She kick-started ambitious plan to retire at 48 when she was 30
The Straits Times|December 15, 2024
Financial content editor is clear-eyed about investing and the risk she's willing to take on
Sue-Ann Tan
She kick-started ambitious plan to retire at 48 when she was 30

Most people at age 30 are embarking on their careers, starting families and making grand life plans, but financial content editor Angela Teng used that milestone to kick-start her ambitious plan to retire at just 48.

Ms Teng, now 36, has crunched the numbers and kept that lofty goal uppermost in her mind: "I have calculated a conservative expenditure of $1,500 a month for my daily needs after I retire.

To do so, I have counted backwards on how to achieve this and how much I need to save now each month to reach that retirement savings goal.

This is because I am working towards financial freedom. Financial freedom for me means being able to work in the manner you would like without compromising your lifestyle and quality of life."

Ms Teng adds that her retirement lifestyle will be simple, allowing her to pursue her interests, including social work, and contributing to schools and societies with her communication skills.

Retirement also will not mean sitting at home doing nothing as she plans to seek part-time or freelance work to keep her mind busy and for additional income.

"Travelling will be something I will consider but less frequently, as I will have to set aside a sum of money annually for it," she added.

Ms Teng is head of editorial for The Simple Sum, a financial literacy content provider that aims to help young people better understand their finances.

It was founded and headquartered in Singapore in 2018, and now also operates in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines with more than 700,000 followers on board.

Her work also stems from her own clear-eyed ambitions when it comes to investing and the amount of risk she is willing to take on.

One of her top tips is to never succumb to the fear of missing out (Fomo) over your friends' investments and the money they can make.

This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'
The Straits Times

Jay-Z will seek dismissal of sexual assault lawsuit his lawyer calls a 'sham'

Lawyers for Jay-Z (right) plan to ask a judge to toss a lawsuit accusing the American rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000, pointing to what they described as \"glaring inconsistencies\" that emerged in an NBC interview of the accuser, who was not named in the suit.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest
The Straits Times

Comedian Jimmy O. Yang finds people who look more like him than himself in lookalike contest

It looks like there are Asians out there who look more like Jimmy O. Yang than the man himself, said the Hong Kong-born American actor and stand-up comedian.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally
The Straits Times

Brazil judge orders Adele song to be pulled globally

A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop superstar Adele (left), Million Years Ago (2015), to be pulled worldwide - including on streaming services - over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024
Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated
The Straits Times

Local musician-TikToker first from Asia to be nominated

Drumeo Awards: TikTok Drummer of the Year category

time-read
2 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+
The Straits Times

Malcolm In The Middle is getting a four-episode revival on Disney+

NEW YORK - One of America's wackiest families is making a comeback.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation
The Straits Times

Pedro Almodovar is not lost in translation

Working in English and directing Hollywood stars can be difficult for European directors. But the Spanish director's The Room Next Door is an exception

time-read
4 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Lessons from a dog attack
The Straits Times

Lessons from a dog attack

Viewpoint Canines may bite and scratch when excited or caught by surprise

time-read
4 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?
The Straits Times

Could dark chocolate reduce risk of diabetes?

If you have long assumed that you must deprive yourself of delicious foods to be healthy, a new study in medical journal The BMJ offers encouraging news: Eating dark chocolate has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 18, 2024
BAD BACK
The Straits Times

BAD BACK

More teens and young adults hit with degenerative disc disease

time-read
6 mins  |
December 18, 2024
Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste
The Straits Times

Diplomacy ● Remark about chai in poor taste

I refer to the article \"No shortage of chai for Singapore's envoy in India after 'tasteless' brew post goes viral\" (Dec 16).

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2024