Simple Budget, Simple Life

Jun update - new goal set - option to retire at 40

2026-06-24T21:27:54.528+08:00

Half a year in to 2026. I thought this is a good time for me to have a half-yearly review.

This was what I set out for 2026:

Build a stronger portfolio through DCA (target - 2k per month) ✅❌
Grow passive income to 30k/year
Stay unharmed at work and continue to ride the waves
Explore an alternative career path ✅❌
Donate more than 2025 ✅
Bring my parents overseas (already 1 planned) ✅
Gain more muscles, not fats by strength exercises ✅
Eat, buy, do whatever I want (I'm actually doing so already in 2025 and like to continue in 2026. Self-love!) ✅
Visit a new destination (already one planned, and foresee another one coming if all things go smoothly!) ✅

Half year in and I'm already achieving some parts. Broadly, I do think I had a rather fruitful first half of the year. I also feel my mental health is better.

At the start of this year, I set out that each month, I will schedule something interesting. As I scroll through my calendar, I'm proud that I've pushed myself to be more active.

Jan:

signed up for a makeup class though it turned out more to be a MLM sales
started physiotherapy
went for a heritage walk
went for a church tour
learnt crochet in hope to find a hobby and interest...but nope. Not for me haha
set up POEMS account

Feb:

tried reiki meditation
joined a workshop to manage emotions
dental
did pottery
joined an event to bond with my husband

Mar:

joined a virtual session on recovering from fertility fatigue

Apr:

travelled overseas to a country I've not been to before
started learning a new language
learn energy healing

May:

overseas work trip with hubby in tow
did inbody scan which got me to wake up that I need to build more muscle mass
engaged an online bazi reader - taking it with a pinch of salt, but it made me a bit more knowledgable about how to read my own bazi

Jun:

attended a workshop to be more intuitive
joined a mental wellness class which gave me more insight on how to be more mentally well
decided to sign up for Careshield Life plus via Singlife since it gave 35% perpetual discount

It's been a pretty fulfiling half a year. I do feel I am happier now and I hope it sustains. I give thanks to myself for inserting activities to make my life less mundane, otherwise, it felt like I was just living day by day, which was my life for the past few years.

Also, I realised I didnt set a goal of how much net worth to achieve. It was my goal to reach 1.3m networth for 2025 but I didn't make it. It was 1.128m. Since it's important to establish a goal and work towards it, I am aiming to reach 1.5m networth by end 2026. Aim high for the stars :)

Beyond this short-term goal, I have now set my mind to achieve this goal: (option to) retire at 40.

This thought came up strongly recently. Maybe it's the flood of layoffs news that got me uneasy and fearing it will be difficult for me to find another job as I get older. I am at a stage where I'm expensive. While we haven't fully grasp the extent of AI for our jobs, I know my management is already thinking of reducing headcounts in name of "AI" - which is a rather b move.

Therefore, while I had really painful experiences at work last year, I am still holding on tight to my job since the job market is bleak. Learning to be thick skinned at work helps. Reframing my thinking that people at work don't matter as long $ is in my bank every month.

In order to achieve the option of retiring at 40, I am back to purchasing UTs in POEMS via my SRS and CPF OA. I got some during the march and april lows, but I wasn't gutsy to put in more. I must still thank myself for entering the market as I am sitting on 10-12% gains just by buying in this year.

I've also been deploying cash into ETFs, bit by bit. I've been accumulating too much cash and it's sad that I only woke up now. While people are enjoying the wins such as 50-100% growth in their portfolio since covid, I can only tell myself it's better late than never.

As of today, my networth is sitting at $1.232m. 268k more to reach my $1.5m goal end this year. I'm smirking but I trust that everything will work well in my favour!

I look forward to sharing my networth pie in Dec :)

Quiet times

2026-04-25T21:33:25.001+08:00

I confess I seem to lose the ability to write. I practically use co-pilot to rephrase my emails through my broken English. And here I am, trying to make an effort to write, but feeling stucked.

I am alone at home, enjoying my quiet time, while R&B music is playing in the background. Chinese R&B music to be specific. I realised there are so many nice songs by China songwriters and composers now - their names unfamiliar to me, but their melodies and lyrics touched my heart. It brought back sweet childhood crushes and memories.

I also realised I am now old and at another stage of life where these love stories are past tenses. It is a bittersweet realisation that time has gone just like that. When I wished I could grow up faster, where I wonder how I'd be like when I'm in my late 20s, 30s, I'm now living it.

Life has been good so far. I am not trying to force my contentment, but I must pat my back and thank God for giving me a comfortable life.

For the past few months, I've been filling my calendar with activities. Looking at my goals for 2026, I'm on track:

Here's my 2026 goals:

Build a stronger portfolio through DCA (target - 2k per month)

Q1: tried to lump sum more during March lows. Invested OA and SRS. Was still too chicken about using cash

Grow passive income to 30k/year
Stay unharmed at work and continue to ride the waves

Q1: toxic colleagues still but now all are on pretend mode. Pretend we shall be.

Explore an alternative career path
Donate more than 2025
Bring my parents overseas (already 1 planned)
Gain more muscles, not fats by strength exercises
Eat, buy, do whatever I want (I'm actually doing so already in 2025 and like to continue in 2026. Self-love!)
Visit a new destination (already one planned, and foresee another one coming if all things go smoothly!)

Q1: done

This year, I also endeavored to fulfil my 2025 uncompleted goal of learning new skills. I signed up for 1:1 crochet class to see if this could be a longer term hobby - good try, but nope, not interested. I am also learning a new language. I have also tried alternative healing method. Just in 4 months time, I feel I've done more than my previous years where I was cruising along and "wasting time".

On financial front, I am aiming to use more of my cash to invest in ETFs. I am already proud of myself for making steps to invest ~S$80k of my OA and SRS just in these 4 months of 2026. Given these monies will only be unlocked in my 60s, I was more daring in deploying them. However, I need to be more aggressive with my cash deployment so I can FIRE earlier. I am making a bold goal to FIRE at 40 - I believe I will still continue to work if I can (since I've no other hobbies to turn to) - but having this option is always good. To achieve this goal with 4-5 years horizon is tough. I missed out precious years stupidly buying individual stocks. This was a hard lesson for me, but I must move forward.

I hope to share an even more positive outlook at Q2.

My job is not my identity

2026-01-31T10:03:00.000+08:00

31 January 2026. End of 1st month in 2026.

I'm proud of myself for trying - trying to fill my life with more new activities.

I felt I've been cruising along, and "wasting" my time for years since covid. Events in my life has made me weak. I lost hp, but took potions along the way to grow it back, and I accumulated more xp and levelled up.

I am now learning to add more sparkles into my calendar.

In this month, I went for health screening, went for makeup class (which was more of a product pushing/mlm sales pitch), started seeing a woman's health physiotherapist to improve my body, attended workshop on investing, went for a community tour, went for a church tour, and now - hoping to learn crocheting.

All in attempt to be less idle, learn something new, and tell myself - my job is not my identity.

Internalising this idea is still a work in progress. I guess because I've not much going on in life (which I remain thankful that things have been smooth for me), I focused my attention on work.

And my job, consumed my life. Majority of my frustrations, anxiety, panic attacks come from work.

This post was sparked after seeing a TikTok video which I related well.

@elissalynn_ Link top page for ways I can help #worklifebalance #highperformers #emotionalattachment #burnoutrecovery ♬ original sound - High Performer Coach

I took many things personally at work. I replayed all the nuances happening at work. If something went slightly wrong, I felt very attacked. Naturally, that resulted in lethargy and lack of sleep at night.

I've been waking up multiple times this month in the middle of the night. Sometimes 3am, sometimes 4am. I would sit on my couch, scroll through TikTok for 1 hour, before resuming sleep. And I'd wonder if I should wake up soon as it's time to head to work.

I had to put up a front at work. Exteriorly, I may look calm. I may look like I can't be bothered about the politics. But it was sucking my energy. Nobody can be trusted at work - my colleagues whom I thought could be relied on, were sabotaging me.

