Reducing Entertainment Expenses

Musicals, concerts, plays, and movies are a big part of my life. They bring joy and relaxation, and I’m happy to spend on them.

However, to accelerate my journey to financial freedom, I’ve started cutting back.

Movies were the easiest to reduce thanks to Netflix, Disney+, and free online content.

For live events, I’m opting for cheaper tickets to concerts, musicals, and plays to lower costs without sacrificing enjoyment.

Below is a comparison of my entertainment spending in 2024 vs. 2025:

By choosing more affordable options in 2025, I’ve reduced my entertainment spending by $285.60 compared to 2024.

I am aiming to set aside only $500 in 2026 - assuming I will be jobless. Let's review again in 2026!

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Credit Rating

💳 I have been planning to leave my job since last year, determined to move forward regardless of whether I secure another position.

To ensure I’m starting this new chapter debt-free, I checked my credit rating to confirm I have no outstanding or unknown debts.

Though I was confident I had none, I wanted to be absolutely certain. So, I paid S$8 to request my credit report from Credit Bureau Singapore (CBS).

The primary purpose of a credit rating is to provide lenders with an objective measure of your likelihood to repay debts.

It consolidates your credit behavior—repayment history, credit utilization, and the number of credit accounts—into a single score, offering a snapshot of your financial reliability.

Last year (2024), I scored a BB grade, which puzzled me since I had fully paid off my HDB loan in 2023.

This time, however, I achieved an AA Risk Grade, the highest rating possible!

This reflects an excellent credit history, with consistent, timely repayments, low credit utilization, and a robust financial track record.

Seeing that AA grade felt like receiving an outstanding report card after years of diligently clearing debts and avoiding new ones—a rewarding milestone that filled me with pride.

While an AA grade means I could easily qualify for larger loans or additional credit cards with favorable terms, I’m determined to steer clear of that debt cycle.

I have no plans to upgrade my HDB or venture into entrepreneurship.

Instead, I’m focused on maintaining financial freedom and exploring new possibilities.

Did you know that in Singapore, your credit score can also influence job prospects, especially in finance-related roles?

Employers may check your credit report to assess financial responsibility, making a strong score like AA a hidden asset in your career journey!

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The 7 Levels of Wealth

The "7 Levels of Wealth" is a framework that outlines stages of financial progress, from dependency to abundant wealth as presented by Ramit Sethi in his recent Youtube video.

1. Survival (Dependence):
   • Struggling to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and bills.
   • Living paycheck to paycheck, often relying on debt or external support.
   • No savings or financial cushion.
     
2. Stability (Break-Even):
   • Basic needs are consistently met without relying on debt.
   • Income covers expenses, but there's little to no savings.
   • Financial stress is reduced, but no significant wealth accumulation.
3. Security (Savings):
   • Emergency fund established (e.g., 3-6 months of expenses).
   • Some savings or investments, providing a safety net.
   • Focus shifts from survival to planning for the future.
4. Accumulation (Growth):
   • Actively saving and investing to build wealth.
   • Income exceeds expenses, allowing consistent contributions to retirement accounts, real estate, or other assets.
   • Debt is managed or eliminated, and wealth begins to compound.
5. Independence (Financial Freedom):
   • Passive income from investments or assets covers living expenses.
   • Work becomes optional; you could maintain your lifestyle without a job.
   • Focus shifts to optimizing investments and lifestyle.
6. Abundance (Wealth Overflow):
   • Wealth exceeds personal needs, allowing for luxuries, philanthropy, or legacy-building.
   • Significant investments generate substantial passive income.
   • Freedom to pursue passions, travel, or give generously.
7. Legacy (Ultimate Impact):
   • Wealth is used to create lasting impact, such as funding charities, building institutions, or passing down generational wealth.
   • Financial decisions focus on long-term societal or familial benefits.
   • Complete financial freedom with a focus on purpose and contribution.

I love this framework because it helps me gauge where I am (Level 4.3) and where I want to work towards (Level 5).

Reaching Financial Independence at Level 5 allow me to wake up and not need to work to pay my bills is thrilling.

