SINGAPORE — Jonathan Lim, a 27-year-old Malaysian civil engineer, recently shared on TikTok how he manages to live on S$10 a day for meals and transpo
SINGAPORE — Jonathan Lim, a 27-year-old Malaysian civil engineer, recently shared on TikTok how he manages to live on S$10 a day for meals and transport in Singapore. His account, @jonlzx, documents his budget-conscious approach to daily expenses, answering the question many wonder: “Is S$10 enough for a day in Singapore?”
In his most popular video, which has garnered nearly 64,000 views, Jonathan begins his day with a free breakfast—a simple peanut butter sandwich—which allows him to allocate his S$10 budget toward lunch and dinner. For lunch, he opts for cai fan (mixed rice) from a nearby hawker centre, costing S$3.60 for a filling portion of rice, broccoli, and chicken. In the evening, he grabs a cranberry cream cheese bun for S$1.50 as a quick snack before his run.
Jonathan’s dinner is often a deal from FairPrice Xtra, where he finds affordable options like two large roasted chicken drumsticks, which he describes as “juicy and quite flavorful.” He notes that an entire roast chicken at FairPrice Xtra is available for just S$5, though he once bought one but couldn’t finish it.
“Ten dollars a day is generally enough,” Jonathan writes, hoping to provide a realistic perspective on living costs in Singapore for those considering working there. His lifestyle is further economized by his unique work arrangement—he spends three days a week in Singapore and works from his home in Kluang, Johor, the rest of the week, where he lives with his wife.
To minimize housing costs, Jonathan stays in capsule hotels or budget hostels during his days in Singapore, aiming to find places costing under S$35 a night. He even monitors online discounts at his favorite hostels to stretch his budget further. One of his frequent stays, the 7 Wonders Hostel, includes free breakfast, which typically consists of toast, spreads, cereal, and coffee or tea.
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