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Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'My paycheck feels like a joke, everyone's racing ahead — I'm still figuring out where to go'
SINGAPORE: In a recent post from Reddit, a 29-year-old netizen wrote with desperation that in the last family dinner he attended, he was just sitting in silence, watching the evening take its course like a show he isn't part of. Around him, his younger brothers and sisters eagerly talked about their job promotions, milestones in their love lives, and their next travels abroad. He pretended to beam with pride, but inside, he was miles away. Unlike them, he wasn't rising up the corporate ladder or gathering honours. He was still in an entry-level job role, earning a lot less than his siblings. Being the eldest, the burden of expectation felt weightier with each passing year. It isn't that he detested his job. He found purpose in assisting guests and making people feel welcome, but in a culture that gives importance to job titles, high salaries, and accelerated success, just liking your job can feel like you're missing the point. See also Popular influencer with over 100 sponsorships, not a real person 'I'm drifting,' he wrote in a Reddit post that swiftly resonated with many. 'I feel lost in a fog, trying to move forward but unsure where I'm going.' The pressure to measure up Comparison is persistently present in Singapore's fast-paced and results-driven society. For him, family get-togethers only expanded his feelings of inadequacy. 'I've become distant from my relatives,' he confessed. 'Conversations feel foreign, and social media—it's a relentless reminder of how far behind I seem.' Among the many responses, one Redditor wrote: 'I've been in the rat race. Promotions aren't always worth the stress. If you like your job, that's already a win, and just because someone earns more doesn't mean they're doing more for the family. Sometimes, time and presence mean more than money.' Another user weighed in with an experiential outlook: 'Steve Jobs had it all—money, fame, success, but he's gone, and none of it matters now. The truth is, the only things that last are health and happiness. You can start having that today, right where you are.' Some comments motivated the poster to look inwards instead of outwards: 'Stop asking, 'Why am I not there yet?' and begin reflecting, 'What kind of life do I want to live?' You said you are happy helping guests, that's not small. Maybe that's your purpose.' Breaking free from comparison culture In a place where competition begins in kindergarten and never stops, getting off the treadmill can feel like a letdown. But several commenters claimed otherwise. 'Being the eldest comes with a lot of invisible pressure,' one person said. 'But your journey isn't supposed to look like anyone else's. Be your main character. Let everyone else be the NPCs in your story.' It's a compelling idea — life isn't a race after all, but a story, and how each one's narrative unfolds is each one's decision to make. The quiet power of staying true Opting for an unhurried, gentler pathway—a more meaningful route—might not earn a standing ovation or thousands of social media likes. Nonetheless, it takes a different kind of strength to outline and express success on your own terms. See also Squid Game star Lee Jung-jae goes into filmmaking with Hunt So, if you've ever felt that you're left behind, you're not alone. If you feel lost while everyone else appears to be hurtling ahead, always remember—not all journeys are meant to look like a direct line. Sometimes, they are zigzagging, muddled, chaotic, and profoundly human. As one commenter reminded the poster, 'Your time will come. Just keep moving, even if the path isn't clear yet.' Because maybe you're not falling behind. Maybe you're just writing a different kind of story.
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Can the average Singaporean actually afford to stop working?
SINGAPORE: A mind-bending question recently surfaced on Reddit: Is the average Singaporean doing well financially? And more importantly, can we retire comfortably? It's an apt apprehension that resonates deeply, especially at a time of escalating costs, stagnant earnings, and aggressive job competition. This question triggered a flurry of truthful and earnest responses that exposed the diverse financial realities most Singaporeans face today. From understated confidence to silent fear, the Reddit thread revealed how the words 'financial comfort' evoked different emotions among working people in one of the world's most affluent nations. A netizen shared a powerful insight — financial comfort isn't just about net worth, it's all about contentment. 'If I don't have many wants and am content to lead a simple retirement, I think I'll have enough and will be very happy already.' For this user, the concept of retirement doesn't mean jet-setting, country-hopping, or owning luxury cars. Rather, it's embedded in simple needs that include a fully paid home, frequent but manageable expenses, and good health. What the user was saying is that happiness cannot be found in material accumulation but in financial sufficiency with peace of mind. Life is harder for some. One commenter said: 'Juggling two jobs to keep me and my wife afloat. Surviving… but it's the 'I hate my life' kind of surviving.' Working freelance and delivering food isn't a 'passion project,' it's a lifeline. It's in sharp contrast to the customary image of financial independence and says a lot about the strains that lower-income families undergo. Another netizen brought up a different contemporary predicament — lifestyle creep. The move from low-priced coffee and hawker centre food to artisanal lattes and more expensive lunches may appear inconsequential, but it can quickly build up. 'All these few dollars more actually add up to S$400 to S$500 a month… Unfortunately, I can't give up.' It's not just about tiny 'guilt pleasures' but about how trivial behaviours can reshape one's financial setup. Once the standard of living has been upgraded, the capacity to downsize becomes psychologically and emotionally strenuous. Remarkably, even those who are doing 'better than most' voiced out their apprehensions. 'Still quite comfortable… but still grappling with lifestyle creep… and feeling like I'm not saving or investing enough…' See also Why looking 'poor' might be the 'richest move' of 2025 Finally, responses shared by many users showed that 'retirement comfort' is intensely personal and vastly subjective. For some, it's about freedom from money-related stress. For others, it's about keeping a lifestyle they've been used to. However, for most, it's a dream that's gradually dissolving into the void. What the post made clear is this: Financial comfort in Singapore is not an immovable destination. It's a 'roaming bull's eye' impacted by lifestyle, values, and personal circumstances. Whether it's through simplicity, non-traditional sources of income, or a skyrocketing salary, each carves his or her path, and for many, that path is anything but uncomplicated. The real question now isn't if one 'can retire comfortably,' but what the word 'comfortable' really means.
