Stopping the ‘open house’ tradition, buying new clothes from thrift shops and even skipping the once-yearly ‘balik-kampung’ exodus. <br /> <br />These are among measures being taken by many families from lower and middle-income wage groups are resorting to cut expenses this Hari Raya, as the rising cost of living hits home. <br /> <br />The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Malaysia for April was recorded at 4.4%, an increase from a year ago mainly due to a 16.7% jump in the transport index. <br /> <br />The monthly Department of Statistics report on CPI recorded increases for transport (+16.7%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (+4.1%), recreation services (+3%), health (+2.8%), restaurants and hotels (+2.4%), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+2.2%). <br /> <br />The Malaysian Insight spoke to four families to find out how they are managing their budgets for the Hari Raya celebrations. <br /> <br />Full story on http://bit.ly/2rcIqLJ. <br /> <br />Website: www.themalaysianinsight.com <br />Facebook: www.facebook.com/themalaysianinsight/ <br />Twitter: www.twitter.com/msianinsight/ <br />Instagram: www.instagram.com/msianinsight/
