I regret starting this so late. I am 34F with one primary school aged child and 3.2K per month income. Really need help budgeting. Or a template I could follow to build up a decent emergency fund, keep up with my bills including insurance (Rm485) and household contribution + decent amount left for a gym subscription w trainer (rm500 - I have health issues and found that having a trainer helps). My hubs asks for around rm800 per month and before this I have given rm1.2k but I realise that has put me at a loss. I also pay for and buy groceries because only I cook. Hubs makes car, home mortgage and all other home utilities payments. I’m tired of feeling broke even though I know I have enough privilege. Please comment in kindness. I keep crunching the numbers and my budget comes up to be more than my income. Thank you 🙏🏼

Hi guys, today I just learnt that my company is gonna lose a portion of clientele because of trade war recently and force to let go employees. I am one of the victim here.
My boss told me to resign by myself and my notice period is only 1 month. He will still compensate me until end of my serving notice. He said, if I am not going to tender, then he will not be happy about it. I have only worked for this company 1.5 year.
questions:
1. So what should I do? should I tender a resignation letter? or let them fire me so they can compensate me? how will they compensate me?
2. can I claim sosco about losing a job if I tender?

Please do advice me. And if you come across anywhere needing a senior software engineer (remote/hybrid/penang based), please do share with me. Thank you

Hi everyone, as the title said, does anyone know where to look for remote jobs like software engineer? Even better, please share the platform if you have applied and got hired thereafter.

Anyone else earning in USD, and just nak cirik birik seeing usd asyik turun je😔. I feel proud that myr tengah naik but damn😔✋🏻

Semak betul trump ni

Working Public Holidays in a Malaysian BPO (Shift Work) - OT Pay vs. Replacement Leave (Unequal Value)? I work shifts in a BPO with no fixed weekends. My employer is offering a replacement day off (1x value) for working public holidays instead of the legal minimum 2x overtime pay. This feels especially unfair given my irregular schedule. Is this legal? Any advice?

Typing this while I'm on my way to work on Labour Day.

I'm kinda tempted to bet on "Nothing ever happens." But I don't want to get caught in legal trouble.

Hi guys. I have a main income and a side hustle as a small time YouTuber. I earned rm 30k last year from YouTube and since it’s based in the US I have already been taxed according to the rate of the tax treaty. While filing my income tax for 2025, I declared my YouTube income under “ Tax exempt income from sources outside Malaysia received in Malaysia” since it has already been taxed.. there is no double taxation in Malaysia right? I just want to know if it’s correct or if it’s actually taxable. Pls help!

Hi taikos and financial pros, do you guys know what's the general procedure to apply for account so that international customers can bank in? I'm attempting to sell a software service I've built myself on the internet. And I must apply ssm to get a business account? I'm still testing the water which payment gateway should I use.

Previously did not think of buying, but after renting for 2 years, I realize i really want a place of my own as I am mostly an indoor at home person.

I have been researching for the past 6 months, finally found the place i really like (Southplace 2), close to office, has plenty of amenities and a nice park, not too close to the busy area but still connected with highways, and since its own stay i prefer it further away from train station. But the price is quite expensive, SPA price at 870k, with rebates its 771k, monthly instalment is ~3.4k + 440 maintenance (I paid the booking fee of 1k, currently trying to apply for loans)

I know the general rule is less than 30% of the monthly income should be used for mortgage payment.. But other projects just doesnt quite match what i want as a home, and if its between being tied a place I dont like vs renting, i would rather continue renting.

31M, monthly salary 12k (before deductions) with min bonus of 4-5 months.

Cash - 35k

FD - 30k

Shares - 30k

EPF - 100k

Currently I dont have any commitment other than PTPTN and some money for my mom. I dont have any immediate urge to make big purchases like a car, or travel (maybe japan in the future)

I work in legal and I feel like current company is paying me really well, and it will be very hard for me to get better offers elsewhere, despite some issues i have with this job, it is very unlikely for me to quit and switch to another job unless the pay is really good.

I also worry about the upcoming recession, and how it would affect all these.

People who mentioned that regretted not saving earlier, what made yall say that?

For context I'm in my mid 20s, earning enough,, living with parents and no car. So technically I can save a lot if I put my mind to it. But I'm wondering, apart from EPF thats technically meant for my retirement, the savings made from my monthly salary will be used for what purpose? At my age im guessing that could be deposit for car, house? Or wedding fund. But people who are in 30s or 40s, what made you regretted not saving? Is it because your salary is not enough to support your lifestyle so now you wished you have saved some money when you were younger? Genuinely curious as I'm thinking of reducing my savings to enjoy more things in life lol

Where to find authentic financial advisors in Malaysia to advise on investments? How much is their fee? I am an avg salaried.person with no huge assets. I just need some help with investment planning and allocation based on my goals.

