If I Lose My Job Today, This Is Exactly How I’d Survive the Next 6 Months in Singapore

Losing a job is no longer unthinkable. In today’s economy, it is a very real possibility. Retrenchments, restructuring, and AI disruption are already hitting close to home. For many Singaporean families, the fear is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s survival.

I’ve asked myself this question many times: What would I do if I lost my job today?

Not in theory. Not someday. Today.

Here’s the exact plan I’ve built to protect my family and myself for six months without income.

Step 1: Lock Down the Essentials

The first thing I did was calculate our family’s minimum survival budget. No lifestyle upgrades, no extras. Just the non-negotiables.

Our family needs S$5,500 a month to cover:

• Utilities and internet

• Groceries

• Insurance premiums

• Transportation

• School-related expenses

• Parents’ allowance

That means six months = S$33,000.

Once I had that number, I made it my mission to ensure we had enough in emergency savings. Today, I keep S$50,000 in liquid cash, easily accessible through high-interest savings accounts and short-term fixed deposits. This must be liquid. No investments. No stocks. Just cash or cash like product. 

Step 2: Housing is Shielded

The roof over our heads is priority number one. My CPF OA is ringfenced specifically for mortgage payments. I made sure there is at least one year’s worth of payments there, untouched.

This gives me two advantages. First, it reduces panic during job loss. Second, it buys me time to make strategic decisions without the fear of losing our home.

Step 3: Income Backup is Ready

While others scramble to figure out what to do next, I’ve already prepared my income fallback options.

I’m registered to drive for Grab. I’ve tested the app, know the hotspots, and understand how to make at least S$80 to S$120 per day if needed.

I also hold professional licences in the built environment sector. Fire Safety Manager and Water Efficiency Manager which give me access to contract-based or freelance technical work.

Lastly, I’ve already started a side hustle that generates a few hundred dollars a month through digital channels. It’s small now, but scalable.

My goal is not to wait until I’m desperate. My goal is to flip the switch on these backup plans within the first week of losing a job.

Step 4: Cut Fast, Cut Deep

If I lose my job today, I will not pretend that everything is normal.

Dining out will stop. Subscriptions will be cancelled. For six months, we focus on survival, not lifestyle maintenance.

Many people delay cutting expenses because of pride. I’ve made peace with the fact that ego has no place in a crisis.

Step 5: Treat the 6 Months Like a Full-Time Job

I won’t treat unemployment as a holiday. I will treat it as my most important project.

Each day will be scheduled with three goals:

• Applying for jobs or tenders

• Working on my side hustle or freelance gigs

• Learning one new skill relevant to future income

In six months, I want to emerge sharper, not just employed again. The goal is not just to bounce back, but to bounce forward.

Final Thoughts

If you’re reading this and still hoping your job will always be there, I hope this article is your wake-up call. The best time to build your safety net is before you need it. The second-best time is now.

Do not assume your company will take care of you. Do not assume you’ll figure it out when the time comes.

Make the plan. Do the math. Build the backup.

Because when the retrenchment email comes, it won’t ask if you’re ready. It will just arrive.

And when it does, your family won’t need panic. They’ll need a plan. Give them one.