5 ways to stretch your budget

Stretching your budget in a city like Singapore, known for its vibrant lifestyle and relatively higher cost of living, requires strategic planning and thoughtful decision-making. Here are five practical ways to make the most of your budget in Singapore in 2024:

1. Smart Grocery Shopping:

Take advantage of discounts, promotions, and loyalty programs at supermarkets. Consider purchasing generic or house brands, which are often more affordable than their branded counterparts. Plan your meals in advance, create shopping lists, and stick to them to avoid impulse purchases. Additionally, explore local markets and hawker centers for fresh produce and budget-friendly food options.

2. Utilize Public Transportation:

Singapore has an efficient and well-connected public transportation system. Opting for public transport instead of private vehicles can save a significant amount of money on fuel, parking, and maintenance. Consider using monthly passes or travel cards for additional savings. Embracing alternative modes of transport, such as cycling or walking, for short distances can also contribute to both financial and physical well-being.

3. Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle:

Evaluate your spending habits and prioritize essential purchases. Adopting a minimalist lifestyle can help you cut down on unnecessary expenses. Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it adds real value to your life. Sell or donate items you no longer need, and resist the urge to accumulate possessions that might clutter your living space and strain your budget.

4. Explore Free or Low-Cost Entertainment:

Singapore offers a plethora of free or affordable entertainment options. Take advantage of public spaces, parks, and cultural events that don't require an entrance fee. Many museums and attractions have discounted rates on specific days or during off-peak hours. Explore community events, outdoor festivals, and recreational activities that won't break the bank.

5. Negotiate and Compare Services:

Regularly review your utility bills, insurance premiums, and subscription services. Negotiate with service providers for better rates or explore alternatives that offer similar services at a lower cost. Stay informed about promotions and discounts offered by different providers, and consider bundling services for additional savings. Being proactive in managing your recurring expenses can result in substantial long-term savings.

Remember, financial management is an ongoing process. Regularly reassess your budget, identify areas for improvement, and be open to adjusting your lifestyle to align with your financial goals. By adopting these strategies, you can navigate the cost of living in Singapore more effectively in 2024 and beyond.

Title: Navigating the Road to Financial Freedom: Journey

In the fast-paced world of deadlines, meetings, and responsibilities, the pursuit of financial freedom can sometimes feel like an elusive dream for working adults. However, the journey towards financial independence is not only feasible but also rewarding. As a fellow working professional, I understand the challenges and triumphs that come with this pursuit. In this blog post, I share my personal journey towards financial freedom and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

The Awakening:

My financial journey began with a moment of realization – a realization that I was stuck in a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. The constant stress of financial insecurity motivated me to take control of my financial destiny. This awakening marked the beginning of my journey to financial freedom.

Setting Clear Goals:

The first step in any journey is to know the destination. I started by setting clear and realistic financial goals. Whether it was paying off debts, building an emergency fund, or investing for the future, having well-defined objectives provided me with a roadmap to follow. This clarity helped me stay focused even during challenging times.

Budgeting as a Lifesaver:

Creating and sticking to a budget became a fundamental aspect of my journey. Tracking income and expenses allowed me to identify areas where I could cut back and save more. It wasn't about deprivation but rather making intentional choices that aligned with my financial goals. Over time, budgeting became a powerful tool in gaining control of my finances.

Embracing Financial Education:

Financial literacy played a crucial role in my journey. I invested time in learning about various investment options, understanding the power of compounding, and staying informed about market trends. This knowledge empowered me to make informed decisions about my money and to take calculated risks that aligned with my financial goals.

Building Multiple Streams of Income:

Relying solely on a 9-to-5 job wasn't enough for me. I explored and invested in creating multiple streams of income. Whether it was a side hustle, freelance work, or investments, diversifying income sources provided me with a safety net and accelerated my journey to financial freedom.

Overcoming Challenges:

The road to financial freedom is not without its challenges. Unexpected expenses, market fluctuations, and personal setbacks tested my resilience. However, staying committed to the end goal and adapting to changing circumstances helped me overcome these challenges. The key was not to be discouraged by setbacks but to view them as opportunities for growth.

Celebrating Milestones:

Every small victory is a step closer to financial freedom. Celebrating milestones, whether it was paying off a credit card or reaching a savings goal, kept me motivated and reminded me of the progress made. Recognizing and celebrating these achievements made the journey more enjoyable and sustainable.

Conclusion:

As a working adult on the journey to financial freedom, I've come to appreciate that it's not just about reaching a specific financial milestone. It's about the personal growth, discipline, and resilience developed along the way. The journey is ongoing, and the lessons learned continue to shape my financial decisions. To my fellow working professionals, remember that financial freedom is not a destination; it's a lifelong journey that begins with a single step and evolves with every intentional financial decision you make.

2024 Goals

This is the start of the 3rd week of 2024. 

A recap of 2023 goals that i have set for myself.

1. Exercise daily by jogging 1/2 hour every morning to keep my energy up throughout the day.

2. Invest in Singapore Stock Market on Dividend stocks and S&P 500 ETF

3. Blogging once a week post.

4. Read a book every week

5. Learn Indonesian language 10 mins per day.

For the goals above, except for blogging once a week post, the rest i was able to hit my goals.

I was able to cultivate habits which i was able to consistently do throughout the day. 

