I just received the new book by Lydia Teh. The good news is that I was given a few copies which are to be given to you!
Lydia is a talented writer. Her best-selling book Honk! If You’re Malaysian was voted the most popular non-fiction book in The Star-Popular Reader’s Choice Awards 2008.
More than 300 money-saving tips
There are really a lot of tricks to help you save every sen possible, discussed in details in the book.
The best way to save money is not to loose it!
Les Williams
I don’t expect you to follow all the tips and live your life to the maximum frugality. However, I believe that there are several tips which are practically useful no matter how much money you have.
You can save tax by having your spouse as a business partner.
One can also get great bargain if she is shopping at the right time of the day for specific stuff (think of bread and cake).
….. there are over 300 tips packed inside it!
Get a complimentary copy here
Interested to get an autographed copy for free? Just comment below. Tell us what’s your top money-saving method. I will choose one winner next week.
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Saving Plan come from my 5 max. expenditures:
- Insurance – Choose only one and cover all types premium by having full time and aggressive agent. Sometime, they also help financial plan consultancy
- Transportation – Drive Viva save petrol and service outside instead perodua service
- Food – Do gardening eat what you plant. Vegi are good for health too. I have 5 choices weekly
- Clothing – Buy during Jusco day. 70 % le…
- Self interest – Buy during exhibition or fair for better offer and comparative
That’s organic food if you plant it yourself. Nice.
My wife is also crazy about Jusco day.
Active force saving – On the day the monthly income is received, put aside a certain amount (eg: 15%) and save that into a separate account for investment or just basic saving. When theres lesser amount available in the account that is tie to ATM card, theres lesser money to spend hence preventing any unnecessary lavish activities. Thats what i used to practised, now what I do is to have multiple accounts: saving 15%, entertainment 10%, investment 15%, daily expenses 15%…etc etc…
Hi David,
That’s very troublesome to manage so many bank accounts. Mind to share how you do it with ease?
Thanks
GIVING = SAVING
You will have the abundance.
Bring your tithes to God and he will open the windows of heaven for you and will pour out a blessing so great you wont have enough room to take it in.
This is true. The more we give, the more we receive.
My top saving method is think twice with survey and BUY what you NEED and NOT what you WISH.
Wow .. that’s very discipline.
Plan, plan, plan… A good plan is the best way to take control of your finances.
Track your spending and cash to know where every ringgit goes!
Yes. We shall have a good and sound budget plan.
My saving tips:
Transfer a minimum amount of RM50 to EPF via CIMB online banking every month as additional savings (must be between RM50 to RM5,000)
Invest in Amanah Saham Malaysia / Wawasan 2020 if there is additional fund open for subscription. The returned is higher than FD and EPF
Maintain money at FD if there is no other higher return investment
Open maintain Gold Investment Account
Monitor on monthly expenses. Spend less on those unnecessary things. Think twice before purchase it
Hi Joey,
There is a reader who is very curious about your tips on transferring RM50 to EPF via CIMB online banking. Are you a self-employed who opt to contribute to EPF?
Please enlighten us.
Thanks in advance.
I’m not self-employed. I still contribute 11% of my salary every month. On top of that, I did the transfer as additional savings.
I have checked this transfer matter with one of the KWSP officer at Shah Alam and the officer said no problem and just knew about this matter when I told that I’ve tried to do the transfer via online & has successfully.
At the EPF statement the amount transferred will show as “Bayaran Caruman Diri Sendiri” at “Syer Pekerja” Column and the amount will split to Account 1 (70%) & Account 2 (30%).
Recently, I saw this function available at Maybank online banking but I have yet to try it.
1. Buy a Great Eastern endowment or investment linked policy (a portion of monthly income bout 20-30% depending on targeted savings)
2. Spend the rest…
Outcome…enjoy life without needing to worry of savings for a rainy day…
@ Kennard,
This is what I practice too, since I am a GE agent.
First of all, everyone have different priorities which essentially dictates their money saving habits. Its also dependent on their income level. So, for the past 4 years, the first step to my money-saving method is to find out the trends in my spending or saving habit. Everyone puts emphasis on how to save money. Well, if you are saving a little bit money or a lot of money on something UNNECESSARY, thats not exactly saving is it? What you need to do is find a way to track your spending/earning habit first.
