Can I afford to live in Singapore now? Chatty home vlog + finances chat

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

Weekly/Monthly budget planning really helped me control my expenses and know when I can treat myself or to hold back

[@chloesnyder9618]

Re all the comments saying everywhere is expensive now… well, that’s not really it. The question is always: more expensive compared to what? Singapore was already quite expensive. So now it’s just… quite-quite expensive. Other places started at an objectively lower cost of living. And while it’s more expensive for them now as well, their costs are still far, far lower than ours at the same lifestyle and life-stage. Thanks for opening up the conversation Georgia, hopefully everyone will be able to prepare okay.

[@myoung1970s]

Which other DEVELOPED countries you can have a full meal around $3-$5. Do not compare with developing countries eg. Malaysia

[@chloesnyder9618]

Sure, I was mentally comparing it to other developed countries (edited to add: this is what I meant by “at the same lifestyle”), and Singapore still “wins” for objectively one of the most expensive costs of living, for someone who doesn’t have a DH, a car, uses public transit, makes meals at home, doesn’t buy “fancy” groceries, doesn’t go to expensive cafes, eats at hawker centers when out. (Though, not sure what’s wrong with comparing Singapore with Malaysia? I’ve been to Malaysia, it was lovely. Without Malaysia’s farmland, what would my family or others be able to afford to eat here in Singapore? Australian produce is too expensive, Chinese produce is not always of quality, EU imports are impossibly costly. Singapore relies on Malaysia to survive: thank goodness for Malaysia). It’s one of the burdens of being a tiny island with no real farmland. There is a lot of adore about Singapore, so let’s let her merits speak for themselves without pretending the cost isn’t what it is, you know? Have the confidence in her strengths to the degree we don’t have to plaster over her weaknesses.

[@chloesnyder9618]

@@rick8042 Exactly. There's a logic to why Singapore is so extraordinarily expensive. The unchangeable constraints of geography are one of them. Of course one can make an argument for why someone might prefer to live here than somewhere else, or why the SGD is better for someone than different currency. All of that can be true and also Singapore is wildly expensive. In the multi-choice question version of this discussion, "all of the above" is the right answer. It would be a little silly to say that because the best kopi o in my neighborhood costs .90c that therefore Singapore is cheaper than an equivalently developed city in a similarly wealthy country (specifically comparing cities because of size). A hawker stall meal is one measurement and to lean solely on that one would have to deliberately ignore say, cost to rent or buy housing, or the cost of a car, etc. Again though, not sure why this is an issue ultimately. Singapore can be the best place in the region or world and also still be painfully expensive, especially if you're a migrant and not allowed to put your kids in public school and have to pay 35-45K for their education. It's not an either/or. Singapore is gorgeous, clean, unique, and she's expensive. ;)

[@kangkinkang]

I don't take cab, I don't take expensive food, I can do different kind of exercise fitness without joining yoga, save me a hell lot of $$$, try my methods. Inflation's is nothing to me.

[@MaestroDraven]

Thanks for the tips on credit cards and stuff, Georgia. We just moved in and we're getting all set up. This is handy. One tip we have for expats is to make sure that if you're renting a place (typically 2 year contracts here), make sure to get a diplomatic clause tossed into your contract. That way, if you are forced to leave early because you lost your job, etc., you only have to pay the amount of the first year of the contract. So, if you're 6 months into your first year, you pay the remaining 6 months, and that's that. It's still bad with the rent prices being as high as they are, but at least you're not paying 18 months!

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Hello Georgia honestly is always good to see u dear. I am glad that u are doing well.

[@189x]

During the great british heatwave of 2021 and 2022, I got an Evapolar air cooler. As a Singaporean, I honestly don't take the heat well so I was desperately looking for an AC that was small and affordable. I saw the ad on instagram and got it on a whim, and it honestly is the best purchase I made in the UK in 4 years. It's powered via micro USB so you can use either the wall plug adapter or a power bank for it. You should definitely give it a try!

[@GeorgiaCaney]

awesome, thank you!

[@sarahrnl]

Georgia this will surprise you but you have some of your best looks in this video , lol !! Lime green suits you and i absolutely love your glasses. Love to see you watering the plants, working out, looking well- despite the temperature! Actually, i believe you can find portable air cons at some electronics stores. But totally get it about the heat. I stay in air condition most of the days myself! PS - you ran out of totes in your store! Love those prints btw, too!

