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Check out local artist Michelle Fung’s latest collection of eco-minded art prints, Hong Kong 2084, which celebrates the natural beauty of our hometown, while highlighting the ever-increasing issue of plastic pollution. 20% of sales from the six art prints will be donated to DBbased Plastic Free Seas (PFS). “I wanted to pay Hong Kong tribute and raise money for a charity that speaks to me,” says Michelle of the beautiful new collection. Hong Kong 2084 reimagines the city’s fantastical sustainable future, where historical, contemporary and futuristic green buildings co-exist, and where endangered animals flourish. If the artist had a magic wand, this is how she would have her city in 2084. Marine plastic pollution has long been an issue close to the artist’s heart. Her body of work Plastic, plastic, everywhere! (2015-2019) has garnered multiple local and international awards as a short film, an illustrated book and installations. PFS believes that art can raise awareness and even promote behaviour change, and they have been following Michelle’s work for years. “It is a pleasure to partner with Michelle on this project which ultimately speaks to our mission to reduce the use of single-use plastic for the health of our planet – the ocean, the animals, the plants and the people,” says PFS Director Dana Winograd. To purchase a Hong Kong 2084 print, visit www.michelleksfung.com/hongkong2084 . To find out more about Plastic Free Seas, visit www.plasticfreeseas.org .

In partnership with Hong Kong Shark Foundation, DB teens Mimi Smith and Krishiv Khatri, and fellow West Island School student King Hin Lau, have set up The Shark Sanctuary, an NFT collection of 8,888 sharks. The aim is to raise awareness and fundraise on the issue of shark finning, which kills over 100 million sharks annually. An initial drop of 888 NFTs began on April 15. To do your bit, adopt a shark at the-shark-sanctuary.webflow.io . < photo courtesy of the shark sanctuary.> photo courtesy of the shark sanctuary.>

In May, Discovery Bay Golf Club (DBGC) presented its first-ever Honorary Membership to homegrown DB golfer Taichi Kho, to recognise his dedication, passion and pursuit of excellence in golf, and to celebrate what he has achieved for golf both in Hong Kong and internationally. “I am truly honoured to receive the Honorary Membership; my first memory of golfing was playing 9 holes on Ruby at DBGC,” Taichi said in his acceptance speech. “What I have accomplished is truly a whole team effort; a big part goes to my parents, for what they do and sacrifice. It is also a team effort with DBGC because I got the privileges and facilities and the support from everyone at the club.” Eddie Chan, DBGC’s General Manager said, “We are proud of the golfer spirit Taichi represents. Our club has long been dedicated to nurturing young and talented golfers, and it has been a great honour to support Taichi’s passion and professional development since he first joined us at five years old.” Over the years, DBGC has witnessed the professional development of Taichi from junior golfer, to now the highest ranked amateur golfer in Hong Kong. The runner-up in last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, Taichi will be the first Hong Kong golfer to play in the Qualifying Series of The Open, which takes place in St Andrews, Scotland in July 2022. < photos courtesy of dbgc.> photos courtesy of dbgc.>

There won’t be much dragon boat racing during Tuen Ng Festival (June 3) this year, but teams across DB are already training hard for the rescheduled race day on October 9. LBC Pirates (pictured) holds dragon boat training sessions at Tai Pak Wan in the evenings on weekdays and early on Sunday mornings. The team is open for DB residents to join, and no experience is needed. To get involved, send an email to paddling-chair@lantauboatclub.com . < photos BY ="BY" Richard="Richard" Gordon="Gordon" - www.richardgordonphotography.com.=">www.richardgordonphotography.com."> photos>

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LAB-CREATED DIAMONDS PHOTOS BY pexels Diamonds are the most preferred gemstone, which is no wonder dealers go to any length to source them, and users would do anything to buy them. Diamonds are loved for their sparkle and radiance, high quality and all-time classic feel. While more mined diamonds are being rigorously sourced, the ecosystem is experiencing a share of notable dangers. Mining factories are polluting the environment with dangerous exhausts. But all these still doesn't take away the fact that people desire diamonds. Recently, to meet the ever-increasing demand for diamonds, there has been widespread popularity in the purchase of lab-grown diamonds for use as jewellery. Lab-grown diamonds are heavily portrayed as eco-friendly and sustainable. This article explains why they are thought so and why they are safer for the environment. They are Eco-Friendly Whether we admit it or not, activities like mining are causing significant environmental damage that is already taking a toll on the ecosystem. As nations join hands to raise a global cry against ecological degradation, the world is encouraged to embrace eco-friendly production mechanisms. Lab-grown diamonds override the natural processes that occur in the production of mined diamonds and the