8 Days - December 14, 2017

74

8 DAYS

money

The Moneymaker:

WHO WANTS TO BUY

KUMAR’S

BAO BAO

BAGS?

The comedian has ditched his

designer bags for a frugal lifestyle. He’s

cancelled his credit cards, he doesn’t

even own an ATM card, and withdraws

money daily. What happened?

8 DAYS: You’re a self-professed reformed spendthrift. What

sparked this change?

KUMAR: Things changed a lot when I turned 40. My priorities are

different now. Three years ago, I did social work for [youth charity]

Beyond Social Services and I realised the under-privileged

families are so happy despite their circumstances. If they

Kumar, 49. The comedian is celebrating his

50th birthday next year with a Golden Jubilee

show called Kumar50. When he turned 40,

he Marie Kondo-ed his wallet by getting

rid of his credit cards and cutting down on

unnecessary expenditure, choosing to spend

cent-sibly instead.

HIS HOME: A four-room flat in Serangoon

North, where he has been living alone for the

past three years.

HIS RIDE: “I flag a taxi. I don’t use [apps like] Grab or Uber.

I still have an [early model] Samsung Note 4, I don’t have a

laptop, and I’m not even on social media! I just spend my time

watching TV or having friends over to chit-chat, or playing with

my dog.”

WHAT’S IN HIS WALLET: Cash, and nothing else. “I cancelled

my credit card before I turned 40. When you’re a spendthrift, it’s

not good to have a credit card. I’d go drinking with freeloading

friends and become too generous [with treating people] when I

got tipsy. I don’t have an ATM card either; I just calculate how much

money I need every day and go to the bank to withdraw cash from

the bank teller. If I can’t go to the bank, I borrow some money from

my sister who stays near me.”