Header image

Tag: Portfolio

Building a FIRE Portfolio in Singapore: A Realistic Hybrid Approach That Balances Income & Growth

Posted on by careyourpresent

This is a follow-up to my previous article:

FIRE and the Big Dilemma – Dividends vs Safe Withdrawal Rate: Which One Helps You Sleep at Night?

Do read if you have missed it!

In that last post, we explored the dividends vs. SWR dilemma faced by many in the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.

The key question is, do you rely on dividends for passive income or withdraw a fixed percentage of your portfolio (SWR)?

Both strategies have their merits, but combining them could be the sweet spot for a psychologically comfortable and financially stable retirement.

Theory is theory, let’s have a practical example –

Singapore-based investor, with a $1.5M retirement portfolio, can use a hybrid approach to reach their goal of $5,000/month in passive income.

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

Why a Hybrid Approach to FIRE?

Let’s face it: relying entirely on dividends might sound tempting for peace of mind, but high-dividend stocks can limit long-term growth. Plus, companies can cut dividends, leaving you in a lurch. On the flip side, relying only on a Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR) like 3.5% from global ETFs can be hard on your mind and psychology aspects — it feels odd to sell assets when markets are down, not many are able to do it.

That’s why the hybrid approach should work well:
✔ Dividend stocks & ETFs provide a steady passive income stream.
✔ Global index ETFs offer long-term growth and inflation protection, with the safety of a 3.5% SWR.
✔ A cash buffer helps manage market volatility and avoid panic selling.

This balance creates a retirement plan that’s not just financially sound, but psychologically comfortable.

Photo by Kristina V on Unsplash

Step 1: Portfolio Allocation ($1.5M Portfolio for $5K/month FIRE Goal)

We’ll structure the portfolio into:

  • 40% in dividend stocks & ETFs (~$600,000) for steady income.
  • 55% in global index ETFs (VWRA & EIMI) (~$825,000) for long-term growth with SWR.
  • 5% in cash buffer (~$75,000) to provide safety in downturns. This should last you for 15 months of ~$5000 per month such that you can don’t draw down if you need especially in downturns.
Asset Type% of PortfolioAllocation ($)
Dividend Stocks & ETFs40%$600,000
Global Index ETFs (LSE-listed)55%$825,000
Cash Buffer5%$75,000
Total Portfolio100%$1.5M

Step 2: Dividend Portfolio (~$600,000 Allocation, ~5% Yield)

The dividend portion will focus on high-quality assets with strong cash flow and sustainable dividends. We’ll include:

  • Singapore Banks (DBS, UOB, OCBC) for stable and reliable dividends.
  • Net Cash Singapore Companies like Sheng Siong etc for low-risk, cash-rich companies.
  • NikkoAM-StraitsTrading Asia ex Japan REIT ETF for exposure to REITs across Asia.
  • SPDR STI ETF for broad exposure to Singapore’s top 30 companies.
  • VHYL (Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF) for global dividend exposure.

Dividend Portfolio Breakdown (~5% Yield)

AssetTypeAllocation ($)Dividend YieldEstimated Dividends ($/year)
SG Banks (DBS, UOB, OCBC)Financials$150,000~5.0%$7,500
Net Cash Singapore Companies (Sheng Siong etc.)Dividend Stocks$100,000~4.0%$4,000
NikkoAM-StraitsTrading Asia ex Japan REIT ETFAsia REIT ETF$150,000~5.0%$7,500
SPDR STI ETFSingapore Index$100,000~4.0%$4,000
VHYL (Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF)Global Dividend ETF$100,000~3.0%$3,000
Total$600,000~5% avg$26,000/year (~$2,167/month)

Why VHYL?

  • VHYL gives you global exposure to high-yield dividend companies, diversifying the portfolio beyond Singapore.
  • It maintains a 3.0% yield, adding strong, reliable income from global markets.

Step 3: Growth Portfolio (~$825,000 in LSE-listed ETFs for SWR)

The growth portfolio will focus on global index ETFs and will be managed via a 3.5% withdrawal rate (SWR):

AssetTypeAllocation ($)Withdrawal RateIncome Generated ($/year)
VWRA (LSE-listed)Global Index Fund$725,0003.5% SWR$25,375
EIMI (LSE-listed)Emerging Markets$100,0003.5% SWR$3,500
Total$825,000$28,875 (~$2,406/month)

The VWRA provides exposure to global stocks, while EIMI adds higher-growth emerging markets. Both are Ireland-domiciled, meaning they avoid high US withholding taxes and are more tax-efficient for Singapore investors.

Step 4: How Does This Portfolio Generate $5,000/month?

