts. You taking our two children to different payments. might as well just move there.” schools, both of which were not our first That said, organisations understand Perhaps for the first time there choice, for long enough. Since we moved housing and schooling fees in Hong is a greater shift of expats moving to here, I’ve wondered why we didn’t do it Kong are huge factors in deciding other Southeast Asian destinations. sooner.” whether to accept a position here. But Singapore has long been a key market it has also been suggested that media for expats to transfer to. Yves from Remote corners and industry reports exaggerate rental Santa Fe explains, “Our biggest traffic It’s not just the big cities like Singapore, prices in Hong Kong by only factoring line is the Singapore-Hong Kong route. Shanghai and Tokyo that are drawing apartments in Central. Regardless, We have 25 to 30 moves to Singapore expats. Rather than returning to their to help facilitate relocating an expat, every month, with around 20 coming home countries where economies companies still often need to offer back this way. Over the last few years may still be stagnant, once they feel a housing incentive to negate the we’ve seen a number of head offices ready to move on or an assignment employee’s worries. move from Hong Kong to Singapore, has ended, many expat families are Not only is the number of high- but we’ve also seen them move back. It looking into other options. Cheap flights paying packages dropping, but the types all depends on how much business they and improved technology are making of expatriate packages in Hong Kong have in China.” it possible to have a great quality of are becoming more diverse, with more The hotly contested debate of life in cities once deemed remote or expatriates receiving compensation “Singapore or Hong Kong?” seems to “hardships”. packages close to that of local colleagues. shift backwards and forwards as much “Certainly, we are still seeing a as those who move between the two, majority of executives from the banks but for many expat families with young coming to Hong Kong, but in other children, the lion city currently seems to industries we are looking at more be more appealing. junior placements,” says Yves. “These A lot of it has to do with schooling. days, many [expats who are] moving Stories of expat families pulling out, to Hong Kong are often single or very even at the final stages of negotiating young couples.” a transfer to Hong Kong, when they encounter the notoriously difficult school Beyond borders enrolment system, are not uncommon. So if they’re not coming to Hong Kong With an educational system that easily in the high numbers of bygone days, matriculates all your kids into the same then where else are expats going? The school, and the much-cited cleaner air, natural shift for many expats who have Singapore is an attractive outpost for been building businesses in Hong Kong those with children. is often to move to mainland China. One such expat is Catherine Josh Ho, a financial analyst who has Freeman, who moved to Singapore 72 Playtimes James Incles is managing director villa with a pool, a nanny, a helper and has become more attractive to foreign of ESG Search, a recruitment company a driver. “The cost of living is very low business; Thailand, another country that places professionals in jobs across and yet the standard of living here and creating opportunities for growth in the energy, natural resources and lifestyle we lead is a joy. I first visited natural resources; and India. Two newer environmental sectors. James spent here in 2000, and I am still amazed additions to the list are Mongolia, which four years recruiting in capital markets by how quickly things are changing,” is opening up its vast mining reserves, in Japan and two in London before he says. “We have a lifestyle that, as a and Myanmar. moving to Hong Kong to set up his family, we couldn’t enjoy elsewhere, The only Southeast Asian country business in Asia. and [the villa] is very different to the that seems to be bucking the trend is “We are certainly seeing a shift apartment we had in Hong Kong. My Malaysia. While a senior manager may of expats who are not in the financial only complaints since moving here are still be offered a full expat package, the services moving to countries not centred the traffic and driving, but, thankfully, Malaysian government has set a quota on banking. If you look at the economy, we have a driver to ease my concerns!” on the number of foreign nationals the Fortune 500 companies in natural It’s not just Vietnam where allowed per number of local workers. resources, gas, oil and manufacturing foreign professionals are being So what does the future hold for are all based in Southeast Asia. attracted by improving standards of expats in Hong Kong and the packages Economies such as Indonesia, Malaysia living and the possibility of a full expat they may be offered? and Thailand are growing quickly package. Foreign investment has been “It depends on what China does and so, while a lot of the corporate very good to Indonesia which, during its with Hong Kong,” says James from headquarters are still in Singapore, local current business boom, has developed ESG Search. “The biggest danger is offices are opening across the region,” a nearly US$1 trillion economy that’s how many professionals in Hong Kong he says. growing at six per cent each year. work in the financial services industry. If Bob Knight and his family moved With huge oil and gas reserves, and a the downturn goes on, or the financial from Hong Kong to Vietnam in 2012 developing infrastructure to serve the industry moves to Shanghai as is tipped, when he accepted an offer to lead the population of 243 million, there are what industries are going to be in Hong operations of an oil and gas exploration increasingly significant opportunities Kong? When a country is so reliant company. His expat package provides for expats. on one sector it leaves itself vulnerable schooling for his two teenage daughters Yves says that Santa Fe has also should there be a crisis of some kind,” he at an international school, flights back to assisted moves from Hong Kong to the says. “That said, I still think Hong Kong the US every year, a 400-square-metre Philippines, where a new government will be a great place [for expats].” Going it alone Just about 100,000 of Hong Kong’s children are growing up in a single- parent household. Marie Teather finds out what it’s like for parents who fly solo.
