Earlier, I shared how I was planning to manage my approximately $755 worth of credit card expenses for everyday essentials, focusing specifically on the Maybank Family and Friends Card.
Performance for January 2025
In reality, my total spending hit $829, but I did manage to earn $52 in cashback.
Grocery Spending is High Due to Inflation
Staying true to my estimates, groceries remained pricey, amounting to around $410 for the month. Nearly $50 was spent on dining because food and beverage outlets within supermarkets, like Donki and NTUC Fairprice, share the same Merchant Category Code (MCC) as supermarkets.
It looks like groceries will continue to be a major part of my monthly expenses. As I keep preparing my own meals to sustain myself, it’s just one of those unavoidable life necessities.
Spending Behavior
Interestingly, even though I cut back on eating out, a visit to a government clinic added to my expenses, helping me meet the $800 minimum spending requirement.
I also took advantage of a promotion from Eight Telecom Mobile, where adding $28 in credits upfront turned out to be a smart move…