✅ Dividends from stocks/ETFs: ~$2,167/month ($26,000/year).
✅ SWR withdrawals from VWRA/EIMI: ~$2,406/month ($28,875/year).
✅ Total Monthly Income: $4,573/month ($54,875/year).

This comes very close to the $5,000/month goal, with a cash buffer to smooth out any shortfalls.

What if there’s a market crash?

  • The $75,000 cash buffer will ensure you don’t have to sell assets during market downturns.
  • In strong market years, you can reinvest excess dividends into VWRA and EIMI.
  • If needed, adjust the SWR temporarily (e.g., reduce to 3.3% in tough times).

Step 5: Long-Term Growth & Sustainability

Even with SWR withdrawals, this portfolio is designed to continue growing over the long term.

  • The VWRA portion should appreciate by around 7% per year, so even after 3.5% withdrawals, your portfolio will likely grow rather than shrink.
  • The VHYL dividend will likely increase over time, providing more income each year.
  • The SG Banks, STI ETF, and REIT ETFs should also grow with the economy, boosting your income over time.

How Does Net Worth Change Over Time?

  • Your global index portion (VWRA) will continue to grow, keeping pace with inflation.
  • EIMI emerging markets should continue to grow, keeping pace with inflation.
  • The dividend portfolio should keep increasing dividends, helping your income grow and maintaining long-term wealth.
Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash

Why This Hybrid Approach Works

✅ Stable income from dividends (~$26,000/year).
✅ Growth from SWR withdrawals (~$28,875/year from VWRA & EIMI).
✅ A resilient portfolio that adapts to market cycles.
✅ Capital appreciation over time, allowing your net worth to grow.

By combining dividend investing with SWR-based growth, this hybrid strategy offers a well-rounded retirement plan for a Singapore-based FIRE investor.

You get the peace of mind of steady dividends, the growth potential of global equities, and the flexibility to adapt during market downturns.

Would this portfolio works for you?

Deal 1:

Interest rates are getting lower everywhere and there are usually many hoops to jump to get higher rate such as OCBC 360 and UOB ONE!
Consider Maribank, one of the fuss free and give you 1.28% daily without any conditions! Interest is credited daily!

Sign up for MariBank using my referral code: 2KGZ29UL.
https://www.maribank.sg/product/mari-savings-account/

Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.

Deal 2:

Best Items that I have bought from Shopee.

ONLY the best useful worthy items

Many people I realised that they have only shared things that give them the most commissions. I am different. I will only share things that I have bought, used and found it to be good.

Deal 3:

Webull – Get free money!

Good deal! Do not miss this! Sign up here now for free money!!

Deal 4:

Trust Bank New Clients

Deal 5:

FSMone – Cheap Comms and can transfer your shares to Personal/Joint CDP for Free

I am using FSMOne.com to invest in funds & ETFs (including money market funds). FSM is good due to the low comms and the free transfer from FSMOne to CDP (typically takes less than a week to transfer). If you do not have an account, you can sign up here. Please use my FSMOne referral code: P0413007.

Deal 6:

Eskimo – Best Option for Roaming!

For now, you can get 500MB for free just by signing up with my referral link, no purchase required (I get 500MB only too, but only if you buy a paid plan). Referral code: CHING104915

You can read my review here.

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

Focusing Careyourpresent & living a fulfilling life by supercharging your mind & investment/online income. Careyourpresent Series focus on things that one MUST know in their Life.

More articles can be found here.

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].

Interest Rate Cut on the Horizon…what’s next?

Posted on by careyourpresent

Interest Rate Cut on the Horizon…what’s next? This must be in the mind of many investors, especially for those into sensitive to rate instruments, such as S-REITS.

Before the actual rate cut in the next few days, SREITs are up by more than 10% for the past few weeks.
Congrats to fellow investors! I think my portfolio at least up by 50k or more.

Rates are already down

Before official rate cut announced by Fed, the rates are starting to come down. One can see from the Fixed deposits offered by banks, SSB coming down, treasury yield coming down etc…

I have already locked 400k worth (together with spouse) in SSB as emergency fund… guess just collect 1k per month worth of cash for the next 10 years at average rate of 3+%.

So what’s next?

For me I will have investible cash, waiting for pound on next opportunities. Meanwhile just keep calm and enjoyed the harvests that I have planted for the past few months/years.

Let’s ask AI

This is the question that I have input
“Interest rate cut on the horizon. what is next?”

FROM MS Co-pilot.

It looks like an interest rate cut is indeed on the horizon, with the Federal Reserve expected to make its first rate cut in years, possibly as soon as September12. This potential cut is largely driven by cooling inflation and a job market that no longer threatens to overheat the economy2.

