Thanks for the comment!

I have been waiting for someone to point out the issue on why a student is unable to handle his/her own personal finance and still makes the same mistake despite the facts that she/he did a lots of reading on self-improvement books like Azizi Ali, Dr. Fadzilah Kamsah and Poor dad Rich dad ( only few authors quoted)?It seems that all the books are meant for those who have salaries and not for the students.

My initial advice to you, do not worry. You cannot be perfectionist in handling your finance. Even the most expert in finance having trouble managing their personal finance! We are still in the learning process. DO not feel regret for whatever you have read it seem does not work on you. Sometimes, it will takes years for us to master each tip as it depends on our own efforts , strong will and discipline.

First of all, allow me to identify what kind of mistakes that you have encountered? Mistakes in managing your money like not live within your means, buying unnessary items like expensive handphone for RM600 as it has embedded camera (you just use it occasionally), sent many sms to vote your favourite artists or to have few doas ( the service operator will charge normally between 50 - 65 cents per sms), making long distance phonecalls using your handphone, eating at the fast food restaurants 2-3 times in one or two months (Did l say Pizza Hut!), having expensive tudongs and brouchs which cost RM25-RM75 per piece ( it depends), branded type of persons, lending money to your friends although you know he/she will never pay you back ( it pays to be a sympathetic person), watching cinema and by doing so, rent a car for half a day (RM35-RM40), prefer to dine or breakfast outside which are costly if you calculate it on a monthly basis and do not have any side income.

(2) As your only means is through your PTPTN source or your sometimes FAMA's aid (from your parents' monthly allowance) consider it as your monthly 'salary' ( calculate how much you get per semester, say for example RM2000 for 4 months. So each month your basic income is RM500).

(3)The bottomline is you must be VERY DISCIPLINE when it comes to you money. Have a separate account at least two ( one for your education and daily expenses and the other one is for your saving and investment purpose in the future).

(4) Always :

-update your account once in every month. It will motivates you to spend less and save more.

-recyle your previous notepads and stationary that you still can use it.

-make sure you just bring RM50 (depends on the list to buy) if you wish to buy some groceries for your food storage for 2 weeks. Make sure just buy ONLY the nutritionous food like fine cereals, buy 3 in 1 sachets will be a little bit expensive but it will saves your time to prepare it early in the morning and supper at night, kismis, nuts, some chocolate (will do no harm on your body and teeth provided you brush your teeth!), biscuits like Ping Pong (it costs only RM2.50. It is cheap and crispy. Trust me. I like it!)

-withdraw sufficient money for a week or two. DO not bring too much cash in your wallet/purse as we are easily get tempted with the surroundings like in pasar malam, kedai 2 Ringgit(mind you, you will spend more than RM2, in fact RM30 for nothing!).

-Bring along your friend who does not like to wandering around. it is good to stop you from window shopping too.

-Make sure to have full stomach before you start shopping!

-Be careful with pick pocketting and do not wear jewellery.Trust me, you will fail in your bargain if you wear too many jewellery as sellers will mistaken you as the rich youg person!

-Just bring simple and worn out handbag. It works when you ask for the discount as the traders may fell sorry for you and give you the discounts.

-Make the full use of students' card like Popular card ( 3 years- 10% discount) Make sure you buy all your stationery there).

-Try having some investment that is within your means like paying RM50 annually for your personal accident (anything happen, you will get the lucrative RM50k-70k) and cover your hospitalisation. Try to search and compare which fund that will give your better coverage at the minimum payment (later you will increase the premium once you start working) like in Takaful Ikhlas ( l have reliable friend who can explain to you if many are interested) or , Prudential or AIA). For me, l have three insurances when l started working.I regret for not having it when l wa studying as the premium would be lower.

(5) DO NOT

-have your credit card yet. Just apply Debit card from Public Bank. Student is eligible to apply. It is like prepaid card. You may use it when you purchase items online or on security basis ( not carry too much cash).

-buy CD ( RM25.90 per cd is too expensive for a student). Just listen to the radio for your favourite songs. Trust me, you will enjoy listening to it just a few weeks. Then,. your interest will fade away.

The list is not exhaustive. I am in the middle of writing few chapters of my ebook on personal finance for graduates. I have fopund one (1) book so far on students' personal finance but that's too academic. Mine, is very practicable including tips on how to find good cosmetic and harm effetcs on using whittening cream for girls!

Basically, the book is based on my own observation and experience. Will let you know once it is available. Still waiting for your comments as that l make sure that the contents suit your interest.

Keep on reading self improvement books and attending seminars.It is considered as an investment in the future . Like myself so, far l have read thousand of books and magazines since university days. The word fear is not in my dictionary as l know so many things , not only law like how to create your websites and sell ot to others, convert word into ebook, taking photos and print it on my own (save a lot of money) and be IT literate. Having second and third language like (English and Arab is a good advantage). Improve you English while you are here.

No matter what, you are still the process of managing your personal finance. Do not look behind you. See what are the oportunies that can create money to you while you are sleeping (l believe some of the investment are reliable. let me check and ask for second opinion first).

Give it a try and let me know the result!