Independent Singapore
7 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
S$11.90 for fish meal shocks diner, he questions if chain expanded too quickly
SINGAPORE: After being charged S$11.90 for a meal at a local western food chain, a diner wondered where the rest of the dish was. The netizen posted a photo of his meal from Fish & Chicks, which consisted of fish and two sides, on the popular COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page over the weekend. While the size of the fish seemed fairly decent, it was the sides that he appeared to be dissatisfied with. 'For the price of S$11.90. Expand here and there till need to cut back on the fries and coleslaw,' the netizen wrote. FB screengrab/ COMPLAINT SINGAPORE He also posted a photo of the meal as advertised on the stall, which showed portion sizes that were decidedly bigger than in the dish he received. Netizens commenting on his post also seemed to be surprised at the smallness of the portion size, especially in comparison to the plate. One even suggested that a smaller plate should be used, presumably, so the meal would not look sparse. See also "New fear unlocked" — Diner finds mould in dim sum basket A commenter wondered if the post author had already taken some bites before he took the photo of his dish. Another, however, pointed out the difficulties that food stall owners face today. 'What to do?… Kopi-O went up from 70 cents to 1.10 within months, and the cup shrank to a smaller serving… Reasons: staff pay raise and rental up, but my pay is cut and no bonus due to the weak market. How contradictory it is now in the market situation… haiz…' Another said that they used to patronise this particular establishment when it first started out, adding, 'It was good. Disappointing to see this standard now.' The post author is not the only one in Singapore to express disappointment with the food company. A few months ago, a local Reddit user posted a picture on r/SingaporeEats of two meals from the chain, captioning it, 'Yummy. Only S$18.60.' Screengrab/ r/SingaporeEats Commenters, however, pointed to the meals' portion size. 'It used to be better. It's not bad, but if that's the current serving size, it's pathetic,' was the top comment. Another said that they've encountered the same problem with similar companies. Western food in SG is 'pathetic' these days. 'You can basically count the number of fries they give you. I've had like 10-15 fries before,' they wrote. 'The portion sizes in the pic suck, but I used to get this so much,' wrote another. 'Sad portion,' one commented. The post author defended Fish & Chicks, saying that in comparison to similar stalls, such as Fish & Co, prices are more reasonable, writing, 'S$18.60 for two sets of meals (2 fish, some more) is worth it.' The Independent Singapore has reached out to both the post author and to Fish & Chicks for updates or further comments. /TISG Read also: Diner shocked at being charged S$15.80 for prawn noodles; additional S$3 each for fish cake and in vegetables
Independent Singapore
03-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
Local Reddit users warn against ‘professional beggar' who asks for S$2 at MRT stations
SINGAPORE: A netizen wrote that they had encountered an older man at the Orchard MRT station who asked for S$2, saying he needed to get to Outram and did not have enough money. While they handed them the money at the time, in hindsight, they had doubts and felt they had 'enabled' the man. Looking to other Reddit users for help, u/EnoughString1059 asked, 'Have you ever encountered a 'professional beggar' asking you for S$2' in a post on r/askSingapore on Wednesday (July9 2). They described the man as a 'bald, tanned, local Chinese uncle' in his 50s who was able-bodied and spoke English well, who showed them a S$2 note that was double-folded. They felt that they should have told him that they did not have cash on them and directed him to Passenger Service for help. However, since they were figuring out directions at the time that the man approached them, they just gave him the money because they wanted the uncle to go away. As it turns out, this was not a one-off incident, with commenters telling the post author that they may have encountered the same man, or at least someone else with the same modus operandi. 'A couple of days back, a man in his 50s was doing the same in Marine Parade TEL, too. Showing the folded S$2 and asking for another S$2. Didn't give him the money though, but seems it could be the same person you met,' a commenter wrote. 'Some weeks back, I also encountered someone with a similar description as OP. Instead of Orchard MRT, I met him at City Hall control station. The folded S$2 was what I remember vividly. I gave him the money (S$2) and told him not to ask others and to go home,' another noted. Others weighed in with their own experiences with people begging for money. 'There used to be an old guy around Lakeside MRT in the evening, always rubbing his stomach and the other hand outstretched for cash. I remember one Caucasian lady went to buy him bread from the nearby bakery. He refused and insisted on cash lol. The lady pushed the bread to him and walked away. The uncle dropped the bread on the floor after that,' one wrote. 'I was waiting for my bus at Sengkang, and this lady came to me asking for money to buy food. She said she's been waiting for her grandson the whole day and didn't want to leave in case she missed him. Ngl, I was tricked, but instead of money (since I don't carry cash), I offered to call her grandson. She became aggressively defensive, and when I said I could buy her a drink, she demanded cash, and at least $10. In the end, I told auntie, 'Why don't you just go home and eat? Your grandson would also know how to walk home,'' a commenter added. Another Reddit user simply wrote, 'Come to AMK, plenty of them there.' /TISG Read also: Singaporeans raise concern about 'foreign beggars' on the streets