74 Playtimes f you’re a parent and single in met while working in China. Her son, So what has changed? At the 2011 Hong Kong, you’re not alone. Aaron, is now almost 14 years old, and census, just over 81,000 single-parent Today, with one in ten children Tracey thinks attitudes and support for households were recorded in Hong in Hong Kong being brought single-parent families have changed Kong. With an increase of almost 25 upI in a single-parent household, look a lot during this time. “These days, per cent since the last count in 2001, around any subway, bus or restaurant everyone knows a single parent. It’s single-parent households are now very and you’re certainly sharing glances very much the norm,” she says. “When much a part of Hong Kong’s societal with parents who, for a number of I first became a single parent, there make-up. reasons, are bringing up a child alone. weren’t so many others. The couples I The figures also reveal something Tracey Wan, an editor who grew knew would tend to invite only other else that’s interesting. While it’s up in Hong Kong, became a single couples to social occasions, while my easy to assume that single parents mum in 1999 when the father of her single friends were still busy being are divorced women, that would be son left her for another woman he single. It was very lonely at times.” missing the increasing segment of
October 2013 75 76 Playtimes parents who choose never to marry birth): “Coming back to Hong Kong situation, Caroline, who is running (almost 5,000 at the last count), on that plane, with my baby girl Lily, her own business, says, “There is no mothers and fathers who choose to I was so excited. I knew my life was option for failure because there is no adopt and have no partner, and those going to be very different from when other income for me. It will hopefully who have been widowed. I left almost a year ago. Until then, I make my business a success.” didn’t really have any friends with kids Tracey went back to work just All by myself and so I knew I would be starting over three weeks after delivering her Regardless of what brings a parent to again to make a new group of friends. daughter. “Until that point I had this point in his or her life, they find I was also setting up my business.” not been working full-time. I was a themselves in unfamiliar parenting freelance writer and tutor, which gave territory. As a single parent, you’re Work/life balance me just enough money to pay the bills doing the work of two people. You are Of course, in a country where the and a helper,” she says. “Going back responsible for making each and every average employee works 48.7 hours to work was so hard, but after a week decision for the well-being of your per week, rents are high and part-time or so it did get better. I had no choice.” child and home. No wonder you’ll jobs few and far between, trying to But what of child maintenance often hear the phrase, “I don’t know maintain a balance of family life and when divorce or separation is a factor? how single parents do it”. generate a supportive income is not Mandatory child maintenance was “You have to cope. There is no easy. For most single parents, working only brought into action in 2003, and choice. I am not the kind of person is the only option. Perhaps it is Hong – inspiringly – it was single parents to fixate on it [being a single parent]. Kong’s work-hard mentality, or that like Tracey who helped bring about I got up and got on with it,” Tracey the Comprehensive Social Security change. Before that, while a court says. Assistance (CSSA) of $3,500 only could instruct a father to make child It’s a sentiment shared by Caroline applies to permanent residents, but support payments, there was no law in Coombs, owner of Good as New Baby more than half of all single parents place to force him to do so. sales events, a personal trainer and were working at the last census. Tracey jokes she was “like a founder of Single Mums Hong Kong. However, what is perhaps broken record” and wouldn’t stop Caroline became a single parent in promising and indicative of single campaigning until the situation 2012 after a “whirlwind romance” parents’ voices being heard is that was changed. With the help of her that she chose to break off. Two weeks the single-parent tax allowance has network, which included government- later, she found out she was pregnant. been increased twice since 2007, from linked friends and people of influence, Caroline remains truly positive on $100,000 to $120,000, and, after a Tracey helped change the law. In her outlook as a single mum. She certain amount of campaigning, set 2003, a law was enacted that meant a remembers how she felt as she left her at exactly half the married person’s father could be stopped from leaving family support and flew back from the allowance of $240,000. or coming into Hong Kong should he UK (where she had returned to give Talking about her financial not be up to date with his maintenance
October 2013 77 2978 Playtimes payments. And that’s what happened Choice. These days, thanks to social is, no matter what has happened, to to Tracey’s ex-partner. In 2004, when media, there is the added benefit that let any resentment fall over to the kids. Aaron was five years old, they started unofficial groups can also be easily Always be fair to them.” to receive the first child maintenance assembled. In an effort to make more Caroline agrees. “I’m going to tell payments. single-parent friends, Caroline set up her the truth – without the unfriendly Good As New Baby and Single Mums bits, of course. Daddy lives in the UK A village of one Hong Kong. “It’s great to share the and he has his own life. Hopefully While the majority of single parenting load, and not feel like the only single I’ll bring her up with so much love, advice suggests reaching out to your parent in Hong Kong.” attention and knowledge, it won’t be extended family members for support, That’s not to say that making time an issue and she’ll happily accept it.” for those whose extended families for yourself or going out without your Being a parent has been live in a different country, finding a child is easy. For many single parents, described as life’s biggest lesson, and support network can be all the more it’s those important moments of “me yet, for those who don’t have the challenging. time” that are sacrificed. “When traditional set-up we may have been Single parents in Hong Kong Aaron was young, I would only stay taught to believe is best for all, it can often say the reality of bringing up a out if it was work-related. I didn’t have be a scary ride, too. child alone hits at the weekends when a social life for a very long time,” says Ever the optimist, Caroline offers the helper may be off, other families Tracey. “I chose to have this baby. this advice to other people facing single are spending time together, and they I took it very seriously. I knew right parenting: “Stay positive, be strong, are alone to change the nappies. For from the start that someone has to have faith and confidence in yourself a single parent there is no respite – no love this baby and, as his father wasn’t as a mum. Don’t fear going it alone. kicking back in the bath while the around, that someone was me.” As long as your babies know they are other parent prepares dinner or takes And that brings up another loved and you are open and honest the kids out for an hour. Caroline also inevitability for single parents: with them, you can’t go wrong. They jokes she misses being able to just pop the day your child asks about the will help you get through this time and to the shops for five minutes. absent parent. Tracey has some there is always light at the end of a dark There are organisations to compassionate advice: “Make sure tunnel. It just may take some time to help, such as the Hong Kong Single you don’t turn your kids against the get there. As for being a single mum, if Parents Association and Mother’s other parent. I think the worst thing I can do it, anyone can!”
, , In a city known for high prices, a mother’s critical postnatal health services are – surprisingly – free, writes Katie McGregor.