Here are a few things that might happen next:

  1. Lower Borrowing Costs: If the Fed cuts rates, borrowing costs for consumers and businesses could decrease. This includes lower mortgage and auto-loan rates2.
  2. Increased Refinancing: Homeowners might see an opportunity to refinance their mortgages at lower rates1.
  3. Stock Market Reactions: Financial markets have already started to price in the expected rate cuts, so we might see some volatility as investors adjust their strategies1.
  4. Economic Growth: Lower interest rates can stimulate economic growth by making it cheaper to borrow and invest2.

FROM CHATGPT

When central banks cut interest rates, it’s typically a response to slowing economic growth or low inflation, with the aim of stimulating the economy. The implications of an interest rate cut can unfold in various ways:

  1. Lower Borrowing Costs: Consumers and businesses benefit from reduced borrowing costs. Loans, mortgages, and credit often become cheaper, encouraging spending and investment. This can stimulate economic growth in areas such as housing, business expansion, and consumer spending.
  2. Weaker Currency: Interest rate cuts often lead to a weaker domestic currency, as lower rates make a country’s assets less attractive to foreign investors. A weaker currency can boost exports by making them more competitive internationally, but it can also lead to higher import costs and inflation.
  3. Stock Market Boost: Equities tend to rise in response to rate cuts because companies can finance growth more cheaply, and investors often move out of low-yielding bonds and into stocks. This can create short-term stock market rallies.
  4. Bond Market Response: Bond prices typically rise as interest rates fall, since the existing bonds with higher interest rates become more attractive. However, future bond issuances may offer lower yields.
  5. Real Estate Market Surge: Lower interest rates can fuel the housing market by making mortgages more affordable. This can lead to increased home sales and higher property values, although it can also increase housing affordability challenges in already hot markets.
  6. Inflation Risk: Prolonged low interest rates can lead to inflationary pressures if demand overheats. Central banks need to balance between stimulating growth and keeping inflation in check.
  7. Savings Impact: Lower interest rates tend to reduce returns on savings and fixed-income investments, which may affect savers, particularly retirees relying on interest income.

Next steps will depend on how the economy responds:

  • Further cuts or unconventional measures: If the rate cut isn’t enough to spur growth, central banks could signal more cuts or even deploy unconventional tools like quantitative easing (buying bonds to inject liquidity).
  • Monitoring inflation and growth data: Central banks will closely monitor economic indicators to decide if more action is necessary.
  • Market and investor reaction: Investors may adjust portfolios, shifting from bonds to stocks or real assets like commodities, depending on the perceived future economic conditions.

Hi AI

AI are getting more powerful each day. Maybe one day we will have Ultron taking over the world. Who know? So what do you think will happen next after rate cut?

Most importantly, what is your plan now?

Good articles that you should read!

People are drawn to dividend investing.

Why? Firstly, dividends provide a regular stream of income, allowing investors to receive a portion of the company’s profits on a periodic basis. This can be particularly attractive for individuals seeking consistent cash flow or looking to supplement their existing income. Additionally, dividend investing is often viewed as a more stable and predictable investment strategy compared to relying solely on capital appreciation.

I always write and share articles, especially on dividends which many people love them. Do read them!

Alternatively, you can go the right side of my page, there is a search bar where you can simply search “dividend” to see all my articles related to dividends!

Of course, you can search for other things that would interest you such as “Careyourpresent”, “Reits”, “Side Hustles”, “Fixed Incomes”, “Savings” etc.

CAREYOURPRESENT

Money just buy you the chance of freedom.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career. Of course, if you love your career, and consciously know that you are missing out the first time your child walk or talk, that’s ok, but if you are the other spectrum, please do something about it.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

I have picked out some of the more life reflecting articles of the CAREYOURPRESENT series. Do read them:

You can read more about my articles on Careyourpresent via the Category “Careyourpresent” or simply click “Careyourpresent” via the main menu bar.

REMEMBER:

Love your life daily.

You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself.

Time is ticking away.

For each passing day,

Enjoy and Treasure your Life!

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].

If you’re looking referral codes, do check out my referral and ebook page. Give it a try and who knows? You might end up loving these platforms! To be absolutely fair to all the readers, I am definitely using all these companies and they are useful to me! Likely will be useful to you too!

At the same referral and ebook page, you can also download my free ebooks and other free resources.

For quick references to these resources, you can see below.

