20/08/2026
π°π HOW MUCH WOULD YOU HAVE LEFT TO CONSIDER BUYING A CAR? ππ°
Today, let's talk about something I think many young families can relate to.
Imagine a young couple in their mid-30s, both drawing a decent monthly income of $6,000 each.
On paper, a combined income of $12,000 a month sounds pretty comfortable, right? π
But before deciding how much we can afford to spend on a car, we need to look at the bigger picture.
π Mortgage / Rent
π¨βπ©βπ§ Family & household expenses
π½οΈ Food & daily expenses
π‘ Utilities & bills
π‘οΈ Insurance
π° Monthly savings
πΆ Children-related expenses
π³ Other loans & commitments
π And finally... how much is actually left for the car?
The important question isn't:
"How much can I borrow?"
It's:
π "How much can I comfortably afford every month without putting too much pressure on my lifestyle and savings?"
A car isn't just the monthly instalment.
You also have to consider:
β½ Petrol / Charging
π
ΏοΈ Parking
π£οΈ ERP
π§ Maintenance
π‘οΈ Insurance
π Depreciation
π° Loan interest
So today, I'll be breaking down some numbers based on the lifestyle expenses I commonly see and hear about from young families, and we'll see how much might actually be left for a car after all the other commitments.
Of course, everyone's lifestyle and financial situation is different.
π DISCLAIMER: The numbers and assumptions shared are solely based on my personal observations and experiences, including what I have seen and heard from others. They are only for illustration and discussion purposes and do not represent any individual, household or financial advice.
π¬ How much do you think a young family earning $12,000 a month should realistically spend on a car?
Let's discuss! ππ