MALAYSIANS celebrating Deepavali are cutting back on expenses as their purchasing power is reduced by inflation.

They told The Malaysian Insight they are forced to slash certain purchases that are deemed unnecessary.

They also said despite buying fewer items, they end up spending the same amount or more than they did last year.

M. Sagunthala said she will be cutting back this year, mainly on food items.

She said the family will reduce the number of cookies made at home and would focus on traditional snacks like muruku.

“We used to make at least five different types of cookies, and on top of that we would make traditional snacks like muruku, athirasam and others.

“This year I will stick to muruku, athirasam and achi muruku. Even for these, I think the ingredients are going to be pricey,” the mother of two said.

Saguntala said this would also help to prevent food wastage.

“Every year, there will be an excess of cookies and snacks. We would bring it to the office or give the children to share with their friends in school.

“Limiting it would not only save money but also prevent food wastage,” the 45-year-old from Petaling Jaya said while shopping in Little India, Brickfields.

Dharsani Guna, on the other hand, said she would normally spend around RM200 on ingredients to make cookies, biscuits and snacks at home.

The 35-year-old now said spends almost double the amount for the same number of items.

“Flour, ghee and rice are very expensive. These are essential ingredients to make certain cookies and traditional biscuits.

“We can’t eliminate these ingredients but what we can do is to reduce the quantity and try not to overspend,” the pre-school teacher said, adding that it would be an annual affair for them to gather at their family house for Deepavali.

For this year’s celebration, Dharsani said all their family members decided to contribute financially to ease the burden, making it more inclusive.

“With each family member contributing, it lessens the burden but we still have to be prudent when spending.

“So, we buy what we need for a reduced quantity,” she said.

Although Malaysia’s inflation was reported to have dropped to 1.9% in September, the high cost of living caused by imported inflation of items like food, a poor performing ringgit and conflicts in the Middle East as well as Ukraine are burdening locals here.

Last week, the Penang Hindu Association reported a surge in prices of essential items leading up to Deepavali.

Comparing the prices of essential goods between November last year and November this year, the association’s president P. Murugiah said it showed a significant increase.

Spending less on new clothes

Meanwhile, Sivakumar, who hails from Puchong, said families could also look to save costs when buying new clothes.

With the year fast ending, the 48-year-old father of two said he would rather buy clothes during the year-end sales.

“Traditional clothes are not so cheap. They can’t be used daily but occasionally.

“We are nearing the end of the year. We can get some good deals for clothing during Christmas and New Year. That would save costs,” the biomedical engineer said.

With increasing cost of living, Sivakumar said they have to be wise with their money.

“In a few more months, there will be Ponggal (harvest festival), then Thaipusam, and then the Tamil new year in April.

“We cannot afford a new set of clothes for all celebrations. We need to be wise with expenses,” he said.

V. Krishna Rao held the same view, saying he will be cutting down on firecrackers and other unnecessary expenses.

“I’m looking to massively reduce the purchase of firecrackers this year and also stop buying alcohol for such celebrations.

“If we can reduce the amount here, we can use it elsewhere, like on essential items, clothes and more,” the 42-year-old said.

Krishna said he would usually spend close to RM300 on firecrackers but for this year, he will cut down.

He also said he will be going vegetarian for Deepavali this year.

“This reduces the cost and is also a healthier option,” the father of one said.

Looking at the high cost of living and struggles of most, Krishna said there was nothing wrong in celebrating Deepavali in a modest manner.

He said money could be put to better use in the future.

“For example, the current academic calendar for schools will end soon and there would be a need to buy school uniforms for children.

“We don’t have to think of this as an annual celebration and be lavish in our spending. No.

“We can choose to have a simple celebration, keeping the funds for better use in future,” he said.

Deepavali falls on Sunday.

Earlier this week, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry announced eight food items as controlled items from November 9 to 15 under the festive season maximum price control scheme for Deepavali.

The products are big onions, shallots (from India), red chillies, imported lamb with bones, Australian dhal, coconut (wholesale control price) and grated coconut (retail control price), and tomatoes. – November 9, 2023.