Seema Sheth, a Federal Reserve Bank employee and TikToker (@bobeema), created a viral 30-day financial cleanse in 2023 featuring daily video clips designed to help people “live in harmony with their money.” Her approach centers on the 50/30/20 budgeting rule and practical financial management strategies.

Core Methodology: The 50/30/20 Rule

Original Framework

50%: Fixed, non-negotiable expenses
30%: Discretionary spending (wants)
20%: Savings and investments

Singapore Adaptation & Challenges

Housing Cost Reality Check In Singapore, Sheth’s recommendation that housing shouldn’t exceed 30% of income faces significant challenges:

HDB Resale Prices: Average 4-room flat costs S$500,000-700,000
Private Property: Condominiums average S$1,200-2,000 per sq ft
Rental Market: 1-bedroom units range S$2,500-4,000/month in central areas
Reality: Many Singaporeans spend 35-45% of income on housing due to property prices

Recommended Singapore Housing Strategy:

Use CPF Ordinary Account for HDB purchases to reduce cash outlay
Consider Build-To-Order (BTO) flats for first-time buyers
Factor in maintenance fees, property tax, and utilities
For renters, explore HDB rental flats or co-living spaces

Detailed Analysis of Each Component

1. Expense Categorization (Singapore Context)

Fixed Expenses (Targeting 40-45% due to housing reality)

Housing (HDB mortgage/rent): 35-40%
Insurance premiums (life, health, disability)
Phone/internet bills
Transportation (EZ-Link top-ups, car loans if applicable)
Utilities (SP Group, City Gas)
CPF contributions (employer + employee portions)

Variable Expenses

Groceries and wet market purchases
Dining at hawker centers vs restaurants
Transportation variations (Grab vs public transport)
Medical expenses not covered by insurance

Discretionary Expenses (Targeting 25-30%)

Entertainment (cinema, attractions, events)
Shopping and fashion
Travel and holidays
Hobbies and recreational activities
Premium dining experiences

2. Singapore-Specific Cost Minimization Strategies

Food & Dining

Hawker centers: Average meal S$3-6 vs restaurant meals S$15-30
Wet markets vs supermarkets for fresh produce
Cook at home using local ingredients
Take advantage of lunch promotions and happy hour deals

Transportation

Public transport vs private car ownership
Car ownership costs: COE (S$75,000-100,000), road tax, insurance, ERP, parking
Consider car-sharing services (BlueSG, Tribecar)
Cycling infrastructure improvements make bikes viable for short distances

Utilities & Services

Compare electricity retailers on Open Electricity Market
Bundle internet/mobile plans
Use government subsidies (U-Save, GST Vouchers)
Take advantage of SingPass-linked government benefits

Shopping & Retail

Leverage Singapore Sales periods (Great Singapore Sale, 11.11, 12.12)
Use cashback credit cards strategically
Compare prices across online platforms (Shopee, Lazada, Amazon)
Consider second-hand marketplaces (Carousell, Facebook Marketplace)

3. Debt Management (Singapore Financial Products)

Credit Card Debt

Singapore credit card interest rates: 24-28% annually
Prioritize paying off credit card debt over investments
Consider balance transfer options from local banks
Use 0% installment plans strategically for large purchases

Study Loans

CPF Education Scheme vs bank education loans
Tuition Fee Loans vs Study Loans interest rates
Overseas study loan considerations

Mortgage Debt

HDB loans (2.6% interest) vs bank loans (floating rates)
Refinancing options when rates change
Extra payments toward principal vs investing surplus

4. Emergency Fund (Singapore-Specific Considerations)

Target Amount Calculation

Single Person: 6 months of expenses (S$15,000-25,000)
Family with Dependents: 9-12 months (S$30,000-50,000)
Factor in Singapore’s job market stability and retrenchment benefits

Where to Keep Emergency Funds

Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB): Risk-free, backed by government
High-yield savings accounts (currently 3.5-4.0% p.a.)
Fixed deposits for portions not needed immediately
Avoid keeping in CPF as it’s not easily accessible

Healthcare Considerations

Medisave covers basic healthcare but may need cash for:
- Private hospital stays
- Specialist treatments not covered
- Dental and optical care
- Mental health services

