Is your wage above, below or on average to the global salary scale?

International Labour Organization (ILO) has been keeping track and publishing the average wage of workers (not self-employed or people on benefits) in most of the countries in the world for more than a decade.

Recently, BBC has published a ranking of rough wage figure of 72 countries based on ILO's data of year 2009.

According to the report, Luxembourg topped the average world wages in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) dollars. The top 20 are:

1. Luxembourg ($4089)
2. Norway ($3678)
3. Austria ($3437)
4. United States ($3263)
5. United Kingdom ($3065)
6. Belgium ($3035)
7. Sweden ($3023)
8. Ireland ($2997)
9. Finland ($2925)
10. Korea ($2903)
11. France ($2886)
12. Canada ($2724)
13. Germany ($2720)
14. Singapore ($2616)
15. Australia ($2610)
16. Cyprus ($2605)
17. Japan ($2522)
18. Italy ($2445)
19. Iceland ($2431)
20. Spain ($2352)

The world average wage is at $1480 and Malaysia ranked 45 in the list with average wage at $961.

In their website, you can key-in your country and your pre-tax monthly wage in local currency, and they can immediately calculate for you your wage in PPP$, and how many percent it is above or below your country average as well as the world average.

Why don't you go there and have a try?

Emergency SOS phone number that all GSM phones can dial: 112

Nowadays, all mobile phone has a feature enabling you to dial an emergency SOS phone number, even without SIM card in the phone, and even when the phone is locked.

Once the number is dialled, the mobile phone will try to connect to any available GSM network operator, and use the service to connect you to the local emergency respond center. The call is free of charge.

Do you know what is that emergency number?

Yes, it is 112 for all GSM mobile phone and is applicable worldwide. This number will connect you to the respond center of emergency services including police, ambulance, fire & rescue.

In Malaysia, this 112 emergency number will automatically redirect to the local emergency number 999. If your mobile phone is a local set, you can also dial 999 as the emergency number as well. However, if you are using AP set, 999 might not work, but 112 will still work.

If you are in Malaysia, remember these 2 numbers for emergency SOS:

• 112 for all GSM mobile phones
• 999 for all wired phones

Islamic fixed deposit that pay upfront profit (interest) immediately when certificate is issued

I have sold a little shares recently, and thought that I am quite unlikely to reinvest the money into share market for the next 1 month. Short term fixed deposit is in my mind.

There is a kind of short term Islamic fixed deposit (Murabahah) that will pay upfront profit (interest) immediately when certificate is issued or account is opened. You will get your fixed deposit return immediately, without having to wait for its maturity date.

Such product in Maybank is called "Profit Now! Account-i (PNA-i)" and the one available in CIMB is called "Fixed Return Investment Account-i (FRIA-i) - WhyWait". Both their profit rate for 1 month deposit is 3% per annum, which is the same rate as most other 1 month fixed deposit products in Malaysia now.

I have chosen Maybank Profit Now! because it is very convenient. The account can be opened with Maybank2u online banking eFixed deposit placement function, and I don't even need to visit the bank to open this account.

I put in RM10,000 for 1 month fixed deposit, and immediately get back RM25.41 in return.

Of course, if I make an upliftment (take out the FD money before maturity date), I won't get back the full RM10,000 principal as the upfront paid profit will be deducted from it.

In this way, I could get triple-tiered interest for the short term deposit, which are:

• 3% per annum for the FD
• 0.3% per annum for the interest of the FD which was deposited back to my savings account
• 5% bonus interest on interest

It is better than leaving the money in my share trading trust account, isn't it?