I know I was seeking validation at work. I know it's not just at work - I constantly seek validation. It's just that bulk of my time was spent at work, and it had the biggest exposure in my life. I wanted to be appreciated, praised, rewarded. I know it stemmed from childhood trauma - never being good, always being looked down on, sidelined, invisible - and many times, I really wished I could blast my parents for their lack of protection. I also narrated in my head of cutting ties with them. Yet, the angels in me would cut to scenes where my parents share love to me, in their non-verbal ways.

The last sentence in this TikTok resonated with me - fill your life with other things that fill you up.

I'm trying.

End 2025 Review - Net Worth at $1.128m ; CPF interest ~$14k

2026-01-01T21:32:00.004+08:00

As I started to type, the first word that came to my mind was "Nonchalant".

I'm feeling more and more so. It seems like a protective layer or persona I'm taking up. So that I gets less f up by external factors.

I used to be diligent updating here, but I lost the joy in sharing what's going on.

I was even nonchalant about updating my net worth. I used to track it monthly; and more so on 31 Dec 2025.

Yet on 31 Dec 2025, I slept at 10+ pm. Not sure what time I really fell asleep. Sadly, I woke up at 5.30am and it hurts my head. I never had good sleep.

What prompted me to do an update here was just in case one day, I have records to track back my thoughts, and my financial journey. Like how I could check back my interest on 1 January 2025 easily through my blog.

---

Here's a recap of my finances over the years:

2016 - Unexpected review of 2016: hitting $200k in net worth
2017 - End 2017 review - net worth at $287k
2018 - End 2018 review - net worth at $372k
2019 - End 2019 Review - inching close to $500k net worth (~$440k)
2020 - End 2020 Review - net worth at $550k
2021 - End 2021 Review - closing in to $700k net worth
2022 - End 2022 Review - failing financial goal for the first time, $660k net worth
2023: End 2023 review: $819k net worth
2024: End 2024 review - achieving $1.04m networth

2025 Review

Recap of what I've done the past 12 months and my reflections:

Jan:

Did MA top-up. Mentioned I'll hit FRS of 213k in 2025
Celebrated CNY with my family overseas

Feb

Continued with antibiotics to remove h.pyori
Packing our home for the move
Dental

Mar

Did my annual health screening
Officially "homeless". Thank God we were able to stay at our parents' place
Possibly another emotional attack that resulted in this post but it was a good read and reflection. Thank you to the bros and sis for your comments ❤️
Received my funds for sale of flat. Momentarily a millionaire in my bank.
Reached FRS of 213k

Apr

Shared some achievements. Including redemption of business class flight and celebration of anniversary
Received a flu vaccine
Took hep B at polyclinic since my health screening showed I've no immunity against it
Did a set of retainers at a dental clinic - lousy service

May

Family trip. Sponsored by dad.

Got a temple lot that signals bad omen when I asked on the possibility of having children. Broke my heart but I know things happen for a reason. This further solidified my plan not to continue with IVF anymore

Secured our condo. God is great!
Got our car and that was the start to many foodie hunts and road trips!

June

Enjoyed my work trip

July

Was curious if 5 July natural disaster will happen
Started our furniture hunting
Moved in to our new home

August

Dental

Sept

October

Overseas trip

Nov

Did northern hemp flu jab

Dec

Ended the year with sickness

It doesn't seem much, but I felt it was an eventful year. Good things happened; and the only bad thing was from work. Other than that, I acknowledge I've a good life and I'm super grateful.

At the start of the year, I spoke about my goals for physical, mental and spiritual healing

On physical healing, I do feel that I've become healthier. I suspect the removal of h.pylori has given me a much better gut health. I haven't had much stomach aches compared to the best. My hubby also attested that I am healthier now. I've also gained some weight.
Mental healing isn't the best, but getting somewhere. I have been mistreated at work, mainly due to toxic boss(es). I suffered mentally. It didn't help that my counsellor whom I've been sharing all my sorrows with, left and I had to rebuild rapport with a new one. May karma be real and the bitch gets booted out. Even on first day of 2026, I kept replaying how I should retaliate when I'm back in office when I see her.
Spiritual healing - I'm still figuring out. Not all prayers work, but some did give me peace of calm. Though, sudden pangs of anger, sadness would also erupt in my heart and I needed to find a way to peace out. However, I trust God. I believe in angels. I believe I'm here to live life, a good life, and I aim to do this happily every day.

2025 also marked the year where I stopped IVF fully. It has been a mindless chase, injecting my body with hormones since 2021. 4 years.

4 bloody years.

It was blood tests after blood tests, resulting in my veins on my left arm turning weak and the nurses now have difficulties getting blood from there. I should have known not to play god. It was essentially money down the drain. But, I wouldn't have become who I am today, without going through these pains. I know it's a trial for me.

Net Worth

I'm now standing at $1.128m. A 88k increase VS 2024's 1.04m.

But, I guess there's no meaning to the figures anymore. A good chunk of my money are nestled in my home.

Hopes and Goal for 2026

Firstly, I shall recap my 2025 goals:

This is what I WILL achieve in 2025:

move into a home that serves as a stronger asset ✅
pray more and practice care and kindness to myself ✅ (I did pray more and learn to love myself more by making every day happy)
get promoted with high pay jump either in this firm, or a new one ✅❌ (paltry increase)
travel with my family (already 2 planned) ✅
gain new skills (e.g. coaching, trading, new language) ✅❌ (didn't set out to do this. Oops. But I did try meditation!)
Achieve 1.3m net worth ✅❌ (I guessed I failed since a good chunk of my CPF OA is channeled to my home)

I admit I suck at investing. While people boast about their 1m stock portfolio, I'm ashamed that I'm not even 1/5. I haven't invested this year except for occasional small entry using SRS. I guess I was really being nonchalant.

Here's my 2026 goals:

Build a stronger portfolio through DCA (target - 2k per month)
Grow passive income to 30k/year
Stay unharmed at work and continue to ride the waves
Explore an alternative career path
Donate more than 2025
Bring my parents overseas (already 1 planned)
Gain more muscles, not fats by strength exercises
Eat, buy, do whatever I want (I'm actually doing so already in 2025 and like to continue in 2026. Self-love!)
Visit a new destination (already one planned, and foresee another one coming if all things go smoothly!)

All these seem to be feasible goals and I look forward to checking all off. 2026 will be great for me!!!

Lastly, interest for CPF is in today:

Till next time.

Dear Universe

2025-12-02T20:17:00.001+08:00

Dear Universe,

7 months have passed. Many things have happened, positive ones, because I choose to see things positively.

And I'd like to express thanks for each of these positive things.

As I mentioned in my previous link, I reached FRS for CPF, sold my house for >1m, clocked my business class flights for my hubby and I.

Aside from these, I made our family trip happen which made my dad really happy. My mum, though she is not a fan of travelling, enjoyed herself too.

I thank God that my parents are healthy both mentally and physically to enjoy a 2 weeks trip with us.

I thank God for providing such a smooth journey with great weather throughout my trip in a land frequently visited by natural disasters. Everything was amazing.

I am thankful to my dad for being so selfless and paying for bulk of the trip. I know he felt satisfied that he could once again pay and bring the whole family out for holidays.

I had a business trip where I got to meet my overseas colleagues and managed to tick off a place that I probably would not venture to on my own. I am thankful that I get to stay in a five stars hotel for close to a week - a privilege that I am appreciative of, given the cost cutting measures that are implemented left and right.

I made a resale condo purchase and am now a proud property owner. Mortgage debts aside, I am thankful that I have the means to purchase my own property. While it means I have to continue working, it makes me appreciate my job more - because I know this job pays well for the skills / effort / output I deliver.

I am thankful that in the midst of layoffs happening, my job is secure. I can't guarantee things won't change but I remain grateful that I have been spared from the exercise last year.

