The SG Hustle

Previously, I’ve shared monthly portfolio updates to track my passive income journey. However, as I transition into a new job and my investment strategy becomes more stable, frequent updates no longer provide significant value. My portfolio moves are infrequent, and I prefer a longer-term perspective. Starting this quarter, I’ll be shifting to quarterly updates—covering key developments, income sources, and reflections on my financial progress. These updates will serve as checkpoints to assess whether I’m on track toward my long-term financial independence goals. In this Q2 2025 update, I’ll break down: Year-to-date passive income performance Portfolio adjustments (if any) Market observations and strategy refinements Challenges and lessons learned Next steps and goals for Q3 2025 Year-to-Date Passive Income Breakdown Passive income remains my primary focus, and in 2025, it has come from three key sources: 1. SGX Dividends: $4,284 (YTD) My Singapore Exchange (SGX) dividend stocks contin...

Geopolitical tensions, like the recent flare-up between Iran and Israel, often send shockwaves through global markets. Headlines scream about oil prices surging, stocks plummeting, and investors panicking. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that knee-jerk reactions to geopolitical events are often more damaging to portfolios than the events themselves. For long-term investors—especially those focused on dividend-paying stocks—the key to weathering volatility isn’t timing the market or fleeing to cash. It’s staying calm, sticking to your strategy, and letting your dividends do the heavy lifting. Here’s why. 1. Markets Recover—Dividends Keep Flowing Every major geopolitical crisis (from wars to oil shocks) has one thing in common: markets eventually recover. The S&P 500 has survived world wars, terror attacks, and countless regional conflicts—and still delivered an average annual return of about 10% over the long run. Dividend stocks add another layer of resilience. Even whe...

Transitioning to a new job has been both exciting and challenging. The adjustment period is demanding—juggling a longer commute, stricter work hours with less flexibility, and coordinating my children’s busy schedules has been overwhelming at times. Unlike my previous role, where I could step away unnoticed, this new position requires constant visibility and accountability. It’s a big shift, but I keep reminding myself that this is a necessary step toward my long-term goal: achieving Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE). I’m willing to endure this temporary discomfort because I know it’s paving the way for a brighter future. Every early morning, every long commute, and every structured workday is an investment—not just in my career but in my family’s financial freedom. Once I fully adapt to this new routine, the stress will ease, and the discipline will pay off. My focus remains unwavering: work hard now so that later, I can provide my children with stability, opportunities, and...

The Problem: Born Into a "Perfect or Nothing" World My two sons—adorable, bright, and full of potential—are growing up in an era where being good isn’t enough. Society demands perfection. I’m not a wealthy man, so they weren’t born into privilege. But one thing keeps haunting me: "I don’t want them to make choices out of necessity, like I did." When I was younger, I pursued my degree not out of passion, but because it was the only option available at NTU. What if I had $100K at age 21? Would I have taken a riskier path—started a business, invested early, or chased a dream instead of a "safe" career?  I’ll never know. But I can ensure my sons have real choices by the time they’re adults. My Simple Strategy: Let Their Money Grow Without Touching It Since I don’t need their baby bonuses or ang bao money to cope with their cost of living, I invest it all in safe, low-yield instruments (e.g., Singapore Government Bonds, SSBs) earning 2–3% annually. Here’s why t...

When people talk about Financial Independence, Retire Early (F.I.R.E.), the usual image is extreme frugality—tiny apartments, no vacations, and a bare-bones lifestyle. But what if you have a family to care for? What if you still want to enjoy life while building wealth? That’s the challenge I face. I’m a husband and father of two, and my version of F.I.R.E. isn’t about deprivation—it’s about balance. I refuse to sacrifice my family’s happiness just to retire a few years earlier. Yet, I’m still making steady progress toward financial freedom. Here’s how. 1. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work My wife and I share responsibilities—both financial and household. We don’t follow the old-school model of one breadwinner and one homemaker. Instead: We split chores and parenting duties (no "default parent" here). We manage money together, with a system that ensures fairness and transparency. This keeps stress low and lets us focus on long-term goals as a team. 2. Our Smart (But Not Extreme) ...

As I prepare to start my new role, I’m approaching it with a clear strategy: this job isn’t just a destination, but a stepping stone to my next career leap. The idea of company loyalty paying off feels outdated—my experience proves that strategic job moves deliver far better returns. The Illusion of Loyalty’s Rewards At my last company, annual raises capped at 2.5–3% —barely matching inflation, let alone reflecting my contributions. Despite taking on more responsibility and excelling in my role, compensation growth was glacial. Promotions were tied to arbitrary timelines, not merit, and "career development" often meant vague promises rather than tangible progress. The Switch That Changed Everything My move to a new company—for the same title—came with a 17% salary increase overnight. Yes, the workload is heavier, but the trade-off is undeniable: no waiting years for marginal raises, no hoping for recognition. Just immediate, substantial growth. This isn’t luck; it’s how the ...

For the first time in years, I experienced what true relaxation feels like. During my notice period, I had a choice: encash my remaining annual leave at $250 per day or take the time off. Logically, the money seemed like the smarter option—after all, $250 a day adds up. But something in me hesitated. Due to the policy of my company that allows the accumulating  of leave, I had 14 days left at the point of resignation. I decided to encash just 4 days and take the other 10 as actual leave. And it was the best decision I could have made. For those 10 days, I wasn’t just "on leave"—I was free. No work calls, no urgent decisions, no lingering stress. Unlike past vacations where I’d still check emails "just in case," this time, there was no obligation. The company no longer needed me, and I no longer needed to care. It was a strange, liberating feeling. I filled my days exactly how I wanted: Waking up without an alarm, sending my sons to childcare at a leisurely pace. Hit...

A few months ago, I made a decision that, at the time, felt like the smart move: I sold the majority of my Bitcoin, keeping only a small portion "just in case." I told myself I was locking in profits, playing it safe, and avoiding the volatility that makes crypto so unpredictable. But as it often goes in this market, the joke was on me. Before I knew it, Bitcoin shattered its previous all-time high, climbing even higher with relentless momentum. What I thought was a disciplined exit turned into a painful lesson in patience—or rather, my lack of it. Sure, I made a profit, but in hindsight, it feels like a mistake. The gains I secured were nothing compared to what I could have had if I’d just held on. A History of Missed Opportunities This isn’t even my first time making this mistake. Many years back, when I was still in university, I bought 1,000 SGD worth of BTC—roughly 0.3 BTC at the time. Back then, Bitcoin was still this weird internet money that nobody really understood. ...

Investing in the Singapore Exchange (SGX) may not offer the same high-growth potential as markets like the US, but it remains a solid choice for conservative investors seeking stability, passive income, and steady growth. Here’s why I would continue investing in SGX-listed shares, along with some key considerations. 3 Key Reasons to Continue Investing in SGX 1. Parent Currency – No Forex Risk One of the biggest advantages of investing in SGX-listed stocks is that they are denominated in Singapore Dollars (SGD). For Singaporean investors, this eliminates foreign exchange (forex) risk. When investing in US stocks, currency fluctuations can significantly impact returns. A strengthening SGD against the USD could erode gains, even if the stock performs well. By sticking to SGX-listed shares, I avoid this uncertainty and enjoy more predictable returns. 2. Dividend Play for Passive Income Many SGX-listed companies, particularly REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), banks, and blue-chip stock...