09/10/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | OCT 9, 2025

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Six refrigerator myths debunked W E all use our refrigerators every single day, but how much do we really know o Essential tips for smarter use

about them? For most of us, it is a simple routine. We open the door, grab what we need and close it. But what if the way we have been taught to use our fridges is based on a series of common myths? From where we store leftovers to how we pack the fresh food, these are the truths we have been missing. We are here to debunk some of the biggest refrigeration myths and give you the essential tips. Myth 1: Load the fridge wherever it fits Most people just place food wherever it fits. However, different areas of the fridge have different temperatures. 0 Bottom shelf This is the coldest part of the fridge. It is the best place for raw meat, poultry and seafood. This prevents any raw juices from dripping onto cooked food and causing cross-contamination. 0 Middle shelves Ideal for dairy products, eggs and leftovers. 0 Top shelf Use this for ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats, yogurts and Designed to manage humidity. Use a crisper with humidity control to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer. Myth 2: The colder the better Setting your fridge to the lowest temperature is not always the best. A temperature that is too low can freeze fresh produce and dairy, ruining their texture and taste. The ideal temperature is between one and four degrees. Modern refrigerators maintain this temperature with greater precision. Myth 3: Ditch the baking soda An old box of baking soda is a common “fix” for bad odours. While it helps a little, it is not the most effective solution. The real source of pre-prepared dishes 0 Crisper drawers

A refrigerator is a long-term appliance that enhances a person’s home and daily life.

A mini retirement is defined as a career break lasting from a few months to a few years, taken to travel, spend quality time with family, pursue hobbies or develop new skills. It is an intentional pause that differs from a sabbatical, as it typically lasts longer (between six to 12 months on average) and can lead to significant life changes such as a new career path. In Malaysia, 77% of the affluent individuals surveyed feel that taking a mini retirement improves their quality of life. Their top three motivations for taking a mini retirement are to spend quality time with family (40%), focus on individual well-being (36%) and to odours is often bacteria. A more effective solution is a fridge with active deodorisation and sterilisation technology. Look for a fridge that offers this advanced technology. Myth 4: A fridge is just to keep food, nothing further A refrigerator is one of the most significant investments you will make for your kitchen, and choosing the right one goes far beyond just keeping food cold. It is about investing in a long-term appliance that enhances your home and daily life. 0 Size and space integration – will the fridge fit perfectly in your kitchen? It goes beyond just width. 0 Advance technology – does the fridge help to manage humidity, actively deodorise and kill bacteria?

“Mini retirements may be a relatively new concept in Malaysia, but it is one that is becoming more prevalent as the perception of wealth is changing. Affluent individuals no longer define success by how much of wealth they have accumulated, but by having the time and ability to live the life they truly want, and to live their wealth. What makes a mini retirement or multiple mini retirements feasible for the affluent is tailored financial planning,” said HSBC Malaysia International Wealth and Premier Banking country head Linda Yip. As for the top three challenges to taking a mini retirement, affluent Malaysians cited financial security 0 Energy efficiency – will the fridge affect your electricity bill? 0 Durability and build quality – beyond the flashy features, is the fridge reliable enough to last many years? Myth 5: It is okay to store your canned food in the fridge after opening While it seems logical, it is actually not a good idea. Cans are made of sheet metal that can rust once exposed to oxygen. This rust can contaminate the food inside, especially with acidic items such as tomato sauce. Always transfer any leftover canned food into an airtight, food-safe container (like glass or plastic) before placing it in the refrigerator. This simple step keeps your food safe and fresh.

The bottom part of the fridge is the best place for raw meat, poultry and seafood.

Myth 6: Wrapping vegetables in newspaper keeps them fresh Many people believe wrapping vegetables in newspaper is a good way to keep them fresh. However, the printing ink can contain harmful chemicals that may transfer to your

food. Modern refrigerators with humidity-controlled crispers are a much safer and more effective way to preserve produce. This article is contributed by Haier Malaysia.

More affluent Malaysians taking mini retirements: Survey MINI retirements are emerging as a new trend among affluent Malaysians, with one in two (50%) intending to take a mini retirement with a preferred length of one to two years, according to HSBC’s Quality of Life: Affluent Investor Snapshot. every seven years throughout their working career. travel and explore without constraints (29%). concerns (42%), family obligations and responsibilities (33%) and the fear of negative consequences on their career (31%). However, 71% say they are confident in their financial planning for their mini retirement with personal savings (55%),

needed for traditional retirement for Malaysia is at 31%, indicating that affluent Malaysians are only utilising slightly more than a third of their total retirement savings to indulge in a mini retirement. This is relatively lower than other markets surveyed such as India (93%), Indonesia (52%), the United Arab Emirates (37%) and mainland China (34%). Other key findings of the survey: 0 61% of affluent Malaysians intend to take a mini retirement in their home market (Malaysia). 0 The top three destinations chosen by affluent Malaysians to take their mini retirement are Singapore (31%), Japan (25%) and Australia (21%).

Affluent individuals are defined as those having investable assets of between US$100,000 (RM420,800) to US$2 million (RM8.42 million). The survey also found that more than half or 53% of affluent Malaysians that are intending to take a mini retirement, want to take two to three mini retirements in their lifetime, and the ideal age that they would like to start taking mini retirements is at 46. They also ideally want to take a mini retirement once in

dividends, interest income and other capital gains (52%) as well as rental income from properties (36%) cited as the top three income sources. The average intended spend for mini retirement is US$309,000, which is slightly lower than the global average of US$339,800, but higher than other markets such as Australia (US$299,000) and Taiwan (US$233,000). Interestingly, the ratio for mini retirement spending over savings