The SG Hustle

In my previous post, I mentioned my plan to start a side hustle, scaling down full-time work while maintaining financial sustainability. Right now, my salary is above Singapore’s median income and even exceeds the average for my age group. Yet, no matter the role, whether low-stress/high-pay or high-stress/high-pay, I’ve never felt fulfilled. The rigid 9-to-5 structure always left me dragging my feet to work. How AI (Like ChatGPT) Already Changed My Work Life Ironically, my corporate job has become far more manageable, not because of passion, but because of automation. Since ChatGPT’s rise, I haven’t drafted a single report or email manually. I only provide inputs, and AI handles the tedious writing. That said, my role still requires human skills, networking, meetings, and relationship-building, things AI can’t replace for now. But the fact that most paperwork is now automated makes me wonder: If AI can handle the "grunt work" of a corporate job, why not redirect that...

With OCBC revising its 360 Account interest rates , and the benefits shrinking for those who don’t use their credit cards, many of us are rethinking where to stash our spare cash. I’ve moved most of my idle funds into near-cash investment alternatives that offer better yields while maintaining liquidity. Here’s why I made the shift and what I’m using instead.  Why I’m Moving Away from OCBC 360 OCBC 360 used to be a solid choice for parking cash, but the latest changes mean: Lower base interest unless you jump through hoops (salary crediting, credit card spending, etc.). The incremental bonus rates aren’t worth the hassle if you’re not an OCBC cardholder. I am now a trust card user.  Opportunity cost: There are better options now for near-instant liquidity with higher returns. Where I’m Parking My Spare Cash Instead I’ve shifted most of my spare cash into near-cash investment alternatives that balance liquidity and returns. TrustInvest Cash+ is one of my top choices, offering s...

Recently, I noticed something interesting. While many people struggle with rising costs, I've remained financially comfortable. This made me stop and think: why am I not feeling the pinch like others? The answer surprised me. I've always lived a step behind my peers when it comes to lifestyle choices. I still live in an HDB flat when they have upgraded to condos I sold my car and now use only public transport I avoid expensive vacations and luxury purchases Some might ask: "Where's the enjoyment in life?" Honestly, right now my world revolves around my two toddlers who are both under 3 years old. Between work and family time, there's little room for extravagant spending. And this simpler lifestyle has helped me save significantly more money. Discovering New Opportunities With reduced social outings and no big holiday (thanks to my 2 toddlers), I found myself with valuable free time in the evenings. Instead of wasting it, I began asking myself: could I build so...

Over the past few months, I’ve been carefully mapping out my path to Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE). While being cautious has its merits, I realized I might have been too conservative in my estimates. That’s when I discovered Barista FIRE, a flexible approach where you achieve partial financial independence but continue working in a lower-stress or part-time role to cover some living expenses while letting your investments grow. This way, you don’t need a full retirement nest egg upfront. My Barista FIRE Calculations Monthly Expenses (including spouse): ~5,000 SGD Annual Expenses: 5,000 x 12 = 60,000 SGD Expected Side Income (from part-time work or projects): ~25,000 SGD/year Annual Passive Income Needed: 60,000 – 25,000 = 35,000 SGD My current investment portfolio yields around 8% (thanks to buying stocks during market downturns), but I expect this to stabilize at ~5% as I diversify further. To generate 35,000 SGD/year at a 5% yield, I’d need a portfolio of ~700,000 ...

Right now, I’m holding 27% cash in my portfolio, the highest it’s ever been. While sitting on cash isn’t ideal (especially with inflation), I don’t feel compelled to chase the market at these levels. I’m already well-invested and comfortable with my positions. Yes, my cash earns decent interest in a high-yield savings account, but even that will see lower returns starting 1 August 2025. Still, that’s no reason to rush into overvalued markets out of fear of missing out (FOMO). The current market feels euphoric, and when emotions run high, mistakes happen. If you’re sitting on cash, stay patient. Better opportunities will come. Don’t let FOMO push you into reckless decisions. Discipline > Emotion. Wait for your moment.

The stock market has been on an absolute tear recently, and honestly, I’m as surprised as anyone. While my portfolio has surged nearly 15% in just a month (thanks to paper gains from June to July), the broader economic picture feels disconnected. The job market remains brutal—students and fresh grads are struggling to land even internships, let alone full-time roles. Yet, the markets keep charging ahead like a bull that refuses to slow down. Missed Opportunities, But Gains Are Still Gains Looking back, I can’t help but kick myself for selling off some positions too early. If I had held onto my Bitcoin and capitalandinvest, my unrealized gains would’ve been even higher. But hey, a gain is still a gain. In a world where many are barely keeping their heads above water financially, I’ll take a uptick any day. The key lesson? Sometimes, doing nothing is the best strategy, especially in a bullish market where patience pays off. My Warchest is Growing! Why I’m Not Deploying Cash Yet One inter...