expenses Archives | MoneyDigest.sg

How to Save Money with Your Partner

After an amazing 12 years together, my husband and I finally tied the knot last year. Before embarking on this new chapter in our lives, we made sure we were financially prepared. Are you financially prepared?

When couples get married or move in together, they naturally take on shared responsibility for each other and their finances. Nonetheless, money-related misunderstandings can arise, which is why it’s essential to address them.

To help iron out these common money problems, let’s explore some practical financial tips for couples. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, so these tips are here to guide you and your partner in achieving your financial goals together.

BE OPEN

Right from the start of your relationship, it’s essential to be open and honest about where you both stand financially. If one of you is dealing with debt or has specific financial goals, discuss it openly. Take time to understand each other’s money habits, like spending tendencies and risk tolerance. You don’t have to have identical attitudes towards money, but finding a middle ground through compromise can be beneficial. Addressing these issues early on will prevent misunderstandings and arguments down the road.

CATEGORIZE YOUR EXPENSES

Not all expenses need to be shared. While bills, groceries, and travel costs are typically shared, individual expenses like personal shopping or sending money to family back home remain separate. By clearly identifying your expenses, you can streamline money management and reduce complexity.

PRIORITIZE AND SOLVE ISSUES

Discuss what financial goals are achievable for both of you in the long term and identify problems that can be resolved immediately. For example, if different earning capacities are a concern, consider starting a small business together or exploring additional income streams. Whenever possible, prioritize reducing debt, as this will save you money on interest in the long run.

MAKE A BUDGET PLAN

A budget plan can be a lifesaver when it comes to managing your expenses. Decide on a reasonable amount to spend on everyday items, take-outs, entertainment, and personal expenses. Also, include bills, debt payments, irregular expenses, and contributions to your emergency fund in the budget plan. This step is especially valuable for young couples looking to stay on top of their expenses.

TAKE ACTION

After discussing, analyzing, and crunching the numbers, it’s time to create an action plan. Determine who will handle the primary bookkeeping responsibilities to ensure that all bills are paid on time and accounts stay in good standing. However, it’s essential to keep the non-bookkeeping partner informed about your financial progress.

Once you have identified and addressed your pain points and financial objectives, develop a comprehensive action plan with a clear timeline. This plan may involve the following steps:

1. Establishing a joint savings account.
2. Exploring opportunities for additional sources of income.
3. Gradually settling smaller debts.
4. Conducting thorough research on investment options.
5. Making a structured plan for significant purchases.

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Lastly, don’t forget to reward yourselves along the way! Even after being married, my husband and I still make time for regular dates and save up for enjoyable activities like travel and relaxing spa treatments.

Remember, open communication, understanding, and teamwork are the keys to successfully managing your finances as a couple. By following these financial tips, you and your partner can build a strong financial foundation together and enjoy a prosperous future.

Sources: 1 & 2

How to Cut Your Expenses in Half and Still Live a Comfortable Lifestyle

As you strive to keep up with the vibrancy and dynamism of the Singapore workplace to sustain your daily needs, being intentional with your budget is crucial. Cutting your expenses in half while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle is achievable. Here are some hacks to help you save money and reduce your expenses.

#1: PREPARE HOMEMADE MEALS

At the onset of the pandemic, I started learning how to cook. Eating out can be costly, and making my meals at home helped me to be conscious of my spending and what I put in my body.

You can create a weekly meal plan using the ingredients you already have and make a shopping list of any missing items. Shopping online can also help you reduce costs through store vouchers and occasional sales. Opting to include more veggies in your meals can also lower your food costs.

#2: SHOP SMART

When shopping for groceries and other essentials, keep an eye out for deals and promotions to save money. You can also consider buying toiletries in bulk to reduce costs.

Additionally, you can explore shopping at local markets instead of big chain supermarkets. Local wet/dry markets offer a greater variety of options and provide an opportunity to haggle for the best prices. Gain freedom of choice while sticking to your budget!

#3: APPRECIATE DIFFERENT ART FORMS

Singapore offers a wealth of free or low-cost entertainment options, such as museums, festivals, and parks. Take advantage of these options instead of costly activities like shopping or hotel hopping.

Furthermore, review your monthly expenses to see if there are areas where you can cut back. For example, you could cancel your cable TV subscription and retain your Netflix subscription only.

#4: COMMUTE WITHOUT CARS

With a reliable public transport system that continues to expand, you can easily ride buses and trains on a regular basis. Consider using public transportation instead of owning a car, which can be subject to high taxes and fees.

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Not to mention, you would also have to maintain the vehicle’s condition and regularly purchase petrol.

