Considering leaving Singapore

[Wd40]

Doubling every 10 years is 7.2% per annum growth… I’ve definitely not achieved that, mostly because I’ve only gotten one promotion in the last 10 years and probably plateaued in my career — sounds bad, but when you get to a certain point on the ladder, you have to be careful what you wish for.

Yeah, exactly. Offshore oil dude is a high achiever from what he has posted. in the past. Not everyone is a high achiever. I can only survive in my kind of company, with my kind of skills. So, it is not like I have a lot of choice.

You show a very modest increase in 2024, I assume you are being conservative?

Since you’ve already achieved FI and can easily retire in India, maybe you could consider taking some chances in your job and putting yourself out there more, who knows? Worst case, you get fired and enjoy your life anyways... I should probably take the same advice myself, TBH. Nothing to lose, really.

This year I got a nice 7% hike and a 1.4 months bonus, which is considered higher than normal. I could end up with just 0.9-1 month bonus next year and a hike of like 3% in that case my estimate is correct. I am going to ask for another promotion and hike, hopefully will get it.

The thing is I am working in my current company for like 8 years and I know the processes and have relationships with various global teams and this is valuable, it is not easy to replace me with someone and then them being able to gain these relationships and process knowledge. But if I leave my job and go to another place, I am not as valuable there. My skills are not really about some cutting edge technology or anything. Hence, I dont see myself being able to find another job, so easily.

[Lisafuller]

Huh? Almost hard to believe for a cruise. Specifically baked beans sort of breakfast? Bastards. I know a few places around where they serve pretty good angmoh breakfasts too, not baked beans though. Can share locations

Considering the demographics of the cruise passengers the menu choice made sense. If I want the full bacon, eggs and pancake spread these days I make it myself (or order mcd's), but that's seldom cos seriously is not good for me.

Not sure if this works with demographics and sense We just returned from China. Stayed in a big hotel (a few hundreds room) as probably only Caucasians and 1/3 of the buffet breakfast was Western including the baked beans and bacon station. But maybe it's different for the cruises. After all they have better insight who will attend.

What if you want eggs benedict? I still didn't master (fully) that one.

https://youtu.be/5GEMDEAK0G4

I already knew how to poach an egg, but this video taught me how to make an excellent hollandaise.

[Lisafuller]

Considering the demographics of the cruise passengers the menu choice made sense. If I want the full bacon, eggs and pancake spread these days I make it myself (or order mcd's), but that's seldom cos seriously is not good for me.

If you like Mickey D breakfast you should really give Burger King ago. They make good pancakes, and an excellent croissant breakfast sandwich.

If you order for delivery from them and you don't do it frequently be warned that their application is still the same but it is not for delivery any longer. I ordered from them recently and only later realized it is for self collection. Not nice.

I can't find their app on the App Store at all. I'm fairly certain I had it on my old phone, but when I switched, I guess the app didn't carryover. On the App Store, I only see regional burger kings, none in Singapore.

[Lisafuller]

Considering the demographics of the cruise passengers the menu choice made sense. If I want the full bacon, eggs and pancake spread these days I make it myself (or order mcd's), but that's seldom cos seriously is not good for me.

Not sure if this works with demographics and sense We just returned from China. Stayed in a big hotel (a few hundreds room) as probably only Caucasians and 1/3 of the buffet breakfast was Western including the baked beans and bacon station. But maybe it's different for the cruises. After all they have better insight who will attend.

What if you want eggs benedict? I still didn't master (fully) that one.

China was still closed at the time we took our cruise, so most of the passengers were from India and SEA countries. They had a good menu selection for room service tho.
I don't think I've ever had eggs benedict. Last fancy western breakfast I had was at that cafe that used to be at the Bukit Timah saddle club, I think I read it's closed now.

The best eggs Benny I've had in Singapore was at wild honey.