mining process it takes to reach them. There is no need for any lands to be dug out, not to talk of restoration acts . All production processes occur in a factory, and by comparison, there is far less pollution to go into the environment. For a long time standing, mining has been associated with environmental degradation . Most of the damage done is never really restorable. Even when they are, it takes years for the environment to return to its original state. They are Sustainable There is a far lesser risk of environmental degradation due to pollution with lab-grown diamonds. No more lands need to be destroyed from mining , and our trees can remain to contribute their positive quota to the ecosystem. Other negative impacts of mining diamonds include soil erosion, water and air pollution, and carbon emission increase. With mined diamonds come issues like the sale of fake diamonds. Once these items are detected, they have no use but to be discarded, further contributing to the carbon footprint. Asides from worrying environmental impacts, the consciousness that natural diamonds take billions of years to form is quite alarming. We may be exploiting these rare gems faster than the earth can replenish. Natural diamonds may become even scarcer in years to come after all reserves have been exhausted. Indeed, lab-grown diamonds are eco-friendly , and producing them significantly decreases all of these issues and more. They have created a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way of producing diamonds. They Don’t Destroy Natural Habitat The production of lab-grown gemstones barely has an impact on the immediate environment . No forest trees are felled, and no animals are displaced. The issue of deforestation and animal displacement associated with mining is fast causing the extinction of biodiversity. At other times, the purity of the immediate environment becomes so disturbed that animals and vegetation may not survive. They Consume Less Energy Mining diamonds requires heavy machinery that consume an equal amount of heavy energy. Energy from fossil fuels and natural gas are non-renewable and therefore very unsustainable. Moreover, as these energies are consumed, they lead to a high dump of emitted carbon, greenhouse gases, and other unwanted chemical substances into the environment. Emissions like this cause smog and cause health problems for humans, plants, and animals. Laboratory production of diamonds requires less energy that can be readily sourced from renewable energy sources . These energy sources are not only renewable but also without dangerous emissions. The difference in carbon emitted by the production of mined and lab-grown diamonds is at 5700 grams to 0.02 grams per carat. Such huge differences make lab production a highly needed alternative for energy conservation and environmental health. Conclusion There is an increasing rise in the world's preference for eco-friendly products, and lab-grown diamonds have not been left out. When compared to mined diamonds, they are eco-friendly in every sense. Lab diamonds are not only eco-friendly but also ethical and sustainable. We can comfortably maintain our glow with them while still wearing a confident smile, knowing that our environment is safe.

Teacher and artist – or is it artist and teacher? – Fiona Kennedy Altoft embarks on a new adventure with a decidedly DB perspective to guide her. Elizabeth Kerr reports PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com When Discovery College Head of Visual Arts, art teacher and artist Fiona Kennedy Altoft parks herself in front of her computer for yet another video chat, she’s the first to admit she’s of two minds about the phenomenon that has quickly jumped from the realm of sci-fi to daily life. She’ll cop to the fact that for the bulk of the past two years, her laundry has been heavy on shirts. Really, who’s needed fresh trousers every day? Fiona is what you might expect of a working artist. Her blonde hair is offset by bright teal glasses and she’s sitting in her studio with canvases scattered in the background. A laptop tour reveals more of them, some being packed up for the move back to Australia this coming summer. The conversation jumps around, from creating art in the digital age and what exactly NFT art is (the jury’s still out on full comprehension of that one), to how quickly we’ve all adapted to life online. “You get into habits fast,” Fiona says with a chuckle. “I was always saying I didn’t want to go online but then I found that teaching remotely has its advantages. I would look at the clock and say, ‘Oh, I’ve got a 40-minute gap, I’ll just have a lie down.’ You can’t do that at school.” EDUCATOR Fiona is a small-town girl, so to speak, and it shows in her gregarious nature and genuine affection for a good jabber. After growing up in Roma, a little town of just under 7,000, she went to secondary school in Toowoomba and then university roughly 500 kilometres away in Brisbane to study art at Queensland University of Technology. The BA in visual arts was followed by a degree in education, because Fiona was convinced teaching was in her future somehow. She was right. She got married to Grant Altoft, also a teacher (also at DC in the Individuals & Societies department) and moved to Gold Coast at 24, where she taught and headed up a few art departments, most prominently at Marymount College Burleigh. “I got lucky with work and wound up as head of several departments at a few schools. was good to teachers. I wanted time to do my art and asked for a year off and they gave it to me,” she recalls. That year off, 2007, was partially successful: Fiona achieved quite a bit but didn’t like it as much as she thought she would. “Art is lonely work, schools are very social,” she says with a laugh. “At home trying to paint by myself all day was isolating. After a few months I was ready to talk to someone, ready to be back in the classroom.” Needless to say, Fiona bristles at the notion of “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” “You hear that kind of snobbery all the time,” she scoffs. “‘Oh, you’re not an artist, you’re an art teacher.’ It’s why I make my teachers exhibit. The students love it. I think some don’t even realise it’s possible to be a working artist-teacher. I find it exhilarating that they trust me, and that I have certain skills.” That belief slots nicely beside supporting students in their decisions, providing a safe space (her art room) for them to resolve issues and assuring them, at 12 years-old, that there’s plenty of time to blossom into the next Dalí. ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Fiona was 40, when she decided to ditch Gold Coast for DB, proving you’re never too old to switch lanes. After winning Queensland’s Alan Drury Excellence in Teaching Award, she and Grant – now with children Isabella and Harper, 10 and eight at the time – decided a change of pace was in order. “At that stage it was do something drastic or we’ll retire here,” says Fiona. “Gold Coast was great: good school, nice students, great staff; it’s got a beach. There’s no reason to leave other than boredom. I took time off here and there to have kids, to travel, to work on my art. There was 17 years of that.” The Drury prize meant the family could afford to test the waters without fear of not being able to feed the kids. “That was it. We both wanted to teach overseas so we thought let’s do it.” Plans were helped along by an invitation to be artist in residence and teacher at DC, so nine years ago the Altofts made the move to Discovery Bay, where everyone found a liveable balance between small town and big city. Aside from the obvious appeal of jettisoning a sometimes 90-minute commute to work – “We got here and we were so excited to be able to walk to work” – DB ticked boxes for the Altofts from the get-go. “The kids were little and the community was a blessing,” Fiona says. “You soon know everyone in the plaza, and everyone in the pub. It’s very small town, and some people like that. Some don’t. We love it.” PORTRAIT PAINTER Over the years, Fiona has carved out an artistic legacy that has seen her work land in collections in Hong Kong, the UK, Canada, Italy, Thailand and at home in Australia. She’s won awards and exhibited around the world. And her painting, largely acrylics, took a turn after the culture shock she claims she experienced upon arrival in Hong Kong. (When asked about her childhood, she says simply, “I grew up very white.”) Surrounded by people from 80 different nationalities on any given day and what everyone in Hong Kong knows as ‘third-culture kids,’ Fiona found herself exploring issues of race, sexuality and gender through her art. Similarly, she found herself drawn to contemporary artists that explore the same themes: Deborah Roberts, Jordan Casteel, Ben Quilty. Fiona’s portraits, vibrantly coloured collages with bold brush strokes, mix and match her subjects to create new identities and so reinforce the fundamental universality of humanity. Like many artists in the 21st century, Fiona is leaning into the digital domain; check out her website, www.fionakennedyaltoft.com, or find her on Instagram. “Things like Instagram make for a whole new world, and it’s much smaller… There’s always going to be the hold-outs but in the last few years, art has become more about sharing and support,” she says, pointing to personal favourite Deborah Roberts, and how she’s exploited platforms like Instagram to be generous with her time and wisdom, as well as cut out the elite gallery element that demands large chunks of a n artist’s income. All that being said, you can catch Fiona’s work in person this month. Though a spot at the Affordable Art Fair evaporated when the event wound up with less space than it needed, Fiona is showing at Hong Kong Arts Collective’s Square Prints Gen Two, launching May 7 at Musubi Hiro in Central (some sale proceeds are going to Impact Hong Kong). Come summer, the Altofts are heading back to Roma to decompress and think about their next move, possibly to Europe. “We travelled like maniacs when we got here, and in Europe you can hop on a flight for £20 and be in Amsterdam for the weekend just like that. You don’t get anywhere for that in Australia, and it’s so far from everything.” But art isn’t going anywhere, and Fiona is going to continue exploring the ideas she woke up to in Hong Kong. “I remember my sister taking her husband from El Salvador back to the tiny town we lived in and not getting the support she thought she would,” finishes Fiona when asked about the story she’d like her art to tell. “Things are very fluid right now, so I’d like to send a message of acceptance.”

