Life style and enough finance

[expat_vs]

I would soon be joining my new job at Singapore. My salary is 14k/month (after tax) with 1k each for transportation and utilities and company rented accommodation. Message board and internet search provide tough details about car ownership, part time servant and house-rent (fortunately to be borne by company). I definitely wish to save the half of my cash. However I am not sure of leading a good life-style for two of us (husband-wife) with rest of my salary. Would it be fine to get a rented car. Would it be possible to get furnished rented accommodation. How much a part-time daily maid (plus cook) can cost. Can anyone comment.

[GGirl]

Hi, welcome to Singapore!

Firstly you say that your accommodation will be supplied by the company so no need to worry about this but check out what is the monthly allowance.  The average costs of renting a car on a long term basis (rental, insurance, tax, petrol etc) should be around $2,000-2,500 and prob. a good idea given the very high cost of purchasing now.

A part time maid will be around $15-20 per hour.  It will be harder to find someone who can cook also, but not impossible.  You will be restricted to someone local with citizenship or holding permanent residence status, or google one of the many companies who supply part time staff.

[maid?]

Why?  There are only two of you.  And can neither of you cook?

[frugalbetty]

If you have no kids I would seriously consider NOT having a car. They cost a fortune and will eat into your savings. I would use public transport and taxi's. Since you have no kids, perhaps she can try and find a job too?

Maid - again, no kids, I would just get a cleaner once/ couple of times a week to come over. It's not cheap you know. I pay S$12.50 an hour to my ironing lady and S$16.50 an hour to an agency for cleaning.

[expat_vs]

Thanks friends. I am currently paying equivalent S$487/month for part time maid plus cook. I see more expenses but possibly bearable on this aspect in Singapore. I do need a cook as my wife would come and go on frequent visit. She has a job in home country. It appears clear that I have to sell off my 4 years young Toyota Fortuner and rent a car in Singapore. I am not clear if furnished accommodation is available in Singapore or I have to bring all my furniture and appliances. How costly would it be to purchase fresh furniture and new gas/electrical/washing machine/Fridge appliances for kitchen. I am looking for a modern 2-bedroom house and a nicely equipped kitchen.  Comments invited.

[jalanperak]

Start by checking out the various Singapore housing websites, including the parent site of this forum. That will give you a good idea of what you can get for the housing allowance you're being given.

[GGirl]

I am not clear if furnished accommodation is available in Singapore or I have to bring all my furniture and appliances. How costly would it be to purchase fresh furniture and new gas/electrical/washing machine/Fridge appliances for kitchen. I am looking for a modern 2-bedroom house and a nicely equipped kitchen.  Comments invited.

Hi OP, there is a wide variety of accommodation for rent.  If you are here on a 2 yr contract, suggest you seek a fully furnished place that you can arrive with a suitcase and your personal belongings (ie. with basic beds, wardrobes, dining table, sofa and electrical goods for house).  Otherwise you will end up having to sell all your relatively unused applicances and furniture at rock bottom prices when you leave.  To buy new for a 2-bed place will easily be in the region of S$10,000-20,000 depending on your taste and if imported appliances. You will pay a lot more for premium brands (Phillips, Toshiba, Bosch, Miele etc) as opposed to doing with the cheaper local brands such as Togoyo, Akira etc.  Partially furnished means the place includes just the basic electrical goods, usually fridge, microwave, stove - but not necessarily oven - and washing machine.

Suggest you set your sights a little lower - would you be willing to consider a 2 bed apartment with facilities?  Houses are much less common in Singapore and to find one with a nice kitchen rare in rental property since the maid would usually do all the food preparation and cooking.  Another note, one of you nhuge pluses of Singapore is the availability of affordable food - Western adn Asian, esp at Hawker centres.  Not sure I'd bother training up a part time maid (who is quite likely to change frequently if from an agency) to cook for one.

Good luck with your online property browsing. Another site to seek out is singapore property guru, for an idea of costs and size.

[occupation question]

I would soon be joining my new job at Singapore. My salary is 14k/month (after tax) with 1k each for transportation and utilities and company rented accommodation.

what kind of work do you do to earn this salary and company rented accommodation?  Are you very senior?  there's another thread on here talking about how not many people get the perks anymore like rental expenses covered.  so I am curious.

[Relative]

I would soon be joining my new job at Singapore. My salary is 14k/month (after tax) with 1k each for transportation and utilities and company rented accommodation.

what kind of work do you do to earn this salary and company rented accommodation?  Are you very senior?  there's another thread on here talking about how not many people get the perks anymore like rental expenses covered.  so I am curious.

This is not a very senior package - if the OP is coming from Europe or the US - probably great if coming from India or another part of Asia!

[expat_vs]

Hello GG, your response helps a lot and other's exclamation on package makes me comfortable before arrival. I am here on a senior place in oil sector. I have browsed through housing website and realized that my rent budget is too good for a nice house. As I am on permanent employment, your idea of  purchasing furniture etc. is nice in a half-furnished house, and I would follow it. The issue remains of getting cook and part time maid. Some useful link for Indian cook would help. Thanks.

[Relative]

. Some useful link for Indian cook would help. Thanks.

Ah ha!  That answers the nosey local's question!!!   Most Europeans and Americans wouldn't get out of bed for $14K

[Sunflower_Ger]

Hi

Car ownership might not be attractive to you since the Certificate of Entitlement is so high nowadays. A better option is to rent one. Buying a car now might not be such a wise choice and there is a high chance thst you might not be able to sell at a good price. Part time cleaner should be around 50-80 bucks for a 4 hrs period and this is not including cooking.

I would soon be joining my new job at Singapore. My salary is 14k/month (after tax) with 1k each for transportation and utilities and company rented accommodation. Message board and internet search provide tough details about car ownership, part time servant and house-rent (fortunately to be borne by company). I definitely wish to save the half of my cash. However I am not sure of leading a good life-style for two of us (husband-wife) with rest of my salary. Would it be fine to get a rented car. Would it be possible to get furnished rented accommodation. How much a part-time daily maid (plus cook) can cost. Can anyone comment.

[it must be ....]

Ah ha!  That answers the nosey local's question!!!   Most Europeans and Americans wouldn't get out of bed for $14K

presumptous much?

[Goodfood]

There is plenty of good cheap and affordable Indian food here. Just rent a condo near a hawker centre and eat out every nIght.

[Spot on!]

. Some useful link for Indian cook would help. Thanks.

Ah ha!  That answers the nosey local's question!!!   Most Europeans and Americans wouldn't get out of bed for $14K

That explains the high unemployment there...