How could you not love eating as a Malaysian?

From mamak staples like Maggi goreng, roti canai, and tosai, to indulgent wagyu BBQs, seafood buffets, and Italian pasta, it’s safe to say we all enjoy spending a good amount to treat our taste buds.

But this habit is one of the factors (apart from low wages) that are contributing to our thinner wallets and lower savings. To be clear, low wages is the main cause of low savings, but we’ll leave that topic for another day.

According to an article published on The Malaysian Reserve, there is a “growing addiction” of Malaysians eating out, leading the majority of people to allocate a large portion of their monthly income to satisfy their cravings.

On average, Malaysians spend RM800-1,200 per month dining out, which makes up quite a fair margin of their monthly income.

In fact, if we compare it to the median salary, dining out takes up about 30-45% of our monthly earnings.

The same article also mentioned that the prices of basic foodstuffs such as sugar are very low, contributing to unhealthy eating habits. This has led to a rise in non-communicable diseases and has driven up medical costs.

Malaysia is currently the country with the second-highest obesity rate in South-East Asia.

Following this, a professor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) urged Malaysians to urgently change their lifestyles, particularly their eating patterns and fitness levels.

But is it fair to say that ALL Malaysians are addicted to eating out?

I conducted a poll on Instagram and WhatsApp asking this question. The majority of you said that most Malaysians are addicted to eating out, and I can’t disagree with you on this. Our food is just too delicious.

But for those who voted no, you raised an important point: not everyone eats out because they’re addicted. For some, it’s simply a matter of convenience.

Back in the day, a father’s sole income could comfortably support a family of four, with mom cooking dinner at home.

These days, both parents have to work 9-to-6, with some even juggling 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet. Add that to the stress of rush hour traffic, and it’s no wonder that finding time to cook has become a challenge.

It’s much easier—and more practical actually—to buy dinner on the way home, spending RM40-50 on a large family meal. This not only saves time but also allows them to rest or spend precious moments with their kids instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

Single people also face challenges when it comes to cooking at home—not just with finding the time, but also with grocery shopping.

Staples like potatoes, carrots, and meats are often sold in portions meant for 3-4 people, making it difficult to buy just enough for one person.

If these ingredients aren’t used up in time, they end up going to waste—and that’s money straight down the drain.

For some people, high grocery prices make it cheaper to eat out.

Healthy foods such as fruits are not cheap these days. Those earning less may find it difficult to afford these necessities, so they spend more on unhealthy, processed foods.

I saw a nearby fruit stall hiking the price of dragon fruit from RM8/kg to RM13/kg in less than two months. Those on a tighter budget will have to settle for cheaper alternatives—or skip fruits altogether.

How can I cut down my monthly spending on food?

Start by cutting things that don’t make much of a difference to you. If you’ve always been buying organic fruits and vegetables when your budget is tight, then you should probably opt for regular choices.

Next, hunt for cashback and vouchers. Many grocery chains offer membership programs with attractive discounts during promotional periods, so be sure to sign up and keep an eye out for deals.

Thirdly, always compare prices across different supermarkets and stick to the one that offers the best value, ensuring that the food is affordable but still fresh.

More importantly, you should not support vendors that charge absurd prices. Recently, a satay stall went viral for selling 3 sticks and a drink for RM21.90.

Many Malaysians voiced out on this and accused the vendor of charging unreasonable prices. Some even mockingly referred to the satay set as “T20 food” or “luxury satay”.

While the criticism was harsh, it highlighted an important aspect of a free market: consumers have the power to choose.

If you decide to support a nasi lemak vendor that is selling a plate at RM20 when the average price is only around RM12-15, then you’re unnecessarily inflating your own expenses.

This is not to say that you shouldn’t spend on good food, but rather, you should opt for cheaper alternatives when your budget is tight.

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That’s all for this week’s newsletter!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial, legal, or tax advice.