Time to rent a convertible and tear down the Pacific Coast Highway PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels The Pacific Coast Highway snakes some 198 kilometres along the California coast, and has been designated an All-American Road, one of the country’s most scenic. Hugging the cliffs, it’s extremely narrow in places with sharp drop-offs providing glorious views of the ocean below. There are amazing places to stay along the way. In Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park the roads and trails are lined with redwoods, sycamores and ferns. Head down Sycamore Canyon Road to Pfeiffer Beach, a long-time hippie haunt known for its ‘good vibrations.’ The crescent-shaped beach is dominated by a huge, arched rock formation through which surf and sunlight stream in equal quantities. Picture perfect Carmel-by-the-Sea comprises whimsical cottages, inns, shops and galleries. It’s home to artists, poets, actors and the seriously well-heeled. Take a walk on the mile-long Carmel River State Beach, visit the 1919 home of poet Robinson Jeffers, and treat yourself to a round of golf at world-class Pebble Beach Golf Links. Bixby Creek Bridge is one of the world’s highest single-span bridges, arching 80 metres high and 200 metres across. Lauded for its graceful architecture and magnificent setting, it was completed in 1932, five years before the Golden Gate Bridge came up in San Francisco Bay. The road to Monterey is lined with pretty beaches from which you can spot all kinds of marine life, including sea lions, harbour seals, bat rays, pelicans and dolphins. Stay at Cannery Row in Fisherman’s Wharf, where the old canning factories have been converted into a gentrified strip of hotels, gift shops, seafood restaurants and bars. Retro-hip Santa Cruz is best known for its beach boardwalk and ‘50s-style amusement park. As a tourist you feel like you’ve walked straight on to a film set, and the 1987 vampire movie The Lost Boys was in fact filmed here. You meet surfers, hippies, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs (slumming it) and loads of students. All hail Big Sur: a 145-kilometre stretch of pure scenic bliss. Here the coastline gets truly dramatic – elemental even – as massive waves beat against the rocks and towering redwood groves stretch skyward. It’s easy to understand why Henry Miller, who lived in Big Sur for 18 years, said it was here that he learned to say amen.

Make Mother's day on May 8 by giving her a sweet and delicious floral treat Photos Courtesy of Adobe Stock Makes 1.13 litres 295ml soy milk 8 sprigs fresh lavender 14-oz can full-fat coconut milk 100g granulated sugar Warm the soy milk on a medium heat until it begins to boil. Stir in the lavender flowers and buds. Cover and remove from the heat. Allow to steep for 20 minutes. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl. Pour the soy milk through the strainer to remove the lavender. Whisk in the coconut milk and sugar. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, then freeze in an ice-cream maker. Top with lavender petals to serve.

