Despite all the negative news about employment scenario in Singapore but you are still planning to jobhunt at this period (which I think may not be fast and easy), there is no better option but to plan for the cheapest way to travel, stay, eat and look for job in Singapore.
Duration
First things first. Plan for the duration of your stay. The one-week-stay success story is no longer common these days. I suggest a 3 months stay or a two-time extension of your social visit pass (if you don't have an EPEC certificate yet).
Budget
Assuming you are a backpacker type of jobhunter, I have a 90-day budget suggestions below covering (almost) all of the basic expenses.
1. Airfare - S$300-800 - budget airline round-trip ticket from Philippines or within the SEA region. Price does not include airport tax and terminal fees. Check prices and airlines.
2. MRT/Bus - S$270-450 - an average of one round-trip travel each day for 90 days. Check fares and routes.
3. Accomodation - S$900-2100 - Bedspace for a month is usually priced at S$300. Please note that there are also bedspaces for transient travelers usually priced at S$12/day. Always check before finalizing your choice if you can cook, do laundry and if wi-fi internet and cable TV is available at no extra cost. If you want to go for budget hotels, some of them are located near or within the red-light districts. Guys, remember, we have a budget to watch.
4. Food and drinks - S$450-1350 - You can spend about S$5/day if you cook your own food in the rented apartment/flat. However, there are always hawker centers nearby for a meal of S$5 if you want to try the local delicacies.
5. Appliances/accessories - S$50-400 - If you are planning to cook but the house owner does not share his appliances, you can always buy used rice cooker and other items at S$10 or less. There are also used laptops at S$300 or less. Suggested place to look for is at Toa Payoh Central Market or at Barang Guru in Perak Road. You can update me if you found a better place to shop. Caution: do not ask for demonstrations or test the items if you are not planning to buy.
6. Newspaper, Phone calls and Internet - S$100 - 400 - Straits Times is priced at S$1 every Saturday. SIM card is at S$15-20 (needs passport during purchase) and there are call cards priced at S$27 for call value of S$125. There are free internet stations provided in malls but you can have privacy and print copies of your resumes in internet shops at S$5-20/hour. Lucky Plaza at Orchard Road is a favorite place to hangout.
7. Visa extension - S$100 or less for 2 30-day extensions. Please note that if you have an EPEC, you are eligible for a one-year stay at an additional cost of S$100 and medical exam at S$50 or less.
8. Others - S$100-300 - The usual almost always forgotten stuffs: soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine etc . . .
So there you are, almost ready to go. However, if we go back to the original intention of putting up this site, being a part in the statistics of improved tourist arrivals in Singapore but at the same time increasing the unemployed statistics in your home country, is a very serious matter. Therefore, there are two things for you to check over anything else.
1. Unless you do NOT BELONG to the manufacturing, real estate, retail, shipping and other sectors badly hit by the economic recession, do not give that last paper to your boss yet. It's better to send your applications online while still having a job and still at your home country.
2. If everyone else in your clan or village depends on you for their daily bread, there is no need to think twice, but a thousand times before resigning from your job.
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