5. Investment & Savings Goals (Singapore Framework)

Short-term Goals (1-2 years)

Emergency fund completion
Vacation or travel fund
Electronics or furniture purchases
Suitable instruments: SSBs, high-yield savings, short-term fixed deposits

Medium-term Goals (3-7 years)

HDB down payment and renovation
Car purchase (if needed)
Wedding expenses
Suitable instruments: Balanced unit trusts, REITs, dividend-paying stocks

Long-term Goals (10+ years)

Retirement planning beyond CPF
Children’s education fund
Property investment
Suitable instruments: STI ETF, global diversified funds, individual stocks

6. Singapore Retirement Planning Integration

CPF System Optimization

Ordinary Account (OA): 2.5% interest, used for housing and investments
Special Account (SA): 4% interest, for retirement and approved investments
Medisave Account (MA): 4% interest, for healthcare expenses

CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS)

Invest OA and SA funds in approved instruments
Consider low-cost ETFs over actively managed funds
Understand the opportunity cost of using CPF for property

Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS)

Tax relief of up to S$15,300 annually for citizens
Tax-deferred growth with withdrawal penalties before 62
Estate planning benefits

7. Singapore Tax Optimization

Income Tax Strategies

SRS contributions for tax relief
CPF top-ups for additional tax benefits
Course fee relief for skills upgrading
Parent/handicapped person relief

Investment Tax Efficiency

Singapore’s territorial tax system
No capital gains tax on most investments
Dividend withholding tax considerations for foreign stocks

Implementation Timeline: 30-Day Singapore Action Plan

Week 1: Foundation Building

Days 1-3: Track all expenses using local apps (Seedly, YNAB) Days 4-5: Categorize expenses into Singapore context Days 6-7: Calculate current 50/30/20 breakdown and identify gaps

Week 2: Cost Optimization

Days 8-10: Implement food cost reductions (hawker centers, home cooking) Days 11-12: Review and optimize utility/telecom bills Days 13-14: Assess transportation costs and alternatives

Week 3: Debt & Emergency Fund

Days 15-17: Create debt payoff strategy prioritizing high-interest debt Days 18-19: Open high-yield savings account for emergency fund Days 20-21: Set up automatic transfers for emergency fund building

Week 4: Investment & Long-term Planning

Days 22-24: Research CPF optimization strategies Days 25-26: Set up investment accounts (brokerage, robo-advisor) Days 27-28: Create goal-based savings plan with timelines

Days 29-30: Review and Refine

Final Assessment: Calculate progress toward 50/30/20 target Automation Setup: Implement automatic savings and investment transfers Accountability: Share goals with trusted friend or family member

Singapore-Specific Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: High Cost of Living

Problem: Singapore consistently ranks among world’s most expensive cities Solution:

Leverage government subsidies and vouchers
Adopt local lifestyle (hawker food, public transport)
Take advantage of duty-free status for certain goods

Challenge 2: Limited Investment Options

Problem: Small domestic market limits local investment choices Solution:

Use Singapore as gateway to Asian markets
Consider REITs for real estate exposure without direct ownership
Utilize robo-advisors for global diversification

Challenge 3: Property Market Dynamics

Problem: Government cooling measures and ABSD affect property investment Solution:

Focus on REITs for property exposure
Consider international property through REITs or funds
Time HDB purchases strategically around policy changes

Technology Integration for Singapore Users

Recommended Apps & Tools

Seedly: Singapore-focused financial planning and comparison
DBS digibank/OCBC app: Mobile banking with spending analytics
Syfe/StashAway: Robo-advisors for automated investing
CPF mobile app: Track CPF balances and projections
MyMoneySense: Government financial education resources

Digital Payment Optimization

Use cashback credit cards for recurring payments
Leverage PayNow for instant transfers
Utilize QR code payments for small merchants
Take advantage of digital wallet promotions

Measuring Success: Singapore KPIs

Financial Health Metrics

Housing Cost Ratio: Keep below 40% of gross income
Emergency Fund: 6-12 months of expenses in liquid savings
CPF Optimization: Regular top-ups and investment monitoring
Debt-to-Income Ratio: Keep total debt service below 30%
Investment Rate: Achieve 15-20% investment rate beyond CPF

