Let’s talk about family.
Lately, life has been a whirlwind of events, one after another, never slowing down. But amidst the chaos, I’ve realized the importance of ensuring that these moments are meaningful—not just to me personally, but to my family and to our Stellar community.
A few months ago, I picked up a book titled Leadership Not by the Book. It’s been a great read, especially since I’m about to meet the advisor to the author, Bill High, who focuses on succession planning—a topic I’m eager to delve into and share insights on later.
While reading, I found myself sitting next to a guy who now sells Thermomix for a living. He used to be an investor and business owner but chose to focus on Thermomix because he believes it can change families. He shared a story about his son, who cherished a summer memory of making ice cream with him. That story struck a chord with me, especially since I’ve been thinking about how to spend meaningful time with my own son and create lasting memories as a family. With the summer break approaching, I started wondering how I could intentionally plan activities that would not only bond us but also help shape my children into better people—future fathers and husbands.
Sure, we enjoy trips to Legoland and watching movies, but those experiences don’t necessarily build character. Cooking, however, is something different. It’s a skill that can create a happy family atmosphere, and although I don’t know how to cook at all, I began to think about how I could instill this in my children.
When the man mentioned Thermomix, I knew what it was—my parents own one, though I’d never used it myself. But the idea intrigued me, especially since the latest model can download recipes directly from the internet. It’s a smart cooker that can do everything from baking to making ice cream. The simplicity of it caught my attention, as did the variety of ingredients—some of which I’ve never even used before, like nutmeg, vanilla extract, and whipping cream. I’ve seen them on shelves but never thought about why they’re needed or how they contribute to flavors.
Even though I’m not the one doing the actual cooking—the machine handles that—I’m involved in sourcing ingredients with my son, preparing them, and learning a bit about cooking through the process. This hands-on involvement, even if it’s just peeling garlic, makes the experience valuable. With time and consistency, I’m confident we could master these skills manually, but for now, it’s about sparking my children’s interest in cooking.
This isn’t about convenience. We could easily rely on our centralized kitchen or order food through delivery apps like Grab or Foodpanda. But the joy of cooking in our own kitchen, making our own ice cream, and creating fond memories is priceless.
After hearing the story from the Thermomix seller, I was hooked on the idea of creating those kinds of memories with my son. I started looking online and quickly realized how expensive Thermomix machines are—around RM7,000 to RM8,000. I decided to try my luck in the second-hand market and made an offer of RM4,000. To my surprise, the seller accepted it. I did some background research and found that the seller was a credible Thermomix ambassador who had stopped cooking and wanted to sell the machine. Since the offer was accepted, I felt obligated to honor the deal.
However, I was also shocked by my own decision. Am I really committing RM4,000 just for cooking? Will I make full use of it? And most importantly, how will my wife react? I was almost certain she would be upset since I hadn’t discussed the purchase with her beforehand. True enough, when she saw the Thermomix at home, she texted me the next day with two concerns: it’s an expensive item, and why did I buy something so costly without discussing it with her?
I responded with two questions of my own. First, I asked her to define “expensive.” Yes, RM4,000 is a significant amount, and I admit that. But as someone who is generally careful with spending, why did I make such a hasty decision? To me, what’s truly expensive is losing the opportunity to create meaningful memories with my children while I still have the chance. My kids will only be three, six, and eight years old once in their lives, and if I miss this moment, it’s gone forever. That’s what I consider expensive—something irrecoverable and irreversible.
Second, I explained the reasoning behind the purchase. My RM4,000 offer was much lower than the usual RM4,800 to RM5,000 price, and I didn’t expect the seller to accept it. But once they did, I felt I had to honor the deal. If we don’t fully utilize the Thermomix, we can always sell it back at a similar price, so in a way, it’s more like borrowing the machine with a deposit rather than a full purchase.
I understand why my wife was concerned. She’s had bad experiences in the past and fears falling into poverty. She’s careful with money, preferring to spend small amounts frequently rather than making large purchases. While I respect that, I see this as an investment, not just an expense.
I also recognize that I could have communicated better. With my busy schedule—traveling, back-to-back meetings, and various commitments—I simply forgot to discuss this with her. That’s something I need to improve on, and I’m committed to doing better in the future.
As we started using the Thermomix, I saw how much my children enjoyed it. Even if their interest fades over time, the possibilities are endless. We can cook a million different dishes, bake bread, make rice, create ice cream—there’s so much to explore. I envision us making gingerbread men for Christmas, baking cookies for Chinese New Year, and sharing these handmade treats with friends. These are the kind of memories I want to create with my family.
If it doesn’t work out, we can always sell the Thermomix, but at least I tried. What’s truly expensive to me is missing out on the chance to create beautiful, lasting memories with my children. That’s an opportunity I never want to lose.
Leave a Reply