Can I survive on this?

[lilai]

Hi folks,

I am about to sign my contract and have the following question:

Since I will be taxed in Germany this year, I will have around 2000 SGD left per month to live in Singapore. Rent is paid by the company but I have to pay utilities. I will go out once in a while so can I get by with 2000 SGD per month?

Thanks a lot for your help,

Lilai

[durain]

yes.

[lilai]

Thanks

[frenzal]

The biggest expense will be rent. However, your company is taking care of it for you $2k/month is enough to live quite comfortably.

[local lad]

Hi folks,

I am about to sign my contract and have the following question:

Since I will be taxed in Germany this year, I will have around 2000 SGD left per month to live in Singapore. Rent is paid by the company but I have to pay utilities. I will go out once in a while so can I get by with 2000 SGD per month?

Thanks a lot for your help,

Lilai

I supposed you are here alone. You would be limiting your spending spree since everything is on the rise.

[frenzal]

Hi folks,

I am about to sign my contract and have the following question:

Since I will be taxed in Germany this year, I will have around 2000 SGD left per month to live in Singapore. Rent is paid by the company but I have to pay utilities. I will go out once in a while so can I get by with 2000 SGD per month?

Thanks a lot for your help,

Lilai

I supposed you are here alone. You would be limiting your spending spree since everything is on the rise.

Everything is on the rise, but not at an incredible rate (i.e. a 6% annual increase isn't that insane).

If you divide the 2000SGD into categories of food, utilities, alcohol, entertainment you'll find enough left over to also afford overseas travel and some savings.

[lilai]

Great, thanks a lot! That reassures me....

Overseas travel is as well paid for by the company and savings I`ll start from January on, wenn I get around 1000 SGD more.

Am excited, will move in three weeks!

[Taoism32]

Hope you don't plan to Smoke, drink or drive. Also don't expect to each much German Food. Local food is cheap but foriegn food is exepensive

[lilai]

Well, I arrive alone, I don´t smoke, won´t drive and will probably drink moderably due to the price.....

I don´t even eat much German food in Germany so I guess I don´t have to start now

[frenzal]

Well, I arrive alone, I don´t smoke, won´t drive and will probably drink moderably due to the price.....

I don´t even eat much German food in Germany so I guess I don´t have to start now

How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

An example of my expenses when I was there early this year, as a 21 year old were:
Breakfast: $4 (a couple of pastries and a red bull)
Lunch: $6-8 (delicious local food with loads of seafood, and a fresh coconut or peach/strawberry juice!)
Going home: $2 (Nasi lemak box which is fish with coconut rice, peanuts and anchovies - some can get full on this for dinner)
Dinner: $5 (for example, a dumpling meal)

So, food will be less than $20/day = $600/month. Of course you'll sometimes go to nice dinners, but essentially that's your biggest expense anywhere, and luckily it's ridiculously cheap in Singapore. In Australia I pay $8 minimum for lunch (about $10 sing). I probably spend 25% more on food per month. I think Germany is the same.

Alcohol is expensive at $10/drink when you go out. If you're a big drinker like me, expect to spend $100+ on a night out.

Transport is quite cheap (buses, trains, taxis).

To give you a similar example: my offer is a bit over $4k. $1.5k of that will go towards rent, so I'll have $2.5k left. With 2.5k, after utilities, food, going out, video games, etc., I should have enough money saved up for about four 4-day trips to other countries, with decent savings remaining.

People who believe that $2k isn't enough will generally be in a different lifestyle to the average person. Some people I've worked with are single and need $4,000+ monthly disposable income so they can go to the best restaurants, drink expensive brands of vodka and buy CK clothes.

[durain]

S$2.50 meal still available in singapore even with the price rise.

[sierra2469alpha]

...An example of my expenses when I was there early this year, as a 21 year old were:
Breakfast: $4 (a couple of pastries and a red bull)

Frenzal - you're either working way too hard or partying way too much if you need RedBull for breakfast!!!!

LOL

Yeh, booze is expensive here - I feel your pain there, Frenzel. I feel the pain....

[lilai]

I am 30, like to cook myself, too, and am very fond of vegetables and rice, so I believe I should be fine for food.

Drinks...yes I do like to drink on the weekend but am fine with a couple of cocktails, no need for the fancy vodka or ck cloths....

[frenzal]

...An example of my expenses when I was there early this year, as a 21 year old were:
Breakfast: $4 (a couple of pastries and a red bull)

Frenzal - you're either working way too hard or partying way too much if you need RedBull for breakfast!!!!

LOL

Yeh, booze is expensive here - I feel your pain there, Frenzel. I feel the pain....

Haha, I don't like coffee that much (too hot - I like colder drinks for b/fast). Now that I'm back in Oz, I'm trying to quit caffeine altogether and doing quite well. It'll save me lots of money in the long run.

I am 30, like to cook myself, too, and am very fond of vegetables and rice, so I believe I should be fine for food.

Drinks...yes I do like to drink on the weekend but am fine with a couple of cocktails, no need for the fancy vodka or ck cloths....

Haha in Singapore cooking for yourself is a luxury - prob more expensive to cook for yourself than eat out.

If you're 30 that may be a problem as you're prob used to a higher standard of living than a 21 year old.

However, to make you feel better I know a 24 year old who earns about 2.4k/month, spends $1k of that on rent yet still manages to have a good time.

[GarethC]

I don't mean to sound pompous, but why do you guys even agree to come over for such a meager amount? I don't think with 2000 bucks a month you will be able to save anything much and have a lot of fun at the same time.