Behavioral Indicators

Reduced dining out frequency (track hawker vs restaurant ratio)
Increased use of public transport
Regular investment contributions
Improved credit score (minimum 1,900 for best rates)
Active monitoring of government benefit eligibility

Conclusion

Seema Sheth’s 30-day financial cleanse provides an excellent framework that, when adapted for Singapore’s unique economic environment, can significantly improve financial wellness. The key adaptations include:

Realistic housing cost targets (40-45% vs 30%)
CPF system integration for retirement and healthcare planning
Singapore-specific investment vehicles (SSBs, REITs, CPF-IS)
Local cost optimization strategies leveraging hawker culture and public transport
Government benefit maximization through various schemes and subsidies

Success requires commitment to the 30-day process while recognizing that Singapore’s high cost of living may necessitate modified percentage targets. The framework’s strength lies in its systematic approach to financial awareness, goal setting, and habit formation—principles that translate effectively across different economic environments.

The digital-first approach aligns well with Singapore’s smart nation initiatives, making financial tracking and optimization more accessible through technology integration. Regular review and adjustment ensure the plan remains relevant as personal circumstances and Singapore’s economic landscape evolve.

The 30-Day Challenge: A Singaporean’s Financial Cleanse Journey

A story of financial transformation in the Lion City

Day 1: The Wake-Up Call

Mei Lin stared at her phone screen in disbelief. The notification from her DBS app showed her account balance: S$247.83. Payday was still ten days away, and her credit card statement sat unopened on her Ikea desk—she was too scared to look.

At 28, working as a marketing executive in Raffles Place, she earned a decent S$4,800 monthly. Yet somehow, money seemed to evaporate faster than morning mist over Marina Bay. Her friends were buying BTO flats, planning weddings, taking Instagram-worthy trips to Japan. Meanwhile, she was calculating whether she could afford the S$4.50 chicken rice at the hawker center or should stick to the S$2.50 cai png.

That evening, scrolling through TikTok in her Tiong Bahru rental room, she stumbled upon a video by someone called Seema Sheth. “30-day financial cleanse,” the caption read. The American woman spoke about the 50/30/20 rule with such confidence that Mei Lin felt a spark of hope.

“Cannot be that hard, right?” she muttered, screenshotting the video. Tomorrow, she would start.

Day 3: The Reality Check

Mei Lin’s Starbucks habit was worse than she thought. Three days of tracking expenses using the Seedly app revealed some uncomfortable truths:

Daily Starbucks: S$6.50 x 22 working days = S$143/month
Grab rides to work: S$12 x 44 trips = S$528/month
Weekend dinners at Clarke Quay: S$80 x 4 = S$320/month
Impulse Shopee purchases: S$200/month

Her rent alone ate up S$1,800 (38% of her income), leaving little room for the recommended ratios. She video-called her best friend Sarah, who lived in a BTO flat in Punggol.

“Eh, your lifestyle very atas leh,” Sarah laughed, munching on homemade kaya toast. “I spend S$150 per month on food, you spend S$800!”

“Don’t judge! Working in CBD very expensive okay,” Mei Lin protested, but she knew Sarah was right.

Day 7: Small Victories

A week in, Mei Lin had made her first breakthrough. She discovered the beauty of hawker centers near her office—proper meals for S$3-5 instead of her usual S$15 café lunches. The uncle at the Hokkien mee stall already recognized her.

“Every day come, this week different wor,” he observed, ladling extra prawns into her S$4 plate.

She’d also started taking the MRT instead of Grab. The 25-minute commute gave her time to listen to podcasts about personal finance, slowly rewiring her relationship with money. Her transport costs dropped from S$528 to S$120 per month.

Her phone buzzed with a message from her colleague Jennifer: “Drinks at CÉ LA VIE tonight?”

For the first time in months, Mei Lin typed back: “Rain check! Saving for something important.”

Day 14: The Emergency Fund Revelation

Two weeks in, Mei Lin faced her first real test. Her laptop—essential for work—started showing the spinning wheel of death. Panic set in. Normally, she would have immediately bought a new MacBook on her credit card, adding S$2,500 to her already mounting debt.

