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The Two Lives Men Live While Chasing Wealth

The Illusion That Money Will Fix Everything I once wrote about how I lost myself while chasing FIRE (financial independence, retire early). Today, I want to talk about something even more important, mental health while chasing wealth. Many people say, “You’re unhappy because you’re not rich enough.” To a certain extent, that’s true. Money removes many forms of stress. If you had unlimited resources, life would be easier. Imagine a simple family like mine, a wife and two children, but with unlimited money. The day might look like this: Wake up and send the kids to school Go to the gym Enjoy a slow coffee Spend the afternoon on hobbies, or personal interests Pick up the kids and give them your full attention Still have energy and time for your wife That sounds like a peaceful, happy family. And it could be, if money were just a tool. But in reality, it rarely works that way. When Wealth Becomes a Trap What I’ve seen instead is this: When a man becomes wealthy...
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After Chasing FIRE, I Realised I Lost Myself

A Pause That Triggered Reflection Since December 2025, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on my life ever since that massage session that I had during work hour. Living Life on Autopilot Looking back, I’ve realised that I’m not really living for myself. Instead, I’ve been living the life that society expects a “normal” person to live. At some point along the way, I decided that I should aim for FIRE. But now I’m questioning whether that’s truly what I want, or whether it was just another socially acceptable goal I latched onto. The Honest Answer to the Money Question People often ask: If money were no longer a concern, what would you do? If I’m being honest, my answer isn’t very exciting. I would probably spend my time taking care of my kids, and when they’re not around, I wouldn’t really do much else. Somewhere between work, family, and responsibilities, I’ve lost my hobbies and interests. Why FIRE Isn’t the Solution This seems to be a common issue among Singaporean dads....
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Reflection for 2025: Finance, Life, and Wellness

December 2025, Going MIA I went completely MIA for most of December 2025. Not because I quit my job, but because life happened, side hustles, holidays, and a quiet phase of self-exploration. My boss was overseas, and since my main job requires me to move around, I took advantage of the in-between time. I played hooky in the most harmless way possible, using those pockets of time to roam around Singapore, do my own things, and breathe. I went for massages, slowed down, and even acted like a tourist in my own country, all without taking leave. It struck me hard how much of a luxury this has become. When Leave Becomes a Luxury I have two kids now. Leave is no longer “me time.” Whenever I take leave, it’s either because something happens to them or because we’re going on a family holiday. Leave has become precious, not something I can freely spend on myself anymore. During one massage session, the masseuse asked if I was on leave. When I told her I was working, she looked genuinely s...
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Q4 2025 and overall 2025 portfolio update

Previously, I shared monthly portfolio updates to document my passive income journey. Since shifting to quarterly updates in Q3, my focus has moved toward long-term progress and strategic refinement. This cadence better aligns with my current investment approach, which prioritizes consistent income and disciplined growth. In this 2025 update, I will cover: Year-to-date passive income performance Portfolio changes made during the quarter Market observations and strategy refinements Challenges and lessons learned Next steps and goals for 2026 Year-to-Date Passive Income Breakdown Passive income continues to be my primary focus, with steady contributions from key sources: SG Dividends: SGD 5,720  My dividend stocks remain a reliable foundation of passive income.  Covered Call Premiums: USD 3,618 Covered call premiums from my options positions have provided consistent additional income. I remain selective in this strategy, focusing on quality holdings where I can generate extra ca...
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How You Can Start Commercial Property Investing With Just $100K

Many people think property investment is only for the wealthy. The truth? You don’t need millions to get started,  even $100K can work if you pool resources smartly. I am not selling you a course and also not asking you to buy REITS.  1️⃣ Pooling Makes It Possible Let’s say you have $100K to invest, and the property costs $1.5 million . That leaves a gap of $1.4 million . Solution? Pool your money with 14 friends or family members . Suddenly, your dream of owning commercial property is within reach. 2️⃣ A Real Example A 1,050 sqft unit at Textile Centre , listed on CommercialGuru , costs $1.35 million . Add stamp duty and other fees → total ≈ $1.4 million . Split among 15 investors → your $100K contribution is enough to get in. 3️⃣ How You Earn Average rental rates on CommercialGuru are $3.50–$5.00 psf . To be conservative, let’s target $4.00 psf : Monthly rental income = $4,200 Each investor gets ≈ $280 per month , or $3,360 per year At this rate, it wo...
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Why a Salary Alone Will Never Make You Financially Free

No matter your occupation, a salary will never make you truly financially free . Your financial security stops the day you stop working. That’s why relying solely on your paycheck is risky, and why investing is non-negotiable. 1️⃣ You Must Invest, Regardless of Asset Class Earning is only the first step. To grow wealth and achieve financial independence, your money needs to work for you . This means putting it into assets that generate returns over time. 2️⃣ But Don’t Just Invest Randomly Investing blindly is almost as risky as not investing at all. Take time to understand what you’re putting your money into , assess the risks, and have a plan. 3️⃣ ETFs Are a Good Start If you really don’t know where to start, consider ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) . They’re simple, diversified, and allow you to DCA (Dollar-Cost Average) over time. Even a small, consistent allocation grows significantly in the long run. 4️⃣ Consider a Low-Risk Saving Plan If equities or ETFs feel too risky, you can...
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Why You Should Buy at Least 0.01 BTC Today, Even If You Don’t Know Much About Crypto

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in crypto. In the past, I sold my holdings out of greed , chasing quick gains, only to regret it later. When the crash hit in October 2025, I managed to scoop some back at lower prices . This time, I’m taking a long-term approach: instead of leaving my crypto on centralized exchanges, I bought a cold wallet to store it safely. My plan? Simple. Hold it. Eventually, pass it down to my two sons. If the value drops to zero, so be it, it’s a small portion of my portfolio, and I’m prepared for the risk. For anyone just starting, you don’t need to buy a whole BTC . Even 0.01 BTC,  less than  $1,500 SGD today, is enough to get started. Buy it, hold it, and watch how even a tiny stake can grow over time. As for me, I’m holding more than 0.1 BTC but less than 1 BTC for now. The goal isn’t a quick win, it’s a small, patient investment that could become a lasting legacy .
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