[@SharkaKama]

I would love to see some video like "Day out in Singapore for £20" or something like cheap/ free places to visit 😀

[@hannahisobel_]

I moved to Singapore a month ago and the gym I go to specialises in yoga classes so I went to my first hot yoga class on Saturday and I LOVED IT! People genuinely underestimate how much hot yoga makes you work and sweat😂Sucks that your place doesn't have AC, hopefully you find a way to sort it ❤

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Hello Hannah welcome to Singapore where are u from?.

[@hannahisobel_]

@@noorimeldaelle3403hello! I’m from London ☺️🇬🇧

[@EmmaCooksYouTubeChannel]

This couldn't have come at a better time. I've been churning through shampoo and conditioner, trying to find the right one for my hair, which has continued to become thinner and thinner over the last few years. Anything that is better for the environment is a bonus! Love the colours with the packaging!

[@ct2516]

Hi Georgia, forget abt those air cooler. It's just blowing air thru a curtain of water. Nope. Dun work in this humid weather. Try those boxy window unit where 95% of the unit sticks out the window. Some modifications needed at one end of your window. It's old tech but works. Not so common as compared to wat we hv now(split units) but think it may be wat u need. Hv to do some searching ard.

[@mamamememoo]

Maybe she can’t install those coz landlord might not allow.

[@JoeChanTV]

lifehack to battle the heat w/o AC : Counterpain analgesic balm when used sparingly can help ease body ache from work outs and feel cool temporarily

[@boredguy5805]

The inflation is pretty much happening everywhere for rent prices, I'm from Toronto and exact same situation here

[@MaestroDraven]

Truth, we just left Toronto and the rents were skyrocketing, but for a different reason. Lots of land, but no authorization to build more units. Here, it's different. Not enough land to build much, plus the Covid thing stopped all the new condos and apartments being built. Then they opened everything back up, and suddenly there's a supply/demand issue. Singapore didn't really handle this very well.

[@MaestroDraven]

@@rick8042 - No, it's lack of available houses, actually. When your population is going up and you're short on housing, prices skyrocket. Simple supply and demand.

[@diinhmd]

I tried yoga recently for the very first time at Venice Beach and really liked it. I'm back in Singapore now and definitely interested in doing more yoga. If anyone has any suggestions let me know!

[@khaishankoh8082]

Jal Yoga. Their style of Yoga is more traditional and alot of their teachers are from India. So if u want an authentic yoga experience, do check them out. They have afew locations in SG.

[@ighfirlee]

You chose to live in the central. Of course, will deplete your coffers.

[@evfdurs]

I've never lived in an air-conditioned home my whole life in SG, I survive by using ceiling fans 😂

[@KirbyOng]

hi hi...love your cosy place. 11:11 sale is coming soon (or for some shopping platform has already started), you should be able to get good deals of portable aircon. Get the UOB Lady's Card. 😁

[@marcuslee7840]

Hi Georgia. I think it's an amazing effort not to Grab for transport; even for food. Public transport will still be the more cheaper option. Perhaps now you can consider monetizing subscriptions via your KZbin channel.

[@GeorgiaCaney]

ohhh I've never looked into this Marcus but thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out :)

[@vandanaraghuvir]

hi georgia! i would love the shampoo and conditioner as i’ve been suffering from so much post partum hair loss and would love to start looking after my hair better and getting more voluminous hair! xx

[@josephsingapore8742]

Fairprice, sheng siong got sell air cooler portable.. free delivery. U can buy 2. 1 for your living room, 1 for your bedroom. U can on the air cooler and fan at the same time for quicker cooling.

[@josephsingapore8742]

@Darren Tan 😃

[@Zarazubbiah]

Even if I recommend a portable AC , the amount that the bill come is way too high . Recommend to get AC with 5 stars\ ✔️ .

[@joycegoh8628]

I think there are cooler fans - you can go to Courts/ Harvey Norman, etc to check out. You add water and the fan blows out mist which is cooling

[@ThumbsUpUpAndAway]

Not really a finance tip, but to those Hathaway have been utilizing the Grab Card perks… just know that from OCT 22 onwards, you can no longer earn points when using the grab card to pay! So yea, essentially useless now. Also, would love to try out the SODA plant base shampoo and conditioner, I heard many great things about plant based hair care instead of those chemically ones. But I have yet to try any out!