here’s no such thing as a Child & Healthcare Centres (MCHC). (the number of deaths before one year free lunch, right? While If you’ve registered and received your of age). Since, in developed countries, it’s true that few things of antenatal care at an MCHC, your free infant mortality rate is directly related value come free, in Hong care will start a week after the baby’s to postnatal care, you can be assured TKong, if you have an ID card or are birth and can continue at the same that the care you receive will be of a a resident aged 11 years or younger, MCHC location. If you’ve received high standard. However, the “vibe” you can participate in the Health your antenatal care elsewhere – at a that you get will vary among centres, Authority’s postnatal mother and private hospital, for example – you can with some being more regimented childcare programme absolutely free. still use the free MCHC programme. and others having a more nurturing At no cost to you, the programme If any problems arise at check-points touch. The MCHC system allows you certainly presents excellent value! It throughout the free programme – for the freedom to choose a centre, rather includes initial baby monitoring for example, if your baby has a low birth than being forced into the one closest conditions such as jaundice, check-up weight or jaundice sets in – mothers to your home, so you can find the one and removal of stitches, breastfeeding are usually referred to a specialised that best meets your needs. advice, family planning, a schedule clinic within their local hospital. Visit The Health Authority’s of immunisations that cover the website (www.fhs.gov.hk/english/ guidelines regarding breastfeeding baby from newborn to Primary centre_det/maternal/maternal.html) are reasonable and straightforward. Six, developmental and growth to find an MCHC that’s convenient to They say that all Department of monitoring, diet assessment and you and call to make an appointment. Health employees should “encourage hearing screening. Cantonese breastfeeding as the preferred method speakers can also attend parental Differences of opinion of infant feeding”, “participate in education classes. Hong Kong is a leader in government- efforts to promote, protect and support Most of the care and services take sponsored postnatal care, and boasts breastfeeding as the cultural norm,” place at one of the city’s 38 Maternal one of the lowest infant mortality rates and “create a positive and supportive
October 2013 81 environment for breastfeeding”. And works in two-hour blocks, where a services like immunisations, while some MCHCs offer excellent support certain number of mothers are given topping up with a bit of private regarding breastfeeding; however, an appointment time of between, say care for the more holistic aspects of staff at other centres have scared new 9am and 11am. Within that block of babycare, like breastfeeding, sleep mothers into balls of nerves if their time, patients will queue to be seen, support and general advice. Private babies are not achieving charted first-come first-served. Your best bet is clinics also offer a greater degree of weight goals. Rather than addressing to book the first block in the morning convenience, with services such as the root of the problem when the baby or the first one after lunch, when you home visits for weighing the baby and is not gaining weight, in some clinics, won’t encounter a backlog. Your next removing the stitches. Mothers who the goal becomes “fixing” the weight best option is to arrive early for your are looking for a second opinion or issue itself, typically by giving babies block and get the first appointment in even affirmation that they’re doing formula powder, despite the Health the queue. Or, if you find yourself with the right thing and that their baby is Authority’s own guidelines. I’ve also a wait on your hands, settle in and perfectly healthy and normal, often heard of cases where mothers receive enjoy snuggle-time with your baby. find the support they’re looking for in headmistress-like tut-tutting because Some centres have a separate and private clinics. a baby isn’t eating his congee for comfortable breastfeeding room that’s Because the focus of the breakfast. usually quieter than the waiting room. government system is to provide the If you find that you’re not happy Some mothers are able to go best care, at the best price, for the with the first centre you visit, try with the flow with the government majority of the population in its care, another. I’ve heard good reports from system, just relaxing while they wait if you fall outside the curve and need patients of the MCHCs in Sai Ying and thinking about how they’ll use extra services or support, sometimes Pun, Sai Wan Ho, Wan Chai and the money they’re saving for a really the only option is to go to a private Tseung Kwan O. But, that doesn’t nice family outing… or ten. Especially midwives’ or doctor’s practice. mean you should restrict yourself to if you supplement the free offerings We’re very lucky that Hong Kong these few centres. Different patients with other help when you need it – provides such an excellent healthcare will have different expectations and regarding postnatal issues that are system, at a great price, that more experiences. specific to your culture, for example – than covers the basics for postnatal you can enjoy a positive experience. care. And we’re also lucky that we Precious time Those supplemental services have options – both public and While your postnatal care is free, you might come from private clinics, such private – that mothers can mix and will pay with your time. The typical as Annerley. Their patients often match to get the best care to suit their government appointment system use the free government system for family’s needs.
If you supplement the free offerings with other help when you need it, you can enjoy a positive experience. feature_More care Less cash.indd 81 25/09/2013 12:23 PM
Sarh e share alike &From accommodation to cars, the internet is turning us from consumers into providers and challenging established business models, writes Sonia Jackson.
he world in which we live get used? Why own something outright, (Airbnb) and even chores (TaskRabbit) does not have an endless only to have it sit unused for most of – sharing is a hot trend amongst supply of resources and there its life, when you can rent it for brief entrepreneurs. This movement towards has to be a more effective periods of time instead? rental and sharing represents the new Tway of using what already exists, right? Dubbed “collaborative consumption” intersection of online social networking, Why should everyone own a car that or “the sharing economy” – where mobile technology, limited resources sits idle most of the time? How about a people share things like cars (Zipcars), and heightened penny-pinching brought marina full of boats – how often do they skills (oDesk and deviantART), homes on by lingering economic uncertainties.
October 2013 85 Hardly a new idea, the sharing economy has been much discussed amongst entrepreneurs and the media since the global recession of 2008. But when Avis announced it would acquire the car-sharing service Zipcar for US$500 million earlier this year, it became clear that this was not a passing trend. In her June 2012 TED Talk, Rachel Botsman, the social innovator and author who popularised the idea of collaborative consumption in her book What’s Mine is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption, suggested that trust is the currency of the sharing economy and that our online reputations will become the tool for measuring trust. Through sites like Airbnb, people are becoming what she calls “micro-preneurs”. They’re finding a way to create markets out of the latent value in their homes, cars, and through using the power of technology to build trust between strangers.
