Death, taxes, and spending inordinate sums of money on life’s significant milestones. According to Benjamin Franklin, these are the only things in life that are certain. Well okay, maybe not the last one, though you can’t deny that it’s very true in Singapore.

From taking a loan for university fees to utilising CPF funds for home purchases, or even ensuring that you have sufficient savings for retirement, there are constant financial hurdles to overcome.

With the Singapore Budget fast approaching, we take a look at some of the financial issues faced by everyday Singaporeans, and how government aid may make things easier.

When 25 year-old Stacy joined the workforce two years ago, she revelled in the fact that she would finally be financially independent. Or so she thought.

She dreamt of spending as much as she wanted on short getaways to Bangkok or K.L, all without worrying about her naggy, semi-retired parents, with whom she still lives in a 5-room Bishan flat.

Oh, and there’s her grandmother too.