I personally use Microsoft money which comes free on most pcs. I have been using it for almost 4 years now. You set up your checking accounts, credit cards and balances in the software. Then as you spend/earn you go in there and post it to the appropriate category. You do this for a while youd be surprised at some of the reports the software will show you. Trust me little things add up!. The BEST money-saving tip is REALLY knowing where your money is going!
This is like a doctor at work.. Doctor try to find traits and clue on the patient condition before giving the prescription. Knowing where our money goes is the first step of better financial planning.
Nice sharing!
Wow so many tips already. I just read all this, make my day to be a better person in personal finance hehe. Thanks for for the tips guys. By the way all my tips already been mention by many of you. One certain thing, I live below my means and save whenever I can hehe. I want to be an automatic millionaire next door one day. Cheers
In fact, personal finance should be simple.
We must always spend less than we earn. Then focus our effort to increase our income. Simple rules, but true and practical.
Great sharing, DOM.
This is a tip for those who loves to eat the mc nuggets in Macdonald. If you happen to order 12 pic of nuggets, You will definitely order 2 set of 6 pic nuggets from the mcvalue meal. Here is the trick. Instead of doing so, buy 3 set of 4 pieces of mc nuggets from the Mc saver menu and you end up saving up to 50 cents to a dollar and still get to enjoy the 12 pieces of nuggets at a cheaper price!!! WOOHOO
wow .. you are very sensitive
Nice trick!!
There are so many money saving tips. The most primarily basic is attitude. We need to discipline ourselves and have a proper of control. If there are no proper attitude, no matter how many things you have listed, the succession of following will may not varied thru the life time. Once a month may success later on forget about it or postpone it. Therefore succession in saving is always come from our mind and attitude.
Suez, you are right. Financial success is more depending on one’s emotional quotient rather than IQ.
There are many ways one can save money as some of the others have put it so succinctly (while others fluff about rather than be SPECIFIC) BUT here is ONE tangible specific way anyone (provided they have an income good credit rating) can benefit given its recent introduction into the market.
Open a Standard Chartered Just One Current Account and get the SBC Just One Mastercard too (this is of course subject to card approval)
Whats so good about it?
- You earn 5% cash rebate on ALL card spending on Fridays (so any planned purchases can be done on Fridays)
- You earn 2% cash rebate on ALL card spending on all other days
- On top of the above cash rebate, you still earn 1 Reward Pt for every RM2 spent
- You can earn up to 2.38% interest on your Just One Current account if your balance exceeds RM100k (which is HIGHER than FD rates in banks except for the 12mth term period) Even if your balance is as little as RM2k, you still earn at least 1.38% which is way better than some savings accounts out there!
- You can also earn MORE Reward Pts by earning 1 Reward Pt for every RM10 saved (based on your average monthly credit bank balance)
The added sweetener – until July31, when you open the above a/c, you will also get a 1st yr annual fee waiver AND guaranteed 5 000 Reward Points!!!
Hence, aside from the other standard credit card benefits like not having to carry physical cash, minimum 21 days interest free period, special tie-ups with merchants, discounts, zero installment plans, balance transfer plans, etc, you can also enjoy the above TANGIBLE benefits of the Just One Current a/c and Credit Card.
Enough said! So when should i expect my FREE autographed copy??? Hahaha!
PS – Fyi, i am not a SCB staff BUT i have to take my hat off to them as i now use my newly received SCB Just One card for all my card purchases BUT do note that the maximum rebate claimable is RM600 per year.
Hi Raj,
This card really sounds great!
However, the maximum claim of RM600/year is the catch. In my case, I have already claimed more than RM600/year from my Alliance bank credit card which give 1% instant rebate only.
For those who don’t spend much on their credit card, this SBC Just One credit card provides a lot of benefit you can’t enjoy elsewhere.
Thanks for sharing.
HI KC
Heres my Top 3 tips
1) Switch of ALL electrical products switches at the mains when Im away for more than 2 days – not only does it save (as you know, theres electricity leakages when the mains are on even if the equipment isnt) but less risk of electrical short circuit too!
