What's a comfortable spending amount for a newly married couple in late 20s without kids?

Question

My husband and I just found out that our spendings per month comes up to at least $3k, this is including subscriptions and phone bills, except living expenses because currently we are still living with my Parents-in-law. Somehow I feel like it’s a lot for just the both of us and I am just wondering how other people view this?

Edit: Sorry, to clarify, we have no car, $3k is food, transport, subscriptions, insurance, some investments, occasional small dates, holiday expenses etc… basically we are paying for everything EXCEPT mortgage/housing/water or electricity bills. Another thing, my parents in law don’t cook, I’m the one that cooks in our household. So if I don’t cook then there’s no food at home and if I do cook then I’ll be cooking for 4 people, and sometimes when we buy food from outside then we are also buying for them too.

in askSingaporeby Sufficient_Cod_7798

78%

SuccessIsAJourney

Depend on your take home salary.

The percentage of expense to total take home pay.

What’s living expenses? You mean rent ?

Sufficient_Cod_7798

We have no car, our combined income is $6-7k. $3k is food, transport, subscriptions, insurance, some investments, occasional small dates, basically we are paying for everything EXCEPT mortgage/housing/water or electricity bills.

I do feel like it’s a bit much, but then again we spend most of it on food because my working hours don’t allow us to cook at home that conveniently.

SuccessIsAJourney

That include insurance, investments leh.

I’m not sure how much are you investing or your premium.

If you think it’s too much, just cut down bit by bit.

Cut away those subscription that you seldom see and take less cabs. Dabao more less food delivery.

freshcheesepie

This is meaningless without knowing the breakdown tho. Investment can mean anything and plenty of people put majority of their savings into investments. As long as you guys arent buying popmart and expecting it to appreciate

029183

How come you live at other peoples house but don’t want to contribute to water and electricity bill

MpumpSandy

Because OP’s parents in law are understanding of their situation.. combined income 6-7k for 2 pax is really quite low eh. Still want them to pay bills meh 🫤

029183

Understanding is letting them live in their house rent free. Late 20s couple not even contributing their share to bills when they’re also using water electricity and Internet is freeloading.

faeriedust87

OP paying for their food leh

mecatman

Use a simple expense tracker to keep track of your expense is a good start.

Also the total spending is relative to how much both of you are earning, for eg: if you two combine income is $10k, $3k isn't really alot.

Also don't compare yourselves to others, as long as you don't overspend and go into debt, you are fine.

Although make sure to save or invest some of the money for rainy days.

Obvious_Anywhere709

Money Manager is a good free app.

Track every item you spend on and see where the money goes.

Then decide if this is ok or not, compared to your income, financial goals etc

EVAGaghiel

Possible to provide breakdown? What's the % of this 3K out of total take home salary?
Also depending on individual lifestyle and spending power, one can claim 3K spent alone is not good enough.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

-18

We have no car, our combined income is $6-7k. $3k is food, transport, subscriptions, insurance, some investments, occasional small dates, holiday expenses etc… basically we are paying for everything EXCEPT mortgage/housing/water or electricity bills.

I do feel like it’s a bit much, but then again we spend most of it on food because my working hours don’t allow us to cook at home that conveniently.

BlueSODeath

Investments are not expenses. Unless you're counting gambling like 4D as your investment, then you can count it under expenses.

EVAGaghiel

Agreed with BlueSODeath, investment is not part of expenses. Also you should not include holiday into your monthly expenses, unless you two always have planned trip every month. Even you do travel every month, I don't think the expenses is going be the same for each trip, so what you are doing by adding all in is considered as average monthly expense annually, rather than looking at typical money out on the monthly basis.

Is your investment 50%, 30% or 10% etc of the 3K? What's the % / value of insurance premium etc. Again, breakdown will help others to provide feedback if you do spend extra on certain categories. Just lump sum 3K on everything tell us nothing.

Do you think you need to save more to plan for future, getting married and buying house, having kids? If so, can you cut down certain non-essential spending to reach that goal?

50% saving per month considering everything counted, you are doing quite good vs some struggling to meet daily needs. Also make sure you have spare emergency fund - 6 mths or more.

hkchew03

Its not a lot if each of you are earning 5k+. Its all relative.

