📊 2025 budget | $4500 per month in singapore 🇸🇬

[@joietan]

Hi Lisa! I've been following your journey for years now and can't help but feel so happy for you and proud of how far you've come. Thank you for sharing your journey, you're truly an inspiration and a bright light for so many of us ♡

[@c0nfessi0n2]

Congrats on your pay raise! You worked hard !!

[@frvrme]

Super proud of how far you've come, from your survival days to your thriving days today! Your inner strength and resilence are truly admirable. Rooting for you, and look forward to seeing your next growth! 🎉🎉

[@GreySkiy-zg5hc]

Hey Lisa, thank you for always being so transparent in your budgeting videos. It’s not easy to be this open, and I truly admire your approach. It’s heartening to see how you don't judge others' way of living or their opinions, and how you maintain a clear set of goals that keeps you on track without sacrificing the things that spark joy in your life. Your videos have really motivated and inspires me to start budgeting, especially as someone who has never really done it before. Keep up the amazing work and congrats on your pay raise!

[@seascapism]

Finding enough-ness in what you have is so powerful, it really touched me. Thank you for sharing. Perhaps due to my upbringing, finances always stressed me out (even though I am privileged enough to be able to live a decent life) and I always feel I need to work harder, work more. It's a good reminder that I have made a lot of progress from where I started and I can recognise my own efforts. Also, I think you articulate your thoughts really clearly and you don't come off as condescending or pitiful at all, you just come off as you hahah I really like the new format as well because it really feels like listening to a kind senior's sharing their life wisdom :)

[@DaegyuJeong]

I've watched your first video when I was struggling to find a job in SG from Korea. Your video helped me a lot during finding the job and budgeting when I eventually found a job 1.5 years ago😊 Thanks and congrats for pay raise!

[@rcismyhobby]

Hi Lisa, its great that you're so transparent. Just a word of caution especially toward salary. Its not just employer's concern. Its about equity and how your colleagues take this info. It could potentially hinder your earning potential in the future, so being selfless could backfire. Love your sharing as always.

[@cherrytomato1462]

Hi Lisa, been watching your budgeting videos since the beginning and i leaned so much from you! U have inspired me to also budget and save up ! Keep doing what you doing because you are an inspiration to a lot of people out there! So proud of you!

[@flippingunicorn4023]

Congrats girl! Your system set me up so well for managing and tracking my money when I entered my first full time job last year 💖

[@kaijieyeo7548]

Hi Lisa, I do come to your channels annually for budget planning and glad that you are doing well! Jia you!

[@zulkhaireesulaiman8575]

Hey! This was incredibly helpful and illuminating. I do hope you do continue with these videos in the future. I believe that seeing this video especially from a SG minority perspective is important to have.

[@clive4196]

thank u for doing this excel sheet template, i have been using it religiously for 2 years n even shared it to my friends. dropped a small tip with u, keep it up!

[@yongheng]

Been following your channel since the first video. Congrats on the pay raise! Also shoutout to your new employers!

[@halpimalive]

Thank you for many wise words & poetry at the end (not rambly at all!): “Having to make a sacrifice to get something is not always a bad thing, and in some cases, because you had to sacrifice something to get something else that you want-what you do end up getting will be all the more precious.” 💖💖

[@deadstock0211]

the moment you start budgeting.. it will be an addiction to yourself that you need to budget to satisfy urself inner peace.. is kinda perfectionist term in a good way:)

[@aenimic]

Thank you for sharing such an in-depth guide to managing personal finances. Hope you’ll be able to support your mother more in the future.

[@rkq7112]

It’s been a long time since I last watched your video. it’s a pleasant surprise to see you in person. When I was your age, I was not even half as savvy or rigorous as you in my financial planning. In fact there was none, apart from savings from my salary and CPF contributions. Nor did I have family commitments to weigh me down financially or mentally. I was still nursing angsts carried over from my teenage years😅. My sincere best wishes to you and your family and I’m sure you will eventually build your own happy family in time to come.

[@zakross]

My friend just shared with me your channel. 2025 let’s all hit our financial goals! 💪🏼🔥

[@barny1174]

Its great seeing you back with another video! Thanks for creating the resources

[@DogeMultiverse]

best vloger in SG! lets GOO

[@Portugal17th]

Hi Lisa, I really enjoyed your budgeting videos. Very knowledgeable and practical. Keep up with the awesome work!

[@vetoxx144]

Really great video! I watched your past year budgeting video and really surprise and glad that you stepped out in this video style! And well done on the last part of why you budgeting, I can resonate a lot with it 🎉

[@nicole_xuan]

You are an inspiration. I love the way u rationalize. Thank you for the transparency sharing. ❤

[@choypengkong]

Very wise 👍 keep up the great work. You will definitely go very far with such financial focus.

[@khookid]

yay thanks for sharing! actually super nice to see you talking! enjoyed this !!!

