How to entertain children and get your magazine fix

Other than getting a discount member card for MPH and Popular, we're trying to save some cost for books by joining the local library. The one we frequent is Penang Georgetown branch, with Children's Library too. Even though most of the books are not super new like in bookstore, but they are fairly new enough for school going children. Of course if the children are younger I wouldn't be thinking of using library books. You know, sometimes quite difficult to control young children rubbing their eyes or nose after fiddling with used books. So when the children are younger I buy them new books for them to read. However now that they are older, and after finding out the library actually have quite a lot of choice for children, I bring them there to increase their knowledge.

They enjoy going and also playing there. I get my magazine fix there to save myself a lot of $. Even though the magazine selection is not the newest, but there are some copies of fashion and finance magazines to feast my eyes on. There are also lots of books but need to scout them out rack by rack on stuff that you're interested. There's local magazines as well as foreign English magazines. If you're not after the freebies that comes with the magazine, this is a alternative option for just reading and contents. One can read newspapers at the library too.

For those who like to purchase books or magazines, there's also the tax deduction limited to RM1000 but need to remember to keep the receipts. AND must keep the receipts and tax filing for a good 7 years in your record. My occasional splurge is books for the children, as we get tax deduction and they can increase their knowledge via books too.

Speaking of tax deduction for books and magazines, it reminded me that 2011 is coming to a close soon and we will need to start filing taxes for 2011 in a couple of months. Time to start getting those receipts in order.

Since I only want some entertainment and do not mind the advertisement nature, I also read the free Pearl magazine given by Jusco to Jusco card members and Pop Club magazine given by Popular to Popular card members.