The SG Hustle

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...

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...

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 .

Based on online data, males in my age group should be earning about $6,049 per month , including employer CPF. In my trade, real estate services, the median is around $4,908 per month . To be transparent, I’m currently earning $8,760 per month , including employer CPF. On paper, it looks great, above average both in general and within my industry. And yet, why do I often feel like there’s never enough money? The reason is simple: I’m actively putting my money to work , building a future where I don’t have to rely solely on a paycheck. How I Balance Life and Financial Discipline 1️⃣ I don’t compromise my lifestyle. I still enjoy good lunches, dinners, and occasional treats. Life is to be lived, not just saved. 2️⃣ I set aside at least 25% of my monthly income for my warchest. This acts as my buffer, my optionality fund, and the foundation of my long-term financial plan. 3️⃣ I have a clear goal: I aim to stop working full-time for someone else by the age of 40, that’s in 2041 . E...

Talking about how much raising children costs is always a sensitive topic. Some people might argue that certain expenses are optional or even indulgent, and that’s fair. Every family has different priorities, lifestyles, and financial means. I’m sharing our numbers not to show off, but to give a real-world view of what it takes to raise two kids in Singapore today. 1️⃣ Pregnancy & Birth Costs (Per Child) Even before your baby arrives, costs start piling up: Tonic, bird’s nest, cordyceps, and supplements: ≈ $3,000 Medical check-ups & delivery: ≈ $12,000 Exercise (Pilates for my wife during pregnancy): ≈ $2,000 Confinement nanny: ≈ $4,000 Pregnancy isn’t cheap, but for us, these were investments in health, comfort, and peace of mind. Total per child: ≈ $21,000 2️⃣ Monthly Costs: Elder Child Now that our older child is out of infancy, the recurring costs are: Childcare fees: $350 per month Food: Since our child eats what we eat, portions are smaller. A...

I’m still very much on my journey toward F.I.R.E (Financial Independence, Retire Early),  though my recent posts about property might make it seem like I’ve already “made it.” The truth is, I’m still walking the same road as many others: learning, experimenting, and adapting as life and markets change. Why Property Keeps Catching My Attention Because of the nature of my work, I interact regularly with property managers, agents, facilities managers, developers, and contractors. Over time, those conversations have opened my eyes to how real wealth is often built, quietly, through property ownership and management . That exposure planted a seed in me: Maybe property investment isn’t just for the ultra-rich. Maybe it’s another path, or even a complementary one, toward financial independence. My Current Foundation: Equities Right now, the backbone of my financial plan is still in equities across the Singapore and U.S. markets. Through a mix of dividend-paying stocks and covered ca...

The dream of F.I.R.E (Financial Independence, Retire Early) has inspired countless Singaporeans. But in today’s market, the traditional routes, saving aggressively and investing in equities, are becoming harder to execute. That got me thinking: could property investment be a realistic alternative to F.I.R.E? 1️⃣ Residential Property: A Game for the Wealthy Let’s be honest, residential property investment in Singapore has become a playground for the wealthy. With ABSD (Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty) now at punishing levels for second properties, most middle-income families are priced out of the game. Even if you could afford a second property, the math doesn’t make sense. After ABSD, loan restrictions, and rising interest rates, the yield barely covers the holding cost. For most people, it’s just not practical anymore. 2️⃣ So How Do You Invest in Property Then? That’s where commercial property comes in. No ABSD. Lower barriers. And plenty of opportunities if you know what to look fo...

The fear of retrenchment is no longer a distant thought, it’s a reality that’s sweeping across industries worldwide. Every other week, another big name announces layoffs. When global giants start trimming headcount, it’s only a matter of time before the ripple hits Singapore too. No matter how “safe” your role seems today, it’s hard not to wonder: what if my turn comes next? The Harsh Truth About Our Mid-30s to Early 40s I’ve entered that stage of life, mid-30s heading into my 40s, where job transitions aren’t as simple as they used to be. Companies prefer younger hires with lower pay expectations and fewer family commitments. Even with strong experience, the hiring process drags, and competition is intense. The reality? Getting another job after retrenchment at this age can easily take months, if not longer. Why Gig Work Isn’t a Guaranteed Backup Some people say, “Never mind, can always do Grab, food delivery or freelancing.” But let’s be honest, when the economy slows and people ...

It’s been a while since my last update, October 2025 was one of those months where life and work got busy, so I decided to step back a little from posting. Sometimes, the best move in investing (and in life) is to pause and observe quietly. Since then, the markets have been on a tear. Stocks have rallied hard, crypto seems to be back in fashion, and even physical gold is seeing strong demand. The sentiment on the ground feels euphoric, everyone’s chasing something, and the fear of missing out (FOMO) is real again. Meanwhile, I’m… just sitting here, a little bored, and completely fine with it. I haven’t been adding new positions lately. Instead, I’ve been slowly building my cash reserves. It’s not because I’m bearish or trying to time the market, I’m simply comfortable where I am. My portfolio is well-positioned, and I believe in the businesses I already own. There’s no need to trim either. In fact, I see my investing approach like managing two pieces of fishing equipment: 🎣 The F...