[@owl77]

Good for health not too use aircon for sleeping. To combat the heat, I suggest 1. Used the snake body powder. 2. For sleeping, use the bamboo bed mat. It's works for me. May I have the shampoo please. 😊

[@ernestajy]

Thanks so much for sharing your views about the inflation impact especially in Singapore, Georgia. I’m Singaporean living in Germany and will be heading back for a few months and it’s great to hear it from an expat’s perspective about Singapore living and how this crazy inflation affect daily lives. Mmm probably have to be prepared for price shocks for the first month back in Sg then.

[@leewn2319]

Hi Ernest, Advance welcome back. As a born & bred Singaporean, yes prices are going up but still manageable at our local beloved hawker centers and coffee shops in heartland estates especially the old established ones. Mix Veg rice, char Siew Rice / Noodles, Nasi Lemak etc could still be bought within S$4.00. Only new hawker centers like those at One Ponggol tend to be slightly more pricy. Stalls at Maxwell Food Centre has up their prices too. Govt has been dishing out cost of living packages, GST rebates & CDC vouchers to ease the impact of Singaporeans and will continuing to do so. It’s all cause by Ukraine war, and US & Western sanctions on Russia & China. Hope the Ukraine war stop and de-dollarisation of USD makes it unbearable impact on US then US politicians will turn inwards to focus on resolving their own domestic issues instead of warmongering.

[@ernestajy]

@@leewn2319 thanks so much for this insider insight! Judging from what you say, it wouldn’t be tooo bad after all but let’s see. :)

[@retrovox]

Get Coolzy portable air-con for spot cooling. It's very energy efficient.

[@rayne5368]

It is getting expensive everywhere else outside Singapore too. Inflation is global. I too need to cut down on expenses. It is probably a good time to go for minimalist lifestyle. It is worry free.

[@isakeng007]

The best cashback card is still the UOB AMEX absolute cashback because there's no minimum criteria to hit.

[@tarrmack]

Try getting a portable aircon, it's suitable for landed properties too. Not terrific but cheap alternative to a full fledge aircon unit(s).

[@MichaelChenCC]

there comes a suggestion for you to put on your flip-flops, you might've just found something spiky and got your bare feet hurt when you water plants outside.

[@ThievingSwallow]

Would really love to try out the My Soda shampoo and conditioner. I'm always on the look out for plant based options that are better for the environment!

[@philipbriggs7370]

I have 3 daughters - you will understand. Cheers Philip

[@aremithia]

Do you use ceiling fans? Are you able to install those? It is nice if that room is shaded and smaller.

[@hilmir]

hey, ive had the OUB One account for a few years. it gives me SGD150+ interest in cold hard cash every month, i find this is the most consistent one, once you meet the criterias. i just streamline all my spending to this card.

[@RaeLoumusic]

Would love to try the soda shampoo 🧴🧴😃🙏🏼 Nice job on the yoga! Yoga has been changing my life the past year, in so many good ways!! 🧘🏻‍♀️💕 I don’t enjoy hot yoga though! 🥵 not my style! Keep at it! 💪🏼🙏🏼

[@Looloowa74]

Hi Georgia, Back problems are associated with finances. Especially lower back Try to trust that God has your back.

[@duncanmcewan1049]

Assuming its a shophouse? Could you not purchase a portable aircon unit? I think you can get condenser ones that you don't have to stick a hose out the window (daft idea!!). If I was to live in SG again, I would love a shophouse rather than a condo (altho I loved our condo in Chinatown). So much space in a shophouse! For the coffee (just from personal experience), buy a smaller press if you are making coffee for yourself mainly. I found it brews better in a narrower (but taller) amount. A tiny amount in a huge press doesn't seem so good.

[@duncanmcewan1049]

Commented half way through - only to find out that you never had a CC !! My DBS Altitude card "financed" several return trips to the UK ;) Direct link to Singapore Airlines - dont know if it still exist. It auto-linked to my Singapore Airlines account :) Oh yeah - also forgot about the SG "freebie" thing :) I had stuff like free noise cancelling headphones, homewares stuff etc. Way better than the UK !

[@coolingspeed]

Built an isolation around your bed and pump cold air from the potable Aircon via a air ducting so cold air won’t leak away too fast.😂

[@SuperRefine]

Are you a fulltime youtuber? Or you have a job in singapore?

[@huansolo]

sometimes I drag myself to yoga but there are always no regrets after. hope to bump into you at yoga movement!

[@hearhere2165]

@5:20 - getting a portable AC is easy but exhausting the hot air from the AC can be tricky. Here is one elegant method ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2SvdoqAratmjtE . I think most recent portable AC models can evaporate the condensation water inside the unit so you don't need to empty the water pan as often. And remember to run the AC in fan mode only for 30 minutes before turning it off ( use the timer on the AC) to prevent mold buildup in the AC.