[Lisafuller]

I just did some planning & budgeting for next year and based on my increased rents. The impact is that my net savings is going to be at the same level as it was pre-pandemic(FY 2019), inspite of receiving significant hikes in my company and promotions and I am doing a lot more in my job now than I used to in 2019. But somehow I am not going to gain out of it. My quality of life is no better and my savings is no better. Someone benefited from this whole pandemic but not the average foreign worker who is renting in Singapore.

Below figures are in SGD '000.

Definitely frustrating, but on the other hand, at least your quality of life has not gotten worse, the way it has for many others. Of course for some this is not a good enough way to look at things.

[Lisafuller]

I just did some planning & budgeting for next year and based on my increased rents. The impact is that my net savings is going to be at the same level as it was pre-pandemic(FY 2019), inspite of receiving significant hikes in my company and promotions and I am doing a lot more in my job now than I used to in 2019. But somehow I am not going to gain out of it. My quality of life is no better and my savings is no better. Someone benefited from this whole pandemic but not the average foreign worker who is renting in Singapore.

Below figures are in SGD '000.

Your salary is not keeping up with inflation. Salary should double every 10 years.

Have to account for Covid impact though.

[Lisafuller]

I just did some planning & budgeting for next year and based on my increased rents. The impact is that my net savings is going to be at the same level as it was pre-pandemic(FY 2019), inspite of receiving significant hikes in my company and promotions and I am doing a lot more in my job now than I used to in 2019. But somehow I am not going to gain out of it. My quality of life is no better and my savings is no better. Someone benefited from this whole pandemic but not the average foreign worker who is renting in Singapore.

Below figures are in SGD '000.

Your salary is not keeping up with inflation. Salary should double every 10 years.

Doubling every 10 years is 7.2% per annum growth… I’ve definitely not achieved that, mostly because I’ve only gotten one promotion in the last 10 years and probably plateaued in my career — sounds bad, but when you get to a certain point on the ladder, you have to be careful what you wish for.

Agree, mo money mo problems. Mo responsibility mo stress.

[Lisafuller]

Your salary is not keeping up with inflation. Salary should double every 10 years.

Doubling every 10 years is 7.2% per annum growth… I’ve definitely not achieved that, mostly because I’ve only gotten one promotion in the last 10 years and probably plateaued in my career — sounds bad, but when you get to a certain point on the ladder, you have to be careful what you wish for.

Yeah, exactly. Offshore oil dude is a high achiever from what he has posted. in the past. Not everyone is a high achiever. I can only survive in my kind of company, with my kind of skills. So, it is not like I have a lot of choice.

Definitely not doable for everyone. You have to take what you can get and make do.

[NYY1]

Doubling every 10 years is 7.2% per annum growth… I’ve definitely not achieved that, mostly because I’ve only gotten one promotion in the last 10 years and probably plateaued in my career — sounds bad, but when you get to a certain point on the ladder, you have to be careful what you wish for.

Yeah, exactly. Offshore oil dude is a high achiever from what he has posted. in the past. Not everyone is a high achiever. I can only survive in my kind of company, with my kind of skills. So, it is not like I have a lot of choice.

You show a very modest increase in 2024, I assume you are being conservative?

Since you’ve already achieved FI and can easily retire in India, maybe you could consider taking some chances in your job and putting yourself out there more, who knows? Worst case, you get fired and enjoy your life anyways... I should probably take the same advice myself, TBH. Nothing to lose, really.

One big factor is whether your industry/company is growing at an above average rate. Growing like a weed and there's just more opportunity for everyone. Once a company becomes a GDP grower (or worse), everyone is fighting the pyramid structure.

It is correct that one should try to continue to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges (and I believe many here have done that). It is also true that no matter what the external factors are, some people find a way to create or extract value for themselves.

But when looking at societies as a whole, there is going to be a distribution of people, both by ability and how hard they want to work, especially as they progress in life (nothing wrong with that). One of the challenges many places face is that education has likely been oversold. The idea that everyone will get a degree and work 40 years on this constant trajectory just isn't going to happen.

