Financial prudence and time mastery: lived experiences of urban low-income working mothers in Malaysia

Baharuddin, Najwa and Burhan, Nik Ahmad Sufian and Hussin, Ruhaya and Mohd. Janis, Fadzilla Hernani and Sabri, Mohd. Fazli (2025) Financial prudence and time mastery: lived experiences of urban low-income working mothers in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics (MAJCAFE), 35 (NIL). pp. 181-206. ISSN 1511-2802 E-ISSN 2948-4189

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Abstract

Urban low-income working mothers in Malaysia face persistent challenges in balancing paid work and caregiving within limited financial and temporal resources. This study explores their lived experiences and the strategies they employ to navigate these constraints. Eight participants from Klang Valley took part in an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study involving seven-day diaries (June–July 2021) and subsequent in-depth interviews (November–December 2021). The findings are interpretive and aim to illuminate lived experiences rather than generalise prevalence. Participants demonstrated financial prudence and mindful time management skills to cope with caregiving responsibilities and employment demands. While financial literacy supported daily budgeting and savings, it was insufficient to ensure long-term stability, particularly during unexpected events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Time management appeared as equally important, with participants developing structured routines to reduce stress and maximise limited resources. They emphasise the interdependence of financial and temporal resources and the importance of tailored support programs that include both financial and time management training. These findings contribute to family economics by demonstrating that the resource-management and coping strategies employed by low-income working mothers can inform more inclusive intervention and policy design.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	coping strategies, financial efficacy, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), time management, urban poverty, working mothers
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF636 Applied psychology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ1101 Women. Feminism H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ2035 Life skills. Coping skills. Everyday living skills H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ503 The family. Marriage. Home
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr. Ruhaya Hussin
Date Deposited:	30 Dec 2025 16:05
Last Modified:	30 Dec 2025 16:05
Queue Number:	2025-12-Q1191
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/126254

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