  • Ebooks and other useful resources on enhancing productivity (Investment, Excel, Notion etc). Currently most of it are free at this moment (subject to change).
  • WeBull: A powerful brokerage with nice free welcome gift. You can refer to my guide here on how to signup! 4 Simple step only! Click here to register a new account!
  • MoneyOwl: You can use this 6SHU-93MC to get free grab vouchers and highly safe liquid cash fund account.
  • Trust Bank – You will enjoy free FairPrice E-Voucher referral if you sign up via my referral code KNDBPEPT. Simply download the Trust Bank SG App on the App Store or Google Play Store. Tap on “Use referral code” immediately after you start the app and key in: KNDBPEPT
  • FSMOne: P0413007. Good account to keep liquid cash in autosweep and to purchase investment at low fee.
  • Hostinger: You can use this link for hosting your new website. 20% off hosting!
  • Crypto.com: Use my referral link https://crypto.com/app/h92xdfarkq to sign up for Crypto.com and we both get $25 USD 🙂

Market indeed coming down

Posted on by careyourpresent

As seen in my previous article,

Black Swan Ahead: Strategic Insights and Preparations for Uncertain Times

The fun is indeed coming!

Crypto

Crypto down a lot and I got liquidated.

But I am happy to be liquidated. Means time to buy in fear!

US Down last friday

US markets are also down last week, VIX also increases.

Exciting Times ahead! What’s my action?

I have already shared this in my previous article.

Black Swan Ahead: Strategic Insights and Preparations for Uncertain Times

Seems like I missed out one thing – War and Gold.

Shopping Time is coming soon!

Time to start shopping.

Financial Market is a weird place, people like to crowd, FOMO and buy when the market is high (higher risk). When the market is down (lower risk), people scared and don’t dare to buy, thinking it may drop lower. When the chance missed out and market up again, then they FOMO buy!

Isn’t this weird?

Deal 1:

Interest rates are getting lower everywhere and there are usually many hoops to jump to get higher rate such as OCBC 360 and UOB ONE!
Consider Maribank, one of the fuss free and give you 1.28% daily without any conditions! Interest is credited daily!

Sign up for MariBank using my referral code: 2KGZ29UL.
https://www.maribank.sg/product/mari-savings-account/

Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.

Deal 2:

Best Items that I have bought from Shopee.

ONLY the best useful worthy items

Many people I realised that they have only shared things that give them the most commissions. I am different. I will only share things that I have bought, used and found it to be good.

Deal 3:

Webull – Get free money!

Good deal! Do not miss this! Sign up here now for free money!!

Deal 4:

Trust Bank New Clients

Deal 5:

FSMone – Cheap Comms and can transfer your shares to Personal/Joint CDP for Free

I am using FSMOne.com to invest in funds & ETFs (including money market funds). FSM is good due to the low comms and the free transfer from FSMOne to CDP (typically takes less than a week to transfer). If you do not have an account, you can sign up here. Please use my FSMOne referral code: P0413007.

Deal 6:

Eskimo – Best Option for Roaming!

For now, you can get 500MB for free just by signing up with my referral link, no purchase required (I get 500MB only too, but only if you buy a paid plan). Referral code: CHING104915

You can read my review here.

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

Focusing Careyourpresent & living a fulfilling life by supercharging your mind & investment/online income. Careyourpresent Series focus on things that one MUST know in their Life.

More articles can be found here.

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].

It’s a long start of the year – what I have been busy with?

Posted on by careyourpresent

It’s a long start of the year – what I have been busy with?

It’s been a long while since I posted anything. It’s been a very busy January 2024. I started the year with the typical 9 to 5 work of course! It’s a very busy work year. But luckily started with the news of my increment amount and bonus, not bad!

I have also a written a long post about 2023. Do read it. It’s give both portfolio and precious life lessons that I have learnt.

Mirrors of Time: Delving into the Reflections of 2023

Time Flies

It’s has been almost a year since my mum passing. Times really flies. Life is fragile.

Farewell Mum. You are always in my mind

Remember to look at these 3 pictures every morning.

Portfolio

This is the most interesting part where people are keen, and this is for my own record.

In terms of CPF, I have received 14k interest in my account and 13k from my wife account. Not bad!

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

In terms of Singapore Dividend Portfolio, I started the year with a family projected dividend of 2k per month + 1k per month from SSB + about 1.5k from cash interest / money market funds account. That’s about 4.5k per month. Hopefully this year I can change the 1.5k cash interest / money market funds account to equity (which I believe highly likely possible.)

I know we shouldn’t and can’t time market. But I rather keep cash at this moment of the time, waiting for opportunity.

Recent Trade – SG market

Nevertheless, I can’t stop hand itchness.

Recently I have bought 9CI (Capitaland Investment Limited) at $3.01 and F34 (Wilmar International) at $3.45. This time I didn’t post my transaction in the telegram group or twitter since I thought no one might be interested anyway. But for transparency and own record, I shall share here. Anyway, these two are for trading, not long-term positions in mind. However, 9CI might become long term, let’s see out how the results goes.

Recent Trade – Crypto

What am I busy with? Airdrops!

See: Time for Free AirdropS!