With that, I leave a few messages for myself based on a recent book that I read midway:

I am Divine
I love myself. God loves me
Follow my heart
My vision creates reality
My life is beautiful
Live in the present

$213k FRS milestone, >$1m HDB sold, business class flight redeemed

2025-04-27T17:06:00.000+08:00

Thank you to the well meaning people who commented on my previous post.

I am learning about myself, learning to be a better person. Learning to validate and appreciate myself.

I've been watching more meditation and spiritual videos, and learning to look and grow from within.

Through the videos, it taught me to be more contented and appreciative (I have been learning to give thanks every day), to complain less and gossip about people (because it is creating negative energies, hatred and bitterness in myself).

On the latter, it is easier said than done. I reflected that I've been very bitter about many things, having a lot of hatred for people whom I've crossed paths with for their treatment and attitude towards me. From relatives, to people I interact at work. I try to rationalise that these people are just passer by and have no real effect on my daily life - if I could cut ties with my toxic relatives, I can also cut off may things that expend my energy.

I reflected that I complained about my boss and colleague(s) every day at work; I partake in discussions with colleagues and while it bonded us together, I am aware it's not helpful in any way. I am learning to stop and think positively. That what I go through are lessons to grow myself better.

Few weeks ago, I was hit by anger and hatred. I tried to breathe in and out to regulate my emotions but it was hard to keep calm. It was meaningless repeat of negative comments and treatment from people that floated past my head. I took a piece of paper and titled it "f*** you list" and listed the names of people I dislike from childhood till now. From the list, I strike off people who hurt me most - around 25. I wasn't surprised by the number of people who made me felt poorly about myself. But I was surprised that I missed out people from my former company - where my former boss was a b*tch. I conveniently forgot I was in this company as I reflected who to list! This made me realise, these people don't matter and were insignificant! At a heat of anger, stupid thoughts float past my mind on what people commented of me, how people act towards me, but this act of forgetting feels like a form of healing in itself, a quiet declaration that their impact has faded.

I am learning to give thanks every day and appreciate the love I receive daily. From my husband's efforts in taking good care of me, to my mum preparing my breakfast, to my dad buying me dinner. In fact, there was a night where my mum cooked for me and I was standing behind her as she prepare the ingredients, that I felt a pang of guilt mixed with happiness. I thought - how long more can my mum cook for me? Each moment like these, while simple, makes it very heartwarming. It's really the simple things that counts.

I am learning to be present.

----

March 2025 marked a memorable month in terms of my finances.

The first milestone was where my CPF SA reached $213k. Through years of top-up, I've reached a stage where I'm unable to top-up further.

The second milestone was receiving my proceeds from the sales of my flat and a big fat $1m has reached our joint account.

I was overjoyed for a moment when I saw the million dollar sum in my account. It felt unreal - as if it was a glitch. But the joy didn't last long because we have purchased a new launch / another debt to pay so it was practically "nice to see but cannot touch".

I joked with my husband that we have changed our status. We are now "homeless". But this is where I am thankful that my in-laws is able to accomodate us back home.

These 2 milestones brought me comfort that I'm in a decently comfortable financial situation, and hopefully for earlier retirement.

April 2025 - one milestone is successfully exchanging for 2 SQ business class flight for myself and hubby next year!

After 3 years of accumulating miles, I finally exchanged my 5th business class flight and I am looking forward to my trip.

Also took part in Restaurant Week where my husband and I celebrated our anniversary. I'm still careful in spending $100+ on a meal for two, but we are only doing so for special occasion.

Here's to more milestones to share next!

Who am I?

2025-03-30T10:46:00.001+08:00

I am sitting in my husband's childhood home, feeling emotional.

In the backdrop, I am playing a healing meditation bgm to make me feel more calm. I've been playing such singing bowl music to soothe my nerves and my anxiety.

Sometimes, my anxiety comes out of nowhere. Often, it is triggered by my overactive brain and oversensitive heart.

My logical brain tells me - I've mostly what I need. A good income, a loving husband, a supportive family (both mine and in-laws) - everything is pacing out well; except a child which I've come to terms with.

My emotional wiring stirs up shit. It could be comments made by colleagues, looking down on me/my role, comments from boss showing favouritism and lack of appreciation for my work, comments from other colleagues who gave negative comments about my output. I don't like to be looked down. I hate these little comments floating past my brain, made from little people who I know are not an integral part of my life. I know, but I still fret over it.

I sought help - from counsellors and coach through company's platform, to self-help books online, to motivational youtube videos. Each material tells me what I know - love yourself, trust yourself, you are your own greatest gift, you can do it, you have what it takes to overcome everything. I already know. I am trying to practice self-love. But how do I live it day and out?

My self-love is practical. Buying and eating food I like. Going for massages and facial. Buying clothes I like. Though all these purchase must generally be on discount. I derive satisfaction knowing I pay with either discounts or receive benefits (cashback or miles).

But are there other aspects to practice self-love that I've not explored?

I want to wake up everyday believing in myself. That I prioritise myself first. I want the negative emotions to get out. I tried meditation and reiki, and I feel pins and needles on my arms and chest, radiating bigger and bigger as I breathe in and out.

I think I figured my emotions are suppressed. It probably accumulated in me - the pain, hardships, unfairness, all kept and bottled inside. Sometimes I couldn't cry - I teared a little and moved on. But I want to let it out.

Actually, who am I? What do I want? What is/are my dreams? As I close my eyes to reflect, I only feel tears and bottled up energy in my chest. My mind is blank. I know who I dont want to be - I dont want to be a corporate slave, after all, I hate many people I interacted with - I hate their lack of respect to me. I dont want hardship - I know I am blessed. I may not come from a rich family background, but being born in Singapore is already a lottery. I barely had much hardship, physically. Most of my hardship comes from emotional turmoils - my IVF, retrenchment, overly sensitive personality.

When I think about my dreams when I was young, I had ideas of becoming a teacher, a young mother, a singer. Are they really my dream job? No. It was just society constructs set on me - I've these ideas not because I want to be, but because I had no idea who I am, what am I.

I dont know when I will figure out. I suppose I may never. I guess all of us will never figure it out.

Life is a journey of exploration and reflection. I am doing these to understand myself better. I hate those misery that I've been put through, but to squeeze positive things out from those episode would be that they gave me negative experiences that made me appreciate the positive ones more. They taught me that I am highly resilient and powerful.

May peace be with me.

New BFF: Chocolate Finance x Heymax - Earn 2 Max Miles per S$1

2025-02-06T12:34:00.001+08:00

If you've not heard of Chocolate Finance and Heymax, here's the deal:

As of 11 Feb 2025, Chocolate Finance is partnering with Heymax to allow 2 max miles per $1 through their Chocolate Visa Platinum Debit Card. We can now earn 2 Max Miles per S$1 spent on virtually everything - charitable donations, education, hospitals, insurance premiums, utilities, and even AXS transactions.

What is Chocolate Finance?

Chocolate Finance has been my sidekick saving account since Jul 2024 where I placed $20k for 3.3% p.a. on the first S$20,000.

So far, I've earned $454.98. Not too bad for an account that allows easy and immediate withdrawal.

What is Heymax?

Heymax is a rewards platform that offers Max Miles which can be transferred to various airline (excluding SQ) and hotel programs, making them highly valuable for travelers.

I've been using it for the past year as it helps maximise rewards on my credit cards by recommending the best card to use. Simply key in the cards you have on hand and it will recommend the ideal card to use for maximizing your rewards, based on the Merchant Category Code (MCC).

It also has this amazing feature where it tracks my card spending but this is currently limited to Visa cards only.

It is also similar to shopback, but provides rewards in terms of miles, not cashback. Take a look at some of the maxmiles I've accumulated:

In fact, max miles can be used to redeem for various gift cards, making it almost like cashback!

How It Works and Perks

Sign up for a Chocolate Finance account if you've not - pls consider using my referral here: https://share.chocolate.app/nxW9/9h8vp9v8 where I would receive $5 for your sign-up.

