Suraya's Monthly Budget Update

Budget Update: June 2024 – Where I’d Prefer to Live

BySuraya
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Welcome to another edition of my monthly budget updates, where I break down my expenses by category and share the highlights and lowlights of the month.

So how was your June? For me, the topic of property came up a lot. My husband and I talked about growing our family, and if that happens, our current 680sf apartment will be a tight fit so we’d need a bigger space.

The next natural question is, where? Well, after reading New Aging sometime back and understood what we NEED rather than WANT in a home (and subsequently wrote about it in the 3 Things to Know Before Buying A House article), I knew I want a home near family members.

And when I say near, if possible as near as walking distance. I mean I’d love it our parents can stop by whenever to see their grandchild, and vice versa.

The only problem is, both me and my husband’s parents were lucky enough to have bought houses fairly cheaply a loooong time ago. But those houses – and the surrounding neighbourhood – have massively increased in value.

…To the tune of RM1.85 million. Or so. This is so out of our budget, it’s in another universe lol.

We visited property fairs too, to look at options. So far, husband seems to want landed and while I can see the appeal, I prefer anywhere connected to a Tier AA, A, or B mall for convenience. Both options will be expensive still, but thankfully not millions.

Anyway, we’re still looking and weighing our options. No rush yet. If you’re an agent, no need to offer your service yet. Now let’s get on to the budget part.

Budget Update: June 2024

In June 2024, I spent RM22,133.45. The top 3 top expenses were:

  • Dates/Travel (RM7,955.10) – Mostly flight tix
  • Donations & Gifts (RM6,482.40) – Parents electric, various donations
  • Social (RM1,638.15) – Paid for family activities (rapatkan silaturrahim and all)

Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up 72% of my total June 2024 expenses.

(My belief is, if you want to save money, trim first from the top 3 expenses rather than cut out a few ringgits from other already-low expenses)

My Spending Breakdown in June 2024

Here’s what I spent on in the whole month of June 2024, in their respective categories and from highest to lowest amount:

Yay of the Month:

#1 – Bought flight tickets

Passively looking for cheap flight deals is a hobby of mine. Found a particularly irresistable travel deal and paid RM7,571 for the 3 of us to go somewhere far and fun in a few months.

What is that irresistable travel deal, you may ask? Well, I found out that if you book your flight from Etihad and it has a layover at Abu Dhabi, you can claim up to 2 nights’ hotel stay for FREE.

I’m not kidding, you can find the info in the Etihad website. Additionally, you can get 0.7% cashback on your flight tickets via Shopback too.

So basically I found cheap-ish flight tickets, AND I’ll be going to 2 countries instead of 1. Yay! My deal-seeking side is happy :))

#2 – Bought some clothes

Recently decluttered a bunch of old clothes so naturally I went on a shopping spree and bought ~RM400 worth of new clothes from Zalora, Poplook and Uniqlo.

(I did try thrifting and surveyed Carousell for a few months, plus visited some secondhand stores. But I desperately need some staples, and those are better new)

#3 – Financially helped my family

Every so often I get asked to contribute financially to my family so I did. It’s not just my responsibility but also I feel proud doing it. In a yes, you can depend on me, yes.

#4 – Tried De.Wan 1958 (with 50% off!)

I wanted to try Chef Wan’s De.Wan 1958 restaurant for some time but thought it was too pricey to justify, but my sister told me a way to eat there with 50% off, so we did! You can see how in the embedded thread below.

Many of the dishes were so yummy! One of my highlights of the month.

#5 – Misc

1) Appeared in BFM89.90

I was on the Ringgit & Sense show again. The topic was planning for umrah or hajj – the costs, procedures and funding options. Hope this helps people out there planning your own trips, insyaAllah 🤲📿

Thank you Shazana Mokhtar @bfmradio for having me!

Listen to the podcast online: https://www.bfm.my/podcast/morning-run/ringgit-and-sense/muslims-umrah-hajj-ringgit-oh-ringgit-pilgrimage

Link to the article: https://ringgitohringgit.com/travel/tabung-haji-travel-umrah/

2) Bergaji & Pokai included in Aesop’s Women Library

 It was so random but Aesop included my book Bergaji & Pokai in their Women Library Malaysia book list. They even did a giveaway (it has since ended).

Read 2 books:

  • The Art of the Good Life: Clear Thinking for Business and a Better Life by Rolf Dobelli
  • Pelukis Jalanan by Teme Abdullah (I read from Cereka app)

Bought for myself:

  • Clothes from Zalora, Poplook and Uniqlo
  • 5 books
  • Steam games

Nay of the Month:

#1 – Paid RM600 to settle LLP compound

The good news is I got my compound reduced from RM2000 to RM400. The bad news is I still have to pay RM600 total to comply with whatever process they wanted me to do.

RM600 gone, just like that. Suck.

#2 – Random eye problem

Random ailment of the quarter: saw an eye doctor for Weird Unexplainable Eye Condition. Said it was allergy (??). Sent me home with 2 types of eyedrops, a RM286 bill and dilated pupils that will last 3-6 hours.

Things to Look Forward to:

  • Planning my trip!
  • Learning trading. I’ve registered to join Derivatives Virtual Trading Challenge. Come join me trade RM100k (of virtual money)! Simply register before 25 July 2024 and join all of the workshops and webinars designed to teach you how to trade derivatives

Well, that was my June 2024. How was yours? What’s your yay of the month, nay of the month, and something you’re looking forward to? Tell me in the comments section 🙂

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To read about my past monthly budget update, click here. Graphs are taken from my expense-tracking app Money Lover (find out your budgeting style)


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