2024 Crypto is bullish with Bitcoin ETF just approved on the surface (but this is actually leading wolf to sheep pack if you seriously think about it). Bitcoin halving also coming!

What airdrops have I been farming? In Short, many many!

FREE MONEY using little or no Money, why not?

Cosmos – Atom, Tia, Inj, Osmos, milktia, Dem Exchange etc

Zksync

Layer Zero

Manta

Linea

Blast L2,

Scroll

Aveos

Rango Exchange

Testnet – like Bera Chain etc

and Many Many!

Usually for Crypto, information really follows fast. Hence, I usually post in my Twitter instead. For example,

Out of the above, my most anticipated and the one that I have put in most effort is as per screenshot below, please give me a big one!

Deal 1:

Interest rates are getting lower everywhere and there are usually many hoops to jump to get higher rate such as OCBC 360 and UOB ONE!
Consider Maribank, one of the fuss free and give you 1.28% daily without any conditions! Interest is credited daily!

Sign up for MariBank using my referral code: 2KGZ29UL.
https://www.maribank.sg/product/mari-savings-account/

Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.

Deal 2:

Best Items that I have bought from Shopee.

ONLY the best useful worthy items

Many people I realised that they have only shared things that give them the most commissions. I am different. I will only share things that I have bought, used and found it to be good.

Deal 3:

Webull – Get free money!

Good deal! Do not miss this! Sign up here now for free money!!

Deal 4:

Trust Bank New Clients

Deal 5:

FSMone – Cheap Comms and can transfer your shares to Personal/Joint CDP for Free

I am using FSMOne.com to invest in funds & ETFs (including money market funds). FSM is good due to the low comms and the free transfer from FSMOne to CDP (typically takes less than a week to transfer). If you do not have an account, you can sign up here. Please use my FSMOne referral code: P0413007.

Deal 6:

Eskimo – Best Option for Roaming!

For now, you can get 500MB for free just by signing up with my referral link, no purchase required (I get 500MB only too, but only if you buy a paid plan). Referral code: CHING104915

You can read my review here.

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

Focusing Careyourpresent & living a fulfilling life by supercharging your mind & investment/online income. Careyourpresent Series focus on things that one MUST know in their Life.

More articles can be found here.

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].

Mirrors of Time: Delving into the Reflections of 2023

Posted on by careyourpresent

It’s time of the year for me to write about my reflection for the YEAR 2023!

This is a very eventful, fortunate as well as tragic year for me. I started to write more on this site and shares my views about life – CARE your present as well as finance matter. For this site, I aim to be something more unique. Life is the more important part, money is just the tool to achieve it.

That’s why these are the few key Themes in my Blog.

Care your Present

Investment and Finance – Tradi Finance

Excitement in investment – Cryptocurrency

Good lobang via side Hustle – I kept to the principle to only share things that I am also using.

1) Tragic start for the year 2023

I started the year eagerly for my son to enter Primary 2 while daughter K1. With a blink of an eye, they have grown so big.

Time is gone so fast

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

When is the last time?

When will be the last time where you will sit on my lap, hug me to sleep, watch a movie date with me? Although I know that the day will come one day, but I hope won’t be so soon. I am doing my best to treasure all the limited time we have while I am still your entire world.

Extract from: The Best Advice to Parents and Child

To Parents

  • Let your child grow in the way they innately want to be, not what you want them to be. Your dream of what you want them to be may not be your child’s real dream. Be open and listen to their true hearts/feelings/thinking.
  • One day, your child will leave you to pursue their dreams. Let them go happily when the day come. That day will come faster than you can ever imagine, in meantime treasure every second that you have with your child while you are still their entire world. You may have many things in your mind now (work, money, dream, stress, surf net on mobile phone etc), but there is only a very extremely short window where you are their entire world. One it is gone; no money can buy the time back.

To Child

  • Don’t be afraid to share your true feelings, your true wishes, your true needs, your true wants to your parents. Regardless whether you believe or not, your parents want you to be happy. They always try to do things that they think is the best for you but sadly, they may not know what you truly want. Tell them what you truly want before it is too late. The positive outcome / reactions from them may be surprising to you eventually.
  • One day, your parents will leave you. No matter what grudges / happiness / anger / dissatisfaction/ satisfaction you have, everything will be gone on that very day. That day could be the day where you leave them to pursue your dream, or it could be the day when they leave the surface of Earth. The day will come faster than you think. Do something now while you still can. It’s not easy to open up fully and talk to your parents especially if the relationship is not that friendly/open, but please try. Something tried is still better than too late.
Photo by Ron Szalata on Unsplash

Started the year with sadness

While I am still lamenting/missing how fast they grow, suddenly my mum passed away in January 2023. I finally trying to really fully internalized and understand what is Truly understand Living in the Moment now. The blogging sphere also lost createwealth8888 uncle few months later. There was also the passing of the famous Jin Yong and creative CEO at young age. Charlie Munger also died in November.

