Retired banker Andy Lim realised the importance of retirement planning when the 2009 financial crisis hit, and he saw colleagues and friends lose their pension and retirement funds from their bank equities.
It dawned on him how fragile job security was. "You may have a well-paying job now, but this can come and go quickly," said Mr Lim.
His realisation about such precariousness kicked off his investment journey, and he became a big believer in the financial independence, retire early (Fire) movement, which involves financial practices that combine intense budgeting, saving and investing to support retirement before the ages of 65 to 70.
Mr Lim focused on investing in property and living below his means, giving up on luxuries like branded cars so he could maintain a high saving rate - he drove a Toyota in his earlier working years, unlike some of his friends who had fancy cars.
Thanks to his financial sense and prudence, Mr Lim, who was an executive director at an American bank, is now retired at the age of 51. With over half of his investment portfolio devoted to property, he is able to derive passive income from the rents, helping him secure an early retirement.
Mr Lim, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in accountancy from Nanyang Technological University in 1997, now lives in a private condominium in Hillview with his wife and two sons, aged 20 and 10.
Q What is in your personal portfolio?
A I have 60 per cent in properties, 15 per cent in fixed income, 15 per cent in equities and 10 per cent in cash.
My banking job before I retired had compliance restrictions, so the only equities I held were my bank stocks. In the last year, since government bond yields have spiked, I've added government bonds and Treasury bills to my portfolio.
I'm sufficiently covered for hospitalisation and life term. I have also bought a universal life policy for legacy planning purposes.
Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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BLACK DAY FOR BRITISH PUBS
At her London pub, landlady Kate Davidson has taken to issuing Guinness ration cards, but the beer still ran out amid a British shortage of Ireland's national drink.
Her Last Gifts
It was exhausting, he sighed. But Carol insisted; her name being what it was and his, she said with a big grin, being Chris. Remember, this is the blessed spirit of the season, to give as we have been given.
When You Think About Me
She empties the last drawer and, between stray baubles, there's the cookie tin, the one hunted down from some narrow shop in Liverpool because it didn't ship here.
Gift Of The Magi
Let's say you never intended to use Magi. Let's say you know about all the scandals: the accusations of stolen data, the EU lawsuits, the CEO's abhorrent behaviour. Let's say you don't even believe the outlandish social media claims that the app is magical, like actual magic. You know it's not possible it reads your mind, plumbs your soul, knows your heart's desires. You're not so gullible.
Ho Ren Yung: Steering global brand evolution of Banyan Group
Ms Ho Ren Yung, deputy chief executive of Banyan Group, oversaw the company's brand relaunch in a bumper year of 19 openings in 2024. These included Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in Japan and Angsana Tengchong in China.
Jury-rigged Hotpot
The Japan Home folding table was just big enough to accommodate two.
Tales of love, peace and hope
The Sunday Times invites five authors to pen short stories around the theme of A Christmas Gift
Japan: Taking centre stage in Singapore and beyond
Scroll through your social media feed this holiday season, and practically everyone you know is in Japan or making plans to vacation there.
UOB: Most influential patron in Singapore art scene
UOB's \"day job\" is handling loans, deposits and a wealth of diverse portfolios. But the bank cemented its role as the most influential patron in the Singapore art scene in 2024, investing good chunks of cash in both arts and arts education.
Fong Chi Chung: Putien restaurants make dining out more affordable
In a year where diners made themselves scarce - preferring to spend their strong Singapore dollars overseas, and leading restaurant owners and chefs to despair over empty dining rooms - this power lister made a power move that others in the industry are watching closely.
