The $20 Challenge: Can You Survive On $20 a Week?



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Maybe it’s a New Year’s resolution; maybe it’s a necessity as a broke student.

Whatever the reason, we all want to save money. With hefty textbook prices draining our pocket, is it possible to limit our expenses to a mere $20 a week? Here is my attempt at the $20 challenge.


Monday

fridinianrice

Lunch: Indian rice at the Deck – $2

Tuesday

tuesdayytf

Lunch: Yong Tau Foo (added an egg) at the Deck – $2.90

Wednesday

wednesdaymixedrice

Lunch: Chinese Mixed Rice at the Deck – $1.90

Snack: Mr Bean Soya Bean Milk – $1.50

Thursday

Lunch: Lontong at UTown Flavours Foodcourt – $2.20

thursbananamilkshake

Snack: Banana Milkshake – $1.50

Friday

mondayindianstall

Lunch: Indian Rice at the Deck – $2

Stationery: 

stationery

  • Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5 – $1.60 (after discount, from NUS Co-op)
  • Zebra Sarasa Clip Refill – $1.10 (after discount, from NUS Co-op)
  • Dual coloured highlighter – $1.20 (after discount, from NUS Co-op)
  • Correction tape – $1.00 (bought at the stationery shop near my house since it’s cheaper)

 

In summary, this is what I spent all week:

  • On food: $14
  • On stationery: $4.90

Total amount spent: $18.90

I found that school canteens do offer very affordable prices while avoiding food courts that usually have a much steeper price. I also reused my plastic folders and fished out uncompleted notebooks and notepads from last semester.

But I was incredibly lucky to have most of my dinners at home free of charge, which definitely helped me save money. As for stationery, while my pen was on the pricey side, NUS Co-op stocks pen refills for a much cheaper price. It also doesn’t hurt to compare prices – I found the same correction tape they sell at Co-op going for almost half the price at the store near my house.

All in all, I found that, with some smart budgeting, spending only $20 a week is definitely possible.


Also attempting the $20 challenge? Share the results with us on our Facebook page!