SINGAPORE: A young Singaporean woman recently took to the r/SingaporeCitizens subreddit to ask a question that many in her generation have probably muttered to themselves while staring at their bank accounts: Is it even possible to build a future in Singapore without family help?
In her post, she shared how tough it feels for her and others her age who weren’t born with a silver spoon to even reach a sense of basic stability.
“People always say, ‘Work hard and you’ll make it,’ but honestly, that doesn’t always hold up anymore,” she wrote. “You can work hard, save carefully, and still feel like you’re barely catching up. Everything—housing, food, transport, bills—just eats into your paycheck before you even realise it.”
By contrast, she said, those born into wealth have it much easier because they have parents who can financially support them in buying a BTO, paying for a wedding, or taking a short break from work.
“It just all seems so much easier,” she lamented. “[But] for the rest of us, it feels like every step forward comes with a price tag and a few steps back. It’s not that we’re lazy or entitled; it’s that the cost of simply starting out feels heavier than before.”
“Everything is possible.”
While many agreed that the cost of living has indeed soared and that the wealthy often get a head start, several commenters still insisted it’s possible to build a good life in Singapore.
According to them, the key lies in landing a high-paying job.
“Why do you need support from family if you have a high-paying job on your own? People find it hard because they don’t make enough and are not equipped with the skills to make the money they want,” one user said. “Most people I’ve seen just complain but don’t do anything to change their situation.”
“I think it is quite possible without family help,” another chimed in. “But you need to have a decent uni degree and some luck getting the first job…after that it’s in our hands to make it happen…I was lucky to have made it…but of course, both husband and wife need to work!”
A third pointed out, “I think all those are very possible; we still have affordable options. Govt kindergarten, hawkers, and HDB are still affordable as long as you hold a basic near-median job.”
“The issue is that a lot of people won’t settle for just that. That’s the real complaint behind this.”
A fourth shared, “My family (just my husband and I) did it. We are 28 and 30 this year, graduated 2 years ago from university, got married this year and BTO-ed 2 years ago. Everything is possible, but of course, we have to manage expectations and watch our spending, and it’s not easy at all.”
In other news, a daughter took to social media to share that she has been handing over 10 per cent of her monthly salary to her estranged father because her mother and sibling insisted she do so in the name of “filial piety.”
“I’ve been thinking if it’s really necessary, since he has essentially contributed nothing (financially, emotionally) to my life growing up?” she wrote. “I’d rather give the 10% to my mum on top of what I’ve been giving her.”
