We spent less than $3,400 in July and after including this month’s expenditure, our average monthly expenditure this year has been cut to around $4,420.
Although we definitely can’t stick with $42,000, there is still a high probability that we could make do with $50,000 when the year wraps up.
I guess a worthwhile goal would be to make sure that the remaining $11,000 can last us till at least October and maybe even the first couple of weeks in November, considering that our fixed expenses has miraculously dropped for the second year running.
Eating Out: $702.40
Hawker ($117.20) – With the Mrs having stopped work, we cook the majority of our lunches at home.
Fast Food ($34.50) – One Burger Up meal, a Mac breakfast for the Mrs while she was waiting for me at Punggol Safra and both of us managed to try the Nasi Lemak Burger once.
Restaurants ($550.70) – Huge expenditure here. Two meals spent at TWG with pots of tea ordered, a treat for the Mrs’ uncle and auntie at a Chinese restaurant and a Korean BBQ buffet treat for two of my students who came back from the States.
Groceries: $274
Supermarket ($145.50) – 6 visits to NTUC in total. The Mrs likes grocery shopping and she can join me on uncrowded weekday mornings at Waterway Point.
Wet Market ($128.50) – Three trips to the Kovan market to get the usual chicken breasts, thighs and halibut. With the Mrs tagging along, we would buy some pork too. Just last week, we bought some minced pork and she made some wanton for our dinner.
Beverages & Snacks: $82.10
Snacks ($71.30) – Durians and then popcorn bought from our day trip to Johor Bahru made up the bulk of the expenditure
Beverages ($10.80) – A cup of Koi and some Yakult (much cheaper) purchased across the Causeway.
Utilities: $160.81
Electricity, Gas & Water ($63.61) – Electricity usage went up to a staggering 415kWh for this month. 20KWh of gas and 8.1 Cu M of water meant the bill added up to $128.61. There was a $65 GST Voucher rebate that reduced the bill.
Cellphones ($97.20) – $51.55 for me and $45.65 for the Mrs for our mobile services. Mine comes with upsized data to 7GB.
Transport: $100
1 EZ Reload transaction for me. One $30 Grab top up for the Mrs and another $20 Grab top up for me. Both of us are sitting on significant credits since most of our trips rarely cost more than $1 after the discounts.
Departmental: $316.90
Clothes ($256.90) – Both of us have not visited G2000 for a long time and we spent quite some money after stepping into a “sale”. I bought a blazer and the Mrs managed to get two tops and a bottom to look more “professional” as a tutor. Not to mention our cheap buys from Johor Bahru where a T-shirt typically costs less than $7.
Personal items ($60) – We spent significant moolah at the Watson’s and Guardian in Johor Bahru, replenishing on some affordable toiletries.
Miscellaneous: $77.90
Others ($77.9) – Went to the temple to visit my mum and we bought some offerings and fruits. Also bought a one month off peak subscription to the gym at Punggol Safra.
I thought you would have a $100 NS50 vouchers from SAF?
Hi Fred,
I only received the envelope less than a week ago and just registered. I had erroneously assumed that the vouchers would be auto sent. Guess I can only utilise them for next month.
Yoz. Man… Another guy who’s utility bill is lower than mine. How do you guys do it? Do you guys sleep without airconditioning?
Oh and Uniqlo sells some Tshirts at under 7 as well. You might want to check them out.
Hi ERSG,
If you read closer, I already net off $65 of GST rebates, so I think my bill is much higher than yours!
Utility bills are actually going up now that some lessons are held at home. The recent bill is close to $120. Switching on the aircon in the living room really adds up.
Actually we sleep with aircon on for most days recently. I really don’t understand how some households can rack up utility bills above $200.
You are right about Uniqlo T shirts, but you would have to ‘dig” for the designs and I prefer the cotton from Padini. Much thinner and more suitable for our climate.
Hi ! Its very impressive how you managed to track your expenses so well ! Do you have any good sugesstions on how to track expenses hassle free ?
Hi KB,
I think there are many apps out there. I do it manually with a simple HP app but I have heard that YNAB is a good app and it can be linked to your credit card so that you only need to record cash expenses.
Hope the above helps.