Earns $2,400 a month as an auditor with an international accountancy firm.
Graduated with a Bachelor of Accountancy from NTU last year.
On her first job for six months.
Youngest in a family of three children, lives with her parents and a
26-year-old sister in a 4-room HDB flat in the west.
Her 28-year-old eldest sister is married and no longer lives with the family.
Miss Deng's household has a total monthly income of $9,000.
MONTHLY EXPENSES
Based on her personal and household incomes, Miss Deng Limin will receive $300 in "growth dividends" but she feels that the one-off rebate will provide only temporary relief from the rising costs of living due to inflation.
"A one-time payment may provide psychological comfort but it isn't targeting the general increase in prices that will affect me all-year round," she said.
CARE FOR PARENTS
The announcement of the L-Bonus for the CPF Life scheme and Medisave top-up for her 58-year-old father and 55-year-old housewife mother is good news to Miss Deng. These incentives - in this case, totalling about $5,000 or more - will help her parents become more self-sufficient financially once they hit retirement.
FURTHER EDUCATION
Miss Deng is glad that the Government is introducing more subsidies for higher education, although she is disappointed that the 40 per cent grant for part-time studies is only for those pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
"To subsidise part-time post-grad degrees would help increase the competitiveness of Singapore's labour force," she said. She is considering pursuing a master's degree.
EDUCATION LOAN
She is also heartened by the rise in subsidies for needy tertiary education students.
"As students, they may not realise the impact of it now, but once they start working and paying off their debts, they'll feel the burden," she said.
She took out a loan of $14,000 for her university education and is forking out $300 monthly to repay her debt over the next four years.
LIFESTYLE BOOST
The reduction in liquor tax is welcomed as Miss Deng occasionally parties during the weekends.
"If alcohol is cheap, it'll help attract more party people and DJs to our shores. This will boost our tourism and nightlife industry."
Still, she is concerned about whether cheaper liquor taxes might lead to more alcohol-related problems like drink driving. -Debbie Yong
Paddy Tan, 33
Owner of 3-year-old anti-theft software company Bak2U.
Married to Madam Izel Ang, 30, they are hoping to have a child by early next year.
They live in a four-room HDB flat in Yishun Central.
He is now planning for two new start-ups to be officially launched in March.
Used to earn over $10,000 in his previous job as a country manager.
Pays himself $2,000 and invests the rest back into his company.
Supports his parents, aged 56 and 60, together with 29-year-old brother.
TAX EXEMPTIONS
THE new requirements to qualify for the Start-Up Tax Exemption makes it easier for Mr Paddy Tan to launch his two new start-ups next month. The Start-Up Tax Exemption exempts tax up to the first $100,000 of chargeable income for start-up companies. Old rules required start-ups to have shareholders who were individuals.
Now, tax exemption applies as long as the start-up has at least one individual with at least 10 per cent of its shares.
OFFICE RENT
Mr Tan moved to a smaller office in the Bugis area late last year because office rents had risen by 15 per cent. Although the Government indicated it would step in to ease the shortage in office space, Mr Tan said it might not help small and medium enterprises (SME) like his.
"Landlords prefer someone with a longer lease to ensure a stable income, but start-ups may not want to commit for such a long time as the risk of failure is always there," he said.
CARE FOR PARENTS
Mr Tan gives $1,000 a month - half of his salary - to his parents for their healthcare costs. The latter, who had "worked very hard when they were younger", suffer from rheumatism and other age-related problems.
Said Mr Tan: "With the Government topping up my parents' CPF, I don't need to worry as much about their healthcare costs. They're healthy now, but we know the money will come in handy one day." -Andrea Soh
William Koo, 33
Manager for corporate planning at a real estate development company.
A former civil servant, has been in present job for six months, draws a monthly salary of over $5,000.
Does not own a car, although he can drive, takes MRT to Raffles Place workplace every day.
He and his wife Cheryl Yapp, 33, who's not working, expecting their first child next month.
The couple now live with Ms Yapp's parents at a condo in Novena.
They are looking for a flat in the Queenstown or Tiong Bahru areas.
RAISING A FAMILY
With a baby boy due next month, Mr William Koo was looking out for any reliefs to cushion the cost.
The cost of delivering the child could come up to at least $3,000, and though part of it can be paid through Medisave, Mr Koo was hoping he could use Medisave to pay the amount in full.
However, there was no new baby bonus measures announced.
"With the higher cost of living hitting us, more incentives would have helped," he said.
TRANSPORT
Mr Koo expects to receive $600 in growth dividends and GST credits, which will go into covering his transport costs. He spends about $50 a month on public transport - mainly on MRT rides - to and from his office in Raffles Place.
Although he can drive, he does not own a car because of its high maintenance and parking costs. He does not take taxis, unless necessary.
BUYING A FLAT
To be near both their parents, Mr Koo and his wife balloted unsuccessfully for new flats in Queenstown and Tiong Bahru. They also looked for resale flats in those areas.
He felt that the Budget this year fell short when it came to help for first-time flat owners facing high property costs.
With some resale sellers asking "ridiculously high" prices over valuation amounts, the CPF Housing Grant of $30,000 - or $40,000 for a resale flat near to their parents' - may not be enough.
SKILLS UPGRADING
Mr Koo is keen on taking up courses in areas such as legal studies. Although the Government has announced that they will subsidise non-vocational courses, Mr Koo is unsure if it applies to him.
He hopes that he will be able to claim tax relief for such training, with the Government's emphasis on continuous education for adults.
He said: "I hope to qualify for such subsidies, as each course could cost hundreds of dollars." -Marcel Lee Pereira
