A 33-year-old Malaysian man has gone viral after sharing his struggles to save for a home while allegedly covering his girlfriend’s expensive lifestyle.
In a candid Facebook post, the man, earning just over RM3,000 a month, described himself as hardworking and serious about planning for the future. He revealed that his girlfriend had made her expectations clear: “No house, no marriage. We must have our own home first.”
Determined to meet this goal amid rising property prices in Malaysia, he cut back on personal spending, limited outings, and even turned down friends’ invitations over the past two years.
Meanwhile, he claimed his girlfriend pursued a costly lifestyle, splurging on branded bags, new smartphones, and café visits. She allegedly justified her spending with: “Girls like nice things, what. If not now, when? You’re my boyfriend, not just anyone.”
Initially, he said he tolerated the purchases, but the situation escalated: “The iPhone? I swipe. The holiday? I swipe. Birthday gift? I swipe. ‘Help me sign first, I pay you next month’ — instalment under my name,” he explained, revealing that he now carries credit card debt.
What hurt him most, he said, was her reaction when he raised concerns about finances. “She says if I really want to marry her, I’ll have to earn more. That one hurts the most. Because I am trying. I feel torn,” he admitted.
He added, “On one side, men should shoulder more. That’s what we’re taught, right? On the other side, if the goal is to buy a house, why are we living like we already own one?”
Now, he fears discussing money at all, as it often leads to accusations of being “calculative.” His story has sparked debate online, with many questioning whether the problem lies in financial capacity or deeper differences in values and expectations in the relationship.
