What to do with your life if you earn RM2.4K a month as a fresh grad

(Author's note: This write up assumes that you are a fresh grad [who can hold a conversation with an employer without helicopter parents], just started working, hoping to grow financially strong & independent in less the next 5 years. You may not have the means to excel right now but you have the right mindset and motivation – which means, you’re halfway there!)

What to do with your life if you earn 2.4K a month (2.2k nett after deductions). Most of these tips focuses on the input of your money: your work/career, and then some on spending. Trigger warning, some statements may sound entitled. But, just like freedom of speech, these entitled opinions do not discredit or reduce the value of what I’m saying or what you personally believe (Sigh, so complicated. Let’s just stop being offended when presented with an idea that's different our way of thinking, and just learn from each other, ok?).

1. For the first few months of work, hustle & work hard. Show your worth in your workplace. Great leaders can spot potential and talent a mile away. Leave the sense of entitlement & complaint culture at the door. Take initiative where you see a gap. Voice out. Think out of the box. Bring so much value to the company that they’d never want to lose you. Sure, you're just a fresh grad and employers will say everyone is replaceable, but at what cost? *thinking emoji* 

2. When your probation is almost up, review your career. If your manager or HR says you’re going to get that confirmation letter soon, review your achievements to date. If there was something noteworthy that you experienced or were a part of (new businesses, increment in business outcomes, awards won, improved processes, healthier work culture), two things you can do:

a.       List it. Bring it to HR and negotiate for a 5% increase above the confirmed pay rate. If HR doesn’t agree, take the confirmation and ask if they’re open to negotiate this increase 3-6 months down the road (Ensure that you are continuing to bring value to your work in that timeframe)

b.       LinkedIn it. Put it on your profile or in a post. Build your professional image and increase your chances of getting spotted by recruiters, etc.

3. Then, build a plan to solidify your career. Don’t get stuck as an executive your whole 3 years out of uni. If you have potential, and a good manager, work out your 3, 6 and 12-month development plan. Go for trainings, and learn things on your own. Coursera, open uni, etc etc. Aim to have your goals aligned in such a way that you’ll get a 10-15% increment at every appraisal period.

Here are lifestyle tips if you earn 2.2k nett after deductions. 

4. Forget about drinks. Whether Starbucks or The Alley, that RM15 you spend on one drink is equivalent to 2-3 meals elsewhere. I don’t care if people say that the latte theory is crap. The small amounts build in the long run. I’ve worked 8 years and I still only buy Starbucks once or twice a year and I still cry after that. 

5. Pack one meal a day. If you work in places that have no cheap food or mamak nearby – you better pack your lunch. I could never survive with the prices of food at some places like Publika or Bangsar South. Let your breakfasts and/or dinners be simple. A loaf of Gardenia can still last you a week. There’s no shame in eating simple meals, guys. Nasi bujang is not a stigma, it's a wholesome meal. Might I remind you that people older than us have STARVED in worser situations. Don’t say that you can’t survive on basic foods. 

6. Never be ashamed to do the things that help you save the most money. Eff those who say you need to live independently right out of uni. If you can’t afford it, don't sweat it, just stay with your parents/family. Don’t drive, and definitely don’t buy a car. Take the public transport/Grab/carpool to work. Cannot be done? Rent a room closer to where you work. And, listen – you don’t need a gym membership until you earn 5k. In the meantime, do home workouts, find a running club (plenty and they're free, or start your own), take the stairs everywhere.

7. Save money EVERY MONTH. If you can’t save RM200, save RM50. And don’t touch those savings! No matter what! (This tip, I wished I followed back then)

8. Create a budget. And stick to it.

	Percentage	Based on 2.2 nett salary
savings	10%	220
commute	20%	440
food	20%	440
parents	10%	220
phone bill	5%	110
Loan/insurance	20%	440
entertainment	10%	220
meds/lens	5%	110

The last 3 are purely optional expenses. If you don’t have a student loan or don’t use monthly meds/contact lenses, then you have more income to put towards commute, food or other buckets you think need more cash. RM 440 for transport is doable especially if you live in Subang/PJ and work in KL. Just get someone to drop you off at a bus/train station. Buses from Klang to Pasar Seni is RM3.50 one way. Get the MY100 Rapid KL pass. Literally RM100 for all the rides you need for a calendar month. If you’re already following point 6, point 7 shouldn’t be an issue but you'll need to be flexible to move things around and practice a lot of discipline and delayed gratification. Keep career point 2 in mind.

If you don’t agree with any of the above, at least agree when I say that you need a plan/idea of what you want to achieve in your working life. Visualize your future and take these small steps to help you get there. And enjoy the process! Because these are the years that you will never get back, and these are the years which you will face your (seemingly) steepest learning curve yet – learning to adapt to the 9-5 routine from a flexible uni timetable, learning to find some space on the LRT, learning to pay your bills on time, learning workplace etiquette, spending less time with family than before, etc - all while comparing yourself to your friends and peers. Stop, smell the roses, stay passionate and stay engaged with life. 

I hope that was helpful! If you have a specific question/want to be anonymous about it, you can ask here (hopefully I'll remember to check this): https://curiouscat.me/lookitsaisha