Evening_Mail7075

Pointless question if there isn't any insights into what you're spending on.....

xHarleyy

Unless we know how much you are taking home, no one is able to advise you whether your spending is comfortable ornot.

People generally will spend more as they earn more.

If both of your take home is 4k, then yeah it is too much.

If both of your take home is 50k, then 3k is peanuts.

ChoiceAwkward7793

Just on food my partner and I are spending $2K on average a month (don’t bash me for not cooking, our work and lifestyle doesn’t permit us to cook at home).

I think as long as you guys are catering enough for each category of bills and expenses and still have enough to save, it’s fine?

I have a breakdown of expenses recorded each month to see our spending habits then I’ll trim/adjust from there.

Cute_Meringue1331

Im 30 single and spend about $4000+ a month.

Firstly, i’m a foodie, so i spend $1000+.

Secondly, i shop on taobao, so another $400+.

My flute lessons cost $190, table tennis lessons cost $160, piano (flute exam requires piano accompaniment) $45 per session, adobe subscription $40.20, duolingo $13.98. So about $500.

On my sister, i spend anywhere from $200-$1000 buying her whatever she wants.

Entertainment: $130 for movies, games

Transport: $128 concession.

Bills: $75 electricity, $82 phone

Personal care: $50 pads, shampoo, facewash

Groceries: $50, i cook once a week.

MediumLingonberry657

You’re so nice to your sister!!

enel111

i'm married with 2 kids, cc bills come out above 2k for most months, that's excluding any cash payment.

you guys must be enjoying life. but hey, you do you, everyone has a different perception of comfort/luxury/frugality. i think as long as it's within your means and you're happy about it, fuck all other opinions.

kimchijeonn

omg how?? i only have one baby and one helper but our overall is about $3k including ifc and insurance and stuff.

No-Mortgage1939

Got car instalment? Health Insurance?

Sufficient_Cod_7798

-8

I do feel like it’s a bit much, but then again we spend most of it on food because my working hours don’t allow us to cook at home that conveniently.

atvz

Partner and I (both 30) spends approx 4-5k monthly, we have a combined income of 14k. Includes utilities, food, dates, insurance, phone, wifi, dates, MCST and mortgage. We cook daily to cut costs, monthly groceries expenses works out to be $400-$500.

I own a car so there’s an additional petrol expense and Cashcard. Car is fully paid so there isn’t much expense there.

xinderw

This may be useful to you as a baseline gauge: https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/hes/household-expenditure

Moderator removed comment

Cubyface

Those are rookie numbers, you are not hanging flowers to your fullest potential!

abcdefghijken

3 x Martell $798 (assume kup 1 person about $200+) Cab home + cab with siam bu (~$80) Hang flower $520 Treat mookata (~$80)

You still can go for 1 more night if have balance. Weekdays 3 towers for $220 promo

You can have 2 nights of fun

DuhMightyBeanz

Depends on what's the proportion of the 3k a "necessary expense" vs a "discretionary expense".

Sufficient_Cod_7798

-7

We don’t spend unnecessary, and I guess most of our expenses are food

DuhMightyBeanz

Yeah you might wanna figure out the breakdown here for your budgeting.

The thing is 3k for food is still a lot but that's dependent on lifestyle.

To know how much is too much, you need to know where your money is going first. Else, no one can quantitatively say you are spending too much.

DuePomegranate

Why is that? You cannot or don't want to eat home-cooked food with your parents-in-law? Do you feel unwelcome in the kitchen so you eat outside food every day?

If the "cost" of saving on mortgage/rent is that you need to spend more on food, otherwise it's uncomfortable/awkward, then just rationalize it as such.

If you're buying $10-20 (per person) dinners instead of $5-8 dinners, then maybe you can cut back.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

-1

My parents in law don’t cook, I’m the one that cooks in our household. So if I don’t cook then there’s no food at home and if I do cook then I’ll be cooking for 4 people actually

DuePomegranate

So do your food ingredient expenses actually cover 4 pax, that’s why it’s high?

Then you are paying some “rent” in food ingredients.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

-3

Haha yes I guess so, because I can’t think of staying at their house without giving them anything. And also my MIL loves sweets and I bake so here and there there will be sweets in the fridge for her to munch on

DuePomegranate

Then reframe your expenses accordingly. The amount you spend feeding your parents-in-law is not part of your (couple) expenses.

