By MERLION$ | MerlionFinance.com

If you’re reading this, congrats – you’ve officially completed the great Singapore education gauntlet. NTU, NUS, SMU, SUTD, SIT… wherever you came from, you survived group projects, capstone stress, profs who reply emails once a week, and lecture recordings at 2× speed.

And now?
You’re stepping into the real working world – a world with salaries, taxes, CPF, crazy rent, LinkedIn cringe, and the sudden realization that your morning coffee now costs more than your recess food budget at 17.

So here’s the post I wish someone wrote for me when I was 23.

Let’s talk money. Let’s talk reality. Let’s talk about your future.

This is your Ultimate Fresh Grad Survival Guide – Singapore Edition.

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🟦 1. Let’s Talk Salary – The REAL Numbers in Singapore

Fresh grads from top-tier universities in SG (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD/etc.) typically land somewhere around:

• $3,800 to $4,800 for general degrees
• $5,000 to $7,000+ for hot industries (CS/AI/Data)
• $3,500 to $4,200 for business/admin
• $3,800 to $5,500 for engineering

If you’re in cybersecurity, quant, AI, ML or software engineering, you might see:

• $6,000 to $10,000 in top-tier firms (but not everyone gets these roles)

But here’s the truth:
Your first salary does not define your future – your discipline does.

Everyone compares pay. Everyone chases the highest number. But the ones who win long-term aren’t the ones who start highest – they’re the ones who:

• grow consistently
• invest early
• keep lifestyle inflation in check
• learn fast
• move strategically
• avoid debt traps

Your starting line matters far less than your trajectory.

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🟧 2. Income Tax – Singapore Is Actually VERY Kind to Fresh Grads

Singapore’s income tax is one of the lowest in the world.

Here’s the practical breakdown:

• If you earn $4,000/month, your annual income is $48,000
• Your estimated income tax is around $550–$600 a year
• Which is basically $50 a month

Heng ah.
Not bad compared to other countries where fresh grads lose 20–30% in taxes.

But don’t get complacent – tax grows as you grow. When you hit $120K–$200K annual, your tax bracket climbs. Prepare early.

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🟩 3. CPF – Your Forced Investment Plan (Whether You Like It or Not)

CPF is NOT a punishment.
CPF is NOT “money gone forever”.
CPF is a cheat code for Singaporeans who understand math.

Your 20% goes into:

• OA (2.5%)
• SA (4%)
• Medisave

These rates are risk-free, government-backed, and way higher than most banks.
Do nothing → money grows.

But remember this:
CPF alone won’t make you rich.
It’s retirement protection, not wealth acceleration.

Your own investing is where freedom comes from.

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🟦 4. So How Much Do Fresh Grads Actually Take Home?

Let’s say you’re earning $4,500/month:

• After CPF (20%): ~$3,600
• After tax: ~$3,550
• After transport: ~$150
• After food: $400–$600
• After phone/internet/subscriptions: $50–$120
• After parents’ allowance (common in SG): $200–$400

You’re left with roughly:

👉 $1,800 to $2,500 of “real personal money”

This is your freedom money.
This is where life changes.
This is where most grads go wrong.

Some people blow this on cafes, gym memberships, sneakers, gadgets, clubs, staycays, and dating.

Others build wealth quietly.

The difference shows in 5 years.
And becomes irreversible in 10.

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🟧 5. The Biggest “Gotchas” Nobody Warns You About

Let me drop some truth bombs:

1. Your first job will NOT be your forever job

You will likely switch companies within 1–3 years.
Career changes = normal.
Your first job just teaches you how to work.

2. Networking matters more than straight-A grades

Opportunities come from:

• bosses
• seniors
• colleagues
• LinkedIn connections
• mentors
• ex-colleagues

Top performers are rarely the smartest.
They’re the most connected.

3. Toxic workplaces are real – but so are good ones

Know the difference:

• Toxic = anxiety
• Challenging = growth

Don’t confuse one for the other.

4. If you don’t control your lifestyle, you will never feel rich

In Singapore:

• Gym = $120
• Cafe brunch = $28
• Grab = $18
• Bubble tea = $7

These add up faster than you think.

5. Saving alone won’t make you wealthy – investing will

Inflation = 4%
Bank interest = 0.05%
You do the math.

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🟦 6. Your First Financial Plan as a Fresh Grad (Merlion Finance Style)

Here’s a simple, powerful blueprint:

Step 1: Build a 3-Month Emergency Fund

Before investing, secure yourself.

Step 2: Start Investing $300–$500 Monthly

Into:

• VWRA (global)
• VOO (US S&P 500)
• Or STI ETF (if you want SG flavour, but returns are weaker)

Start early → compounding does the heavy work.

Step 3: Increase Investments as Salary Grows

By age 30, aim for $1,000/month investing.
It’s very achievable if you avoid lifestyle creep.

Step 4: Build Skills That Increase Income

Courses, certifications, side projects, networking.
Your earning power is your strongest weapon.

Step 5: Avoid Debt Traps

No BNPL addiction.
No credit card abuse.
No unnecessary loans.

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🦁 Final Words to the Next Generation of Singapore Graduates

You are entering a world of opportunity and volatility.

Salaries are rising.
Tech is booming.
Global recession fears loom.
Inflation is real.
AI is eating old jobs.
New industries are being born every year.

But here’s the truth:

You have more potential than any generation before you – if you play your cards right.

Invest early.
Learn fast.
Stay humble.
Build your network.
Think long-term.
Avoid lifestyle traps.
Grow your wealth quietly.

Your 20s are not about flexing.
Your 20s are about positioning yourself for the life you want in your 30s and 40s.

And trust me – once compounding kicks in, once your salary grows, once your investments snowball…

You’ll look back and thank your younger self for being disciplined when it mattered.

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Stay sharp. Stay rational. And as always – 🦁 Stay ballin’.

– MERLION$ | MerlionFinance.com**