There’s an app for that The emphasis is now on access rather has expanded across Europe, South Hired in Hong Kong than owning. For a product or service America and the US. Hong Kong is picking up on this trend, to function in the sharing economy, it And take TaskRabbit, an online too: handbags can be rented for a single must have various essential qualities: and mobile marketplace that allows evening (Icon Lady); you can rent durability, adjustability, “share-ability,” users to outsource small jobs and tasks the latest clothing for every occasion and a classic design. Rental systems to others in their neighbourhood. (Mariée); luxurious yachts are for rent and redistribution markets both require Users name the tasks they need to have (Elite Charters); caterers can be invited products that are made to last, will fit completed (such as assembling Ikea home to prepare meals and parties a variety of users, and won’t go out of furniture, for example), name the price (Gingers). Why not opt to rent a toy style. Forbes estimated that people will they are willing to pay, and then a from the toy library (Hong Kong Toy earn more than US$3.5 billion this year network of pre-approved TaskRabbits Library)? There are neighbourhood through the sharing economy. bid to complete the job. Launched clothing swaps and co-working spaces In California, drivers can easily fill in 2008 and headquartered in San (The Hive). How long can it be before their cars with paying passengers using Francisco, the company has received we can car-share, task-share, land- Lyft’s on-demand ridesharing app. An funding totalling US$37.7 million to share, tool-share… And what about unused driveway in the UK suddenly date and now has more than 13,000 tapping into the boundless skills of produces income via ParkatmyHouse. background-checked TaskRabbits in professional mums who have opted to Around the world, homeowners are 14 US cities, with a London launch stay at home to raise their children? Or earning extra cash by renting out rooms imminent. empowering senior citizens who have through Airbnb. Not only are household chores being retired with a wealth of knowledge Founded in Tel Aviv in 2012, tackled, but TaskRabbit is expanding ready for sharing? EatWith connects diners with home into business: small businesses seeking And perhaps it goes beyond access: chefs and homeowners who are willing vetted, temporary staff, particularly With the global population expected to lend out their home to host supper in events, office administration and to reach nine billion by 2050, and our club-style meals. The company vets customer service functions, now account supply of natural resources on the potential hosts and allows them to list for 40 per cent of their revenue. As Leah wane, it is ever more important to find menus and photos of their homes online. Busque, founder of TaskRabbit, says, ways to curb the waste inherent to the Guests – who must be approved by “Providing people with the tools and modern consuming world. When we hosts – reserve tables and pay online. resources to set their own schedules, commit to owning less, sharing more EatWith, with 11 employees and US$1.2 be their own bosses and say how much and making the most of the unused million in venture capital, originally they want to get paid is incredibly capacity of the goods already in aspired to offer tourists authentic local empowering. This has huge implications circulation, it’s better for us all, and for meals. In less than a year, the company for the global workforce.” our planet.
86 Playtimes feature_Share & share alike.indd 83 25/09/2013 2:25 PM 80 Playtimes freshenIn the right hands, sound waves andup radiofrequency can enhance looks without ruining the canvas, writes Ingrid Keneally.
hen it comes to ageing gracefully, we know in the hands of gravity and nature, but can instead let a we can’t go wrong by eating a healthy diet touch of maturity and elegance come to the fore. Relatively that includes red berries and leafy green straightforward, non-surgical procedures simply freshen vegetables. Wearing sunscreen daily is a up our looks and skin tone, without losing the intrigue and Wsimple, yet startlingly effective, way to preserve a youthful character that comes from experience. It’s about finding a appearance. On smoking, the message is clear: give up. balance between youth, desire and reality. On stress: less is more. Drinking water regularly can help maintain a hydrated, fresh look. A subtler approach We are bombarded with stories about the ageing In the late nineties, injectables such as Botox and dermal process – especially that any visible sign of it is a wretched fillers came on to the scene, making facial wrinkles more blight to be avoided. On television shows such as Extreme of a choice than an inevitability. The Cosmetic Physicians Makeover and Bridalplasty, where brides compete against one Society of Australasia – which represents doctors from another for the chance to win a plastic surgery makeover Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore – says before they walk down the aisle, the endless search for that Australians spent more than HK$4 billion on these perfection runs an irrational race to a ridiculous finish line. types of “non-surgical” cosmetic treatments between April Extreme transformation is in; subtle is out. 2011 and April 2012, almost 15 per cent higher than the Closer to home, in Thailand, many of our friends previous year. This was a huge jump from five years ago, and acquaintances have their breasts augmented, teeth when those consumers were spending HK$2 billion. whitened, noses reshaped and tummies tucked, all in the When you’re battling mild to moderate signs of ageing – hope of bringing youth back into their looks. That quest which often include skin laxity – these and other less invasive for rejuvenation, particularly in our skin’s appearance, ways can help freshen your look while avoiding the six- to can be an all-consuming project – and one with a nearly eight-week downtime a surgical procedure would require. unattainable goal. Thermage (radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment) But trying to look your best doesn’t have to be a bad and Ultherapy (ultrasound energy treatment) are fast and thing, if we keep the expectations reasonable, realistic relatively pain-free options. Thermage uses radiofrequency and age-appropriate. There are tools at our disposal that technology to heat up the skin, penetrating specific areas allow us to age gracefully, without trying to look like with a focused energy to help kick-start the body’s own teenagers and without radically overhauling our parts natural renewal process. It has been on the market for beyond recognition. We don’t have to leave everything about 12 years, and seems to have been improved over
October 2013 89 that time. New technology makes for a more comfortable seemed lifted. She’s happy to wear eye shadow again and patient experience. A face or eye treatment takes about 45 says, “I just look better … I felt more confident again.” minutes; treatments on larger areas of the body require How much will these treatments hurt? Some patients about 90 minutes. experience discomfort, but most say it is minimal. Kristen Ultherapy, which has been available for several years, remembers tingling around her eyes during Thermage, uses ultrasound and the body’s own natural healing process but says she didn’t find it overtly painful. Elaine admits to stimulate the deep structural layers of the skin without that, “The treatment was a bit painful,” but says the doctor disturbing the surface of the skin. One Ultherapy treatment can give you pre-treatment pain medication if you both will take about 60 to 90 minutes. think it’s necessary. Ultherapy is specifically indicated Plastic surgeon Dr Cheung Wing Yung, who works at for eyebrow lifting, but not for eyelid treatment, and this the Pedder Clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui, says Thermage and procedure can be slightly more painful than the Thermage Ultherapy are generally safe for the face and body, and eyelid and face treatments, especially on the sensitive areas most patients can head straight back close to the bone and nerves. to the office after a treatment. It is The complications for these procedures all about working below the surface are rare and Dr Cheung says plastic imperfections and remodelling collagen We can present surgeons are always trying their best to to help skin achieve that smooth, ensure patient safety and high satisfaction youthful look we all crave. our best face by minimising risks. Some patients experience reactions such as redness and Smooth operator to the world swelling, which usually subside within 24 Heather Ryan, 44, a graphic designer without losing hours. During Ultherapy, the ultrasound and mother of two, had Thermage machine monitor allows the physician on her face and found a gradual and our individual to control heat waves without disrupting natural improvement. Elaine Chan, 38, healthy fat layers in the skin. a nurse and mother of three, swears by expression. With any aesthetic treatment, both the her treatments. She had Thermage to procedure and the satisfaction regarding tone up her post-pregnancy stomach after her third child, the results are personal and individual; there is no one-size- as well as on her face. Elaine says, “Thermage helped iron fits-all treatment or result. Dr Cheung says that while these out the creases. I don’t have the lines around my mouth treatments can help correct the signs of collagen loss, skin anymore and my skin has changed: it is smoother. For laxity and fine wrinkles, they cannot reverse the normal anyone concerned about their wrinkles, I would definitely ageing process, which includes fat- and bone-loss. And they recommend Thermage.” cannot offer the dramatic changes that surgical or more Though the treatments are quick and you can typically invasive procedures can. “Laser skin resurfacing is still the return to your normal activities right away, the results most effective single treatment for facial rejuvenation and might not be immediately apparent. Dr Cheung says, really is good at correcting all signs of ageing,” Dr Cheung “Overall tissue changes are subtle and can take two to says. three months to evolve and develop.” Kristen Smythe, 43, a Growth and change in expression is inevitable. Lines journalist who had a Thermage treatment on her eye area add character, and beauty can radiate from a glimmer in says that, although she was pleased with the process, “I the eye of a confident woman. Thermage and Ultherapy didn’t notice the change around my eyes and on my eyelids build a little bridge to lift unwanted sagging and add to lost until I saw the before and after photos at the doctor’s a few tone and definition. We are works in progress and, with the weeks later.” She says her eyes looked brighter and less tired choice of a range of simple, non-invasive procedures, we than before the treatment. Karen, 42, a mother of three, can present our best face to the world without losing our had Ultherapy around her eyes and noticed her eyelids individual expression.