Pls note this is an app and it's very user friendly.
You can enjoy 3.3% p.a. on the first S$20,000
Returns are credited daily.
There’s no lock-in period, and funds can be withdrawn anytime.

Register for their Chocolate Visa Platinum Debit Card in the app. Registration is instant - you will receive digital card immediately. For physical card, you may request and receive it in a few weeks.

The card has no minimum income requirement and no annual fee. It's worth noting that this is a debit card, not a credit card, so you'll need to put money into your Chocolate Finance account before spending.
For the first S$1,000 of spending per calendar month, you get to enjoy the 2 Max Miles per S$1. For any amount above S$1,000, it will be 0.4 Max Miles per S$1.
I will be using it for my monthly charity donation, insurance premiums and AXS transactions

Sign up for heymax account if you've not - pls consider using my referral here: https://heymax.ai/?referral_code=5A5EAA2D where you would receive 200 max miles upon sign up with this link, and 50 max miles as you completed the onboarding.

Enter Chocolate Visa Debit Card into your account and key in the details to link your card.

Thereafter, you just need to transact using your debit card and maxmiles will be credited!

I know good deals typically don't last....Hopefully this deal doesn't run out of steam too soon!

2025 - year of healing: physically, mentally, spiritually

2025-01-02T14:04:00.013+08:00

I have been feeling stuck for years. 6 years in fact. I felt like I did not live for myself. That I did not love myself enough.

I blame my body for its weakness. I blame my overactive mind for giving me heartaches and tears.

I didn't give time to heal. I was chasing against time, against my biological clock.

But I missed out taking care of myself.

The pursuit for a child seemed like a blackhole. Only pouring in, with no outcome. I am now stopping this journey. Whether it is a pause or a full stop, I am still uncertain.

But I know I need to live for myself NOW.

Therefore, 2025 is going to be my year of healing. I had this thought nearing the end of 2024 - that I've suffered enough. Sure there were happy moments, but I could not live in the present.

I wish for reborn.

1. Physical Healing

I've made steps to better my health.

Due to my frequent indigestions and stomachaches, I've gone for gastroscopy and colonoscopy. Fortunately, the results were not earth shattering. It was found that I've H. pylori infection which answers my stomach issues. I'm now put on triple therapy - taking different types of antibiotics - in hopes to clear the bacteria out. I hate the medicines, but I'm hopeful it will eradicate the bacteria. I will also be refraining from sashimi. For a period of time, it was my favourite. Somehow I just don't love it as much now, possibly my brain telling my gut it's not a good food for me.

I have been having poor sleep for the longest time. I've went to a sleep doctor but it was not helping. It was a short consultation with bulk of the information shared being what I know. Of course, practicing it is another matter - and I'm trying (e.g no phone by 830pm). He said my poor sleep is psychological and directed me to a clinical psychologist. I was also given melatonin and anti-histamine to aid in my sleep - melatonin did not work. The anti-histamine seemed to have made me drowsy but I woke up with heavy brain fog. The sleep doctor trip felt like a wasted one. I will consider seeking another specialist and aim for 2025 to be the year where I improve my sleep.

2. Mental Healing

Relating to poor sleep is the many heavy thoughts weighing in my brain. Bulk of it is work related - politics played out by leaders causing me my promotion and increments, and thinking how I should fight for myself. It had caused me many sleepless nights.

I can only try to think less, and practice kindness to myself, in hopes to combat poor sleep.

I will also take time to read more books. Go for walks with my husband. And learn to let go.

3. Spiritual Healing

I'm not a religious person. However, my past experiences has led me to seeking spiritual answers. I prayed to various gods. I prayed for protection, good health, peace and good luck. I was disappointed that some of the signs were not true - I spoke about getting a good divine lot from a temple but good results did not materialise. I can only try to think that whatever I'm experiencing will lead to miracles and greatly positive things to come.

I read books in hope to search for answers. One book I've started is "What God Said" by Neale Donald Walsch. In that, I resonated to a para that states that there is no one right religion to the way of God. Human create war, revenge because each of us think our religion is the one and only way. However, the book stated that there are multiple paths to God and we should learn to respect every religion. I quote "We are all One. Ours is not a better way, ours is merely another way". This is perhaps why I have not found a one and only religion to pledge to. I go to temples, I go to churches to pray. Both give me different solace - temples visit felt like an effort to make good of my situation, while churches gave me great peace and I love it. The book also mentioned, as long as you have God is your mind, it doesn't matter the venue of worships.

Therefore, I am kickstarting habits to meditate. In hopes to seek to connect with the divine and seek inner peace. I had interesting observations and it just happened yesterday - I saw colour as I mediate. One was a speck of red light flying upwards and disappeared. Another was patches of violet. I am excited about this discovery and hope I could see more colours soon.

As I meditated, one thought crossed my mind. Life is a game. It's a journey. There is a start and there will be an end. I hope to be able to live and let live and savour good moments.

2025 - CPF interest of $13k in

2025-01-01T11:29:00.001+08:00

My favourite activity for each start of the year is checking my CPF interest.

And on 1 Jan 2025, I've received the following interest:

2025 will also mark the year where I reach FRS of $213,000. This will mean limited tax relief, unless I've deductions from Medisave that can allow $8k top-up.

It will also be the year where I receive my CPF OA used for housing, upon the sale of my flat. That said, the amount will likely channel out to my new home (which I'm still hunting for).

Overall, I know 2025 is going to be eventful. It is definite that I will get a new home under my name. While cashflow is tight, I'm proud that I am able to scrap through owning a >1m property by my own. Though, servicing another one under my hubby's name will be a headache.

Anyway, we will get there.

Things are looking rosy and 2025 will be a great year for me!

End 2024 review - achieving $1.04m networth

2024-12-26T13:39:00.003+08:00

Another end to a year. For the nth time, I dread reflecting on the year because I did not receive positive outputs from the pain I've endured.

But here goes.

Here's a recap of my finances over the years:

2016 - Unexpected review of 2016: hitting $200k in net worth
2017 - End 2017 review - net worth at $287k
2018 - End 2018 review - net worth at $372k
2019 - End 2019 Review - inching close to $500k net worth (~$440k)
2020 - End 2020 Review - net worth at $550k
2021 - End 2021 Review - closing in to $700k net worth
2022 - End 2022 Review - failing financial goal for the first time, $660k net worth
2023: End 2023 review: $819k net worth

2024 Review

Borrowing my past year statement: This year, so much has happened, but not much have changed.

Since I don't blog every month, here's a recap of what I've done across the past 12 months:

Jan

Did CPF MA topup of $3k
Spoke about feeling depressed and signing up for counselling sessions. Turns out I had periodic sessions as an outlet and to seek validation that my concerns and worries should not be dismissed
Did my 5th IVF in hopes for a dragon baby

Feb

Went to pray- for both fertility and job security. Got a positive lot from the bugis temple and it made me really hopeful. Make it a point to donate $50/month and $100-200 when I have bonus.
Travelled to China to take a break from stress I was suffering both mentally and physically

Mar

Sold some of my BTC for 50% profit
Changed to a nearby TCM clinic for weekly acupuncture (still no effect, but at least it made me feel I've tried)

Apr

6th IVF. Final embryo at this second IVF clinic. Failed.

May

Was brought by a couple friend to Toa Payoh temple to pray (thank you for your concern and help)

Jun

One year since my miscarriage
Tried chiro and signed a package
Travelled to Europe, again, to keep my mind away from negative thoughts
Was told my team had restructured and there were a number of colleagues who were laid off. Thankfully my job was safe. However, it was a difficult news given how that stressful feeling had been lingering for many months.