#5: EAT THE LEFTOVERS

Don’t let your dinner leftovers meet a moldy end in the back of your fridge. Forgetting about them wastes both money and food. Instead, consider enjoying them for lunch the next day or incorporating them into a new dish, like egg fried rice. With a bit of creativity, you can spruce up your egg fried rice by adding leftover rice and other ingredients to make Uncle Roger proud!

#6: SWITCH TO REUSABLE ITEMS

Make a positive impact on your wallet and the environment by ditching disposable items like paper towels, sandwich bags, and single-use water bottles. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives.

For example, a pack of paper towels can cost around S$4.50 at FairPrice, while a hand towel from the same store is only about S$2.90. By switching to a reusable hand towel, you’ll save S$1.60 right off the bat and get many more uses out of it. Plus, using the hand towels you already have tucked away instead of grabbing a new paper towel sheet every time you make a mess means fewer trips to the store and less waste in the trash bin. It’s a minor change that will benefit you in the long run.

#7: STEER AWAY FROM COSTLY HOUSING

One of the biggest expenses for most people in Singapore is housing. To reduce your housing costs, consider living in a less expensive area or finding roommates to share the rent with. Downsizing to a smaller flat or house can also be a viable option.

Yes, you need shelter, and you want to live in a lovely place with amenities. While these factors are important, you don’t want to spend so much on your housing that you can’t achieve your financial goals.

#8: AVOID USING CREDIT CARDS

For everyday expenses, avoid using credit cards. Remember that interest rates can be high. Instead, consider using cash or debit cards to keep track of your spending and avoid accumulating debt. By being mindful of your spending habits, you can achieve your financial goals and avoid the burden of credit card debt.

#9: CREATE YOUR OWN THINGS

Don’t spend money on things that you can make yourself. Search for DIY tutorials on YouTube, Pinterest, and social media platforms to create your own soaps, household cleaners, ant killer, rugs, and face scrubs. The possibilities for home DIY projects are endless!

#10: OPT FOR CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES

Cheaper alternatives for products and services are readily available but finding them requires some research. For instance, you can save money on handphone plans or other service subscriptions by choosing more affordable plans or cancelling unnecessary subscriptions.

When it comes to cleaning supplies, medications, and groceries, opting for store or generic brands can help you reduce your expenses while still getting quality products. You can also choose to splurge on a few select items to treat yourself.

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With a dash of foresight and smart decision-making, you can enjoy the Lion City’s luxuries while staying within your financial means.

Sources: 1 & 2

The Hidden Costs Of Owning A Pet

There is a reason why cat and dog videos flood the trending pages of YouTube and Instagram! They are so irresistibly adorable and hilarious. Moreover, these fur buddies serve as the best companions for people of all ages.

Taking care of your beloved companion is nowhere near as expensive as raising a child in Singapore. However, costs go beyond food and shelter. Prepare your funds as we introduce the “hidden costs of owning a pet”…

#1: PET GROOMING SERVICES

Bathing your pet and cutting its nails can only go so far! Whether you like it or not, you cannot simply get away with an at-home grooming kit. Only professionals can properly trim your beloved pet’s fur. This is especially true for dogs.

My aunt owns two dogs – a Cocker Spaniel and a Pomeranian. I can vividly recall when she got a rather disappointing grooming experience from a personnel who trimmed the Cocker Spaniel’s fur too short. She regrets that she did not gave specific instructions beforehand. While most dogs are groomed once every 2 months, these breeds need more maintenance. It is best to discuss your preferences to the groomers. Otherwise, you would waste S$40 to S$70 for small dogs and S$90 to S$200 for bigger dogs.

#2: PREMIUM PET FOOD

As you explore the aisles of the nearby supermarket, you will notice how affordable their selection of pet food is. These brands may be cheap, but are they healthy for your beloved buddy?

Most pet owners switch to premium brands to provide food rich in nutrients. Moreover, some pets may have developed medical conditions that require a change in diet. Switching diets come with a cost!

#3: EXPENSIVE MEDICAL COSTS

As your pet ages, your veterinary bills will undoubtedly shoot up! Your beloved cats and dogs may suffer from the same conditions that aging humans experience. From tumors to epilepsy, your furkid is vulnerable to unexpected veterinary attention. What should you do?

For starters, you can expect to pay around S$20 to S$60 for a basic veterinary consultation. This is why, it would help if you had an insurance policy to back up the costs. Take a gander at these pet insurance policies: My Paw Pal by CIMB Bank, Paw Safe by AIA, and Happy Tails by AON. Choose which policy suits your needs the best!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PET’S BUDGET

#1: ESTIMATE HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SAVE

The added responsibility of taking care of another being comes with a cost. Estimate the expenses of having a pet by breaking down how much you will need to save per month. For instance, you want to save around S$700 per year to cover unexpected medical bills. Consider saving S$60 per month.

