Here’s the truth — Adulthood can be rough, and school did little to prepare us for it. Thus, we came up with our very own quick and easy guide to help you through the various facets of adulting that you might come across in this next stage of life.
If there’s one thing the pandemic exacerbated, it’s domestic activity. A quick scroll through your Instagram feed or Facebook timeline, and you’ll be bombarded with snapshots of home renovations, redecoration projects and couples grinning triumphantly with a successful Built-To-Order (BTO) applications. It may seem as though the pandemic has sped up the process also known as adulting. Perhaps, during this time, you’ve decided that it, too, was time for you to leave your childhood home and for greener pastures.
Either way, while living alone can be fun, there’s much to prepare for — which is why we’ve put together some hacks to ease you seamlessly into this new phase of adulthood. We’ve included practical options for low-commitment rentals, carsharing services, grocery deliveries, cleaning help and more. So keep calm and read on for the 101s to growing up and moving out.
Adulting Step 1: Renting a Place
We’re easing you in with a list of communal living spaces that might make moving out from your childhood home a little less intimidating. These co-living spaces are already fully furnished — plus, they are located in some of the buzziest neighbourhoods in Singapore!
In Case You’re Looking For Permanence:
7 Steps To Buying Your First BTO Singapore 2022
How to Apply For a Resale Flat in Singapore 2022
Singapore Housing Cost Comparisons 2022: BTO, Resale Flat, or Private Housing
1. Hmlet
Credits: Hmlet
How it works: Hmlet provides you with everything you need for that curated lifestyle in the city. You begin by selecting a city on their website. Upon choosing, the site will list out all the rooms available in various parts of the city — from Emerald Hill to Shenton Way, and even Joo Chiat. Hmlet then narrows it down to the various kinds of living spaces available: Pocket, Regular, Junior Master, Master, or Full Apartments. Of course, if you’re unable to commit just yet, Hmlet Cantonment offers weekly rentals for you to have a taste of co-living spaces.
Prices from S$1040 per month.
2. Figment
Credits: Figment
How it works: Encased within a selection of shophouses on the island are the boutique beauties of Figment that are as fully functional (housekeeping included) as they are breathtaking. You begin by answering a short quiz: length of stay, monthly budget, who you’re bringing with you, and an about-me section (so they can place you with like-minded housemates). Thereafter, they will proceed to email you the list of studios — tailormade for your lifestyle.
Prices from S$2380 per month.
3. Cove
Credits: Cove
How it works: No quizzes or questions. Cove is all about no-frills home rentals. You start by choosing the locations you like and browsing through the room listings available — you can even book a free no-obligation viewing (virtual or real). They’ve even got a flatmate compatibility report done by data scientists to ensure that you’ll feel right at home from day one! Once you’ve signed the digital contract and paid-up one month in advance, you’re free to move in.
Prices from S$800 per month.
BONUS: What About Pets?
There are apartments in the above three co-living spaces that are pet-friendly. However, there are government guidelines to take note of— especially if you’re moving into an HDB. For example, you can only keep one dog from the list of approved breeds in a flat and your dog needs to be licensed by the NParks Animal and Veterinary Services. As a rule of thumb, remember to check in with your landlord before getting a pet or moving in with one.
If you’re in search of cheap but good pet beds, food or clothes, be sure to check out our ultimate Taobao guide!
Adulting Step 2: Maintaining a Place
So you’ve got your dream apartment — what now?
(A) Keep it Clean with Helpling
Credits: Helpling
As much as we would love to have it all together all the time, sometimes life can get in the way. Before you know it, you’re completely out of clean clothes and your sink is clogged with dirty dishes. That’s where Helpling comes in — choose from their list of services that can span from general vacuuming and mopping to more specific room cleaning, rubbish removal and even ironing. Simply enter your postal code and they will send over the available cleaner in your area based on the date and time you indicated. Just remember to check out with your YouTrip card to get 9.1% cashback.
Prices start from S$23 per hour (weekly or fortnightly) or S$28 per hour (one-off).
(B) Keep it Full
Put your time to better use by swapping out those daily trips to the market for weekly deliveries from your grocery of choice. We scoured the net and pulled together a refreshed list of the best online grocery shopping platforms in Singapore — including side-by-side comparisons of your favourite supermarkets so you can bag the best bargains. While we featured the popular chains, we also made sure to include gourmet options like Little Farms and Good Food. Meal prepping will never be the same again!
(C) Keep it Chic
You’ve painstakingly saved up for the next few months of rent, and you’re excited about finally moving out of your childhood home. Before you throw a (safe and measured) housewarming party, you’re desperate to make sure everything looks put together. Don’t worry, we got you! Here’s a guide on where to get the best furniture for less — this includes home gym set-ups, couches, coffee tables, rugs, and even step-by-step shopping and shipping guides. You’re welcome.
Adulting Step 3: Getting Around With BlueSG
Now that you’ve got a pad, it’s about time that you got your own ride — minus the responsibilities of actually having to own and maintain one! With 1000 electric vehicles speckled across the island, BlueSG allows you the convenience of rideshare apps without adding on to the noise pollution, direct carbon dioxide emissions or odours. All you need to do is register on the app, pair a card (use your YouTrip card to get one month’s worth of basic membership, and your first ride, for free) and you’re good to go!
Prices start from S$8 a month.
Adulting Step 4: Get Smart About Your Finances with YouTrip!
YouTrip Perks is the ultimate rewards platform for discounts, cashbacks and sweet deals (here’s how to use it). We have an ever-growing list of local and international merchants that we’ve partnered up with to ensure that you get maximum bang for every buck spent online. If you haven’t already, start your journey off with a free five bucks when you sign up for your YouTrip card with the promo code <BLOG5>.
More Useful Finance Guides To Get You Started:
HSBC Everyday Global Multi-Currency Account Guide 2021
Standard Chartered FCY$aver Multi-Currency Account Guide 2021
Citibank Global Foreign Currency Account Guide 2021
Global Savings Multi-Currency Account Guide 2021
UOB Mighty FX Multi-Currency Account Guide 2021
Ain’t It Fun, Living in The Real World
Whether you choose to stay in one of Figment’s fancy shophouses, lessen your carbon footprint with BlueSG’s electric rides, or get some help settling in with Helpling, you’re now all set to begin your transition into adulthood — worry-free. More importantly, know that you aren’t alone in tackling this strange season in life!
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