Author: aliya
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Growing Pain
Growing up, ada sorang lady in my life ni yang selalu sangat cakap I bukan waris just because I’m a daughter instead of a son. It started lepas we all pindah Penang, when I was around 9 or 10. Before that, we lived in Tanjung Karang dekat family belah my mom, and I memang manja…
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Schadenfreude
If there’s one thing I wish I’d known when I was younger, it’s that not everyone is truly rooting for your success. Some think they are — but deep down, they find pleasure in seeing you go through a rough patch. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I realised this, but it must’ve been sometime…
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My November
November felt like the month I finally did all the things I should’ve done ages ago… and somehow still managed to be dramatic about it. I Finally Went to Saloma Bridge Yes, finally. After years of seeing everyone’s photos glowing in neon lights while I quietly sat at home like a cavewoman… I finally went.…
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My Experience Trying Guardian’s New Free Professional Skincare Consultation
When guardian announced they were rolling out free professional skincare consultations with their pharmacists — now officially Certified Derma Experts — I knew I had to try it for myself. You guys know my skin can be manja sometimes, so if there’s something new (and FREE!) that helps me understand it better, I’m already halfway…
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Doing Hibah for Your Takaful Isn’t for You. It’s for the People You Love.
If You’re Earning an Income, You’re Already Insuring Your Family’s Life—But Have You Made It Official? Hi, I’m Aliya—an Islamic Financial Planner, and also a mom who understands the weight of responsibility that comes with being a breadwinner. Let’s have an honest chat today—just between us. If something happened to you tomorrow, would your loved…
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Comfort Food At Sup Tulang ZZ
There are some places that don’t need flashy signboards or fancy marketing – because the food speaks for itself. And in Johor Bahru, that place is Sup Tulang ZZ. Our first visit was sometime in 2024, when we had to be in JB for work. The moment we arrived, the air was filled with the…
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Thanks for the Silent Treatment—I Needed the Silence Anyway
I once got the silent treatment. Was it in 2018 or 2019? I honestly can’t remember anymore. And all because I chose to be firm. At that time, we were already struggling financially. Just enough to cover our commitments—barely a cent more. Then, during what was supposed to be routine maintenance, my house was damaged…
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Why People Pleasers End Up Drained
One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is this: it’s perfectly okay to say no when someone asks for a favour. In fact, you need to say no every now and then. Because here’s how it usually plays out: The first time you say yes, they’re grateful. The second time, it becomes expected. The…
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I Wasn’t Allowed to Cry
I wasn’t allowed to cry. When I first saw my mom — Lifeless, lying in the emergency room — I cried softly and whispered, “Liya tak sempat jumpa mak.” But he said I shouldn’t cry. I couldn’t cry. If I did, it meant I was against God’s will. If I did, it meant I didn’t…
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Because Life Happens
As a financial planner — and also as a mom — I’ve seen how unexpected expenses can shake a family’s stability. Many people believe, “It’s okay, I can always rely on government hospitals if anything happens.” But here’s the truth: while treatment at government hospitals is subsidised, not all medications or procedures are fully covered.…
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