I'm back again for another money challenge and this time with $1000 in total to spend for both of us, and that includes our monthly expenses. I am curious if a couple can do it nowadays when everything is so expensive due to inflation, especially with GST increasing by another 1% in 5-6 months. Plus for some, salary is stagnant.
Let's get started with deducting our total monthly expenses to get what is left for us to use:
- Broadband, TV, and Mobile: $130.97
- Service & Conservancy Charges: $66.50
- Insurance: $93.60
- TV Streaming: $21.98
- Utilities: $142.31 (Based on June's billing)
Total Expenses: $455.36 (-$1000) = $544.64 (Balance may vary depending on your expenses)
GOODNESS! Almost half gone. Left with this much to pay and/or buy other stuff. How are we gonna live frugally yet not short-changing ourselves? I'm gonna find out!
26 JULY 2023 WEDNESDAY
OUR BREAKFAST & LUNCH EXPENSES: $9.49
GROCERY RUN: $15.19
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $6.61
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $31.29
 |
| This grocery run should last us for many meals |
 |
| My Healthy Dinner after a day of sinful food |
 |
| His Dinner from his favourite roasted meat stall |
27 JULY 2023 THURSDAY
OUR BREAKFAST/LUNCH EXPENSES: $1.95
MY FACIAL TREATMENT: $97.20
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $9.90
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $109.05
 |
| Guess the different flavours for breakfast (Given) |
My sister-in-law gave us the paus she bought from Jia Chuan Zhi Bao and the cookies I baked last weekend to make up for our breakfast of the week till coming Saturday.
Watch my cookie-baking video now. Remember to like and subscribe!
 |
| My All Time Favourite Nissin Tom Yum Seafood |
 |
| Our Dinner - meat and veggies |
This meat pack that has stucked forever in my freezer turned into our dinner with lettuce. Also cooked Taiwanese noodles (Zha Jiang Mian) for Mister but he didn't like the taste of the noodles though wrapping it with lettuce makes it taste different.
 |
| A mixture of Korean and Taiwanese Homecooked Dinner |
28 JULY 2023 FRIDAY
OUR BREAKFAST/LUNCH EXPENSES: $4
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $6.50
EZLINK TOP UP: $20 (Transport)
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $30.50
 |
| My Homebaked Cookies for Breakfast (FOC) |
 |
| Korean Lunch with Colleagues at Oven and Fried Chicken (A Treat) |
Click here and read about my lunch review of Oven and Fried Chicken (ICYMI) and today for a change, we had Tteokbokki and Seafood Leek Pancakes. They were good although the pancakes could be a little more flavourful.
 |
| Mutton Briyani Dinner for him (Stall bought) |
29 JULY 2023 SATURDAY
OUR BRUNCH EXPENSES: $8
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
GROCERY RUN: $8.80
ONLINE SHOPPING: $19.51 (Work Jacket)
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $36.31
 |
| Weekend Grocery Run at the Wet Market |
Cooking a pot of braised meat for our dinner on both Saturday and Sunday. Making sure all food is consumed and nothing goes to the bin. Also don't wanna keep too many unnecessary things in the kitchen and fridge.
 |
| Our Brunch for Saturday (Stall bought) |
 |
| Our Dinner for these weekends (Homecooked) |
I used the sauce to cook flavourful rice for him and I had with lettuce to avoid carbs. Also had Hershey Pie from Burger King (last week's dinner) for dessert but found it way too sweet. No more!
 |
| Hershey Pie from Burger King is TOO SWEET |
30 JULY 2023 SUNDAY
OUR BRUNCH EXPENSES: Zero
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: Zero
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: Zero
 |
| His Sunday Brunch |
I finished up the leftover Pork Belly Bulgogi from Thursday (go back to 27 July 2023) with lettuce for brunch again. NEVER WASTE ANY FOOD because is hard-earned money.
Also, our Sunday running routine is free too. Get some Vitamin D. Always keep up with a lifestyle of your own for your mental and health.
As for our dinner, we continue with the balance of yesterday's braised meat (go back to 29 July 2023). Purposely buy enough ingredients for 2 days because I know the braised sauce won't be finished in one session. What a money-saving day!
31 JULY 2023 MONDAY
OUR BREAKFAST/LUNCH EXPENSES: $9
OUR DINNER EXPENSES: $6
VITAGEN DELIVERY: $10.50 for 3 packs
TOTAL SPENDING FOR THE DAY: $25.50
 |
| Thankful to have his breakfast settled for 3 days (Given) |
One more pau left, together with the pastries from Wu Pao Chun and Luna will last till Wednesday for his breakfast. And I settled for Monday's breakfast and lunch with a porridge set and a spring roll as I wanted something savoury to start the week. Plus sweet tooth too (a bottle of Coca Cola).
 |
| My Breakfast and Lunch all-in-one |
 |
| Mee Goreng for his Dinner. And I gonna have my salad as always. |
MY PERSONAL TIPS:
- If you have a well-replenished office pantry, take advantage of it diligently;
- At supermarkets, get those priced at eg. $4.98 so that they will round down to $4.95 (cash payment only) and you still get a bigger piece of meat or whatever you are buying;
- If you are gifted with anything, make sure you use or eat them as it saves you some money for some time;
- Buy only when you need it and don't hoard;
- Free must take without strings attached and say thanks.
So done with this challenge for July 2023. Merely 6 days and we are left with $311.99 for August 2023. Will we succeed? For you to find out in The Remaining. Stay tune. CHEERS!!!
ICYMI, here are my past posts on Budgeting/Thrifting:
Disclaimer: Based on the writer's budget in Year 2023 at 8% GST. All the above were paid by the writer. Not sponsored post. The post does not represent anyone else other than herself. Personal opinions may differ as time passes. And applicable for couple (2 pax) only. But still vary due to different lifestyle.