Instead, she researched repair options. A small shop in Sim Lim Square fixed it for S$180. While waiting, she chatted with the technician, Uncle Lim, who shared his philosophy: “Young people always want new-new. Sometimes old thing just need small repair, can use many more years.”

That evening, she opened a separate OCBC savings account specifically for her emergency fund. Her target: S$15,000 (three months of expenses). She set up an automatic transfer of S$300 monthly—small, but a start.

Day 21: The BTO Dream

Three weeks into her cleanse, Mei Lin made a decision that surprised even herself. She called her parents in their Clementi flat.

“Ma, I want to ballot for BTO with you and Ba as family nucleus,” she announced during their Sunday dim sum session at Chinatown.

Her mother nearly choked on her har gow. “Mei Lin, you sure or not? You always say HDB too boring, want condo lifestyle.”

“I calculated already. If I get 4-room BTO in Tengah, after down payment and renovation, my housing cost only 25% of my income. Can save the difference for other goals.”

Her father, usually quiet about money matters, nodded approvingly. “Smart girl. Property is for living, not for showing off.”

Day 25: The Investment Awakening

With five days left in her cleanse, Mei Lin attended a MoneySense seminar at the Central Library. The speaker explained CPF optimization—something she’d never paid attention to despite working for five years.

She learned that her CPF Ordinary Account had S$47,000, earning only 2.5% interest. Through the CPF Investment Scheme, she could potentially earn more by investing in the STI ETF or Singapore Savings Bonds.

That weekend, she opened a brokerage account with her bank and made her first investment: S$1,000 in the SPDR STI ETF. It felt scary and exhilarating simultaneously.

“Wah, so chim,” her brother teased when she explained her new investment strategy over Sunday family dinner. “Next time you become Warren Buffett lah.”

“At least I’m trying,” she shot back, but she was smiling.

Day 30: The Transformation

On the final day of her financial cleanse, Mei Lin sat in the same Tiong Bahru café where she’d often splurged on S$8 flat whites. This time, she ordered kopi-O kosong (S$1.20) and reflected on her journey.

Her Numbers Before vs After:

Emergency fund: S$0 → S$300 (with automatic monthly contributions set up)
Monthly food expenses: S$800 → S$350
Transportation: S$528 → S$120
Credit card debt: S$3,200 → S$2,850 (and a payment plan in place)
Investment portfolio: S$0 → S$1,000
Financial awareness: Clueless → Confident

But the real changes were subtler:

She no longer felt anxious checking her bank balance. The Seedly app had become her financial compass, helping her track every dollar. She’d discovered that happiness didn’t correlate with her spending—some of her best recent memories involved free activities like hiking at MacRitchie or exploring new hawker centers.

Her relationship with her parents had improved too. Financial conversations were no longer awkward; they’d become collaborators in her BTO dream.

Day 45: Beyond the Cleanse

Two weeks after completing her 30-day challenge, Mei Lin received exciting news: she’d been selected for a BTO flat in Tengah. The estimated completion was three years away, giving her time to save for the down payment and renovation.

She’d also received her first dividend payment from her STI ETF investment—S$23.50. It was small, but it represented something larger: her money working for her instead of the other way around.

At work, colleagues started asking for her financial advice. Jennifer, who used to invite her for expensive nights out, now joined her for affordable food adventures in Chinatown and Little India.

“You’ve changed,” Jennifer observed over S$5 biryani at Tekka Centre. “More… steady.”

Mei Lin smiled, thinking of Uncle Lim’s wisdom about repairs versus replacements. She hadn’t bought a new personality; she’d simply fixed what was broken in her old one.

Day 365: One Year Later

A year after her financial cleanse began, Mei Lin sat in her parents’ living room, signing documents for her SRS account. Her emergency fund had grown to S$4,200, and her investment portfolio to S$8,500. Most importantly, she’d developed systems that made good financial decisions automatic.

Her monthly budget had stabilized at a sustainable version of the 50/30/20 rule:

45% for needs (including the higher Singapore housing costs)
25% for wants (still enjoying life, but mindfully)
30% for savings and investments (exceeding the original recommendation)

The BTO flat was on track, with S$35,000 already saved for the down payment. She’d even started contributing to her parents’ retirement fund, a gesture that meant more to them than any expensive gift ever had.

