In the ever-fluctuating world of currencies, the weakening of the Malaysian ringgit against the Singapore dollar has undoubtedly impacted individuals on both sides of the border. While Singaporeans may find their wallets a bit heavier when crossing into Malaysia, the same cannot be said for Malaysians working here.
Jonathan Lim, a 27-year-old Malaysian working in Singapore, decided to put this financial conundrum to the test. Can a working adult survive on just $10 a day in Singapore?
His TikTok video, posted on August 29 under the username Jonlzx, sheds light on this frugal experiment, and the results are intriguing.
A Frugal Breakfast
Jonathan’s day began with a simple yet satisfying breakfast – a peanut butter toast that he wolfed down during his morning commute to the office.
What makes this breakfast even more budget-friendly is that he prepared it at home, meaning it didn’t dent his daily budget.
Cheap Cai Png For Lunch
As the morning turned into noon, Jonathan had yet to spend a single cent until his lunch time. At an economy rice stall, he ordered a meal consisting of rice, broccoli, and sliced chicken, all for a mere $3.60.
This is quite the bargain, especially when compared to other people splashing out almost $15 to $20 on Cai Png stalls at other more expensive places.
After lunch, it was back to work, and Jonathan made no additional purchases, with his spending for the day so far still remaining at $3.60.
Late in the day, as hunger pangs started to kick in, Jonathan decided to treat himself to a cranberry cream cheese bun from the neighborhood bakery. This indulgence set him back just $1.50, a reasonable expense considering his hunger.
Whole chicken for dinner
Before dinner, Jonathan wanted to burn some calories, so he headed to the nearby stadium for a jog. Unlike some gym enthusiasts, he prefers the outdoors, finding it more enjoyable than a monotonous treadmill session.
What’s even better is that the stadium entrance was free, making it an affordable fitness option for anyone in the area.
After his workout, Jonathan went straight to the supermarket to shop for dinner. For a mere $5, he scored two giant-sized drumsticks, a satisfying and cost-effective meal option.
He also mentioned that for the same price, you can also buy a whole chicken, but he found it too big for him to finish by himself. To round off his expenses for the day, he spent an additional $3 on transportation.
In total, Jonathan’s day in Singapore cost him $13.10, comfortably within his self-imposed budget of $10. This experiment demonstrates that with careful planning and some savvy choices, it is indeed possible for a working adult to survive on a tight budget in an expensive country like Singapore.
@jonlzx Part 6: Is spending 10dollars enough for a day working in SINGAPORE? #sgvlog #worklife #minivlog #fypシ #simplelife ♬ 千与千寻 口琴版 – 口琴伟宝
Source: Jonathan Lim on TikTok