Raya in Style with Smart Finances

Hari Raya, a significant celebration for Muslims around the world, holds a special place in Malaysia’s rich culture. It is a time of joy, gratitude, and unity, symbolising spiritual reflection, self-discipline, as well as togetherness among families and communities to strengthen bonds and seek forgiveness. As Hari Raya approaches, many families eagerly prepare for the festivities, from selecting new outfits to planning delicious meals. However, without proper financial planning, these joyous events can strain your wallet. Here are some useful tips for celebrating Raya while managing your finances wisely.

Plan Your Raya Spending

Prepare by creating a budget using online budgeting tools or mobile banking applications to track your expenses effectively. Estimate the costs associated with the Raya festivities and categorise them accordingly. This includes baju raya for the family, home decorations to create a joyful atmosphere, groceries for celebratory meals and traditional treats, travel expenses for returning to kampung, and thoughtful gifts or duit raya to show appreciation to family and friends. Setting a clear target helps you determine how much to save each month leading up to Raya.

Save Now, Celebrate Later

Starting saving early is key to ensuring a joyful and worry-free celebration. One of the best ways to stay disciplined in saving for Hari Raya is to open a dedicated savings account as a tabung, which is a separate fund from your daily spending account. This approach helps you clearly distinguish your festive savings from your regular expenses, ensuring that the money set aside for Raya is not accidentally spent on everyday needs. The Alliance SavePlus Account/-i* (Protected by PIDM up to RM250,000 for each depositor) offers attractive savings rates of up to 3.00%* p.a. and allows you to access your funds easily through the allianceonline mobile app, with flexible withdrawal options. Additionally, you can automate your savings by setting up a standing instruction to transfer a fixed amount into this tabung every month. For instance, if you save RM200 monthly for 6 months, you’ll have RM1,200 by the time Raya arrives. This ensures consistency and saves you the hassle of manual fund transfers.

Don’t miss the Time2Win Campaign from now until 31 March 2025. We’re giving away luxury timepieces and cash prizes worth up to RM137,000**. Just open an Alliance SavePlus Account using the allianceonline mobile app and enter the invite code “time2win.” After that, you will receive a welcome cashback of up to RM130** when you open and activate your account today. And there’s more! You’ll also earn an interest rate of 4.0%* p.a. on a 12-month e-fixed deposit. So don’t wait—jump on this opportunity before it slips away!

* The interest rate is the prevailing board rate and subject to changes from time to time.
** Subject to campaign terms and conditions.

Raya Deals You Can’t Miss

Optimise your budget by looking for Raya promotions and deals from retailers. Hari Raya is a season where businesses roll out attractive discounts and packages, making it the perfect time to save on your festive preparations. Keep an eye on online platforms where you can find flash sales or bundle deals leading up to Raya. Did you know that you can receive additional discounts of up to RM73 when using an Alliance Bank Credit Card for purchases on Shopee and Zalora**? This campaign is exclusively for Alliance Bank Visa Credit Cardholders and Visa Virtual Credit Cardholders for a limited time only from now until 31 March 2025 . Hurry and get ready for Raya with Alliance Bank Credit Cards.

** Subject to campaign terms and conditions.

That’s not all! Optimise your Alliance Bank Credit Card deals with exclusive Raya promotions by taking advantage of 10% discounts when purchasing snacks and cookies from Kintry and enjoy a 10% discount when you get together during buka puasa with your family and friends at RuMa Hotel and Residences, The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar, Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Pullman Kuala Lumpur, Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara and more. Check out our promotion page https://www.alliancebank.com.my/Promotions

Additionally, you can earn a 50% cashback, capped at RM118 each week* and even stand a chance to win a luxurious trip for two to Switzerland valued at RM50,000* in the Alliance Bank Deal Fest Campaign. Simply use your Alliance Visa Bank Credit Cards for purchases in any of these categories each week: dining, shopping, groceries, travel, or overseas spending from now until 31 March 2025. *Check out the campaign terms and conditions for more details. Plus, there's more good news! Making payments is now even easier with your Alliance Bank Visa Credit Cards, as they are fully compatible with Samsung Pay and Google Pay. Just tap your mobile phone or swatch watches at the card terminal and ta-da! Your payment is completed.

Raya Made Easy with DuitNow

Giving duit raya is a wonderful tradition that brings joy to both the givers and receivers, but it’s important to plan wisely to avoid overspending. Start by setting a budget based on how much you are comfortable giving and how many recipients you plan to include. For instance, you might allocate different amounts for younger kids, teenagers, and close family members. Make your life even easier by switching to DuitNow, eliminating the last-minute rush to find ATMs or exchange small denominations of cash. It’s an easy way of embracing tradition while staying up-to-date with the revolving technology and ensuring efficiency. This convenient platform allows you to send duit raya directly to the recipients’ accounts using their phone number or ID. It’s quick, secure and saves your time, especially if you are visiting numerous open houses during Raya. Plus, you can add a sweet note with your transfer to keep your personal touch alive.

Balik Kampung with Peace of Mind

One of the most anticipated moments of Hari Raya is balik kampung, when families travel back to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones. However, a long journey can be stressful if your car isn’t in top condition. To ensure a safe and smooth trip, it’s essential to check your car before hitting the road. Another wise financial decision is to ensure your car is properly insured. Car breakdowns or accidents can happen unexpectedly, and without insurance, the repair costs can quickly escalate, putting a strain on your finances. Alliance Bank introduces Z-Driver, an insurance that provides coverage against third-party liabilities for injury or death, damage to third-party property, as well as accidental or fire damage to your vehicle. Having the right insurance means you won’t have to worry about digging into your emergency savings. It’s a small cost for a much larger safety net.

Raya Bersama-sama

Hosting an open house during Raya can be an exciting yet challenging task, especially when it comes to food preparation for guests. The pressure to offer a variety of dishes and delicacies can lead to stress and overspending. One smart solution is to seek alternative food delivery services. Look for food delivery platforms that offer Raya meal packages that are perfect for larger groups. Alliance Bank has collaborated with Foodpanda, the popular online delivery service for food and groceries in Malaysia. You can take advantage of the Pandalicious Eatsperience Campaign, which offers new Alliance Bank Visa Credit Card customers a free 6-month pandapro subscription. This special offer is available from now until 31 March 2025, and it's on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, if you have an Alliance Bank Visa Virtual Credit Card, you can earn RM68 cashback after activating your card while spending a total of RM200. If you haven't yet explored the benefits of Alliance Bank Credit Cards, now is the perfect time to sign up and start enjoying these fantastic rewards!

Stress-free Celebration

In conclusion, smart financial management is the key to enjoying a memorable and stress-free Hari Raya celebration. By setting a clear budget, start saving early and taking advantage of discounts and promotions, you can manage your finances effectively. As The Bank For Life, you can confidently navigate your Raya preparations, knowing your finances are in good hands.

Seindah Anggerik, Seutuh Silaturrahim. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.