I did a reflection of myself at 40 years old. Time is really short. I am at the half point mark life – 40 years old (hopefully this is at least halfway). Time really flies and there is no reset button.

We should always stop a while, reflect and be grateful with what life have given us. Treasure what we have now, living in the moment (which I didn’t in the past). I didn’t know how to Let It Go and focus on more important things in life – example, I was always bothered by what other people said (like Friends, Colleagues etc) and reacted negatively sometimes, especially when there are the typical Office Politics involved. Looking back now, does it really matter what they said? Lifespan of human is so short and limited, we should live a fulfilling life full of experiences that we love to have instead.

Days seems long but years are really short. With a blind of an eye, I am already 40 years old. Do you really need to care what other people or other society say about you? I used to be like that but now I don’t. I like to listen to advice, good one I will listen, bad one we should learn to let go and don’t keep to your heart. Don’t waste your precious time/life on unimportant thing.

Life is really short

Life is really short. These three pictures will change your life after you have seen it.

I am guilty to chase money, missing some of the last time with my kids while I am working in my 9 to 5.

Career is something very important to most important, especially it make up of almost 8-10 hours of your awake time, given that one is only awake for typically 16 hours out of 24 hours. That mean 1/3 of your time, your time is spent on career. That’s why it is good to be in a career/job that one love. But sadly, most people cannot get a job/career you love right? In the end, it is just a tool to make end meets. If one doesn’t need to drag their feets to work, it is already a big blessing in disguise.

What if later never come?

Many people keep thinking of later. What if later never come? Will you live in regret?

Everyday we are chasing for more and more money, in order to provide better life to yourself and especially to your loved ones. We always told ourselves that once we reach 1 Million example, we will quit job and spent your finite precious time with your love ones.

However, it’s never enough. When we have 1 million, we will aim for 2 millions. When we have 2 millions, we will aim for 3 millions, 5 millions, 10 millions, 100 millions….in the process you become old and tired….then suddenly you may realised that

“LATER may never come”…

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you buy back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

https://twitter.com/pascalcampion

Living in Present is not easy

You should never take the Gift of Life for Granted. No one is immortal and will be gone from the surface of Earth one day and that day may come sooner than one think.

But is living in present not easy.

小时候，幸福很简单。长大了，简单很幸福。

Time is the ultimate currency, not money

Time is the ultimate currency, not money. Money just buy you the chance of freedom. When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed while busying striking out in career

Our Life only have 5 short Days – we should live the best for every day.

What will you bring with you on your last day on Earth?

The days are long but the years are short

This is a phrase that was kept reiterating to me by various blogs online, by people around me etc – people reminded one another to be with your kids while they still need you when they are young.

However, I strongly disagree to this phrase. This phrase is totally wrong, absolutely wrong. This phrase is to trick people to believe that time are slow (in days) but yet fast in (years). TOTALLY WRONG!

The correct phrase should be:

Both the days and years are short. In fact, time is ticking away every single second. For each passing day, you will have one less day with your dear spouse, parents, children or even for yourself.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

We always thought that we have more time to play with your kids while they are growing up every day very fast. With a blink of an eye while you are busy hustling away 9 to 5, trying to earn more and more money (maybe you already have enough, but you keep thinking you don’t. Read this post: You will likely never run out of money with 1 million: Expectation vs Reality), they are already so big. They no longer want to play with you. They want to go out with friends. By then no matter how rich you are, 10 millions/10 billions, they still rather go out with friends. You missed it means missed it. There is no reset button.

Life is short, billionaire or pauper, you only have 1 life, same time, once gone it is gone. Please Love your life and Careyourpresent. Embracing the Transience: Life Is Short

We learn from both ways

We often thought that as adults, we should know much more things as compared to young children. Moreover, we were young once and now being adult, with richer life experiences, we are always better and more right from children. There is nothing to learn from them. Instead, they should be learnt from us and followed us as their role models. This is definitely the mindset of many adults.

However, I beg to differ. There are many life lessons that are either long forgotten or suppressed by our own parents as we grow up. I have learnt a lot from them.

11 Important Unexpected Life and Money lessons to learn from Your Children

Greatest Regrets in life

What is your greatest regrets in life? or your purpose in life?

Don’t forget that It’s little unexpected things that make up a real life.

We should always remember the above and grow a great life. Something only happen once in life, if you missed it, it’s gone forever…

Learn to let go of busyness in life.

2) Portfolio and Investment Updates

Besides life, money can buy you time too. Hence I started the year with the reflection of 2022. Since many are sharing portfolio, I shall do it for this year too.

