Singaporeans Try: $1500 Monthly Spenders Live Frugally For 72 Hours 

My badge!! 😅

My Chiropractic treatment. Set me back $3k++

Tattoo money

A denim romper @ $39.90. A shoutout to Brenda, you are an amazing girl👍👏 ! You are chio, humble, funny, cute and now I find out that you are also frugal (same like me), wow! 💯🌈💐

cai png with fish. 5.50

sorry, u have to queue up first. I’m first

Ya true WE ALL NEED A BRENDA IN LIFE

​@@bettafavowner4356HELP NOT THE QUEUE

Her genuine reactions and honest opinions while being game for these videos really complete the experience 😂

she is a disgusting women

PAP wants to know your location. You are their perfect poster child for their stance on "no need for min wage" and "$1000 income can afford HDB". 😂

@@sunlightdavid But it is true though, maybe not $1000, but $1500-$1700, you cannot live a luxurious lifestyle, or a very comfortable lifestyle, but you will live. And if you can save up, eventually you will get to a point that you can treat yourself to something good every once in a while. But of course employers need to support and also have wage increment along the way, which is why there is the progressive wage model. Having kids on the other hand, would not be advisable, so thats a concern.

@@jeddjoseph237 I believe that the average Singaporean aspires to be more than just being alive - we all want to live life. The kind of income inequality and being unable to shoulder cost of living comfortably would create feelings of imbalance, bitterness and resentment. I think many of would agree that for a first world nation, just a roof over our heads and food on the table is setting a very low bar for standard of living.

@@sunlightdavid I don't disagree with you there, everyone strives to better themselves and their conditions. But practically not everyone can do it. If everyone can, then I believe we, as in humans in general, would've found that out long ago. I am not saying I don't hope for real equality, I am just calling the bitter truth as it is. Most first world nations, there is inequality, from my limited but i believe at least a little relevant experience in this world as a youth, I believe that the world is a Zero-Sum game. Someone, or something has to lose, in order for the other party to win. Not in every case, but generally in nature, your dinner, be it plants or animal, had to die for you to eat, and you win, you get to live another day. Other first world countries such as Australia, they may have a more fair economy, but their richness comes at the expense of their environment, exploitation of natural resources. Singapore does not have those resources, so the more prevalent inequality we can spot are within the only natural resource we have as LKY stated many years ago, our people. It is not fair, and I can only hope that things changed, but as far as civilisation has been around, so has inequality. For me personally, I believe this will be resolved with technology, robotics, AI, yes job displacement will be rampant when that comes, but that's also when the basic needs of everyone can be met, fairly, and humans can move on to other aims in life for fulfillment and the advancement as a society. Until then, I believe we will always be in this chicken and egg situation of trying to find the balance between desirability, and reality.

@@sunlightdavid This has nothing to do with politics, it doesn't matter who u support, even if u support Trump or Putin, facts remain facts that if anyone were to do this as a challenge, it can be done within the boundaries i have stated. I myself am a WP supporter. That doesnt change the economics and facts. And minimum wage in Singapore exist in a different form that's more complex which is why there is no need for cookie cutter typical min wage system that doesn't help ur cleaners etc but ironically puts their job at risk when healthy young adults are attracted to the wage-revised $12/hr cleaning jobs and potentially becoming competitors to older cleaners, putting their livelihoods at risk. Firstly, instead of having a one size fits all solution that actually doesn't solve all, there's a Progressive Wage Model in place which increases min wage by encouraging workers to upskill instead of setting a flat out min wage for all jobs without any incentive to upskill. That apart, there are various other safety nets such as financial assistance, gst rebates, which makes up MORE than if the typical minimum wage were to be implemented. You would know if ure from a low-income family like me earning $1000+ but that amount itself is automatically increased to at least 2.3K when u factor in the FA and vouchers we receive. Some may not realise how privileged they are to downplay it as merely having a roof and food while typing their opinion on a Samsung/iPhone that's many times expensive than a budget phone. The common problem is financial management and education, the problem isnt whether one is a poster child or not. Now that u talked abt 1st world countries and roof over ur head, we are one of the countries with the least homelessness in terms of its ratio to population. Can SG do better? Obviously, we can start with the workplace culture which is why productivity is stagnant. U want the price of housing to drop so ppl can afford? Sure, then u urself can start by not selling ur house at a loss to others so that they can afford housing. As long as ppl sell their house with the intention to gain huge profits, the cycle will never end. This aint Finland or Norway where we have the luxury of natural resources. Not to mention, we are limited by land size, which is the biggest factor in the size n price of ur house.

Must specify what's the allowance. Ur rota commanders from scdf are probly earning at least 1.2K while ur chao recruit from saf is earning arnd 600 (cant rmbr).

@@johnwig285 560 for rec I think

@@jianxiongRaven now rec earn 600

@@jerrywong243 haha I see. I know got changes while I was still in service

Ahah... I only spend 30% of my net salary, the rest goes to savings. That's about $800 a month for expenses

I spend less than $5 for whole day meal because 1 Maggie mees and 1 egg cost 40cents only eat 1 meal outside

My boss’ Hermes birkin bag cost $30,000. She just go shopping buy 1 small item is like my whole month salary already lol

$8 a day is $240 a month

If she dyed her hair black she could most definitely blend in a lower sec class tbh 😌

@@TheSmartLocal HAHAHA YES YES

Have you looked at her? She screams spend! HAHA judging much.

Ok la some ppl like to save for greater joys while some prefer a constant trickle of little joys. We can choose either and we if possible switch between the two every now and then depending on your stage of life and plans.

Same, but if u know how to curb yourself then I think its ok. I wanted to buy certain pc. But then the prices so ex. So i wont buy it unless its really worth it

if money fall down from the sky, can!!

Indeed, most parents expect that you pay for monthly allowance esp if you still live with them.

@@Aurica34 i don't even live with my parents since I was 15, but I still give them monthly allowance. Though it is because I want to help them financially, not because they force me too

@@Frooooooo how did u earn money to give your parents allowance at age 15?

@@themeowycat i mean I start living alone by the age of 15. But I only started giving allowance to my parents at the age of 26 (a few years after I started working and paying off my student loans coz yeah, my parents didn't pay for my university)

I dont understand, where are ur parents tho? Is this the case of a Johorean making their child stay in Singapore? But hey look at the bright side, it made u independent and gives u the freedom to do a lot of stuff.

You are just poor.

Trying to squeeze too much out of every dollar can be a waste of life to others. No harm spending $1.5k if you can afford it. What’s the point of earning money if you prohibit yourself from spending on things that make you happy/ have a better standard of living. I personally spend about $1k a month which I used to feel it’s too much. Now I strike a balance between spending and saving to keep me happy. Otherwise I feel suffocated. Understand some people can’t afford to spend $1.5k just on food/ transport/ entertainment. It does not work for everyone but if you can and it makes you happy why not?

Best to invest in Lendlease Reit also. The one that owns JEM and somerset313 Earn dividends + capital gains

@@Iendleasereit do you use syfe/stashaway?

@@pinkapple6530 no eh... but I have heard good things about syfe (I am also in favour of their picks/stocks/counters for their funds which I have taken a look at - looks safe and stable). I didn't look into stashaway

They need to invest in Lendlease Reit also. The one that owns JEM and somerset313 Earn dividends + capital gains

I agree. Frugal should mean expenditure on absolute essentials/needs only.

It's a sponsored video mah, LOL😆

1.5k is likely more than half of their takehomes yikes

@@manofthehour_ that's really excessive spending. I suppose it's partly a culture thing. If everyone around you takes PHV everyday to work, it could become internalised as acceptable habit which then becomes a lifestyle.

tbh Sew does that a lot 😂😂 even when she's in the office! she will sometimes have a snack later or a heartier dinner

It's a classic move when u feel guilty of spending too much money that u compensate by not buying food

wah later the producers broke HAHHAHA

@@y.ello._.w haha opps

If Brenda does it on IG and ask us to follow can we do the same for a month ?

AYO SAME

@@anvighimireystudent7346 HARLOW ANVI

My boss’ Hermes birkin bag cost $30,000. She just go shopping buy 1 small item is like my whole month salary already lol

I prob earn same amount as them but i only spend like $500…. Maybe cuz I want to retire early

Overseas trip can easily cost thousands. If you are not single, birthday gift etc can cost a few hundreds as well. Then there are people who are renting, where the rent itself exceed 1k easily. Not everyone has the luxury to live at home like you do.

Her broccoli got terms and conditions. Must be cooked and seasoned to the point you can’t taste “the green” (according to her)

I am a changed person, thank you TSL + EB producers✌🏻. Also, it’s cause I’m on another veg related challenge🤷🏻‍♀️

@@TheSmartLocal The most foolproof way, ‘cooked by Rainier’

@@CharmaineSew HAHAHAHAHA

tbh it's really not that difficult if you enjoy online shopping, food delivery and taxi rides! 😅

No family responsibilities leh.

Food in the CBD is expensive. Especially when have to join your older colleagues for team lunches and they are all earning many times your salary 🤦🏻‍♀️ now work from home I can save a lot.

@@embershen364 Haha totally get you point. Peer pressure

My lifestyle must be quite frugal then, I don't spend alot on shopping online and always take bus/MRT only.

I think Sew is prettier than YEH 👀

👍

Or they just spend a large portion of their income lol

Can check glassdoor for indicative numbers

Excluding parent’s allowance, food, transport and insurance

Maybe she doesn't give an allowance - I remember that she's in a single parent family. And she's quite young so they may not rely on her. Most of us have to do that on top of utilities' shared cost. It's doable to some extent but it does feel a little like you're not living life lol. I think 600 to 700 is a more comfortable figure to work with.

They already said not including parents’ allowance, bills and insurance. Basically the expenditure that we have more control over ea mth

Parents’ allowance? I am so confused. Do your parents not work? Why do you need to give them an allowance? Parents give an allowance to their children why are kids giving an allowance to their parents? Why would parents need an allowance, they have well paying jobs.

@@rachelcookie321 not all parents are young to work anymore, and some kids also come from poor families.

I mean only spending $20 a month during secondary school is pretty easy because you don’t really have anything you need to pay for. Parents will pay for most things.

@@rachelcookie321 You would think it's easy but most people typically spend more than $100 especially when you hang out with friends on the weekends.

@@MoneywithEumi $100??? That’s so much money. I wish I had that much to spend every week. I only have $20 a week too and I’m in secondary school.

@@rachelcookie321 huh? we're talking about $100 a month on average amongst my friends here lol.

@@MoneywithEumi oh, sorry. I just realised I got confused with months and weeks in my last comment. I still think $100 a month is a lot.

You deserve a like but idk why Nobody like your msg lmao

You'll be amazed how so many people spend like this just for food, transport, shopping.

yeah and i feel that Brenda isn't even living that frugally, she makes smart choices, but does spend her money as well, albeit not as much as Sew and John. For example, even for my lunch in the office, I bring from home to save money on that too and only eat out during the weekend. This is great starter habit to encourage though, especially for fresh grads getting their first full time pay!

@@athinluvspurple Think it's ok to eat out at work, just eat cheaply like mixed rice, which when you add up can actually even be cheaper than home cooked food, but not as healthy.

@@joanneng9145 Yeap true, you can’t have it all haha.

She’s a ✨changed woman✨

Not really , that time sew mentioned in one video she saved 4 digit number for the first time , so I'm guessing she have poor spending habits .

TBF it's not abt how much they make. Brenda being younger may make lesser but if your lifestyle inflation exceeds your income growth rate then its gg to be a snowballing mountain of card debts. I think the objective here is that your expense is the area you can control immediately since your income depends on many factors that aren't always in your control. Esp in this pandemic economy.

Ikr

Not that ridiculous if I get to save on the delivery fee, cause ship to USA instead of SG. This method helps to save if you have someone living in the country that provides free shipping.

@@CharmaineSew Okay this makes better sense. Thanks for clarifying! Could have added this into the video I guess for more clarity as it can potentially mislead people into paying with foreign currency instead of simply using SGD just for the sake of "2% cashback".

Rip money fly to rent.

I think a lot of the people on the comments session should try to move out of their parents’ house and experience the real world. Mortgage, utilities, town council charge, household repair etc can cost a lot. Just happened that their parents are covering for them when they stay in the parents’ house.