I remember learning in school how it was important to save money. My parents would say the same, but the need for it only sank in when I started thinking about buying my first property a few years ago. On the cusp of turning 30, I started thinking about the mainstream milestones that I had yet to achieve.
Owning a property was it for me. More recently, rental prices have been on the rise - spiking 30-50 percent - which has given me further motivation to get my own place quickly.
I didn't really have a specific property in mind, but thought that a resale HDB flat would be the most realistic. After speaking with friends, I gathered that you'd need to spend nearly $80K-$100K on renovation work - which was another factor to keep in mind.
I started reading local websites and blogs, did the math, and realised how far off I was.
Spending $30 on brunch suddenly didn't seem so fun anymore. I still want to enjoy life and hang out with friends, but I've become a more conscious spender these days. I used to travel three to five times a year, but now, I only plan to if I have the extra cash, or if it's to spend quality time with family.
My goals are to simultaneously save (or make) more to afford my first property, and to build an emergency fund.
Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra February 2024-utgaven av Her World Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.
