Millennials have gone from S$1 bubble tea at the school canteen to S$7 lattes at hipster cafes, but growing up hasn’t just expanded our bank balances, it’s changed the way we think about money. Here’s a nostalgic look at how our spending habits have evolved from the 2000s to today, with some financial lessons to future-proof your future.

Growing up in the 2000s, S$10 felt like a fortune. We could easily get lunch, a snack and maybe even Pokémon or Duel Master cards. Today, as working adults, that same S$10 barely covers a coffee and a snack, and that’s before we even think about bills.

From pocket money days to pay cheque responsibilities, growing up has shifted our priorities, our responsibilities and even what we consider a “worth it” purchase. Here’s a light-hearted comparison of how we used to spend versus how we spend now. Looking at how our essentials, entertainment choices and cool factors have evolved over the decades, this nostalgic throwback isn’t just for laughs. Behind the shifts are crucial money lessons every Singaporean millennial can use to future-proof their finances.

The essentials: then vs now

I still remember my school days, running on S$2 canteen meals and S$1 bubble teas. Fast forward to today, and my daily essentials are S$12 salad bowls and S$7 iced lattes. That sixfold price jump on lunch isn’t just a fun fact, it’s a personal lesson in inflation and the price that comes with our changing idea of what’s “essential”.

The financial takeaway: Inflation silently makes life less affordable, which is why the earlier we start building a buffer through disciplined savings and protection, the less painful these jumps will feel. Essentials don’t stay “cheap” forever, especially when our criteria for what counts as basic moves up a few notches. What we spent S$2 on back in school now sets us back S$12 as an adult. The same lens applies to our future – today’s S$100 specialist consultation might easily become S$250 to S$300 in 20 years. 

By treating our essential needs as the baseline to safeguard today, we can better prepare for the inevitable price hikes of tomorrow.

Fun and entertainment

Back in the day, my world of entertainment revolved around hitting the Time Crisis and Street Fighter machines in the games arcade. I was also big on collecting Beyblades and Pokémon cards. Each piece was a treasure, a small investment of under S$10 that brought hours of joy. On weekends, we’d head out as a family to rent DVDs for a few dollars.

Now, my entertainment budget is a whole different ball game. Instead of a one-time purchase, I’m juggling monthly subscriptions for Spotify and Netflix, which easily add up to S$30. And then there are bigger-ticket items: gym memberships to stay active, concert tickets to see my favourite artistes and a constant stream of “experiences” that can cost a pretty penny. 

I’ve swapped my S$1 arcade tokens for S$15 monthly subscriptions and in-game purchases. The games may have changed, but our desire to play – and our willingness to pay for it – will never change.

The financial takeaway: Managing “lifestyle creep” is important. As our income grows, it’s easy for our discretionary spending to grow with it, often silently through automated subscriptions. These “wants” can start to feel like needs, crowding out our long-term goals. The smart move is to pay yourself first by funnelling money into savings and protection before allocating what’s left to entertainment.

This ensures the fun you’re having today isn’t borrowing from your future’s security.

The Flex Factor

Remember the times when owning a cool pencil case with flip tops was a status symbol? Or the attention that came with owning a Sony Ericsson phone or a pair of Converse shoes? You just knew you’d be the talk of the town for a day at least. 

These days, the “flex” has taken on a whole new meaning. Instead of showing off our stationery, we’re sporting noise-cancelling headphones to tune out the world, decked out in athleisure brands that scream “I work out” and tracking our every move with smartwatches that tell us our heart rates and read our messages to us.

From flaunting a see-through pencil case to unboxing the latest tech, the definition of “cool” has evolved and so has the price tag.

The financial takeaway: Be mindful of the high cost of keeping up. Chasing trends can be a financial treadmill, draining funds that could be building long-term security. Before splurging on the next big thing, it’s worth asking if it adds genuine value to your life or if it’s just for show. After all, true financial freedom – having savings, being well-protected and building wealth – is the ultimate flex. It’s a status symbol you can’t see but one that never goes out of style.

Future-proofing your lifestyle

The three scenarios above are a reminder that small costs have a way of snowballing into bigger ones, and responsibilities don’t wait until we’re ready. Back then, a late fee from the library was the only real financial burden we had. Adulting has introduced a whole new set of responsibilities, from mortgages to pay and groceries to buy to utility bills that seem to increase every month. It’s now all about ensuring we can afford our lifestyles, protecting our family and planning for the future, including unexpected curveballs. 

That’s why I’ve made it a point to secure my essentials – from my Integrated Shield plan to term life and critical illness coverage – to lock in peace of mind before I turn 30. Whether you’re a student who’ll soon be joining the workforce or a proud parent-to-be, the Singlife Starter Pack helps you put these foundations in place affordably at every stage of life. Because growing up doesn’t just mean bigger dreams and bigger bills; it means bigger reasons to protect the life you’re working so hard to build.