She had zero dollars in account while caring for 6 family members

When it rains, it pours. That was what Ms So Kim Choo, or Kim So as she is commonly referred to by friends, thought when her late sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2016, followed by her father's diagnosis with stomach cancer a few months later.

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Ms So, then 27, soon found herself looking after the whole family - she took her father and sister-in-law for hospital visits; took her mother for her doctor visits; and helped to look after her sister-in-law's three children when needed.

She had barely any money a year later. "I had zero dollars in my bank account," recalled Ms So, who lived from pay cheque to pay cheque while working in the events industry.

Her monthly basic salary of $2,100 was used to pay for all her bills and living expenses, including a recurring traditional Chinese medicine bill of $500 for hives she was suffering from then. While she earned commissions on a project basis, certain projects would take months to complete and the money would come in a few months later.