Who Am I?
My name is FF and I'm a part time Blogger, trying to leave my footprints in the sands of time even as I explore this brave new world of digital media. I live in Singapore with my wife and son.
From Hobby to Obsession
Back in 2008, I was sitting around in my hotel room taking a rest from a run. I was looking out at the sea and just watching people laze around at the balconies of their hotel rooms. It was during then that I thought to myself: "Wouldn't it be nice to be able to do this for the rest of my life?"
I decided there and then that I had to do something about my life.
I took out a piece of paper and wrote down some of the things that I was passionate about and how I could actually channel my energies into it while earning a decent income from it.
When I arrived home the next day, I started this blog so as to detail my journey towards financial freedom. What was meant to be just a personal diary ended up into a project in which I gave myself a certain time frame to increase my passive income so that I will be financially free one day.
My blogs started out like a monologue session where there were like zero visitors and zero comments for a long long time. Slowly but steadily, I have seen my blog grown in popularity and this personal diary has turned from a hobby to a certain sort of obsession. Little did I realise that I was also able to earn some small income from blogging.
A Trying Year - 2008
The year 2008 was indeed a trying year for me as I made the decision to quit my job for a change in career so that I could do something that I was passionate about which would at the same time give me a chance to develop myself personally. It was not an easy decision as the global financial crisis was just starting to unrevel its mighty arm on the employment scene even in Singapore.
There were many times when I simply wanted to stop blogging but I decided that the stuff here would one day serve as a good record for me should I need to look back at my thoughts and feelings some day.
A Brighter Year 2009
The year has been much better for me and my family. The little one is growing up slowly and I have successfully started out my own business. While the money is still not rolling in as much as I would like it to be, we are still surviving pretty alright.
This year also was a more productive year in terms of blogging as I slowly saw the visitors to this blog increase. People were basically visiting from all over the world and leaving their comments and that sort of spurred me on to do a better job at blogging.
At the same time, the other bloggers have also enriched me alot through their personal sharing and advice. I have grown alot just based on the books that they have encouraged me to read as well as the interaction we have had over the internet.
2010 till now
Job applications and interviews..Landed a wonderful job. Loving every moment of it and looking for the next lap ahead.
Why Financial Freedom?
This site is dedicated to helping my readers determine their own financial goals. If anything, I hope that this blog would serve to encourage those who are trying to gain financial independence or freedom. This is done through sharing of experiences, knowledge as well as simple skills that one can take to slowly walk towards financial freedom.
I fully understand that money does not buy me happiness nor will it make me happy. However, I believe that those who do not manage their money and finances well will soon be a slave to money - even if they refuse to acknowledge it. What money will give me is the freedom to do the things I want and to help people who are in need. If I am financially needy, I cannot help those who are in material need.
As I journey along, I hope that you will journey along with me too. My pledge to YOU the reader is that I will try to the best of my ability to provide (1) Quality Content, (2) Regular Postings and (3) Honest Updates. As I am not a full time blogger, I do not have the means to generate articles at the rate of some sites.
Further Reading
If you would like to learn more about my financial freedom journey, please follow the link here.
Find out for yourself why people read this blog. Read the FAQs here.
It would really be useful if you could comment on any posts at SgFinancialFreedom. No spamming though as I will delete any comments which does not meet the comments guidelines of this blog.
Hi, I am wondering what is the nature of the business you are currently building. Can you share it with me?
ReplyDeleteHi,let me know how I could support your interesting site.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThe business that I am engaging in is still "under construction". I hope to reveal more next time when it is finally settled. =)
To support my site, I invite your frank comments be it on my content, layout and stuff. You can also include links from your site to mine and tell your friends about it =)
Hi FF. I think a lot of people in Singapore hates what they do everyday. I for one would like to quit and hang back for a while.
ReplyDeleteMay i know if your investing/ trading supports the current lifestyle that you are happy with.
Nope. It does not support my current lifestyle YET. I hope that one day it will =)
ReplyDeleteHi FF. I've just finished reading all entries in your blog. It's very insightful and inspiring. Cheers and more power!
ReplyDeleteWow,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to know that someone actually READ all the entries in my blog =)
Thanks and do leave your comments to let me know how I can improve this site further.
hi,
ReplyDeletei enjoyed gleaning over your blog. I have also created a blogg: "the road to financial freedom" - however. it's private blogg
Started the blog in 2009 while working in SNG. Basically my goal is have USD5.0 mn net worth by the time I'm 50. At that time I would like to be generating US$100k / year of passive income.
Current age: 43. Married w/ 2 young kids. Net Worth =USD1.8 mn, approx passive income = USD50. Like you, I feel that keeping track (blogging) of your financial goals does keep you focused. Wishing you every success in reaching your target.
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement.
I guess it does not matter whether our blogs are public or private. As long as we are keeping track of our journey, it is a good start. It could very well just be a hardcopy journal instead of a blog.
I think that you are doing great. USD1.8mn is a commendable effort. Wishing you all the best in your journey too. Do let me know when you reach it or if you face any obstacles.
Hi, I did the same thing as you as you in Dec 2008. Quit my job.. persue my passion, etc.. Admire the courage and the desire to learn and develop as a person. I'm back working now, have learnt to see things in a new perspective and cheers and all the best to you!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am currently in SG working..I have been reading your blog about dividends from REITS and shares.. Is it worthwhile putting money into Reits longterm? I am thinking of getting some suntecreits to earn some dividends for next quarter.. but my friend told me Genting SP is a potential share to keep long term.. Any advice?
Well, I can't give you any financial advice not knowing what your purpose is in investing.
ReplyDeleteREITs have generally been a good source of passive income for me. Their potential for capital appreciation is also there. But prices are pretty high right now if you ask me and with a possible double dip recession probably playing out, I might choose to stay away from the market for a while.
Just kapoing. Are you still in between jobs?
ReplyDeletePerhaps, given your knowledge, you can start a financial knowledge firm to educate adults and kids on financial education. A CFA or CFP credential can be a boost to your propsects too.
I have been reading your blog and SgFinance's blog, I think they are great. Keep it up!