10 Durian Types You Can Get For Different Budgets
- By CompareHero.my
- August 2, 2021
It’s that time of the year again—durian season. MCO or not, Malaysians have still gone looking for the king of fruits. It’s also been said that there’s an increase in harvest this year, which is why you still might see a lot of durians even though the season began weeks ago.
While many Malaysians love durians, it can’t be denied that the price range from this fruit is huge. You can have variations that are pretty cheap, and some that cost a few hundred ringgits per kg. So, here are 10 different durians with 10 different price tags for you. You can now easily decide which one would fit your budget best.
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1. Kampung Durian
Image credit: Harakah Daily
There are actually many varieties for this type of durian, and kampung durian refers to durians that aren’t hybrid or specially grown. They can be found in orchards all over Malaysia and it’s usually difficult to tell exactly what type of durian you’re getting until you open it.
Price: RM6-RM12/kg
2. D24
Image credit: Year of the Durian
Another one as famous as the Musang King, D24 also has a reputation for being a crowd pleaser. It’s also known as Durian Sultan and people sometimes confuse this one for Musang King.
One way to tell them apart is that D24 has a greener shell compared to Musang King.
Price: RM18-RM25/kg
3. IOI
Image credit: Ezy Durian
Also known as D168, Durian Hajah Hasmah and Durian Mas Muar, IOI Durian is said to have a fruity taste and orangey flesh. It also has a round shell unlike others that are usually oblong.
Price range: RM20-RM25/kg
4. Red Prawn
Image credit: The Straits Times
The flesh of this durian actually looks like red prawns sometimes, hence the name. However, there are some variations that aren’t as reddish. It’s said to be sweet and is suitable for first-time durian eaters as it’s not overpowering. Even better, the price is also on the lower end.
Price: RM20-25/kg
5. Golden Phoenix
Image credit: Fruit Monkeys
Its name might fool you, but the flesh of this fruit is actually pale and whitish. Also known as Jin Feng/ D198, it has smaller seeds and has a thin husk. The taste of the flesh is said to be quite strong and almost alcohol-like.
Price: RM30-35/kg
6. Musang King
Image credit: SCMP
True to its name, this is said to be the king of the king of fruits. If you’re thinking of getting ‘premium’ durian, you’ll find people pointing you to the Musang King. Most durian lovers find its flesh very buttery and creamy.
Price range: RM40-RM70/kg
7. Black Pearl
Image credit: Pinterest
The Black Pearl is relatively smaller compared to other durian seeds, and it’s believed that the name came from its tiny pearl-like seeds. The flesh is more pale/whitish and is more bitter than sweet.
Price: RM45-RM55/kg
8. Musang Queen/Tekka
Image credit: Year of the Durian
This is the first time this writer had heard of this one, but the King happens to have a Queen as well! Musang Queen also goes by the name Tekka or D160.
The taste of this durian is described as creamy but also bitter at the same time, and it’s also said to have a brownish-yellow hue. Interestingly, the Queen is slightly more expensive than the King.
Price range: RM60-RM75/kg
9. Black Thorn
Image credit: YouTube
Also known as D200, this durian is a hybrid fruit and it’s said to have a really nice taste. It’s round in shape, just like the IOI durian.
If you think Musang King is a premium durian, this one actually takes the cake. Due to the fact that it’s a hybrid, it’s said to be one of the most expensive durians in Malaysia.
Price range: RM65-RM85/kg
If there’s a shortage in durians, the price of this can go up to RM100/kg.
10. Tupai King
Image credit: Year of the Durian
You might want to move over, Musang King as Tupai King has been sharing your stage for awhile now. Also known as D214, Tupai King is a newer variety of durian. It’s bigger in size than most durians and has a darker, browner flesh colour.
Price: RM70-RM100/kg
Where can you find these?
If you would like to try some of these for the first time, your next thought might be where to find them. Especially at this time, it can be difficult to go durian hunting. If you find durian sellers parked around your area, you just might be in luck.