As times goes by at the end of 2023, I am wondering if I should it again. Idea is not for flexing, it’s mainly for myself to keep a record. Regardless, I still did a minor update in Dec 2023.

Dividends/interest

Although Dividend Investing is Dangerous,

I still get about 3.5k dividends/interest per month for the year 2023 with about 50% in cash/cash equivalents excluding emergency fund. In term of absolute amount vested in my portfolio, it is much higher now as I have injected more funds from my salary and investment returns.

I have also almost max my and my spouse Singapore Saving Bonds. Did you Lock your last good Risk Free Rate before too late? My SSB Bond ladders are done too. This gave me about $1000 per month for a period of 10 years. Good enough to cover the basis expenses.

The year also ended with treasury yield going down while Reits going up (for those Singapore Investors). My portfolio is up about 9% but couldn’t be done better HK/China didn’t down so much.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Mistake

Personally, I did added a lot when the market goes down in the recent months – reducing my cash from 50% to 30+%. On hindsight I should have added more. I have patience, but I lack the guts to buy big, key weaknesses as compared to many investors.

However, as I still think that:

This is the first time in history where there is an unprecedented increase in interest rates by FED within a short span of few months. There will be time lag effect for the hike in rate to affect the market – very likely the coming few months till early Q1 2024. We shall see.

Hence, I been taking profits as the market rally in December to the recent high. Seems like a wrong move and I have missed many gains. But…

Photo by André François McKenzie on Unsplash

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is getting the hype recent. Seems like bull market is coming for Cryptocurrency.

Personally I had some fun with meme coins plus hunting for Airdrops! Crypto volatility is high, not for the fainted hearted but the returns can be amazing. I posted more frequently on Crypto via X (formerly known as Twitter) for Crypto because Crypto really is time sensitive, few hours could be big difference, no time to post on blog anyway.

All the best to 2024

Anyway, let’s see how it goes for year 2024.

Potential Milestones in 2024

Hope everyone huat!

Deal 1:

Interest rates are getting lower everywhere and there are usually many hoops to jump to get higher rate such as OCBC 360 and UOB ONE!
Consider Maribank, one of the fuss free and give you 1.28% daily without any conditions! Interest is credited daily!

Sign up for MariBank using my referral code: 2KGZ29UL.
https://www.maribank.sg/product/mari-savings-account/

Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.

Deal 2:

Best Items that I have bought from Shopee.

ONLY the best useful worthy items

Many people I realised that they have only shared things that give them the most commissions. I am different. I will only share things that I have bought, used and found it to be good.

Deal 3:

Webull – Get free money!

Good deal! Do not miss this! Sign up here now for free money!!

Deal 4:

Trust Bank New Clients

Deal 5:

FSMone – Cheap Comms and can transfer your shares to Personal/Joint CDP for Free

I am using FSMOne.com to invest in funds & ETFs (including money market funds). FSM is good due to the low comms and the free transfer from FSMOne to CDP (typically takes less than a week to transfer). If you do not have an account, you can sign up here. Please use my FSMOne referral code: P0413007.

Deal 6:

Eskimo – Best Option for Roaming!

For now, you can get 500MB for free just by signing up with my referral link, no purchase required (I get 500MB only too, but only if you buy a paid plan). Referral code: CHING104915

You can read my review here.

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

Focusing Careyourpresent & living a fulfilling life by supercharging your mind & investment/online income. Careyourpresent Series focus on things that one MUST know in their Life.

More articles can be found here.

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].

Portfolio Update: Dividends/Interest per month

Posted on by careyourpresent

Portfolio

It been a long while since I did an update of my portfolio. My last update was on 13 September 2023 titled:

Portfolio Update: Dividends/Interest S$3800 per month

In that update, I have shown the below picture. Many people like to show dividend per year, per month, daily, hourly, per minute, per sec thing.

Hence, I decided to share the fun and did something similar in this last post.

Why dividend income?

In the pursuit of financial independence, passive income plays a crucial role.

It allows individuals to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind and enjoy the freedom of having their money work for them.

One powerful source of passive income is dividend income.

Similar to having a worker toiling away on your behalf, dividends provide a consistent stream of income without requiring active effort.

It can be a game-changer in achieving financial freedom.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Remember to compound your return

One of the key advantages of dividend income is its potential for growth.

As you reinvest your dividend income back into the same stocks or other dividend-paying investments, you can benefit from the power of compounding.

Over time, this compounding effect can significantly increase your passive income.

It’s like having a worker who not only works for you for free but also brings in additional workers to increase productivity.

The more you reinvest your dividends, the more your passive income grows, allowing you to accelerate your journey towards financial freedom.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Be Diversified and research well too

Building a portfolio of dividend-paying stocks requires careful consideration and research.