For the first goal, exercise daily. After i accompany my daughter to the school bus, i go for a jog daily without fail. I started with only 10 mins of exercise and slowly work my way up to 30 mins of jogging. I'm able to clock in 5000 steps and above with the healthhub app which also gives me points. The points that i accumulate, i was able to redeem NTUC vouchers. So far i have redeem about $50 worth of NTUC vouchers. For my 5th goal, i achieve by doing the 10 mins per day after my jog as i need to cool down before i go and bath. 

For the 2nd goal, after each pay day per month, i will put aside money to invest in the stock market without fail. Looking at Reits and Bank stocks will be my target this year as i wanted to increase my portfolio allocation more towards the bank and reits in Singapore. For S&P 500 it is put on auto mode where every month there will be a fixed amount deducted from my SRS account to fund my investment in S&P> 

For the 3rd goal, i was not consistent, it can be due to tiredness, lazy. This year i will cultivate the habit of researching for topics to blog on finance during Monday - Thurs only 1/2 for the research. And during Fri / Sat / Sun to do write and publish my blog. At the same time i do research on financials and i can also gauge my understanding by publishing my blog and sharing with people. 

For the 4th goal, i was able to achieve easily as i love to read and by bringing my daughters to the library on Sunday. I hope to inspire them to do reading, checking for books instead of staying at home watching Tv. 

I will continue on for these 5 goals for 2024. Main thing to cultivate habit for my blog post once per week in 2024. 

10 ways to stretch your dollar in Singapore

Cost of living has been going up in 2023 in Singapore. As a Singaporean living in Singapore. I check out and list the 10 ways to stretch in Singapore. Hope that it can help people in the day to day.

Managing your Money

First Step is to see when your money goes to. Compiling of the list of fixed expenses and variable expenses. Fixed expenses like housing, insurance, transportation, utilities, childcare cost etc. It will be fixed. Variable expenses will be on Food, leisure, travel, shopping, fitness, beauty care whereby you can cut down. Hopefully these 10 ways will give you an idea

1. Current Account Opening If you are working and getting a fixed income per month, consider to open an account with either of the 3 major banks in Singapore . UOB / DBS / OCBC. With the salary credit to the current account every month, you can potentially earn up to 7+ percent per year subjected to the criteria that the banks lay out. And the interest is credited every month as well. This will magically create few hundred dollars extra per month that will help in defray the cost of living in Singapore. For myself i used OCBC whereby my salary is credited 

2. Invest in T-bills Consider to purchase T-bills in www. mas.gov.sg from there every 2 weeks there is a sale of T-bills. How does T-bills works, You can invest in $500 or max up to $1million. The interest is credited to your account straightaway, take example right now the T-bill is at 3.87%. If you put in $1000, you will receive $38.7/2 which is $19.35 as it is a 6 months period. At the end of the 6 months period, you will receive back the principal that you have invested.

3. CDC vouchers With the $500 CDC vouches that the government has announced, $250 for Grocery and $250 to purchase. For those that do not have app in mobile, you can retrieve paper copies of the codes to use. Extract from Straits Times. 

As at Jan 3, at least four of the eight participating supermarket chains are offering return vouchers or other deals for those who use a minimum amount of CDC vouchers for each transaction.

The FairPrice Group (FPG) will give out $8 in return vouchers for every $80 worth of CDC supermarket vouchers used in a single transaction at its outlets until Jan 17. 

At U Stars stores, customers who spend $60 of their vouchers between Jan 3 and 17 will get a $7 return voucher, while those who spend $120 in vouchers will receive a $15 return voucher.

DFI Retail Group said customers who spend $100 worth of vouchers at Cold Storage, CS Fresh and Jason’s Deli from Jan 3 to 7 will get $5 cash vouchers.

Those who spend $100 worth of vouchers at Giant from Jan 3 to 7 are eligible to redeem a 2.5kg bag of rice.

4. Drink Water instead of Soda / Coffee / Tea For myself i have cut down my spending on drinks to only drink water. It is good for my health and i'm able to save money. Most restaurants also offer water. It is a habit that i have cultivated. 

5. Gym work out  For the past 1 year, i have been using the community center GYM. Each entry is $2. I also run near my park. For people who loved jogging and gym. Going to community center GYM might be a good alternative and it does save money.

6. Library Resources in books, magazines are free resources in Singapore. Can access online at www.nlb.gov.sg and you can download the libby app to borrow books as well. All the financial books, comics, stocks, property i borrow from the library. Normally people only read once or twice. Also can go to sg books don't throw in facebook group. 

7. Carousell Consider to sell the items that you do not need in Carousell app. I have been using the app to sell some things like TV, mini fridge, tricycle, bike etc. It helps that i can recover part of the cost that i have utilised when i first do the purchase.

8. Facebook Groups SGfreerecyle and SGfreerecycle 2 which members will share the items they do not need and will give to people who need it. The objective is to reduce waste and i find there are a lot of stuff that people do not mind giving out as they have no use for it. Also consider to donate to Salvation army if you have stuff that you do not need. 

9. Games at a discount or free Last year i pick up the command and conquer ultimate game option at a price of $19 SGD. Warcraft 3 at $20. It was a bargain i pick up during Hallowen period and end of the year sales. Even Diablo 4 was at a discount. Consider picking up games after  1 year as normally they will be promotion or sales which you can further stretch your dollar.

10. Skills to pick up Instead of signing up courses, why not consider searching in you-tube. Nowadays Youtube provide alot of information and course which is free. Consider what topics and courses you want to go in. Research in Youtube and do a trial out. For myself, i really love youtube.