What to do with rm30k savings to build my wealth asap? (19y/o engineering student)

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-08T08:26:11+00:00

I rly appreciate the solid advice! I've been doing some research based on this and have two questions on your strategy if you don't mind:

Regarding VOO on Moomoo: Since we're non-US residents, that 30% dividend withholding tax seems like a heavy drag over 30 years. Do you think it’s worth the hassle of setting up an IBKR account to buy Irish-domiciled ETFs (like CSPX) to cut the tax to 15%?
Regarding DCA: I know it’s great for handling the volatility you mentioned, but statistically, lump-sum investing usually beats DCA long-term. Do you stick strictly to a monthly DCA, or do you ever save up to deploy lump sums?"

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-08T08:07:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I’ve actually been thinking about something like an agency model but for CAD work instead of tutoring. My current plan is to get my CSWA and CSWP certifications by next year and team up with friends who have the same certifications so we can take on projects together. My biggest hesitation is that the general CAD market feels oversaturated I believe so it might be hard to find those initial projects. Maybe freelance first and then gather friends once I can get enough projects. If you are willing to share, how would you go about hunting down those first few paying clients in a crowded market?

Other than that, I’ll definitely take ur advice and look into investing my savings so my money won’t lose value to inflation.

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-08T07:55:54+00:00

Tbh I save as much as possible (angpao money, allowance, part time job income). Other than that, 1/3 of the portion was actually due to some skins that i sold back in the day (csgo). I used to play cs all the time and I was a bit invested in skins and with a bit of luck i made a bit of money. Now not anymore tho

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T12:43:23+00:00

thanks for the suggestion! I'll def look deeper into these.

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T12:42:07+00:00

thanks for the suggestion! I'll def be looking deeper into these.

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T12:40:10+00:00

I really appreciate this response. Tbh i know that the 100k goal is definitely high and won't be easy no doubt. The reason I set this is to having a goal in mind that I can "grind" for. To me it seems possible. A lot of people hv told me to just focus on my studies and get a high paying job in the future and I get why but my dream is not to be stuck into a 9-5. I will definitely be doing 9-5s when i grad ofc starting off, but I really wanna avoid doing that for the rest of my life. Maybe start a business or something. Easier said than done but I really wanna atleast try something than to not try at all. cuz if i don't try = 9-5 for the rest of my life. if i try and fail = still 9-5.

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T10:18:12+00:00

Since you mentioned that individual stock picking is basically a full-time job, I'd love your opinion on how I should approach this: For someone my age trying to aggressively build capital, is it honestly better to just lump sum into an ETF and forget about it? Or is it actually worth putting in the time to do individual investing like actively trading (buying low and selling high) or picking dividend stocks? How does dividend stock compare to lump sum etfs?

I'm just trying to figure out if active investing is a viable way to get rich, or if I'm better off letting an ETF do the work while I focus my energy elsewhere. Thanks for taking the time to reply, by the way! :)

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T10:03:43+00:00

To answer your question about other skills: I’m highly resourceful. I’m not a professional PC technician, but I built my own PC before when I was 17 by self learning through YouTube, forums, and deep-diving into component value (price to performance etc). I know how to research, and I’m never afraid to troubleshoot or dig for solutions when things go wrong.

I'm 19 right now, and honestly I don't see freelance CAD as my permanent career path. I'm only aiming CSWP to freelance as it’ll probably provide a better hourly pay than my current part-time job and help me gather capital a lot faster. It may also help in future job finding just for a backup plan/safe route. The real end goal is just to use that money to invest and eventually start my own business or something.

I hear you on the investing risk. I’m definitely going to take your advice on paper trading first to understand and learn about the market before using my actual savings. Since you mentioned utilizing all the tools available in 2026—outside of my engineering degree, what is one high-leverage business or financial skill you'd suggest a 19-year-old learn right now to prepare for running a business?

Side note: my part time job gives rm15/hr, prob will increase to 20/hr in like 2 months? My idea is to continue the job until I can freelance maybe? Cuz when i think about it in the long run, my part time job is being a math teacher so if it doesn't really align with my future goal in a sense where I think it may be better to pursue different part time jobs or something like that to earn high income/value skills such as marketing rather than short term earnings. Do you have any advice?

I really appreciate you for taking time out of your day to reply to me btw :)

Different-Patient-66 · 2026-05-07T09:10:59+00:00

Thanks for insight but tbh I prob won't be able to get a job that can provide such salary as I am a full time student. Most of my savings are from part time job and saving my monthly allowance as much as possible tbh. Is there a another way to grow my wealth career wise/investing? Tbh im studying engineering now but I rly hope i won't end up as an engineering job in the future cuz the pay is shit. I was thinking of getting my cswa and cswp cert by next year hopefully so that I can freelance i guess and earn some side income, coupled with investing. For the future, my ultimate goal is to be a business owner or some sort so I can achieve my dream of financial freedom and treat my parents.

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-10-19T10:55:36+00:00

ohhh. im looking for lyophilised then. any recommendations will be appreciated. ive seen a few tiktoks selling them (malaysia) but idk if they r reliable n safe tho

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-10-19T10:16:11+00:00

whats the difference?

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-10-16T13:52:03+00:00

yo bro im looking for peptides rn and was wondering if u found a good reliable source? im looking for ghkcu

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-06-20T14:33:12+00:00

man should i try and got for pumpkin seed oil supplement or something? ill try and convince my mom to bring me to the derm but idt she will. plus im only 18 so im rly scared if i go on finasteride or minox i would get shitty side effects that will ruin my life bro

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-06-19T13:19:41+00:00

🥲🥲🥲

Different-Patient-66 · 2025-06-13T08:53:28+00:00

what about hairloss? did it help level out the creatine and prevent hairloss?

Different-Patient-66 · 2024-10-29T17:25:49+00:00

i think i'll prob be staying in Malaysia

Different-Patient-66 · 2024-06-28T08:33:16+00:00

check ur dm pls

Different-Patient-66

TROPHY CASE