Jul

Decided to pick myself up to do a round of IVF at JB. Despite the hassle, the cost is really much cheaper. Alas, the quality was really poor - I only had one blast whereas I had 4-6 in previous 2 rounds of egg retrieval. I'm not sure if it's because they have a poorer lab compared to Singapore or my eggs quality deteriorated badly after multiple attempts. Doctor said it varies every cycle. Decided to hold off the transfer until I feel ready

Aug

Dental treatment

Sep

Went for facial to pamper myself
Realised I've hit the goal set in 2023, to achieve $950k in networth
Travelled to China with my family

Oct

Did my 7th ivf transfer with my one and only blast. Failed and decided to put a stop to this journey. I've tried my best and it's enough.

Nov

Did volunteering work
Sold some BTC at 70-80% profit

Dec

Reached $1m networth, thanks to stronger comeback for crypto and US stocks.
Top up cash to my CPF SA and my mum's.

Again, 2024 was spent mostly on one thing - IVF. All my time, efforts, money devoted. Close to $100k in. It's enough. I have enough.

In 2024, I also took a hit in my career. First, the retrenchment exercise. While I was not impacted, remaining in the company meant taking on others' scopes. I'm glad my ex-colleagues managed to find jobs very soon and they even said they felt it's a blessing to be able to go to a better company with better salary; on top of that, they had a good redundancy package. What was most disheartening was that despite taking on more, I was told there is no salary increase. It felt extremely unfair given what I've put in, and it's signalling I should leave. Unfortunately, I have not been able to identify any better companies to head to. I feel stuck.

On to a better turn, I have sold my house and is looking forward to getting a new home in 2025. However, the property prices have been off-putting and a good resale condo is getting out of reach. It is also going to be a risky move buying a new house under my name, should I want to leave my job. It is also hard to predict if a next wave of retrenchment will hit me.

All in all, I really hope for a better 2025. God, please treat me well.

Therefore, to recap the goals set for 2024, I've achieved mostly:

Hit $950k net worth for 2024 ✅
Look out for a new house (possibly moving in in 2025) ✅
Stay healthy and be happy ✅❌

Net Worth

Anyway, on to what people are here for: $1.04m net worth. A 221k increase? Honestly, I've no idea how I did it, except that my past investments are yielding better returns.

I foresee a drop in my networth for 2025, given that a good chunk of my CPF OA will be diverted to my property purchase.

Hopes and Goal for 2025

I'm not sure if I jinxed myself - but it's not in my imagination that there's yet another year of no salary growth. It's high time I keep a look out for better opportunities, which may make 2025 a risky and challenging year, coupled with getting a new home.

This is what I WILL achieve in 2025:

move into a home that serves as a stronger asset
pray more and practice care and kindness to myself
get promoted with high pay jump either in this firm, or a new one
travel with my family (already 2 planned)
gain new skills (e.g. coaching, trading, new language)
Achieve 1.3m net worth

2024 CPF cash top-up completed

2024-12-23T18:39:00.001+08:00

For years, I've done CPF cash top-ups in a bid to reduce taxes. I typically did them at the start of the year.

I had an inkling I wasn't earning a lot to warrant the tax reliefs, but felt compelled to do so to make it seem like my money in CPF was working harder.

Afterall, 4% on SA was much greater than leaving it in the banks. No doubt, these were money "stuck" until I could only withdraw them when I cross 55.

In the past 2 years, I became more apprehensive of topping-up at the start of the year. I only did it for MA, but for SA, I decided to wait...till I had more cash on hand. This was because I was running out of cash reserves as I threw in quite a bit of cash in 2021 onto stocks, cryptos....and unfortunately, was not savvy in making good returns.

I had to rebuild my cash reserves. That meant just aggressively saving, without investing. This may not be the wisest, but I needed comfort and security that my cash nest is being built back to the original state.

Fast forward now, while I still do not have $300k cash that I reported by when I was 30, I'm getting there.

Anyway, back to my main point. It's 22 Dec 2024. I've completed cash top-up to my SA, as well as to my mum. Come 2025, I believe that is my final year of gaining tax relief from cash top-up to both my SA as well as my mum's since we'd hit FRS.

I'd also be making a $15,300 cash top up for SRS.

Till the next update!

SGD$1,000,000 networth unlocked 🎉

2024-12-08T10:15:00.005+08:00

As of 8 Dec 2024, I have officially unlocked the milestone of $1m networth 🎉

This is all thanks to the increased in value of my crypto holdings as well as my US stocks. My HK/CN stocks are still in bad shape.

On stocks front, truthfully, my overall investments is still in the red. I had made mistakes in stock picking and has not taken the opportunity to cut losses. I had the view to hold and pray those stocks in deep red would go up - after all, I told myself I don't need the money right now.

On crypto, given that BTC has bounced back, I'm sitting on decent profits. I've been cashing out bit by bit. The last I spoke in Mar, I cashed out a rather sizeable amount of BTC at 50% profit. On hindsight, if I had waited till now, I could have cash out 3000 SGD more. Anyway, this time round in Nov, I cashed out 2 times, at a 70%-80% profit. Not bad considering the rest of my investments.

As long as there are no major global events impacting the markets negatively, I believe I would be able to retain my $1m networth at the end of this year.

I've also yet to top-up my CPF SA to max $8,000, nor SRS. I believe this is the last year that I can top-up to my CPF SA as I'm reaching the SA FRS. It seems rather foolish of me to have been topping up my SA for the past 8-9 years when my income was low and barely require the tax relief. But what's done is done, and I can only take comfort that my a bulk of my retirement funds would be secured via CPF.

On a personal front, I'm struggling with my career progression. Few years into my role and I'm assessing changing job again. It's a job that pays decent with good benefits. I can cruise here but I'm still considerably young. Sadly, this job is now tainted due to poor leadership, politics and betrayal. There seems no strong sincerity from the leaders to retain me, despite their verbal sharing that I'm doing a good job. These makes it hard for me to stay. I'm casually browsing but it's not easy to find an ideal job in an industry I like, with job scopes that provide work-life-balance. I am praying for lady luck to shine on me and for a smooth year ahead in 2025.

Health wise, my body continues to be weak despite many years of TCM treatment. Frequent indigestion, diarrhoea...

On a positive note, there has been good interest for my hdb and I'm on track to selling it by end this year. It is highly likely that we will move out before mid next year. House hunting has kickstarted but we have yet to find a good property that fits our checklist. I used to want to be able to know my next move before I take any actions e.g knowing where to stay before selling my flat, but I've now changed my mindset to go with the flow. No point thinking too much when there are many factors that can influence this journey.

With that, I look forward to sharing more end of this year with my usual year-end review.

May there be more positive results coming my way to share.

🤞On track to hitting $950k networth by end 2024🤞

2024-09-03T11:13:00.001+08:00

Another blink, another year ending soon.

How have you guys been? I wonder who else is still monitoring my blog despite my lack of updates.

Again, so much has happened, but not much have changed. I travelled well, continued with a 3rd round of IVF egg retrieval (result was extremely poor), and went through uncertainty at work due to restructuring but was thankfully able to keep my job.

I still haven't fulfil my dream of being a mother. Though honestly, it now feels more like a checkbox to be unchecked than the actual fulfilment of wanting to nurture and grow a child. I think the weariness is getting too much.

I will embark on my final transfer within these few months. This would be my 7th transfer. If it fails, I'm likely going to stop further treatments. I have already done the best at my "peak".

I am telling myself that my life is still amazing despite these hiccups.

Anyway, onto my financial goals.

Back on 31 Dec 2024, I posted my goal to achieve $950k networth by Dec.

Considering my previous financial performance, I had anticipated reaching a net worth of $1 million by now. Unfortunately, my investment decisions haven't yielded the expected returns, leading to this setback.

As of 30 August 2024, my networth is inching close to $930k🎉🎉🎉🎉

I believe by Dec (as long as stocks and crypto doesnt go way downhill), I should be on track to hitting $950k networth by end year.

Something to look forward to end my 2024 well :)

Cashing partial BTC out at 50%+ profit

2024-03-11T10:08:00.003+08:00

My first foray into crypto was during the hype.

