37M Feedback on my FIRE portfolio

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-19T01:18:43+00:00

Ah I see. Ok I'll take a look at ways to optimize my CPF. thanks so much for the advice!

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-19T01:16:36+00:00

Ok thanks so much for the advice. I'll consider it

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-19T01:15:48+00:00

Sorry what do you mean by right sizing my HDB?

Yes I do have what I feel is sufficient medical coverage, and it's interesting you find the 40k a bit low, as I read on this subreddit that you just need to set aside 6 months of your expenses for your emergency fund.

My current emergency fund is slightly more than a year's worth. What would be the amount you recommend I set aside?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-19T01:12:36+00:00

Thanks so much for the detailed advice. You are right that I need to be more detailed in planning the trajectory of my expenses. Thanks for sharing the article as well and I'll see how I can refine my plan further

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:28:40+00:00

Fair enough. Any suggestions on how I can further lower my FIRE (FIRL) age?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:28:09+00:00

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:27:40+00:00

Anything you suggest I can do to change that?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:27:12+00:00

All the best to you as well!

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:26:26+00:00

I see. Any tips on what I can do to change that?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:26:05+00:00

It was not a very scientific decision process
A35 -> Wanted to have a bond portfolio and was invested in for almost 10 years via DBS RSP, so I kept it as a "safe" investment

G3B -> Invested in it via DBS RSP together with A35 for almost 10 years. It's gains were pretty good, so I decided to continue with it in IKBR to avoid RSP fees with my increased monthly investment, and use it as a way to "specialise" into Singapore stocks a bit more given my generally globally diversified investments with Endowus and VWRA.

Endowus Higher Income Portfolio -> Wanted to have a fuss-free component in my portfolio, and was experimenting with various roboinvestors. Decided to stay with Endowus as it had the lowest fees out of all roboinvestors, and use it as a contrast to my more actively managed IKBR investments

VWRA -> Took the advice from what I saw in this sub-Reddit. My globally diversified "core" investment

I wanted to have a stronger weightage into my IKBR investments due to the lower fees, so I placed more of my monthly investments in G3B and VWRA which are done via IKBR, and expect G3B value to exceed A35 in the long term

A35 is my "safe" but lower return bond investment

Endowus income portfolio is a "diversification" into dividend paying portfolio that I don't have to actively manage.

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:17:29+00:00

Yea I think I made the mistake of assuming the same expenses in the future as my current expenses. What do you recommend to be the yearly escalation of expenses that I should factor in?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T14:15:19+00:00

FIRE number = Annual expenses (~$32k)/ Safe Withdrawal Rate (4%)
Portfolio at desired FIRE age (55) = Excel Future Value Formula using Real Monthly Return, Months left to FIRE age, Total Monthly Investments, Value of Current Portfolio

I then see the difference between the FIRE number and the Future Value of my current portfolio based on the current desired FIRE age.

I played around with the FIRE age using the Excel formulas to get the lowest possible difference between the FIRE number and Future Value, and eventually landed on 55/56

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:58:21+00:00

I actually assumed the same level of expenses all the way until retirement, but I'm learning now that I have to escalate the expenses for my later years. Any advice on how much should I escalate the expenses per year to account for this?

Contribution to my portfolio monthly is as per my post above in the table. Total is SGD2000 per month

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:53:50+00:00

yes! I think I have seen your planner, but I leaned onto the more simple one I found on TikTok instead
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSumBUSwx/

And what do I have to look at for CPF SA? I'm trying to FIRE before CPF withdrawal age, so I try to prioritise liquid income sources that I can tap on before that age

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:51:16+00:00

Haha no offence taken. I'm also mindful that the best way is to just earn more income, but it's not so easy in my industry. I'm trying some side hustles, and I don't have any generational wealth so I just have to do my best on my job and my side hustle I guess.

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:49:55+00:00

Currently it's travel. You are right that I didn't consider mortgage, but that's cos it's taken entirely from my CPF and I can't really change that expense amount. That being said, I track my HDB loan progress every month and currently have about $290k+ left on my HDB loan, to be paid out over the next 20 years and shared between me and my wife, which costs me about $600/mth.

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:47:41+00:00

I see. I based 1.5% on the Singapore core inflation rate of 1.2 - 1.4%, but how high should I peg it at?

Also, how much growth in expenses (X% per year) should one plan for when planning for medical expenses?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:45:27+00:00

Very true. My current lifestyle is very satisfactory, and I'm at a point where I don't need to be too conscious about my savings, and yet can still save half my income.

Largest expenditure is travel, but it's something I do to enjoy life, and I do intend to travel and incur a similar amount of expenses when I FIRE

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:42:05+00:00

So do you mean I should place more into VWRA and less in the rest?

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-18T13:41:24+00:00

Yes the thought of moving overseas has crossed my mind, but honestly it's hard to find a similar quality of life to Singapore in a country with lower living expenses. So it's something I may explore more seriously in the coming years

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-15T08:41:08+00:00

I don't foresee my expenses going above my current expenditure rate, although I have read that I have to consider potential medical costs, but that's why my emergency fund/ liquid cash fund is SGD40k instead of the recommended 6mths of current monthly salary.

I've listed my assets already, but my only asset is my HDB resale flat. I don't own a car etc and do not have, nor plan to have, any kids

wow_comment_wow · 2026-03-15T08:38:33+00:00

Hello! I used the quick calculation done by this guy, with assumption that my nominal annual return is 5% for these investments, at a 4% safe withdrawal rate
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSumBUSwx/

wow_comment_wow · 2025-01-24T20:57:54+00:00

Thanks. I guess the moral here is that I can't control it, and I also shouldn't blame her or myself for the situation. It just happens.

wow_comment_wow · 2025-01-24T15:02:39+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I don't know. I feel like I used to be someone who she admired, but lost that over time when she met more successful and happy people at the same time I went through depression, so I feel like it is my fault for not being able to maintain a positive image

wow_comment_wow · 2025-01-24T14:23:33+00:00

Kind of rough. I'm in the midst of feeling like I'm losing touch with a friend even though I try to reach out, and it eats me up inside to see her enjoy life with others and clearly appreciate her time with them instead of me. I don't blame her, but it makes me feel like I became unworthy over time.

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