I'm 46, only earning $4.7k pm (annual pay/12) If you're underpaid, then what am I? Be grateful you have a job here. You could be a Greek with no job or an African who is dying from lack of food, nutrition & medical care. It is all about perspective in life. As long as you live a humble life, you can live well.

Here are tips for you

1. Rent a small one bedroom condo in the OCR. You can rent it for less than $3k only.
2. Don't drive, take public transport
3. Don't drink, smoke and party
4. Eat at hawker centres
5. Don't go for expensive holidays, just go for cheap regional holidays

There are families with kids who can live well with just $4k pm of household income.