Back in Feb 2021

During Feb 2021 to Jun 2022, I added in bit by bit - DCA as what they say. BTC, ETH, MATIC, SOL and even the horror LUNA.

Thereafter, as crypto crashed, I stopped, praying one day it will rise back.

And today, as I found that BTC is now at ATH, I decided to cash out 1/4 of my BTC for some profits.

It's still a far cry from the amount I've lost, but I'm glad I could recoup some losses.

Just to detail for my future reference, I transferred my BTC from ledger to coinbase. And sold my BTC on coinbase to SGD, incurring an atrocious fee of $130 and GST of $12. Gone are the days of cheap transaction fees.

Please let me know if there are wiser/cost effective options.

In total, what I took back was a profit of 50%.

May BTC rise up more so I can cash out at 100% profit next.

-dated 9 Mar 2024-

Year of the Dragon - believing things will be better

2024-02-18T18:59:00.002+08:00

Happy Lunar New Year!

How has everyone spent their lunar new year?

On the first day of LNY, I woke up early to catch the sunrise, soaked in the sunlight and prayed for a good year. This LNY has been rather peaceful for me, as with the past few years - I was done with visiting on the first day, works well for my introverted personality. I confess I'm not an approachable aunt - I don't actively reach out to the younger relatives - I have no clue what to say; small talks are just not for me.

So far, the start of the dragon year has got me checking off a few superstitious acts, just to make myself feel better for the new year. As I mentioned in my previous blog posts, my job is getting shaky again. I have no clue if my role will be affected, neither do I have inertia to find a new role; there's too many companies that I feel uneasy heading to.

Next, I thought I'd be celebrating the new year with a pregnancy. Alas, my fifth ivf transfer failed. It's draining my energy and money. I am really trying hard to be positive. In this latest transfer, I did whatever I could. Countless blood tests, surgery, drips, injections, all to prepare for a positive result. Doctors said ivf is a matter of luck - as long as you keep doing it, you will succeed. The issue is - who has the money to keep trying? I was hoping for Budget 2024 to announce good news to aid me on this journey, but nope.

I haven't achieved much since 2019. 2018 was my best year - I was promoted, I got married, I changed my job. Thereafter, my job didn't reward me well for the efforts I put in, covid hit, I changed a job, met lousy bosses, left my job but thankfully landed a new role immediately. It didn't help that my investments were hit pretty badly - lost money in crypto and made huge paper losses in HK/CN stocks - bringing me a few steps backwards in my financial journey. If not for these losses, I would likely have $1m networth today, not $819k.

That said, I remain grateful that I am healthy and have the means to do what I want like spending close to 6 digits on fertility treatments and carving money out for holidays. Therefore, continuous employment is critical - I need the income.

Back to the superstitious stuff I did. I've been to a few temples since LNY. Just today, I went to bugis temple - usually I'd just pray, but this time, I drew lots. Unfortunately, my lots on both work and fertility were not positive. I burnt them as I left.

As I scroll through tiktok, people say we should manifest what we want. I hope I can and I shall believe things will be better this year.

I will also continue accumulating good karma by doing kind acts to everyone, and continuing charity.

May I stay well and share good news by the end of the year. May the gods, and higher beings guide me through these.

😊

Anxiety, self doubts and counselling sessions

2024-01-14T11:00:00.001+08:00

2 weeks into 2024.

Crazy.

Crazy that time flies, and how the first two weeks of this year were marred with negative news - earthquake in Japan, plane crash, tuberculosis cluster, layoffs...

On a personal front, negativity hits again. First week of the year set out ok, I was hyping myself up - new year, new thoughts - good thoughts only.

The second week got me back to old thinking. Anxiety and self doubts are creeping in again. I previously mentioned in my end 2023 review post that company is undergoing restructuring and my job security is unknown.

Closing in to my mid 30s (to think I started this blog in my mid 20s) is scary. I didn't feel like I've grown. As much as my networth increased from $200k in 2016 to $819k in 2023, I surely didn't feel that I've grown better.

As I age, I feel more depressed. I don't know what I am living for.

For now, work is a key part of my life. And work thoughts consumed most of my time. The current outlook in my company, competition with peers, make me feel lousy. I couldn't sleep well because I kept thinking of the little things that happened at work - how I was perceived, did I show that I'm good enough to be safe from layoff, how I am deemed old and senior already and need to prove my worth and my compensation more etc. There are work politics that makes me feel uneasy.

Age is now my issue. I worry that I can't find another job that pays. I moved out of a managerial role and took on this IC role - I like it because I don't enjoy managing upwards - but I don't know if I can find another IC role that pays. I'm not in a niche job. I know I am getting expensive, and I'm just in my early 30s.

I tried to stop my thoughts, but new thoughts crop up and by the time I fall into sleep, the alarm rang.

In a bid to save myself, I signed up for counselling. There will be 6 sessions. I just attended session 1 where I shared my fragmented thoughts. There were many pieces bothering me - work, my stagnant life stage, meaning of life etc.

Session 2 starts with therapy. I will be asked what's important in my life - I really don't know. It's going to be the cliche few - parents good health, financial stability, me and my husband good health. Is that all to uncovering the meaning of my life?

I can only wait to see how the subsequent sessions pan out.

How did your first two weeks of 2024 went?

2024 1st CPF top up to MA

2024-01-04T10:06:00.001+08:00

Earlier in my post, I mentioned that I will be topping up $2k+. Silly me. That was before the MA interest gets rolled out.

Today, I made a top up of $3,000 via paynow. This is because my company contributions usually come in on 7th or 8th of the month.

Now that this is out of the way, I will have $5,000 more throughout the year to top up.

Will ponder about this later.

Till then :)

Starting 2024 with extra $11,291.01

2024-01-01T09:11:00.007+08:00

This always boost up my mood every start of the year 😊

My beloved CPF interests.

This time, I crossed 5 digits interest, clocking in $11,291.01 for 2023. Back last year, I was receiving $9k+ interest.

I will be topping up $2,085.62 max out my MA and for tax relief purposes. I didnt hit BHS as at 31 Dec 2023 as my MA was deducted for my surgery.

Last night, I slept early and didn't do countdown. My hubby lie on the bed with me a while and hugged me. He wished that in 2024, I will be happier and able to achieve my goals, whatever that may be. He said he wished I will go back to my young happy self years ago, and the depressed me will go away. I cried. I recognised that I've become unhappy and unsettled easily, especially in the past few years.

I don't know if my younger me was really happy, but I do know as I grow older, negativity has been clouding me.

He told me to cry out and let out my concerns. I wasn't able to articulate what's making me depressed. I just wasn't happy with my life these few years. The inability to have a child is definitely one of the factors. I told him, I don't know what's the meaning of my life. What am I living for. In my mind, I have also been questioning if having a child eradicates these issues. It may not.

My husband told me many people live without much meaning in life. Look at our parents. They live one day at a time, they don't talk about meaning, purpose and just live each day. I get his point...yet, not.

Anyway, I wanted to type these out that by the strike of 12, I could hear fireworks but was too tired to wake up to watch it. The tears shed earlier tire my eyes but I was glad I let it out.

This morning, I woke up more positive.

2024 will be good to me.

End 2023 Review - So much has happened, but not much have changed. $819k net worth

2023-12-31T09:59:00.002+08:00

Here's a recap of my finances over the years:

2016 - Unexpected review of 2016: hitting $200k in net worth
2017 - End 2017 review - net worth at $287k
2018 - End 2018 review - net worth at $372k
2019 - End 2019 Review - inching close to $500k net worth (~$440k)
2020 - End 2020 Review - net worth at $550k
2021 - End 2021 Review - closing in to $700k net worth
2022 - End 2022 Review - failing financial goal for the first time, $660k net worth

2022 wasn't a good year for me and I spoke about it here.

I summed up 2022 with:

To sum up 2022:
I paid tons of money on fertility treatments and embarked on the the most painful (physically, mentally and for my pockets) - IVF. The worst? Seeing no result despite the money and efforts poured.
Stocks, crypto crashed which means a beating on my net worth. Income received couldn't cover the losses.
The best thing that happened was a new job, with a better compensation. I hope the 2023 recession won't affect my rice bowl.

