These 20 Everyday Habits Might Be Making You Broke

You decide to treat yourself to a meal, a good cup of coffee, and buy another pair of blue denim in this discount season. And before you know it, you’re left with hardly any money for the remaining days of the month.

The lack of money management habits, that's how.

If you carefully track all your spendings for a month, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise to know how much you can overspend on things — many of which you don’t even need.

But don’t fret yet. You can control these inclinations and inculcate financial discipline.

If you're one to shop too much, then at least have a credit card that rewards you everytime you decide to spend some cash. 

Know them, and correct them.

Instead of indulging in a fancy meal often, focus on cooking at home. This also means saying goodbye to those takeaway meals to stop blowing your money. Needless to say, it’s way healthier too.

And when you have to go out for a pricey meal, consider using a credit card that either fetches you cashback or gives you some reward points in return.

Check out the best credit cards for dining in Malaysia in 2018.

You might argue saying how good their cappuccino is! But you’re spending an average of RM7 on a cup of coffee.

Make coffee at home instead (may be using an affordable coffee machine) to feel refreshed. Carry a flask with you to work if free coffee isn’t available.

Shopping for groceries when you’re hungry is like entering a money trap! You’ll end up buying a lot of products you don’t need.

Keep in mind to have a meal before you make a trip to the supermarket. You’ll only focus on getting the essentials instead of exploring the aisles.

Here are the best credit cards for grocery shopping in Malaysia this year.

It may seem like these meals are a lot cheaper but they’re not. You can prepare larger portions by picking out fresh ingredients for a meal. To more money and healthier food!

Did you just add a couple of food items to your online shopping cart just to ensure you get it delivered for free? Or maybe you thought you struck a deal by giving in to the “Buy 2 Get 3 Ketchup Bottles” offer.

In all probability, you would’ve exceeded the expiry date by the time you’re done with the first two!

It’s tempting to buy products from a well-known brand. But it shouldn’t be a compulsion.

Look for affordable fashion, and stop paying hundreds more just for a name!

Here are the best credit cards for shopping in Malaysia in 2018.

Before you desperately start looking for a dress similar to the one your favourite pop star wore at the recent award show, just pause for a bit…and ask yourself: is it really worth it?

Blindly following ever-changing fashion trends is another way you lose money every now and then. Go for evergreen styles and make a lasting impression, something even your bank account would admire!

Well, new smartphones and laptops hit the market every day, but that doesn’t mean you keep upgrading your gadgets every 6 months.

Put in some research and buy a quality device, and stick to it for a long time. And did you know you can get them repaired as well if something goes wrong? Just saying.

Do you need six different types of body lotion if they all serve the same purpose? The best way to cut down costs in this department is to find a simple routine and choose products that are affordable, and more importantly, the ones you actually need.

Avoid buying a product that’s unnecessarily pricey, unless it’s going to make a noticeable difference or has been prescribed by your dermatologist.

Waiting for your online order can be frustrating. But choosing express shipping costs extra money.

Opt for standard shipping, unless you actually need something urgently.

Next time when you enter a supermarket to buy a handful of things but end up with an RM400 bill, blame your laziness!

Plan your meals for a week in advance and jot down all the ingredients that you would need to prepare them.

Having a shopping list (and sticking to it, more importantly) plays a bigger role than you thought in keeping your grocery shopping budget in control.

It’s almost a norm to snack on overpriced popcorn and sip on a pricey soda whilst watching a movie at the theatre. But is it necessary? No. Instead, you can eat a delicious meal at home before going to the theatre.

This reduces the desire to spend on munchies.

Check out the best credit cards for movies in Malaysia this year.

If you’re someone who’s mostly glued to internet content, you’d be well-advised to reconsider your expensive cable subscription.

This way you’ll not only take advantage of a dozen cheaper streaming services out there but also stop paying extra for the scores of channels you don’t watch.



For almost every paid app, there’s a free version. Research the options that are available and choose the best free app there is.

Also, resist the urge to buy coins to beat that tough level. It may seem less in the beginning but these expenses tend to snowball.



If you’re smoking 10 cigarettes a day, you’re not just doing the greatest disservice to your health, but also wasting not less than RM3,000 in a year!

And we’re not even considering medical costs in the likely event of a major health issue.



If you’re working out at the gym only once a week, guess you’re better off not renewing the annual membership. Go for affordable pay-per-entry gyms or work out using free fitness apps instead.

Your electricity bill will be much lower if you switch on the lights and other appliances like ACs only when necessary.

Invest in CFL bulbs and energy saving power trips to reduce costs on your electricity bill.

These credit cards offer the best benefits for paying your utilities!

You can possibly make a hundred ringgits, or even more, if you just sell off the unused stuff gathering dust in your house.

Stop hoarding, and sell them on preloved websites and apps! 

Agreed ridesharing is convenient, but use it only when there’s no alternative.

In case you don’t realise, public transport hasn’t stopped functioning ever since the Grabs and MyCars came to prominence!

Also, what happened to that bicycle of yours? Use it for shorter commutes.

Your car will run fine on regular RON95. Buying premium RON97, unless your car engine is optimised for its use or it has been explicitly recommended for by the manufacturer, is a waste of money.

In any case, a credit card that helps you get rebates on fuel is much needed if you're someone that drives often.

Here are the best credit cards for petrol in Malaysia this year.

Click HERE to see which credit card is the right one for you and your lifestyle.