Why Most Singaporeans Are in Debt

[Mychildren]

MMM,

Thinking of M&Ms now, I do agree on the point about traveling.
I had wanted to bring my dad to travel to those countries that he has never been too but he was dead now. I only manage to bring him to Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Penang only, not even any of the western countries. I feel so bad about it.
As for my mum, she still not so bad , travel to as far as Munich but I don't think I can bring her for those tours that require a lot of walking now.
My DH & me same thinking, if don't travel now, when then? Wait till we old, cannot walk, have $$ then, also cannot go. But travel within the budget and not on loan is what I mean.
Luxury or branded goods, I've no interest. A $10 watch & a $500 watch is of no difference to me if they serve the same purpose. I not saying others must think the same way as me. Don't get me wrong, OK?
Sometimes, people thought that I'm from China by the way I dress to fetch my boys from school. Only when they start to talk to me, they know I'm not....Kekeke :evil:
One mother even explained & told me how to register for p1 when my kid was in k2. She thought I from same country as her. I just nodded my head and did not stop her.
Later when she realised I'm a Singaporean from someone, she apologised to me. But I'm OK with it since she's so helpful....Kekeke
By the way, we also don't chase after the most up to date gadgets. We often spend some time to think whether this are needed. If the simple ones can provide the functions I need, is more than enough.
Its important u must have your own stand & not to be easily influence. I do know that there are peer pressure from friends, colleagues or even relatives. But as what most said here, do it within your means. Also, do differentiate wants & needs too.
I'm not :imanangel: , I'm also learning about saving up.
:celebrate:

[Imami]

Funz:

Imami:

Another example - they buy cut fruits from fruit stalls. I buy whole fruits like apples from Ntuc. We all get our daily dose of fibre but I pay $2-3 for one week. This $2-3 only lasts them 2-3 days...

While we should be not spending like there is no tomorrow, I think to spend a couple of dollars on coffee and fruits is acceptable, especially if you are not in dire straits lah. If you are nose deep in depts and trying to make ends meet then yah, should not even be eating out for lunch.

Everyone have areas where they are willing to spend a bit more on and other areas where they will stinge on. Your yardstick and theirs may be different.

For me I will not stinge on food but I do not see the need for the latest fastest coolest gadgets. DH is the other way around. He refuses to buy drinks for the kids at the foodcourt saying it is expensive but he buys them tons of toys. When my kids ask for books, I will not hesitate to get them, but DH does not think it worth it to spend money on books. But he will not hesitate to get them branded sports shoes which I think is a waste of money as the children outgrow them so fast.

The main thing is spending within your means. Give yourself some leeway for some luxuries so long as it does not put you into debts. There is no shame in that.

I am only trying to give some examples on how one can save without much pain. Many people fail to see how those little here, little there can amount to big sums.

[Mychildren]

Imami,

Yes, those little here, little there can amount to big sums, this I do agree.
I made egg sandwiches for my 2nd DS instead of buying them. It costs about $2 plus when I can do it for less than $0.50. Same flavour even better with wholemeal bread. :hi5:
Imami, not to worry, I understand your example on the fruits. I did that too, sometimes, I don't drink outside & back home for own-made milk tea or coffee O etc. But sometimes, no choice when outside. :celebrate:
Hey, everyone here, we're not telling u what is a must or what mustn't. Live within your means & be happy. We're just sharing our views here.

[Imami]

Mychildren:

Imami,

Yes, those little here, little there can amount to big sums, this I do agree.
I made egg sandwiches for my 2nd DS instead of buying them. It costs about $2 plus when I can do it for less than $0.50. Same flavour even better with wholemeal bread. :hi5:
Imami, not to worry, I understand your example on the fruits. I did that too, sometimes, I don't drink outside & back home for own-made milk tea or coffee O etc. But sometimes, no choice when outside. :celebrate:
Hey, everyone here, we're not telling u what is a must or what mustn't. Live within your means & be happy. We're just sharing our views here.

:hugs:

So what egg sandwich you prepare - fried eggs, mayo eggs or? You Sahm right? Your children are so blessed.

I think I am just very tired with the complain queens around me lately. Some of you may have read my posts about - \"I don't earn much\" and a \"I don't have time\" and these days I got one more lunch kaki \"I cannot save\" :slapshead:

Sometimes as they complain, I quietly wonder - what's mine (complain)? Must be \"I very tired (of your complaints)\" :rotflmao:

But seriously, no matter what yard stick or how much one earn (ok, those very low income level one's don't count), we can always be innovative and yet still enjoy the little things in life.

I personally find enforcement (on diet or spending) very painful. So I always look out for cheaper alternatives.

[sleepy]

Just to chip in my two cents. I believe in 省钱有道，该花时不能省。


Differentiating between wants and needs is an important first step in 省钱有道.
That would sieve out unnecessary / excessive spending.
For instance, if a family needs a car for transport, do they need a BMW? It's a want but certainly not a need. I suppose a toyota would serve the transport purpose well enough.

And for the occasional indulgence, look for the best bargains. There are plenty of good deals during GSS for non urgent items like watches, branded handbags. Furthermore, with so many sales throughout the year, there is really no need to pay 'full' price for anything.

Also, 该花时不能省。For instance, eating instant noodles every day to cut cost is definitely not saving but commiting suicide slowly in my opinion. No offence to instant noodles manufacturers :siam: Eat nutritiously, be generous in quality but not quantity because need watch the weighing scale and defintiely not eating leftover or too much processed food.

The final point to add is - definitely must be pound wise at all times but alright to be penny foolish sometimes

[Mychildren]

To Imami,


I'm SAHM, my son egg mayo lover.

On diet, what kind of diet, is it those that wants to be slim? :scratchhead:
Yes, on diet to be slim needs a lot of discipline.
I can't do that because I thin to be on diet. I love to eat.

Yes, something can look for cheaper alternatives, but some cannot especially electronic stuffs, you need them to be reliable & quality counts here. :idea:
When its good, its lasting & don't need to be repair or replace so often.

Think u must be a good listener else they won't choose u to complain. Switch off your hears or go else where instead when u don't feel like listening to complains. Take a break, have a kit kat. :hugs:

[jedamum]

sleepy:

Mychildren:

Sleepy, the following might be sensitive, I must declare that I had nothing against u, OK? I've been pondering about your 50% and I always tends to think things the other way round.... :scratchhead:


Maybe your take home or earnings is double or triple of us, that's why u can save 50%........... :roll:

No la no la where got so rich (I wish though! )

Normally can loan up to 40% of income. If no loan, that 40% immediately become savings loh. And with small pay increment % accumulated over last 6 years and persistently thrifty & with lowering expenses (we used to spend more on kids when they were younger), we can easily save another 10%

Or I got my Maths wrong :scratchhead:

So you don't mean cash savings do you? Do you not use cpf for the housing loan? I think saving 50% is a great achievement, doable when above certain income level or if kids no tuition! We have little cash savings, but cpf 100%savings consider as 100% saving monthly?

[jedamum]

We sold our fully paid up car recently as it was underutilized and considering the kids are fully mobile to take public transport with little fuss. Even with the addition savings per month from carparking, petrol, car maintenance, insurance etc after factorimg in additional public transport cost, we have minimal saving as we opted to spend that money now on stuff that used to take us very long to convince ourself to commit, like that extra math class , a piano for our beginner learner, coffee machine, restaurant visit , couple dates outing etc. Dh feel so much more relax and stress free with this extra guilt free money. We maintain a fixed sum of savings from my working days and try to enjoy life a bit now with these little rewards.

[Mychildren]

jedamum,

I also do agree with u on this: try to enjoy life a bit now with these little rewards.

If you don't enjoy now, when then? Also $$ earn to be spend & save for rainy days. But spend wisely. I'm not good at this but my DH is good at it. I'm learning from him too.
Ya, also need to learn to love & appreciate life too!

Good day to jedamum, you want any makeover from Doc ksi???

[jedamum]

Mychildren:

jedamum,

I also do agree with u on this: try to enjoy life a bit now with these little rewards.

If you don't enjoy now, when then? Also $$ earn to be spend & save for rainy days. But spend wisely. I'm not good at this but my DH is good at it. I'm learning from him too.
Ya, also need to learn to love & appreciate life too!

Good day to jedamum, you want any makeover from Doc ksi???

Good day to you too!
Lol. DR Ksi has her plate pretty full, it seems.
Ds2 down today. And ds1 looks next. Thank goodness that school holidays are coming.