“We’ll Figure It Out Later”: 5 Money Conversations Aussie Couples in Singapore Delay Too Long

By Jarrad Brown

Life as an Australian expat in Singapore can move quickly.

Between demanding careers, raising children, visiting family back home, and making the most of life overseas, it is easy for important financial conversations to slip down the priority list. Many couples assume there will be more time later. Later, when work settles down. Later, when the children are older. Later, when life feels less busy.

The challenge is that “later” often arrives sooner than expected.

Money conversations can feel uncomfortable, particularly when they touch on personal values, family expectations, or future uncertainties. Yet, avoiding them does not make them disappear. In many cases, having these discussions early can help couples feel more aligned, reduce misunderstandings, and create greater confidence about the future.

Here are five money conversations many Australian couples in Singapore delay for too long, and why they may be worth having sooner rather than later.

1. What does financial security actually mean to each of us?

At first glance, this sounds like a straightforward question. In reality, couples often discover they have very different answers.

One partner may associate financial security with having a large emergency fund and minimal debt. The other may view it as owning property, investing for the future, or having enough flexibility to take career breaks when needed.

Neither perspective is necessarily right or wrong. The issue arises when assumptions remain unspoken.

Many couples spend years working towards financial goals without fully discussing what those goals are meant to achieve. They may be saving diligently but pursuing different visions of the future.

For Australians living overseas, these differences can become even more pronounced. Questions about where to eventually retire, whether to return to Australia, or to remain internationally mobile can significantly influence long-term planning decisions.

A useful starting point is simply discussing what financial security looks like for each person and why it matters. The conversation itself can often be more valuable than reaching an immediate conclusion.

2. How much support might our families need in future?

Many expats find themselves part of what is often called the “sandwich generation”, balancing the financial demands of raising children while also supporting ageing parents.

For Australian families in Singapore, distance can make these responsibilities more complex. Parents may still be living in Australia, while children are being raised overseas.

Unexpected travel, healthcare costs, or changes in family circumstances can quickly create financial pressures.

The reality is that many couples never discuss these possibilities until they become urgent.

Questions worth considering could include:

• Would we be willing or able to financially assist ageing parents if needed?
• How would we manage emergency travel back to Australia?
• What role might we play in future care arrangements?
• How might these responsibilities affect our own financial priorities?
  

These conversations are not about predicting every future scenario. Rather, they can help couples develop a shared understanding of potential family obligations before decisions need to be made under pressure.

3. Are we prepared for the cost of raising children overseas?

Children are often among life’s greatest joys, but they can also represent one of the largest long-term financial commitments.

While many parents naturally focus on immediate expenses such as childcare or daily living costs, longer-term considerations sometimes receive less attention.

International school fees in Singapore, extracurricular activities, university education, family travel, and healthcare expenses can all form part of the picture. Depending on a family’s circumstances, these costs can be substantial over time.

Importantly, couples do not always share the same expectations.

One parent may assume private education is non-negotiable. The other may prioritise saving for university instead. Some families plan to return to Australia before secondary school, while others expect to remain overseas indefinitely.

None of these approaches are inherently better than another. However, clarity can help avoid future surprises.

The earlier couples begin discussing education preferences, lifestyle expectations, and potential future costs, the more flexibility they may have when making decisions later on.

Education planning is not necessarily about choosing a school years in advance. Rather, it can be about understanding the potential financial implications of different pathways and considering how they fit within broader family goals.

4. What happens if one of us stops working?

Few couples enjoy discussing worst-case scenarios.

However, life rarely follows a perfectly predictable path. Career breaks, redundancy, illness, relocation, or caring responsibilities can all affect household income at different stages of life.

For expat families, these risks can sometimes be amplified.

A work pass may be linked to employment. A decision to return home unexpectedly could affect housing plans, schooling arrangements, and future financial objectives. One partner may choose to step away from work temporarily to care for young children or ageing parents.

Yet many couples have never fully explored how they would respond if their income changed significantly.

Questions to consider might include:

• How long could we comfortably manage on one income?
• Which expenses would be essential?
• Do we have sufficient financial flexibility to navigate an unexpected change?
• Would our long-term plans need adjusting?
  

These conversations are not intended to create anxiety. Instead, they can provide reassurance by helping couples understand where they stand today and identify areas they may wish to review.

5. Reviewing your wills, insurance and estate plan

Wills, insurance and estate planning are often left until later in life. For Australian couples living in Singapore, however, having assets, family and financial commitments across two countries makes these conversations worth having sooner.

A will prepared in Australia may not fully cover assets held in Singapore, while insurance beneficiaries and estate arrangements may also require careful review. Couples should consider guardianship for children, access to overseas assets and where the surviving partner would live.

Although these discussions can be difficult, having updated wills, appropriate insurance, and a coordinated estate plan can provide clarity, protect your family, and offer lasting peace of mind.

Why these conversations matter

Money remains one of the most sensitive topics in many relationships.

It can be tied to deeply personal experiences, family upbringing, cultural expectations, and individual values. It is therefore understandable that some discussions feel uncomfortable.

However, couples who communicate openly about money are often better positioned to navigate uncertainty together. They may be more likely to understand each other’s priorities, identify potential gaps, and make decisions with greater confidence.

Importantly, these conversations do not need to happen all at once.

A simple discussion over dinner can often be enough to start exploring topics that have remained untouched for years.

The goal is not perfection. It is progress.

Getting started

If any of these topics have been sitting in the “we’ll figure it out later” category, it may be worth bringing them forward.

For Australian families living in Singapore, financial decisions often involve additional layers of complexity, including cross-border considerations, future education costs, retirement planning, and supporting loved ones across different countries.

While every family’s situation is unique, having a clearer understanding of your shared goals and priorities can provide a useful foundation for future decisions.

When you are ready, you’re welcome to schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your financial goals, and we can outline a roadmap to help secure your family’s financial future across borders.

Jarrad Brown is an Australian-trained and qualified Fee-Based Financial Planner of Global Financial Consultants Pte Ltd providing specialist financial advice and portfolio management services to Australian professionals in Singapore.

Jarrad Brown is an Authorised Representative of Global Financial Consultants Pte Ltd – No: 200305462G | MAS License No: FA100035-3

To learn more about how we may be able to help you, please contact us:

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✉ jarrad.brown@gfcadvice.com

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General Information Only: The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take into account your individual financial situation, objectives or needs. You should consider your own financial position and requirements before making a decision.

*Please note that Jarrad Brown is not a tax agent or accountant and none of the content outlined here should be taken as personal advice. You should consult your tax agent and financial adviser to review your current personal finances and financial goals to consider whether this strategy is appropriate for you.