What It Feels Like to be In-Between
Let’s start with a confession: whenever I’m in a conversation about finances, all I really do is smile & nod. Investments? Smile. CPF? Nod. “You have to diversify your portfolio!” Big smile, bigger nod. Is that like a resume thing?
Do I always understand what’s being said? Absolutely not.
Hello! I’m Sally & for the longest time, money talk felt like this exclusive club I wasn’t a part of.
I wasn’t struggling financially, but I also wasn’t thriving. Now, in my final year at NTU, I’ve decided it’s time to stop nodding along & actually start learning. Like many of those around me, I’m at that stage in life where adulthood is starting to feel very real. I’m not in financial distress, but I’m also not the person with a meticulously planned budget or a portfolio of thriving investments. Instead, I’m somewhere in the middle—floating.
I’ve always thought about money as a tool for comfort & stability. I know saving is important, & I’ve heard phrases like “start early” & “invest wisely” more times than I can count. But honestly, where do you even begin?
That’s why (with the push of this Playing with FIRE campaign) I decided to dive into the world of FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early.
But wait, please don’t picture me trying to cut every corner or living off instant noodles to retire in my 30s. That is not the plan. For me, FIRE is about learning how to manage my money better, take small but meaningful steps, & set myself up for a secure & fulfilling future.
FIRE isn't just about numbers to me: it's what those numbers let me to hold onto. It's moments with friends, comfort of family, fulfilment of my hobbies, & my cat Suga’s purrs. I’ve learnt that managing my money better means investing in what truly matters.
My Floating Zone
To give you a better picture, I’m not financially struggling, but I’m also not as financially literate as I’d like to be. I’ve got the basics of saving down, & I understand the idea of CPF (kind of), but when it comes to things like investments, diversifying income, or understanding financial jargon, I’m still scratching my head.
Here’s the thing: I’m not alone.
In an interview with The Straits Times, Ashmita Acharya, Head of Wealth & Personal Banking at HSBC, said that “only half of the mass affluent in Singapore feel prepared for retirement”.
Most of us didn’t get financial literacy lessons in school. Instead, we learned trigonometry & chemistry equations we’ve probably forgotten by now (no shade to math & science).
Managing money can feel overwhelming when there’s so much to learn, but here’s what I’ve discovered: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
My FIRE Journey So Far
Learning Finance 101 in Singapore
Did you know CPF isn’t just for housing? You probably did. But FYI for those like me! It also covers healthcare & retirement planning, and understanding how it works is vital for securing your future. I’ve been digging into how CPF Medisave, Special, Retirement, & Ordinary Accounts work, & it’s actually not as scary as it seems once you start breaking it down!
Diversifying My Income Stream
Beyond just saving, I’ve started exploring passive income ideas like side hustles, dividend-paying stocks (big word) & even robo-advisors. The idea is to make my money work for me, even while I sleep. Sure, it takes time to understand, but my takeaway is that the earlier you start, the better your chances of success.
Decoding Financial Terms
Ever heard of "dollar-cost averaging," "compound interest," or "ETFs"? Yeah, me too—until recently, I had no idea what they meant.
I’m learning that these terms aren’t just for financial pros; they’re essential tools for anyone wanting to grow their money. For example, compound interest is like a snowball rolling down a hill: it starts small but gets bigger & bigger as it goes.
That’s why we created a starter glossary, breaking down key financial terms like the 4% rule, BRS, & XIRR into simple, bite-sized explanations. If you’re as clueless as I was, trust me, you’ll want to check it out. It’s a cheat sheet to help you cut through the jargon & finally get it.
Managing money can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes, all you need is a little nudge—plus the right glossary—to get started.
Finding My Balance
While FIRE sounds amazing, I’m not here to glorify hustle culture. To me, achieving financial independence shouldn’t come at the cost of your mental health or happiness. That’s why I’m focusing on creating a balanced approach: taking small, sustainable steps rather than burning out trying to reach some financial finish line.
Why I'm Sharing This
I’m sharing my story because I know I’m not the only one trying to figure this out. If you’re in your 20s like me, you’re probably feeling the same pressure to "get it together" financially while juggling studies, internships, or your first full-time job.
Here’s the other thing: it’s okay not to have all the answers.
What’s important is starting somewhere. Whether it’s setting up a simple savings plan, understanding the basics of CPF, or learning about investment options in Singapore, every little step counts.
What's Next
I’m learning everything I can, from diversifying savings streams to deciphering the mysteries of investing. Slowly but surely, I’m picking up the building blocks of personal finance, step by step, lesson by lesson. While the journey feels overwhelming at times, it’s exciting to know that I’m setting myself up for something sustainable.
For too long, I’ve relied on the people around me—my parents, my siblings—to figure out the money stuff for me. But it’s time to stop floating & waiting for the tide to carry me. It’s time to use what I have, take control, & start swimming on my own.
So here’s to FIRE, to learning, & to making sure the next time someone says “diversify your portfolio,” I’ll actually know what they mean.
Ditching her floaties,
Sally
Editorial Note:
Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone, & have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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