Hello Grasshoppa,

Let’s talk about something that makes a lot of Malaysians nervous—saving money. Most people think they’re saving, but the truth is they aren’t saving nearly enough to build real financial security. And no, stashing a few hundred ringgit every now and then isn’t going to make you wealthy. If you’re serious about building your financial b, you need a system that works. So why aren’t you saving enough? And more importantly, how do you fix it?

1. You Spend First, Save Later

This is the number one mistake I see. You get your salary, you pay the bills, you makan at your favorite cafe, buy those sneakers on sale, and then maybe you’ll save whatever’s left over. Spoiler alert: there’s never anything left over. The fix? Pay yourself first. As soon as you get paid, set aside a fixed percentage into your savings or investment account. Treat it like a bill you must pay. Start with 20% if you can, and automate it so you don’t have to rely on discipline alone. What’s left over is what you live on—not the other way around.

2. You Don’t Know Where Your Money Goes

I used to tell myself I was “pretty careful” with spending… until I tracked it. RM10 here on bubble tea, RM20 there on Grabfood, and suddenly, I had no clue why I wasn’t saving more. Start tracking your expenses for 30 days. Use an app like Money Lover or Money Manager to get real data on your spending. You’ll be shocked. Awareness is the first step to cutting back. Once you see where your money leaks are, you can plug them.

3. You Confuse Wants With Needs

You think you need the latest iPhone. You think you need to eat out every day because “life is short” (yes, I’ve said that too). But every time you upgrade your lifestyle before upgrading your income, you rob your future self. If your goal is financial freedom, you need to live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later. Delay gratification. Stick to what you need, and let your investments pay for what you want in the future.

4. Your Emergency Fund is Missing in Action

Too many people wait until a crisis hits before thinking about their savings. Car breakdown? Hospital bills? Suddenly, you’re swiping your credit card and going into debt. If you don’t have at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses saved up, start building your emergency fund now. It’s not optional. This fund is your safety net—it keeps you in the game when life throws punches.

5. You Think Small

“Saving RM100 a month is enough, right?” Maybe to get started, but it won’t get you rich. You need to think bigger. How can you increase your income? Pick up a side hustle? Start investing? The wealthy don’t just save—they multiply their money. Saving is the first step, but investing is where the magic happens. Once you have your emergency fund, put your money to work in assets that grow such as stocks, property, or your own business.

Conclusion: 

Saving money isn’t about being stingy—it’s about buying yourself freedom. If you’re not saving enough, it’s time to stop making excuses and start making changes. Pay yourself first. Track your spending. Cut the fluff. Build that emergency fund. And when you’re ready, make your money grow.

The earlier you start, the faster you get to financial freedom. That’s how you earn your black belt in personal finance, Grasshoppa.

OSS!