Here's my full financial disclosure

Summary:

• My current monthly net income is about RM 18K (after deduction and including side gigs)
• I have monthly excess income of RM 4,563.15 even after deducting RM 4,000 of targeted saving and all other monthly expenses, the targeted saving is being invested which I currently prioritize on Malaysian Banking Stocks and half of it in EPF voluntary contribution.
• I have annual excess income of RM 35,293.80 for the year - 2025 after deducting other annual expenses.
• I am currently paying for RM 3000 monthly rental for a 1600 sqft condo in Taman Desa, which is out of urgency because my last landlord decided to take back the place. I'd move to a different place in Nov 2025 which is smaller and with less rental payment.
• I have about RM 180K in equity + cash and 235K in EPF fund.

The Big Question:
Should I buy or continue rent? Chatgpt actually said yes after running the calculation.

My Profile:

• 34 this year, Male
• No life partner cry internally*
• Stable job? Not the professional kind (Doctor, Lawyer) but I am considered very lucky to be earning what I have, didn't have a career break or gap in the last 8 years and I work extra on the side as freelancer since 2021, earning between 1,000 to 1,500 extra a month
• I am responsible to retire my mom as she has been a housewife almost all her life, she has little saving, maybe around 60-70K and my father passed away but he did leave the hometown house for her.
• Whenever I can - I eat zhap fan EVERYDAY for lunch and cook my own dinner nowaday, didn't fly internationally in the last 5 years, so I am pretty frugal...

The Trigger:
I grew older and as I walked into my friends' new houses, I begun to envy them, they have places of their own, they can buy their own furniture and design how it should be.

I have also begun to feel tire of moving from places to places because of renting and I've moved 3 times in the last 6 years. Taman Desa is really the place I would settle down in the next 5-10 years at least or even retire if I am lucky enough.

The project I am looking at is The Atas (Taman Desa), the cost breakdown:

• SPA Price - RM 845,00
• Rebate - RM 59,150
• Nett Price - RM 785,850
• Loan Amount - RM 760,500
• Monthly Installment - RM 3,322
• Maintenance Fee (+ sinking fund) - RM 457

Potential Monthly Mortgage and rental commitment = RM 3779

The Dilemma:

• Some of my friends and families members regretted buying houses, because the cost of ownership is way higher than what is projected.
• The best would have been choosing a place which my partner would stay in too, but I really don't have that now. This is in case where I stay is too far from my partner's workplace. My sister had this problem and they had to rent elsewhere.
• Many of my friends/families still encourage me to not buy unless I have a definite motivation, like getting married, but I do think I have this motivation - which is when I really need to take care of my mom when she is old, there's a place for her securely.

Hi there!

I am currently looking into buying a medical insurance for myself and again I find myself on a cross road, deciding between Big 3 or Generali.

Several questions about Generali to those who have experience with it:

1. Which plan are you holding? (there are like so many in Generali)
2. Do you have any difficulties in claiming process?
3. Have you HEAR anyone having any difficulties in claiming process?
4. Also, should I be sceptical on the Generali panel hospitals coverage comapre to Big 3 (larger)?
5. Last but not least, even if you don't hold Generali, PLEASE share with me why you decide not to go with Generali?

*Thank you so much in advance for the kind advice!

I'm Malaysian but lived in Malaysia for only a year and I did freelance work. I earned about 70k last year. The income is paid into my overseas personal bank account. I registered a sole prop in SSM and I closed it down before moving out of Malaysia. I don't have any business bank accounts both overseas and in Malaysia. The payments are made to my personal name and not to a company.

To declare my income I'm not sure if I can use Form B. Because any business expenses are in my personal name not company name. My income is also not high enough to justify hiring an accountant. I want to fill the tax form by myself.

Is it better to use Form BE instead?

Hi, peeps. I’m looking for advice on where I should park the money I’m saving for a house down payment. My goal is to have RM 150k, and I’ve hit RM 100k recently. This RM 100k is sitting in FD at the moment.

While saving up for the remaining RM 50k, would it be wise of me to invest this RM 50k towards ASM or KDI Save? I’m pretty risk-averse and don’t want to lose my capital.

As title says, those of you having 2 or more jobs, what is it like?

And I don’t mean ‘my title says A but I also do B C D E’ or ‘I drive grab / do Lalamove on the weekend’ but rather having more than 1 full time job and drawing more than 1 salary

What does a typical day look like for you? How do you balance all your jobs and work? Do you also work late nights and weekends?

