This is how much I spend in a month as an unemployed 20-something Singaporean

Six months ago, with a luggage and a #yoloswag attitude, I ditched my (admittedly awesome) assistant editor gig at a major publishing house for the thrill of exploring the world. 

"Money comes and goes," I preached to my concerned parents, "but youth won't!" 

Fast forward to the present, and I'm back in Singapore with a serious case of wanderlust withdrawal and a bank account that is screaming for help. Luckily, my freelance hustle (which is why you're reading this!) has kept the instant noodles flowing.

The thing about freelance work, though, is that it’s about as predictable as our weather — sunshine one minute, downpour the next. So, with my next pay check a mystery, I decided to embrace my inner Scrooge McDuck — minus the swimming pool of money (yet).

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. This month's challenge? Try to spend as little as possible in a month as an unemployed twenty-something. Here's a peek into my expense report, and you guys can be the judge. 

My month-long budget breakdown as an unemployed Singaporean

Being unemployed doesn’t mean I stop enjoying life — I simply find ways to better afford them. 

I'm fortunate enough to live with my parents, which helps keep a lid on some major expenses like rent, utilities, and groceries. This allows me to focus on being frugal with the things I do spend money on, like food, transportation, and entertainment.

Transport

I only use MRTs and buses to get around, but even so, I don’t go out that much. Another trick to saving money is to stay at home as much as possible. I did take a private hire ($10) once this month though, after a wild mahjong sesh which ended at 4am. 

Total: $60

Food

Even with a steady income, I refused to order food delivery. I would usually opt to walk to a nearby coffee shop to tabao (takeaway) cai fan (economical rice). 

Now, I'm not a complete cheapskate. Just because I'm frugal doesn't mean I skip out on all the good stuff. 

Eating out wasn't completely off-limits — it just meant making more effort to find the best deals. I'd scour sites like Eatigo for deals, and keep a lookout for set meal promotions.

The occasional Hai Di Lao hotpot session (you just need to know how to order smartly, but that’s another story for another day) or a celebratory family dinner costing over three digits definitely did happen.

I treated my entire family to a meal at Canton Paradise for my mother’s birthday. This was the biggest food cost of the month, amounting to $130 for four people. 

Total spent for the month: $400

Subscriptions 

Unfortunately, I can’t give these up. 

Spotify: $6 (shared with others) 

Netflix: $6 (shared with others)

Total spent for the month: $12

Shopping/Entertainment

Forget getting a massage, karaoke nights or escape room outings in Singapore. When the entertainment bug bit, I crossed the causeway to Johor Bahru (JB) for these activities, which cost a fraction of the price. 

But when I’m home, I look for free (or cheap) entertainment. From exploring museums to indulging in window shopping and free performances at the Esplanade, I discovered a surprising amount of fun that didn't require breaking the bank.

And for a truly social and time-warping experience, there's nothing like a good mahjong session with friends. It's free, lets you catch up for hours, and who knows, you might even win a little extra cash. 

Movie in Singapore: $10

2-hour massage in JB: $50 

Guardian/Watsons in JB: $10 

Total spent for the month: $70

Miscellaneous items 

My sim card with Zym gives me a whole month's worth of internet, calls and texts for just $10. Plus, it comes with a sweet bonus — 2GB of free roaming data every month. Perfect for those occasional JB adventures. As I had just switched over, the next three months are completely free. 

The only impulse buy I made this month was from Ikea, when I saw a fantastic deal on some as-is furniture. I spent $40 that day on a nifty kitchen trolley. 

Total spent for the month: $40

Month total: $582

How I think I fared 

Looking back, the biggest chunk of my spending went towards food. While I could've gone full-on cai fan or cooked at home every day for ultimate frugality, let's be honest — a happy life needs a little indulgence. Food is happiness for me, and sometimes, a delicious meal is worth the splurge. 

What I refrained from spending money on as an unemployed person

Retail therapy

No more shopping sprees. New clothes were off-limits. I deleted all my shopping apps so that I will not be tempted to doomscroll when I’m bored. 

Beauty products

Thankfully, makeup isn't a daily necessity for me. My natural beauty shines through just fine. But even if the urge for a bold lipstick or a new eyeshadow palette struck, JB will always be my go-to for drug store makeup.

Private hire rides and food delivery 

These two are my ultimate no-no's for anyone trying to save money. While tempting (especially in Singapore’s heat), the convenience fees can quickly eat away at your savings. 

Gym memberships

Thanks to ActiveSG vouchers, I get free access to swimming pools for my workout fix. Plus, neighbourhood walks and YouTube workout videos became my new fitness best friends. Who needs fancy equipment when you have creativity and free resources?

Hacks to spend less money 

#1 Get free stuff

I would enter random contests online that offered cash or prizes, especially those run by lesser-known companies. From a lucky Instagram win to roadshow giveaways, I snagged everything from $100 cash to free drinks, free meals and vouchers. 

#2 Shopback 

Now, this isn’t an ad. Linking Shopback to almost every purchase (especially bookings from my yolo travels) has helped me rack up hundreds of dollars worth of cashback that I strategically used to withdraw or offset daily costs. 

#3 Sign up for credit cards as a new member 

Okay, here's the thing about credit cards. Used wisely, they can be a powerful tool for the budget-conscious. But used recklessly, they can become a debt dragon you don't want to tangle with.

I signed up for credit cards that offered impressive rewards, like one with a whopping $500 worth of CapitaLand vouchers. These vouchers allowed me to offset everyday expenses like groceries and dining at selected malls. 

#4 Bring your own bags and containers 

Bringing your own reusable containers saves you 30 cents every time you tabao food. When buying stuff, save 10 cents when you bring your own shopping bag. This sum of money may seem negligible, but hey, every drop makes an ocean.