American expat couple earn $29,000 per month but struggle to live the good life here

The American couple earn a combined income of $29,000, but they had to make adjustments to their lifestyle. The Straits Times on 27 Mar reported on the lifestyle of expatriates, corporate pilot Cyril Letzelter and his wife Jennifer.
The Letzelters’ average monthly expenses are as follows:
RENT: $4,400
GROCERIES: $2,400
PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND TAXIS: $800
EATING OUT: $500
EDUCATION: $1,000
FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKER: $1,000
UTILITIES: $350
ENTERTAINMENT: $200
TOTAL: $10,650 (all in Singapore dollars)
*Also spends $15,000 a year for travel back to the US
Mr Letzelter, age 48, now earns about 20 percent more than what he would earn in the United States of America, but when he first joined his company in 2013 he was paid 40 percent more. His wife however is only able to find work as an engineer and on a local contract.
The high cost of living in Singapore compelled Jennifer, age 35, to seek employment here as the family wants to meet the financial goals of saving for retirement and their children’s college funds.
Mr Letzelter said that his wife and him are “adventurous people and we were looking for a place to raise kids that could provide them with a unique culture,” and they also like living in Singapore. But if the math does not work out, they will go back to the USA.