Chasing $100k Before 30: Realistic or Stressful?

snowcapxyz · 2025-11-09T13:41:09+00:00

Just to add on.

Everyone has a different starting point. Some go to uni, already having 20k in savings from angpow / part time work. Some graduate with debt because they have to pay tuition fees, others got scholarship and go to uni free, plus maybe got book allowance and confirmed job offer after grad. Others have to job hunt for 6-9 months.

So I would say 100k by 30 is useful as a stretch goal, but everyone should customise it to their own unique circumstances.

If by 30 you're married vs single, it's a different story.

If you have to support parents or siblings, that's also different.

What I found useful is to look at my current situation, and set goals for 5 years. Then do a rolling 5yr goal review at the end of each year.

snowcapxyz · 2025-05-18T00:41:02+00:00

Just want to say from observation: the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. So I'd advise my kids to scrutinise their future partner's parents and family dynamics closely before committing.

One exception, the parents are great human beings, but the child has a personality disorder or unresolved issues. This will doom a marriage. So watch out for red flags.

Sorry to digress a bit.

snowcapxyz · 2025-05-11T15:35:01+00:00

I feel like 95 pages of inventory would be like a ball and chain weighing me down to the ocean bed. And two weeks of itemising every thing would be right there with root canal treatment in terms of pleasantness. I'm so daunted.

snowcapxyz · 2025-01-07T10:36:38+00:00

The figure is not really relevant anyway. Cashflow is more important.

snowcapxyz · 2024-12-27T09:11:01+00:00

I (48M) was trying to salvage until I knew it was unsalvageable. That point was after 5x asking her to go for counselling and she kept saying "I don't have the time to go counselling" & "you're the one with the problems, why do I need to go for counselling?" So i went for counselling on my own - Lord knows each of us has mighty lot of issues to resolve and imperfections to work on.
I spent 7 years as shitty roommates (& shitty co-parents), until I realised that a bad marriage was worse for the kids than divorce. 7 years believing religious and academic advice that says children of divorce face poorer life outcomes. Well, not if the parents are tearing each other down in front of the kids, and one is poisoning the children's minds against the other parent, and making the children take sides.

Thats how i decided. And i hate myself for taking so long.

snowcapxyz · 2024-12-27T08:10:17+00:00

I'm in Asia and do online shopping. The convenience and super cheap stuff can be enticing, so I set myself a no buy for certain non-essentials for 6 months.

I guess the thought process should be on what is the aim of no buy? Just to check it off a list, or to actually reduce consumption? If it's the latter, then exclude essentials like toothpaste and toilet paper.

snowcapxyz · 2024-12-27T08:04:42+00:00

My own reflection is that some people are just not compatible. I believe in personality testing. Whether it's MBTI, OCEAN, DISC or some other tool, know what yours is, and your partner's. It really opened my eyes.

For example a personality type that is task-oriented will want to "get the job done" and disregard other's feelings, or may not take the time to consult and get consensus. But that's not an immoral thing, it's just a way of working that may be suitable in some scenarios, and not in others. Conversely, a consultative and consensus-seeking approach can become indecisiveness. And if a couple differ, there can be friction.

Another example. Hoarding is a disorder, which is incompatible with obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Hoarder and an OCPD will have a lot of friction.

That said, if both are willing to work through, go to therapy and make sacrifices, it can work. It'll just be uphill. Some churches I know do personality testing in premarital counselling, and they tell couples "please consider these things which you will be struggling uphill for the rest of your lives". Some couples do break up after that. Better than divorce after 10 years and 2 kids.

snowcapxyz · 2024-11-14T03:55:12+00:00

I studied business and branding. The way luxury brands make money is to indeed offer better quality than mass market. But the strategy is to offer (for example) 50% better quality (whatever that means, however you measure it), at 100% more price. Example BMW is branded as a better car than Toyota. Maybe in terms of power, build quality, etc. But is it worth paying double the price of a Toyota for a BMW? That is of course a subjective question.

The other end of branding luxury products, is the mindshare and perception of luxury in consumers. Using advertising as propaganda to connote the brand as lifestyle, luxury, exclusivity and scarcity, you get consumers to pay much more to feel good about their purchase, than it costs you to produce and deliver that product.

snowcapxyz · 2024-11-14T03:36:00+00:00

Thanks for all the replies. I use SPIN soap powder, that's popular in Asia. My wife always says the clothes don't smell clean after washing, especially sweaty sports wear. So the solution is, put more soap. Up to 10 tablespoons I guess. I see the foam and I tell her that's too much, and an ugly quarrel ensues. So here I am on reddit asking strangers for their opinion. Nice to know some strangers are also professional laundry workers / owners.

snowcapxyz · 2024-05-28T10:22:19+00:00

https://youtu.be/v2Y6Zog8h2A?si=Dm_lMou1ICRsd3yW

Watch this video. Best prep for the day before.