October 2013 91 92 Playtimes carried
awayThis month, the world will celebrate International Babywearing Week. Katie McGregor describes the burdens and bonuses of travelling with a baby on board.
s residents or natives of grows is thought to lead to confident, because they hear language and see Asia, we certainly don’t happy and empathetic adults,” more human interaction from their need to be told that explains Hulda Thorey, head midwife special vantage point.” babywearing – wearing and founder of Annerley. “There In Hong Kong’s stroller-unfriendly Aor carrying your baby in a sling is much research that supports the streets, babywearing also offers an or other form of carrier – is a very theory. For example, at the most basic easier way to get around. Therese Tee, traditional practice. But, traditional level, we know that babywearing a passionate babywearer, says: “We doesn’t necessarily equate to good. makes it easier to breastfeed, and rarely use a stroller, as I find it too When pushchairs and prams promise there is a great deal of research about cumbersome in Hong Kong… Even an easier life for mums and dads – not the benefits of breastfeeding in child when we travel on vacation, we always only saving parents’ backs from the development and health,” she says. carry the little one and leave the strain of carrying a baby, but also “The immediate benefits of stroller behind.” providing a useful trolley for carrying babywearing include an easier bonding Another babywearing fan, shopping and baby paraphernalia between a mother or father and Liz Chow, also vouches for the – you might think twice about baby, which helps prevent postnatal convenience: “I didn’t intend to babywearing. And yet it is becoming depression and develops the paternal practise attachment parenting; an increasingly popular practice. bond; and increased mobility for a it just sort of came naturally and mum, so that she can get tasks done babywearing was a big part of it. We Bonding bonus and/or take care of older children,” didn’t have a helper, so I brought my “Keeping baby close is one of the Hulda continues. “And babies who baby with me wherever I went, nap- fundamentals of attachment parenting, are carried tend to be calmer and time, all the time. It was convenient a style of parenting where close sleep better. Research also suggests and really nice to just always have her parental bonding with the child as it that these babies are socialised sooner so close.”
October 2013 93 A fine art area, rather than concentrated onto broad-based carrier and at this stage, If you have tried babywearing using a small point – often the crotch. A Michelle recommends a strap-on a sling, you will already know it’s carrier with a broad-based ‘seat’, hip-seat that allows Mum or Dad to not easy at first. The Babywearing ideally extending all the way to his maintain a neutral upright posture International organisation suggests knees, is ideal. At this stage, the baby while carrying baby. that babywearing is best viewed should be carried facing Mum or If done right, parents can choose as a skill to be learned, rather Dad,” says Michelle. to continue carrying their baby well than the result of the product you “I have always advised against into baby’s second year, but there is buy. Useful tips on their website wearing baby facing outwards, as some concern that so much carrying (www.babywearinginternational. this places a tremendous amount of can result in an overly clingy baby. org) include practising with a doll, strain on baby’s pubis, the smallest Hulda responds: “Of course, all practising “loading” the baby while and weakest part of the pelvis. Many babies are different, but if a baby is seated on the floor, and if you are parents are concerned about hip clingy then it probably is insecure back-loading for an older baby, dysplasia from the wide spread hip and the best cure is more closeness, practising with someone to “spot” position when baby faces inwards, not less. In my experience, when you and catch the baby if necessary. but, in fact, when well-supported your toddler is ready to leave the The site also provides lots of by a broad-based ‘seat’ carrier, the nest, she will, as fast as her legs will common-sense tips on safety. open hip position is a very normal carry her. You’ll be yearning for the Another concern is the possibility movement for the hip, especially in time when she was safely strapped in of musculoskeletal damage that babies,” she says. and you were in control. But that’s babywearing may cause both baby The second and final lordosis another story.” and parents. Dr Michelle Zhou, an in the lower back starts to develop Australian-trained chiropractor who once the baby starts crawling and practises in Hong Kong, advises sitting. As she approaches her that there are three key stages of first birthday, a baby may development for a baby’s spine, and have outgrown her the ideal manner of carrying and carrier type depends on the baby’s stage of development. “As a newborn, the whole of baby’s spine is in kyphosis (concaved towards the abdomen) with very little neck control. A sling made of breathable fabric that holds baby in a horizontal or diagonal position with head and bottom curved inwards provides the best support. And with baby held across Mum’s tummy, she is in a perfect position for breastfeeding and keeps nice and warm, and Mum can keep an eye on her,” she says. The Around three months of age, when a baby has better neck control immediate and is able to hold her head up, her first adult spinal lordosis (convex benefits of towards the abdomen) in the neck babywearing region starts to develop. Michelle advises that a vertical carrying include an position becomes more beneficial, strengthening baby’s neck muscles easier bonding and also developing and training between a her inner ear balance mechanism. However, care should be taken to mother or ensure that the baby’s lower back, which is still in kyphosis, is supported father and in its inward curving position. baby. “As the baby is gaining weight quickly, the pelvic support of the carrier needs to be broad so that the baby’s weight is spread over a wider
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feature_Carried Away 94 25/09/2013 5:25 PM time
travelAmid China’s incredible forward propulsion lies a peaceful corner that fuses the country’s past and present. Sonia Jackson sets out to explore Yunnan province with her husband, her children, a bicycle, some horses and some very warm clothes. Photography: Sonia Jackson
