More Singaporeans Are Taking Career Breaks: Redditor Asks For Advise on How to Plan His Finances

For some Singapore workers, career breaks seem to be becoming more common. A recent online discussion asked how people financially prepared for one, especially when saving money can always feel like it is never enough.

The discussion focused on people who had actually taken career breaks, with commenters sharing how much they saved, how they cut spending, and how long they stayed away from work.

Your Salary Is Not Your Break Budget

One commenter said workers do not necessarily need to save one or two years of their full salary. Instead, the suggestion was to look at actual monthly expenses and calculate how much would be needed during the break.

For people living with their parents, the amount could be much lower. One Redditor said S$20,000 to S$30,000 could potentially be enough for a year if housing costs were minimal.

Another commenter pointed out that being in a DINK or SINK household could make a career break less stressful because there are fewer dependants to support. Having a working partner, staying with parents, renting out a room, or relying on passive income could also provide an extra safety net.

Some commenters also said spending habits can change after leaving work.

One person who took a break said bubble tea and retail therapy used to be regular treats. After quitting, spending dropped, with cheaper food, walking, and slower days becoming more appealing.

The commenter also noted that work stress can lead to spending more on GrabFood, online shopping, holidays, massages, and other ways to decompress. Basically, less work stress can sometimes mean less stress spending too.

Singaporeans Share How They Prepared

Several Redditors said planning started well before leaving their jobs.

Bonuses were saved for two years before taking a career break, while monthly investments were also increased. Investments that could be cashed out when needed were regularly reviewed, just in case.

Another commenter suggested getting a clear picture of essential and non-essential expenses before deciding how much savings would be enough. Keeping some cash easily accessible was also recommended instead of putting everything into investments.

The cost of a career break can also vary a lot depending on what the break actually looks like.

A two-year break was taken to study for a part-time master’s degree. Living with parents helped keep costs lower, while total spending reached around S$100,000, including about S$50,000 in school fees.

A five-month working holiday in Melbourne cost around S$22,000. The amount covered flights, accommodation, daily expenses, road trips, and existing financial commitments in Singapore.

Cooking most meals helped keep costs manageable, while cafés, sightseeing, and trips to other cities were still part of the experience. So yes, the break was not exactly full-on budget mode.

Getting Back Into Work Can Be The Hard Part

While money was a major part of the discussion, several commenters said getting back into the workforce could be the real headache.

One Redditor took a six-month break after becoming tired of a company. The break was not originally planned, but savings were already enough to cover at least six months.

Another person originally planned to take a year off after burning out at 40. The break eventually lasted six months after a suitable job opportunity came along.

Others said the difficult part could be finding another job at a similar salary after being away from the workforce. Having savings is one thing, but getting the same pay after a long break can be a whole different story.

One commenter took a four-month break to recover from burnout and change industries. The plan involved spending two months resting before starting to network for another job.

For those considering a one or two-year career break, commenters largely focused on knowing monthly expenses, preparing enough savings, keeping a safety cushion, and thinking about what comes after the break.

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Seems like it is getting more common in SG to hear people going on career break unlike in the past. How did you plan financially towards this since money will never be enough?
byu/Thin_Turn6201 inaskSingapore