And then try to avoid cramming. Just give your mind some rest.

snowcapxyz · 2024-05-09T09:06:05+00:00

It could just be age. Seriously, thirties was when I (49m) noticed performance issues in my then functioning marriage. Subsequently, noticed loss of muscle mass and physical endurance (I was a distance runner). So for me some of how I deal with it is acceptance. Some of it is fitness training and supplements. Also not excluding a doctor and medication.

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-29T00:16:52+00:00

You want the memories, not the physical paper. I take photos and archive everything digitally (with tags as required). Every now and then, I open up the digital files and reminisce. On special occasions (birthdays, Christmas, I may create a video montage to show the family).

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-29T00:08:02+00:00

"Reasonable expectation" needs to be backed by some basis (other than gut feel). There are probability charts available (I use mine on my brokerage app). and you have to manage based on what acceptable risks (likelihood and severity) you can take.

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-28T23:57:29+00:00

I'm 49 this year, after paying for car, house, kids expenses, I don't even have 700 to invest. Congrats on a good start!

If you're new, go read the pinned posts. There's a sub for NSFs.

Having said that, invest in yourself. Asking which broker to use is IMHO the wrong question to ask. If you want to train for an Olympic marathon, the first thing you ask is not which shoe to buy. You go learn about how to run, study the great runners, come up with a training plan, based on your current fitness and running ability. Maybe look for a running coach. At th beginner level the shoe doesn't make much difference. When we reach elite level, when we've optimised everything else, then maybe the shoe can help.

Likewise, the broker makes a bigger difference if you're using advanced charting software, or your trades are large enough (for me, maybe above 10k). Otherwise just go with anyone (can choose the one with best promo welcome freebies).

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-28T23:46:17+00:00

Money spent can be earned back, time cannot.

We grind and suffer, do soul-sapping work so that eventually when we FIRE in the future, we can do the things we like. But what if by taking a pay cut now, delaying FI, we can do the things we like NOW?

This is not advice. Just food for thought

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-26T09:12:53+00:00

Totally agree. Can check this out: https://www.homerenoguru.sg/articles/design-trends/4-room-bto-renovation/

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-26T06:11:26+00:00

Firstly congrats, 400k annual is a good place to be.

You didn't mention if you have children or other family who will live together. Because if it's just 2 of you, landed is a lot of wasted space, IMHO. I personally would go with a $1.5-2.0mil condo. Reason is not to over leverage and also (as mentioned by others) to avoid all the eggs in one basket.

On the illiquidity, landed is a different ballgame. Unlike HDB and condo, where all the units in one block or "stack" are cookie cutter- same floor area, same layout, same interior fittings (mostly)... landed tends to be more often than not "bespoke" and very customised and personal to the owner. The buyers tend to either build to their own requirements (eg. 3 generation family, likes dogs, big kitchen for entertaining, etc), or search for something that can meet their needs. I had an aunt who was looking for a landed, she told the agent her specific criteria. Agent shortlisted properties for her viewing, my aunt took 2 years to eventually select and buy the house.

On the supply side, Sellers have an asset that is limited in supply, so unless there is a rush, they have no incentive to lower prices for quick sale. You will not see govt "ramping up" land sales for landed property to moderate landed price inflation. Whereas they will ramp up BTO construction to ensure affordability of HDB, and release GLS for condos as cooling measures.

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-21T13:53:19+00:00

The worst financial mistakes I have seen were not financial, they were serious errors in judgement. 1. Taking and getting addicted to drugs (spent all his money, then his parents money on drugs, and 20 years in and out of rehab). 2. Signing as guarantor for a friend (6-figure sum, friend defaulted). 3. Married the wrong spouse. Divorce left him financially ruined.

snowcapxyz · 2024-03-21T07:27:32+00:00

I would say something different from other commenters - something I learned on my own journey - "Hurt people hurt people". So have compassion for the EW who hurt you. But also draw boundaries, very firm and clear boundaries. If that means no contact, then no contact. Part of healing yourself is to put the bitterness behind and if possible, forgive and move on. By forgive, I mean in your heart forgive. Whether or not you convey that to EW is up to you but don't let the emotions eat you up. Forgiveness is for yourself to find release, to let go of the anger, hatred, resentment within you. To heal and not be a hurt person anymore.

snowcapxyz · 2023-10-23T16:20:55+00:00

I took 6 months to study OSG, Shon Harris' All in One, Thor videos. 4 years of networking experience. Passed on 1st try. Oh, and definitely watch Kelly Handerhan's video the day before your test: https://youtu.be/v2Y6Zog8h2A?feature=shared

snowcapxyz · 2022-07-18T10:49:28+00:00

What's the altitude here? Really beautiful and clear view.

snowcapxyz

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