The Most Surprising Discovery

The most unexpected outcome wasn’t financial—it was social. Her journey had inspired friends and family to examine their own money habits. Her cousin started a family investment club. Her colleague Jennifer had paid off her credit card debt. Even her usually skeptical brother had begun investing his NS savings.

“You know what’s funny?” she told Sarah over their weekly coffee (now at a heartland café instead of Starbucks). “I thought budgeting would make life boring. But it’s given me more freedom than I’ve ever had.”

Sarah raised her kopi cup in a toast. “To financial freedom, Singapore style.”

“To financial freedom,” Mei Lin agreed, already planning her next goal: early retirement by 45.

Epilogue: The Ripple Effect

Two years later, Mei Lin started her own TikTok channel: @SGFinanceGirl. Her videos about hawker center budgeting, CPF optimization, and BTO planning gained thousands of followers. She’d learned that financial wellness wasn’t just personal—it was communal.

Her first viral video was titled “How I Saved S$50,000 in 2 Years on a S$4,800 Salary in Singapore.” The comment section filled with stories from viewers sharing their own transformation journeys.

The 30-day financial cleanse had lasted just a month, but its impact would last a lifetime. And in a city where financial stress touches nearly everyone, Mei Lin had discovered something valuable: the path to financial peace wasn’t about earning more—it was about living more intentionally.

As she often told her followers, “In Singapore, we say ‘bo lui’ means no money. But I learned that having money isn’t about luck or salary—it’s about choices. Good choices, made consistently, can change everything.”

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – A Chinese proverb that Mei Lin kept on her desk, next to her first dividend check, framed and faded but still inspiring her every day.

30-Day Financial Cleanse: Complete Singapore Action Plan

A comprehensive guide to transforming your financial habits in Singapore

Pre-Cleanse Preparation (Days -3 to 0)

Essential Setup

Download Required Apps:

Seedly (expense tracking & financial comparison)
Your bank’s mobile app (DBS digibank, OCBC, UOB Mighty)
CPF Mobile App
Grab/Gojek (to track transport spending)

Gather Financial Documents:

Bank statements (last 3 months)
Credit card statements
CPF statements
Insurance policies
Loan documents
Utility bills

Set Success Metrics:

Current savings rate: ____%
Target savings rate: 20%+
Emergency fund goal: S$_____ (3-6 months expenses)
Debt payoff target: S$_____

WEEK 1: FINANCIAL AWARENESS (Days 1-7)

Day 1: Complete Financial Inventory

Morning Tasks (30 minutes):

Log into all bank accounts and note balances
Check CPF balances across all three accounts
List all recurring subscriptions and memberships
Take screenshot of current credit card debt

Action Items:

Set up Seedly app with all accounts linked
Create expense categories: Housing, Food, Transport, Entertainment, Shopping, Bills
Commit to tracking EVERY expense for 30 days

Evening Reflection: Write down your financial goals:

Short-term (1-2 years): _____
Medium-term (3-7 years): _____
Long-term (10+ years): _____

Day 2: The 24-Hour Spending Audit

Track Everything:

Morning kopi: S$_____
Lunch: S$_____
Transport: S$_____
Snacks: S$_____
Dinner: S$_____
Entertainment: S$_____

Reality Check Questions:

How much did you spend without thinking?
What purchases do you regret?
Which expenses brought genuine value?

Day 3: Housing Cost Analysis

Calculate True Housing Costs:

Rent/Mortgage: S$_____
Utilities (SP Group, City Gas): S$_____
Internet/Cable: S$_____
Maintenance fees: S$_____
Total Monthly Housing Cost: S$_____
Percentage of Income: _____%

Action Required if >40% of income:

Research cheaper neighborhoods
Consider roommate options
Explore HDB rental vs private
Plan BTO application if eligible

Day 4: Food Spending Deep Dive

Map Your Food Ecosystem:

Breakfast habits and costs
Lunch locations and prices
Dinner patterns
Weekend splurges
Snacks and drinks

Singapore Food Cost Comparison:

Hawker center meal: S$3-6
Food court meal: S$5-8
Café lunch: S$12-18
Restaurant dinner: S$25-40+

Challenge: Eat at hawker centers only today. Calculate savings.

