PETALING JAYA: Prudent spending according to a budget can help consumers cope with the increasing prices of goods, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

       Its president Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason urged consumers to start budgeting according to what they could afford.

       “We cannot wait for the government to solve all our problems so ordinary consumers should do their own budgeting.

       “Buy only when it is necessary, do not overbuy and cook accordingly to not waste food,” he said.

       Marimuthu noted that Malaysia is heavily dependent on food imports which cost over RM50bil a year.

       “We are not producing anything at a sufficient level so we cannot expect everything to be cheap. We need to change our consumption pattern,” he said.

       Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said some Malaysians have to be thrifty, especially when buying fruits and vegetables.

       “I spoke to fruit sellers yesterday morning. Prices have gone up as much as 100%,” he said.

       Subbarow said the daily expenditure of ordinary families is increasing.

       Meanwhile, ordinary Malaysians have started making changes to cope with the situation.

       Housewife Deza Hussain, 52, even plants her own vegetables, while only stocking up on groceries which are a necessity.

       “I can easily save RM30 from the vegetables I grow in my garden.

       “If I live in a village with my own house then I might consider rearing chickens,” she said.

       Deza, who routinely shops for her family, admits that she always compares prices at different supermarkets and is not deceived by “sales” that are sometimes not worthwhile.

       “I budget and cut down on foodstuff that are not staple.

       “For example, we will buy chicken, fish and eggs because they are staple but prawns, squid and crabs, which are expensive, we will not purchase them as much.

       “Chips, carbonated drinks and others are also cut off and we don’t buy them anymore,” she said.

       Suzanna Hamdan, 56, tours different supermarkets for cheaper prices and buys wet products that are on sale or at half price.

       “There are a lot of supermarkets nearby my housing area so I always compare prices,

       “Sometimes there is poultry or fish that is sold for half price when you shop later in the day,” said the tutor.

       Bachelor Ahmad Syarafi Adli Azami only buys what he needs.

       “I don’t have time to freeze meat and thaw them so I usually buy them when I want to cook.

       “I also don’t buy groceries in large amounts because for example, a pack of carrots will go a long way so I prefer to buy them in smaller amounts so they don’t rot,” he said.

       The sales executive also shops at affordable supermarkets.

       Admin assistant Atika Asri, who lives with six housemates, said they share their grocery expenses and stock up once a month.

       When one of them returns to their hometown and comes across cheaper foodstuff, that person will stock up for everyone.

       “We have a designated cook at our house and she will stock up on everything that she needs and divide the expenses among us accordingly. Usually, it is at the start or at the end of the month,” she said.