2) Instead of cooking everyday, I cook up a big batch of most of my dishes and freeze them in little serving portions. This saves time and electricity / gas and also healthier as its just as quick to pop containers of homecooked rice and dishes into the microwave compared to eating out.
3) Go to the park or stay home and watch DVDs instead of going to shopping malls and cinemas. This way, Im less tempted to buy and also save on the movie ticket.
Hear my money-saving tips when furnishing your home interview on BFM radio.
http://www.bfm.my/Inexpensive-Ways-To-Furnish-Your-Home-Bargains-Warehouse-Sale-Cheryl-Teh.html
Enjoy,
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
You have a great voice! Thanks for sharing.
Before buying anything you think you want, go away(some where else or leave it for a day or two) and think on it again…usually after a while, you wont want to buy it anymore. Save at least 10% of your monthly income and put it into your savings account and once you have a small chunk(maybe RM2000 or more) in the bank, put 50 % of it into Unit Trust Fund to appreciate even more over the years (and once you start your unit trust fund, make sure you keep putting in regularly despite current economic situation as there is never a right or wrong time to buy when you practise dollar cost averaging!!!
Unit trust is an effective saving vehicle especially with the dollar cost averaging strategy.
wow, so many tips aready like the mention above. The way i currently practice is to save 10% of my earning and think carefully before making decision to buy something. Prioritize the things i need and fit it to current world. Cheers
Very practical!
Some tips picked up ..
a. A Ringgit saved is A Ringgit earned, simple philosophy that encompass whole financial
management i.e to earn, you must start with savings.
b. This brings to second widely used statement When you get your salary, pay yourself first
again, the concept of savings via forced mean.
Forced saving is definitely a very effective method to accumulate wealth
1) Consolidate all your household expeses and use the high cash rebate credit card for instance StanChart JustOne Credit Card, where any spending on friday, you are given 5% cash rebate, along with choice points (reward points) given = Double reward!
or to use TravelMoney RHB Credit Card on every 1st weekend for 5% petrol rebate.
2) Never spend time on money-saving more than your time to think of creative idea to be of the service (add value to peoples lives) for others to make more money.
3) Follow straight to budget every month, etc 10% saving, 5% gift (donation) and 10% (education, self-development), minimum 10% for investment of building multiple source of income.
4) Save the earth, for instance, re-use paper, draft, write digitally, car pool, plan properly only drive and do all things at a go so to save the travelling cost (efficiency), get into habit of electric saving (use air cond only when the weather is unbearable, air cond timer to stop few hours before wake up time everyday, energy saving tool, etc)
continue from the last comments:-
5) NO WINDOWS SHOPPING. SHOP only during SALES TIME (dont shop simply because its CHEAP), Shop only within list with budget set priorly, while shopping, 1st rule, is it a MUST (URGENT) as against a NEED (IMPORTANT)? Does it help in generating more income? Bulk buying with friends and always ask for discount wherever possible.
5) delay gratification always, such as, to delay for the first buying urge at the 1st encounter even though it seems DIRT CHEAP, believe that theres always theres cheaper and better out there. Always compare at least with 3-4 of the same merchant for same products.
Nice list!
$$$ SAVE BEFORE USE $$$
The method I use and strongly recommended to every one.
When you get your salary, put a fix amount (5 to10%) into a separate saving account.
Use ATM machine to transfer the money or ask the bank to do a standing Instruction. When you do not see the money you will not feel it.
This saving account should not have an ATM card. The money in this account is use for investment or emergency purpose.
If you are married, then make that saving account a joint account and without ATM card too.
By doing this, it avoid you to withdraw money from it because you and your wife need to go to the bank together to withdraw money.
Then you will see the amount of money keep increasing.
You will be motivated to do it every month… ask your partner did he/she bank in money on each month this will become a reminder to both of you.
Happy saving.
You remind me of the old time piggy bank. We can’t take the money out unless we break it.
Take care of ur health. Be particularly concern with ur health, cos medical bills will be more than what u can earn if u are diagnosed with a serious critical illness.. Watch out for ur diet n exercise regularly. The other option is, do consider some health insurance. If u can settle ur by-pass operation bills with cash thats great, otherwise…
Yes..
