We've been here in KL for more than a month now. And I am surprised we're spending more than what we used to spend in Maldives. My hubby said it's because we've been buying some little items and it's added up. And I guess we've been eating out more since we arrived here. Still excited to check out local cuisine and still trying to find the best grocery store too.
We thought we'd be able to save more living here in KL than in Maldives. Our reasons:
1) Hubby's salary is a bit bigger compared in Maldives.
2) Hubby's company pays for the apartment including electricity and water. In Maldives, he has a housing allowance but it wasn't sufficient.
3) Food and other commodities are cheaper here in KL.
4) Less transportation expense because hubby's office is on the same building we're staying. Malls are walking distance too (I have to include that! haha).
But at the rate we're going, I don't think we'd be able to save more. Because...
1) We have been eating out most of the time. I only cook during breakfast and sometimes dinner.
2) We have been shopping more. Hubby bought some new office wardrobes, EJ wanted to have more cars and balls and I have to buy new clothes also because it's been depressing to look in the mirror and see all the different bulges in the wrong places of my body (haha!).
3) We're paying somebody to clean our apartment 2x a month.
4) We bring our laundry to the laundry service area. And it's quite expensive, compared to laundry service in Philippines.
I complained to hubby and said maybe the move here in KL wasn't a wise decision after all. But he reminded me that we were already bored in Maldives (we've been there for 3 years). There was nothing to do back there, no shopping malls, no decent movie theater and just a couple of good restos, no Starbucks even (Maldives should have one because the people are coffee lovers). He said at least here, we would have lots of choices to do and eat. Life is not just about work. Hmmm...okay!
So here's our fixed monthly expenses:
Apartment (Berjaya Times Square) - RM3,000 (but this is shouldered by hubby's company)
Cable (Astro) - RM120
Internet Connection (Izzi) - RM120
Laundry - RM320 (wash only)
Cleaning - RM150 (2x a month only)
Grocery - RM1000-1200 (excluding toiletries and EJ's milk and diapers)
Other stuff:
Cost of eating out - RM10-15/person (fastfood or food in stalls but yummy!)
Fancy dining for two - RM150-200
Starbucks Java Frapp - RM14
1 Kg Rice - RM6
Cheesecake - RM6.50 (my fave!)
McDo double cheeseburger - RM9.40 (large)
A Bag of small bread - RM2.10
Laundry - RM7/kilo (wash only)
When I look at our fixed monthly expenses it doesn't seem much. I think we just have to watch out for our shopping and other expenses in the incoming months.
I guess there is still hope to increase our monthly savings. We just have to cut down on unnecessary expenses like shopping and a constant trip to Starbucks. I should also look for a cheaper laundry service!
8 comments:
hi josiet, i can understand fully well about your financial situation. we have noticed too that we spend more on going out... eating out... buying out... lol... you name all the outs and we're dropped.
anyways, you're only here for more than a month... usually we spend more on our initial stay until we're finally settled. i'm sure you'll be able to save more later when you have the necessary things already.
your hubby thinks like my hubby. he would always remind me to enjoy life coz sometimes i complain too about our spending habit.
have you tried indian food yet? i know a place where they serve the best indian meal... if you're up to indian dishes. i used to dislike it before but now it's one of my favorites.
and yes, we have yet to meet. :)
Janet,
Indian food? Hmmm...It's okay, only if I can drag my hubby..hehehe. I'm sure there are lots to choose from, so I am game.
We're going to Ikea tomorrow. So wish me luck! hehehe
Hi,
I'm Ashok.I'm thinking to come to kuala lampur from our company to to some company in kuala lampur.
**What is the monthly salary required to lead normal life in KL?
**What is the tax policy there and is the tax deducted will be reimbersable?
Thanks in Advance,
Ashok.
Hi Ashok,
"Normal life" varies for every individual or family so it all depends on you and your lifestyle. But to give you an idea, a RM6,000 will make you and your family live decently.
About their tax policy, sorry, I have no idea. My husband's salary is a "package". So there's no more tax deduction. Try to look it out in their immigration website.
Goodluck to you!
Hi,
I'm ashok.I have planned to move to KL(Malaysia) for 1yr on a contract based job.
(1) Can I have the option of provident fund according to malaysian givt?
(2) Are there options of tax saving shemes.like mutual funds,life insurance policies etc..
Thanks in advance..
Hi Ashok,
I am sorry I cannot answer your questions. I have no knowledge about their tax saving schemes and the like.
I think you have to ask your employer (or agent, if you have one) regarding those matters.
Goodluck!
Hi Josiet,
You have a wonderful blog going here.........thank you.Also thanks for the fixed costs of living in Malaysia.
In general, how multicultural is Malaysia?
Thanks,
Kaustubh.
Hi Kaustubh,
Thank you. I don't have the statistics but I think Malaysia is pretty much multicultural. Three cultures make up for the big part - Malay, Chinese and Indian.
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