Previously, I shared monthly portfolio updates to track my passive income journey. Since transitioning to quarterly updates in Q2, I’ve focused on longer-term progress and strategic adjustments. This approach suits my current investment style, which emphasizes steady income and measured growth. In this Q3 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 Q4 2025 Year-to-Date Passive Income Breakdown Passive income continues to be my primary focus, with steady contributions from key sources: SG Dividends: SGD 5,110 YTD My dividend stocks remain a reliable foundation of passive income.  Covered Call Premiums: USD 3,618 YTD 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...

Feeling burnt out and stuck in a job you hate is more common than you think. Especially in Singapore’s corporate scene, where the pressure to perform and keep moving up is intense. You show up every day, but inside, you feel drained. The work no longer excites you, and the routine feels suffocating. But quitting outright feels impossible. What do you do next? First, acknowledge how you feel. Burnout is real and valid. It’s not a sign of weakness or failure. It happens when the demands of your job overwhelm your ability to cope. Long hours, tight deadlines, endless meetings, office politics, all chip away at your energy and enthusiasm. Over time, the passion that once drove you can fade into exhaustion and frustration. If you are trapped in this cycle, the first step is to pause and take stock. What exactly is making you unhappy? Is it the company culture, the nature of the work, your manager, or something else? Pinpointing the root cause helps you decide your next move. Once you know...

This is the question I ask myself more often than I care to admit. Not because I am morbid. Not because I am fearful. But because I am a father, and I know that life does not give warnings. If I die tomorrow, what happens to my family? Can they keep the house? Can my kids still go to school? Would my spouse know where everything is? In Singapore, where life is expensive and responsibilities run deep, death is not just emotional. It is logistical. That is why I built a financial plan designed to function without me. Here it is, step by step. Step 1: Life Insurance That Covers What Matters I carry term life insurance worth one million dollar . No complex products. Just pure coverage. The goal is simple. If I die, my wife receives a lump sum that replaces my income for at least twenty years. This ensures that the mortgage is cleared, the children’s education is fully covered, and daily life can continue without panic. I chose term insurance over whole life because I want maximum cov...

This is not easy to admit. Not at a coffee shop with friends. Not at family gatherings. And definitely not on social media, where fatherhood is usually wrapped in feel-good quotes and pictures of smiling kids. But I’ll say it here, because I know I’m not alone. I love my kids. Truly, deeply, and without question. But I also regret becoming a father. Not because of them. But because of what I lost and what I became. Before kids, I had freedom. I had time. I had energy. I had identity. I could sleep. I could plan. I could chase dreams without guilt. I could go for supper without checking my phone every five minutes. I could just... breathe. Since becoming a father, every part of life feels heavy. And I don’t just mean the physical exhaustion. I mean the mental weight of being responsible for someone else's everything; safety, education, emotional well-being, future. It’s relentless. And sometimes, it’s thankless. Fatherhood in Singapore comes with invisible pressure. You pro...

Losing a job is no longer unthinkable. In today’s economy, it is a very real possibility. Retrenchments, restructuring, and AI disruption are already hitting close to home. For many Singaporean families, the fear is not abstract. It’s personal. It’s survival. I’ve asked myself this question many times: What would I do if I lost my job today? Not in theory. Not someday. Today. Here’s the exact plan I’ve built to protect my family and myself for six months without income. Step 1: Lock Down the Essentials The first thing I did was calculate our family’s minimum survival budget. No lifestyle upgrades, no extras. Just the non-negotiables. Our family needs S$5,500 a month to cover: Utilities and internet Groceries Insurance premiums Transportation School-related expenses Parents’ allowance That means six months = S$33,000. Once I had that number, I made it my mission to ensure we had enough in emergency savings. Today, I keep S$50,000 in liquid cash, easily accessible t...

Climbing the corporate ladder has long been the traditional path to financial security and career success. Work hard, impress your boss, secure promotions, and one day you will reach the top. For years, that was the story I believed in too. Yet over time, I realised the ladder was not as straightforward as it seemed. The higher you climb, the steeper the sacrifices. Long hours, more stress, office politics, and a sense that you are trading health and time for a title. That is why I made a deliberate choice. Instead of devoting all my energy to climbing higher in the corporate world, I am betting on a side hustle. For me, a side hustle is not just extra income. It represents freedom, flexibility, and a way to build something of my own while still maintaining stability from my full-time job. In this article, I will explain why I chose this path, what benefits I see in building a side hustle, the challenges that come with it, and how I plan to grow it without burning out. The Problem wi...