Saving 100k Before a Certain Age?

Lately, I've gotten a few notifications pointing me to articles where a few Zesties have managed to save $100,000 between the ages of 25 and 30. I'm currently 25 and I know it'll probably take me 9 years to save 100k on my own (with my current salary). The only way I'd hit 100k before I turn 30 is if I moved back to my parent's house.

That's out of the question. I don't think most people would understand how hard it is to live in a staunch Muslim household when you’ve stopped believing in god. It pains me every time that I think about how my parents would consider me bad or unfilial just because I lost faith.

I still am the same person, so I’m not sure why they wouldn’t love me the same :(

Since going back to my parents’ house is out of the picture, I’ve come to terms that I’ll probably have to rent in different places until I can afford a BTO/resale flat. (Disowned or not— does anyone else have any advice on how I can start the conversation about being non-muslim?)

So I've always found myself in a state of depression when I think about the amount of money I lose out on when I rent. It’s hard to find places that are under 1k. The average room would cost around 1.2k, and if you multiply that for 12 months x 10 years… that’s $144,000 spent on rent alone. That’s not even counting the price hikes that some landlords might impose :”)

If you’re fortunate enough to still live with your parents, I urge you to appreciate that privilege. My upbringing was marked by financial instability and trauma. My parents were never well-off; my dad was the sole breadwinner earning about $3,300 when I was in polytechnic, and my mom is a housewife with no CPF savings at all. I stopped asking for an allowance after O-Levels and had to juggle work and studies without any financial safety net.

On a positive note, I was lucky to receive free education and annual bursaries. Being Muslim (on paper) helped me access subsidies for both polytechnic and university tuition, which I'm incredibly grateful for—at least I don’t have student loans hanging over my head.

Now that I've transitioned into the workforce and started earning an adult salary, it’s honestly a little disheartening to see other Singaporeans achieving their financial goals so quickly—especially when I feel like I've never gotten one foot in the door, while others had three steps in.

But here’s the thing: why rush to save $100k before a certain age? We rarely discuss the toll that relentless grinding can take on our well-being. A friend of mine passed away before she even turned 23 (SCREW YOU, CANCER!). Yes, savings are important, but what’s the point of accumulating wealth if it comes at the cost of living fully and exploring life while we’re still young and healthy?

Many Singaporeans lament being caught in the rat race. It’s painful to be part of it, especially when you're swimming against the tide.

What if we shifted our mindset? Celebrate your journey! Who cares if saving $100k takes you 10 years, 20 years, or even longer? If that’s what you can manage while remaining happy and content, then that's what truly matters.

Of course, it's wise to prepare for emergencies. Do aim to have three to six months' worth of savings set aside for unforeseen circumstances. It’s only prudent to have a back-up, especially if you have no one to fall back on.

#SocialDiscussion #GrowingPains #MentalHealth #Adulting #lilaadults