How to live cheaper or overcome increasing living expenses in Singapore

How to live cheaper or overcome increasing living expenses in Singapore
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I thought to it would be better to spread my experience and findings on how to live cheaper in Singapore. Living cheaper doesn’t mean compromising our health, hobby and entertainment. I believe many of us (persons who are living in Singapore for more than two years). Every cent you save is counted against your savings. In other way evevry cent counts.

Let me go into the topic, I split into many areas of our daily expenses like transport, home, education, utilities, medical and miscellaneous,.


Transportation:
Public transportation (only BUS and MRT) is widely affordable by all income groups and it costs moderately. Avoid takings cab/taxi if it is not very urgent and necessary.

How to avoid taking taxi
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1. Get ready in advance. So you will have amble time to reach your destination. From my experience I took taxi most of the time when I was rushing to some places without adequate planning and getting ready late.
2. Incase if you want to new places, Find the location in the Singapore street directory book, online map www.streetdirectory.com.sg and plan how to reach there by Bus or/and MRT. In the worst case travel nearest MRT station and take cab/taxi in the distance is very far.
3. Never plan take a taxi in the midnight because there is 50% extra charge. If you are late to get back to use SBS night owl bus service or plan accordingly to avoid night trips.
4. When you go for regular shopping buy all the heavy weight items like rice, Atta and etc in your near by store.
5. Always try to find shortest route to reach your destination.


Home
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1. Stay in affordable house or room to avoid paying over rentals.
2. Try to use online classifieds, news paper advertisement, yahoo groups and friends circle to find a house or room. So that you can avoid paying agent fee. Many of my friends paid agent fee twice in a year to find a new house or room to rent.
3. If you want to buy furniture like sofa, tables, chairs, mattress and etc for your home, please visit IKEA. Here is the website www.ikea.com.sg I found most of the items are cheap and affordable
4. Groceries and household supplies always try to find cheaper items by compromising brand. Some shops are expensive, so look for alternative places and some other stores which are mainly used by rich and high class people. Don’t simply pick the items and keep in your trolley. Try to look for competitive price.
5. If you travel to countries like India buy the following things

shaving blade, shampoo, after shaving lotion, some tooth brushes for backup, briefs, shocks other small small items which are used for day to day life. These items are moderately expensive in Singapore.

6. To do a repair and maintenance of your home like installing washing machine or to lay a new electric line, house moving and etc find out a freelance workers those are from your own country and working here in work permit in the same field. Use your friends circle to find them.


Utlities,

1. Never buy expensive hand phones because it is going to be become outdated after two years.
2. Try to find a affordable mobile subscription package/plan for you.
3. When you are in the office and home use a fixed line phone. If you don’t have one please get it. It is very cheap and comes less than ten dollar.
4. In emergency use 018 in starhub and similar service if you use other mobile service to make a international call.
5. Don’t make a IDD calls directly to overseas. That is very expensive.
6. Use international calling card to make overseas calls. Try find out cheaper one for you. If your family and friends stays in a city where broadband is available you can use voice over IP (VOIP) or voice chat in Yahoo messenger, skype messgener etc. It is comes free of charge.
7. Pay your bills ont ime to avoid late payment fee and interest.



Very tired will continue writing when I get some more free time

Cost living Singapore 2008

Cost living Singapore 2008 Jan
Cost of living in Singapore is increased and keeps increasing. The GST is raised from 5% to 7% percentage. This hike has direct impact in all the items including food, electronics, furniture, utility bills and etc. Another important thing is that house rent in Singapore is almost doubled across all the regions for all types of houses. Property prices are increased by 30% in 2007. Inflation is around 4.5%.

New comers to Singapore must try to get a good salary. The average salary will not be hiked more than 5% per year. Be smart and try to get a good salary.

Wish you all very happy New Year.