♥
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Since the announcement of new baby scheme, I had been asked non-stop about having a baby. Well, my answer is as usual - I am not ready> Well, it's of course a reply with: you never know.
Mmmm... haven't given a thought end I fully graduated. Some thing I learnt recently:
SAVINGS
1) Insurance
If you are thinking of buying insurance when you have a child, buy for yourself first. If an endownment policy is 21 years and you bought when the child is 2-3 years, it will mature when she/he is 24. In any case something happened to the parents, money is on hold till maturity, so how is the child going to survive w/o these money?
I strongly agreed in buying insurance; I bought mine by giving thoughst of doing forced savings since 18 (the age to buy)and I never regret. Thoughout the years, I bought more for savings, investment, even set aside money for flat in case I stop work in situations so that I will not be left with empty shell. In short, in anything happened, I can pay for my own funeral and set money for my mum, hubby etc. So maybe it starts early even not having plans for kids. But I admit it's not easy with heavy insured, sometimes you will hesitate about when jobless or out of job and still need to pay for premium.
BABY BONUS
Heard it has been increased to S$4K from 2009. It's worth matching dollar for dollar which many think not necessary but may regret. That can be used for school fees etc. Recently I learnt from 2 colleagues that childcare or pre-school is %$*(^& expensive! The one near my workplace is $750 per month for working mum, wow. scary. And the other colleague was searching for preschool, the fees is around more than 300 bucks. Even PAP is not cheap ok, heard the fees had doubled recently.. My peers are telling me that their neighourhood childcare is $680 per month easily, now she hesitate to send the 2nd child cause they need a maid (total basic expenses around $1,100) easily.
I think we better save more and learnt how to take care of expenses before settling for a kid. It's never easy nowadays, no wonder the birth rate had dropped tremendously. Stressed + expenses + time management.
In short, the baby bonus sure does not entice me and thoughts are not shaken! Even my next block ah mah told Hub and myself - just have one or two is enough, having kids are not like older days anymore, it's not easy!
So, no need to tell or nag at me unless you are already in the situation. Honestly, unless you are a parent now, just talk to one and you will understand!
I salute these women or rather mums who gave up their job just to make sure that the child had a good foundation and time with the kid! You're really really amazing!
♥
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Since the announcement of new baby scheme, I had been asked non-stop about having a baby. Well, my answer is as usual - I am not ready> Well, it's of course a reply with: you never know.
Mmmm... haven't given a thought end I fully graduated. Some thing I learnt recently:
SAVINGS
1) Insurance
If you are thinking of buying insurance when you have a child, buy for yourself first. If an endownment policy is 21 years and you bought when the child is 2-3 years, it will mature when she/he is 24. In any case something happened to the parents, money is on hold till maturity, so how is the child going to survive w/o these money?
I strongly agreed in buying insurance; I bought mine by giving thoughst of doing forced savings since 18 (the age to buy)and I never regret. Thoughout the years, I bought more for savings, investment, even set aside money for flat in case I stop work in situations so that I will not be left with empty shell. In short, in anything happened, I can pay for my own funeral and set money for my mum, hubby etc. So maybe it starts early even not having plans for kids. But I admit it's not easy with heavy insured, sometimes you will hesitate about when jobless or out of job and still need to pay for premium.
BABY BONUS
Heard it has been increased to S$4K from 2009. It's worth matching dollar for dollar which many think not necessary but may regret. That can be used for school fees etc. Recently I learnt from 2 colleagues that childcare or pre-school is %$*(^& expensive! The one near my workplace is $750 per month for working mum, wow. scary. And the other colleague was searching for preschool, the fees is around more than 300 bucks. Even PAP is not cheap ok, heard the fees had doubled recently.. My peers are telling me that their neighourhood childcare is $680 per month easily, now she hesitate to send the 2nd child cause they need a maid (total basic expenses around $1,100) easily.
I think we better save more and learnt how to take care of expenses before settling for a kid. It's never easy nowadays, no wonder the birth rate had dropped tremendously. Stressed + expenses + time management.
In short, the baby bonus sure does not entice me and thoughts are not shaken! Even my next block ah mah told Hub and myself - just have one or two is enough, having kids are not like older days anymore, it's not easy!
So, no need to tell or nag at me unless you are already in the situation. Honestly, unless you are a parent now, just talk to one and you will understand!
I salute these women or rather mums who gave up their job just to make sure that the child had a good foundation and time with the kid! You're really really amazing!
