You’d never guess it from social media, but many young Malaysians are silently drowning in city expenses.
Some put on a brave face, others stay quiet out of shame.
But one Threads user recently spoke up and his brutally honest take on trying to live in Kuala Lumpur with a RM2,500 salary has struck a chord with many.
He opened with a powerful comparison:
“Surviving in KL feels like playing Squid Game.”
The cost of just staying afloat
While RM2,500 might sound like a livable amount on paper, the user’s expense breakdown tells a different story.
He listed the essential costs that already take up more than half of his monthly pay:
- Room rent: RM600
- Eating out twice daily: RM600 (RM10 per meal)
- Commute to work: RM200
- Phone + internet: RM100
By the time these basics are covered, he’s left with barely anything and that’s not even counting things like emergencies, sending money home, or raising kids.
But can’t you just find a higher-paying job?
It’s a question many low-income earners hear all too often.
“A lot of people say, ‘Just find a better job,’” he wrote.
But he was quick to point out that it’s not always that simple. Even those with university degrees often struggle to land jobs that match their qualifications.
Instead of climbing a clear career ladder, many are forced to settle, taking on whatever job they can get just to survive.
The part no one talks about: shame
Beyond the financial stress, the user also highlighted something more emotional; the stigma of struggling.
“Some people feel like if they admit they’re struggling, others will look down on them,” he said.
But he reassured readers that they’re not alone and more importantly, they’re not at fault.
This isn’t about laziness. It’s the system. Prices keep rising, but salaries remain the same.”
What people want isn’t luxury, it’s simply to live without constant stress.
‘Downgrade your lifestyle’
His post didn’t just resonate, it sparked a flood of responses from netizens offering everything from practical advice to tough love:
“Find rooms for RM350–400 near MRT/LRT stations. Use a motorbike to save on transport. Bring your own rice and buy dishes for RM5. Many offices and mosques have Coway water too.”
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“I started with RM1,500 in 2021 and survived. Be patient and grateful. InshaAllah, things will improve.”
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“Still want to have kids with a RM2K+ salary? ”
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“Live below your means. Downgrade your lifestyle, save and invest the difference. In the end, it’s not how much you earn, it’s how much you keep.”
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Read the post here:
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