In my previous article titled Malaysia Is Ranked No.64 In 2025 World Happiness Report (click here to read it), I mentioned the followings:
- The media is responsible for the low happiness ranking, haha
- Now I tell you, the World Happiness Report is of no significant! (I told you the reason why this is so).
- Life is very simple, all we need is to eat, shit and sleep…..
- the truth is anywhere on earth is the best place as long as we are in a safe environment (no war, no crime and no natural disaster) and have income or savings enough for food, a place to sleep and a place to shit.
Well, today I read 2 articles:
Below are parts from the above said CNN article:
Malaysia, which ranked seventh on International Living’s 2025 Global Retirement Index, offers “truly extraordinary” bang for your buck, Stevens says. It’s well suited for those looking to stretch their budgets, as well as retirees craving a comfortable lifestyle for “so much less than it would cost you in the States,” she explains. “And if you want to live simply, you can do it for next to nothing.”
Malaysia’s health care system also ranks highly, with modern facilities, English-speaking staff and affordable and excellent quality of care. Another bonus for retirees: Money you bring into the country is tax-exempt.
Malaysia and Thailand were the only South-east Asian nations to make the top 10, with Thailand in 10th place.
The report highlights Malaysia’s strong appeal to foreign retirees due to its affordability, infrastructure, and multicultural charm.
Dining out is also remarkably affordable, with local meals available for as little as US$2 to US$3.
Meanwhile, cities like Penang and Melaka offer slightly lower living costs with a more relaxed pace of life, making them attractive retirement hubs.
Well, like I said the 2025 World Happiness Report is of no significant.
What is important is exactly what I mentioned in my previous article – anywhere on earth is the best place as long as we are in a safe environment (no war, no crime and no natural disaster) and have income or savings enough for food, a place to sleep and a place to shit.
Yes, if you are in your working years, you will definitely earn more overseas, e.g. in Singapore or Australia or UK. However upon your retirement, in order to stretch your money further for living expenses, Malaysia is freaking good. Once again, in addition to the lower living standard compared to other cities, Malaysia has no natural disaster due to earthquake, hurricane, tornado or volcano. However nowadays many places get flooded, therefore it is extremely important as to where you are staying, not in a particular Taman BUT the ground elevation of your home in respect to the water run off!
Many years ago when I was still working, I asked an Australian who was working with me on a project if his place was ok in Australia as I read in the news that there was flooding in his state. The Australian replied – people are to be blamed for living in a flood area because they know it will happen but they chose to stay there! It then hit me – he was right – we have choices and the choices we make have consequences (either good or bad).
In respect to the above, yes nowadays it is very common that many places in Malaysia get flooded. If you are residing or doing business in a place that has been flooded before and decided to stay put – who is to blame if the place gets flooded again? You must know why the place was flooded and if you rely on the government to fix nature than you are dreaming! We can’t fight mother nature!
Oh coming back to Malaysia is great for retirees…. I agree fully 101%
The point is you must have enough savings for your retirement years. It is immaterial how much you are earning today if you are not saving for your retirement. One earning RM50K a month today does not mean he/she will be earning RM50K next month. Seriously, I am sure you know of one or two businessmen or even tycoons who were making tons or money living in luxury suddenly gone bankrupt! And why they went bankrupt? It is because they have borrowings (debts)!
Once again the goal in Life is to be debt free and the sooner you are debt free, you will have financial freedom but most importantly you should have savings and not burn your money on material stuff that gives you temporary happiness (shiok sendiri).
Save as much money as you can and live within your means (no borrowing except for housing loan and max 5 years car loan) WHILE YOU ARE STILL WORKING AND YOUNG and not go borrow money when you have passed 40 years old because that is when health issues start to crop up one by one.
Visit my home page http://www.GenXGenYGenZ.com to read my articles on EPF and perform self-contribution periodically. I was surprised that many Grab drivers are not aware that they are entitled up to RM500 FREE money from the government when they self-contribute to EPF.
And if you are playing cash back credit cards, do not be stubborn but listen to me and practice my engineered hack to see your money grow and grow and never touch it until you retire. Of course you can also use the money you earned from Cash Back Credit Cards and deposit into EPF but then you will never really feel/see how much you have earned from playing cash back as the amount will be jumbled up with your other contributions.
Having said the above, DO NOT EVER PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET. Always have money in 2 banks accounts too (best in FDs too) so that if one account was hacked you still have money in the other account.
And if you do not have debts, do not have more than one debit card (for emergency cash withdrawal) where your money is automatically debited but use a credit card which at least you have adequate time to dispute a fraudulent transaction.
And never be greedy for easy money unless you want to lose your hard earned money.
GenX GenY GenZ 
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