February 2025 was quite a revealing month in terms of my spending, with total expenses adding up to $834. The cherry on top was earning $61 back through cashback, which translates to an impressive 7.3% return. This pretty much hits the mark when it comes to effectively leveraging Maybank’s credit card cashback system.
Now, let’s talk about groceries. My spending on essential items has remained stubbornly high, a fact that’s hard to escape given Singapore’s immense cost of living. It’s a price tag that can make anyone cringe!
Interestingly, my grocery expenses have pushed past the cap Maybank has set for each spending category. I’ve been on a mission to trim down my spending on food ingredients and other basics in an effort to stick to a minimalist lifestyle. If I were to treat myself like a business, I’d say I’ve set a guidance for my ongoing grocery spending (which I whimsically compare to maintenance capital expenditures) to range between $300 and $350 each month. Tightening the belt, quite literally!
When it comes to transportation, my spending is hanging around the $80 mark each month. Not much else to note here, but the persistent inflation hasn’t gone unnoticed. On the bright side, it has allowed me to now make full use of Maybank’s Family and Friends Cashback program. There was a time when reaching $800 in monthly expenses seemed steep, but now it’s much more attainable.
