Remember the good old days when RM50 could practically fill a grocery cart during our parents’ shopping trips? Ah, those were the days!
Now, let’s fast forward to a Malaysian living down under in Australia, who’s stirring up quite the buzz on social media by showing us what 50 Australian dollars (that’s about 155 Malaysian Ringgit, by the way) can snag you in a supermarket today.
Zatul Iffah takes to TikTok to share snippets of her life in Australia, including this eye-opening grocery haul.
In her viral video, Iffah rolls out her shopping cart like it’s a treasure chest on wheels, packed to the brim with an impressive mountain of food and essentials—all for just 50 bucks.
We’re talking about snagging turmeric and grapes for a dollar each, a kilo of minced beef and two kilos of fish for ten bucks each, peaches and a bunch of bananas at pocket-change prices, six kiwifruits, sweet potatoes, a lavish bottle of oyster sauce, half a cabbage, some spinach, fresh salad leaves, a pack of rice noodles, and even a bottle of Tom Yum sauce to spice things up.
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Zatul, who has been in Australia since June last year, shared the living costs there.
“It depends on where you shop. I prefer to shop at cheap markets to get really cheap options. I am a self-sponsored student with a very limited budget who loves to eat so much. Because I cannot afford to buy vegetables and fruits at well-established supermarkets, I decided to explore many markets until I found affordable food prices.”
This story has got everyone talking, especially back in Malaysia, where folks are amazed (and a bit jealous, let’s be honest) at how far 50 Australian dollars go in Melbourne compared to what RM50 gets you in Malaysia these days.
Some netizens joked, saying that back home, 50 Ringgit might just cover a bag of rice and a dozen eggs.
Many pointed out an important perspective on the comparison between spending 50 Australian dollars in Australia and what RM150 can get you in Malaysia. They highlighted, “50 Australian dollars equals about RM150… if you buy goods with RM150 in Malaysia, you might feel like you can get more for your money.”
However, the netizen also brought attention to a crucial economic concept that many overlook: purchasing power.
They explained, “Not everyone understands what purchasing power is. Direct conversions might make things look expensive, but it’s important to consider the average salary in Australia, which is around $6,600. We’re talking about the average salary here.”
But this isn’t just about the currency conversion game; it’s a fun comparison that highlights how different places offer different values for the same amount of money.
