Cover image via Mohd Rasfan/AFPFollow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
A viral post has sparked widespread discussion online after a couple revealed that they do not feel financially secure to have children despite saving RM18,000 a month
In the Facebook post, the couple, aged 38, described what many would consider an ideal financial position: stable jobs in multinational corporations, zero debt, and several fully paid-off assets.
But behind that stability, they say, is a reality most Malaysians don't see.
Saving RM18,000 a month, but still holding back
According to the post, the husband saves between RM6,000 and RM8,000 monthly, while the wife saves around RM10,000, bringing their combined savings close to RM18,000 every month.
They also own four houses and two cars, all fully paid off.
On paper, they appear financially secure, what some might call "life winners".
But the couple said their day-to-day life is far from extravagant.
They avoid overseas travel, rarely go on local holidays, and typically keep meals simple.
More importantly, they said they do not feel comfortable taking on any additional long-term financial commitments, including having a child.
"We don't dare to have children"
The couple said their decision is not about lifestyle preferences but long-term financial pressure, specifically the responsibility of supporting both sides of their family.
On the husband's side, financial issues stem from siblings who had taken loans from illegal lenders, leaving the family in deep debt.
Despite their parents selling assets to repay those loans, it was not enough.
Now, with no retirement savings or pension funds, the husband has taken on full responsibility for his parents' expenses, including providing a house, a car, and RM3,000 to RM4,000 in monthly support.
On the wife's side, her parents, a hawker and a housewife, also have no retirement savings.
To help secure their future, she bought two houses for them to generate rental income. She and her siblings also contribute monthly financial support.
A woman cooks at her stall along a shopping street in Kuala Lumpur.
Image via Jam Sta Rosa/AFPActing as a "safety net" for four elderly parents
The couple said the core issue is simple: they are effectively the financial safety net for four ageing parents from lower-income backgrounds.
Looking ahead, they are deeply concerned about the long-term cost.
They pointed out that nursing home care in Malaysia can cost between RM3,000 and RM5,000 per person monthly, excluding medical bills and daily expenses.
If all four parents require care in the future, the financial burden could escalate significantly.
The couple warned that concentrating this level of responsibility on a single generation can have lasting consequences
They described their current situation as being "dragged down" by obligations they cannot avoid.
As a result, they said they do not have the confidence to bring a child into what they see as an already financially strained future.
"It's not that we don't like children," they wrote.
"It's that we don't dare to let another life go through the same pressure."
A reflection of a wider concern
The post has resonated with many Malaysians, particularly younger working adults who are facing similar pressures, balancing personal financial goals with the responsibility of supporting ageing parents.
While the couple acknowledged that, while their life may appear stable or even privileged, they say the reality is far more fragile.
Behind closed doors, they added, even planning for their own future feels uncertain.
