When my brother blogged about his major purchases in 2009, I was thinking of writing one but instead of purchases a mixed of purchase and expense.  I’m already dreading the final total as I know I spent a big chunk of my savings.  My travelling alone is like my combined annual food, rent and miscellaneous expense.

So.. let’s see who’s the culprit last year and maybe I’d learn how to minimize it this year.  As they say, if you don’t try to learn where your money went, you wouldn’t know how to save and budget.

1.  Canon Ixus 970is  (USD 406 or RMB 2780)

As I was getting sick and tired of my Olympus digital camera which drains battery faster than it can shoot, I wanted to buy my very own Canon digital camera.  My cousins and friends have used this brand for quite some time and were quite satisfied   with the shots they’ve taken and the camera itself. 

At first, I was contemplating of purchasing a SLR but I don’t  know how to operate one.  The only one I know how to operate    is my friend’s Nikon D50.  I hate SLRs because it’s big and  bulky and not friendly to put in your pocket.  I would admit though the picture quality is much better than a point and shoot.

Another reason why I want to purchase a new digital camera is I’m going on my first ever trip to my ancestral hometown in China.  So, with the help of the web and my friends, I visited several reputable shops in Beijing to find my perfect camera.  I was able to buy one at Carrefour for a discounted price as it was near Chinese New Year.

(more…)