And consider whether you buy more “good ingredients” because it feels filial to do so, or you want to impress them. And if it was just the 2 of you, you’d eat more simply.

Upbeat-Aside526

As long as you're not getting into credit card debt, you are good. Be as comfortable as you want.

wildstormburst

“Comfortable enough” is subjective. Combined $3k generally sound alright. As long as you are happy, spend your money keeps the economy going!

Initial_E

It’s the long term commitments that are killer. Like say, a condo you can barely afford and are 1 retrenchment away from having to downgrade.

MadWerewolfBoy

The easier way is don't track expenses. Track your investments input / savings as that metric is easier to track and is more informative without the information overheads. If you say you're setting aside $3k combined for long term investments and short term savings, most of us here will say you're probably fine. If you say your combined expenses is $3k, it will be followed by many many questions.

Appropriate-Ad7575

3k is about right tbh. Unless you want to eat cai fan every meal. Everything is just expensive now. My groceries cost is double compared to precovid.

coolhead8112

You can use a free personal budget tracking spreadsheet such as https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/personal-budget-spreadsheet.html.

I've done a combined expense tracking for FY2025 with my SO and our average monthly expense came up to $7.5k, which includes mortgage expense, insurance, annual travel budgeted, no car expense and 1 child.

furkeepsfurreal

$3k for both?

How much income per annum in total? What do you all spend on? These are questions for you to consider, don’t need to answer if not comfortable.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

The 3k that I’m talking about is all expenses including food and transport, the only thing we aren’t paying for is housing since we are living with my parents in law for now. Yes 3k for the both of us, our combined income is about 6-7k

MpumpSandy

How much of the 3k is transport cost? If take public, each pax shld not exceed $150 per month so that’s $300 for 2 pax. Groceries for a household of 5 pax (my family) is about $100 per week so $400-500 for your 4 pax should be more than enough.

Total less than 1k. That means u are spending 2k on other things like online shopping and activities for your dates? Or grab rides? That’s a lot of unnecessary spending if u ask me. Cos it’s 40-50% of your income.

furkeepsfurreal

I’m mid 30s and I think it’s fine if you’re earning above the median, since that works out to an average of $1.5k per person monthly.

My expenses used to be really low, but after getting married, we’ve to spend on housing mortgage and doing up the house, more family gatherings, etc…

coolhead8112

Mortgage takes up about 35-40% of our total expenses. All the add-ons like vacations, gifts (think CNY red packets), birthdays, household maintenance etc. it really adds up. I know what you mean.

furkeepsfurreal

Yeah it does! Not complaining about it because we love our family, but SGD 50 here, SGD 30 there… it all adds up indeed.

DuePomegranate

That's quite high expenditure compared to salary when you aren't paying mortgage/rent/utilities. My frank opinion. You should be saving more aggressively for your own place.

BrianHangsWanton

Hard to say without more context, but considering you're not paying for things like utilities etc it's probably more on the high end

laverania

Need to see category breakdown. What do you mean by living expenses? And what did you spend with that 3k? Majority spent on shopping and entertainment?

Depends on how much you earn, if your saving rate is decent and can allow you to retire comfortably, then I see no problem.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

I do feel like it’s a bit much, but then again we spend most of it on food because my working hours don’t allow us to cook at home that conveniently. My parents in law don’t cook, I’m the one that cooks in our household. So if I don’t cook then there’s no food at home and if I do cook then I’ll be cooking for 4 people. Sometimes we buy food for 4 people too instead of 2 actually.

I don’t shop, I don’t buy anything for myself too sometimes even to the point where I have things in my cart that I want then I’ll wait until I forget about it so that I won’t spend that money hahaha

laverania

Then it looks quite ok to me, insurance (assuming it's not ILP) and investment are for good purpose, you're not splurging

Sufficient_Cod_7798

Oh it also includes holiday expenses, so it’s not too bad right?

kimchijeonn

actually you should just update this post to not include your holiday and investments. see if it cuts by at least $800? usually couples who are dink, plus yguys have no mortgage and utilities, should be spending abt $1.1k per month. could be much less if yguys are thrifty

faeriedust87

Living expenses like groceries and food? 3k is alot if you exclude that

FodderFries

It's higher than the average. But it's relative to earning power as many explained. If you're earning 10k, 3k is fine. If you're earning 5k then 3k is questionable.

