KUALA LUMPUR: R. Ganesa Murthi and wife Parathy Naraina prefer to do their monthly grocery shopping at T.S. Mega supermarket, which is near their house.

"We do not own a car, so it's cheaper to do our shopping here rather than spend on taxi fare," said Ganesa, who goes to work by bus.

Their home is a City Hall flat in Cheras, which Ganesa inherited from his mother and where they have lived for the past 24 years.

A family trip to the supermarket is a rare treat for the couple's daughters, G. Kalyanee and Leshare.

"Usually, the shopping is done by me or my husband. We rarely get to bring the children along because we have to think of transportation," said Parathy.

Ganesa said he spent around RM200 to RM300 a month on groceries and never compromised on the quality.

"It's better to get something that is a bit expensive but in the end, is healthy for your family," he said, adding that he did not mind spending extra on fruits and vegetables.

Nevertheless, as his family's sole breadwinner, Ganesa spends his salary carefully as he also has to take into account the utility bills.

His wife usually gets extra vegetables and fruits at the provision shop opposite their flat.

During the family's shopping trip last Wednesday, Parathy asked her daughters to help her list down items that were needed, and told them that they were only going to get what was on the list and nothing extra.

"I want to teach them the value of money so that they are not spoiled."