Simple Budget, Simple Life

I can't proclaim I know it all. But after close to 10 years of work experience, I have my own reflections and thoughts about when it is time to pack you bags and leave a company.  1. When your boss doesn't like and understand you I've been blessed in my first job that my bosses likes me, a lot. I was given opportunities (though I felt stress) to do various projects, and I was given limelight. Even when I made mistakes, my bosses were empathetic. I am still young and learning, they said. I think age might have played a part. Because I was young, I was inexperienced, they were more forgiving. I was also less of a threat to them.  In my next role, I was half lucky. My bosses also like me and were rather kind to me. However, when there was a change in boss to someone just a few years older, things changed. She put on a fake front, and was difficult to engage. As I felt less respected, I was very open in showing my dislike for her as well.  In my current role, I was unlucky. I...

It's been a month in my new job. It's interesting to read back a post I made in my previous role here  and I thought I would make some reference to it. Similar as before, I am still adjusting to the new environment. However, the expectations now and then are different given the change in responsibilities. The Good Higher monthly salary than before but annual package works out similar  No need to OT so far Job upgrade since I'm taking an official supervisory/middle-management role (I was doing the same previously overseeing a few staff but it wasn't an official role) Being able to WFH most of the times   though this is due to Covid (I was able to WFH everyday previously though) Better health benefits Potentially a better stepping stone  Escaped the toxic environment in previous company The Bad Sucky boss. It's hard to understand what the boss wants because he/she doesn't give clear directions and flips his/her words. He/she could say do A yet questioned why you d...

3 years ago, I blogged about my thoughts during my notice period here . 3 years down, I've resigned and am serving notice again. This time, the macro environment is a tad different. With WFH arrangements, the act of resignation was a bit weird YET it suited me well. Weird that I didn't have to meet the bosses f2f to pass the letter physically. However, I love it because it made my resignation simpler. I did stress out a bit thinking what I should say to my bosses before I send the resignation letter via email, but it was pleasant that I could wrap up the call within a short while without looking at their faces. I also like the fact that there is no need to meet colleagues/get confronted or asked questions that I don't wish to answer🙄  You can probably tell, I don't like my bosses nor most of my colleagues.  That said, there were a few nice colleagues who reached out to me to congratulate me. Yes, congratulate! Seems like they aren't happy there as well :( Anyway, m...

I've been with my current company for close to 3 years. I wasn't happy because it felt toxic. Colleagues are not kind, but I also reckon I'm not here to make friends. I've been telling myself - my main aim is just to bring home the dough. Since late last year, I've been applying for roles as and when I see suitable ones. I won't say I'm actively looking since I'm not dying to leave my current workplace.  Anyway, I decided to refresh my memories on my job hunts previously. It was nice to read back my thoughts over the years: - Back in  2016,  I was fretting over a job interview. I still remembered I was peeved with the hiring manager who could not conduct the interview properly. Maybe I should have flag them to TAFEP. -  2018  was the year I actively search for a new job. Interestingly, I got  a role pretty quickly  and accepted the role in the end.  Bade adieu  to my old workplace and joined the new organisation.  Didn't have a smooth st...

Hi guys. I wanted to blog only after I'm settled down at work and with my life event but I needed an outlet to complain and release my pent-up unhappiness. So, I mentioned that I've changed job. I'm still adjusting myself and enjoying my honeymoon stage since I'm new, though it's not like I'm not working la...just that in comparison to others who worked longer, my full load hasn't come in yet. I'm lying low for now given that I've my wedding to prep for. Within these few weeks here, I've some thoughts on this job and here goes: The Good Higher monthly salary than before albeit just a few hundreds more (better than staying put...) Cheaper transport than before (~$1 saving/day) Don't need to bring work home FOR NOW More capable bosses and seemingly, their Senior Management than before The Bad Not much increase in annual package given that my bonuses were more at my previous job Everyone else work like sh*t....my bosses sends ...

And so, I've resigned. When my colleagues knew, many were shocked, given how stable I was at work (or how I seem to be). Some said they expected it, since I was still young. Some said they were shocked, yet expected it. Whatever it is, I've come to realise a few things during my notice period and I'm here to share my thoughts. Everyone is dying to leave this place During the past few weeks, I received varied comments from people. The most common comment I heard was - you must be happy to get out of this place. Hearing this comment, made me very unhappy. It actually reflects how the person feels about this place.  There are some who said they are envious that I'm leaving. I asked - can't you do the same? And then, they started rattling on things like they have too much work piled on them to leave, they have too much responsibilities on hand... that it got me thinking...aren't these just excuses? Which brings me to the next point... It takes cou...

Aloha.  Some updates on what's going on with my life.... A. I accepted the job offer Ever since I received the job offer, I've been feeling jittery. I kept playing the angel and devil's advocate and in the end, decided to take up the offer. I still worry about the instability in the new place, but at worst, I'll just find another job if I can't survive there. The new salary, although not a lot, is also better than if I stay put. I figured I might only get this salary 2 years later. So, hopefully, things pan out well.... B. Transferred $7k to my CPF SA Next, I've transferred $7,000 cash to my own CPF SA. This is the 3rd time I'm doing so. You can read more about it here and here . I probably should have transferred the amount in Jan, instead of waiting till now...but well, better late than never.  My CPF SA now stands at $46,000.  C. Parking $40k with CIMB F.D at 1.8% and 1.6% Also, good lobang must share! I've done some house...

2 months ago, I shared that I've thought about leaving my first job.  2 months later, I received an offer and I'm torn. I'm a practical person. At the end of it, a job is just for me to survive - I need a monthly stream of income to build a home, build a family, feed myself and my family, and to save enough for retirement. So when the offer came, theoretically I should without a doubt accept it, since there was a pay increase. The pay increase isn't a lot though, but it would still be one two hundred more than what I'll get next year. But I asked for some time to decide. The new place would be extremely challenging. The team is practically new because of high turnover. They are still busy filling vacancies. To think positively, a new team might mean everyone starts afresh (or starts equally blur); but there must be something wrong within to cause high attrition. Even the bosses are new. The people there also don't seem friendly either. Next, I usually do...

I'm thinking of leaving my first job. Looking back, it was a struggle finding my first job. While peers started getting job offers and accepting them one by one, I was still attending interviews waiting for that one offer.  I only started my job 4 months after my graduation. That also meant I earned 4 months less salaries than some in my life 😛 I still remember my parents worrying if I'd secure a job. I could see it from their faces. I remember feeling disappointed with myself because I wanted to earn my own keep and start giving them allowances. I also remembered that arsehole cousin who said that my degree is worthless which was why I couldn't find a job (but it's ok. I'm probably earning more than her right now). Somehow, there was this fear that the longer you stay unemployed, the more difficult it is to find a job. But, come to think of it, was that 4 months of unemployment to compensate for the lack of it in the future? After all, now that I...

Every month, I look forward to pay-day. But my most anticipated moment of the (work) year is my PB. Wish I could click enter many times This is the time of the year where I eagerly await my report card. This is also the time when people feel excitement, happiness, anger, betrayal or disappointment on how they are assessed for their work over the past year. I've been in my first job since graduation and had received 4 performance gradings. So far, I thank lady luck for blessing me with above average gradings. At least, despite the frustrations felt at work, I am encouraged that my contributions are acknowledged. This time each year, I'd feel my heart palpitating as I open the document announcing my performance grading. I remembered having the same feeling as I logged onto my university portal to see my semester results. That's why I akin this to my report card. The thing is, I would never know how I'm assessed each year. It's quite a joke that I've ...