How Far Would A Malaysian Go To Save Money?

These days, prices are going up and our currency is going down. But not to worry! Saving money is a unique Malaysian superpower that should impress everyone else in the world. Here are some brilliantly creative ways that we Malaysians routinely use to save money – see if any of them applies to you!

1. You camp at petrol stations the night before the harga naik

Trust us, bro... petrol stations are the most happening places in Malaysia...the night before fuel prices go up. You know how important it is to fill up to full tank before the new petrol price kicks in. 

Why? Because MATH. If you save RM0.20 per litre of petrol, you can save RM9 with a full tank of 45 litres – enough to buy one Village Park nasi lemak! So you fill to full tank and then you get to fill your stomach with one premium nasi lemak for free – siapa tak nak?

2. You must find the best price even though the difference is just 30 sen

When you want to buy something – new shampoo or even durians – you go to 3 different shops or stalls to find the best price. Like a trained Jedi warrior, if you see a shampoo priced at RM19.90, you can sense that it’s RM0.30 cheaper somewhere else. 

In the end, you realise the first store has the best price and you buy it from there. Don’t feel bad though – you usually find deals on other products along the way, and macam Lord of the Rings, it’s the journey that matters.

3. During online ticket sales, you refresh the page sampai nak mampus

It's 11.55pm and you've got everything ready. Super fast Internet? Check. Your browser tabs all closed except for one? Check. Mouse working? Check. Your 3 best friends online at the same time with the same page open? Check. Credit card? Check. 

To you, online airline ticket sales are all-important competitions. Once the clock strikes 12AM, the race is on! You and your friends are battling against hundreds of thousands of Malaysians fiercer than the Hunger Games. You get your mom and dad to refresh the page. You get your uncles and aunties. You get your friends. You train your cat to press refresh too. You HAVE to get the deal. If not, how to go on holiday? Can only afford Port Dickson.

4. You always try to bodek for a better deal

When the sign says “4 pisang goreng for RM2”, you think it really means “4++ pisang goreng for RM2.” Numbers are, after all, subjective and can be negotiated. You pay RM2, get your 4 pisang goreng, and then try to “pujuk” the makcik to give you more. “Makcik, mintak lebih sikit boleh? Dah tiga hari saya tak makan ni,” And you try out your “bodek” skills: “Saya kan selalu beli dari makcik. Sedap sangat pisang goreng ni!” Sometimes, it works. Sometimes, the makcik rolls her eyes.

5. You think “bottomless drink” means “everyone can share one drink.”

You split the cost of one “bottomless” ice lemon tea at a restaurant with your friends, and then you all share the drink. When the waiter or waitress walks by, everyone pushes the drink back to the person who ordered it and buat tak tahu je. 

Your pretending and poker face skills are epic sampai nak mampus. After all, sharing is caring! How can anyone blame you for upholding unity? Sehati, sejiwa, segelas teh ais limau!