The SG Hustle

When people hear "FIRE" (Financial Independence, Retire Early), they often picture extreme frugality: tiny homes, no vacations, and a life of deprivation. But what if you don’t want to give up the comforts and experiences that make life enjoyable? That’s where I stand. My FIRE journey is slower than those who slash expenses to the bone, but I’m okay with that. Why? Because I refuse to compromise my family’s lifestyle just to reach FI a few years earlier. My FIRE Progress: Slow but Steady I’m currently 25% of the way to my FIRE goal as of 34 years old. While some might see this as "behind," I see it as meaningful progress, achieved without sacrificing family vacations, good food, or the little joys that make daily life fulfilling. Mindful Spending > Extreme Frugality Instead of adopting a scarcity mindset, I focus on conscious spending: Prioritizing value: I spend freely on things that matter (e.g., health, education, family time) but cut ruthlessly on what doesn’...

Introduction In my last post, I shared my plan to launch a low-time, high-impact side business, one designed to eventually replace 25% of my annual income by December 2026 without overtaking my full-time job. But before the first dollar rolls in, there’s a financial hurdle: startup costs. After months of research, I’ve crunched the numbers, here’s exactly what it costs to set up this business (and why I’m opting for a Private Limited (Pte Ltd) structure instead of the cheaper Sole Proprietorship route). Upfront Costs (CapEx) – The $10,000 Kickstart To launch properly, I budgeted ~$10,000 SGD in initial capital. Here’s the breakdown: Corporate secretary firms: $500  ACRA Registration: $300 Company Name Reservation: $15 Domain + Website Hosting: $200/year Logo & Branding (Fiverr/Canva Pro): $100-$500 Office Security Deposit (3 months): $2,100  Kick Start Marketing: $3,000 Office Furniture: $4,000 Monthly Costs (OpEx) – $2,000 SGD/Month Once operational, these are my fixed mo...

Since childhood, I never had a domestic helper at home. My parents managed everything on their own, cooking, cleaning, and raising us without extra help. So when my wife first suggested hiring a helper after our first child was born, I was hesitant. The idea of an additional monthly expense didn’t sit well with me, especially since I was aiming for Financial Independence and Retiring Early (FIRE). But everything changed when we were expecting our second child. Suddenly, the math shifted. Between work, parenting, and household chores, it became clear that maintaining our desired standard of cleanliness and order would be nearly impossible without help. The question then became: Could hiring a domestic helper actually be a financially sound decision, even for someone pursuing FIRE? Surprisingly, the answer was yes. Breaking Down the Costs When I finally decided to hire a helper, I chose one from Myanmar due to the lower placement fees and salary expectations. Here’s a detailed breakdown ...