If not, you can also get most of these online. We found out that many of these varieties are available on Shopee, Lazada and other online supermarkets. There’s also an ongoing promo on the Grab app for durians that you can find on the homepage.
Of course, you might only be able to buy the flesh without the shell. But at least you’ll get to give these all a try!
Just be sure to check for reviews and expiry dates to prevent getting scammed.
Meanwhile, if you’ve been buying a lot of food to satisfy your cravings and don’t know what to do with the leftovers or scraps, here are some ideas for you:
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6 Ways To Save On Your Entertainment Bill
- By CompareHero.my
- July 30, 2021
“Baby, I don’t need dollar bills to have fun tonight.” – Cheap Thrills, Sia
And she’s right, having good entertainment doesn’t always have to come at a steep price. Of course, money can buy us some luxury like travelling the world with first-class flights, having Omakase in the heart of Tokyo, or enjoying a ski ride across the frozen lake underneath the northern lights, but there are other ways we can entertain ourselves without breaking the bank.
Our grandparents never had tablets, PlayStations, or flat-screen TVs in their days, yet they still found ways to get by. With that, we’d like to reintroduce you to some ways to enjoy your time off without the expensive gadgets.
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1. Reduce eating out
One of the first things to cut down on is eating out or ordering takeout. Obviously, this would be much more expensive compared to cooking food at home. And the difference between buying ingredients for cooking and eating out is astronomical.
Don’t get us wrong, eating out is cool; you get to enjoy different types of cuisines, especially the ones that are hard to make at home. But if you’re not careful, those bills can add up really quick. Ideally, have a schedule of how often you’ll eat out, whether it’s once a week, or once a month, depending on your budget.
More than that, attempting to make different dishes while dancing to your favourite tunes at home can turn into a fun activity for your family!
2. Go for a hike
Instead of looking for something to do indoors, look outdoors.
Get together with your friends and go for a hike. There are plenty of nice hiking spots all around Malaysia that do not have any entrance fees and a nice waterfall somewhere along the trail. Plus, a little digital detox can always help with our mental health.
It’s not just limited to hiking; you can also go for extreme sports (if you’re capable), go fishing, go camping, or even just for a picnic at the park. The idea is to spend less time at the malls or in front of a screen. Get closer to nature once in a while.
Of course, you’d have to wait till the MCO is over and these activities are allowed again. But you can start planning ahead of time!
Related: 6 Ways To Stop Impulse Shopping
Now we’re back indoors.
It’s unreasonable to think we can fill our days with just free entertainment. Sometimes, we just crave to watch the latest movies when they come out. And that shouldn’t come at a high cost.
The good news is most of the subscriptions can be shared. Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ all have family packages that reduce your per head cost. If you don’t have a family yet, you can always look for a few friends who are also trying to save and share it with them.
For the subscriptions you don’t need anymore or have lost interest in, however, just cancel them. There is no point keeping them alive and you can always re-subscribe if you really need to.
4. Borrow books
Stop buying books.
Borrow them from a library.
Books are a fantastic resource for both entertainment and knowledge, but they often carry a hefty price tag with them.
The next time you’re tempted to grab a book at the bookstore just because they are new and look nice, check with your local library first. Most of our libraries have many literary classics and popular books already.
Not only will you save a lot of money doing so, but you’ll also be more likely to finish it quickly because you’ll have a set timeframe.
Related: The Best Personal Finance Books For Beginners
5. Listening to podcasts
As of today, there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of podcasts on the Internet readily available. Ranging from personal finance to crime discussions, to book reviews, to comedy, you’re sure to find a few podcasts that really fit your tastes.
Having podcasts as your source of motivation can even help you cut off your cable TV subscription altogether.
We’re not talking about which one is better, rather, podcasts stand as an alternative to expensive entertainment.
6. Reducing the internet bill
A 4K movie uses about 25Mbps to stream or download smoothly, without any lags.
