NOT all siblings allow money issues to get in the way of their relationships.
Take Mr Anthony Rozario, 44, for example.
When he wanted to further his studies in Australia 16 years ago, he was grateful that he did not have to look far for financial help.
Making sacrifices
'My brother and sister weren't highly paid and they all lived frugally at that time. That meant no money for enjoyment and they had to compromise their lifestyle to support me.' - MR ROZARIO, on his brother John, who was then a sergeant with the Singapore Armed Forces and his sister Shirley, who was a secretary at a law firm
His family - his mum, now 66, brother John, 43, and sister Shirley, 38 - offered to help fund part of his degree and postgraduate diploma in English Studies. His dad had died two years before he left for Australia.
Mr Rozario's savings were enough to pay for half of his tuition fees of about $150,000 and his family forked out the balance, with no strings attached.
The vice-president of media relations at ipac financial planning Singapore recalled that it was tough going for his family as his siblings were not earning much.
'My brother and sister weren't highly paid and they all lived frugally at that time. That meant no money for enjoyment and they had to compromise their lifestyle to support me,' he said.
John was then a sergeant with the Singapore Armed Forces while Shirley was a secretary at a law firm.
'My brother and sister didn't ask for any of the money back. After I came back, I got a job and I started to take care of my mum as the primary caregiver, which includes looking after her financial, medical and recreational needs,' said Mr Rozario.
He attributed the strong family spirit of helping each other out to his father Louis, who died from a heart attack when he was 60.
'My dad was big on family unity and he always told us when we were kids that no matter what happens you should always be able to depend on the family,' recalled Mr Rozario.
'We were brought up such that if someone in the family needs help, we help as much as we can.'
One activity that kept the family together when the children were growing up was attending a 6am church service every Sunday.
