Biggest Financial Regrets Among Singaporeans (And Tips to Avoid Them)

If you had the ability to turn back time, would you have made different financial choices? (Some said they might’ve skipped getting married (divorce and kids are expensive!), Popmart binges, or “financial advice” from friends.

Hindsight really is 20/20 - and often more than a little bit painful.)

According to a recent Reddit discussion, here are some of the most frequently mentioned regrets:

1. Neglecting Health Due to Work

Many Singaporeans shared that they worked so hard chasing financial success, they ended up sacrificing their health. The medical bills (and quality of life lost) weren't worth it.

📝 Tip: Health is wealth. A sustainable career and lifestyle should always be the goal.

2. Overspending on Collectibles, Memberships, and Subscriptions

From collectible figurines to barely-used memberships and subscription services, impulsive spending added up. Many later realized these “wants” didn't bring lasting happiness. 

📝 Tip: Set a “fun budget” — and stick to it. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

3. Purchasing Investment-Linked Policies (ILPs) Without Fully Understanding Them

Several lamented buying ILPs without truly knowing what they were signing up for - only to be disappointed by poor returns and high fees.

📝 Tip: If you don’t understand it, don’t commit. Always read the fine print - or better yet, seek advice from someone neutral.

4. Trusting the Wrong Friends with Money

Some trusted friends with investment or insurance decisions that weren’t in their best interests -  and ended up losing both money and friendships.

📝 Tip: Trust, but verify. Make financial decisions based on facts, not feelings.

5. Delaying Insurance Coverage

Waiting “until later” meant facing higher premiums - or worse, getting rejected for coverage after health issues cropped up.

📝 Tip: Insurance is cheaper and easier to get when you’re young and healthy. Lock it in early!

6. Poor Investment Decisions

Chasing “get-rich-quick” schemes, putting too much into volatile assets, or not diversifying led to major regrets for many. 

📝 Tip: Stick to fundamentals: diversify, start early, stay patient, and always do your homework.

7. Starting the Investment Journey Too Late

One of the most common regrets was simple: “I should have started earlier.” Even small amounts invested early can grow massively thanks to the power of compounding.

📝 Tip: It’s never too early (or too late) to start. The best time was yesterday. The second-best time is today.

Final Thoughts:

Financial regrets can feel heavy — but they’re also powerful teachers. 

If any of these sound familiar to you, take heart: awareness is the first step toward smarter, stronger financial decisions. 💪