Indians with school-going kids living on 8k?

[dianindian]

I have an offer on the way and I suspect it will be in the range of 8-9k. I wish to know how hard it is to live on this kind of money especially if you send 2 kids to DPS or GIIS that cost a total of $1500 per month (for both kids) including transport. My budget for housing is 2k in the east coast, preferably near GIIS. If anyone does manage with this much, do you end up saving at all? We like hawker food but eat out once or twice a month at a decent place for a good dinner and drinks.

Thanks.

[BillDirt]

School - 1500
House - 2000
utilities - 500
Groceries - 1000
Public Transport (mus/mrt , occasional taxi) - 300
entertainment/eating out(food courts) - 500
Miscellaneous - 500

so about 6500 for a reasonably comfortable life...

we are a couple ..no kids...manage in about 4500..add 2000 for the kids

of course there are people who manage in less than that...and some who cant, in twice as much money..

[IT slave2]

Don't know about the school fees thingy, so i'll take ur word for it that it costs 1500. You should be able to get by very comfortably on another 2.5k-3k excluding rent.
(Groceries 500
Utilities +Phone 400 +400
Transportation - 500
Dining out + shopping 1000)

Assuming rent of 2.5 k  you'll still have 1k left over on a salary of 8k. But my advice is to ask for 10k.....they'll atleast pay you 9

[gud luck]

how old are your kids? if there are KG or lower you may consider sending them to a local KG it'll be max 1000 a term (3 months) per kid that includes transport and enrichment classes

[Left Wing]

10000 should cover you also make sure your insurance takes care of every thing.

[dianindian]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
How do medical benefits work here. Is it normal to have medical insurance and/or medical coverage for the family included in your package? Should I ask for medical insurance, or just medical coverage which basically is claiming the bills from the local clinic.
I have a feeling it'll be tough to live in 8-9k. But I may be wrong.  

[comeon]

Comeon man Indian! The replies you have here are from people who are reasonably above Singapore's average. You have to factor in PPP of SGD. When you save $2K or 3K, it might not have much of a value in terms of INR but it is a reasonable savings here. So, 8K is a good salary.

[dianindian]

Comeon, I doubt if I will be able to save 2-3k on 8k with 2 school-aged kids. Sure, if I send them to a local primary school I'm sure I can. But I choose not to. (Let's not talk about why I don't want to or shouldn't.)
With kids, the expenses just pile up - enrichment classes, piano lessons, visits to the doctor, new shoes every two-three months (they grow out before you know it), books...
If I ask my wife, she'll be able to come up with some more.  
All in all, we probably won't save much for a short holiday somewhere nearby. Unless of course you use your bonus to that.

[comeon]

I understand and agree with you but there are few things where one need not spend money. For example, a HDB apartment is comparable to or better than anything that is available in the major indian cities. NTUC/Shop and Save/wet markets are cheaper than the cold storages. Public transport is better and hence hiring a taxi is not really a must etc. Yes 3K is a high figure but 1.5k or 2K is just manageable.

[flantastic]

If enrichment classes are top priority then ask a few $$ more; not sure why you don't rely on the education system and provide your own enrichment to your family [but that's another discussion]

I would say S$8K would give you a comfortable life in Singapore and even room to save money, guideline for me is always 25% savings. (=$2K)

Make sure you get health insurance arranged properly, either through your company (which is common for large companies) or yourself.

[graduate student]

manage on S$1,500 per month for self, wife and 2 kids . . .

[dianindian]

Graduate Student, hats off to you. Are your kids school-going? Perhaps you could share how you manage?

[comeoff]

>>>For example, a HDB apartment is comparable to or better than anything that is available in the major indian cities.<<<

Are you serious......ly crazy? I would agree that HDB Singapore is better than any Housing Board of India (Central Public Works Department) built housing and thats about all it is better than.

[cameon]

Comeoff, I might be crazy. Having seen and lived in some of the major metro cities in India I just wanted to share some info with the OP about HDB apartments, thats it. If you have other ideas, share those with the the OP and that might help him.

[dianindian]

Thanks for the replies. SOrry, have been rather tied up at work. I'm still waiting for the company to get back with the offer. Does anyone live in the east coast near the Global Indian International School? Any condos nearby in the range of 1.5 - 2k? How do you rate The Bayshore (or is it Bayshore Park)? It's one of the affordable condos I have noticed on   the property websites.

Thanks in advance.