Let’s Get Personal (Financially)

Just by writing the title post, I got nervous. Writing about personal finance is not a funny business, things just got real. Buckle up.

WHO AM I?

If you’re looking for a financial expert that can give you advice on everything financial, i.e. Malaysian and global economy, investment, early retirement, financial independence, frugal living, cryptocurrency, renting vs buying, ASB vs ASBF, insurance – you’re in the wrong place. I’ve been reading those stuff for a couple of years and I’m still very much lost. In my favourite words, I’m still figuringgitout.

But if you’re looking for a Malaysian millennial who is struggling to get her financial life in order, working a 9 – 6 job, living paycheck to paycheck with minimum to none savings each month, doesn’t even have sufficient emergency fund in her bank accounts, reads a lot of financial advice but can’t seem to implement them in her life and deep down wants to improve her financial state – you come to the right place. Welcome. Let’s figuringgitout with me.

WHY THE ANONYMITY?

I’ve been taught growing up that money is a private matter. We don’t discuss money at home. Heck, I don’t even know how much my parents were earning. When I asked my mom, her usual answers would be I should be focusing on my studies and as long as we have shelter and food, that’s enough. #typicalAsians I don’t bother asking now.

So I’ve always been private with money but haha! who am I kidding? I didn’t even have any to talk about until recent years after I graduated and started working. Just imagine- from never talking about money to having steady income every month, I’m just lost. I don’t know what to do. To cut story short, I am a financial wreck!

So to ensure a full and free disclosure regarding my financial state in this blog (because I so malu), I will keep myself anonymous.

WHAT’S MY FINANCIAL STATE?

Fuh this is a tough one. Considering JobStreet’s Salary Report of 2019, I would consider myself as lucky among my peers because I’m earning a decent salary for someone who has just started working 2 years ago – well above the average maximum salary across all sectors and I’m grateful for that.

However, here’s the funny (more to sad) thing about this. I have no idea where the money goes every month. I still live paycheck to paycheck and I don’t have savings even equivalent to my one-month salary, nuh-uh! After two years! Illek.

Before I’m being blamed for my morning Starbucks coffee (which I don’t do), Instagrammable vacations (which I rarely do), fancy overpriced cafe (which I’m so stingy to go) or my latest iPhone or MacBook (which I’ve never had), I’d say, though it’s hard to believe, I’m always cautious when it comes to spending money. But that’s the thing- I don’t know what I do wrong to always be in my third week of the month hoping the following week to come faster so I can have my gaji!

This is going to change. Soon. Help.

WHY THIS BLOG?

I need accountability partners but because I’m too embarrassed to discuss about money in real life- this will do.

Also, I’m obsessed with financial blogs, videos, podcasts and the like but I notice that they’re too advanced to be relatable. Especially personal finance bloggers in Malaysia. Most if not all personal finance figures that I know, they’re already in another level, passed the worst of it. Whilst it’s inspiring and beneficial to hear from them, it lacks the relatability that makes me feel at home (if this makes any sense).

So here I am, figuringgitout. Hopefully in 3 years’ time (or 3 months’ time, I won’t mind), I would have ringgit (and life) (life because life as an adult is not all flowery, more thorns than flowers) figured out.