Greening your home decor is easier than you might think, and not only will it reduce your carbon footprint, it could save you a heap of cash. Jane Drew reports PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” So said William Morris at a lecture before the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design in 1880. It’s still a good maxim to live (and decorate) by but for the contemporary home decorator there’s something missing – there’s no reference to our desire to live in an environmentally conscious way. If Morris were lecturing in Birmingham this month, he would probably say: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be both eco-friendly and useful, or believe to be beautiful. So how do you go about creating an environmentally aware home filled with useful and beautiful eco-friendly pieces? REDUCE YOUR SPENDING Tip one: shop less. Eco-friendly decorators aren’t blind followers of home fashion, nor do they shop for recreation. They might donate or sell items that aren’t ‘useful’ or that they no longer consider ‘beautiful’ but they won’t replace furnishings for the sake of it, and they’re unlikely to remodel their homes every couple of years to keep up with the Joneses. Eco-friendly decorating isn’t about constantly buying new or more; it’s about breathing new life into old pieces and reworking what you already own. UPCYCLE AND REPURPOSE The simplest and easiest way to green your home is to bring a few plants inside. In addition to improving the air quality, indoor plants are also a great way to brighten up an otherwise dull corner. If your home decor is looking tired, simply painting the walls can make all the difference. Choose eco-friendly paints that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful to both your family and the environment. Another quick fix? Move the furniture around, refresh photo frames and rearrange your artwork. It may take a bit of work but DIY-ing your old stuff into new stuff is more satisfying than buying new. By switching up the upholstery on a faded sofa, you can reinvent a room. You can also restain or repaint wooden pieces to give them a fresh new look and cover any visible signs of wear and tear. If your creative side refuses to come out, hire someone else to do the job. Upcycling is much cheaper than buying new, and the upcycled pieces will still feel new to you. Finding new uses f or old objects is another fun way to green your home. Turning a piano into a bookshelf or a phone booth into a couch is too much to ask of most of us, but a simple project like using an old trunk as a coffee table, or a vase as a cutlery jar can be an interesting, eco-boosting exercise. TURN ON TO VINTAGE There are times, of course, when you really need a ‘new’ piece of furniture, and your most eco-aware option is to buy vintage. Investing in sturdy, timeless designs will ensure that your home decor never goes out of style and, if the vintage item you find has stood the test of time thus far, it’s likely to serve you well long into the future. Assuming you want to shop locally, 2nd Chance in Mui Wo is a good first port of call for pre-loved furnishings of all kinds. The store stocks an impressive selection of second-hand furniture and home accessories. And if you’re after a vintage-look Chinese piece, head to one of the warehouses in Ap Lei Chau, where many of the wedding cabinets and so-called Ming chairs have been put together using wood salvaged from genuine antiques. If you can’t find anything to your taste locally, eBay is a great place to explore the vintage vibe though you’ll need to watch your carbon footprint. THINK SUSTAINABLE If vintage really isn’t your thing, you’ll likely have to pay a bit more for contemporary pieces that are genuinely eco-friendly. Look to brands that are focused on ethical labour standards and fair trade; firms that give back to the artisans and communities who make their pieces and are passionate about cutting-edge design. Most importantly, choose pieces that are made from sustainable materials – anything from fast-growing bamboo to naturally replenishing cork. Recycled plastic, glass or aluminium can also be classed as sustainable in this context, since we are unlikely ever to run out of them. There are so many sustainable materials available, and in the hands of the right designer, they are varied enough in colour, texture and purpose to outfit an entire home. For textiles, think wool, linen, organic cotton and hemp; for rugs, sisal, seagrass, coir, jute, wool and bamboo. Wood is your friend, as long as its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or reclaimed, as is natural stone. Of course, all-natural marble or travertine tiles come with a hefty price tag but it works out cheaper to splurge on a quality sustainably sourced material that will last a lifetime, than to pay peanuts for something that you will need to replace in a year or two. DONATE WHAT YOU DON’T NEED When refreshing your decor, it’s likely that you’ll need to get rid of a few pieces, and these you can choose to donate or sell rather than trash. Even if you don’t make any money, the item has transferred its value to someone else (and more importantly, hasn’t ended up in a landfill). Don’t assume that just because it is used or old or no longer to your taste no one will want it. Buying, selling, and trading locally helps everyone involved without harming the environment, and there are plenty of ways to do this within DB. You can place small household items, toys and clothes in the Environmental Toy Houses located at Brilliance Court, La Costa and Midvale Village. The items donated are collected by local social enterprise DB Mothers & Friends, which redistributes them to people in need. DB Mothers & Friends (find them on Facebook) also arranges door-to-door collections of larger household items for a small fee, with the next round of pick-ups scheduled for May 10. Alternatively, there are lots of DB-based Facebook groups for buying, selling and swapping items, as well as ‘swapping corners’ in many of the villages. Your unwanted armchair or bookcase may be just what someone else needs to complete their functional, beautiful and eco-friendly home decor.

