Known for its lavish lifestyle and expensive livelihood, Singapore is one of the most visited places in the world. In 2018, there were 18.5 million visitors in Singapore. So naturally, that calls for increased prices on everything from hotel services to shopping, transportation, and food.
But believe it or not, it is quite possible to save money while being in Singapore. You just need to be a little careful about the things you do, and you’ll have some extra dollars in your pocket!
Follow this article through as we explore 8 effective ways to save money while being in Singapore.
1. Save costs on food
Singapore is known for extravagant malls with many restaurants and expensive food. While it is tempting to go all out on lavish meals and expensive restaurants, there is nothing like simple and food hawker food to satisfy your cravings.
It is a quintessential part of the Singaporean experience to have street food at the Hawker Street stalls. While also experiencing an authentic Singaporean atmosphere, you can have cheap and delicious food, too!
2. Curb your shopping cravings
Before succumbing to your temptations to buy the next iPhone or expensive gadget, perhaps it would be wise to reflect first on whether you really need that item, before feeling the pain of buyer’s remorse.
Also, instead of buying everything first hand, it might be a good idea to buy second-hand things online through platforms such as Carousell, as you can snag some pretty nifty deals there compared to buying things fresh off the shelves.
3. Don’t drink or smoke
Easier said than done especially if you are a compulsive drinker and smoker. However, these destructive habits or not just harmful physically, but financially as well.
it can cost you as much as $13 per pack of cigarettes and $30 for a single drink. Imagine the amount of money you can save simply by not smoking and cutting your drinking habit!
4. Use car rental services instead of owning a car
A car in Singapore is famously expensive and usually costs maybe even up to 5-10 times more than the same car overseas. On top of that, there are things like ERP, petrol, maintenance fees, and insurance to pay.
All of that trouble and costs simply just to own a car! Of course, there is the public transportation system which is cheap, but if you want to experience the joy of driving freely, without the costs and hassles that come with it, you can use car rental services that we provide.
Our services allow you to rent a shared car at highly low prices. You can even rent for as little as fifteen minutes and for as long as you want. It might even be cheaper than using car-hailing services such as grab.
Besides that, it saves you from the running and maintenance costs of a car, and you don’t have to put yourself in the hassle of driving and parking the car all day.
5. Drink Local Kopi
If you love sipping your daily cup of coffee from Starbucks or your local cafe, these little morning cups of caffeine can easily add up in expenses over time. A “kopi” from your local hawker centre can only cost $1.20, a fraction of the price of a cuppa from your local cafe.
Even better, make your coffee yourself and save that change!
6. Save on groceries
Don’t go to dine out every night. You can get groceries for cheaper and cook your own food. Cooking your own food is more hygienic, less expensive, and more fulfilling. You get larger portions, get your nourishment, and still have money to spend on other essential things.
Moreover, when you arrive in Singapore, get the cooking essentials that you’ll be needing throughout your tours, such as sauces and spices.
Cooking your food will save you around $30-$50 every other day. Plus, you’ll be eating a much healthier diet. It’s a win-win.
7. Turn off that AC
As much as we love the air conditioning here in Singapore, these little mean machines can actually heat up your electricity bills more than you think! Turning the AC on every night can contribute quite a significant amount to those utility bills. Try keeping the temperature around 25 degrees for better efficiency, or better yet, avoid using them altogether and opt for fans instead. If you do use the AC, try to get them serviced every three to six months to keep it efficient.
So do your part to save electricity and save money on your utility bills as well!
Conclusion
No matter where you live, it is always a good idea to save money. Proper financial planning habits takes discipline, a sense of control and also a lot of financial prudence.
In the long run, the money can saved can go a long way. You will thank yourself in the long run by following the ways discussed in this article. Starting from the transport to accommodation, every penny you save will go a long way.
No comment yet, add your voice below!