A Malaysian mum earning RM15k–20k vents about her MIL’s RM5k trips and spending habits, as netizens weigh in with blunt and humorous advice.

A Malaysian mother of three has sparked online debate after revealing that despite a combined household income of RM15,000 to RM20,000 a month, she and her husband are feeling increasingly strained — largely due to her mother-in-law’s spending habits.

In a Facebook post that has been widely shared, the woman said she and her husband are both middle-income earners. He works in sales under a commission-based structure, while she draws a stable salary.

Although they live frugally and manage to save a small amount each month, she worries their efforts are being undermined.

The couple shoulders all household expenses for their family of five.

On top of that, they also cover her mother-in-law’s car instalments, maintenance, road tax, insurance, phone bills, daily necessities and even the items she purchases when they go out together.

“She is currently working, but her salary is not high. Her income is enough for her own entertainment, and she spends it every month,” the woman wrote.

According to her, they live under the same roof and her mother-in-law hardly needs to pay for anything.

“Except for her undergarments, everything else is basically free,” she said bluntly, adding that her mother-in-law “never hesitates to spend — if she likes something, she just buys it without considering the price.”

She cited a recent incident where her mother-in-law picked out a RM300 blouse during a shopping trip and asked her husband to pay for it.

Meanwhile, the couple practises strict budgeting.

“When the five of us eat out, we only order two drinks to save money. When I buy clothes, I choose RM30 items from Padini,” she shared, admitting that the unworn RM300 blouse “still bothers” her.

With three growing children, she is especially anxious about future financial commitments, including tuition, enrichment classes and the possibility of overseas education.

“I know my children are still young, and there will be many expenses in the future… What if one day they want to study overseas? At least we should be able to afford it.”

“Kids are not money trees!” she stressed.

The biggest point of contention, however, is travel. She claimed her mother-in-law frequently travels overseas with friends and expects her son to fund the trips.

Each trip costs roughly RM5,000 in total — RM3,500 for the tour package, with the remainder spent on shopping and other expenses.

“This has already happened three times. I’m truly speechless and don’t know how many more times it will happen,” she wrote.

Although the family has some savings, she feels it is unfair for them to constantly foot the bill.

“I feel she could save her own money for travel instead of spending it all every month. Or at least, we cover the tour fee while she pays for her own shopping and personal expenses — that wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

The situation is further complicated by the fact that her husband is an only child and feels obligated to provide for his mother.

“I’ve discussed it with my husband, but he says she’s his mum and he feels bad refusing her.”

She added that while she understands the older generation’s belief that children should care for their parents, there should still be limits.

“Our savings have our own purposes too. I want to bring my children overseas one day as well.”

In a moment of frustration, she even questioned whether it would be better to stop saving altogether.

“Or should we just stop saving and spend all our money each month ourselves? At least then the money would be spent on us instead of on her. I’m really at my wit’s end…”

Her post has since resonated with many netizens, igniting discussions on filial responsibility, financial boundaries and the pressures faced by sandwich-generation families trying to balance parental duty with their children’s future.

“Let her spend on food, drinks, entertainment, and shopping, but make your husband pay for it. You save your own money. When he eventually runs out of money to give his mother, he’ll realise the situation. If he wants to leave, let him leave — with your financial situation, you can still take care of the kids,” one user called Riss Low commented.

“If you can’t beat her, join her first, save your own share, then compete with your mother-in-law to see who spends your husband’s money faster. Let’s see if he’ll step in and tell his mom to slow down,” Weng Loong Wong joked.

 The Sun Malaysia