PHOTO BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com Myriad Global Logistics (MGL) is a boutique, Hong Kong-based, freight-forwarding company offering air, ocean, rail and road delivery solutions for all types of cargo from small parcels to household removals and heavy industrial projects. The company is a subsidiary of Infinity Group, a large, local freight forwarder and logistics operator with US$200-million revenue, 200+ team members and 14 offices in Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. “As Managing Director of MGL, I am one of the owners of the business and I lead a small team of freight-forwarding and customer-service specialists,” opens Scott McArthur, who worked in logistics on several continents before settling in Discovery Bay some 23 years ago. “I am responsible for overseeing all commercial activity and day-to-day operations. “As well as offering traditional freight-forwarding services to the automotive, promotional goods, electronics and toys sectors, we provide e-commerce international delivery solutions to many leading global e-commerce vendors,” Scott adds. “MGL now also handles an increasing number of international household relocations, including family car transportation.” Scott launched MGL in August 2019, and he admits it was a tough time to get a new project off the ground. “When COVID hit just 12 months later, we had to re-identify ourselves,” he says. “I’d done a couple of household removals for friends so I got together with a local Chinese company who do all the professional packaging for shipping – for any business we get, they do the local side here in Hong Kong and I handle the international shipping.” MGL prides itself on providing comprehensive door-to-door solutions for its international household removals. It handles everything from packing and storage, to transportation and customs clearance. No shipment is too small, and shared container spaces can be negotiated as required. Family car transport is a specialty at MGL, not least because Scott has built up relationships with a number of leading car manufacturers over the years. “My main business has been car transport, not just second-hand cars but working with the companies that do the tooling work and make spare parts for large automotive companies like Land Rover, Jaguar and Ford,” he explains. “As a result, I know the exact needs of the shipping owners, and can provide the best possible service for families looking to transport their cars overseas.” In just under three years, MGL has built its reputation as a go-to, full-service international moving company, as is evidenced by its excellent customer service reviews. “Our customers are our most important asset, and making sure they feel well looked after is a priority,” Scott says. “Customer service is our focus; we assist clients with all requirements when it comes to order fulfillment and delivery. “MGL is a worldwide freight forwarder and has an exclusive global network of international agents ensuring complete logistical support for all international cargo requirements,” Scott concludes. “Our goal is to provide quality logistical solutions, which exceed clients’ expectations at a competitive price.” To know more about Myriad Global Logistics (MGL), email the Managing Director, DB-based Scott McArthur, at scott@myriadgbl.com or visit www.myriad-logistics.com.

How old do your kids have to be before you can start teaching them the financial facts of life, and how do you go about it? Joe Dobbs reports PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels I knew by the time my daughter Amy was three that she had inherited her grandmother’s ‘consumer gene.’ From when she was very young, Amy was into pretty things (particularly shiny, pink pretty things) and she wanted lots of them. Amy wasn’t born a window shopper. If she fell for a Hello Kitty lunchbox in a store, ‘just looking’ wasn’t enough, she wanted to own it. At this age, it was fairly easy for my wife and I to distract our budding shopaholic from potential pink purchases, but we quickly realised that we needed to teach her about money, and specifically that it doesn’t grow on trees. First lesson, and a hard one for any kid: You may have to wait to buy something you want. How to get this message across? In a store, I’d explain that we were there to buy a gift for a friend that day, and that I didn’t have extra cash in my wallet to buy something for Amy. If an expensive item caught her eye, we’d discuss why this purchase would have to wait until October (birthday month), or Christmas. WANTS AND NEEDS Once Amy was five or so (able to add and subtract), we began to look at the prices for treats she wanted in the supermarket, and she’d help me count out the money. Most days we’d have enough money for a packet of crisps and a chocolate bar or two but occasionally she’d have to decide which item she wanted more. This decision-making process allowed me to introduce Amy to the