Le Crunch

Oh god, it had to be written about. Here was me thinking the credit crunch would just be a passing phase, like everyone would get bored after a couple of weeks and the markets would bounce back after various governments putting in stakes to plump things up a bit. But oh no, it's still here and still as dull as ever.

My Top Ten of what I am doing to avoid spending cash.

1. Bought a Missoni rug direct from New York which was on sale in Lane Crawford for $54,000 HKD for half that price. Very proud of that saving. I joked that we would be like bankrupt aristocrats with our faded heirlooms in a few years.

2. Ordered silk curtains for the living room that are decorative, i.e. they don't meet in the middle and therefore aren't really curtains at all. Less silk, you see?

3. Started buying bottles of Pol Gesner Champagne at $100 a bottle less than our usual tipple, then realised actually life is too short for such compromises! Now we look for the decently-priced favourites (Deutz is the current bottle du jour). Limit ourselves to the weekend.

4. Have been using up all the dregs and bottles of cosmetics that have been hiding in various cupboards and make up bags in the apartment. Lots of samples and miniatures from the various business class flights I have taken over the years, gifts I have received over the years and crap I bought on a whim is all being drained and slapped on. Amazing how much you can accumulate over the years, and I haven't bough cosmetics in months.

5. Avoiding all clothes shops, especially for the kids. So easy to spuff $1000 in a lunchtime on a couple of cute dresses.

6. Ensuring that any cheques lying around are cashed, and any out of date ones (there were a few) are re-issued and banked.

7. Starting to buy supermarket own brands for staples such as olive oil or anything I don't eat. There are things you should never compromise on living in Hong Kong such as milk (Australia), eggs (New Zealand, organic) meat and fish (Aus or NZ) fruit and veg (never local, and organic where possible), but on other purchases a keen eye can net significant savings.

8. Haven't replaced my $6000 camera which broke during the move. Missing it badly and am wondering how long I can hold out though.

9. Still haven't upgraded the surround sound for the TV room to the Bose one we were on the verge of buying. Considering it as a birthday present if the hublet keeps his job.

10. Ordering rose wine, which I actually really like, at $49 a bottle, as our staple rather than the $100 bottles of red which we usually drink during the week.

Things not to cut back on, unless things get much worse:

1. The weekend Champagne. I'll be like the Captain of a ship and go down drinking it.

2. Quality meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.

3. Tipping taxi drivers and waiters. They need it more than ever, and to scrimp on this is very bad karma.

4. Having a good night out. Do it less, but do it to the max. Had a fab night at Zuma followed by Veuve at the Captain's Bar at the Mandarin on Saturday night. The live band were amazing, the place was packed to the rafters and whatever it cost was worth every single penny.