Independent Singapore
07-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Career dead end at 40? Here's how to reinvent yourself before it's too late
A netizen posted on Reddit and talked about his dilemma — after years of working in the food and beverage industry, relentlessly working on shifts as a barista, and doing managerial tasks, he realised he is now turning 40 and feels like he has hit a wall. What once he thought was an exciting and promising career now feels like a dead end. In short, he feels stuck. And though he has begun looking into other career prospects, what he has heard online made him wonder if it's too late to start over. If you are in the same boat, curious about your path, and dreading the proverbial 'leap of faith,' what do you think must be done? At the crossroads At 40, quite certainly, you've built a career, raised a family, possibly have a mortgage to worry about, and yet, there's a tiny, irksome voice asking, 'Is this it?' If you wake up every morning with trepidation, trapped in an occupation that drains your oomph and ingenuity, you're not alone. The good news? It's not too late to do an about-face, 'find again' your passion, and start all over again, this time, you're smarter and with experience. Reframe your narrative Countless people over 40 fall into the trap of thinking that reinventing oneself is just for the young at heart. The reality is: your age is a huge asset. Since you've accrued years of knowledge and understanding, made realisations from your errors, and have established professional awareness that young people don't have, you have an edge. Reinvention doesn't mean you need to begin from scratch; it means taking advantage of your previous groundwork to build something new and shape the 'new you.' Begin by probing into your core abilities and examining the strengths you've refined. Are you good at problem-solving? Effective at mentoring? Skilled with writing, proficient at negotiating, or leading teams? Categorise what invigorates you and where you've had the most impact or how you've had the most influence. Frequently, these signs point toward a route that feels purposeful and stimulating. The objective is not to expunge your past but to use it as a launching pad for greater things. Learn with purpose – new skills for a new path Reinvention entails education and enlightenment. This is not to simply sign up for random courses or insert certifications into your résumé without focused intent. You need to target resolute learning that aligns with your dreams. Whether it's computer programming, painting, tutoring, project management, or starting an online business, pick one path and go deep. This is where the mindset is very important. Educating yourself in your 40s (or beyond) may come with reservations or embarrassment. But remember, you're not working for grades or seeking approval — you're chasing complete positive change. Thus, invest in mentorships, communities, and hands-on endeavours. Demonstrate your evolving individuality by way of a portfolio, side venture, or even a weblog. Allow your learning journey to be noticeable and energetic. Take strategic risks: Small leaps, big shifts It isn't necessary to leave your job immediately so that you can change your life. One of the shrewdest moves is to test your reinvention efforts while sustaining financial stability. Begin freelancing, offering free services, doing consultancy work, or any side hustle that lets you assess the new direction you're taking. Use this as your innovation test bed, the space where you can make mistakes, polish your craft, hone your talents, and redefine your purpose. Sooner or later, your side gig can transform into a huge undertaking — but even if it doesn't, at least you've gained precision and self-assurance. Reinvention is not always theatrical; from time to time, it's a sequence of shrewd, tiny pivots that, with time, direct you toward a fundamentally changed life. Reinventing yourself is scary, but regret is worse Remember always, you're not stuck because you're 40. You're trapped because you've acknowledged a version of life that no longer fits. Reinvention is frightening, yes — but regret is worse. So, ask yourself – who should I be in the next 10 years, and how should my life look? Muster whatever little courage you have and take the first tiny step toward that answer. It's never too late; in fact, now is the perfect time.