concept of ‘wants and needs’ – did she really need two chocolate bars or would one suffice? Then we talked more generally about the financial expenses that Mummy and Daddy have to meet each month, such as groceries, school fees and electricity bills, and why finding the money for these has to be a priority. Amy began to understand that sometimes not all her demands could be met, as needs are more important than wants. From early on, we also talked about earning money – introducing the concept that people (Mummy and Daddy included) go to work in order to make a certain amount each month. We’re living in an age when children think milk comes from plastic bottles, fruit comes from grocery stores and money comes from the ATM machine. It was important to teach Amy that ATMs and credit cards aren’t a means of money on demand; rather, they are connected to your bank account, and you can only withdraw what you’ve saved. Even tiny tots can learn the value of money, where it comes from, and that it is finite. INTRODUCING ALLOWANCES The best way to learn about money is of course to have a little of your own, which is where allowances come in. Due in part to her inherited shopaholic tendencies, we started Amy off with a small allowance age six. We gave her HK$100 a week, and out of this she knew she had to buy her own after-school sweets, sodas and stickers. Through trial and error, she quickly learnt how to make her allowance stretch. She discovered that if she blew it all on a Monday, there’d be no more treats until the following week. From the beginning, we made it clear that Amy wasn’t being paid for doing her chores (these she knew she did for free) but we did give her the opportunity to earn bonuses for behaving well. Each week we started with a bonus but she knew it could be removed as a consequence of bad behaviour. The main reason we give kids an allowance is to allow them to learn to spend wisely, save and share. Remember piggy banks? Until very recently, Amy had three jars in her bedroom, labelled ‘Saving,’ ‘Spending’ and ‘Sharing.’ She learned to divide her allowance between the jars, using the money in her spending jar for small purchases, the money in the sharing jar for donations to various causes, and the money in the saving jar for more expensive items. My wife and I always kept an eye on the saving jar in particular. It’s great for children to have a goal, such as to buy a toy, but you need to set them up for success. Make sure the item is not so pricey that they won’t be able to afford it for months. Early on, we came up with a matching programme to help Amy reach her goal (get her toy) in a reasonable time frame. Maybe we spoilt her but we put in a dollar, for every two dollars she saved. MANAGING MONEY Now, aged 13, Amy has her own bank account. She handles her own monthly allowance, and I’ve made sure that it’s large enough to allow spending beyond what is absolutely necessary, but not so large as to seem inexhaustible. The amount she receives mirrors that of most of her friends, though one boy at school gets a lot more. This lad’s excessive spending power led to an interesting and, I think, valuable discussion recently about the realities of our family’s financial situation. My wife and I continue to be very clear about what Amy pays for from her allowance. For example, we pay for things like ferry tickets and phone bills, she pays for ‘extras,’ like cosmetics or takeout from Starbucks. We pay for the clothes she needs, if she wants yet another pair of big-brand trainers, she pays for it herself. In order to encourage saving, I’ve taught Amy to write everything down – to ‘keep the books.’ Instead of relying on her end-of-month bank statement, she has a simple spreadsheet, with columns for the date, the allowance amount paid, and the running total. If she takes money out of her account, she notes down the date and the amount, and what she bought. This way she can track her spending, and her savings. Rather incredibly (at least to me), Amy does have savings, and she doesn’t let the money in her account fall below a certain amount. If a purchase would reduce her account below her set minimum, she waits until she has more money before making that purchase. Of course, there are occasions when Amy comes to me expressing a desperate need for some ‘essential extra,’ which her savings can’t quite cover. For this I’m grateful, as it has allowed me to open a discussion about borrowing and debt. We talked the other day about credit cards – how getting money in this way is like taking out a loan. Amy understands that if you don’t pay your bill in full every month, you’ll be charged interest and owe more than you originally spent. I cannot bring myself to charge my child interest, but I do make sure that any amount borrowed is paid back within the allotted time period. It’s clear to my wife and I that time spent with Amy on all of this could be one of the most rewarding investments we’ll ever make.

