Budget Update: March 2022 – Mixed Feelings over Endemic Phase
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 March? Was it good, bad or meh?
For me, I have mixed feelings about the endemic phase.
Now, OBVIOUSLY the pandemic was bad. Millions of people died and tens of millions more are suffering from Long Covid. The economic impact was enormous, especially on the most vulnerable. So many people waited for the endemic phase so they can improve their business, study better and meet family members.
Yet… Can I admit I kind of enjoyed the just-stay-at-home part of the pandemic stage? I feel guilty for admitting it, simply because I know how privileged that sounds, yet as a homebody, I liked how I was at home on most days. I liked how webinars and meetings were shifted online.
Now, I’m having anxiety over adapting back to ‘how it was’. Perhaps you are too (are you? Or just me? Idk).
Eventually I guess all of us will get used to it. We humans always adapt, don’t we. Happy endemic phase everyone.
Let’s get on to the budget part.
Budget Update: March 2022
In March 2022, I spent RM11,760.27. The top 3 top expenses were:
- Business (RM1,800) – Paid writers – more in Nay of the month section
- Insurance and Medical (RM1,390.33) – Usual insurance plus 1 year medical term insurance renewal
- Utilities & Rent (RM1,291.56) – Bills, and half of mortgage
Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up (only!) 51% of my total March 2022 expenses. (My belief is, if you want to save money, always trim from the top 3 expenses rather than cut out a few ringgits from other already-low expenses)
My Spending Breakdown in March 2022
Here’s what I spent on in the whole month of March 2022, in their respective categories and from highest to lowest amount:
Yay of the Month:
#1 – Profited from FarmFresh IPO
Bought at RM1.35 and sold at RM1.73. Minus fees, I made 28% from Farmfresh IPO listing, all within almost exactly a month 🙂
IPO strategy is an investment strategy that is medium risk. It does need a fair amount of capital but basically how it works is (1) apply to buy IPO before listing (success rate very low; Bumi folks get 2 chances to apply) and (2) sell the minute market opens (profit is NOT guaranteed but historically in your favour)
Of course, there are a lot of nuances and in-depth info and tips. Do you want a separate post on IPO strategy? Let me know, no point write if no demand 🙂
#2 – KL Staycation
It was husband’s birthday so I gifted him a staycation 🙂 I spent so much but hey I only used part of the IPO profit (and the rest invested and ‘locked’ back in ASB).
And as much I hate to admit it… we are both city folks. Had so much fun visiting Lalaport mall in search of new things to add to our new home and trying new restaurants.
#3 – Met up with friends
Managed to meet up with some friends, that made me happy. Hey David 🙂
Also met up with friends from the pf space. They’re cool, go follow all of them on IG!
#4 – Appeared on..
March 2022 was a busy month for me. I appeared on..
- Bursa Malaysia’s Ring the Bell for #equalityforequity campaign
- Twitter’s #SheInspiresMe campaign
- HSBC’s Financial Fitness talk
- And BFM’s Enterprise Biz Bytes
#5 – Done Hibah Amanah ASB!
It was quite a mafan process so I compiled what I know into this article: The Exact Steps to Do Hibah Amanah ASNB – Estate Planning for ASNB Investors
#6 – Misc
Read 0 books 🙁
Noteworthy shows:
- Bridgerton Season 2 on Netflix
- A lot of news about Ukraine-Russian war
Bought for myself:
- N-Cool pillow pad from Nitori
- 2 pairs of ankle pants from Fitgear
- Reusable bees wax bag from Saffron and Serai (the purple bag on the table)
Nay of the Month:
#1 – My siblings got Covid
It was stressful but ultimately everyone recovered, so I’m grateful. I’m also happy my parents are still safe so far. Hope it stays that way.
#2 – Shelved Money Stories from Malaysians: Volume 3
After going back and forth and spending countless hours agonising over it, I decided to make a decision – shelved Money Stories from Malaysians: Volume 3.
If you’re one of the writers, you should have received my email. If not, check your inbox, or reach out to me.
This decision cost me money. A few thousand. Not to mention wasted so much time. Yet I feel good. I didn’t want to be sunk-cost fallacy to be my main driver to continue the project if my heart’s not in it.
#3 – Delayed home moving
Us: *Submitted defect check report to developer which we just bough new unit from* – Hi pls fix this as per your obligation, thank you
Them: *2 months later* Omg you submitted?
🙂 All this while we tried to reach out to get status but now only was told they haven’t started ANYTHING.
We planned to move in by May, now that will be delayed by at least a few more months. As you can imagine, I am pissed. But I am also trying to stay calm and go with the flow.
Things to Look Forward to:
- Fasting month. Not looking forward to the caffeine withdrawals on first week..
Well, that was my March 2022. 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)
IPO strategy yes pls! 🙂
Yay got request! Haha ok you got it Bee 🙂 Coming soon!