Wah lau, got one uncle I know ah, always like to talk big. That day he sit down with us at kopitiam, hold his kopi-O kosong, then he suddenly announce, “Bro, I tell you all, I going to stop all my nonsense. No more clubbing, no more drink, no more throw money on girls. I want to be serious investor, buy stocks, make passive income, become rich!”
We all hear already also blur blur, but never say anything. He keep repeating how he going to discipline himself, save money every month, maybe put into blue chip stocks or even REITs. Sound damn steady sia. He even take out notebook, write down target: “Cut off bad habits, invest like Warren Buffett.” Wah, very ambitious hor. That night, he go home early somemore, say must prepare for “new life”.
But ah, Singapore weather hot, human temptation hotter. Just three days later, my friend jio me go Geylang makan supper. Guess who I see across the road outside the pub? Same uncle lah! He already holding beer mug, shouting “Yam Seng!” until whole street can hear. Then got two girls sitting beside him, he happily throwing tips like he just strike 4D.
Excuses, Excuses
When he see me, he still try to act cool. “Eh bro, tonight special occasion only. After this, confirm I stop. Tomorrow I invest again.” I almost faint. Only three days into his so-called investor journey, he already relapse. All the big talk about saving and buying dividend stocks just vanish once the beer come.
We tease him, “Bro, if like that ah, your portfolio will only be Tiger Beer shares, not blue chip stocks.” He laugh until face red, but deep inside I think he also paiseh. The girls just keep asking him order more drinks, he also cannot tahan, keep swiping card. So much for financial discipline.
Moral of the Story
Aiyo, some people like to dream big but never action one. Always say want to change lifestyle, stop wasting money, invest properly, but end up cannot resist old habits. In Singapore, where cost of living already so high, still like to burn cash on drinks and entertainment — confirm hard to save for future lah.
So the lesson? Talk less, do more. Otherwise, you end up like this uncle — every three days got “new resolution”, but the only thing growing is the bar tab, not the stock portfolio.
You want me to spin this into a few-part series ah, like weekly “uncle financial journey” Singlish story?