LOCAL MAN, 30, TAKES PERSONAL LOAN TO SPLURGE ON DRINKS AND IMAGE, LEAVING BILLS UNPAID
A man in his early 30s has drawn criticism after it emerged that he took out a personal bank loan not for emergencies or long-term needs, but to fund nights of drinking, social outings and lifestyle spending aimed at impressing friends. Despite being in a stable working age group, his financial priorities appeared stuck in a phase more commonly associated with teenage bravado.
According to people familiar with his situation, the man regularly spent beyond his means, treating friends, buying alcohol and maintaining an appearance of financial comfort. Meanwhile, essential commitments such as insurance premiums and recurring bills were repeatedly neglected. Payments lapsed month after month, putting him at risk of losing coverage that would have protected him in the event of illness or accidents.
The situation escalated when his mobile phone service nearly got terminated due to unpaid bills, highlighting how even basic necessities were being compromised. Observers questioned how someone well into adulthood could allow such basic responsibilities to fall through the cracks while prioritising temporary social validation.
FINANCIAL PRESSURE HIDING BEHIND SOCIAL IMAGE
In Singapore, where the cost of living is high and financial discipline is often emphasised from a young age, personal loans are typically used for debt consolidation, medical expenses or urgent family needs. Using borrowed money to sustain a party-driven lifestyle raises red flags about financial literacy and long-term planning.
Financial advisers note that personal loans come with interest rates that can quietly snowball. What starts as a few thousand Singapore dollars for “short-term enjoyment” can turn into years of repayment stress. When combined with missed insurance premiums, the risk exposure becomes even greater, especially for someone without significant savings.
Friends close to the man reportedly noticed inconsistencies between his outward confidence and his behind-the-scenes struggles. While he projected success during social gatherings, his personal finances told a very different story, one marked by overdue notices and mounting pressure from creditors.
ADULTHOOD WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY COMES AT A COST
Experts say this behaviour reflects a delayed transition into adult responsibility, sometimes referred to as “extended adolescence”. While social media culture and peer pressure can encourage spending to maintain appearances, the consequences are very real, particularly when debt is involved.
In Singapore’s tightly regulated financial system, defaults and missed payments can affect credit scores, making future applications for housing loans, car loans or even job screenings more difficult. A damaged credit profile in one’s 30s can have long-lasting repercussions well into middle age.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale for young adults navigating lifestyle expectations. Impressing friends with borrowed money may provide short-term gratification, but it often comes at the expense of financial stability, mental health and future security. Growing older is inevitable; growing up financially, however, requires deliberate choices that prioritise responsibility over image.