o travel in China is to kind, be it luxury or local, a pleasant felt truly like “real” China, linking its experience a country change from the tourism of old. With past and present. where nothing is standing Myanmar and Laos to the south, and In the Yunnan province, Lijiang still. Roads are being the vast Tibetan Plateau to the north, has been well and truly discovered. Tcarved out of the mountainside in subtropical villages break into high- But four kilometres to the north- every corner of this vast country. altitude towns in the foothills of the west of the old town of Lijiang, at China’s progress is apparent in Himalayas, where yaks, prayer flags the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow every building rising into the sky, in and monasteries abound. Mountain, lies a spectacular village: every city sprawling into the rural Fifty-two of China’s 56 minority the old town of Shuhe. Once famous countryside. To find peace amongst ethnic groups live in Yunnan; tribes, for its leatherwork, Shuhe is now a the chaos, where one is able to sit, dialects and beliefs are so varied fascinating peek into old China. Like enjoy and watch, is very hard to do. that groups from one valley speak a Shangri-La in the north, Shuhe was But hidden in the south-west of language foreign to their neighbours a stop on the Tea Horse Road over the country, China’s Yunnan province in the next. Taking advantage of this which Tibetan horses and Chinese is opening up to a new kind of tourism fascinating geographic and cultural tea were traded for centuries. Today – a more cultural, experience-led mix, we ventured into what – to us – that heritage is still in evidence, with
96 Playtimes vegetables. Bring your own nappies, though – I ran out and found that sanitary towels were the only local option for my poor nine-month-old, besides the split pants trousers the locals prefer. We rented bikes for the duration, and each day packed a picnic and went exploring – two couples and six children (aged from nine months to seven years) all perched in various positions upon the tandems. Ambling through the area by bike is to pass steep gorges and stunning lakes, an extraordinary setting with staggering views and eye-wateringly bright snow-capped mountains. There are gorges and waterfalls, parks and mountainsides, wind-blasted and timeless scenery all around – days of exploration and adventure for the children. One particular favourite of mine was the remote village of Baisha – one of the oldest villages in the area and far enough removed that we were the only tourists. Baisha was the first Naxi minority ancestor stronghold and you’ll still find the Naxi women selling vegetables on the well-worn steps in the village square. Much of the architecture and frescoes built in the Ming Dynasty are well preserved in the village. Baisha also plays home to Dr Ho Shixui, an expert in herbal cures and regularly featured on the BBC and National Geographic Channel, whose philosophy is simple: “Optimism is the best medicine.” But something that beats all of this is a small Baisha post office that sends letters “into the future”. Unbeknownst to me, my husband dozens of horses still carrying goods Where to go, what to do ventured in and wrote a beautiful through the ancient village. Their We went with our friends, and stayed piece of prose and chose a date. Sure clomping hooves and jangling bells in a delightful guesthouse in Shuhe, enough, three months later, on a well- provided a backdrop to all we did. basic but comfortable and clean. chosen house-moving day, I received a A recognised area of the Lijiang Breakfasts at the Vanilla Café set us perfectly timed pick-me-up note with UNESCO World Heritage site, and off nicely for the day as we watched everything I needed for the task that one of the earliest settlements of the the buffalo tending the land. There lay ahead! ancestors of Naxi people, Shuhe was are plenty of local places to stay, but far less crowded and much more if you’re looking for a bit of luxury Unique adventures charming than its higher-profile mixed with authenticity, that’s easy to Our friends had made contact with neighbour, and boasted wide lanes find in the Banyan Tree, the Anantara the local village school and our five- lined with weeping willows and a little further up the mountain, or year-old daughter Georgia joined women washing laundry in the natural the Aman and Grand Hyatt, both her two friends, Romi and Tara, for springs just as they have since the 13th scheduled to open in 2014. Good local a few days at the school – total pupil century. The town is alive with the food is plentiful, and the markets have count 15 – eating duck egg and jelly deep culture of primitive simplicity. an abundance of delicious fruits and with soy sauce, napping with the other
October 2013 97 feature_Time travel.indd 102 25/09/2013 2:29 PM kids, and being spoken to entirely in Mandarin as they endeavoured to teach the children English. Each day we would drop them off by bicycle, well wrapped up against the fresh, but chilly, mountain air, and every evening collect a very happy trio bursting with their new discoveries. The head teacher was the only English where timeless and wind-blasted views less than an hour down the mountain, speaker and she was delightful, and abounded. Each evening the children the construction continues to boom. clearly thrilled with the three new would delight in playing “Pooh Old and new ways of life rub so closely attractions. sticks” in the streams, watching the together here that it’s almost shocking Another favourite – especially indigenous people dressed up in their to witness. But that’s what makes for our horse-mad three-year-old bright colours dancing to the local Yunnan such a compelling place in Ollie – were the local horses, available music. The fresh mountain air and which to travel. Up on the plateau for rent for HK$20 per hour. The constant exercise meant the bedtime with the snow peaks and lush green children rode horses way up into the routine was perfectly brief. plains, where the yaks travel by road mountains as we followed on foot It is an extraordinary setting, as and the laundry is washed in streams, through a landscape where I totally remote and wild as any I’ve been to. China’s forward propulsion feels very expected civilisation would run out, And yet it’s difficult to fathom that far away indeed.
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This Halloween, we’re dressing up as ghosts basand making some ghoulish hgoodies.
Words & Styling Ingrid Keneally | Photography & Styling Belinda Bath | Models Oscar, Nuala, Tara and some friendly ghosts
100 Playtimes Get industrious and paint a large piece of plywood with blackboard paint. You’ll find the plywood at Lockhart Road in Wan Chai. Put some chalk colours out and let the children go wild. There are a lot of delicious pies at Tai Tai Pie Pies – including the ultimate Halloween flavour: pumpkin. For extra-sweet party bags, fill them with treats from Saffron Bakery and A&M. Meringues and spooky jelly cups made by styling team.