[@ltankk]

Congrats on your pay raise!! Meanwhile, I am picking myself up and restarting my personal finance journey after having slumped last year.

[@user-mm3bf7bc7o]

indeed everyone is on their own journey and I get why people don't share salaries to avoid envy and feelings of in adequacy but you put it very nicely at the end of your video that we should never compare your journey to others and thanks for that

[@Freikorptrasher]

Congrats. Don't forget the #1 investment is to invest in yourself and your health.

[@min-wz4ed]

Very calm and cool video to watch!

[@chickennutpie]

Congrats on the pay raise my friend!!! So well deserved ❤

[@Heygirl7777]

You’re amazing! ❤

[@rossirossi-iu9wx]

Hey Lisa, great video, and thanks for being transparent. I'm both encouraged and impressed by your fortitude. How about sharing more about your side hustle for your next video? :)

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

oki i’ll think about it!

[@dreaa9993]

love!! hehe thank you for sharing.

[@tranchiluong6977]

Thank you for sharing Lisa. In my family, since most of us have a handphone (and subscription), we didn't have a need for broadband at home. So that's quite a bit of savings for us.

[@Ersanba]

This is how i survive until i reach financial freedom... today i am living debt free and able to travel, dine without worrying abt money..... inflation increases our cost, but one should do such budget to ensure u dont run into financial deficit.

[@moonsterla]

Thanks for sharing! Cool format, great to try new things! I don’t know if you’ve changed mic or you have a diff set up now but the audio sounds diff from the previous version (which was very soothing and nice to listen to) I do miss it, but you do whichever is best for you!

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i’m using my camera mic directly now! i used to use a big podcast mic with my old videos, which is why the quality was much better. i’ll try to figure out the mic situation next time!

[@man89-au]

Great job! Your videos are inspiring ❤

[@ljh2027]

Thanks for sharing your budgeting! Some thoughts and questions since I have done my own budgeting: 1. For MRT and Transport, you could get some savings if you take the train on weekdays by boarding the train before 7:45 AM (excluding PH). If your workplace allows you to come in early and leave early, that could be a way to trim that cost. 2. I strongly suggest getting at least reasonable ISP for yourself since you are the sole bread-winner of the family, maybe a CI insurance later on if and when you earn more. It does not need to be a premium tier insurance, but trying to plan for the Medishield Life bill is not a fun exercise, especially if you are planning a Sinking Fund. 3. Side hustle income can likely be considered self-employed income, depending on what the side hustle is. If you spent something to earn that income, you can find ways to reduce taxes there via this way. 4. Lastly, I suggest monitoring the tax bill in March/April. My gut feeling is that it could be higher than what you planned for. I earn about what you earn, take home, and I do monitor my future tax bill, so I can stand by this point. Thanks for sharing again, happy to discuss further.

[@Icebingsu]

So pretty!

[@voodoo-v8c]

Thank you for being so authentic Lisa, your milestones are #inspiring! I have been thinking of getting into side hustles for a few years but other than signing up to freelance sites and being outbid for jobs I havent been able to bring in any additional amounts per month - could you share more on how to build up side hustle cash inflows? Much appreciated!

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i’ll think about it!

[@hb1101]

Congrats on your pay raise and thanks for sharing! Would you mind sharing what industry you work in? :)

[@mabelneo]

youre an inspiration 🎉

[@tthzaa]

Hey Lisa, appreciate that you are very honest about personal finance. Can I know where do you take Korean language? 130 a month seems reasonable.

[@fxorigins6624]

maybe next make a travel vlog ?

[@paradaiseu]

Hi Lisa, happy to see you be comfortable speaking directly to the camera and showing your face now! Congrats on the pay raise too :) Was wondering if you have gotten year end bonuses, and if yes, how do you usually allocate that? Is there a certain place you park the bonuses in, or any % you split it into savings. investments, wants?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

yes i’ve gotten bonuses over the last few years! typically i split them in varying percentages across my sinking funds, savings, and investments, separate from my monthly budget. the percentages have varied over the years (depending on my goals and priorities), but the highest percentage (~40%) is typically to my investments, followed by my savings (eg. house fund, holiday fund), then a small percentage (

[@softspaze]

Yay budget content! Does your language centre offer other languages? Am looking to pick up a new language.

[@noordiniabnasir3604]

How often do u upload miss? U've got a new subscriber here 🙌

[@aymanerh9953]

Love your transparency❤ What do you work in freelance? (If it ok 😊)

[@jewelltoh7918]

hi lisa! can i know where do you take your korean lessons?

[@takanna]

would you consider doing an updated house tour?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

nothing much has changed though! the overall layout is still exactly the same 😆

[@sitijeffrey6463]

​@@LisaAdultinginSingaporeHow about a space in your house that has an unexpected use or provided unexpected joy? The reverse would be to think about what you'd do differently in your space but that might run counter to your enoughness mindset.

[@daphnezhang3113]

Congrats, one question, as you own this HDB now, how are you going to get another HDB with your husband in future?

