KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian families are trying to make ends meet by cutting down on their food bill, with some even planting vegetables in their backyard to cope with current price hikes.
One housewife from Petaling Jaya, who only wanted to be known as Sangeetha, said she could save money by buying readily cooked meals for her family of three.
"Many people think cooking at home can save costs. But, I spend more when I buy raw food ingredients and cook them.
"Previously, I could buy vegetables, chicken and other items within RM200 and that would last me for 10 days.
"Now, I need at least RM250 to RM300 to buy a similar amount of items, but that would barely last one week.
"I usually use palm oil to fry fish and chicken, and one bottle costs RM40 now. A few months ago, the price was RM32.
"My husband is the sole breadwinner, and because of the rising food prices, I prefer to buy cooked meals from restaurants to reduce expenditure.
"This works for us because we usually only eat one proper meal every day, and munch on snacks or chapati at night," she told the New Straits Times today.
Sangeetha said she also recently started growing vegetables in her backyard, like brinjals, long beans and lady's fingers, to reduce her spending on greens.
Housewife Siti Masnura Ishak, 38, said she has reduced her daily household and food items purchase and buys only the necessary stuff.
The mother of five said with the rising cost of living, it seemed more logical to adjust their lifestyle and be prudent with her spending.
"I started with a weekly meal plan using the ingredients that I already have, according to my shopping list, to reduce costs.
"For the time being, it is best for our family to stick with the meal plan and cut on unnecessary purchases.
Masnura also called on the government to ensure one-kilo polybag cooking oil is available at all times in the market.
"As bottled cooking oil is expensive, we opted for the polybag cooking oil. However, of late it is getting difficult to find the item.
"Recently, I went to a few sundry shops and supermarkets, but none were available.
"(And) after July 1, I am sure that there will be a huge demand for it from the consumers, following the lifting of subsidies for bottled cooking oil.
"I hope the government will monitor this," she said.
Latiff Abu Hassan, 52, from Seri Perlis 2 Public Housing in Keramat said he has been cutting back on grocery shopping, following the increase in prices of goods.
"With the current situation, we cannot afford to spend like we used to. So, my wife and I, will sit down and discuss our shopping list before heading to the market and we will stick to it."
He adds that his wife has also opted for dishes that require little cooking oil.
Latiff said the family still dines out once or twice a month, but they will cut on the drinks by opting for plain water.
He has also reduced the weekly allowance for his secondary-school-going children from RM50 to RM40 per week, to teach them to be prudent with their spending.
A stall owner from Brickfields, who only wanted to be known as Limah, 48, said she only cooks two or three times a week to reduce food costs.
"My husband and I seldom buy food from outside. I usually just cook some simple meals and portion it out for a few days. It helps us cope with food prices now," she said.
Meanwhile, on the New Straits Times social media platforms, many social media users shared how they were tightening their belts.
This includes skipping meals voluntarily, reducing nutritious food intake, consuming smaller portions and relying on instant noodles, bread and biscuits, in coping with the rising cost of living.
Huzaimah Ahmad posted: "Must change the lifestyle. Eat simple food and buy only necessary groceries."
Facebook user John Shum said it is best to pack lunches to work, to save money.
"Especially for those working with a lower salary, pack your lunches as often as you can.
"This is a common practice in many countries, and there is no need to feel ashamed about it, as one can save substantially by not driving out for lunch every day, too."
Another user said: "We only buy what we need and cook only one dish a day. No unnecessary purchases are made.
"We are also using cooking oil in polybags instead of bottled oil. Chicken, meat or fish are only cooked once a fortnight.
"We no longer buy prawns, crab, cuttlefish, calamari and other expensive seafood."
Joshua Arulselvan said: "We must do our best to survive. "