Do you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good quality sleep? Samantha Wong shares some proven ways to overcome insomnia PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels The most well recognised cause of insomnia is… you guessed it, stress. Both acute insomnia, which lasts a few days, and chronic insomnia, which renders you unable to get a good night ’s sleep for a month or more, are often the result of long, demanding working hours, problems at home, or worries about the state of the world. Studies show that women are more likely to have insomnia than men. Older people, those in pain and people suf fering from depression are also particularly susceptible. Of course, a great many medications can cause insomnia as a side effect. Cold medications are the most common culprits. Certain anti-depressants can also cause wakefulness if taken at night, and several of the anti-hypertensives (used to treat high blood pressure) can also result in poor quality of sleep. LIFESTYLE CHANGES To combat the problem, step one is to regulate your lifestyle. Our circadian rhythms vary throughout the day, causing us to feel sleepy at certain times and awake at others. Irregular habits disrupt that, so try to regulate what time you go to bed and what time you get up. Take a look too at what you eat and drink and when. Avoid eating too late at night because this will mean your body is active (busy digesting) right when you want to rest. And take care with alcohol. Although it will make you feel sleepy initially, it can lead to poor sleep quality and tiredness in the morning. Of course, caffeine can keep you up at night, so have your last cuppa at 6pm or even earlier if you are sensitive to it. Substitute with natural teas – try camomile which is commonly regarded as a mild tranquiliser or sleep inducer. Be sure to drink a glass of water right before bed, and keep a jug of fresh water on your nightstand. Interestingly, the old wives’ tale about warm milk making you feel sleepy holds true. Milk contains tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter which can help with sleep. Insomniacs should also take a good look at what they eat. Reduce your meat intake, eat more vegetables and clear sugar from your diet. Sugar makes adults hyper – not just kids – so sleeplessness is another good reason to cut it out. Be sure to avoid sugarladen processed foods and fizzy drinks. Carbohydrates like rice and cereal will aid sleep, but if you’re after a healthy night-time snack, try cherries. They contain melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. TRIED-AND-TESTED REMEDIES And what about sleeping pills? Although night sedation is very effective, the more recent medications don’t last very long and you’ll find you wake early in the morning. The older medications, like benzodiazepines and sedating anti-histamines, have a risk of morning sedation or hangover. In general, you should take sleeping pills as seldom as possible and in the smallest dose that will work. Some sleeping pills are addictive and most tend to work less effectively the longer you use them. It’s important, of course, that you’re sufficiently tired physically (not just mentally weary) to need a full night’s sleep. Insomniacs often benefit from regular exercise, which allows them to burn off excess energy. There’s some truth too in the sedative power of counting sheep. If you find yourself unable to drop off, don’t just lie there fretting – think about something else, or get up and walk around for 10 minutes or so. Any technique that involves creating a relaxed environment (preferably internally and externally) is worth a try. Many insomniacs find meditation beneficial since it clears and quiets the mind, and helps regulate breathing and overcome stress . Alternatively, treat yourself to a massage a couple of evenings a week, sign up for a course of yoga, or book in for some reiki healing. LOOK TO YOUR BEDROOM Whatever you do, don’t resort to watching TV in bed, or switching on your phone or computer when you wake in the night. Your gadgets will simulate your brain and make you feel energised; they will not help you sleep. In fact, it’s a good idea to make your bedroom a tech-free zone. Speaking of the bedroom, invest in a quality mattress and some new pillows. Install blinds or even shutters to shut out any light from the street. Take a look at the decor too, and change things up a bit. Moving the furniture around, or giving the walls a fresh coat of paint will help create a new atmosphere which you may find is more conducive to sleep. Better still take a look at your bedroom’s feng shui – this comprehensive ‘rule book for living’ has been around for centuries, so by following its advice, you might well find some relief. Feng shui says that your bedroom is the space that symbolises you and affects you the most. It follows then that if the feng shui isn’t right, if the positive energy isn’t flowing, your ability to sleep will be compromised. First step is to get your bed in the ‘command position.’ This means placing it so you can see the entry door (anyone coming in) when you are lying in bed. But don’t place your bed so that it directly faces the door, do this and you’ll be lying in the position of the dead – you’ll be ready ‘to go feet first.’ If the bedroom is big enough, leave a space on both sides of the bed. Energy needs to flow all around you when you’re sleeping, so keep the space under your bed clutter-free too. In terms of what you want to see in your bedroom, go with restful, earthy tones or skin tones. Feng shui masters will tell you that stark white walls are too mentally stimulating. A calming combo of off-white, cream and chocolate brown will promote peaceful vibes. You want your bedroom to be a sanctuary, somewhere that makes you feel relaxed, somewhere you are happy to sleep in. You’re seeking harmony and balance, so be sure to nourish your senses. Play some soothing tunes, layer soft and inviting fabrics and burn sweet smelling essential oils. Putting a few drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil on your temples and on your pillow before you go to bed can help you get a good night’s rest.