In Malaysia, our average Internet speed is about 100Mbps. Of course, this also depends on the environment, how many people are using it, and server speed. But for the most part, there is a huge opportunity for you to save on your Internet bill.
While high-speed Internet is convenient, you’re really not getting anything more if you’re able to surf the Internet without any delays. So, double-check if you’re paying more than you need to and that’s extra cash in your pocket!
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more money tips, here’s how you can save on your air-cond costs:
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6 Businesses You Can Start From Home During The MCO
- By CompareHero.my
- July 29, 2021
It goes without saying that the MCO has affected hundreds of thousands of rice bowls. As a result, many people have started their own small businesses to stay afloat.
If you go on almost any social media platform, you can find people promoting a huge variety of these businesses; from food, to beauty products, to handmade items.
You might be thinking of starting a side hustle during this time and if you are, here are some businesses that give a shot. Granted, some of these may require you to learn and practise first if you aren’t already skilled in them. But once you’ve picked it up, you can start monetizing it.
Related: 8 Ways For Stay-At-Home Moms & Dads To Earn More Money
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1. Food and catering
The one thing that everyone has turned to during the MCO (besides online shopping) is food. Sure, we’ve all been ordering food online even before the pandemic. But lately, with dine-ins being prohibited, we’ve had to resort to ordering on GrabFood or FoodPanda more frequently.
If you’re someone who can whip up a good meal, you can consider starting a food catering service. And the best part is that it can be on a small-scale—you don’t have to cook for hundreds of people.
Besides cooking meals, you can also start a baking or dessert business. You can take orders in advance so that you only need to make something when it’s requested.
Do note that if you’re dealing with food, you should get a typhoid jab and take a food handling course certified by the Ministry of Health, also known as Kursus Pengendalian Makanan.
2. Gifting services
Being under a lockdown means not being able to have gatherings, missing birthdays, other festivities and so on.
At a time like this, many people have turned to sending their family and friends gifts, especially if they can’t be there in person. If you’re a creative person who enjoys making someone’s day, you can consider starting a gifting business.
You can curate gift boxes and hampers according to your customers’ tastes, which can make the job fun. You can also work together with other vendors such as florists or bakers to add more items to your service.
The other good thing about a gifting business is that there will always be important days that people want to celebrate all year round. So, once you’ve gotten a steady clientele, people might reach out to you for gifts very frequently.
3. Handmade jewellery/home decor
The MCO has seen many people unleash their creative side, especially through arts and crafts. If you didn’t already know, resin and polymer clay jewellery businesses have been mushrooming since last year. Besides that, there has also been an increase in homemade candles, soaps, wood and cement art, and so on.
A lot of the materials needed to make these items are relatively easy to source. You’ll need sufficient space to store them, though, so this would be ideal if you do have extra space.
Again, you might need to get some practice in making these products before selling them. Start off by giving some pieces to friends and family for their feedback. Once you think you’ve gotten the hang of it, you can launch your business!
4. Dropship agent
Not brave enough to start your own business? No worries. There are plenty of businesses that need you to sell their products for them. To start off, you can join dropshipping groups on Facebook, or search up #dropshipwanted on Instagram.
You’ll find hundreds, if not thousands of businesses that need dropship agents. The scope of work can vary from business to business. Some might need you to store and sell their products, while some might not require you to store anything, but to just market and promote their business. You’ll get paid a commission for every sale you make.
Before signing up to be anyone’s dropship agent, make sure that the business is legitimate and not a scam. Ask for the registration number or other relevant information, and ensure that there are other dropship agents who have been receiving their payments.
5. Content creation
All of us consume a great amount of content on social media. Even without us realizing, we can spend hours scrolling through apps like Instagram and TikTok.
If you’re not someone who’s camera shy, you can make creative and engaging videos for people to watch. Or if you enjoy writing, you can start a fun lifestyle blog!
Now, content creation isn’t easy and it won’t give you money immediately. But if you manage to capture the right crowd, you can become an influencer. Companies will then reach out to you for collaborations or features on your page, and you might just see income flowing in.