#2: OPEN A SEPARATE PET FUND

A surefire way to separate your personal money to your pet funds is to open up a new bank account dedicated solely to it. Money inside this account is off-limits unless you are going to use it for the benefit of your furkid. Shop around to get the best savings account available in the market!

#3: CREATE A LINE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS

Lastly, you must weigh whether an expense is necessary or not. Do you really need to buy a digital pet tag for your cat? Or, another bed to replace the one you just bought last week? What is important is that you take care of your pet’s health and wellness.

Sources: 1 & 2

Fastest Ways To Drain Your Money In Singapore

1. Visit the nearby grocery while you are hungry. Shopping hungry typically leads to adding unnecessary items to your cart. You will be amazed by the length of your receipt!

2. ATMs are easily accessible in Singapore. So, draw more money that what you actually need. Your S$40 can disappear as quickly as drawing only S$20.

3. Embrace tardiness! Paying the bills late takes you back by a decent amount due to the late fees and surge in interest rates. Doing this regularly may potentially damage your credit score too.

4. Promotions and other good deals are everywhere these days. Nothing will flush your money faster than becoming an impulse buyer. See something you like while window shopping? Grab it and worry about the cost later.

5. Shower your pets with #OOTD options by purchasing clothing for all occasions. From a fairy ensemble to a Santa costume, pet clothing and accessories can cost about S$3 to S$30.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

6. Get additional S$10 or more on your teleco bill by exceeding your data limit. Some network providers apply the charges even if you exceeded your data capacity by 0.000001GB!

7. Many of us depend on a trusty cup of coffee to keep us energized throughout the day. With branded coffee chains at every turn, it is hard not to be tempted. Spending at least S$6 a day will add up to S$42 in a week. The same idea applies for artisan water.

8. Be hooked on a smartphone app! An addicting game can lead you to scoring some in-app purchases. You really need that power-ups from Candy Crush, right?

9. Do you have a thirst for excitement? Be surprised by the variety of fees and penalties that you can acquire by not reading a contract. You signed on the dotted lines thus, you are obligated to pay for all of them.

10. Watch your money fly by regularly purchasing disposable razors. Disposable razors tend to lose its sharpness and durability quickly. You will end up buying this product frequently.

11. Go to the grocery store at least twice a week. Making this a routine suggests that you are not properly tracking your food consumption or adjusting your expense categories.

12. During rush hour, you can either book a regular taxi or a Grab taxi. The latter offers a flat fee that is calculated upfront without hidden fees. While, the former is decked with extra charges for traffic conditions or bad weather.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

As obvious as this may sound, you must avoid the items written above. Alter your spending habits and stick to your realistic budget!

Sources: 1, 2,3, & 4

3 Things That Uni Students Should Not Spend Their Allowance On

Many university students have the discipline to save their allowance, but this does not mean that they are spending their money on the “right” things.

#1: FANCY DESIGNER GOODS

While I was completing my tertiary education, I noticed how some people flaunted their LOUIS VUITTON or MCM Worldwide bags. I wondered how there were able to afford such a splurge as mere students. With limited financial capacity, it is not practical to collect luxury items. Invest on a quality backpack instead.

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Not to mention, it is seldom that somebody cares about what you are wearing.

A friend of mine rarely showers before going to school. She rationalized her actions as a typical behavior from the norm. Everybody was doing it so, why cannot she? The point was that majority of students would not care about how you present yourself. You are not there to treat the school as your catwalk! Your top priority is to learn after all.

#2: FLASHY ROOM DECOR

As a young adult, you have the privilege to decorate your own room. You definitely want to feel relaxed in your own space – be it a dorm or a hostel. However, you do not have to shell out too much to do so. Mount some family pictures and make your own ornaments. There is no need to buy a lot of new things as you will not keep your furniture for long.

#3: FREQUENT EAT OUTS

It is impressive how Singapore embraces racial harmony. That said, it is common to be friends with international students. Many of these students reside in the school’s approved hostels. Due to their living situation, some opt to dine out. Who can blame them? Dining out is utterly convenient. You do not need to prepare your food or wash the dishes. However, frequent trips to the nearest restaurant or pub can quickly exhaust your allowance.

You would not even realize how much you are spending until it is too late! Put a realistic budget in action, if you do not want your finances to wore out.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

BONUS: Let us talk about textbooks. This expense category can be uncertain at times. Universities tend to provide a long list of reading materials. The mandatory and recommended books may not be clearly written out. Before you spend your entire allowance on the comprehensive list, be sure to buy what you will actually use for the course. Find second-hand books from the last year’s students or from the Bras Basah Complex. There are free online resources too!

Sources: 1 & 2

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