Compare Your Household Income

Originally Posted by Unregistered

U misunderstand. Scholar has a specific definition in the public service, ie an administration officer, especially when we are making a comparison between scholar and farmer. For e.g. an ASEAN scholar does not go around claiming in the CS he is a scholar, he will end up being the butt of everyone's jokes for a week.

Of course from a dictionary point of view anyone who takes up some sort of scholarship or works in academics can call himself a scholar, but I dun think that applies in the context of salaries and it is just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Ok fair enough. Having never worked for the government before, I did not know. Thanks for clarifying.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

U misunderstand. Scholar has a specific definition in the public service, ie an administration officer, especially when we are making a comparison between scholar and farmer. For e.g. an ASEAN scholar does not go around claiming in the CS he is a scholar, he will end up being the butt of everyone's jokes for a week.

Of course from a dictionary point of view anyone who takes up some sort of scholarship or works in academics can call himself a scholar, but I dun think that applies in the context of salaries and it is just arguing for the sake of arguing.

Just to add on, are you also suggesting that only SAFOS/SPFOS/President's scholars are "real" scholars? Because as far as I know, the Admin Officers tend to be drawn from these scholarship holders.

And so, those who take up, say, DSTA scholarship or something like that, these people aren't really considered scholars since they might never be part of the Admin Service?

Just want to solidify my understanding. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Incognito

Just to add on, are you also suggesting that only SAFOS/SPFOS/President's scholars are "real" scholars? Because as far as I know, the Admin Officers tend to be drawn from these scholarship holders.

And so, those who take up, say, DSTA scholarship or something like that, these people aren't really considered scholars since they might never be part of the Admin Service?

Just want to solidify my understanding. Thanks.

If you are trying to analyse career related moves and salaries, yes only people in AO are considered scholars since their salary scales and CEPs are completely different from the farmers.

It is like pte sector. Anybody can call himself manager or director whatever, but only people who are under a manager grade get to enjoy the manager benefits, pay scales, bonus, shares and talent review etc.

50s, retired couple.

Passive income from properties 5k per month

Are we poor by Singapore's standards?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you are trying to analyse career related moves and salaries, yes only people in AO are considered scholars since their salary scales and CEPs are completely different from the farmers.

It is like pte sector. Anybody can call himself manager or director whatever, but only people who are under a manager grade get to enjoy the manager benefits, pay scales, bonus, shares and talent review etc.

Thanks. Actually this is somewhat good news to me. As a non-scholar, career progression in the civil service is already going to be hard enough.

So if it's only the AOs that are the ones who break away from the pack, then that's fine and so be it - more power to them for having gotten to where they are. At least us non-scholars don't have to compete with the likes of DSTA or other stat board scholarship holders since apparently these guys aren't "real scholars".

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks. Actually this is somewhat good news to me. As a non-scholar, career progression in the civil service is already going to be hard enough.

So if it's only the AOs that are the ones who break away from the pack, then that's fine and so be it - more power to them for having gotten to where they are. At least us non-scholars don't have to compete with the likes of DSTA or other stat board scholarship holders since apparently these guys aren't "real scholars".

Ok, when I say we don't have to compete with these "fake scholars", what I really meant was, at least these fake scholars don't have a significant advantage over non-scholars.

Btw who is the one who came up with the term "farmers" to describe non-scholars? What an interesting term.

I'm less than 100k.. but my job is more stable and I get to spend more time with my kids.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Wah you earn 100k while your whife earns 320k?

late 20s teacher at most HOD not exceeding 120k.

I am HOD too.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

50s, retired couple.

Passive income from properties 5k per month

Are we poor by Singapore's standards?

Obviously you don't understand the meaning of poor

Originally Posted by Unregistered

50s, retired couple.

Passive income from properties 5k per month

Are we poor by Singapore's standards?

Understand your insecurity. Feeling the same.

In mid fifties, combined income SGD 430k p.a. (including 100k passive income). Very tired, but dare not retire because:

1. Children still schooling
2. Burn rate 90-100k p.a.
3. Wage inflation, - everyone seems to be earning high wages even those just joining workforce.
4. Because of point 3. above, inflation rate can only go up and up
5. Want to maintain current lifestyle, yearly overseas holidays and car
6. Medical needs
7. Properties need repair, need to refurnish, replace appliances once in a while

Good thing, was frugal all this while, no more loans!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Understand your insecurity. Feeling the same.

In mid fifties, combined income SGD 430k p.a. (including 100k passive income). Very tired, but dare not retire because:

1. Children still schooling
2. Burn rate 90-100k p.a.
3. Wage inflation, - everyone seems to be earning high wages even those just joining workforce.
4. Because of point 3. above, inflation rate can only go up and up
5. Want to maintain current lifestyle, yearly overseas holidays and car
6. Medical needs
7. Properties need repair, need to refurnish, replace appliances once in a while

Good thing, was frugal all this while, no more loans!

Thanks for sharing. Could you share more about your passive income and how you build it up? Is it all from stock dividends and rentals?