Recently, a Malaysian woman, who goes by the pseudonym Samantha, shared her frustration about navigating financial matters with her mother, particularly concerning the monthly allowance she provides. Despite earning a monthly salary of approximately RM10,000, Samantha faces various financial commitments.

These commitments include the monthly home rental of RM2,500, covering medical supplies for her father, who is battling cancer, and managing utility expenses. Samantha also extends financial support to her mother through a credit card with no set limit. This card covers their meals and medical expenses, which can amount to RM3,000 monthly. Additionally, Samantha sponsors various items for her mother, such as the monthly Touch N’ Go fee of RM300, and significant amounts for birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Chinese New Year celebrations.

Samantha clarified that the specific amounts for birthdays and Mother’s Day, not less than RM800 each, are chosen due to the significance of the number 8 in Chinese culture. She further mentioned that all utilities and weekly dine-outs are charged to her card. Over the past two months, Samantha also spent an additional RM10,000 to hire a maid to assist her mother in caring for her bedridden father.

Having two sisters, one of whom severed ties with the family, Samantha's financial responsibilities extend beyond the essentials. Her mother occasionally requests funds for impromptu trips with friends, ranging from RM300 to RM500. Samantha even treated her mother to a fully paid trip to Bangkok in March, excluding RM1,000 for pocket money.

Expressing her emotional struggle, Samantha conveyed to her mother that, due to increasing commitments, she finds it challenging to provide the same level of financial support. Unfortunately, Samantha's attempt to communicate her situation was not met with understanding. Her mother insisted that any ungiven money should be carried forward to cover future festive expenses. Despite Samantha's efforts to convey her financial constraints, her mother remained unyielding.

Feeling emotionally drained and questioning her role as a daughter, Samantha wondered if her efforts were insufficient to make her mother happy. She expressed a sense of underappreciation and even faced threats from her mother to contribute more without considering Samantha's own financial constraints. The emotional toll on Samantha is evident as she contemplates her role and struggles to find a balance between supporting her family and maintaining her own financial stability.