It’s not about quitting my job, but about having the freedom to choose.

As long as I can hit Level 5, I’ll be a happy woman. Honestly, I’m not even thinking about Level 6 or 7 right now—abundance and legacy sound amazing, but they feel so far off.

One step at a time, right?

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Vet vs Groomer: Costs of Dental Scaling

Getting your dog’s teeth cleaned by a vet in Singapore is like signing up for a luxury spa day—for your wallet’s nightmares.

Dental scaling by a veterinarian costs anywhere from S$300 to S$800 due to the blood tests and anesthesia.

Back in 2023, I took my dog for his first scaling, and it costs S$600! It's not like I'm bedazzling his teeth with diamonds🙄.

Then, a friend let me in on a secret: groomers can do dental scaling without anesthesia or those pricey pre-anesthetic blood tests for just S$150!

But here’s the catch: groomer scaling, aka Non-Professional Dental Scaling (NPDS), is like getting your dog a quick teeth-brushing TikTok tutorial.

Vets warn it’s too superficial and might miss serious dental drama lurking beneath the gumline.

Since my dog is still quite young with generally clean teeth (the vet said no yearly cleaning needed!), I’m sticking with the groomer’s bargain deal.

Why splurge when the cheaper option still gets the job done? I’d rather save my cash and get him more treats (I’m sure he’d agree).

But if your dog’s teeth are looking like a haunted graveyard, maybe let the vet work their magic before things get too ruff.

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From Wanderlust to Wealth

For years, travel was my escape, my passion, my everything. I’ve wandered through the vibrant streets of Australia, marveled at South Africa’s raw beauty, braved the icy landscapes of Iceland, and got lost in the vastness of Siberia.

There was a time when I hopped between neighboring countries every month, chasing new adventures, cultures, and stories.

Each trip felt like collecting a brand new experience, proof I was living life to the fullest. But lately? Travel just doesn’t spark that same fire in me anymore.

The shift started a few years ago, quietly at first. The pandemic forced me to slow down, and I went from monthly adventures to just a few trips in a year.

Last year, I did 3 trips - went Australia, Thailand and Europe. This year, I’ve only got one trip planned—to Japan with the family.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for it, but it’s not the all-consuming thrill it used to be. Instead, my heart races for something else: financial freedom.

Somewhere along the way, my priorities flipped. I used to think the grind of an office job was just a means to fund my next getaway.

I’d work hard, save up, and spend it all on experiences in foreign lands. It was the dream sold to me when I was younger—work to travel, travel to live.

But now, the idea of being stuck in an unfulfilling job just to bankroll a fleeting adventure feels like a trap.

I want more than temporary highs; I want security, independence, and a future where I’m not tied to a paycheck.

Cutting back on travel has been a game-changer. I’ve watched my savings grow, month by month, and there’s something deeply satisfying about it.

Every dollar saved feels like a step toward freedom. I’ve traded plane tickets for peace of mind.

Researching investments, budgeting smarter, and watching my wealth build has become my new adventure.

It’s not as glamorous as posting photos from an exotic place, but it’s exhilarating in its own way.

Until a few years ago, travel was the only thing I looked forward to.

It was my rebellion against the monotony of office life. Now, I’m dreaming bigger.

Financial freedom isn’t just about numbers in a bank account; it’s about options, flexibility, and the ability to live life on my terms. And yeah, maybe that means I’m finally adulting, lol.

Travel will always have a place in my heart, but it’s no longer the whole story.

I’m building something more lasting now—a future where I’m free to choose my path, whether that leads to a new country or a quiet life of contentment right where I am.

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Time For A Change

It's April (post-bonus) and that means it's time to seriously think about what to do next. I've started exploring my options by asking myself: what do I want to do?

I fed my interests into an AI chatbot – my virtual career coach 🤭 – and here's what it suggested:

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Assess Alignment with Your Current Role: Your interests suggest you thrive in dynamic, forward-thinking environments where you can strategize, innovate, and connect with people, rather than managing administrative or operational tasks.