October 2013 101 Tara wears black singlet, $99, H&M. Orange nail polish, and plastic spiders from Toys“R”Us will amp up the Halloween style.
102 Playtimes Quench the thirst of every guest with vanilla milkshakes in lovely clear melamine glasses, available from Franc Franc. For simple decorating, grab some black sticky paper available from Happy Valley and cut shapes for masks. White singlets provide a simple starting place for dress-up costumes. Then, go to Yu Chau Street in Sham Shui Po for embellishments. We picked up black and white butterflies there and worked them into our theme. Oscar wears an orange Halloween costume, and Nuala wears an orange tutu, both from Pottinger Street in Central. For cupcakes all ghosts and ghouls will love, call on the experts, like Party Mate Cakes, who will work with you to develop a theme. Sheeting fabric from Shenzhen makes for an easy- peasy ghost costume. Just be sure to cut eyeholes so your little ones can see all that candy they’ll be collecting. Ghost meringues were created by the stylist, and the melamine tray is her own.
October 2013 105 Ghost cake pops by Party Mate Cakes. Melamine box is stylist’s own.
106 Playtimes Nuala wears black singlet, $99, H&M. Lucan wears white collared shirt, $700, blue and white seersucker shorts, $750, both from Ralph Lauren; blue cardigan with detail, $380, Chickeeduck. Monty wears white collared shirt, $330, blue check shorts, $350, and grey cotton vest, $320, all from Chickeeduck; blue patterned bow-tie, $580, Ralph Lauren.
Skull-ful carving: carve it, paint it, prod it – fashion a pumpkin into your child’s very own trick-or-treat bag. Ours is filled with sweets and treats from Saffron Bakery and A&M.
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Colonial style One family moved from South Lantau to Hong Kong Island, and managed to bring tranquillity along to their city life.
Words & Styling Ingrid Keneally | Photography Melanie Adamson hen Zimbabwean-born couple Lauren and The apartment’s style feels old-colonial, a reminder of Bob Ward decided to swap their country life in Bob and Lauren’s childhoods spent growing up in Zimbabwe. peaceful South Lantau for Hong Kong Island, “We enjoyed lovely old homes with high ceilings and parquet Wit was in pursuit of a life a little closer to urban flooring. This old apartment reminds us a little of home,” says amenities for their three children, Andy, five, Katie, three, Lauren. A self-confessed lover of an old-fashioned look – and Daniel, 18 months. Yet, finding an apartment in a quiet, “modern” and “minimalist” are not in her style vocabulary peaceful location was still a priority. – each piece has a history, its own story to tell. There’s a “Our friends showed us this apartment with the little garden Moroccan folding tea table with a brass tray that belonged and all the greenery. We knew we’d found the place. We love to Lauren’s grandparents – who bought it on their honeymoon being close to the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir; it’s great for walking up in Kenya just weeks before her grandfather was called up for to the Peak and accessing some beautiful trails,” Lauren says. WWII. Even a hot pink, shabby chic chair sits and waits rather 112 Playtimes September 2013 113 regally in the guest bathroom. The interior is child-friendly, yet warm and inviting. Many of the objects are fun and pretty; nothing is showy or contrived. Detailed decorative displays and exquisite ornaments serve as a creative showcase of the couple’s love of travelling. With parents in South Africa and England, they are on the move a lot. Lauren has taken inspiration from her mother’s style. When she visits, “she usually moves things around and it looks better,” says Lauren. Bowerbird in Ap Lei Chau is her go-to store for interior buys. “It’s everything I love about home furnishings,” says Lauren. Although a lot of her ceramics and soft furnishings have come from homeware stores in China, she also searches online at Not On The High Street and Etsy for unique pieces. It is a focus on relaxation – the sense of the carefree – that this home emotes. And throwing back to their childhood homes, the couples’ favourite place in their home is the sun room, where classic plantation shutters open out to fresh greenery in a garden the children love to play in. reg_subscriptions.indd 116 25/09/2013 4:52 PM reg_subscriptions.indd 117 25/09/2013 2:30 PM 118 Playtimes
1310_YWA.indd 118 25/09/2013 3:32 PM “Without words, without writing and without books, there would be no history, there would be no humanity.” Hermann Hesse, Swiss author www.hkywa.com The Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2014 P3, the publisher of Playtimes magazine, reminds schools to register for HKYWA.
Thank you to all the schools that have already registered for HKYWA 2014. If your child’s school has not registered, it’s not too late. But hurry: the deadline is 30 October.
Budding authors and artists must register through their school teachers who can send a completed registration form to [email protected]. The form has been sent to every international and local school in Hong Kong but you can always find this and further details on our website www.hkywa.com.
For those of you who have registered, it’s never too early to get started. Students can start brainstorming ideas for their Fiction, Non-Fiction, Cover Art and Poetry entries under this year’s theme – New Tales of the Gobi Desert. With the chance to be published in a professional anthology, this is an opportunity you can’t afford to miss! We have some fantastic prizes, trophies and certificates that will be awarded to the 100 top students at the HKYWA awards ceremony in April 2014.
Calling all sponsors!
If you or your company are interested in sponsoring the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2014, we would love to hear from you. On initial contact we will send you a copy of our sponsorship kit, which shares our vision and goals created to support charities and enrich the educational community of Hong Kong.
Supported by Organiser Please contact [email protected] now for more details.