6. Sell indoor plants
Another thing the MCO has birthed is an increase in plant parents (this writer is one of them). Many online nurseries that have cropped up during this time have been booming. So, if you have green fingers yourself, you might want to consider this as an option.
Understandably, storing plants will require a lot of space. But you can start off on a small-scale first and sell smaller plants such as succulents and tiny flowering plants.
Besides the plants themselves, you can also provide other plant essentials such as pots, soil, gardening tools, and so on.
Prepare before launching your business
Starting your own business can be daunting and you’ll need to ensure you’re ready. You’ll need to pick up basic skills, prepare the space and equipment, and most importantly, have the capital for it. If you’re looking for ways to save for a business, here are some tips:
Related: 5 Practical Tips For Building Up Your Savings To Launch Your Small Business
But if you’d also like to take out some extra cash to kick start your new venture, you might want to consider taking a personal loan. If you do, check out this list of personal loans and see what fits you best:
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4 Benefits You Can Get If You Save Your EPF Money
- By CompareHero.my
- July 28, 2021
As of last year, Malaysian citizens and permanent residents have been allowed to withdraw their EPF savings to stay afloat during the pandemic. As you would already know, your EPF (also known as the Employees Provident Fund) is your retirement savings. Because of this, the decision to allow people to withdraw it earlier has been quite controversial.
On one hand, the extra cash would help those who need them. On the other hand, there is the concern that if people spend some of that money up now, they won’t have much left for their retirement. There are pros and cons to withdrawing your EPF—we’ve covered this previously and we’ll leave a link to that at the end of the article.
On that note, today we’ll tell you what can happen if you decide not to withdraw your EPF money.
1. Compounding Interest
When you contribute to EPF, you will get an interest on top of your contribution every year. There’s also something known as a compounding interest, which is an interest on an interest. Think of it as a double interest.
This means that at the end of the day, when you decide to withdraw your EPF money, you would have more money than the total amount of money you had contributed. The earlier you withdraw your money, the lesser the amount of compounding interest you will have.
On the other hand, not touching your EPF means that your compound interest will grow and you’ll just end up with a bigger and better retirement fund.
2. Dividends
Dividends are the payments given to an organization’s stakeholders. When you contribute to EPF, your money will be invested in various places and you get paid dividends for it. Similar to the compounding interest, the longer you leave your money in your account, the higher the dividends you’ll accumulate.
According to the EPF website, your dividends are calculated based on your daily aggregate balance. So naturally, if you remove part of that money, your dividends will go down.
3. Pay off your loans
If you withdraw part of your EPF now, you’re likely doing this to pay off any debts and expenses. But if you can help it, keeping your EPF for longer allows you to pay off any commitments you might have at a later stage of your life.
So for example, after you retire you might have a house or car off to pay—or even medical costs if you don’t have medical insurance. For this reason, it’s good to keep your EPF money for when you are older and might not be able to work anymore.
4. You can pass it on your family
If you didn’t already know this, you can nominate people to inherit your EPF money after you are no more. Typically, this money is left to family members or other next of kin.
Besides your savings in your bank account, your EPF money can be an added inheritance for them if you want to ensure they’re more financially secure.
To nominate a beneficiary, you’ll need to go to an EPF branch in person and submit the required documents. The procedure for this and the list of documents can be found here. Take note that there will be a slight difference in the process for Muslims and non-Muslims.
It’s good to nominate someone to inherit your EPF money, otherwise it can be a hassle for your family to retrieve that money after your demise.
Related: How Much Should You Have In Savings by The Age of 30?
We’ve listed the pros of keeping your EPF money untouched for as long as you can, but ultimately, the choice is still yours. If you’re in greater need now to pay off your commitments, you can withdraw your money. Just be mindful of the downsides of doing that, and be sure that you are careful with how you spend it.
And if you’d like to read our article on the pros and cons of withdrawing your EPF early, check out the link below!