2023 Review

This year, so much has happened, but not much have changed.

Targets review:

My 2023 goals were:

Aim to achieve $850k net worth in 2023, the exact goal as 2022❌
Bring my parents out for an overseas trip✅
To do well in my new job✅

I even created a vision board, which was the "trend" then, hoping it'd make all that I want come true. I only checked business class flights, bringing my parents overseas and doing well at work (which was of no use because the company is undergoing restructuring and I'm not getting any increments i.e my salary in 2024 stays flat).

In 2023, I stopped blogging. I didn't have much to share. I was over the stage of financial budgeting, tracking and even stopped being overly thrifty. I spent as I like, though I'd like to say I'm still rational as I still make use of deals.

Since I no longer blog much, I shall recall off my memory what happened across the months in 2023:

Jan

Starting 2023 with extra $9,979.20
Medical: dental and TCM visits
Dreaded CNY visits

Feb

CPF MA maxed out - Top up my MA again but shared I can no longer enjoy tax relief from my mum as I've maxed her out
Shared that I was running out of cash - which made me aim to save up more cash this year
More TCM visits

Mar

Had Covid - my first brush after evading it for 3 years. This was when it was at peak wave.
Did LPA for myself, hubby and parents

Apr

Took SQ business class flights and had a good holiday with my family
Best month of the year, on hindsight

May

Cross $700k networth. In reality, I crossed it in Feb, and then it dropped and spiked up again. I stopped bothering about my networth as it fluctuates given that I counted crypto in. Stock market was volatile too
Started on 2nd IVF transfer

Jun

For the first time in my life, I had a positive pregnancy.
By end Jun, I was forced to miscarry. It was just not meant to be
Started mini confinement

Jul

Continued mini confinement

Aug

Did 3rd IVF transfer but failed

Sep

Dental to remove silver filling
Boring month

Oct

Sought 2nd opinion and embarked on 2nd IVF. Restarted injections and egg retrieval. Decent outcome. Things were looking positive

Nov

Prayed and received positive signs
Did my 4th transfer. Doctor was hopeful
It failed

Dec

Did a surgery to check if there's any issues in my uterus. Removed polyp but did not find any issues causing failed ivf
Put in $15,300 for SRS

As you could tell, I spent 2023 mainly on one thing. All my time, efforts, money devoted.

As last tracking, I've spent SGD$60K+ across the years on these treatments, with no positive outcome.

I actually thought of leaving these out of the post. I am anticipating people would comment unkind things. Even phrases like - you need to relax, things will come naturally - irks me. I also stopped sharing info with friends because no one else knows how difficult the journey is, until you are on it yourself.

I am not in a good mental state. I sometimes question wtf am I pursuing these. Do I really want to be a mother so badly? I struggle to comprehend myself. I go back and forth between "the $ I spent could be good to much better use/enjoying life" to "the $ I spent will be worth it in the end".

I wondered what's my meaning in life.

Beyond the chase for having a child, I have most that I want. I made things happen. Perhaps I've always been able to secure what I needed, that resulted in me chasing hard for something I couldn't get.

In 2024, another challenge awaits. There are retrenchments in my company and may potentially affect my role. At this stage, I feel I am capable enough to be rotated as I'm involved in key projects. But, retrenchment may just hit because it's not a matter of my work performance.

Net Worth

Anyway, on to what people are here for: $819k net worth, increase of $159k from 2022.

My eyes popped. I was expecting yet another lacklustre year because I spent a lot and did not do much investments. I could only attribute my increase due to:

improvements seen from crypto and stock market in 2023 (just between 28 Dec and 29 Dec, my stock portfolio increased by $4k)
inaction of investing thereby saving most of my cash*
better salary when I took on the new job (though as I shared, salary will stay flat in 2024)

*this may sound ironic, but I am a lousy investor. I am still sitting on losses, though not as bad as 2022. I do better financially just by saving. That said, I am doing on off investments through endowus OA and my SRS.

If I could recap, my goal was to hit $850k networth back in 2022. If I had achieved it, by projection, my 2023 goal was to hit $1m networth.

Since I didn't achieve my 2022 goal, I pushed it to 2023. Sadly, I still didn't hit $850k networth.

As of today, I'm sitting on stocks paper losses of SGD85k🙃 and unknown 5 digits crypto losses that needs to be written off. I will really be way richer if I didnt invest aggressively (stupidly). Hindsight is always 20/20.

Hopes and Goal for 2024

With a flat salary in 2024, I could only look forward to better increments in 2025. Or.... I could start looking out and aim for a better compensation in 2024. However, my current plan is to stay put as I could still gain something out of the job. I will only look out when I have a gut sense my job will be affected.

Onto what I plan to achieve:

Hit $950k net worth for 2024
Look out for a new house (possibly moving in in 2025)
Stay healthy and be happy

I finally cross $700k networth, after 1 year 4 months

2023-05-01T11:02:00.002+08:00

I wondered how I should kickstart this post - should I be positive or negative about this?

After 1 year 4 months, I finally crossed $700k in networth - returning back to where I've been at, back in Dec 2021.

I am disappointed.

For the past many years, I've always been growing my networth, at around $100-$150k/year. I had big plans to hit a net worth of $850k by December 2022, but the universe had other plans for me. Instead, I only managed to reach $646k, leaving me with a $204k gap to my target.

Ever since I became more aggressive in my "investment" portfolio in 2021, being sucked by greed to deploy most of my cash into stocks and crypto, I fell heavily, along with the crashes. Crypto wiped out 5 digits savings, so did the stock market.

To be honest, ever since the crashes and a bad hit to my net worth, I actually didn't do anything special to improve. I didn't make drastic spending cuts, I didn't stop my holidays, I didn't continue investing (not sure good move or not).

I was just waiting for this day to come. Bit by bit, waiting for my CPF and monthly income to fill the gap.

I told my husband at the couch that my finances is back to where I was i.e Dec 2021, 1 year 4 months back. He encouraged me to think this way - that I've experienced different things for the past 1 year 4 months.

That is true. I experienced good and bad, but if I were to parcel it - the bad were mainly wrt work, for instance being laid off without good reasoning nor compensation, and being too soft to put up a fight. I trust karma will serve my ex-boss what she deserved. The good is having a new job laid out, going for holidays and living my life as per usual. So far, my new job has been treating me well except for a few political characters which will be present anywhere. I'm not going to let them disturb my peace.

Over the past 1 year 4 months, I've also spent a bomb on IVF and fertility treatment. Close to $40k for a chance to carry a child of my own. I failed, but I will try again. That's another spending to be deployed.

At times I feel stagnant, just like my networth; and aimless. Seeing friends moving on to the next life stage, celebrating their little ones' achievements make me feel my life isn't as fruitful. At times, I train my brain to stop thinking too much, to live my life each day at a time, to be present and appreciate what I have.

So as what my husband said, despite only hitting $700k networth when I should possibly be at $850k, I've gained different experiences, some through my money spent, some through life's curveball.

There are too many things in life to worry about. As long as I've my husband by my side, things can be conquered.

May I have more good news to share in my future posts, and stop wallowing in pity.

First CPF top up in Jan 2023 and tax relief concerns

2023-02-06T21:13:00.005+08:00

Detailing my yearly CPF top-up and thoughts.

This is my 8th year of top-up.

1. Top-up $2.5k to Medisave via Paynow

Did a $2,500 top up to my Medisave, bringing it to 2023 MA ceiling of $68,500.

Done the same for my husband as well.

2. On hold - To top up $5.5k to SA or no?

Contrary to the past where I top-up at the start of the year, I have decided to hold off the top-up.

A) Running out of cash

Firstly, I'm running out of cash. I'm berating myself for degrading to the past where I look forward to my monthly income for cashflow. So I can build up my $100k capital in savings account again, given the current high interest environment.

