Singaporean Earning $4,800/Month Says Everything Is Expensive, Asks for Money-Saving Tips

SINGAPORE: With the rising cost of living due to inflation, a Singaporean has turned to Reddit for advice on how to stretch his income further. Earning $4,800 per month and spending $2,000 on rent, Reddit user u/Bling-_-Bling posted on r/askSingapore on Feb 21, expressing concern over how expensive it is to live in the city and asking for money-saving tips.

The post quickly gathered nearly 200 comments, with fellow Redditors eager to offer advice. One of the most common suggestions was to find cheaper accommodation. “I have about the same income as you and I’m living fully… Just cut your rent to find a place within $1k,” one user recommended. However, another user noted the current rental market is tough, with prices remaining high.

Others offered practical tips such as moving to a common room in an HDB, avoiding taxis or Grab, and sticking to public transport to save on commute expenses. “Rent should not be almost 50% of your salary,” one person commented, reflecting concerns that housing costs are eating into the poster’s savings.

Another useful suggestion was to switch to a more affordable telco plan. “For starters, shift away from regular telco lines like Singtel. They’re the most expensive. Switch to MVNOs like Giga or Circles to halve your monthly bill.”

Some offered more creative tips, such as bringing a water bottle everywhere to avoid buying drinks, and cooking at home or eating at hawker centres to minimize food costs. “Try to spend less than $5 per meal. And if you want to try expensive stuff, go to Johor Bahru—it may be more affordable,” one commenter advised.

The conversation highlighted the stress many Singaporeans feel about personal finances, with housing costs, daily expenses, and the high cost of living contributing to financial strain. A recent survey revealed that 86% of Singapore respondents experience stress, with 50% citing the cost of living as their number one stressor.