Smart Ways to Optimize Your THR with Investments 

Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR) is often seen as a bonus for shopping or fulfilling short-term needs. However, with proper management, THR can also become an opportunity to improve your financial health through investment. Here are some smart ways to optimize your THR and turn it into a long-term financial benefit.

1. Set Clear Investment Goals
   The first step is to establish your investment goals, such as education fund, retirement savings, or an emergency fund. By clearly defining your objectives, you can choose the right type of investment and stay disciplined in ensuring the funds are used only for their intended purpose.
2. Allocate Funds Wisely
   It’s advisable to allocate your THR across different needs. For example, 50% for consumption during Eid, 30% for investments, and 20% for savings. This allocation can be adjusted based on your personal needs, but ensure that a portion is dedicated to investment.
3. Choose the Right Investment Instruments
   Selecting the appropriate investment instruments is crucial. For beginners, you might consider mutual funds or government bonds, which offer lower risk with better potential returns compared to regular savings. For those with more experience, stocks or higher-risk instruments with greater return potential could be an option.
   
   With M2U ID App, investing has become more practical and accessible. In addition to mutual funds and government bonds, you can also invest in Pegadaian Gold Savings and time deposits with competitive rate, tailored to meet your needs and risk profile.
4. Periodic Investment for Maximum Returns
   If possible, allocate part of your THR to start a periodic investment, such as a monthly mutual fund or regular gold savings. With periodic investments, you can take advantage of the compounding effect, which helps your investment grow faster over time.
   
   In M2U ID App, periodic investments are made even easier with the feature to set the purchase frequency. You can automate your monthly mutual fund top-ups, and set your gold purchases to be made weekly or monthly.
5. Regularly Evaluate and Rebalance Your Portfolio
   Once you've invested, don't forget to regularly evaluate your portfolio. With proper monitoring, you can adjust your strategy to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals.

By following these tips, your THR can become a foundation for a better future, rather than just a fund for consumption. Start investing now with M2U ID App and see the positive changes in your financial health!

Achieving Ramadan Blessings through Financial Management with Shariah Wealth Management and M2U ID App
By: Linda Napoleon (Head of Sharia Wealth Management Product Maybank Indonesia)

Marhaban ya Ramadhan, the blessed month of Ramadan is fast approaching.

Ramadan is a month filled with mercy, forgiveness, and goodness, offering Muslims the opportunity to do good by helping others through charity, alms, zakat, and endowments. Giving charity during Ramadan is highly valued by Allah SWT. Those who set aside their wealth for those in need will gain blessings. Everyone hopes for goodness and blessings during this holy month.

However, despite Ramadan being a time for increased charity, the excitement surrounding the month sometimes leads to excessive spending, such as buying unnecessary household items or preparing for supplies beyond what is needed, which diminishes the essence of sharing.

Moreover, the last ten nights of Ramadan are the best time to draw closer to Allah through worship, including giving alms and charity. Unfortunately, many of us become preoccupied with preparing for the upcoming Eid celebrations, such as shopping for Eid or planning the annual homecoming (mudik), which require considerable expenses.

Ramadan also teaches us to be more sensitive to others, to cultivate solidarity and social awareness, and to practice discipline in controlling our desires for food and drink. These values should be applied in our daily lives, including in managing household finances, which are often unpredictable.

Good financial management during Ramadan not only brings blessings but also helps families plan their finances more systematically. With proper planning, household expenses can be controlled and yield greater benefits.

Here are some tips for managing finances during Ramadan:

• Create a Spending Budget: List out your monthly expenses for Ramadan, including essential needs and regular costs. This will help you manage and monitor your spending.
• Control Your Expenses: Set a budget for each category of spending, prioritizing essential daily needs.
• Be More Selective in Shopping: Distinguish between needs and wants. Significant spending often arises from desires, not necessities.
• Set Aside Funds for Charity: To ensure charity does not affect other expenses, prepare a specific fund for alms, zakat, and donations.
• Save and Invest: Even though expenses may increase during Ramadan, ensure that you still set aside income for savings or investments, understanding the associated risks.

In line with the goals of Shariah Wealth Management, Maybank offers support to families in managing finances according to their individual needs through five pillars:

• Pillar 1 – Wealth Creation: Planning family finances.
• Pillar 2 – Wealth Accumulation: Maximizing finances through investments to achieve financial goals. 
• Pillar 3 – Wealth Preservation: Planning financial risks early.
• Pillar 4 – Wealth Purification: Giving back through zakat, alms, and charity.
• Pillar 5 – Wealth Distribution: Ensuring that family members left behind receive their rightful shares and continue their lives.

Moreover, through Maybank’s M2U ID App, customers can easily manage their finances with the smart 360 Digital Wealth feature. This feature allows users to:

• Monitor their family’s financial portfolio and plan their budget effectively.
• Control household expenses during Ramadan.
• Achieve investment goals through products such as mutual funds, sukuk, and gold savings.

Easy Investment and Charity via M2U ID App

Ramadan is often a time for self-reflection. Besides focusing on improving worship, this month is a great time to reassess financial habits. With the investment features in the M2U ID App, you can start small-scale investments easily, even amidst the busy month of fasting.

The M2U ID App offers investment features such as mutual funds, primary and secondary market bonds, and Gold Savings, which can be started with a minimal investment.

Additionally, Ramadan offers a great opportunity to share kindness through charity and zakat, which can be conveniently done through this app. The Zakat & Donation feature in the M2U ID App for Android allows users to pay zakat and donations through Maybank, which will be distributed to trusted zakat and charity organizations such as Rumah Zakat, Baznas, Dompet Dhuafa, and more.

Let us make the most of Ramadan as a time to plan for a secure financial future while doing good for others, so we can truly experience the true meaning of this blessed month.