How much are you earning per annum?

Do not worry, you are doing ok. It is perfectly fine if your wife is earning more than you. In fact, she should be thankful to you for taking on greater responsibilities in household matters and raising the kids, which is actually the woman's responsibilities in most households. Just remind her that. You and your wife are team members in this life's journey.

Don't listen to the nasty people in this forum. These people look down on honest, faithful, males who earns less. They think they control the world and despise lesser males. As long as you don't spend your time away partying, drinking, smoking, gambling and womanising, you are perfectly ok. You are many time better than those who are rich and earn more but engage in these vices and sins.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am ashamed to share this but here goes. I'm in my early 40s and I only earn $50k pa. My wife, who is a grad in her late 30s earns $110k. I feel ashamed but she has no problem with me earning less. We are contented staying in our 4 room HDB flat. She loves me dearly for being a good husband and loving father. I make up for my low income by doing more of the household chores and tuitioning the kids. While I had tried upgrading my skills, my earnings is somehow limited in my field of work. To do a degree full time make not be the best thing to do as I may be overqualified and may actually not be employed after that. I started learning to invest in stocks in my free time.

Low income graduate couple, late forties, makes only $180k pa combined.
But we are satisfied and contented with our life.
We have two beautiful teenage children.
Our humble home (a 3 bedroom condo) in the West is fully paid up.
Our modest 2L conti car is fully paid up.
We go for holidays twice a year.
Life is a struggle but we survived.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Its ok to be a manager without direct report as long as you can see a path in your career progression (which will mean salary growth). Your salary is very decent for a 28 yr old, but what is more important is to ensure that the job;- gives you good learning exposure, is an important part of the company's mission, gives you visibility to the management and networking. That is, it is not a sit-in-a-corner-work-by-yourself kind of job where over time, people dont remember you. This is what big organisations do to staff they want to get rid off but cannot sack.

There are advantages and disadvantages of having no direct reports. The good things are you dont have to plan and worry about subordinates' careers, dont have to answer for subordinates' misconduct, poor performance and resignations. And dont have to stress about having them come and complain to you every year during bonus and promotion time.

The disadvantage is that you might have to do everything yourself. You might not get the attention of management who might pay more attention to bigger workgroups. Might not get assigned important and big tasks because your bosses think you only one person how to handle this big project?

Having said that, in my opinion, when young, it is better to have the experience of managing staff. It will add to your resume.

You're right, one of the reasons I have no direct reports is because I'm in a high visibility role (corp dev). Daily interaction with VP and above, C level etc.
Whereas other ppl in the org at my level would be managing fresh or poly grads, my dept doesnt have any and hence I manage myself.

I think I'll go get an mba soon.

Good to know you are happy with your life. It is indeed a challenge to survive in today's highly demanding environment where you are expected to live in a condo, drive a continental car and go for European holidays twice a year.

Based on recent statistics, your combined income is definitely not low at all, in fact you are in the top 20% among Singapore households. Also, to have no more debt on your condo and continental car is a big achievement. I know of many grad couples who can't afford a condo and they are still living in their HDB flats.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Low income graduate couple, late forties, makes only $180k pa combined.
But we are satisfied and contented with our life.
We have two beautiful teenage children.
Our humble home (a 3 bedroom condo) in the West is fully paid up.
Our modest 2L conti car is fully paid up.
We go for holidays twice a year.
Life is a struggle but we survived.

48, 50. $230k pa in total. Penthouse worth $2m, bought for $700k in 2003, paid up.
Savings $1.5m cash. Plan to retire at 60. Will downgrade to a one bedroom condo in the West of Singapore, located next to an MRT station so no longer need to own a car.

Sounds encouraging. We are in our 30s, and our current combined income is $220k pa, but our total net worth is only $0.9 m (including our home). Only recently after we hit $220k pa that we can save $100k pa. So in ten years time, we should be able to save another $1m.

Not counting your home value appreciation, your savings of $2.2m ($700k + $1.5m) is very impressive. How long have been you earning this combined income? Assuming you started work at 25, that means on average, you saved $88k pa for 25 years! How did you manage that? Can share your secrets?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

48, 50. $230k pa in total. Penthouse worth $2m, bought for $700k in 2003, paid up.
Savings $1.5m cash. Plan to retire at 60. Will downgrade to a one bedroom condo in the West of Singapore, located next to an MRT station so no longer need to own a car.

There are not many condos in the West where an MRT station is next to the condo. There are condos where you have to walk quite a bit and even need to cross the road to reach an MRT station.

3 condos which are highly sought after are THE CENTRIS, CASPIAN and THE LAKEFRONT RESIDENCES. The first is located next to the Boon Lay MRT station and the other two is next to the Lakeside MRT station. You can travel easily if you stay there. These condos are very cheap when compared to D9 condos.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

48, 50. $230k pa in total. Penthouse worth $2m, bought for $700k in 2003, paid up.
Savings $1.5m cash. Plan to retire at 60. Will downgrade to a one bedroom condo in the West of Singapore, located next to an MRT station so no longer need to own a car.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

You're right, one of the reasons I have no direct reports is because I'm in a high visibility role (corp dev). Daily interaction with VP and above, C level etc.
Whereas other ppl in the org at my level would be managing fresh or poly grads, my dept doesnt have any and hence I manage myself.

I think I'll go get an mba soon.

Hi, can share how many years of working experience do you have?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, can share how many years of working experience do you have?

Typical stinkie... Graduated in 2011 at age 25.

My income is so low that, after all the reliefs, I dont pay income tax.

Who is like me? I'm 38, btw.