Mid-year review: Goal met of $200k cash at 28. $400k+ net worth and Astrea bond V

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Half a year gone.

I still have not gotten my keys to my new home and am still childless. Ok, TMI.

On financial front, I've been seeing a steady increase in my net worth. As at my last update in end 2018, my net worth was at $372k.

Half a year later, I've successfully crossed $200k cash savings (previously it dropped as I topped up my MA) and exceeded $400k in networth. I may be able to hit $450k by end year but will just need to carve out some money for renovation and home stuff.

Most gains came from employment. While I lament how sick I am of work, it is my main source of $. I've not added any stocks and can never not live off my portfolio for passive income. It is with salary crediting that I've received 1.85-2% interest on my DBS multiplier anyway.

I've been thinking if I'm making my money work hard enough. I occasionally browse the SGX hoping to see some stocks to purchase, but am not comfortable enough to make the move.

Since Jan till date, my transactions …
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Already 5 years into the workforce. What have I built?

It was a sudden awakening - I've already worked for more than 5 years.

But what have I achieved?

I stepped into the rat race as a noob (nobody uses this word now, I admit I'm old), being tekan by unhelpful "seniors" who thankfully left after 1+ year of torture and earning lesser than my peers, to slowly building up my confidence, emerging stronger and being more courageous to say "No", proving myself along the way and getting rewarded with better bonuses and increments.

I know I'm working just for the money (and the medical benefits that comes with it).

If I look at the money, so far, I should be doing it right in my career. I've decent bonuses and decent increments. I'm in a general profession, but I'm doing pretty ok.

So what has my 5 years of work got me?

Money. 

Through employment, coupled with my thrifty habits, I managed to hit $100k savings at 25 years old. And it took me another 2-3 years to get another  $100k at 28.

But, along with it, came stress. There were many instances where I wanted an exit, an escape.

After experiencing a burnt out last year, I questioned whether that extra low 4 digit figure bonuses was worth it. Should I learn to cruise along in my new job? Should I take a step back when there are high profile works to prove my worth?

All I want is just a decent income, and time to spend on life, time to date my hubby, time to travel.

But the more you work, the more things get piled onto you. After all, we are trading our time for money - we are paid employees. If you don't do it, someone else can take your job and your salary.

So, 5 years down, other than hitting my $200k cash saving goal, and building a relatively good net worth as an average 8-5 office employee, I still am not ready to retire.

For one, a bulk of my money sits in my CPF which will only say Hi to me when I'm 55 (that's a good 20+ years, whattt!).

Two, I don't have enough passive income to get back. My portfolio only net me $3k dividends at max, a year. Comparing to a blogger who have $1-2k a month in dividends.....I can only say, I really envy their foresight and courage!

Three, I don't have a good plan when I should retire. Is it at 35, 45, 50 or 55? Would I dare to retire? Honestly, seeing that monthly income rolling into the bank feels good. And, if I don't work full-time, what am I going to do?
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to be continued...

Comments

  1. WGM30 March 2019 at 02:09

    Hi Cherry,

    Just stumbled upon your blog. Saving this much at a young age without crazy investment returns or high salary is really impressive!

    You are actually very close to having 1k a month in dividends. 200k at a 6% yield means 12k per year or 1k per month. In terms of capital, you're already there. Having 800k at 6% yield will get you 4k per month, which can replace your income. At that point, you have the option to retire if you want to.

    Jia you!

    WGM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherry6 April 2019 at 21:13

      Thank you for your kind words! Unfortunately, bulk of my cash savings are at 1-3% saving yields because of my low risk portfolio hahah. Will try to work smarter so that I can be FI soon :)

      Jiayou to you too!

      Delete
  2. 11 April 2019 at 03:47

    200k at 28 is a big deal compared to most of ur peers at ur age i believe. And yea making the transition to the nex stage is difficult especially when u alr spend a long time in it. But dun force things n burnout often. Health before wealth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherry6 April 2019 at 21:20

      Yes! Totally agree that health is more important than wealth after going through a shitty period at work previously.

      But, while we all know health is more important, sometimes when the load gets piled on you, the only way is to grit your teeth and see things through....there were times when I wanted to quit; but I can't quit without another job, haha so I hung on.

      Delete
  3. KPO3 April 2019 at 23:12

    Jia you! I am having sort of the same dilemma - to chiong or cruise. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherry6 April 2019 at 21:22

      Haha easier said than done right? I'm trying to cruise now, but I get hints/sour remarks from colleagues that I shouldn't cruise at my age. Not very nice to hear those remarks but I can unds where they are coming from. Sometimes I just need to chant to myself - this is just a job, not my life.

      Delete

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