Many might wonder why my family’s monthly expenses amount to nearly $5,000 SGD. Here’s a detailed breakdown to provide clarity.
1. Fixed Monthly Bills: $835
Electricity: $160
Water & Miscellaneous Utilities: $60
Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC): $70
Broadband: $45
Domestic Worker (Helper): $500
2. Groceries & Household Essentials: $560
Mainly from Fairprice and Redmart.
3. Children’s Expenses: $1,820
With two young kids, childcare and necessities form a significant portion of our spending:
Infant Care & Playgroup Fees: $1,200
Milk Powder: $120
Diapers: $300
Ad-Hoc Baby Items (Bottles, etc.): $200
4. Car-Related Costs: $1,200
This includes:
Monthly Installment
Petrol
Insurance & Road Tax
5. Occasional Dining Out: $300
Since welcoming our new baby, we’ve cut back on eating out, but occasional meals still add up to about $300 monthly.
Looking Ahead: Relief in Sight
The biggest expenses—childcare and car costs—will ease over time. Once my younger child transitions from infant care to playgroup, fees will decrease. This challenging phase (1–1.5 years) is temporary, and we’re confident we’ll manage through it.
While the numbers may seem high, every dollar goes toward sustaining our family’s needs. With careful budgeting and upcoming reductions in childcare costs, we’re optimistic about the future.
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