Poor as a Church Mouse

I’m poor. It’s official.

I’m so dead poor.

And I want so many more things. I want a laptop, an underwater camera casing, my own wetsuit and diving regulator, in fact I want the full gear of diving equipments; then there’s DSLR, a Deuter backpack, unlimited supply of Airasia tickets (come to think of it, why not MAS? Or Qantas?), hey… I think I need a pair of ear muff too.

I know I know, these are just materials I can live without and I don’t really need them anyway and there are more important and needy people out there. Hey, there’s no wrong in WANTING right? At least I didn’t say I NEED them.

Ever heard of the famous phrase poor as a church mouse?

churchmouse2
I'm born in the year of the mouse, the irony


I came across this question in Yahoo: Why is a church mouse poorer than a regular mouse?

Fascinating question, obvious answer but it will still get you thinking.

And this guy solved my curiosity.

Church Mouse who has dedicated his life to Jesus will live in poverty and donate all of his riches to the other mouses who need it more. Soon he finds himself worse off than those who he once pitied. Not long after that, the church recognizes his existence and hires the best rodent exterminator money can get to destroy their preception of an evil vermin. Church Mouse spends the rest of his life on the run. He is worse off than Regular Mouse ever was.



Haha, brilliant answer!!! I know it’s not true, but admit it! It’s funny!!! Or maybe it’s just my sense of dry humour.


Back to my point. I’m broke!!!

No seriously. I’m not joking.

I am so broke I only realised it today when I opened my purse and saw piles of receipts bursting from the paper note slits.

Not a single ringgit. OMFG.

And I was hungry!

I need food!! And food need money!!!

My purse was dirt dry!

empty purse


The ATM was too far and I have my reasons to save up some reserve these few days. (Shall announce the reason/news in the next post)

I could only do the only thing any living human would do at this point of time.

.
.
.
.
.
.


one cent under the mousepad


Scout of coins lying around the house.

I scattered through the entire house looking for small little shiny coins. God, the happiness it brought me when I flipped over the carpet and found at least 20 cents!!!!!

twenty cents under carpet


There’s also 6 cents under the keyboard.

money under keyboard


God! I never knew I have so many coins lying around the house. I am SO LUCKY!!!

I would have probably sliced my opened my sofa if I own one in the house.

Like seriously!!!! DO NOT underestimate coins!!! They’re worth something ok!! And they CAN BUY you food when you are dying of hunger!

I mean, half an hour of treasure hunt (pun alert!) landed me with…

*deng deng deng*

syllings


RM 2.59!!!!!!


Haha!! Food!! Here I come!! *rushed down to the grocery to buy food*

With RM2.50, I got myself a decent loaf of bread (chocolate somemore!) and even a snack!!!! Hail coins!!!

bread and snack
This can probably last me till tomorrow.


This is what you get when you travel too much. *sob* T_T



PS// if you’re wondering, the real meaning of the idiom is this - The proverbial church mouse is supposedly less well-off then his neighbours because people do not regularly take their meals in church. In a church, there is no pantry and no large foodstuffs, and thus the church mouse is poor in food, which is presumably how mice measure their wealth.

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59 kissed Nicole

  1. yeah never underestimate the coins..

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  2. lol..hmm..one cent cannot be use anymore already..u could always cook. :)

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  3. Whatever travel bag buy, just never ever buy deuter! I just thrown away mine. Blardy hell, that piece of shit cost me S$130.

    Only few years, and the rubber coating inside the bag turned into dust. Washing didn't help either. Even $10 china-made has better quality than deuter shit.

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  4. I think we all fell u...lolx...XP our wants and needs are often so huge we forget hw small our financial status is...wat to do go off a meal or 2 to spare some money loh...hahaha...cheers !btw im 4th !

    Marcus

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  5. hahaha nvrm can loose weight, ahahahahaha!

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  6. lol that's a funny explanation of the saying about the church mouse! And thanks for the little explanation at the end as well ;)

    Hehe, I think I should start dropping coins more often...I never do, so if one day I'm broke I really shan't have anything to eat!

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  7. Hahaha!! you are very hillarious!
    I will definately appreciate the coins now! Plus, I'm going to move to another bigger room in the same house and I bet there will be coins hiding somewhere. XD

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  8. Nicole... hahahahaha.. I remember when I was broke.. I will hunt for all the coins and.. it will actually fill my empty tummy!