[@syahsyah7477]

Omg I wanna try the shampoo and conditioner! I was looking for a sustainability brand to get behind

[@eddyevodius]

land is gold in Singapore. Slow or fast everything relates to property will surge up. Time to make money / business through internet (no need to rent a space)

[@nrzzt5924]

Ive been a YM fam since 2016. Yes - Serangoon Gardens gets really HOT in the PM!

[@claudiajade624]

Yaaas I was the same, never thought I'd be into yoga but after stumbling across a dawn class at a music festival like 6 years ago I have been hooked 🙂 Struggle to make it to actual classes these days but love Yoga with Adriene on KZbin - at one stage was doing practically every day and would love to get back to that one day. Yeah our lease is up soon and am very nervous for the potential price jump 😬 Hmm I also have never had a credit card. I guess I am skeptical of the benefits and scared of going into debt.

[@M43782]

Any tips for saving for a hotel in Singapore? Agoda + Shopback? Something else?

[@user-cz6zc9jc8m]

From people I've spoken to, the rent isn't going to go down but just stop rising. Even so, completely unfordable, and thinking of leaving.

[@whereiskenneth]

Saw your name in the CNA article. Looks like you are the go to person for our media now when they need an expat's opinion :)

[@shishivanovich]

Georgia, please oh please shake the oatmilk! Isn't it supposed to be shaken?

[@andddrea11]

Credit cards can be deadly, be careful

[@rylee4383]

So sorry to hear that. Inflation is hurting everyone

[@torangclayruz4098]

You're living in a hot city. It's not so comfortable hang outside due to hot temperatures circumstances.

[@Nobodyou]

Nice what do you do for a living? Your proffesion?

[@eiyraalkhalid3232]

Hi @georgia i never tried any plant base shampoo/conditioner. Therefore i would love to win it and give it a try! ☺️☺️ i’ve always look forward to your vlogs as i’m a singaporean too & i never known such great places you have been to. Keep doing more vlogs Georgia!

[@ejsoh5291]

It's getting expensive everywhere not just Spore

[@Craftspirationz]

Hi Georgia! May I know where do you get your jewellery from?

[@GeorgiaCaney]

mostly all from Ana Luisa :)

[@asuranrocks]

laying off the oats and oatmilk might actually make your aches and pains go away...

[@YellowWhiteEye]

Have real estate property prices also surged? Would be great if you could make a video on this topic, e.g. best online platform for buying real estate, best agents, market price statistics with history - and the regulations for foreigners and/or non-residents.

[@chinliqi]

citi bank cashback card is great!

[@timothywoo7994]

Credit cards could be useful if you know how to properly manage it or it to be a disaster if you can't manage it well. Is a double edge sword.

[@hipposamadesu]

I found CNA article mentioned your name today 😁

[@lifeonmars478]

I have the Sony headphones and the apple AirPods and the Sony is leaps and bounds better sound wise

[@MuhammadAshraffimreallysorry]

love the specs

[@lizdorrington2851]

Hi from Australia Georgia. 🙂 I already buy the plant based laundry liquid and it's amazing! I haven't had a chance to to try the shampoo and conditioner though so I would love to win some.. 🤗

[@Huddlebeans]

I'd love to try the my soda shampoo and conditioner! The packaging is so cute and I wanna start shifting to more natural plant-based products and use less harmful chemicals on my hair.

[@evfdurs]

I also love protein oats as a breakfast😛

[@gratefultess]

The products are interesting 🌿

[@eeeffert6042]

just become some yellow guy's pearl.

[@niomiwu2193]

since global pandemic, i take bus and subway a lot. i make coffee at home and cut starbucks out of my life.

[@rachelphua4846]

ahhh i would love to win the plant based shampoo and conditioner as I would love to share them with my mom!!! my mom is sooooo into plants and I'm sure she'd love to try this :)) btw told my brother about your channel and now watching your videos is our sibling activity LOL theres something so calming about them!

[@mosessim446]

Watering plants will unwittingly increase your utility bill.

