What I Did That Allowed Me to Semi-Retire at 30
1. Started My Own Businesses
While a full-time job is stable, building businesses around my passions gave me far greater income potential. Many ventures failed, but the ones that succeeded created revenue streams far beyond what I could earn if I joined the rat race. I simply ran my own race.
2. Avoided Lifestyle Inflation
Even as my income grew, my lifestyle didn’t. I still eat at hawker centres, wear Uniqlo, and fly budget unless I use miles. The most expensive shirt I own is a $120 Ralph Lauren kids shirt 😂 My biggest monthly expense is Grab, because buying back time is worth it.
3. Invested Early & Consistently
I began investing at 22, made many mistakes, and lost a lot of money. With some guidance and study, I learned to analyse assets properly and shifted to ETFs, index funds, and selected stocks. I stayed invested through highs and lows, never timing the market. Eight years of compounding and dollar cost averaging is pure magic. Special mention to Dennis to first taught me how to invest properly and Brannlum for journeying with me through the ups and downs.
4. Simply Blessed
Call it luck, fate, or God’s will, I recognise that life is a mix of what we can control and what we cannot. I’ve had my struggles, but I’m grateful every day for what I have today is more than just my own hard work; it’s grace.
Why I Still Work Hard
I’m not living a luxurious retire-and-do-nothing life. Due to my health condition, I need to build a bigger safety net, just in case my medical expenses grow beyond what I predicted. (medical inflation in Singapore is est 12% per annum🥵). I still work, not simply for money, but because I enjoy it. I work for meaning: to create, to grow, to bless the people around me, and to fully experience life as we know it.
Take Away: none of this is out of reach. There is no secret.
You don’t need to be born rich, have the perfect background, or get everything right the first time. You just need to start small, start messy, start scared. Build something you care about, live below your means, invest consistently, and keep showing up.
Love & Peace ♥️
Beyond the main steps I took to semi-retire, I want to share a few practical tips from my experience that might help you on your own financial journey. Firstly, diversifying income sources is critical. Starting multiple small businesses taught me resilience — not every idea succeeded, but each failure brought valuable lessons that improved my approach. If you’re thinking about side hustles or passion projects, be ready to iterate quickly and learn from setbacks. The key is to keep moving forward instead of waiting for perfect conditions. Secondly, avoiding lifestyle inflation allowed me to save and invest more consistently. I maintained simple habits like eating local, choosing affordable brands, and minimizing unnecessary spending. This mindset helped me accumulate capital to put into growing investments rather than inflating expenses with every raise in income. Investing early is powerful, but consistency beats timing. Dollar-cost averaging into broad ETFs and index funds can build lasting wealth, even through market ups and downs. I highly recommend educating yourself on basic investment principles and seeking guidance if needed. It’s okay to start small and improve your strategy over time. Finally, don’t underestimate the role of gratitude and perspective. Despite health challenges and uncertainties, I recognize that luck and a supportive environment played a role in my journey. Fostering a positive mindset helps me stay motivated and grateful, even when things don’t go as planned. For anyone interested in semi-retirement, remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Build your safety net thoughtfully, stay adaptable, and focus on what brings genuine fulfillment. Whether you’re 20, 30, or beyond, it’s never too late to start making intentional choices toward financial freedom and a life you love.
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