be used on the LRT, MRT, Monorail, KTM,
and bus lines.
If you are planning a round-trip journey
to some neighbouring countries, like
Singapore, for example, buy tickets in
Malaysia where it’s a lot cheaper.
- SHOP AT THE RIGHT PLACES AND DURING
THE RIGHT TIMES
First of all, shopping in local street
markets will save you a lot of money.
In Kuala Lumpur there are plenty of
them and the biggest are Petaling
Street, Kasturi Walk, and Chow Kit
Market. At these markets, you can find
various things from fresh groceries
to apparel, accessories, jewellery and
more at fair prices. A trip to the market
also offers a fascinating insight into
authentic Malaysian culture, with the
essential haggling included. Next, take
advantage of shopping during sales.
There’s almost always a sale happening
somewhere in Malaysia; some related to
holidays, others just events of their own!
One useful site to visit for a fairly
comprehensive round-up of all the big
(and not-so-big) sales in Malaysia is
everydayonsales.com.
It’s worth following the dates, because
at some of these shopping festivals, you
can enjoy discounts of up to 75%. Another
popular sale, which takes place twice a
year, is the MATTA Fair. This is the one
to check out for terrific prices on travel,
which is one of the main appeals of living
and studying in Malaysia – all the great
nearby destinations, many of which can
be enjoyed on a shoestring budget!- CASH VS CREDIT
According to the Department of Statistics
in Malaysia, almost half of the Malaysian
population under 30 years old are
bankrupt. A common reason for this is
that young adults rack up huge debts on
credit cards, the reason being that many
people, especially students, have
trouble controlling their spending.
So, using cash to pay for everything
will help you to prioritise what you buy
because the physical act of handing over
cash is more significant than paying on
plastic. With credit cards, you won’t feel
like you’re spending all your cash! So plan
your budget ahead and take only as much
cash as you need. And with that in mind,
the final tip is applicable for all of us – not
just students!- PRIORITISE YOUR NEEDS OVER
YOUR WANTS
A simple tip for everyone when it
comes to spending money is to find the
line between what you truly need and
what you just want – or, even worse,
making an impulse purchase that you
didn’tevenwantthatmuch.Malaysia’s warm climate means you can
minimise your clothing expenses while
here. Of course, most students want a
few fashionable pieces, but if you’re on a
budget, the year-round tropical warmth
here helps you to keep your wardrobe
simple. With a few notable exceptions,
most places are fairly casual, too, so
you’ll seldom be out of place wearing a
short-sleeve shirt and lightweight pants
or shorts.With any spending – from clothes to
electronics to that daily cup of coffee –
the best way to stay in control is to just
take your time. Before making an actual
purchase and spending money, especially
a large amount, always take a minute to
consider its necessity and evaluate the
impact it would have on your budget
and cashflow. Spending that bit of extra
time thinking will allow you to come to
a rational, less impulsive decision. The
final step of course is to then stick to
your decision – we have all been guilty
of simply ignoring the line between our
needs and wants, and that’s the epitome
of wasting money.With a great lifestyle and affordable costs
almost right across the board, Malaysia
makes being a frugal international
student much easier. So, remember these
tips, save your money, and be a ‘prudent
student’!