    Whenever you receive loose change.. DO NOT SPEND IT.. hehehe put it in the piggy bank.

    I'm doing it you know... Whenever my piggy bank penuh, ususally it will get me around RM180 to RM200. Haahahah... then put in the bank... hoping that I can afford a LCD TV with that loose coins.... Hehehehe.. cool eh?

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  9. u've forgotten the holy communion where they have wine and biscuits...

    so much for poor mouse

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  10. Dont be too demanding. Live with what u have now and be satisfy. I'm sure u will be happier, Nicole.

    p/s: I want the choc bun but I'm on diet. =( Oh by the way, I'm broke too =(

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  11. at least you did not think of selling off that ipod infront of the computer.

    keke.. =)

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  12. Nicole,

    Please don't fake it. I know you have money. I know you can get money easily. As easy as a snap of your fingers. You have so many supporters and probably puppies every where. Be your thru self. People who are in need of money are not your kind. They are the kind that needs money to buy real food, real warmth for the family and education for their child. Not the kind that deserves GODS' help for money so that she can travel around the world and start blogging about nothing and trying to become a celebrity. Don't be a hypocrite. It will only make things worst for you.

    I love GOD truly, in his name, and the name of his son, AMEN.

    I am the Anonymous. The anonymous that loves GOD and the only son that he has sacrificed for us. For our wrong doings.

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  13. yo anon, what did nicole ever did to u? killed your whole family ah? she borrowed rm50 from u and never pay back ah? if u dislike nicole so much y dun u stop reading her blog..y u so busybody on her life? r u a stalker or what..of all the hypocrites in this world u r the worst kind preaching about GOD using HIS name to justify whatever crap u spew out which doesnt make sense anyway. stoooopid

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  14. Chill...its just a comment box...we can have our own opinion once in a while..ohya..nicole dont over starve urself...

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  15. how much do you need?
    how much do you spend a month?
    how much do you earn a month?
    how much cash in your bank account?

    the diff between a rich and poor, is, they got answer for all the question above, and the poor church mouse do nothing....

    get a piece a paper/spreadsheet, write down and email to the Pastor......

    oldman..waiting

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  16. Well, its a good way/excuse to start dieting. Eg, not enough money to buy food. Hehe

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  17. how much do you need?
    how much do you spend a month?
    how much do you earn a month?
    how much cash in your bank account?

    quoted from anonymous,
    this is so true...
    plan out your expenditure...
    but then again...
    we're still young people... we often spend as much as we can afford and worry about hunger later... especially true for girls eh... hahaha ^_^

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  18. U got any more coins hiding around? I need some moolah too!

    *brings a coin vacumm machine (patent pending)*

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  19. Yeah, coins are gold in temporary poverty. If I got no money, I'll fasting.

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  20. poor Nicole,maybe u can set up a "Pls Save Nicole" Fundat internet...maybe it can earn u a fortune??:-P

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  21. How did 6 cents end under the keyboard? lol.

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  22. you just wanna show off and tell everyone that u travel alot -____-

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  23. Ahh...coins...well, I keep them in a container and use them when I need them so yup...never underestimate coins. :D Btw, better use up all those 1 cents before they become invalid. :P

    If you haven't started then maybe this is a good time to start practising budgeting and proper spending? Maybe I shouldn't be saying that since I'm guilty for overspending and splurging on stuff. :P but that still doesn't mean budgeting is bad. :D

    Oh well, I believe you'll survive through this little hiccup. :)

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  24. just let me noe if u need money, ok.

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  25. Yeah, coins work wonders in time of need. At least you're richer than me. I have negative money, debts more than income. T_T

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  26. poor mouse.

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  27. nicole is just magnifying a very insignificant problem to entertain those who reads her blog...

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  28. Poor Nicole, have u eaten anything today?

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  29. My response to this anonymous:

    --------------------------------
    Anonymous said...

    yo anon, what did nicole ever did to u? killed your whole family ah? she borrowed rm50 from u and never pay back ah? if u dislike nicole so much y dun u stop reading her blog..y u so busybody on her life? r u a stalker or what..of all the hypocrites in this world u r the worst kind preaching about GOD using HIS name to justify whatever crap u spew out which doesnt make sense anyway. stoooopid

    --------------------------------

    Why are you so upset for? When did I ever say I dislike Nicole. Please don't put words in my mouth. I have said before, 'she is free to write, i am free to comment...'

