Hello!

A FRIEND OF mine recently lamented that while she really wanted a big brood, she and her husband simply couldn’t afford it. “Look at this,” she said, flinging a wad of receipts at me – her son’s preschool fees, a recent visit to the paediatrician, her grocery bill, his taekwondo class. “That’s nearly $3,000, on just one child. How to have more kids?” she wailed.

I can relate. Some months, all it takes is a visit to the paediatrician for both my kids to wipe out any headway I’m making in savings. And my kids don’t even do enrichment classes. It now costs at least $350K to raise a child until they graduate from a local university. A local university education in 2030 will cost $56K, an Australian one, $367K. These figures keep me up at night. I have visions of having to sell my house, jewellery and other possessions to fund my two kids through university. And what if we have more children? Will they have to work their way through school? Will I have to work beyond retirement?

The future isn’t all that bleak, actually – though you still can’t convince me to stop worrying about it. Our story on p88 has good advice on what you should be saving towards for your kids, and how to make your money grow for you.

It doesn’t help that my children are products of the digital age. Those kinds of “toys” don’t come cheap. My four-year-old, Claire, loves drawing on her daddy’s iPad, watching Barney, and she’s discovered Nintendo too. Even my 15-month-old, Maddy, seems riveted by the iPad.

I feel Claire spends too much time on these devices every day, even if she doesn’t watch much TV. But thanks to our story on p116, I’ve learnt that it’s better to work with the technology rather than ban her from using any of it.

Also in our July issue: Find out how TCM therapies can help your fertility, weight loss, even improve your skin (p92). We also have fantastic ways to stay cool in the heat, from what to wear at work to cooling drinks and foods to eat (p22). You’ll also want to tear and keep our baking guide on p122, which has the best cake recipes, baking tips, plus, a lowdown of the best baking supply shops here and what to buy there. Enjoy this issue!

PS, thanks for all your lovely letters. E-mail us at magsimplyher@sph.com.sg or write to us at 82 Genting Lane, Media Centre, Level 7, S(394567) and keep sending in your wonderful ideas.

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