Day 5: Transport Expense Review

Current Monthly Transport Costs:

EZ-Link top-ups: S$_____
Grab/taxi rides: S$_____
Car-related (loan, petrol, parking, ERP): S$_____
Total: S$_____

Optimization Experiment:

Use only MRT/bus for one week
Calculate potential monthly savings
Time the difference vs convenience cost

Day 6: Subscription Audit

List All Recurring Payments:

Netflix, Disney+, Spotify: S$_____
Gym memberships: S$_____
Phone plan: S$_____
Insurance premiums: S$_____
Investment platforms: S$_____
Others: S$_____

Action: Cancel unused subscriptions immediately. Downgrade overpriced plans.

Day 7: Week 1 Assessment

Calculate Your Current Ratios:

Housing + utilities: _____%
Food: _____%
Transport: _____%
Entertainment: _____%
Savings: _____%

Week 1 Wins:

Money saved: S$_____
Expenses eliminated: _____
New habits started: _____

WEEK 2: COST OPTIMIZATION (Days 8-14)

Day 8: The Hawker Center Challenge

Mission: Eat all meals at hawker centers or food courts

Breakfast: Kaya toast + kopi (S$3-4)
Lunch: Mixed rice or noodles (S$3-5)
Dinner: Local dishes (S$4-6)
Daily food budget: S$12 maximum

Discovery Questions:

Which hawker centers near work/home offer best value?
What are your new favorite affordable dishes?
How much did you save vs usual spending?

Day 9: Transport Optimization Day

Experiment with Alternatives:

Walk + MRT instead of Grab
Try cycling (if infrastructure allows)
Explore bus routes you’ve never used
Calculate door-to-door times and costs

Singapore Transport Hacks:

Off-peak train discounts
Walk one MRT stop to save money
Use Grab promo codes strategically
Consider monthly transport budgeting

Day 10: Utility Bill Optimization

Review and Reduce:

Compare electricity retailers on Open Electricity Market
Analyze air-con usage patterns
Check for government subsidies (U-Save vouchers)
Review phone/internet plan efficiency

Energy Saving Actions:

Set air-con to 25°C
Use fans to circulate air
Unplug devices when not in use
Take shorter showers

Day 11: Shopping Freeze Day

24-Hour No-Purchase Challenge:

No online shopping (Shopee, Lazada, Amazon)
No impulse buys
No “just browsing” that turns into buying
Use existing resources only

Reflection: What triggers your impulse purchases?

Boredom?
Stress?
Social media ads?
Peer pressure?

Day 12: Free Entertainment Discovery

Singapore Free Activities Exploration:

Visit free museums on specific days
Explore parks and nature reserves
Attend free community events
Use library facilities
Window shop without buying

Create Your Free Fun List:

Day 13: Debt Strategy Day

List All Debts:

Credit card 1: S$_____ at ____% interest
Credit card 2: S$_____ at ____% interest
Personal loans: S$_____ at ____% interest
Study loans: S$_____ at ____% interest

Debt Avalanche Plan:

Pay minimums on all debts
Attack highest interest rate debt first
Calculate payoff timeline
Consider balance transfer options

Day 14: Week 2 Review & Mid-Point Assessment

Financial Progress Check:

Week 2 spending vs Week 1: S$_____
Biggest cost reduction: _____
Most challenging change: _____
Unexpected discoveries: _____

Habit Tracker:

Days using hawker centers: ___/7
Days using public transport only: ___/7
Days with zero impulse purchases: ___/7

WEEK 3: BUILDING FINANCIAL FOUNDATION (Days 15-21)

Day 15: Emergency Fund Launch

Open Dedicated Emergency Fund Account:

High-yield savings account (compare rates)
Separate from daily banking
Set up automatic monthly transfer
Target: 3-6 months of expenses

Initial Emergency Fund Deposit:

Amount: S$_____
Monthly automatic transfer: S$_____
Target completion date: _____

Emergency Fund Calculation:

Monthly essential expenses: S$_____
3-month fund needed: S$_____
6-month fund needed: S$_____

Day 16: CPF Optimization Day

CPF Account Review:

