Earning a five-figure salary may sound like financial security, but overspending and mismatched expectations can quickly turn it into a heavy burden. A recent anonymous confession from a Malaysian man shows how even households with seemingly comfortable incomes can fall into financial stress.
Property Guru Malaysia
The man earns around RM30,000 a month, while his wife earns RM5,000. By his calculations, their budget allows them to comfortably purchase a property worth up to RM600,000. However, his wife has her eyes set on a RM1.1 million home in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, and insists on making it their future residence.
Even if she contributes RM1,500 a month to the mortgage, the couple could stretch their limit to an RM800,000 home at most. Beyond that, the risk grows significantly. The man pointed out that he already supports his parents with RM2,000 monthly and is still servicing another mortgage in Johor Bahru, which leaves little room for savings.
His concerns go beyond the mortgage. He worries that a job loss would push them into financial crisis. Despite attempts to explain the numbers to his wife, she has continued to highlight the advantages of the Mont Kiara property.
The couple’s spending patterns add to the strain. While the husband drives a fully paid 2013 second-hand Honda Accord, his wife, currently using a Perodua Myvi, hopes to upgrade to a Honda HR-V. This, he noted, would leave her with minimal savings each month. He also revealed that she sometimes uses his credit card for petrol and skincare expenses.
“I could save up to RM5,000 a month if we settled for a RM600,000 home,” he explained, adding that a RM1.1 million property would leave him insecure with little to no savings buffer.
我今年39岁，太太32岁。我们交往了5年，结婚4年，目前还没有小孩。不是不想要，而是我觉得以我们现在处理事情和情绪的方式，还不太适合当父母。 每当意见不合，她常会发脾气、丢东西，甚至离家出走。而我虽然也会生气，但习惯冷静一下，再自己消化。...
Posted by XUAN on Friday 19 September 2025
The weight of these commitments has affected bigger life decisions. The man admitted that the financial pressure has made him abandon the idea of starting a family, and at times, he has even thought about divorce due to clashing views on money and priorities.
This case serves as a reminder that financial planning is not just about income, but also about lifestyle choices, commitments, and aligning expectations between partners. Without open communication and realistic budgeting, even high earners can find themselves trapped in debt and stress.
