M’sian Earns RM7K But Left With RM50 After Spending RM2.5K On Rent & RM1.5K On Food

“I thought RM7,000 was enough… but why do I still feel broke?”

A Malaysian woman recently sparked a heated discussion online after revealing that despite earning RM7,000 a month, she still finds herself struggling financially by the end of each month.

“End of the month, it’s always stressful”

In a Threads post, the woman shared how the current economy feels increasingly overwhelming, even for those with relatively stable incomes.

She explained that while RM7,000 may sound like a comfortable salary, her reality tells a different story.

What shocked many was her admission that after covering her expenses, she was left with just RM50 in her bank account, with days to go before her next payday.

“I don’t think I’m overspending”

Anticipating criticism, she clarified that she doesn’t consider herself someone who spends excessively.

According to her, her lifestyle is already “minimum” for someone trying to survive in the city.

To justify her point, she broke down her monthly expenses:

She questioned whether even small indulgences, like treating herself once in a while, are no longer considered reasonable.

Comparing herself to others earning less

What puzzled her the most was seeing friends who earn significantly less still managing major life milestones.

This led her to question whether people simply have a higher tolerance for hardship, or if she’s missing something when it comes to managing her finances.

“Your rent is too high”

Her post quickly gained traction, with many netizens offering blunt but practical feedback.

A common point raised was her RM2,500 rent, which many felt was too high for a single person.

Some suggested she could:

Others pointed out that her RM1,500 monthly spending on food and lifestyle could also be trimmed.

“Cooking at home can save a lot. Eating out and café hopping adds up more than you think.”

“It’s about financial discipline, not salary”

Several commenters shifted the focus from income to money management.

They stressed that building financial stability starts with discipline, not just earning more.

Among the common advice shared:

One netizen wrote:

“There are people earning more than you but still renting below RM2K. That’s what living within your means looks like.”

“It’s your life, your choice”

Not everyone was critical, however.

Some users pointed out that her spending reflects a choice to prioritise comfort and quality of life, which isn’t necessarily wrong.

After all, living alone in a comfortable space and occasionally enjoying good food can also be seen as part of self-care.

“You can downgrade and feel less stressed financially, but maybe less comfortable. Or you can live comfortably and feel the pressure at the end of the month.”

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