[@ebonyloveivory]

Well, plants need water...so...💁🏻‍♀️

[@insyirahnuri]

I wanna win the shampoo & conditioner because I actually am running out and I would always love to try something new to see what works for my hair! (Yet to find one that I love till now) 🤗

[@davidh4632]

Private rental sector will be hot all the time Xi is in power and everyone wants to leave HK and PRC. Singapore isn't really set up for western entrepreneurs. You suffer high living costs for no reason. Better to be based anywhere else in Asia where living costs are lower e.g Malaysia, Thailand.

[@LB-zq3od]

I am not sure everyone wants to leave HK or PRC, a few friends of mine are unwillingly relocated to SIN from HK with small salary packages. Working at IB, I think HK is the best in Asia. Of course the living expenses will be lower in Malaysia or Thailand. It's different though and down to personnel choice.

[@davidh4632]

@@LB-zq3od agreed, if expat working in IB HK still attractive. But for anyone in non financial sector SIN is not worth it, locals are always favoured and living costs mental.

[@pengqing8857]

Rental is too high now ! huhuhu

[@Benjaminlohsg]

The rents increase is due to interest rate going up.

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

Yes Benjamin u are absolutely right. And this is really very disappointing! I am going to be very DIRECT and HONEST about this issue on rental housing. I really hope that whichever landlords who read my comment please don't feel OFFENDED i just would like to let out my opinions and thoughts about how SOME landlords should rent out their houses. To be very honest i think any landlord who wants to rent out their house they should rent out their house base on how much the tenant EARNS! I am very sorry i think SOME landlords are very INCONSIDERATE! They rent out their house because they need MONEY! So when u have this kind of mentality needing of money u simply don't care and become very SELFISH towards people! I know NOT all landlords are the same! Some landlords are very considerate and understanding they know that their tenant in need of a place to stay so they rent out their house at a AFFORDABLE price and i think this is the right way.

[@nivashinig]

@@noorimeldaelle3403 Most landlords consider their tenants as some sort of cash cows, where they can extract maximum money..just as good things bad things will also come to an end some day, hope things change

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

@@nivashinig Hello Nivashini yes i believe u saying that SOME landlords treat their tenants like cash cows! Ok if these landlords which u are referring to having this kind of attitude and mentality towards their tenants then sorry to say this sooner or later nobody would want to rent their house! So in the end like u said they are the ones who is at a great LOSS cause nobody want to rent their house! Sorry

[@nivashinig]

@@noorimeldaelle3403 talking out of personal experience, my landlord increased the rent initially by 700 dollars when we wanted to extend as the market rate was the same every where we agreed, we even stopped searching for houses but suddenly the rental market became even worse , He wanted to renovate the house as it was having cracked tiles and leaking pipes which left the wall damaged and rent it for even higher rate and wanted us to move out , we had only a month of the contract left and when we asked for a month's extension, He hiked even more,imagine with two kids and the fear that we may end up having no roof on our heads we finally found a house and paying double what we used to pay, Desperate people end up paying the rent as its the same everywhere

[@noorimeldaelle3403]

@@nivashinig Hello Nivashini i am very sorry to hear about your bad experience! By the way sorry to ask u this are u from India?. Cause there are SOME landlords like to take advantage when the tenant is a foreigner.

[@michaelshih8163]

You are now famous. CNA just quoted you as saying that rental prices are skyrocketing and Singapore is unaffordable.

[@Redmi-xu1yo]

Burning some flesh🤭👏👍 go out get tanner 😂

[@ancientk100]

Thank you Georgia for the video, I'm moving to singapore soon for work. Is there anything i need to do in my first week there that would be really helpful?

[@macandfire5477]

Yeah don’t move there 😉

[@soccerlover247]

I'd love to win cause i got a rather drastic haircut recently and open to all haircare products currently esp NOW!!! thanks :)

[@mavisxk]

I hope to win the shampoo, thanks Georgia ❤

[@evae.374]

Omg I want to win the shampoo as I have very fine hair, and hopefully the plant based shampoo and conditioner can give me some volume 😊

[@soccerlover247]

Novita fan

[@1337hacks]

I want to win the Soda shampoo because my hair just became resistant to my current shampoo and I want a more sustainable option.

[@nathanyap7828]

Let’s do running together if you are free

[@ivoryb2952]

I hope I win cos I’ve never really won anything online!😂 + I like to try out new stuffs 😊

[@andrea9797mdd]

The shower in the video does scream desperate 😬

[@GeorgiaCaney]

Desperate for what

[@faryalalam7730]

If you don't mind me asking, which neighbourhood do you live in Singapore.

[@jigyasadrashtivlogs5190]

Nice 👍 My channel Jigyasa drasti vlog