Wah bro, let me tell you this solid story. Got one uncle I know — Ah Meng, 38 years old last time. That time he kena retrenched, only left with $500 in his bank. Wife scold him until ear pain. But this fellow very steady, never give up.
He go library read book, online also go search YouTube, Reddit, even those US forum lah. Found out people say can invest in ETF, stock, and unit trust slowly grow wealth. So he go open brokerage account, use Standard Chartered that time, low commission. First thing he buy? STI ETF. Not exciting, but steady.
Then slowly he put $500 every month. Rain or shine, eat Maggie also must invest. He say, “This one my future rice bowl.” Buy all those dividend-paying blue chip stocks – DBS lah, Keppel lah, even UOB. Got CPF also never waste – put into CPF SA and even invest CPF OA into low-cost index fund.
3 years later, portfolio hit $80k. Dividends alone give him about $300–$400/month. He use those money, never spend – reinvest all back. Compounding power very sibei strong.
Then, he start to buy US ETFs like VOO, QQQ, even SCHD. Every month put in money like clockwork. Some more that time COVID crash, he brave – go in big. Double down. While others panic, he say “Sale time.”
Fast forward 7 years, Ah Meng portfolio grow to $750k. Every year collect dividend about $28k+. He sell a bit here and there, now semi-retired liao. Stay in JB some more – cost low, makan good. Come back Singapore see doctor only.
He tell me this, “No need to chase crypto or gamble horse. Just buy, hold, DCA, and don’t act hero.” Now everyday he drink kopi, walk dog, still got money come in. Wife also stop scolding, now call him “Investment King”.