Young people sacrifice their health to get wealth
Old people sacrifice their wealth to get health…
It is useless to have significant wealth without the health to enjoy it.
Thanks for your sharing Ben!
always keep a biz mind, turn all expenses into incomes, ie.
when buying food, ask neighbors and friends if they want too, then buy bulk to save money and then may even charge normal price to them, they earn too coz u do the hard work running around and sending them the stuff.
always ask for reseller or wholesale price.
here comes a practical tip for all of us who leave comment here … whoever win this book, after finish reading, please pass the book to the person who comment after you. If that person already read the book, then pass to the person below his comment. when reached the last commenter, repeat on the first commenter.
i can sponsor a system to track if you all like the idea too
This sounds good!
My money saving method:
i. married with my working wife
ii. work with company that supply with more frees stuff such as freeee house + free electric + free water – that company is palm oil mill industry. and i have save moreeee money.
iii. stay in rural area that i have to drive 20 km to arrive at the nearest main road. so i can easily avoid window shopping!!
iv. my house is about 1 kilometre from my work place – save petrol.
all the above i mention is hard to find, hard to serasi with but i have save more money than my friend… this is my first job and i aim to save rm 15k peryear hear plus 6 month bonus.. hehehe.. am i qualified… hahaha..
TIP 1
As a working mum, I take the hard work of waking up early and prepare breakfast lunch for my kids and hubby. Not only its healthier (As I control their food intake – the amount of vege, fruits, meat the way its cooked – preferably steamed, bake), but it really does save us a lot of $$$. For example, a breakfast at kopitiam will normally costs RM4.50 (for kon lau mee) RM1.70 (Ice Milo) = RM6.20 for breakfast; RM6 (lunch) + RM1.70 (cold drinks) = RM7.70; total meal allowance per day would be RM13.90 X 20 working days X 2 (Me hubby) = GRAND TOTAL of RM556.00 per month. This excluded the expensive lunch we might have sometimes (E.g. eat out @ coffee bean, secret recipe etc). Take that calculation X 12 months would be: RM6672.00. (Note: My food prices are based on Kota Kinabalu Kopitiam, it may be more expensive or cheaper in your location). For home made food, your grocery bills would be much much lesser than the above! To the other mums, working is not an excuse to not making home-cooked food, as I always find recipes that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare! The amount we save allowed us to put as part of our down payment for our property investment! So picture this, saving 2 year of eat-out = approx. RM10000 : used as down payment for a apartment RM100000 – 150000 for rental purpose! Isnt it amazing! The more calculation you did, trust me, you will be willing to wake up much early to prepare! As for me, I plan our food chart for the whole week!
TIP 2
On weekdays, I would drive a company vehicle which has a smaller CC compared to my own vehicle. Driving a smaller CC car (HONDA CITY), for a full tank of fuel, I can drive up to 400km distance. And the maintenance is cheaper compared to my own vehicle.
TIP 3
I only shop once a month in supermarket with a shopping lists (E.g. milk powder, pampers erc). This is to avoid unnecessary trips to the mall which you might end up buying other stuff unneeded from other shops.
TIP 4
During our supermarket visit, I will make sure to make a stop at Toys R Us so the kids can have some fun time. They can spend an hour there without realising it. And they can try out all new toys. Normally kids get bored after playing with it for a while, so there is no point buying back! As it will end up in one corner of their room unnoticed!
TIP 5
Since me hubby love investing in properties, instead of buying under personal name, we bought it under Sdn. Bhd. This allows us to deduct certain expenses and claim for certain allowance. Not only we pay less tax, but we also owned a company with a profitable return! We have our mission objectives targets to how many property we need to acquire per year!
Since the rest about credit cards etc has been mentioned, I dont think I will say it again! Cheers!
You are a hard working mom!
It is so true about what you say on toys – my son just doesn’t seem to be satisfied all the time.
