Reigning in the spending
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Baby steps. You'll get used to it if you take things slow, JMHO.Originally posted by av98m:Bo pian...its harder and harder to imagine getting married and supporting a family these days.
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I dunno. I think once you're past 30 and working quite hard to meet people, get married and have kids liao. Most of my peers who are married with kids found their partners while they were studying or during the first couple of years after they graduated.Originally posted by jetta:Baby steps. You'll get used to it if you take things slow, JMHO.
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my dad signed up a 45-year annuity for me when i was born... it will be a lump sum payout in US$ once i reached 45...Originally posted by Meia Gisborn:Just curious: is it a fixed-rate or variable annuity? Did you opt for a fixed-term or lifetime payout?
It would be nice to retire at 45, wouldn't it? The only thing you have to worry about is an unanticipated medical emergency that could potentially wipe out your accumulated savings...
the sum is quite significant -
I give myself $50 to spend on any luxuries (be it clothes, movie tickets, magazines, food) each week (this excludes groceries & bills, etc!). I often find that I spend way less than that cos I usually bring in my own food to work, borrow books/mags instead of buying. But clothes and facials are my weakness, so some weeks I do overspendOriginally posted by jetta:Just wanted to know what kind of savings plans you guys have. And by that, I mean what percentage you guys stash away for retirement, rainy days, kids college, etc. I'm hoping to learn a tip or two or three.
Alamak wrong spelling!
I have fixed deposit accounts that give pretty high rates... about 6%, so I'm happy As for stashing money away for retirement, no, not yet, as our priority is to buy a house first and then start saving for retirement. Will probably do salary-sacrifice (putting savings into superannuation so I get taxed at a lower rate than if I was to put money into bank acc.) as I reach my 50s. -
Your dad is a man with foresight. I like that. You're a lucky guy. Sign a pre-nup ah.Originally posted by Master -_-:my dad signed up a 45-year annuity for me when i was born... it will be a lump sum payout in US$ once i reached 45... the sum is quite significant -
Wow!!!! Good for you!!!!Originally posted by Master -_-:my dad signed up a 45-year annuity for me when i was born... it will be a lump sum payout in US$ once i reached 45... the sum is quite significant
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My plan sounds a little like yours. Some days I blow it, other days I'm good.Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:I give myself $50 to spend on any luxuries (be it clothes, movie tickets, magazines, food) each week (this excludes groceries & bills, etc!). I often find that I spend way less than that cos I usually bring in my own food to work, borrow books/mags instead of buying. But clothes and facials are my weakness, so some weeks I do overspend
I have fixed deposit accounts that give pretty high rates... about 6%, so I'm happy As for stashing money away for retirement, no, not yet, as our priority is to buy a house first and then start saving for retirement. Will probably do salary-sacrifice (putting savings into superannuation so I get taxed at a lower rate than if I was to put money into bank acc.) as I reach my 50s. Food is my weakness so eating out is always a temptation.
We've tried to save but with us moving regularly, it's been very hard. We are trying to buy a house and have been trying to save the 20% down. A gargantuan task.
Then our realtor told us that there is a programme here that helps first time homeowners with down payment and closing cost assistance and we qualify! YIPPEE!!! And we won't have to repay if we live in the house for 10 years. Wonderful!
As for saving, we squirrel money away into several accounts each month, hoping that it'll be enough for retirement, etc. -
That's GREAT!Originally posted by jetta:My plan sounds a little like yours. Some days I blow it, other days I'm good. Food is my weakness so eating out is always a temptation.
We've tried to save but with us moving regularly, it's been very hard. We are trying to buy a house and have been trying to save the 20% down. A gargantuan task. Then our realtor told us that there is a programme here that helps first time homeowners with down payment and closing cost assistance and we qualify! YIPPEE!!! And we won't have to repay if we live in the house for 10 years. Wonderful!
As for saving, we squirrel money away into several accounts each month, hoping that it'll be enough for retirement, etc.
So happy for u, jetta!
Err.. oh yes, food is a major temptation for me too.. I love eating out too... -
Thank you SL. Wonder what would happen if we were neighbours?Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:That's GREAT! So happy for u, jetta!
Err.. oh yes, food is a major temptation for me too.. I love eating out too... -
Everyday sure go out to eat together, swap books to read, get together to yak yak yak.. how fun that would be!Originally posted by jetta:Thank you SL. Wonder what would happen if we were neighbours?