B) Hitting FRS soon = no tax relief

Secondly, I'm concerned about reaching FRS too soon.

The FRS this year is $198,800. I'm now sitting on ~$157k SA which means $41,800 away from reaching this ceiling.

I know some people encouraged maxing this out ASAP. But, as I've crossed 6 digits annual income, maxing FRS soon meant lower tax relief in subsequent years.

In fact, with the $5.5k top up this year, I'm expected to hit FRS in 2024. What should I do?

C) No more tax relief from mom's top-up

Thanks to my yearly top-up to my mum for the past 8 years, my mom has reached the FRS ceiling too. While it's good that we secured good monthly payout for her retirement, I am missing another avenue of tax relief.

What should I do? 🤔

Starting 2023 with extra $9,979.20

2023-01-01T09:56:00.000+08:00

Happy 2023~!

I woke up feeling not very positive. It seems like I've brought forward my 2022 negative thoughts along. I ought to be more optimistic!

Anyway, my best way of welcoming the new year is to count the new inflow of $ and here's my CPF interest for 2022:

Have you check your CPF interest yet?

End 2022 Review - failing financial goal for the first time, $660k net worth

2022-12-31T16:46:00.005+08:00

In end 2021, I shared that I was hitting close to $700k in net worth.

I did. On 1 Jan 2022.

But, things just went downhill from then on.

Here's a recap of my finances over the years:

2016 - Unexpected review of 2016: hitting $200k in net worth
2017 - End 2017 review - net worth at $287k
2018 - End 2018 review - net worth at $372k
2019 - End 2019 Review - inching close to $500k net worth (~$440k)
2020 - End 2020 Review - net worth at $550k
2021 - End 2021 Review - closing in to $700k net worth

Targets review:

These were what I set out for 2022:

Aim to achieve $850k net worth in 2022❌
Bring my parents out for an overseas trip; if not make do with cruise trip❌
Grow crypto portfolio to 10% of networth❌
Material wants: buy a rolex and LV/chanel bag✅ (no rolex or chanel, but a LV)

2022 Review

Here's a recap of what went by in 2022:

Jan

Started the year with $8728.48 in CPF interest
Made my first CPF top up of $3k to MA in 2022
Shared I had $17k passive income for year of 2021
Had my covid booster shot
Pumped some money in Anchor Protocol
Did my second fertility treatment, which failed
Shared that I've depleting cash, which is still the same as at today (Dec 2022)
Started on SRS with Endowus
Shared my insecurities at work

Feb

Received $100 reward from DBS for SRS sign-up
Failed my third fertility treatment
Family has gotten covid

Mar

Surrendered my etiqa 2.02% 3-year endowment
Did the 16 personality quiz and found out I'm ISFP-T

Apr

May

Travelled to Europe and realised Luna went to $0. Net-worth taking a beating

Jun

Spoke about layoff news happening in the market, crypto winter and getting poorer

Jul

Started looking out for jobs and headache of booking business class tickets with krisflyer miles

Aug

Spoke about my worry of becoming too expensive to hire and being unable to find a new job

Sep

Oct

Received two offers of which one was the one I wanted the most

Nov

Signed up for Tiq 3-year endowment at 3.60%. Within a few weeks, it has risen to 3.95%

Dec

Shared that it's a shitty 2022
Took my additional booster shot

To sum up 2022:

I paid tons of money on fertility treatments and embarked on the the most painful (physically, mentally and for my pockets) - IVF. The worst? Seeing no result despite the money and efforts poured.
Stocks, crypto crashed which means a beating on my net worth. Income received couldn't cover the losses.
The best thing that happened was a new job, with a better compensation. I hope the 2023 recession won't affect my rice bowl.

Net Worth

And with that, something everyone is here for...my networth at $660k, a $30k drop compared to 2021. This made it seemed that I earn nothing from my employment, interests from bank, reits etc, and cpf.

If my stock and crypto remained at the level of 2021, I'd have $750k in 2022. Still not a lot compared to my usual growth.

If only I continued my conservative way of purely saving money, and not investing in stocks or crypto.

If only.

Hopes and Goal for 2023

In end 2021, I spoke about how I've come to terms about not having a child. It's a constant struggle because I get disappointed every single month. I decided that while I am still in my early 30s, I should take a gamble and proceeded with IVF. It was an abrupt decision - what I needed was time and money. Wrt money, I had to set aside >$30k, which isn't a small sum but I'm thankful I have the means. Wrt time, I had to sacrifice work; I had to bite the bullet and face the consequences of incurring wrath from unsympathetic bosses.

I was prepared to give up my time and money.

But it broke me (literally) when I failed.

Maybe I didn't build my body well enough, for my decision to do IVF was sudden. I thought I had a chance to witness a positive result, before the end of 2o22. But it wasn't meant to be.

In end 2021, I also spoke about how work is just a means. It still is. But this time, I feel more motivated to be seen as a strong worker, so that my job is protected from any retrenchments. This means, I need to work smart and not quiet quit. I hope my motivation don't lose steam mid-way next year.

I still aspire to retire at 40 though.

Here's setting 2023 goals and reusing 2022 ones that I failed to meet:

Aim to achieve $850k net worth in 2023, the exact goal as 2022
Bring my parents out for an overseas trip
To do well in my new job

And lastly, a vision board for 2023. Can you guess what it's about?

With that, I'm closing 2022 and praying for better luck in 2023.

Shitty 2022? Reframing my mind and be positive

2022-12-04T17:00:00.001+08:00

This year is definitely going down as my WORST financial year. For the first time in my working life, my net worth DECREASED, although my income increased.

But I'm still holding on some hopes till 31 Dec 2022.

Praying for better stock and crypto market.

This year hasn't been kind. If not for my own intuition and initiative to job hunt, I'd be jobless. I am thankful to myself and any higher beings for blessing me.

I now have an inkling of how it feels like IF I had no income stream. While I have at least $100k cash savings across FD, banks, it's not as much as before. Most of it are stuck in stocks, for which I'd incur losses by selling now. A good portion is in crypto, which I'm preparing to write off as 0. I blame my poor planning and eagerness to strike it rich, fast.

If I had been more careful with my money, I'd be richer. I'd have more disposable cash to plonk into high interest accounts. I'd feel less jittery if I had no income for a while.

But, these are learning points. That as I cross 30, I must prepare for the next unforeseen event. That come 40, I may become less employable and I must be prepared to take pay cuts and pivot to other roles. That it is all the more important for me to save up more for rainy days.

I have not been as prudent as before. I guess because I've reached a certain level of income/financial security, I figured I can't just be saving and not enjoying. I began to spend more to fill my past void.

I spent on luxury bags, justifying that this is my first time rewarding myself after working for close to 10 years. I wanted to be seen as successful, that I could afford these. But on hindsight, nobody bothers much about what you wear. I did get a few praises on my bag which made me happy, for a few seconds. I have to remind myself that I should avoid spending on this the next time I travel to Europe.

I was more open to spending on food. In the past, I'd always choose the cheapest deal/meal. Now, I look less at the price, but more of what I think would be interesting to try. That said, I still make it a point to scour food promotions where possible.

I am now more open to travelling far, to Europe, to America. Such trips would easily cost $10k+. I feel that while I'm still healthy, I should travel far, instead of to neighbouring countries. In my 20s, given my desire to save more and spend less, I'd choose places like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, China. On hindsight, I should travel to the other part of the world while I am young, and able to handle student hostels, ungodly travelling timings.

But time lost cant be recovered.

So, instead of wallowing in pity that I am in this financial state, and knowing I myself am to be blamed for the decreased net worth, I ought to be reframe my mind and be positive.

I ought to be thankful that I am healthy, I have a job, and a lovely partner. I shall leave my reflections till year end, and hopefully miracles happen and I'd be able to share improvements in my net worth.

Meanwhile, I will strive to be more mindful of my spending habits. After all, everything including GST is rising.

Till then