SINGAPORE: A discussion about money, friendship, and financial responsibility has emerged online after a man pursuing FIRE, or Financial Independence, Retire Early, shared how cutting back on spending has put him at odds with his own social circle.<\/p>\n
In a post on the r\/singaporefi subreddit, the man admitted that while he is committed to securing his financial future, especially with plans to settle down and start a family, his friends have made that goal difficult to stick to.<\/p>\n
Detailing his situation, the man explained that he had spent years being \u201cgenerous\u201d with money, often splurging between \u201cS$200 and S$300 on a single meal\u201d and rarely setting a budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said he was also comfortable spending on big-ticket items such as new technology and a car, and never felt the need to rein himself in.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for him, this pattern of spending created a lasting impression.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to him, his friends now assume that he and his partner are always able, and willing, to \u201cspend lavishly\u201d whenever they go out together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a certain \u2018expectation\u2019 or \u2018image\u2019 of us being able to spend when we are out. For example, when they choose to drink but I don\u2019t, they still expect me to split because \u2018spending money once in a while is ok,\u2019 and when I raise any budget-related stuff, they\u2019ll say I\u2019m \u2018calculative.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m reflecting on my spending for the upcoming new year, and I am beginning to feel the pinch as I have a partner to settle down with and planning to have kids in the near future. Between my partner and me, it is easier; we eat less expensively, and we stop shopping.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeking advice from the Reddit community, he wrote, \u201cHow do you deflate your lifestyle? Note that there\u2019s not much significant decrease\/increase in our income. But we hope to achieve FI or at least build a comfortable base to build our family on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop impressing other people.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the discussion thread, many noted that the man\u2019s friends seemed \u201cpretty shallow\u201d and advised him to remove them from his life.<\/p>\n
One said, \u201cIf they do not support your FI goals, it is better to cut them out of your life. These friends, to me, are temporary and only there for a good time. Surround yourself with like-minded people, and your life will be much easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another advised, \u201cStop impressing other people. Invest in your upcoming family.\u201d<\/p>\n
A third commented, \u201cHow do you \u2018deflate\u2019 your lifestyle? You simply DO it. You don\u2019t need anyone\u2019s permission anyway. And you have to get used to or be comfortable with being perceived as \u2018less well-to-do\u2019 or \u2018being petty\/calculative\u2019 or \u2018being not generous enough\u2019. How people perceive you does not and should not devalue what you have.\u201d<\/p>\n
A fourth suggested, \u201cGo out less with your friends. Unfollow them on social media so you don\u2019t feel the pressure to compare with them. Problem solved.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other news, a young Singaporean jobseeker went online to vent her utter disbelief upon discovering that the S$3,000 entry-level position she had been offered came with what she referred to as \u201cunlimited unpaid overtime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Posting on Reddit\u2019s \u2018Ask Singapore\u2019 forum, she explained that the contract presented to her included a clause stating that she would be required to \u201cwork public holidays and weekends if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n