My personal financial goals

Seeing how hard it is to actually accumulate the amount of wealth needed to retire at 40 as an average working class, I think it is time for me to define my financial goals. Well, in fact, I’ve already defined them earlier this year, but I’ve decided to record them down in my blog so I can use it as future reference.

So here they are! *drumrolls*

---

1. At Age 30, achieve a net worth of S$350,000.
2. At Age 40, achieve a monthly passive income of S$3000.
3. At Age 45, achieve a retirement portfolio of S$1,000,000. (and probably be able to retire)
4. At Age 55, have no more financial obligations. And (fully) enjoy retirement!

---

I’ll refine the list as I go along.

These goals are important. They set a clear direction for me, and will determine if what I have been doing is working for me. I’ll come back to them frequently to track my personal progress.

That being said, I want to explain my goals in detail, and what I have achieved so far.

How much do you need to retire at 40?

As an engineer, I am constantly exposed to mathematical equations. Majority of my day job revolves around numbers and how I make sense of them to design and innovate products that we use in our everyday lives.

It is therefore unsurprising for me to perform calculations on almost any topic that can be analyzed. And I mean it. Like literally. I’m almost afraid that it might be an (secret) obsession of mine. Right off the bat, I actually have a couple of Excel spreadsheets that I think might be useful for the content of my blog. After all, numbers always do matter in the financial world, don’t they?

In any case, the spreadsheets have served me well every time I am in doubt, or I have to make a financial decision. The numbers become comforting for me to fall back on. And sometimes, after going through some analysis and thought processes, the numbers aren’t that scary.

I guess it’s the same with having your finances in check. Once you learn how to control or manage your money, it slowly becomes a habit. And then, you realize it isn’t all that difficult after all.

So right, I said numbers. So here they are.

My definition of Retirement.

In my previous blog post, I mentioned about how everyone defines retirement differently. Here’s how Google defines it:

The action or fact of leaving one’s job and ceasing to work.

If we strictly follow this definition, it just means that once you quit your job and you decide to never work again in your life, you can be considered a retiree! All of a sudden, retiring doesn’t sound that difficult… Or it still is?

Well, here goes. This is my definition of retirement. And I’m gonna try to define it in a single sentence.

How do You want to Retire?

Ah, retirement. Everyone looks at it in a different way and at different points of their lives.

If you’re reading this now, I hope that it did pique your interest. If you haven’t thought about it, I would advice that you do. To retire at 40? Pfft, you look at me skeptically. But what if I told you that it is possible, if you’re currently in your mid to late twenties?

Well the thirties… Don’t worry, you may be a little late in the game, but take a step now! Perhaps retiring at 55? Doesn’t sound too bad either, right?

And those close to the retirement age, do you already have a plan that was executed a few decades ago, reaping your benefits now? I hope you did some planning! Otherwise, it still isn’t too late. There are still steps you can take to reach there.

Of course, the very first thought that comes to mind should be how you define retirement. All those Instagram photos, and how our society paints pictures about it. Yeah sure, it would be lovely to lie on the beach (be it Sentosa or Hawaii) with a cocktail in your hand and your life partner beside you. Perhaps a yacht that you own, floating across the sea horizon in front of you? That’s a good life ain’t it?

For the average working class, it is still possible to achieve that. But if you seek the answers here, I suggest that you read another blog instead. As far as dreams can take us, it is good to face reality sometimes. What my blog can offer (at most) is something feasible and pragmatic enough for average people like me to utilize and take the next step in their financial well being. If you’re on the same path, then I really hope you stay tuned, because we could probably help one another to achieve our goals to financial freedom.

Thank you for reading!

Miss Niao xoxo

The very first one!

Okay, this is it. I’m gonna start a blog about my journey to financial freedom. I wonder how interesting I’ll be, or if this would actually help anyone. In any case, I hope that this blog would provide me a record for my progress in my financial journey to financial freedom. My my, it does sound like a long journey ahead. But when would be a better time to start than now?

This will be my mini side project after work ^_^.

That being said, I think I should do a small introduction about myself.