Ordinary Account balance: S$_____
Special Account balance: S$_____
Medisave Account balance: S$_____

CPF Enhancement Strategies:

Consider voluntary contributions for tax relief
Review CPF Investment Scheme options
Plan CPF-approved investments (STI ETF, SSBs)
Understand withdrawal rules and timelines

Action: Schedule CPF appointment or research online resources

Day 17: Insurance Coverage Audit

Review Current Coverage:

Life insurance: S$_____ coverage
Health insurance: Integrated Shield Plan level
Disability insurance: Yes/No
Critical illness: S$_____ coverage

Coverage Gaps Analysis:

Are dependents adequately covered?
Is health coverage sufficient for private healthcare?
Do you have income replacement insurance?

Action Required: Get quotes for missing coverage

Day 18: Investment Account Setup

Open Investment Accounts:

Brokerage account with local bank
Consider robo-advisor (Syfe, StashAway)
Research CPF Investment Scheme eligibility
Compare platform fees and features

First Investment Plan:

Amount available for investing: S$_____
Risk tolerance: Conservative/Moderate/Aggressive
Investment timeline: _____ years
Preferred instruments: STI ETF, REITs, Global funds

Day 19: Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) Application

SSB Benefits:

Government-backed (no risk)
Flexible withdrawal
Step-up interest rates
Monthly application

Action Items:

Apply for current month’s SSB issue
Amount to invest: S$_____
Set up automatic SSB applications
Compare SSB rates with fixed deposits

Day 20: Tax Optimization Planning

Tax Relief Opportunities:

SRS contributions: Up to S$15,300 annually
CPF voluntary contributions
Course fees for skills upgrading
Parent/handicapped person relief

Calculate Tax Savings:

Current tax bracket: _____%
Potential SRS contribution: S$_____
Tax relief value: S$_____
Net cost of SRS investment: S$_____

Day 21: Week 3 Financial Foundation Check

Progress Assessment:

Emergency fund started: ✓/✗
Investment account opened: ✓/✗
CPF optimization plan created: ✓/✗
Insurance gaps identified: ✓/✗
Tax strategy planned: ✓/✗

Week 3 Spending Review:

Total spent: S$_____
Savings vs previous weeks: S$_____
New financial products opened: _____

WEEK 4: AUTOMATION & LONG-TERM PLANNING (Days 22-28)

Day 22: Automate Your Finances

Set Up Automatic Transfers:

Emergency fund: S$_____ monthly
Investment account: S$_____ monthly
SSB application: S$_____ monthly
Debt payment: S$_____ monthly

Bill Automation:

Utilities on GIRO
Insurance premiums
Phone/internet bills
Credit card minimum payments

Automation Schedule:

Salary day: _____
Auto-transfers: Day _____ of each month
Bill payments: Various dates set up

Day 23: Goal-Based Savings Buckets

Create Separate Savings Goals:

Short-term (1-2 years):

Goal: _____ Amount needed: S$_____
Monthly saving required: S$_____
Account type: High-yield savings

Medium-term (3-7 years):

Goal: _____ Amount needed: S$_____
Monthly saving required: S$_____
Account type: Balanced investments

Long-term (10+ years):

Goal: _____ Amount needed: S$_____
Monthly saving required: S$_____
Account type: Growth investments

Day 24: BTO/Property Planning (if applicable)

BTO Eligibility Check:

Citizenship status: _____
Age requirements: Met/Not Met
Income ceiling: Within/Exceed
First-time buyer status: Yes/No

BTO Financial Planning:

Down payment needed: S$_____
Renovation budget: S$_____
Monthly mortgage estimate: S$_____
Total upfront costs: S$_____

Timeline: Next BTO launch: _____ Target application: _____

Day 25: Career & Income Planning

Income Optimization Strategies:

Annual review/raise request planning
Skills upgrading for promotion
Side hustle opportunities
Freelance potential in your field

Action Plan:

Skill to develop: _____
Course to take: _____
Target income increase: S$_____
Timeline: _____

Day 26: Estate Planning Basics

Essential Documents:

Will: Completed/Need to create
CPF nomination: Updated/Need to update
Insurance beneficiaries: Current/Need to update
Joint account considerations

Simple Will Requirements:

