The SG Hustle

I’ve been quiet lately because I was navigating a career transition. The good news? I’ve just secured a higher-paying role—though, as expected, it comes with its own set of challenges. The workload will be heavier, but I’m choosing to see this as an opportunity for growth. While I haven’t started yet, I’m already mentally preparing myself for what’s ahead. Looking back, my career journey hasn’t been linear since leaving my first job. That role paid well, but the stress became unbearable. After walking away, I found myself cycling through lower-grade (but still high-paying) positions, staying only 1–2 years each time. The pattern was clear: I’d lose interest quickly because the work simply wasn’t engaging enough. This year, I had an epiphany: it was time to rebuild my career with intention. Climbing the corporate ladder isn’t for everyone, but taking pride in our professional growth matters. So when this new opportunity surfaced, I seized it. Surprisingly, the job market was more favora...

I recently received a CPF gift from the government after completing my NS Commitment — a welcome boost to my OA and MediSave accounts. This got me thinking: How effective is CPF as a retirement tool? While CPF provides a strong foundation, relying on it alone might require some "right-sizing" of lifestyle in retirement. To maintain financial comfort, I’d likely need a mix of CPF LIFE payouts and other passive income streams. So, I decided to explore how to optimise my Special Account (SA) before my Retirement Account (RA) kicks in. Here’s my situation: Current CPF Status Ordinary Account (OA): Current balance: ~$26,000. Used most of it for my BTO flat but kept $10K as a buffer for mortgage payments (in case of emergencies like retrenchment). Currently grows at ~$600/month after mortgage deductions. Once my mortgage is paid off (in a few years), my OA will grow by ~ $ 1 , 500 / m o n t h Special Account (SA): Current balance: ~$45,000. Grows by ~$400/month from sala...

Many might wonder why my family’s monthly expenses amount to nearly $5,000 SGD . Here’s a detailed breakdown to provide clarity. 1. Fixed Monthly Bills: $835 Electricity: $160 Water & Miscellaneous Utilities: $60 Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC): $70 Broadband: $45 Domestic Worker (Helper): $500 2. Groceries & Household Essentials: $560 Mainly from Fairprice and Redmart.  3. Children’s Expenses: $1,820 With two young kids, childcare and necessities form a significant portion of our spending: Infant Care & Playgroup Fees: $1,200 Milk Powder: $120 Diapers: $300 Ad-Hoc Baby Items (Bottles, etc.): $200 4. Car-Related Costs: $1,200 This includes: Monthly Installment Petrol Insurance & Road Tax 5. Occasional Dining Out: $300 Since welcoming our new baby, we’ve cut back on eating out, but occasional meals still add up to about $300 monthly . Looking Ahead: Relief in Sight The biggest expenses— childcare and car costs —will ease over time. Once my young...