Singapore can be surprisingly affordable for students. Students can enjoy the city without breaking the bank with careful budgeting and planning.

This article explains how students in Singapore can manage their money by understanding and minimizing major expenses like accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.

Students can live affordably in Singapore by utilizing available resources, discovering affordable housing, and taking advantage of student discounts.

Breakdown of Major Expenses

The key to effective budgeting as a student in Singapore is understanding the main costs involved. The most considerable expenses are rent, food, transport, and entertainment. By understanding these costs and planning accordingly, students can avoid financial shocks and manage their money effectively in Singapore.

• Rent
  SG$1,000/month onwards.
• Food
  SG$10–20/day at hawker centres.
• Transport
  SG$100/month with MRT and bus rides with student card.
• Entertainment
  SG$50–200/month for a modest lifestyle.

Cost-Saving Hacks

Living in Singapore as a student can be affordable if you make wise choices. Consider sharing a condo or apartment with housemates to lower your rent and utilities. Remember to carry your student ID to get discounts, and cook meals at home using groceries from budget-friendly supermarkets.

• Live with Housemates
  Renting a condo is higher than an HDB (public housing), but splitting it with 3-4 classmates may make it reasonable.
• Use Student Discounts
  Flash your student ID at museums, cinemas, and even some restaurants for discounts.
• Cook at Home
  Groceries at FairPrice or Sheng Siong are cheaper than eating out daily. Try meal prepping!
• Find Free Activities
  Check out free concerts at Esplanade, night festivals, and parks for entertainment.

Cost-Saving Apps

This guide to budgeting in Singapore for students recommends using apps to manage expenses more easily. PropertyGuru and 99.co can help find affordable housing, while Fairprice and RedMart offer grocery deals. For transport, use SimplyGo to track fares and Ryde or TADA for cheaper rides. Finally, UNiDAYS and Klook give student discounts, and Meetup and OnePA help find budget-friendly activities.

• Rent and Housing
  • PropertyGuru or 99.co
    Compare rental prices and find affordable shared apartments.
  • RoomGo
    Helps students find housemates and shared accommodations.
• Food and Groceries
  • FairPrice or RedMart
    Order groceries online and find exclusive app-only discounts.
  • Fave
    Cashback and deals for restaurants, cafés, and activities.
  • ShopBack
    Earn cashback on groceries, food delivery, and dining out at places like FairPrice, Grab, and Foodpanda.
• Transport
  • SimplyGo
    Track MRT and bus spending to stay within budget.
  • Ryde or TADA
    Cheaper ride-hailing alternatives to Grab.
• Student Discounts and Deals
  • UNiDAYS
    Student discounts on fashion, food, and entertainment.
  • Klook
    Discounts on attractions, activities, and transport passes.
  • ShopBack
    Cashback on online and in-store purchases, including travel bookings, shopping, and food.
• Free and Cheap Activities
  • Meetup
    Find free social events, hobby groups, and professional networking opportunities.
  • OnePA
    Book low-cost community centre classes and activities.

Living in Singapore on a student budget is doable with smart planning. Prioritize essentials, take advantage of student discounts, and explore free activities to keep costs down. Budgeting and creativity allow you to enjoy the city without worrying about your wallet.