Assets to distribute: _____
Beneficiaries: _____
Executor: _____
Cost: S$200-500 for simple will

Day 27: Financial Education Plan

Learning Resources:

MoneySense courses: Schedule attendance
Investment books to read: _____
YouTube channels to follow: _____
Podcasts for commute: _____

Monthly Learning Goals:

1 financial book per month
1 MoneySense seminar per quarter
Weekly financial podcast listening
Monthly investment performance review

Day 28: Support System & Accountability

Create Your Financial Support Network:

Accountability partner: _____
Financial mentor/advisor: _____
Online communities: _____
Family support: _____

Monthly Check-ins:

Review budget with partner/friend
Assess goal progress
Adjust strategies if needed
Celebrate milestones

DAYS 29-30: CONSOLIDATION & FUTURE PLANNING

Day 29: Complete Financial Health Check

Calculate Your New Financial Ratios:

Housing costs: ____% (target: <40%)
Transportation: ____% (target: <15%)
Food: ____% (target: <20%)
Savings rate: ____% (target: >20%)

Debt Progress:

Starting debt: S$_____
Current debt: S$_____
Reduction achieved: S$_____
Months to debt-free: _____

Asset Building:

Emergency fund: S$_____
Investment portfolio: S$_____
CPF optimization: Completed/In Progress

Day 30: 90-Day Action Plan Creation

Next 90 Days Goals:

Increase emergency fund to S$_____
Invest S$_____ monthly consistently
Reduce debt by S$_____
Optimize one major expense category

Habit Maintenance Plan:

Weekly expense review: Every _____
Monthly investment review: _____ of each month
Quarterly goal assessment: _____
Annual plan revision: _____

Success Metrics for Next 90 Days:

Target savings rate: _____%
Debt reduction goal: S$_____
Investment target: S$_____
New financial habits: _____

POST-CLEANSE MAINTENANCE SYSTEM

Weekly Routine (15 minutes)

Review expenses in Seedly app
Check account balances
Assess weekly spending vs budget
Plan upcoming week’s expenses

Monthly Routine (1 hour)

Reconcile all accounts
Review investment performance
Assess progress toward goals
Adjust following month’s budget
Pay bills and check for savings opportunities

Quarterly Routine (2 hours)

Complete financial health assessment
Review insurance needs
Reassess investment strategy
Plan for major upcoming expenses
Consider tax optimization moves

Annual Routine (Half day)

Complete tax filing with optimizations
Review all financial goals and progress
Update will and beneficiaries
Comprehensive insurance review
Plan major financial moves (property, career changes)

SINGAPORE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES & CONTACTS

Government Resources

MoneySense: Free financial education programs
CPF Board: Retirement planning guidance
IRAS: Tax planning and filing
Ministry of National Development: BTO information

Financial Platforms

Seedly: Budgeting and financial comparison
Syfe/StashAway: Robo-advisors
FSMOne/Poems: Self-directed investing
Singapore Savings Bonds: Risk-free government bonds

Emergency Contacts

CPF Hotline: 1800-227-1188
MoneySense Helpline: 1800-722-2511
FIDREC: Financial disputes resolution
Credit Bureau Singapore: Credit score inquiries

SUCCESS INDICATORS: 30-DAY BENCHMARK

By the end of your 30-day financial cleanse, you should have achieved:

✓ Financial Awareness

Track 100% of expenses for 30 days
Understand your true spending patterns
Identify major expense optimization opportunities

✓ Cost Optimization

Reduce monthly expenses by 10-20%
Eliminate unnecessary subscriptions
Optimize transportation and food costs

✓ Foundation Building

Emergency fund started with automatic contributions
Investment account opened and first investment made
Debt reduction plan in progress
Insurance coverage reviewed and optimized

✓ System Creation

Automated savings and investments
Regular financial review schedule
Support system established
Long-term goals defined with action plans

✓ Habit Formation

Sustainable daily money management practices
Regular use of financial tracking tools
Informed decision-making about purchases
Proactive approach to financial planning

Remember: This 30-day cleanse is just the beginning. True financial transformation comes from consistently applying these principles over months and years. Your future self will thank you for starting today!

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Seema Sheth’s 30-Day Financial Cleanse