[@syamilsabirin1488]

Love this transparency!! Just curious, do u track ur networth?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

yup! i have a video on my channel talking in detail abt it! 😁

[@nitemoonz]

May i ask what side hustles r u doing? I'm also exploring to take on a side hustle. Thks in advance!

[@taliarye]

hello! for your travel savings under singlife? how do i go about… so sorry because i was researching but couldnt understand a lil bit bout it

[@kevinlim7974]

Thank you for sharing so openly. Totally understand that in future, it may be necessary to be less transparent with topics like salary, take-home pay, etc. Looks like you are managing your expenses extremely well. Kudos for that.

[@charlesp.4200]

Hi Lisa, do you use another App to record your finances? I would like to get one and would appreciate if you can recommend.

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i've personally been using Money Lover for the past 12 years, but i've also tried Wallet by budgetbakers and really liked it!

[@davidyew1978]

Thanks for the video. Do you include passive income from dividends from your Funds, ETFs or Stocks ? How about interest or cashback from your credit cards?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

no i don't include those in my budget! usually i just redirect dividends (not that i get much), interest, and cashback to my other savings & investments at the end of the month.

[@derricklee6734]

Nice video Lisa! been watching your videos since 2022 and enjoyed them a lot! Was wondering if you have considered using a different platform for investing like IBKR and buying ETFs directly? Considering that stashaway has a lot of platform charges and fx fees.

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

yes i was trying to figure out IBKR for the longest time! but i realised that if i don’t like using the platform, then it extra barrier for me to invest haha. so i decided to stick with endowus for my retirement investments.

[@aabdulg5944]

Hi there! thanks for this video! May I know how do you pay for your insurance? Do u use credit card to pay or just debit?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i pay by giro bc none of the cards give cashback anyway haha

[@myerwerl]

so you dont pay rent? Can you share how that works? Curious because Im malaysian and we dont have those 😅

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i don't pay rent because i bought the house! i pay my mortgage, which is paid through CPF (sg's version of EPF) every month.

[@kisstinad6290]

Hi! I noticed that your electricity + water bill is $160/mth. I am staying in a 3rm bto with my husb and 1 year old and our consolidated bill under sembcorp/sp is $170/mth. Not sure if you want to reassess this to see if u can find a better cost-effective alternative provider? Just a thought as I was shocked to see a 2rm resale bill being almost the same as our 3rm 😮

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

those are very conservative estimates! most of the time, my final bill is below $160 😁 but perhaps it’s also slightly higher for a 2rm because i use a lot of aircon 🤣

[@HealthSX]

Hi, can I check do you keep a record of all day to day expenses as well? Is it very taxing for you?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

yes i do, i record all my expenses in an expense tracker app on my phone! nope, i don't think it's taxing. i've been doing it since i was 16 so it feels second nature to me. i have a lot of other friends who regularly track their expenses as well. i think the trick is to find an app that you like and feels easy to use, and just build the habit from there.

[@HealthSX]

@ noted! I plan to track according to the credit card(and different spendings may roll to different cc). Not sure if there’s any app to do this or better to track using excel as well.

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

you can try an app with a multi-wallet function, like the one i use -- check out Money Lover on the app store or playstore! i have a video on how i use the app on my channel :)

[@HealthSX]

@@LisaAdultinginSingaporethank you!!!

[@August-sk7oq]

Can I understand for Singlife, the 3% interest rate on first 100K means if I have deposit less than 100k, I am still entitled to 3% interest rate?

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

yup correct!

[@473liverpool]

Hi Lisa, was just checking my own Spotify sub, how did u manage to get $36 per year? Mine is $10.98 per month

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

i share a family plan with a group of friends!

[@20pointer]

wow v impressive, do you really spend 350 on food and groceries a month? can i ask how you do that?

[@20pointer]

also, is insurance really important in your opinion.. i feel the premiums are overpriced.. for what they offer

[@paradaiseu]

It's more than $350 since she mentioned most of the money contributed to the joint account ($200 for her) with her partner will also be spent on food together, so it's probably closer to $500

[@nk-tg2cu]

For hospitalisation insurance, just pay a rider for your medishield. My husband have 3 hosp insurance ( medishield, company and personal) and end up he can only use medishield when he was hospitalised previously. Cant even use personal or company's one. So wasted.

[@LisaAdultinginSingapore]

is it possible to get a rider without getting an IP? i’m excluded from most private hospitalisation plans to start with, due to my preexisting condition!

[@KahnJi]

❤

[@ottomantaiga8118]

Better not share so specific😊

[@giggspyt1]

i very uncomfortable to share my salary to public , maybe just say 4 digit pay or 5 digit pay cough cough ... Thanks Lisa for your honest sharing ~ i am in my early 40s and love to watch your content .

[@EZJRVCXY]

Endowus uses funds, can consider Syfe Equity 100. And Syfe have better cash management