The best way to save more money is to make more money to save, while at the same time, reducing spending wastage on unnecessary items. As time is money, use spare time to think of ways to make more money (unlimited upside), instead of thinking of ways to cut back on savings (limited downside). With this way, if I maintain my spending, Ill see improvements in my income which translates to more savings
Hi VampireM, your point is so true. I always advice people to earn more instead of limiting their means. When we make more money, we can save more and also spend more.
Do not spend too much on car. How much time we spend in a car a day? For most of us, it is just a “tool” to get us from point A to point B. It is a liability. The purchase, monthly instalment, petrol and maintenance will eat up our saving.
Buy a car that costs about 6 times of your monthly salary. Foreigners use this as guide in buying cars… They are not subject to excise duty though…
Car is probably the biggest expense of a new working adult
Always follow the simple formula:-
Income – Saving = Expenses…
Expenses should never exceeded us income…Always practice Budget – Allocation-Spending
Ahhh to be able to eat so much roti canai! I miss Malaysia! You guys have it good over there i tell ya. Good food, nice people, fun times.
Save money by simply being mindful of where ever dollar goes!
Best,
RB
Rich By 30 Retire By 40
Also, dont let your expenses ever catch up with your wage growth. Keep it real guys!
Rgds,
RB
Rich By 30 Retire By 40
a lot of advice for saving
My top saving tip is to predetermine an ambitious fixed percentage of saving (e.g. 20 – 30%) from my total monthly income and transfer the money to a different account than my normal spending account.
This way, no matter how much I spend; or not much left to spend anyway; will not impact my saving plan.
Once my saving reaches certain amount, I will use the money for investments. Any gains from investments will go back to saving again. The cycle repeats.
You are a disciplined saver!
Thanks for your insights.
I generally save about 10% of my base pay, and 100% of my bonus every year. Hence, that works out to me saving about 75% of my gross income a year i.e. if my base is $100,000, and bonus is $400,000, I save $410,000/yr.
Rgds,
RB
Rich By 30 Retire By 40
Most people love to spend their bonus on big items. You must have saved a lot!
My best money saving method is delaying purchases on something that your really need to buy. If you wanna buy something expensive, try to sleep on it overnite…think if you really need it or not…then you decide…and another one is, full payment on credit card each month….you will save a lot of money……..hope these tips help you…!
Hi Mohd Husni,
It must be a struggle .. but nonetheless, save a lot!
so, who won??
If possible, save over 50% of your income every year. It is the only way to get rich. When I was working, I made about US$750,000/yr. I would save about $600,000/yr gross or $3,800,000 after tax in 10 years. That’s all I needed and I was done.
Good luck everyone and come visit my site!
Shogun @ Financial Samurai
Shogun,
Get back to work and don’t bluff people that you made US$750,000/yr or you won’t get your paycheck end of this month. Sleep early tonight and dream, you might dream of that.
People, to save money, just follow the 50tips from KCLau’s book and you will save.
Boss,
I’m sorry. I won’t bluff again. Correction to above.. I only made US$12,000/yr and I don’t save much cause not able to. Sorry for that.
Hey Shogun, you are really a funny guy
buy me a starbucks
This is funny stuff, I love it!
The fact of the matter is, there is so much more money out there than one can imagine. Just giving whoever is copying my address a heads up:
The average MBA graduate from went to a Top 10 school makes ON AVERAGE $140-165,000 one year out of school. Average age upon graduation? 28-29. Now, if a 28-29 year old kid can make US$150,000, what do you think the 35 year old guy in finance makes with 5-6 more years experience and one or two title’s higher? Exactly, 3-8X EASILY.
Guys age 35 in my old company would make $1-1.5 million USD easily during the good times.
Keigu,
Shogun
Here’s an article about average MBA salaries.. this EXCLUDES bonus.
All MBA average salaries is $108,000. Top 10 is at least 40-50% higher.
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/blogs/mba_admissions/archives/2008/11/higher_salaries.html
KC – I’ll buy you a Grande Mocha Latte no problem! Just let me know next time you’re in San Francisco. My site is buying out RB’s site at RichBy30RetireBy40.com.
Keiju,
Shogun
Where to buy the Stretching Your Dollar$ and $ense book & how much is the price?
It is available in the major bookstores.
I saw it once at Popular Gurney Plaza.
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