How much are you earning annually

Sales Manager (pharma industry)
2 layer below director
6yrs, 14hr/day x 5 days
S$149k (include all bonuses, no commission, minimal benefits)

My boss doesn't believe I'm underpaid, am I?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Sales Manager (pharma industry)
2 layer below director
6yrs, 14hr/day x 5 days
S$149k (include all bonuses, no commission, minimal benefits)

My boss doesn't believe I'm underpaid, am I?

Strictly speaking, you're in a managerial position. You're not underpaid.

HR Manager

3.5 yrs experience (since grad)

8-9hr/day x 5 days

S$91k (include gross salary and bonuses)

He is underpaid because of the hours put in.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Strictly speaking, you're in a managerial position. You're not underpaid.

Compliance Manager
10 years experience
210k including bonus

7-8hrs workday

Think i'm in a pretty sweet spot

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Retirement is a personal choice and very much depends on a person's situation. Some can retire in their 50s or even forties while many others need to work past 55. Is a fact that many do not have the discipline to save and invest much earlier in their productive years and to mention decent returns from investing, only a significant minority have mustered the art of stock picking as evidence by statistics provided by Cpf board.


Going forward, I see many tempted by early self gratifications and thus not able to save and invest much in their 20s and 30s. Imagine taking a mortgage of a 25-year period at age 30 by that time he hits 55 not much left in his cpf account after setting aside for retirement account. To avoid having to work past his late 50s, one needs to be able to generate a decent income in his working years and learn to invest wisely. Avoid buying fanciful cars and take high long-term loans unless one is able to make at least S$10K a month alone aside from his wife's income when he reaches the age of 30. This excludes cpf contributions and all forms of bonuses and commissions.


Apart from financial savvy, must also cultivate a hobby to enjoy during his silver years. Working past 60 even though is out of interest and not necessity is just not a choice for me.

Most of your comments make sense except on the part of taking a 25 year mortgage. For most people, buying a flat as early as possible is probably their best move to build their wealth. It is easy to say to invest wisely but how many people is capable of doing that. Many people accumulate their wealth through buying a flat; forced savings....

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Sales Manager (pharma industry)
2 layer below director
6yrs, 14hr/day x 5 days
S$149k (include all bonuses, no commission, minimal benefits)

My boss doesn't believe I'm underpaid, am I?

A bit on the low side, but now economy no good so better stay put first.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Most of your comments make sense except on the part of taking a 25 year mortgage. For most people, buying a flat as early as possible is probably their best move to build their wealth. It is easy to say to invest wisely but how many people is capable of doing that. Many people accumulate their wealth through buying a flat; forced savings....

Now so easy, sign up with any brokerage online & buy & hold etfs regualarly. As long as expectation realistic (dun keep fantasize abt being warren buffet or george soros) its easier than buying property.

My younger colleagues were complaining to me that in Singapore, both husband and wife have to work to ensure a reasonable quality of life, and save up for retirement. The reasonable quality of life to them means having a car, stay in a condo and have a maid to cook, do household chores and look after their young kids. Looking back when I was younger, I think many in my cohorts have wives who were housewives and we turn out quite ok, financially.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

My younger colleagues were complaining to me that in Singapore, both husband and wife have to work to ensure a reasonable quality of life, and save up for retirement. The reasonable quality of life to them means having a car, stay in a condo and have a maid to cook, do household chores and look after their young kids. Looking back when I was younger, I think many in my cohorts have wives who were housewives and we turn out quite ok, financially.

its all abt standard of living. not everyone content to go east coast camping or eat economic rice all day.