Adulting 101: Living the dream, paying the bills - What happens when adulting hits

THE first time you step into adulthood and start paying bills, it feels like a rude awakening.

Suddenly, the carefree days of flipping light switches, binge-watching Netflix and ordering GrabFood without a second thought are over.

Now, every action comes with a price tag—and you’re the one footing the bill.

For many, this transition feels like being thrown into the deep end of responsibility.

You go from never thinking about utility costs to obsessively monitoring your electricity usage because your air conditioner ran a little too long last month.

It’s not just about the money; it’s the realisation that your habits directly impact your financial health.

Adulthood brings the sobering truth of "small things adding up." What used to be invisible conveniences—electricity, WiFi, subscriptions—now demand your attention through monthly charges.

Paying your bills for the first time feels like learning that adulthood is one big, expensive group project where you're suddenly the only one doing the work.

Here’s a humorous yet painfully relatable take on paying bills in Malaysia for the first time:

1. The "Shock Bill Syndrome" – Electricity Bills

   When you enter adulthood, you feel a pang of guilt every time you leave the lights on. Your first electricity bill is your initiation into Tenaga Nasional Berhad's (TNB) unrelenting reminders to “guna tenaga secara berhemah” and if you're running the air conditioner all night to survive the Malaysian heat, brace for a shocking spike. Suddenly, ceiling fans look like a cheaper, cooler alternative.

2. The Battle of the Broadband – WiFi Bills

   Netflix marathons, gaming and endless scrolling on TikTok come at a cost. The day you sign up for a high-speed internet package also marks the day you commit to Astro Fibre, TIME, or Unifi’s monthly deductions. Add in the activation fee, and you’ll start to question whether dial-up was really that bad after all.

3. Subscription Overload – Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Prime, Etc.

   At first, subscribing to everything seems like a dream. Who wouldn’t want all the content in the world at their fingertips? But when your bank statement arrives, it’s a horror story:

• RM55 for Netflix
• RM15 for Spotify Premium
• RM54.90 for Disney+ Hotstar
• RM25 for Amazon Prime

4. Grocery Shopping – The "Why Is Everything So Expensive?" Moment

Walking into a Malaysian supermarket feels like stepping into a financial trap.

• Eggs: RM14
• Chicken: RM13/kg
• Milo: RM35 for the big tin

5. The Salary Rollercoaster

The ultimate Malaysian adulting truth: Gaji masuk je, terus keluar.

First, you’re excited to see your paycheck hit your account. Then, reality hits harder than a durian dropping on your head:

• Rent: RM1,200
• Bills: RM500
• Groceries: RM300
• Transport: RM200
• Subscriptions: RM100+

6. The Existential Question – "How Did Our Parents Do This?"

With all these bills piling up, you begin to appreciate how your parents managed it all. How did they survive and still have extra for your childhood McDonald’s cravings? The answer remains a mystery, but you gain newfound respect for them—and maybe even call to apologise for being a demanding kid.

7. The Malaysian Hack – Trying to Make It Work

Like any Malaysian, you adapt. You share Netflix accounts, shop during sales, pray for discounts at pasar malam, and switch to public transport to save on petrol.

Because in Malaysia, if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s finding ways to survive. Adulting may be tough, but at least we’re all in it together. And if things get too stressful, there’s always teh tarik and roti canai for RM5 to make everything feel a little better.