Hari Raya Money Masterclass: Budgeting, Saving, Duit Raya & Smart Spending

We all love kuih raya, but your wallet doesn’t need to suffer harder than lemang on a hot fire.

Money-smart food planning:

• Compare homemade kuih versus store-bought. Sometimes making it yourself saves cash AND gives bragging rights 👩‍🍳
• Understanding cost per unit (RM38 for 50 pieces? RM2 each? Hmm…)
• Bulk buying means big savings and more kuih for everyone
• Avoid food waste means avoiding money loss

Basically, Raya food teaches you everything your bank wishes you already knew.

New clothes for Raya? Yes. Going broke for the fit? Absolutely not.

Style tips for financial sanity:

• Decide whether you need a whole new baju set, or if last year’s outfit just needs a glow-up with accessories (budget flex + eco flex = double win)
• Practice needs versus wants, and remember discounts are your best friends
• Consider preloved or tailoring for a fresh look without overspending
• Care for your clothes properly to extend lifespan and reduce cost per wear

Looking good and staying financially sane is iconic 👑

Let’s be real, nothing teaches Malaysians about money faster than duit raya.

If you’re giving duit raya:

• Set a duit raya budget so you don’t end up donating your entire salary by accident.
• Allocate amounts by category: kids, cousins, and adults-who-still-ask-for-duit
• Track your giving like a responsible financial adult

If you’re receiving:

Split your duit raya into:

• Save: choose ASNB , SSPN, or Tabung Hijau 💅
• Spend: Apply the 50/30/20 rule
• Share: Give zakat, sedekah or contribute to a good cause. Like Anne Frank said, no one has ever become poor by giving.

Duit raya teaches saving, discipline, money management, AND generosity. Who needs a finance textbook when you have a cute green packet?

Zakat is the reminder that financial responsibility isn’t just personal, it’s communal.

Use this chance to learn:

• How to plan for annual compulsory obligations
• How wealth distribution works
• The importance of planning ahead (no last-minute panic at the mosque, please)

Think of it as financial adulting, but with spiritual flair. ✨

Hosting guests means snacks, drinks, and cleaning till your back says “tolonglah.” But it doesn’t have to wreck your wallet.

Set a hosting budget:

• Plan out the variable expenses: drinks, kuih, extra paper cups?
• Buying in bulk like a pro
• Estimating guest numbers and get RSVPs so you don’t over or under-buy

It’s not just an open house. It’s expense management 101 with better food.