Whereabouts in the US are you now, btw? San Diego is it? -
I think every month we spend a total of $4,000 on paying our mortgage, renovation loans, insurance, electricity bills, phone bills, etc etc
Very heart pain
Need to save more
Good thing is that next year that amount will be less -
$4k only huh.Originally posted by elindra:I think every month we spend a total of $4,000 on paying our mortgage, renovation loans, insurance, electricity bills, phone bills, etc etc
Very heart pain
Need to save more
Good thing is that next year that amount will be less
I think I spend more - even though I stay with in-laws. Kids take up almost $1k (childcare + diapers + milk + misc), insurance, parents allowances, our own expenses ....
*Sigh....once i get my flat, will need to pay for renovation.
Lucky think I bought an endownment when I was 21, so when 46..at least go some cash. Not alot but better than nothing. Also relying flat prices to increase in 20-40 yrs time (hopefully), then can sell off the flat. *grin* -
No kids currently and not staying with parentsOriginally posted by icebaby0:$4k only huh.
I think I spend more - even though I stay with in-laws. Kids take up almost $1k (childcare + diapers + milk + misc), insurance, parents allowances, our own expenses ....
*Sigh....once i get my flat, will need to pay for renovation.
Lucky think I bought an endownment when I was 21, so when 46..at least go some cash. Not alot but better than nothing. Also relying flat prices to increase in 20-40 yrs time (hopefully), then can sell off the flat. *grin*
4k is not inclusive of parents allowances and own expenses. Those are just bills that have to be paid immediately every month -
Originally posted by elindra:I think every month we spend a total of $4,000 on paying our mortgage, renovation loans, insurance, electricity bills, phone bills, etc etc
Very heart pain
Need to save more
Good thing is that next year that amount will be less
OMG!!! So high?!?!?!? *fainting* -
That would be so nice. Since we moved here I haven't found any really good friends. I miss the life I had before the move. Oh well.Originally posted by SydneyLibrarian:Everyday sure go out to eat together, swap books to read, get together to yak yak yak.. how fun that would be!
Whereabouts in the US are you now, btw? San Diego is it?
Yah, I'm here in San Diego. We didn't think that we'd do it but we're going to put down permanent roots here soon. Waiting to hear if our offer on a place goes through. *fingers crossed* -
It isOriginally posted by jetta: OMG!!! So high?!?!?!? *fainting* That is why I keep saying I'm broke
We are trying to pay up more upfront instead of keeping to the minimum sum to pay every month so that we can get this out of the way as soon as possible -
I don't have an salary yet, just an allowance. I keep my monthly expenses at $100-$150, including fare card top-ups, a few nights at the pub and the occasional snack or taxi fare.
I'm planning to sell off some old toys which I don't have any use for, and unlike my friends, I have no plans to take up driving lessons. I'm saving up for my travel plans. -
wow...monthly exp at $150....Originally posted by Kuali Baba:I don't have an salary yet, just an allowance. I keep my monthly expenses at $100-$150, including fare card top-ups, a few nights at the pub and the occasional snack or taxi fare.
I'm planning to sell off some old toys which I don't have any use for, and unlike my friends, I have no plans to take up driving lessons. I'm saving up for my travel plans.
i should learn frm u -
Most of my meals are paid for, even though I come home every night. It could be even less if it weren't so.Originally posted by alexkusu:wow...monthly exp at $150....
i should learn frm u -
$150 is still ..wat i think..disciplined spending.Originally posted by Kuali Baba:Most of my meals are paid for, even though I come home every night. It could be even less if it weren't so.
how bout ur mobile phone bills? how much per month? -
I haven't started paying for those yet, but they're about $35, but that factors in the number of overseas-bound SMS I send.Originally posted by alexkusu:$150 is still ..wat i think..disciplined spending.
how bout ur mobile phone bills? how much per month?
I think Gackt's overall expenditure should be even less. -
Originally posted by Kuali Baba:I haven't started paying for those yet, but they're about $35, but that factors in the number of overseas-bound SMS I send.
I think Gackt's overall expenditure should be even less. 
how much does an overseas sms cost? 8c? mine cost 20cents.. why gackt? i tot by having a gf, ur expenses would go up...no? -
I don't know...my search in the SingTel website was futile.Originally posted by alexkusu:
how much does an overseas sms cost? 8c? mine cost 20cents.. why gackt? i tot by having a gf, ur expenses would go up...no?
And Gackt's weekday breakfast, lunch and dinner are all paid for...and he doesn't make daily trips home. -
Anyway, heading to the pub for scran monthly can't really be counted as "disciplined" behaviour.
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To economise, I'm desperate enough to consider tingkat service for dinner... it's just a meal to fill the tum afterall I can forgo variety .. :p