Sponsors stockists
A&M | www.anmstores.com PETIT BAZAAR | www.petit-bazaar.com B006-009 Shun Tak Centre (Macau Ferry Terminal), Sheung Wan 2548 8200 9 Gough Street, Central 2544 2255 209 Stanley Plaza, Stanley 3489 0405 80 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai 2528 0229 9 Stanley Market Road, Stanley 2407 1892 AMAZON | www.amazon.com POLLUX BOOKS | www.polluxbooks.com BUMPS TO BABES | www.bumpstobabes.com 2101, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau 2873 6962 Unit 2114-18, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau 2552 5000 5/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central 2522 7112 SAFFRON BAKERY | www.saffronbakery.com G/F Block A Dairy Farm Building, 100 Peak Road, The Peak 2818 3233 FISHPOND | www.fishpond.com.hk Shop G04 Ground Floor, Stanley Plaza 2813 0270 Shop G120, Repulse Bay Shopping Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Road 2812 2016 FRANC FRANC | www.francfranc.com.hk Shop F3, GF Gold Coast Piazza, Tuen Mun 2618 3677 24 Square Street, Sheung Wan 2806 2131 H&M | www.hm.com/hk 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 3521 1171 TAI TAI PIE PIES | www.taitaipiepies.com Elements, Kowloon Station, Tsim Sha Tsui 2196 8391 Pies are also available at Great Food Hall, LG1, Pacific Place, Admiralty. Langham Place, Mong Kok 3580 7621 Cityplaza, Tai Koo 3101 4463 THE BABY SHOP | www.thebabyshop.com Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill 3102 9143 TMT Plaza, Ph 1, Tuen Mun 3572 0410 TINY FOOTPRINTS | www.tinyfootprints.com New Town Plaza, Sha Tin 2606 7708 10/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central 2522 2466 Metro City Plaza, Tseung Kwan O 3427 9470 Shop 7-12, Mega Box, Kowloon Bay 2116 4240 TOYS CLUB | www.itoysclub.com Olympian City 2, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon 2273 4230 5/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central 2167 8474 1913, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau 2836 0875 ITSIMAGICAL | www.itsimagical.hk Unit G29-G34 G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui 2375 6020 TOYS“R”US | www.toysrus.com.hk Shop 209, 2/F, 311 Gloucester Road, Windsor House, Causeway Bay 2808 1773 3/F, Citiplaza, Taikoo Shing 2569 2388 Harvey Nichols, Level 1, Pacific Place, Admiralty 3968 2566 Man Yee Building, 67 Queen’s Road Central, Central 2259 9166 7/F, Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay 2881 1728 MOTHERCARE | www.mothercare.com.hk Shop 23, 2/F, Aberdeen Centre, Site 2, Aberdeen 2518 7128 Unit G29-G34 G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui 2375 6020 Shop OTG23, Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui 2730 9462 Shop 209, 2/F, 311 Gloucester Road, Windsor House, Causeway Bay 2808 1773 Shop G01, Olympian City 3, West Kowloon 2884 3268 Harvey Nichols, Level 1, Pacific Place, Admiralty Level 1 of Commercial Centre, Discovery Park, Tsuen Wan 2940 1968 Tuen Mun Towne Plaza, Phase 2, Shop 2196, Tuen Mun 2430 0268 PADDYFIELD | www.paddyfield.com New Town Plaza III, Shop A198-A199, Level 1, Sha Tin 2605 2225 Festival Walk, Shop L2-02, 80 Tatchee Avenue, Kowloon Tong 2265 7933 PARTY MATE CAKES | www.facebook.com/partymatecakes MegaBox, Units 2 & 5, Level 8, Kowloon Bay 2629 5186 Shop B24A-B33, Site 11, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom 2356 2688 Metro City Plaza 2, Tseung Kwan O, Kowloon 3194 6399
Editorial Deadline: 9 October Booking Deadline: 17 October Artwork Deadline: 18 October
Coming in November Mother & Baby Safe sex Can you do it during pregnancy? Comforting or crazy? Many mums are co-sleeping A little garden grows Pregnancy-related hair-growth Mega morning sickness What is hyperemesis? Dad’s duties Helping Mum in the delivery room
For more information or to book advertising space, please email [email protected]. October 2013 121 122 Playtimes
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reg_marketplace.indd 134 25/09/2013 2:00 PM Money secrets of mythical beings All through the year, legendary figures keep society’s cash moving, says father-of-three Nury Vittachi.
alk about a worrying metaphor. On the day of them Lai See Buckets. writing this, I saw a picture in the news in the Talking of mythical characters, that Santa Claus clearly T Chinese God of Wealth protesting in Guangzhou runs some sort of highly suspect operation which involves over unpaid wages. no known sources of income and yet has massive flows Of course I realised that it wasn’t the REAL God of of outgoings. This is a ludicrous business model used by Wealth, since I saw Cai Shen down at my local shopping mall nobody at all, except for YouTube, Wikipedia, Twitter, yesterday, and it seems unlikely he could have got to the Instagram, and a thousand more of today’s best known protest in Guangzhou the same day, given the difficulty of firms. moving in ankle-length red robes. Note that Santa lives in the Arctic, which is a totally tax- Anyway, the whole idea is screwy. No one expects to free jurisdiction, and visits 200 countries on a single night, PAY Cai Shen. The God of Wealth is an astonishingly large thus spending too little time in any of them to be classified one-way OUTWARD cash delivery conduit (the exact as a taxable resident. It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that opposite of my daughters). Santa is running some sort of loss-leading programme Actually, I’ve always designed to increase thought that the God of turnover for retailers. Wealth’s operation felt like The topic of tax and magic As a Hongkonger, I’ve a tax-reduction dodge, came up at a lunch I had with always wondered about possibly arranged by the connection between some sort of association of two small businessmen. Chang'e, the Goddess of mythical characters. the Moon, and the snacks The topic of tax and magic came up at a lunch I had sold at vast expense in her name: moon cakes. How much with two small businessmen (that’s the official phrase, of this cash is repatriated to the Moon? Not a cent, I am but one was medium-sized and the other was door- reliably told. Why not? If profits were “repatriated” to the challengingly huge) who were discussing staff bonuses. Moon, they would attract a zero tax rate, since there is a One said that he planned to give them out as personal lai curious shortage of inland revenue inspectors up there. see packets because staff would not be taxed on them. The Once moon cake makers realise this, they will surely move other said that if this was true, all bonuses would be given their head offices to the Sea of Tranquillity with immediate out as lai see packets. effect. A third party at the table said that he had looked up the Meanwhile, there’s only one mythical person I know relevant Hong Kong ordinance and there were references who actually insists on getting something for her money. to bonuses and “dim yung”, which is a Cantonese term for “a And that’s the Tooth Fairy. She doesn’t pay a lot of money little off the top”, but no mention of lai see packets. to her customers, yet she ends up with a supply of high- I did not contribute to the discussion, but quietly grade ivory. Smart lady. resolved to invest in the production of extra-large lai see envelopes massive enough to receive the sort of multi- Nury Vittachi writes a regular humour column at million-dollar bonus that investment bankers get. I shall call www.mr.jam.org.
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