Suraya's Monthly Budget Update

Budget Update November + December 2024 –

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 November and December in 2024? It’s now January 2025 – Happy New Year!

You might notice that I’ve combined November and December 2024 Budget Report. For the first time ever I’m combining months – had to, because the past couple of months have been a whirlwind. I:

  • Finished pending work from clients
  • Planned a family trip to Osaka + Kyoto
  • Got sick for a week (in fact still coughing)
  • Cleaned up my 2024 finances records – recorded all expenses, optimised tax relief, paid zakat etc

All while being the primary caregiver for a very cute yet clingy 1.5 year old boy.

Now let’s get on to the budget part. Heads up – I spent A LOT in November and December 2024. I hope none of y’all think I’m gloating or anything – I spent what I spent and now sharing the data, because I believe in financial transparency.

Budget Update: November + December 2024

In November and December 2024, I spent a combined of RM69,991.50. The top 3 top expenses were:

  • Donations (RM39,622.28) – Mostly flight tix cost. Gifting my Dad a fully-sponsored family trip to his fav country
  • Dates/Travel (RM16,481.07) – Eating out, total spending for Osaka+Kyoto trip
  • Misc Needs (RM3,262.96) – New sofa and bed, zakat

Cumulatively, the top 3 expenses make up 86% of my total November and December 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 November and December 2024

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

Yay of the Month:

#1 – Osaka + Kyoto family trip

My in-laws and I went to Osaka and Kyoto in December 2024 and I volunteered to be the main travel planner for 7+1 pax.

Travel planning was challenging but fun. I spent so much time and effort and did my best to accommodate everyone’s (plus my) requirements and I think it went okay? In any case my toddler became closer to his grandparents which was the aim of the trip so I am very happy about that 🙂

We were lucky to be in Osaka and Kyoto when we were. Apparently the leaves changed colours much later than expected so we get to witness beautiful fall colours.

However, the highlight of the trip was definitely reunion with my Japanese host family. They really treated me like family when I was staying with them and I appreciate them so much.

#2 – Bitcoin broke $100k (!!!)

Thanks to the results of US presidential elections, bitcoin broke $100,000 for the first time which I’m not gonna like, is a nice consolation for me – I wanted the other one to win (not the better choice, just the lesser evil) (although still evil).

Ngl the dopamine rush dring that time was UNREAL. It’s been a while since BTC mooned in a significant way.

#3 – Decided to use some of that sweet BTC profit to gift my Dad his ultimate travel destination

Did you remember the really bad jerebu season circa 200x? About 20 years ago.

During that time, my dad pulled us out of school and took all us kids to… New Zealand. We spent 2 weeks maybe roadtripping North and South Island.

Pulling us out of school was of course not in character of him but I suspect it simply coincided with other factors (ie he really wanted to go and used jerebu as an excuse) but he loved it – he loves the nature there. After coming back, he even considered migrating.

It’s been a hot minute since that trip yet my dad still spoke of the trip fondly… so I decided to gift him a fully-sponsored family trip to New Zealand in 2025.

I just felt, if not now, when? My parents are growing older. I want to use my money to create wonderful memories with them while I still can.

Currently my sister and I are planning our itinerary. A lovely bonding experience for us too.

#4 – Happy with my passive incomes

For years I’ve been working on creating and adding different sources of passive income and I’m really happy at the amount its accumulated to over the years. It’s not, SUPER A LOT or anything but it is substantial to me. I’m really grateful.

You can read my article in passive incomes here: 7 Best Passive Income in Malaysia+How to Do Them

#5 – Delivered personal finance workshop

This is the 4th(?) workshop I delivered for SIDC and so far I’ve gotten good reviews/feedback from participants so I’m hoping the same for this one as well.

I really enjoy delivering workshops and hope I get to do more of it in 2025 🙂

#6 – Misc

Read 2 books:

  • The Happiness of Pursuit: Finding the Quest That Will Bring Purpose to Your Life by Chris Guillebeau 
  • Same as Ever : Timeless Lessons on Risk, Opportunity and Living a Good Life by Morgan Housel

Bought for myself:

  • Some clothes (new and thrifted)
  • New wallet to replace my 6-year old one
  • New telekung
  • Mani pedi

Bought for family:

  • New sofa
  • New bunk bed for Mika
  • Nintendo Switch as wedding anniversary present
  • Gifts for my mom’s birthday and parents’ wedding anniversary

Nay of the Months:

#1 – Decided to replace sofa

Tbh I’m quite sad to replace the old sofa because we only used it for 2.5 years and I was aiming for, Idk, 10 years at least? Felt like the RM3.5k we paid for it was not worth it.

However not only the scratches look horrible, but the sofa is also STINKY despite sofa cleaning sessions. Plus I suspect our cats kept having fleas because of it.

So I bought a new sofa from IKEA. Thanks to suggestions from Twitter folks (seriously thank you!), I decided to get one with REMOVABLE COVERS that can be washed. I also managed to put it on 24 months 0% instalment so cashflow is less affected.

#2 – Spending the amount I did is messing with my head

Look, I am aware that close to RM70k spent within 2 months is a ridiculous sum. Even I’m surprised. I can’t wrap my own head around the amount. I used to work 2 YEARS for that sum.

You see, I am a frugal person, always have been. But I am also generous to my family, also always have been. So all I’m doing is upping my generosity, thanks to a little help from crypto profits.

I don’t regret dropping the amount (in fact I’m going to drop even more for other trip-related expenses like accommodation, food, transport etc) but I am going to take a break from traveling in 2025. I traveled a lot* in 2024 and even I know this is not sustainable for my long-term finances.

*2024 trips: Umrah, Hokkaido, Denmark (side visit to Sweden and Abu Dhabi), and Osaka+Kyoto

Things to Look Forward to:

  • Planning for February 2025 trip
  • Optimising my finances
  • Putting Mika in daycare so Mama can WORK

Well, that was my November and December 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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