Broke after raya?
PETALING JAYA: With Hari Raya about a week away, traders all over the country are busy luring shoppers to their outlets by dangling special offers and slashing the prices of their goods.
Tablecloth, fabrics, ready-made garments, all kinds of cookies or ‘ kuih Raya’ and even furniture and electronic items are on sale now everywhere.
The festive season promotions look very tempting indeed and they are a bane to those who have no self- control. As had happened in previous years, many people, in their desire to celebrate Hari Raya grandly, become completely broke or even indebted after the festival due to lavish spending.
Time and again, Malaysians are reminded to be prudent and to put a stop to the unhealthy culture of overspending during the festive period, but the message has yet to sink into their heads. Just a gimmick According to Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahma, the people generally were aware of the need to exercise restraint when they go out shopping and they even have their own festive budget but “all that will quickly go out of the window the minute they step into a shop, supermarket or bazaar”.
“Tempted by all the things they see around them, they can’t control their urge to shop, so they forget about their budgets,” he said.
Doubtlessly, the aura of joyfulness that surrounds the festive season has an effect on shoppers, who find it hard not to be extravagant as they want to look their best during Hari Raya.
“One can’t run away from shopping for Hari Raya but it only becomes a problem when one does not exercise prudence,” Mohd Yusof told Bernama.
Pointing to the tendency for shopping complexes to broadcast popular songs to enhance the festive mood, he said it was a strategy they use to get consumers to remain longer in their premises and to go on shopping sprees.
He also urged shoppers not to fall for ‘cheap sale’ banners as they were merely a gimmick by shop owners to draw customers to their outlets.
“Many people continue to be deceived by the so- called cheap sales although there’s no price reduction as claimed by the traders,” he said, adding that a survey carried out by Fomca showed that some businesses manipulated the prices of their goods during the festive season to earn higher profits.
“For example, the actual price of an item may be RM50 but the trader will mark up the price to RM100 and then give the customer a 50 per cent discount. This is the trick they usually use but many consumers continue to be deceived. This is why Fomca always stresses the importance of comparing prices before making any purchase.” Once a year affair Mohd Yusof also said that it was worrying when people tend to justify their festive spending by saying that Hari Raya is celebrated only once a year.
While buying new clothes and curtains is understandable, getting a new set of furniture for the house every year is taking things too far. The situation worsens when one is willing to pile up his credit card bills or opt for hire purchase schemes to buy furniture or electronic goods.
“We’ve also heard of people who borrow from loan sharks to pay for their purchases. The important question here is, should we get into debt just to buy things to fulfi l our desires and not out of necessity?” he asked.
The culture of flaunting one’s possessions and being envious of others was unhealthy and went against the objective of celebrating Hari Raya.
“Hari Raya is not the time to show off our new stuff but to strengthen our ties with our family, relatives and even friends,” he added.
One can’t run away from shopping for Hari Raya but it only becomes a problem when one does not exercise prudence. Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahma, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations deputy president
Tips Some sound fi nancial planning right now will enable Muslims celebrating Hari Raya to stretch their ringgit so that they do not have to tighten their belts until the next pay cheque comes.
Where civil servants are concerned, their salaries for next month will be paid to them on June 7, instead of the 25th as is the case usually, in conjunction with Hari Raya.
Any failure to manage their finances properly will spell trouble because their next salary is only due 47 days later in July.
As such, they should set aside a portion of their salary for their house and car instalment payments, household expenses and savings, and the balance can be used for Hari Raya shopping purposes.
“Don’t ever try to postpone paying your monthly instalments just to go on a shopping spree,” cautioned Mohd Yusuf, adding that extravagancy can lead to bankruptcy.
“It will be good if people can change their bad habits and learn to put aside some money every month that can eventually be used to pay for expenses incurred before, during and after Hari Raya.” — Bernama