I’ve been to Oahu on 3 occasions. It’s a truly a wonderful place, the climate & scenery is just amazing. I especially love the far North, the Makaha/Waianae area is my personal fav, we stayed up there for a full two weeks once… it’s a bit of a long drive into town, but a thoroughly enjoyable drive, right along the coast. I do not believe costs there are higher than Singapore. They do have Walmart. Most prices are similar, except for things like milk which are double… but that is still half the price of Singapore!hangmann wrote: ↑Sun, 07 Nov 2021 3:36 pmThanks for the suggestion smoulder, yes perhaps I should explore Malaysia more as an option, given it still great for an English speaker there, similar to Singapore.
Another option that came to mind is just simply Oahu, Hawaii given that is pretty close to Asia in terms of demographics, but the high cost maybe an issue (Although maybe it works out to be similar to Singapore if you avoid the killer costs there, like eating out). Also I heard theft and homelessness can be bad there as well, as in many liberal cities in the US.
I guess I’ve never considered HDB flats to be especially cheap. You can get a nice freehold condo across the border for less than half the price of an HDB. My personal fav is Straits View, which is very similar to the condo I’m staying in now.
The crime there is mostly petty, and as long as you are respectful of the locals, not showing off, not going to bars talking trash or asking for trouble, you’re not going to find it. If you do encounter trouble in the bar, the easy way out is to tell them you’ve got to go, but buy a free round before you do. On the face of it, crime rates seem high compared to other parts of Asia, but really nothing compared to Latin America. Mexico is definitely worse.
My condo maintenance fees are currently running $535/mo, utilities $400, and groceries around $1,000/mo for our family of 5 (including our helper). Considering inflation, CPF LIFE (ERS) might cover all that. I would need the escalating plan to keep covering it. I prefer the basic plan given a higher IRR is more likely.
As retirees, it should just be your wife and youmalcontent wrote: ↑Sun, 07 Nov 2021 9:28 pmMy condo maintenance fees are currently running $535/mo, utilities $400, and groceries around $1,000/mo for our family of 5 (including our helper). Considering inflation, CPF LIFE (ERS) might cover all that. I would need the escalating plan to keep covering it. I prefer the basic plan given a higher IRR is more likely.
Our biggest expense will be travel, and as we get older I can see us needing business class for long-haul flights - - intercontinental business class tickets might be our single our biggest expense in retirement! Just one pair of tickets can eat up an entire year of CPF LIFE!
Using the SA shield technique?
No I missed that window. I was simply unaware of itmalcontent wrote: ↑Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:06 amUsing the SA shield technique?
I was thinking about doing that too, but my better half thinks it’s a waste… 4% interest, not exciting.
True, but without kids we will be eating out much much more, so I don’t expect too much saving on our food budget.smoulder wrote: As retirees, it should just be your wife and you
Try and tell my wife that!Flight tickets aren't basic necessities.
I agree… but my wife is a 100% equities kinda gal. We’ll have to see if I can convince her.PNGMK wrote: ↑Mon, 08 Nov 2021 12:44 pmNo I missed that window. I was simply unaware of itmalcontent wrote: ↑Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:06 amUsing the SA shield technique?
I was thinking about doing that too, but my better half thinks it’s a waste… 4% interest, not exciting.
I would encourage her to do it. She can (provided she has the BRS and a pledged property) always withdraw from the OA and SA once 55 and the interest rate is not to be sneezed at, consider it the bond part of your portfolio. It will be years before we see a safe bond paying 4% again.
Even the OA at 2.5% is ok for a bond and my view is withdrawing 4% of the starting amount every year from 62.5 is not really a risk for me.
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