Singaporean father struggles to 'spend and save' on S$1,900 monthly salary for family

In Singapore, a father is grappling with the challenge of balancing a monthly income of S$1,900 (after CPF deductions) with the expenses of supporting a family of three. On the online forum r/askSingapore, he sought advice on how to "spend and save" his salary, as his wife is unemployed and their monthly bills amount to S$500, not including the cost of their child's needs and transport.

The situation sparked a diverse range of opinions from netizens. While some viewed the take-home pay as "impossible" to support a family of three, others believed that diligent budgeting could make it feasible. One commenter suggested that the salary would be manageable for a single person, but "real tough" for a three-person household. Another suggested relocating across the Causeway to Johor Bahru (JB) and working as a Malaysian worker to commute to Singapore.

However, several pessimistic commenters cautioned that the situation must also consider inflation and the rising cost of living. They pointed out that a 10-year increase in the price of necessities could drastically change their expenses, making basic hawker meals cost S$20 or more. On the other hand, some advised him to rent as affordably as possible and purchase discounted food, while others suggested applying for government support, such as waiving school fees and receiving meal and transport subsidies.

This debate resonates with a previous discussion in August, where TikTok content creator Jeff (THE PRINCE) Wang (@jeff_wang_jun) claimed that S$1,900 a month was sufficient for survival. Many disagreed, arguing that the amount was "not nearly enough" for a single person, let alone a family of three. Wang even clarified that his claim referred to survival for one person, not a family.

Given the strain faced by the Singaporean father attempting to make his salary cover a family of three, the situation appears to be an even greater struggle.