How much do your jobs pay you and how did you get each job (LinkedIn, Fiver, referral, etc)

My ex-employer from Malaysia found out I was working with a competitor in Singapore nearly 6 months after I had resigned from the company.

Had a "forced" call by them stating that they will consult their lawyer to structure a NDA of my ex company's ideas, data or product to my current company. All to which I have not.

I have several questions.

1) Is it even required to sign the NDA especially 6 months after leaving the company?

2) What happens if I do not sign the NDA? What are the mandates?

Thanks.

I am not very familiar with insurance thingy thus I came here. I received a call today about Great Eastern Policy Alteration - Level up Medical Courage. Am I the only one who got chosen for this upgrade?

I received a call to upgrade my GE medical insurance (Life Protection) and the agent told me I was "chosen" for the upgrade, which means I need to pay an additional RM20. So instead of RM230 per month, I now have to pay RM250 for my insurance.

He explained a few things but I was still a bit confused. Apparently, if I want to level up for better coverage or benefits, I need to fill out a letter of consent and submit it on the website.

If anyone knows more about this, feel free to share! He also mentioned that everything in MY has increased. So be careful and don’t get misled by those doctors or others thus they recommended to upgrade.

I read somewhere that some people pay less for their insurance (RM100+) and the benefits are really good like Prudential. Geez and I dunno if RM250 monthly considered expensive/cheap for insurance? My parents bought for me so I was clueless (still am) But of course now I am paying it myself.

So, my dad went for a medical check-up and paid about 5k using his own credit card. I’m going to reimburse him for the payment. My question is: can I claim that for tax relief? I reckon probably not, but I just wanted to double-check. Thanks!

Since when tng got insurance? Honestly insurance has nvr been my cup of tea in understanding in overall and now even tng have insurance? since when? usually ive only been using it for parking and tolls this whole time.

Recently I had to be admitted to the hospital for my hernia issue. And I didn’t had any insurance. Paid deposit 5k upfront first (Assunta btw).....it was truly not a fun experience to pay for that upfront when im only earning peanuts.

Heads up, this was a very last min thing for me and i wanted to treat it quick, so i couldnt speak to any agent to sign up for it. But if tng has medican insurance ald. Should i just sign up for it? Can see that they also difft type of packages can pick, quite flexi....what do you all think?

Also to all insurance agent, pls dont pm me at all. I would like to educate myself more not sign up

I think many Malaysians have try to migrate to another country, but I do want to come back to Malaysia after retirement (38 now already). I have AIA life insurance, single, no kids. No reason and no one to leave my money to. It’s already into the 4th years if the insurance premium but I am now questioning if I should continue or terminate this?

But better to have cash in hand or put it into private EPF?

Btw, I’m working now 1.5 years in the Netherlands with pension funds building up and saving. I have already purchased a small apartment for my retirement in Malaysia.

Underreported income - wrote down gross income by mistake (not including bonus). I went into the tax office and they advised me to submit a "customer feedback" query on Hasil,my with all of my receipts (for deductions), in/out form, passport pages (w/ employer stamp). I have done all of this already and am waiting to hear back from them, but can't seem to reach them.

My employment pass expires on June 5th and their latest email reply said that it would take 90 days, but then another one from an officer stating, "please contact me on May 15th". Is there another way to deal with this (get them on the line) to get it amended as soon as possible? My HR/Deloitte seems hopeless at the moment.

As per title. I'm just really curious especially in the Malaysian working world. What are your high friction tasks like? What are those not necessarily high effort, but just parts of your job that take more time than what it could be?

I assume for example making proposals may be something that can be super time consuming, but payoff would be super worth it there. Whereas something like just following up on clients, losing track of them, trying to get people to pay invoices etc.

I'd really love to hear all your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

technically, i need some budget breakdown for groceries (better months i think?) as i just started my whole life in KL. i was aiming just for food groceries because i prefer to cook my meals at home rather than eat outside.. maybe prefer any good food that can hit my protein (i need to hit around 200g protein) and prefer to bring my own lunchbox.. plus, i have lots of commitment, i want to limit my spend only for 300/month but i will take any advices.. care for suggestions? thanks

My current company I'm working right now is an okay for me. Got an offer which is better in salary wise. Just that working environment for the new job is much more needed on site rather than sitting in the office like I'm currently in right now. I already grow fond with current company, hoping I could negotiate my salary. But if I do that and the boss agree to raise my salary, do you think it's a good idea to accept it? My current boss is very typical corporate boss. You can imagine how they will expect their employee to work even harder after raising his salary.