Your current role is operational and compliance-driven, with little room for innovation, or creativity. Overtime and weekend work are causing burnout, leaving no time for side projects to explore your interests.

Assessment: On a 1–10 scale, your role likely scores 1–2 for alignment with your interests. The administrative focus and lack of creative or innovative tasks are starkly at odds with what energizes you. Burnout from overwork further exacerbates the disconnect.

Conclusion: Your current role is draining you, and the lack of alignment with your interests is a clear signal to make a change. Staying in a misaligned, burnout-inducing job risks your well-being and delays your chance at a fulfilling career.

With your financial stability and no family commitments, you’re in an ideal position to take a calculated risk.

By upskilling, networking, and job hunting strategically, you can transition to a role that excites you within 6 months.

Your burnout is tied to role misalignment, not location, so moving won’t automatically fix it unless the job itself is better.

Europe offers cultural richness, but your financial stability in Singapore already allows European vacations without relocating.

Your SGD salary and fully paid HDB make moving to Europe on a local package highly unattractive. Your take-home pay and savings in Europe will likely be a fraction of Singapore’s, delaying your retirement plan.

Staying in Singapore, with its robust job market and your financial stability, lets you pivot to a fulfilling career without financial or cultural trade-offs.

A strategic job switch, supported by upskilling, is the best path to escape burnout and align with your passions.

Action Plan:
1. Rule out Europe role (1 week)
2. Research Singapore jobs (1-2 weeks)
3. Upskill to build credentials (1-3 months)
4. Network (on-going)
5. Job Hunt (2-4 months)
6. Manage Burnout (immediate)

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I've explored opportunities for a role change within the organisation, including potential positions in Europe.

However, the higher taxes and living costs associated with a European relocation would significantly impact my savings and retirement goals.

In contrast, Singapore's relatively low expenses and high savings potential provide me with the flexibility to prioritise my well-being, allowing me to pursue hobbies and self-care activities.

The answer seems clear - I need to leave. I will research more on upskill opportunities since I don't really know what I want to do next - hence how would I know what job to look for?

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Don't Trade Your Savings For A Logo

👝When I worked in the finance industry as a junior marketing executive, I saw senior managers judged by their designer bags—a superficial measure of success.

Fortunately, I escaped that toxic culture after just 12 months, realizing I wasn’t cut out for an industry obsessed with appearances.

It’s a double-edged sword—social media also wasn’t the wealth-flaunting machine it is today.

Now, I see younger people chasing luxury they can’t afford, racking up debt just for an Instagram post or TikTok video.

Last year, I sold all my luxury items to a second-hand shop.

I don't have emotional attachment to my items and I don't believe in sunk cost fallacy, so selling them was effortless.

The return was minimal—$3,000, just 20% of what I’d spent—but those items were collecting dust, and maintaining real leather was a hassle.

Letting them go freed up space in my home and my mind. I invested the proceeds in the S&P 500, a small but empowering step toward building real wealth.

Looking back, I wish I’d learned about investing earlier.

Reflecting on my journey, I see how chasing status symbols distracted me from my true priorities.

Now, I value financial freedom and peace of mind over temporary validation.

I’m learning to define success on my own terms, focusing on what truly enriches my life—knowledge, growth, and a secure future.

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Good Morning, Pockets

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣ is serving chaos with a side of confusion. Markets were soaring, then Trump’s tariff war crashed the party, and my brain’s begging for a timeout. So, here I am, dusting off my blog to make sense of my quest to financial freedom.

I’m no FIRE-at-30 Singaporean. I only got my money act together in my late 30s, after fully paying off my 4-room HDB flat. Growing up, all I heard was, “Invest in property, and you’ll be financially free!” So, I focused on owning a property. Then it hit me: “I’m still not financially free leh, what’s next?”

Thanks to finfluencers (why isn’t financial literacy taught in school?), I’m wiser now. The past two years? Less splurging, more saving. April 2025 brought some big life shifts I’m excited to scribble about.

If you’re a late starter too, don’t panic - our pockets can still get fat. Let's fill it up, one sunrise at a time.

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