{"id":67980,"date":"2025-04-24T18:18:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T10:18:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/?p=67980"},"modified":"2025-04-25T18:19:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T10:19:35","slug":"no-kids-more-cash-enter-your-cool-single-rich-aunt-uncle-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/no-kids-more-cash-enter-your-cool-single-rich-aunt-uncle-era","title":{"rendered":"No Kids, More Cash: Enter Your Cool & Single Rich Aunt\/Uncle Era!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The \u201crich auntie\u201d concept continues to dominate the internet. It revolves around a woman who is financially independent, has an amazing sense of style, is extremely supportive, and, most importantly, is childfree. Kendall Jenner, a member of the Kardashian family, exemplifies the concept perfectly –\u00a0 living a glamorous life while hanging out with her sister, Kylie Jenner\u2019s child, without the added responsibility of parenting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Malaysia, this viral TikTok concept is speaking to a growing number of individuals choosing to live a life without kids. Rather than it being about them rejecting the notion of having kids, it\u2019s more about them embracing the freedom, financial autonomy and self-love that comes with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Department of Statistics Malaysia<\/span><\/a> (DOSM) revealed that the total fertility rate fell below the replacement level of 2.1 in 2023 (1.7 children). This is a drastic decline from the 2.1 children per woman fertility rate in 2010.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The rising cost of parenthood in Malaysia is driving this demographic shift. That is, in urbanised areas like Klang Valley, a child typically spends about RM6,420 per month, while a child living in less urbanised areas like Kedah spends around RM5,130 per month on essential expenses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While cultural expectations around marriage and family have evolved in Malaysia, the pressure of living in a collectivistic society means that one is only living a successful life if they\u2019re married with a child, or maybe two, still exists.<\/span><\/p>\n

This really forces us to re-evaluate our perspective. Does skipping parenthood truly make you the cool rich aunt or uncle you so desire in Malaysia?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Raising a child is not \u201cpriceless\u201d, in fact, it comes with a hefty price tag<\/h3>\n

From feeding the child to buying them clothes, paying for their tuition and school fees, bringing them for a swimming lesson, sending them to the clinic when they\u2019re sick, to hiring a caretaker for them, raising a child is definitely not a \u201cpriceless\u201d experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

AIA Bhd<\/span><\/a> estimated that to raise a child in Malaysia would set the parents back by RM400,000 to RM1.1 million, from delivering the child all the way to the child getting their university degree!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read this article to find out more about how much it costs to have a baby in Malaysia!\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

A table that shows the lowest costs of raising a child (<\/span><\/i>According to AIA Bhd<\/span><\/i><\/a>) <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Category<\/strong><\/th>Estimated costs<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Childbirth at government hospital. Includes:
\n- Pre-natal checkups
\n- Normal delivery\/Caesarean delivery
\n- Confinement lady<\/td>		RM 5060 - RM 7,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Primary and secondary school education. Free education in government schools but subject to:
\n- School uniforms
\n- Exercise books
\n- Day-to-day expenses<\/td>		RM 200 per annum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
University education at a local university<\/td>RM 400,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Imagine multiplying that by two or three kids, you\u2019ll easily be looking at a seven-figure family expense when deciding to raise a child!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, take away these costs = more financial flexibility!<\/h3>\n

By taking away the huge financial commitment of raising a child, this leaves you much more room for your personal finances to be flexible! By having more financial flexibility, you can redirect your finances towards:<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n