    Think about it. If someone has no money, you think they have to time to take nice pictures of coin, purse and snack packs? She is just blogging. And I am doing is reading and commenting. You are more upset than Nicole! I did not even get a bad mouth back from her. Because she understood. It is a blogging site. Open to commentaries.

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  30. Now this anonymous gets the picture...

    -------------------------------------
    Anonymous said...

    nicole is just magnifying a very insignificant problem to entertain those who reads her blog...
    ------------------------------------

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  31. I don't know how many "anonymous" people are talking here and i'm getting confused.... but stop using God's name to tell Nicole off. Firstly, she has done nothing wrong. Secondly, God does not tell us to scold people or leave angry remarks. If you are not happy, don't read. Go to church. You need help, not Nicole.

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  32. i see your blog create more arguments than anything else...hahah... anyways, think you better concentrate more on the assignments...:)

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  33. quoted from anonymous,
    this is so true...
    plan out your expenditure...
    but then again...
    we're still young people... we often spend as much as we can afford and worry about hunger later... especially true for girls eh... hahaha ^_^
    ///

    1. Have many boy friends.
    2. Have few God Fathers.
    3. Have few Sugar Daddy,
    4. Blog- advertisement....your asset!

    Don't think how to spend money. Always think how to make money when you are young.
    Spend Rm1/= is easy, Save one cent is difficult.

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  34. "Don't be a hypocrite. It will only make things worst for you."
    How sure are you? She doesn't need to fake that she's poor just to be famous. Or just to entertain people.
    Please respect her.

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  35. "Don't be a hypocrite. It will only make things worst for you."
    How sure are you? She doesn't need to fake that she's poor just to be famous. Or just to entertain people.
    Please respect her.

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  36. one thing every mom says
    to her kids is that everything
    can save but not on food.

    have proper meals on regular
    time.

    Eg. was on this europe group tour and this family ate cup noodles and bah kua whenever meals were not provided.
    If can afford thousands of dollars
    trip but dont want to spend on meals.
    Then they wonder why they are not
    feeling well during the trip

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  37. Blogger WoMbOk™♂ said...

    How did 6 cents end under the keyboard? lol.
    -----------------------------------

    Exactly!

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  38. i agree with anonymous. the glaring new pink ipod,..no money? start working, spend what you earn rather than sitting there whining about choices and decisions.

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  39. Wow,so...strong.

    Anyway,do whatever you like and I think that you should ignore negative comments.

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  40. jingwei said...

    I don't know how many "anonymous" people are talking here and i'm getting confused.... but stop using God's name to tell Nicole off. Firstly, she has done nothing wrong. Secondly, God does not tell us to scold people or leave angry remarks. If you are not happy, don't read. Go to church. You need help, not Nicole.

    ---------------------------------
    JingWei,

    No one has said she did anything wrong. Don't misread. It's all comments. I did not say I wasn't happy either. You have misread everything. I bet Nicole is enjoying all these comments. More and more of us are dropping in lines of thought. She has to be happy because all she needs is audience. Check out this site. Ponder on all the advertisements. These advertisements are not free on her site. I bet they paid her well. And advertisers will not put ads on your blog site unless it is a will hit blog site.

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  41. Hmm.. man I am so blessed to be able to afford a new electric guitar.

    I am thinking of a multi-effects pedal next, maybe a zoom g1x or something. Hehehehe.

    or maybe a cheaper behringer gdi21 with a built-in di box with ground lift....

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  42. Actually in real life, the mouse of the Church is rich, cause the bible said, Give and you shall receive back onto you pressed down, shaken together, running over, more than enough.

    hehe

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  43. I think wht nicole really got was 9 cents only...haah...u are hilarious as well as pretty. i like ur blog.

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  44. to anonymous who continually mentions 'God' in all your comments:

    like another reader said above, please stop using His name to try and prove your a good citizen of this world, who portrays himself/herself as much wiser than the people here. its not polite. why don't u start a blog yourself thats true and hypocrite-free...

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  45. Hah...if they wanna read, you can't stop them; if they wanna comment, let them comment; it's YOUR blog, anyway, and you can write what you want. It just goes to show there are all kinds of people with all kinds of mentality. Have a nice day, Nicole. :-)

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  46. to anonymous who continually mentions 'God' in all your comments:

    your opinionated comments really bug me...