You should provide a detailed breakdown. Food daily total and avg cost? What category of spending is the highest or most frequent. Then you can aim to see what could be reduced.

SnooSketches7547

My spending for last month was around $2000 for just myself. My biggest line items are - parent allowance $600, insurance $260, food $400, transport $80.

Did not include our housing loan payments as it’s deducted for cpf. We don’t have kids.

Joesr-31

Depends what you earn tbh. $3k for 2 pax means $1.5k per pax isn't that much tbh for combine income ~$7k each? Although, I do recognise you said at least $3k which could mean $3k to $10k or more. So really vague questions to provide any accurate response. Maybe provide more details?

Automatic_Outside977

3k is at the higher end for a normal Singaporean at your age and status. I guess you go out alot. It's okay to spend since your income will go up eventually and the challenge is to prevent lifestyle creep. Try eating more caipeng if you can, your future self will thank the present you.

chanmalichanheyhey

Frankly I think sinkies have a habit of over insuring .

So I suspect that’s the bulk of your 3k?

trazcer

Ideally it's 50% of your income. Since you're not paying living expenses, the % should be even less.

Civil_Confidence6737

Try out the Hammer financial scoring to see what ratios of your expenses make sense. You've parked investments as an expense without a known at what percentage of total 'spend' it contributes to, hard to tell if you are prudent or extensive with spending tbh.

https://calebhammer.com/hammer-financial-score/

At your level you should be well above 6 as you have no mortgage. Once you both start putting monies into a home and have kids/other liabilities, realistically your goal could be to maintain or at least not fall 1-2 points from your current scoring as a progressive health check (if the scoring makes sense for you).

Wild-Criticism-2868

To be honest like what others have said, its really relatively hard to give a assessment whether u spend much or little when or even what category u spending on. Eg some people give a lot allowance to their parents which makes up the largest category. But rule of thumb i say is how much% u save of your salary is a good gauge if your not even saving 20 to 30% of your salary. U probably spend too much on some things

Civil_Roll508

Focus on the earning, less on the saving, theres a base expense we have to incur every month and going any lower on your standard of living will have diminishing returns imo

smurflings

You need to take out the investment first.

Gold-Ad-4371

It's ok, focus on making more, how low can spending be? It's better to spend the time on how to make $2k more than save $2k

Academic_Work_3155

Better to itemise and see where the bulk of expenditure goes to.

I realise travel, insurance, eating at restaurants (not even talking about those 2-300 type) can rake up quite a bit of expenses.

My personal spending is roughly 3k already, covering helper expenses and any random things. I didnt really keep track lolll. Husband takes care of tabao food, sch fees, car maintenance & petrol (fully paid car). Generally speaking i try to save 2-30% of salary a month or more, while he spends i save and hoard money lolll.

cicakganteng

You need to break down the 3k more detailed than that.

Whats your (both) income? And how much % goes into savings/investment?

Expensive-Garlic-915

I average out 1.5k per month. 😅😂 bc normally we don’t buy any stuff except daily necessities and food.. so if you cook everyday for 4 people I think it’s about there.

limbears

You should start tracking your expenses (many apps out there eg Seedly) to know the % breakdown of what you guys are spending on monthly.

Otherwise, it is hard to really understand what’s going on and whether $3k is a reasonable amount especially if it includes your “investments”

moneymachine109

why would you count investments? makes no sense

princemousey1

It depends what your income is?? $30k and $3k is nothing. $3k and $3k is… a huge problem.

xDraGonSaInTx

Insurance and investments are essentials and should not be considered as expenses. You could drop investments when the expenses exceed the take-home.

The expenses should be:

Food
Groceries
Transport
Subs - phone/internet/entertainment
Future: Kids expenses / Morgage/Conveyancing bills/taxes/holiday

I would consider budgeting yearly, but helping your in-laws with food should be necessary since they cover the rest.

mn_qiu

3k not including living expenses? I guess you guys are wealth enough

Sufficient_Cod_7798

No I meant like food and all that, the only thing that we aren’t paying for is for a house

Gumi_Kitteh

Wa how you accumulate so much, even if cut 50% to talk about 1 person AT LEAST $1.5k per month is quite abit without living expenses.

