Help me out! Should I return?

It is only natural that the more successful ones will share in this forum. The mediocre performers just read and keep quiet. The high flyer guy who retired in his forties would share while the average guy who is still working in his fifties just keep silent.

Originally Posted by bounded

Other than those listed, I don't really have any other major expenses that I'm concerned with since I'm quite frugal.

But I saw someone commenting recently that they can't survive in SG with a combined income of $10k despite having a modest lifestyle. Also, the reported income in this forum is really high and that led me to think that at least $150k PA is needed to survive in SG.

Anecdotally, I'm always astounded by the speed at which prices increase when I'm back in SG for visit. Before I left, a plate of chicken rice is $2.5 and kopi is $0.8. Last year, at least $3 and shrink in size and kopi is at least $1, also shrink in size.

Learn to filter out the ******** here. No registration = anonymous = everyone ********s whatever they want with no repercussions.

10k combined is more than enough to live in SG. You probably have to skip on the car though. A BTO flat is 400k max for a 4 room, and the monthly mortgage payment is covered by the CPF contribution. That means 8k cash for a couple to spend every month on expenses.

$30 for 3 meals a day x 30 days x 2 people = $1800
Household expenses like electricity and water = $500 (very generous estimate)
$100/week for public transport x 2 people = $800 (another very generous estimate)

That leaves another 4.9k cash for other things, like savings, investment, perhaps insurance policies ($100-200/month), eating special meals ($100-200), holiday fund, phone bills ($50-100).

I fail to see how people are unable to survive on 10k combined income. They may not have a fantastic life, but it's hardly miserable and it's probably a life that most Singaporeans lead.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It is only natural that the more successful ones will share in this forum. The mediocre performers just read and keep quiet. The high flyer guy who retired in his forties would share while the average guy who is still working in his fifties just keep silent.

more like the high income earners are enjoying life while the poor guys stuck in their miserlable lousy paying jobs come here to fantasize. yes me included, below average earner come here to tcss.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

more like the high income earners are enjoying life while the poor guys stuck in their miserlable lousy paying jobs come here to fantasize. yes me included, below average earner come here to tcss.

How old are you and how much do you earn?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I fail to see how people are unable to survive on 10k combined income. They may not have a fantastic life, but it's hardly miserable and it's probably a life that most Singaporeans lead.

Unless he's already leading quite a fantastic life overseas currently.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Unless he's already leading quite a fantastic life overseas currently.

He did say "modest lifestyle". I have no doubt that he is having a better standard of living currently. Where else do you pay 60k for the right to drive a car? With that money you can buy 2-3 cars in US or UK.

Not sure whether the others but for me, a combine salary of 10K is more than enough, unless you are living in a fantastic lifestyle.

Let me do a breakdown (peasant lifestyle)

Food: around $15 (weekdays) and $30 (weekends) = $540 x2 = $1080
Transport: $130 x 2 = $260
Bills and loans: $800
Children and entertainment: $1200

Total less than 3.5k, is doable. You can even go for holiday every month with a budget of 3k, then still can save 1k to 3k++ (depending on CPF) for saving or investment.