Not sure I can give you any definitive answers here, but maybe just shed a little light. Your housing allowance is generous but, depending on where you live -- I wouldn't count on a big (7 bedroom, large garden) bungalow unless you're willing to go very far a field. Taking that into consideration, your utilities can range anywhere from $1,200 - $500. Of course if you never turn the airconditioning on it will dramatically effect your utility bill.FutureCEO wrote:I am evaluating my Expat Contract and need a bench mark for monthly expenses incurred by a family with similar characteristics.
For reference, I am US national and have been offered a contract by my MNC to move my family (wife and 2 kids under age 11)to Singapore for 3 years as an Expat. I am a low level Exec reporting to a Division President. My boss' 2-up manager is my company's CEO.
Finally, my monthly Housing allowance is SGD 12,000 per month so I anticipate renting a 4-5,000 sq ft, 5-7 BR bungalow or semi-detached home.
Can someone help me with estimating montly expenses for the following?
Utilities (Water/Gas/Electric):
Petro for Comapny Car (20 min daily drive):
Food (for family of 4):
Garden Maintenance for Bungalow home:
Parking expense (for 2 cars):
Cable TV:
Broadband Internet:
Typical Medical Expenses (for family):
Mobile phone (1 phone):
Is it standard for Expat contracts to cover living expenses (yard maintenance, utilities, internet, cable TV, etc?
Finally, what kind of one time expenses should I expect? I am aware of the following:
Utilities (GIRO): SGD 150 for Semi-D; SGD 250 for Bungalow
TV License: SGD 110 per TV
Dirver's License (Basic Theory/Registration): SGD 11.25
Is there a connection fee for?:
Cable TV:
Landline Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Thanks in advance for your help and information.
Philip at Handyman is a prince among men and has gotten me out of many a tight fix. The added bonus is that he is within walking distance. The Handyfix (?) at Marina is pretty good as well. Spoacious and full of good stuff. Handyman is the best though (where else can you buy, orange past wax, a sink stopper and a saber?) I just hope he stayes there, there has been so much turnover in the Orchard area.sundaymorningstaple wrote:Nothing here even remotely close. Lots of small mom & pop shops so some hand only lighting & fans, other misc bits & pieces. For the hard to find there is a Hdwr store in Shaw Centre on 4th(?) floor called the Handyman Centre and there is Handi-Fix for other easier/normal purchases and are located around Singapore (chain). The links, as well as others, can be found on my links page below.
I've used both extensively, and the Handyman Centre for around 25 years now.
Agree with this.sundaymorningstaple wrote:Nothing here even remotely close. Lots of small mom & pop shops so some hand only lighting & fans, other misc bits & pieces. For the hard to find there is a Hdwr store in Shaw Centre on 4th(?) floor called the Handyman Centre . . . .
really? i set up house here while my husband was still finishing up in jakarta and was able to do cable, internet, phone, mobiles, tv license, maid transfer..etc. just had to provide photocopies of his work permit & passport (i literally had about 20 sets from past experience). i even did all the rental stuff without him being here - just had to initial and sign as me for him. was all pretty straightforward.Zeenit wrote:The most frustrating thing I found a a trailing spouce is I needed my husband to be around or go with me for anything that needed his signature( as A DP i am invisible..........Getting cable, adding me to the bank account.......the list goes on and on the first month of set up............So free time as well.
BTW, we had a good real estate guy that did as much as he could for us......but still TIME, is important.
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