Surviving in Expensive Cities

When choosing a new place to live in, most people dream of residing in a big and developed city. While the countryside offers a peaceful and scenic view, urban locations generally tend to offer more professional opportunities, a variety of social scenes, and the chance to redefine yourself.

However, one major downside of living in a developed city is the cost of living. While money could be a struggle anywhere you live, this is especially true for cities such as London, Singapore, Tokyo and any other major global city.

If you are going to relocate to the city or are new to one, here’s how to stretch your finances.

Don’t live alone

Sharing your space with someone significantly cuts down your living cost. Getting a roommate is the quickest way to cut your rent bill in half, including splitting the cost of utilities such as water, internet and electricity.

Of course, this is easier said than done and finding someone you feel comfortable with may require rigorous vetting and some luck. You can also consider living with two or more people in a larger space so you can save even more money.

Use public transportation

The public transportation of nearly every city has its drawbacks. However, using public transport is still one of the most effective ways to cut down your expenses. If you have the time and energy, riding the bike or walking to work can also be a great option.

Instead of driving your own car or hailing a cab, try riding the bus or taking the train. Just prepare yourself to be patient about the inconveniences public transportation can cause you.

Limit eating out

Living in a big and developed city means more temptation to eat out, party, and try new establishments. One of the main advantages of living in a big city is the culture and social scene. However, make it a point to evaluate if you’re already spending too much on food and drinks.

There’s no harm in treating yourself to a nice dinner once in a while, but don’t develop a habit of buying coffee every morning or getting drinks in a local bar after work. To cut down your expenses, buy groceries and cook for yourself or maybe start small and brew your own coffee every morning.

Ask for help

If you find yourself about to live in the city and need to set yourself up, you may need some financial help. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from your family, friends or even a licensed moneylender. Just make sure to budget well in order to be able to pay it back right away.

If you live in Singapore and are in need of an injection of cash, whether it be for moving house or making a necessary purchase, Capital Funds Investment, the premier licensed moneylender in Singapore, offers personal loans. Email us at enquiry@loancfi.com or call us on (65) 6281 7736 and our financial experts will respond as soon as possible.