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Gold as an Investment: Is It Still Worth It?
- By CompareHero.my
- July 26, 2021
Since the commencement of the stock markets, gold has gained quite the reputation to have a negative correlation to stocks while having a positive correlation to inflation. But what is the history of gold?
For as far back as 550 B.C., gold coins were minted and have been used as a currency and a symbol of wealth. Just like in the movies, treasures found from as early as 4000 B.C. also contain gold.
In the 1800s, many countries and federal reserves adopted the gold standard, which involves fixing the value of their currency to the price of gold. But today, the gold standard has been dropped and replaced by freely floating fiat currencies.
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What makes gold so special for investing?
Traditionally, gold has been regarded as a stable option to hedge our money against inflation and maintain its purchasing power. The idea is that because the demand will always be there, people will still pay for it even if the price increases.
But that’s not enough to justify a decision to buy, so here are a few more to help you better understand this asset:
Reasons to invest in gold
- The best asset to defend against inflation, devaluation, and market crash.
- The best asset to ‘get rich slowly’.
- A universal currency. That means even if the ringgit crashes tomorrow, the worth of the gold you have will not drop in any way.
- Not subject to price fluctuations that affect stocks and securities.
Reasons not to invest in gold
- There is a storage and insurance cost.
- It does not have any utility at all.
- The price of gold is completely determined by supply and demand.
- Limited upside. You can only get rich very slowly.
Ways to invest in gold
Just a few hundred years ago, gold was only available to buy in physical form. But today, there are more options than that.
Gold bars (bullion) and coins
This is the most obvious way of owning gold. If you want to buy yourself some gold, go to a bank.
But, there is a catch to buying gold so casually.
You’ll be faced with a number of issues down the road. For example, you’ll need someplace safe to store it. If it gets stolen, it is very hard and costly to retrieve it, and also the cost of insuring your physical gold.
This is similar for both gold bars and gold coins except that there are increased demands on the quality of the coins. Buyers generally demand it to be in pristine condition before making the buy. Ergo, damages to your gold coins might reduce their value.
Gold mining stocks
The very first thing to understand when investing in gold mining stocks is that it is different from purchasing precious metals.
You won’t be owning the metal directly, instead, you’ll only be possessing shares of the company. On top of that, the price of gold won’t affect your investment in any way. What affects it becomes the factors that affect share prices such as competition, earnings releases, supply, and demand.
But the good news is that investing in stocks opens your doors to receive dividends.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
ETFs, or exchange-traded funds, are publicly traded investment funds. Think of it as a basket that contains a bunch of different assets. However, gold ETFs have gold as their only asset and their stocks follow the movement of the metal’s price.
The biggest benefit of this is getting exposure to a number of different companies without worrying about the downsides of having physical gold.
Generally, the cost of investing in a gold ETF is much lower than outright owning it but it’s not to forget about how the management company or the broker can impact your investment.
When should you buy gold?
Investing, whether it is gold or stocks, physical or non-physical, is a complicated decision and not one to be taken lightly. If you do decide that gold is a good asset to add to your portfolio, make certain you are buying from a reputable dealer. It is always safer to pay a little more for authenticity than getting cheated on.
The idea of investing in gold shines especially bright as a defensive asset during a recession.
But apart from that, no matter how precious this precious metal is, it doesn’t provide any immediate benefits and does not pay dividends.
Like all financial assets, gold has its own set of risks to be considered. Just make sure you are well educated before making the decision.
Disclaimer: Neither CompareHero.my nor the content on it is intended as securities brokerage, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on CompareHero.my is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be personalised investment advice or a solicitation for the purchase or sale of securities.
Compargo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and/or its affiliates cannot and do not assess, verify or guarantee the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information, the suitability or profitability of any particular investment, or the potential value of any investment or informational source. CompareHero.my may receive compensation from the brands or services mentioned on this website.
On another note, if you’re thinking of investing in something else such as cryptocurrencies, you can get more information below:
