How would YOU budget 6K/month X2?

[Slinger]

Hi all.

My wife and I are considering jobs in Singapore which pay around 6K a month each.

How would forum members budget those sort of wages? Particularly interested in the apartment side of things - we'd want to rent our own place but other than that we're pretty flexible.

We have no kids, and no other major expenses. Quite happy to travel using public transport.

We don't want to live particularly extravagant lifestyles in Singapore, primarily because we'd like to save money to travel SE Asia more extensively!

Any input is appreciated. And yes, I have used the search function, but it didn't retrieve the info we're after.

Thanks!

[revhappy]

Hi all.

My wife and I are considering jobs in Singapore which pay around 6K a month each.

How would forum members budget those sort of wages? Particularly interested in the apartment side of things - we'd want to rent our own place but other than that we're pretty flexible.

We have no kids, and no other major expenses. Quite happy to travel using public transport.

We don't want to live particularly extravagant lifestyles in Singapore, primarily because we'd like to save money to travel SE Asia more extensively!

Any input is appreciated. And yes, I have used the search function, but it didn't retrieve the info we're after.

Thanks!

That really depends on the individual/family. I would still chose the same apmt that I am currently living even if my salary was 2x or 3x my current salary.

Theoritically, with 12K per month you could choose an apt from 1k to 12k , totally upto you.

[Slinger]

Hi revhappy, thanks for your reply.

What sort of apartment would you be able to rent for 1K/month? Would it be of reasonable condition and size? We're happy to live in a HDB place, but we'd like our own private place - not interested in sharing.

[revhappy]

Apts for 1k are really hard to find. They are 1 bedroom HDBs, with very little furnishing, if any. Main problem is they are actually 2 bedroom HDBs but the owner would lock 1 room, that is because the unit is legally not rentable. The owner locks 1 room so that if someone from HDB arrives for checking they could say that the owner resides in the locked room.

1k to 1.2k are 1 bedroom HDBs and fall in the above category.

Starting from 1.4K you get 2 bedroom HDBs and these are legal. Again hard to find at 1.4k and may have little or poor furnishing. 1.6-1.8k you should get excellent 2 bedroom HDBs with good furnishing and well connected.

Condos start from 2.2k and go all the way up to, I dont know, 20k?

[Slinger]

Hi revhappy,

Most useful information, thanks so much!

Some of the rental property websites are most frustrating! Often I would search 'Private condos' and the search would still come up with a sharehouse situation. I understand having to advertise a HDB apartment as a sharehouse, but a condo? I was beginning to wonder whether there are any vacant apartments in Singapore at all!

Anyway, thanks for that info, it makes life a little easier when trying to budget everything else. I'll bury my head in some other 'Cost of Living' threads to see what other damage I'm up for!

[irvine]

You can hire me as your personal assistant and I will make sure your money is well spent.

Those who are showing off with 12k or more as their salary - please stop. Many couple live with 4k or less even with a rental. Some are even doing ok with only one income. While others are able to rack up huge credit card bills even with a 20k/month income.

Money is just a tool. Some are even asking how much money does it take to make them or their children happy. Gosh. Take a look around in Singapore or even around the world. Last I checked, many economies are still in the red.

Be wise with your money when you have them.

[revhappy]

..

[irvine]

Ok yes the OP is just seeking opinions on budgeting.

On a separate note, does it mean having the rights to show off equal a virtue to show off? May not be, right? The reason of my plead, is that there are quite a few forumers here who are still looking hard for a job, in transition, or even struggling. It'd be good to be sensitive with throwing out salary numbers. But again, some may say don't bother as this is a capitalist rat race after all.

So yeah, back to the fact that everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion.