Simple Budget, Simple Life

2 years ago , I shared my achievement of hitting $100k cash before 28. Today, I'd like to share how I accumulated >$50k within 2 years time. Honestly, saving around $25k a year is nothing to brag about. But I hope that with my revised tips - which doesn't differ much from what I had two years ago - would inspire or motivate you, especially the younger ones, to do the same for yourself.  To save money, start with discipline. Set a goal - When I achieved $100k at 25, I set myself a new goal to hit $200k by 28. I still have some time to go and may or may not hit $200k given that I've huge expenses coming up (wedding and housing/reno). But, having this goals helps me to work towards it. - The thing is, I don't force myself to save a fix amount each month because I think I am disciplined enough. I still continue my indulgence of eating good food, going for holidays, and buying stuff I like because I know I have a healthy amount of savings to afford it....

I'm thinking of leaving my first job. Looking back, it was a struggle finding my first job. While peers started getting job offers and accepting them one by one, I was still attending interviews waiting for that one offer.  I only started my job 4 months after my graduation. That also meant I earned 4 months less salaries than some in my life 😛 I still remember my parents worrying if I'd secure a job. I could see it from their faces. I remember feeling disappointed with myself because I wanted to earn my own keep and start giving them allowances. I also remembered that arsehole cousin who said that my degree is worthless which was why I couldn't find a job (but it's ok. I'm probably earning more than her right now). Somehow, there was this fear that the longer you stay unemployed, the more difficult it is to find a job. But, come to think of it, was that 4 months of unemployment to compensate for the lack of it in the future? After all, now that I...

April. Rejoice! Last time this year, I blogged about how this is the most anticipated time of my work year. These few months, I was so busy that I even overlooked the news of my HDB ballot number. And when I heard about my promotion, I wasn't particularly excited. I was so mentally exhausted that I question, is this all worth it? But today, I'd like to remind myself. That this too shall pass. I'm still facing shit at work. I still feel incompetent and stress when I can't seem to get things done. I still can't sleep well some nights. But when I sat down and think about the decent bonus, promotion and the ~10% increment I received, I thought to myself, there are no free lunches in this world. At least, I was appreciated by my bosses. I look around my peers and some much older were bypassed for promotion. Even when things are tough, I must pull it through. Unless I win the $8 million TOTO today ;) Anyway, I had just ran through my finances and am pleased ...

I know I've loads of credit cards. But it scares me a little to know that I've a total of 10 cards after tabulating the below. Guess it's timely to do a review of the cards I have so I know which to use and which to say byebye to! Here's the summary of my 10 credit cards and which to say goodbye to: To keep 1. SC Manhattan - to keep for big ticket items (note: card is no longer available for application) 2. SC Unlimited cashback - no min. spend to keep for 1.5% cashback on all spends 3. SC Spree - to use for contactless spends (2%); no min spend, max spend $3000 No minimum spend and up to $60 rebate. Earn 2% cashback on all online spends in local currency, all contactless and mobile payments. Earn 1% cashback on all other retail spends. 4. BOC Sheng Siong - to use for Sheng Siong spends (no min spend, 7% rebate, max spend: $700) Cash Rebate Spend Category Condition 7% Sheng Siong Spend • No minimum spend • Cash rebate capped...

All good things always come to an end. Readers would know I'm quite an advocate of BOC, given it's relatively attractive rebates and interests it has been providing me. Just a few hours ago, I received an sms from BOC informing of the "enhanced" benefits for my Family Card. From 23 Apr, enjoy 10% cash rebate on Dining everyday (local & overseas) & Movies. Plus, get 5% on Telco bills! Continue to earn 5% for Online, Supermarket, Hospital bills, selected merchants & 2% on supplementary card.  At first glance, I smiled. Dining rebates is now enhanced from 7% to 10%; movies are now included for cashbacks; and enhanced 5% on telco bills! That was until I opened the T&Cs  link. And then I frowned. The BOC Family Card was my main card for dining spends. With 7% rebates on all dining, with a max rebate of $100, it was the best dining card I could find. Clocking above $500/$1500 on this card also gives me a 0.8%/1.6% interest on my BOC Smartsaver. The ...

I'm back! I finally had time for a short breather after days of overtime at night and weekends for work. I've been complaining to my partner that I badly need a break. An overseas break. I needed to get away from the constant beeping on my phone and away from my work laptop. So, in between my daily commute and lunch breaks, I've been checking out deals for a short getaway. My budget...below $500 for two for a 4d3n trip. With some luck, I managed to book my Bali trip at <$400 for air tickets and accommodation. Next up was booking my travel insurance. I was comparing the premiums across the usual insurers when I came across Poli cypal which offers attractive discounts for travel insurances. On top of that, the incentives for booking through them was a $5 discount on the insurance premiums and 15% cashback! At the time of blogging, MSIG Traveleasy and Sompo are running up to 60% and 45% discounts for their plans. In the end, I shortlisted Sompo where the initial pr...

For the past 2 months since the end of December, I have not been resting well. December was supposed to be a dull period; workload should have lessen since the bosses are mostly overseas; but it wasn't. Due to a big project I'm handling, I've been working really late every day. I've also been waking up early and reaching office before my official start time - not because I want to, but because my brain is constantly alert and worrying about the mountain of work that needs to be done. I haven't been sleeping well. It's Feb now. Things are not turning better. In fact, I would have more OTs and more stress as things are moving so quickly. Staying late in office is one thing, attending constant meetings, preparing for constant meetings, presenting, then working on the agenda items after meetings is other. Things are made worst because I'm the only one in my department involved in the project. Over the past week, I got to know of 2 good news. One, I receive...