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  47. Hey, you know what. I don't mean to tease you but i think you look a little like Eva Mendes. Hahaha

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  48. How good of still be able to find RM2.59 around your house...I think I wanna search around my house as well...hehehe

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  49. yes yes ...
    we know that you're a
    certified poor deep sea diver.

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  50. that mimi cost you RM0.50 meh?

    cos I see the big packet cost you RM2.00 dy...

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  51. Anna said...

    to anonymous who continually mentions 'God' in all your comments:

    like another reader said above, please stop using His name to try and prove your a good citizen of this world, who portrays himself/herself as much wiser than the people here. its not polite. why don't u start a blog yourself thats true and hypocrite-free...

    ---------------------------------
    Dear Anna,

    I will. My site will be honest and serious. No nonsense and lies.

    Nicole latest is to travel around the world for 2 years. I thought she just told us few days ago that she only has cents and flat broke???!!! Go figure guys!

    Check out May Leng's site. She is more honest to me. She actually declared that she got a beautiful BMW 5 series thru blogging. Just see how we readers make them rich. WOW!

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  52. lol.. all the ppl here jz like to argue and find faults, its good Nicole have this dream, live life to the fullest bcoz u nvr know when is ur last day, Nicole uve done a good job

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  53. I see... you are iPod user as well. Saw the pink iPod Nano on your table.

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  54. Hi Anonymous

    I am a true fan of that 5 series, and was taken aback by what you said. Thus I decided to do some research.

    I checked out May Leng's site, and it seems the 5 series does not belong to her. Its just a friend taking her for a ride.

    If money would come so easy by blogging, I guess everyone would quit their jobs and start blogging to drive a 5 series.

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  55. Kelly said...

    Hi Anonymous

    I am a true fan of that 5 series, and was taken aback by what you said. Thus I decided to do some research.

    I checked out May Leng's site, and it seems the 5 series does not belong to her. Its just a friend taking her for a ride.

    If money would come so easy by blogging, I guess everyone would quit their jobs and start blogging to drive a 5 series.

    ---------------------------
    Kelly,

    Check the post on Wilayah. May Leng herself claimed that she got the car thru blogging. I did not make it up. You may have read the wrong post.

    But not all will blog successfully. I for one will start a blogging site soon. But not for money. My site will mostly deal with health issues. I have experienced a lot of health issues and would like to share it with others on how to conquer it. So, my site will not have that many readers but only for readers who are looking to help relieve stress and pain in the body.

    Thanks Kelly.

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  56. Hi Anonymous

    I am a true fan of that 5 series, and was taken aback by what you said. Thus I decided to do some research.

    I checked out May Leng's site, and it seems the 5 series does not belong to her. Its just a friend taking her for a ride.

    If money would come so easy by blogging, I guess everyone would quit their jobs and start blogging to drive a 5 series.
    ---------------------------------
    Dear Kelly,

    Here is the address about May Leng's toy:

    http://doink-justme.blogspot.com/2006/12/bas-mini-wilayah.html

    She is honest, atleast to me she is.

    JR.

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  57. I had never thought that your declaration of "no money" will trigger such argument. Anyway, my first impression when reading this entry is : this is your blog, you can tell people whatever you want. Whether a million dollar or just few penny is consider "broke" by someone is rather subjective. I would imagine if Sir Alan Sugar only have a millon pound, he would say that he is BROKE! Anyway, I want to drop by to say that I am waiting for your exciting travel blog stories. But be careful when you are about to traveling alobe. And keep on a good work on this blog!

    Your UK's fan :-)

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  58. wow wow, democracy is practiced here, great.

    i found my way here while checking out nuffnang.

    anyway, this post is funny hahaha! who cares if it's truth or just blogofiction? maybe i should find some time to coin hunt myself, since i lose coins at home all the time hahaha, maybe i will be able to find more money than you.

    anyway, cheers~

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  59. takes me few hours to read & loo at the photos. what's nicole doing? she's blogging & she tried to tell all every bits of situation she's in so the blogs will be more interesting. not just travel & enjoy, the hardship of it too. why wanted to argue. she didn't ask nor beg for any money from us. in fact i'm more interested to join the travelling maybe a country at a time not so many to avoid such situation to happen to myself.

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