The other option is to venture out on your own and create your own revenue/profit stream. But this isn't for everyone either, and in some ways either you have it or you don't.

Anyways, you both seem to be doing OK. At the same time, there are some good comments/ideas posted here...

[x9200]

What if you want eggs benedict? I still didn't master (fully) that one.

https://youtu.be/5GEMDEAK0G4

I already knew how to poach an egg, but this video taught me how to make an excellent hollandaise.

For me the pouching part is still a problem. If I do it with just water I always end up with mess. This sort of gadget works best for me so far:
https://www.amazon.sg/Cups-Egg-Poacher- ... 08L67T9JY/

but it is still difficult to find the right balance - soft inside and not too hard outside.

[x9200]

The best eggs Benny I've had in Singapore was at wild honey.

Thanks for that one. I am actually looking for a breakfast place for the National Day, but thought of something in less tight urban surrounding. There are a few places in Dempsey area but I think not so many now. Probably will try the other side of Holland Rd. Bees-knees @ botanical gardens looks pretty promising.

[jalanjalan]

The best eggs Benny I've had in Singapore was at wild honey.

Thanks for that one. I am actually looking for a breakfast place for the National Day, but thought of something in less tight urban surrounding. There are a few places in Dempsey area but I think not so many now. Probably will try the other side of Holland Rd. Bees-knees @ botanical gardens looks pretty promising.

I dunno about National Day but Beaulieu House is open again, and they have weekend brunch. Nothing fancy menu-wise but it is a pleasant place to have a relaxing meal.
National Day I plan to sleep til noon then move straight on to lunch.

[x9200]

The best eggs Benny I've had in Singapore was at wild honey.

Thanks for that one. I am actually looking for a breakfast place for the National Day, but thought of something in less tight urban surrounding. There are a few places in Dempsey area but I think not so many now. Probably will try the other side of Holland Rd. Bees-knees @ botanical gardens looks pretty promising.

I dunno about National Day but Beaulieu House is open again, and they have weekend brunch. Nothing fancy menu-wise but it is a pleasant place to have a relaxing meal.

Favorite park of my son when he was 6, but what's more important, what have I done to you so you send me to a brunch with baked beans and eggs set menu?

PS. Beef claypot looks good. Sweet and sour pork too.

[Lisafuller]

Thanks for that one. I am actually looking for a breakfast place for the National Day, but thought of something in less tight urban surrounding. There are a few places in Dempsey area but I think not so many now. Probably will try the other side of Holland Rd. Bees-knees @ botanical gardens looks pretty promising.

I dunno about National Day but Beaulieu House is open again, and they have weekend brunch. Nothing fancy menu-wise but it is a pleasant place to have a relaxing meal.

Favorite park of my son when he was 6, but what's more important, what have I done to you so you send me to a brunch with baked beans and eggs set menu?

PS. Beef claypot looks good. Sweet and sour pork too.

Sweet and sour pork? What kind of place is this!

[Lisafuller]

What if you want eggs benedict? I still didn't master (fully) that one.

https://youtu.be/5GEMDEAK0G4

I already knew how to poach an egg, but this video taught me how to make an excellent hollandaise.

For me the pouching part is still a problem. If I do it with just water I always end up with mess. This sort of gadget works best for me so far:
https://www.amazon.sg/Cups-Egg-Poacher- ... 08L67T9JY/

but it is still difficult to find the right balance - soft inside and not too hard outside.

I take a large metal spoon and stir the water, so it begins to swirl. Then, as it starts to slow down, I gently drop an egg in, and let it do its thing. It'll look like parts of the whites are separating from the yolk, but you have to keep the faith.

Alternatively, you can try cracking the egg into temperature safe plastic wrap, and lowering that into hot water. Or if even that's too hard, you can try microwaving, just make sure you poke a small hole into the yolk or it'll explode.