Eating out per meal $6, count everyday including weekends thats about $550... Transport go work come home $100 via public transport per month.. If you count entertainment just netflix only $15.. Phone bill, sims-only no contract only $10-20... even if u add in internet bill $60... that only amounts up to $750 estimate per mth..

not sure where your other $750 disappear to XD

order starbucks/boosts/bubble tea often? eating good food often? what kind of subscriptions you have besides just netflix?

unless yall also settling household monthly groceries/ur whole family meal then maybe can reach that amount

ghostofwinter88

I think eat out per meal you have to count at least 10 nowadays to be comfortable. Most food court starts at 4-5 now, if you are in cbd or office area it's probably 6-7. Buy a drink, easily 8-9.

I think 3k INCLUDING living expenses is ok. But without is abit high.

Gumi_Kitteh

hard to say tho, theres always hidden gem kept below $6 even in cbd/office area that u probably yet to find..

drinks are always optional, just prep from home or drink plain water.. you actually save alot by not buying drinks during mealtime, at the same time, healthy :D

ghostofwinter88

hard to say tho, theres always hidden gem kept below $6 even in cbd/office area that u probably yet to find..

Not saying they don't exist, but by and large most places start at 5-6 nowadays.

MintySquirtle

That’s pretty high I think my household spending is about 2k for two pax

ghostofwinter88

If you don't have a car, I feel 50 dollars a day per person is quite generous and comfortable. But that includes living expenses.

50 dollars can buy you mrt transport to and from work, and 3 meals of ~10 dollar each, and still have ~15 odd left over. Assuming you save 15 a day, that's 450 a month. 2 adults you can easily buy the groceries for entire month for ~200 odd. If you cook, then your saving also goes up.

Leaves you two 700 of combined money at minimum. Allows you to take the occasional grab, splurge on food sometimes, pay for your Internet, phone bill, Netflix, etc.

b-waiting

Definitely subjective. Depends on your combined income, your lifestyle etc.

I alone spend more than 3K a month. And I’m still comfortable. 🤷🏻‍♂️

OP needs to give more context for sure.

copycatholic

It depends on what your salary and take home is. My husband and I are in our early 30s, no kids, spend about $4-5k a month. Includes utilities, electricity, groceries, house maintenance etc. Bulk of the spending goes to eating out, taking grab/tada, and travelling, definitely lifestyle inflation. House is fully covered by CPF.

turdbrownies

3k total expense for 2 person is actually very reasonable. Imho, no need to read too much into it. Just need to avoid getting into “lifestyle inflation “ which further increases your expenses.

I believe 1.5k per pax includes occasional dinning out at fancy restaurants, expensive BBT or starbucks, and that’s perfectly fine ! No need to torture yourselves to follow strictly to the absolute frugal lifestyle. Gotta enjoy some during your early age. The important thing is that u 2 has some sort of savings/investment strategy which I’m assuming u already have.

All that’s left to do is to keep working, better yourselves to earn higher income which comes naturally in time.

Long story short, u 2 are doing ok, don’t worry.

Sufficient_Cod_7798

Thank you 😊

tok2mi

Dear Op hope you read this, for me as a young couple, my view is that your spending is quite high as a couple. Bearing in mind you mentioned no living expenses included. I understand the great feeling of being able to spend but the old age saying of saving pennies for a rainy day should not be forgotten. There will be major expenses that you and your husband will not be able to anticipate and you would have looked back and wished you saved a little more when young.

Mysterious-Finding-6

Does that amount include your mortgage??

tMeepo

Comfortable depends on your income

Utilities (including parents house) $200x2

Town council $70x2

Carpark - season parking $120

Other Carparks - $200

Fuel - $200

Internet (including parents)- $85 x2

Mobile (including parents) - $25x3

Car mortgage - $500

Gym - $150

Netflix, Spotify, viu, etc -~$50

Groceries - ~$150

Work-from-office days lunch w colleagues - $20x8

Tax - $1.5k

Random Shopee/taobao - $200

Protein powder - $50

Coffee beans - $50

Weekend dates/meals - $50x8

Travel (~3 times a year) - $1000

Other eat-out meals + drinks - ~$300

Living is expensive...

KoishiChan92

Man the comments here.. suddenly I feel a lot better about our spending. My family (2 adults, 1 toddler, 1 dog, 5 rm flat), are spending $4k a month currently, including costs to keep a car running (car price fully paid for so not counted) and a part time helper who comes twice a week.