M'sia FB user, 30, earning RM8,000 (S$2,500) says cost of living in M'sia too high, chooses to work in S'pore

According to a post on a Facebook group dedicated to working people in Singapore and Malaysia, a 30-year-old man from Malaysia, earning around RM8,000 (S$2,550) a month, shared about his decision to work in Singapore due to the high cost of living in Malaysia.

8world reported that despite earning a relatively high salary, he chose to work in Singapore as he was only saving around RM300 (S$95) a month.

Small amount of savings

This was because after paying his taxes, his take-home pay was around RM6,800 (S$2,169).

The Facebook post added that out of his take-home pay, he still had to pay the bills for fixed expenses every month.

These monthly expenses included RM2,100 (around S$670) for his house, RM500 (S$160) for his car, as well as RM530 (S$169) for health and life insurance.

He also had to pay around RM213 (S$68) for phone bills and Wi-Fi, and RM1,500 (S$478) for daily expenses.

'Hidden' living expenses

This then left him with around RM1,957 (S$624) a month, the post added.

In addition, the man noted that he still had to account for certain "hidden" living expenses, such as around RM1,000 (S$318) for a yearly body checkup, RM1,800 (S$574) for road tax, and RM1,500 (S$478) for car-related expenses.

On top of that, the man also calculated RM1,000 (S$318) for Lunar New Year's gifts, RM5,000 (S$1,594) to RM10,000 (S$3,189) for holiday expenses, as well as around RM4,000 (S$1,275) for other shopping and house-related expenses.

As a result, this left the man with around RM3,700 (S$1,180) in savings per year.

Future planning

The man said in the post that he could still cope as he only had to settle personal expenses at the moment.

However, he questioned how he was supposed to have a family in future when all items, including milk powder and diapers, would require money.

He then said his decision to work in Singapore was not because he was ambitious but due to the financial pressures he faced in Malaysia.

Top photo via Google Maps