It’s important to select companies with a track record of consistent dividend payments, strong financial health, and potential for future growth. Diversification is also key to mitigate risk and maximize returns.

By spreading your investments across different sectors and companies, you can protect yourself from the impact of any single company’s performance.

Additionally, staying informed about market can help you make informed investment decisions and optimize your dividend income.

Cash is Rotting

Cash is rotting was a term that we have been used to seeing for the past decades. Things become vastly different in the last two years as FED raises the interest rates!

As share in my update of my SSB post earlier,

This is the first time in history where there is an unprecedented increase in interest rates by FED within a short span of few months. There will be time lag effect for the hike in rate to affect the market – very likely the coming few months till early Q1 2024. We shall see.

I am hoping for the chance to deploy my cash and it will come soon.

But luckily at least now my rotting cash is earning 3-5% every month (SSB, FSM, Treasury Bill, CIMB Fastsaver Promo, Esaver Promo, UOB One, OCBC 360 etc), as compared to the past year period of low interest rate. That period is really the cash rotting period where the interest in bank is so low!

See: Savers Heaven Options for Dec 2024

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Cash is now an Asset Class

Cash is now an asset class too, generating 3~4% almost risk free!

Hence, I don’t want waste this chance to generate some interest income, and I have decided to include it in the portfolio calculation for this update.

Ok, what everyone has been waiting for so long.

Refer to the table below!

Cash Is KING

From the above, many would have realized that I hold huge amount of cash relative to my portfolio. Why so?

Let me repeat again:

This is the first time in history where there is an unprecedented increase in interest rates by FED within a short span of few months. There will be time lag effect for the hike in rate to affect the market – very likely the coming few months till early Q1 2024. We shall see.

I am hoping for the chance to deploy my cash and it will come soon.

Deal 1:

Interest rates are getting lower everywhere and there are usually many hoops to jump to get higher rate such as OCBC 360 and UOB ONE!
Consider Maribank, one of the fuss free and give you 1.28% daily without any conditions! Interest is credited daily!

Sign up for MariBank using my referral code: 2KGZ29UL.
https://www.maribank.sg/product/mari-savings-account/

Insured up to S$100k by SDIC.

Deal 2:

Best Items that I have bought from Shopee.

ONLY the best useful worthy items

Many people I realised that they have only shared things that give them the most commissions. I am different. I will only share things that I have bought, used and found it to be good.

Deal 3:

Webull – Get free money!

Good deal! Do not miss this! Sign up here now for free money!!

Deal 4:

Trust Bank New Clients

Deal 5:

FSMone – Cheap Comms and can transfer your shares to Personal/Joint CDP for Free

I am using FSMOne.com to invest in funds & ETFs (including money market funds). FSM is good due to the low comms and the free transfer from FSMOne to CDP (typically takes less than a week to transfer). If you do not have an account, you can sign up here. Please use my FSMOne referral code: P0413007.

Deal 6:

Eskimo – Best Option for Roaming!

For now, you can get 500MB for free just by signing up with my referral link, no purchase required (I get 500MB only too, but only if you buy a paid plan). Referral code: CHING104915

You can read my review here.

Money just buy you the chance of freedom but can’t buy back time. In life, there is no reset button. Time is limited but money is not.

When you are young and working, you exchange time for money. When you are old, you can have lots of money but you can’t buy time back, especially the things that you have missed (your strong health, time with young child) while busying striking out in career.

Your kids grew up and they no longer need you to accompany them. They no longer want to sit on your lap to share/do things with you…all these time you spent in your 9 to 6 or even longer cubicles…can the money that you have earned by you back these?

We always thought we have more time with our old parents, but we are wrong. Time with them is ticking away every day. One day it will suddenly be gone. There is no regret medicine, no reset in time. Gone is gone and cannot come back. No matter you are billionaires or millionaires, you cannot reset this.

We always thought that we have more time with our spouse every day, but we are wrong. One day they will be gone too. When you read this, please go tell your spouse that you love him/her and he or she is the best thing that you ever had in your life.

Love your life daily. You have one less day with your spouse, parents, children and yourself. Time is ticking away.

Focusing Careyourpresent & living a fulfilling life by supercharging your mind & investment/online income. Careyourpresent Series focus on things that one MUST know in their Life.

More articles can be found here.

For those who are interested in regular updates of my articles, please join the others to sign up for my free newsletter to has my newest blogposts sent to your mailbox for free!

For real time exclusive updates on market news/life (especially Crypto markets where the news move fast, important news will be shared directly via tweets or telegrams), do also join the platforms below and engage with other like-minded people!

You may also contact me via [email protected].