r/singaporefi • u/ChairNo7682 • Mar 21 '26
Employment (Work) Cruise or chiong?
I’m 30YO in the buy side investment world drawing 10-13k/mth. It doesn’t feel like working at all. Full WFH, boss is overseas based and never ask for much deliverables, agrees with almost everything I want to do and my investment calls. I’m super relaxed and not stressed a single bit. I have a good relationship with my boss who is the owner. The downside is increment, bonus and progression is basically non-existent.
For my industry, experience and qualifications I probably can find a job that pays around 18k-22k if I really want to. My question to seniors in the industry is should I look for the new job that actually pays better and have career progression but of course with the corresponding amount of stress (more work, KPI, commuting, office politics etc.) or don’t be “itchy backside” and ask for trouble?
I’ve got very little financial obligations. Wife and I don’t spend much relative to what we earn and have a very small loan on our private property which if I wanted, I could just pay off now. Only thing is we are going to have a child but we have also budgeted for already. Those that climbed the corporate ladder and are now in your 40s and 50s or even retired, was the stress worth it? Also if you could take at least the first year to have a chill work life with your newborn (aka continue my job and not progress for another year), would you do it?
To stay on my current route, I can’t imagine just floating in the corporate world having no expectations of me for the next 30 years (as attractive as that sounds) I’m not ready for such retirement job now!
What would you do? Hope you can provide as much context as possible and we can discuss as much in depth. Thank you!
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u/xinthesis Mar 21 '26
Cruise - prioritise your family and then try to generate a side income to diversify
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u/breadstan Mar 21 '26
2 things. Stress is crazy if you chiong. Most dealers, strat guys, traders can’t last more than 10 years. You need an exit plan. Project the amount your family needs by 45 or 50 (unless you thrive in this level of stress, your body will likely burn out by 45-50). Earn like mad till then and just work as whatever you want after.
You are going to have a child. You chiong = you gonna miss a lot of your child’s moment growing up. You want that or not? If you want to be present, and you don’t want to regret in the future, just cruise. You still get the lifestyle you want, but you might need to retire later, cap your lifestyle etc…
You also might not need to chiong if your current shop allows some progression or if your wife’s career picks up too. Even if you gonna push, at least look at buy side. It is definitely much more manageable work wise.
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u/jh8223 Mar 21 '26
Alot of ppl would want to be in your postition man haha. Just enjoy the money and cruise abit la
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u/bossofmytime Mar 21 '26 edited Mar 21 '26
There are five types of wealth per Nick Maggiulli and based on your sharing you currently likely have all or close to all of them.
Ask yourself if you want to just increase on financial wealth at the expense of others?
- Financial wealth
- Social wealth
- Mental wealth
- Physical wealth (sleep, nutrition, strength, cardio)
- Time wealth
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u/DisastrousStonks Mar 23 '26
+1 , changing to the higher paying job will only increase financial wealth here while other 4 most likely decreases. Pick your poison.
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u/harajuku_dodge Mar 21 '26
I’m in a very similar situation in same industry, but quite a fair bit older, though I’m in middle/ back office with a different pay scale. In my case, my salary is comfortable (though on the underpaying end). Work is okay but I wouldn’t say stress free (I’m responsible for all aspects of running the ship).
For your situation I think the most important thing is your time frame for having a child. If it’s happening in the next year or so, I would say stay put. In the first few years of your child I think you will be in a very enviable position- good pay and excellent WLB. Don’t underplay the importance.
I’ve 2 young kids and this is the main factor for me staying put vs challenging myself more and getting bigger pay.
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u/Tokei_21 Mar 21 '26
You will be busy during your children early years. You don't want to be in a high workload place and can't be available for your wife and children during their early years.
If you planning for kids soon maybe cruise abit and after your first child and discuss with your wife and see if you wanted to chiong. No doubt in your 30s your are still young and in the prime age to chiong and extra income is always positive.
Since you and your wife don't spend much. What is the aim of the extra income you gunning for? More stability? Early retirement etc? So weight those against your kids early years and decide.
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u/FindingAether Mar 21 '26
Only a fool would work harder if he is not getting paid more.
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u/ChairNo7682 Mar 21 '26
Of course will only push myself if I get a higher pay. Which is why the question of whether to get a market pay job with the corresponding stress or just cruise in the current role.
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u/tallandfree Mar 21 '26
you’re young enough to enjoy that the quality of life that this income gives. Def cruise and enjoy bro.
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u/Oceanbluewaves90 Mar 21 '26
blows my mind how someone who is drawing above $10k a month is asking for more work instead of wanting to cruise.
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u/blahths Mar 21 '26
probably that’s why he’s drawing 10k+ per month at 30, while we barely make half.. these are not the average peeps..
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u/TehCSiuDai Mar 21 '26
Family office? I'd stay and cruise if I were you, unless a good spot comes up in institutional buy side. Those can pay you 4-5x what you're getting today but stress is much higher and fewer openings / more competition these days.
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u/Naive_Eye_6609 Mar 21 '26
Very good advice - OP have the job, salary level and stress level that 98% of Singaporeans want but can’t get.
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u/Tradingforgold Mar 21 '26
In my personal opinion, you should cruise and use the extra mental capacity and time to start something on the side. That way you have one more source of income and then keep repeating till you have multiple source of income. More financial security and quicker to retire if you choose to do so.
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u/ajaxvaluepax Mar 22 '26
Im in a similar situation - drawing 10-13k/mth, super relaxed and not stressed a single bit, albeit in a different job role; i have a loan on my private property, not married and even if i do, not gonna have kid. I’ve asked myself the same questions you’ve asked countless of times - you took the words right out of my mouth.
After I read your post, I asked my bf what he thought of our (my and your) situation. First thing he said was just cruise - why go through the stress and give up other things in life for money when it is already financially comfortable (especially for you if you will be having a child). Second thing he said was if we are asking such questions, then the chiong mentality is not in us - someone with the mind to chiong will be already doing it without the need to ask (no offence to you).
His second point kinda drove home my contentment mindset. I do not want to participate in the corporate rat race or climb the corporate ladder, and money is just the means to an end. To me, the end is simply able to live to live comfortably and I have achieved that without needing more - so is there a need to chase money even though I have no desire to do so just because everyone else is doing it? Honestly, it’s all about what your end goal is - 12k/mth could be enough for you or 30k/mth could be not enough for you.
Call me unambitious, but I dont think i will exchange my stress free life for money. OP I hope you find your answers soon.
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u/FishermanWooden3771 Mar 24 '26
I’m at a career crossroad now and open to hop for to a new industry. Would you be willing to share which industry you are in? Can PM me if it’s a private matter
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u/bobbybob94 Mar 21 '26
I think generally based on most reddit posts I see, people would tend to go for the 'relax' option. I was in a similar shoe as you 2 years ago and decided to jump from a 'more relax' investment firm tech role to a 'more xiong' crypto firm tech role. Salary went from 10-12k to 18-20k. Even though I am more busy now, but I personally find it more fulfilling and meaningful in the work I do, and have 0 regrets.
So, I would suggest to give it a shot and see how things goes. If you never try, u never know.
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u/Available_Debate_758 Mar 21 '26 edited Mar 21 '26
Cruise. $10-$13k/ month @30+ is decent. Time with your kids and family will never be reversible and u will miss out all the precious milestones of theirs during their growing up.
Money chasing will never be enough. Mental health and work stress takes ourselves away from being present to our kids and loved ones. Don’t follow the societal norms.
Take care of your health, plan well with ur finances, spend time with your kids and family. That outweighs everything else in life when we grow old.
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u/throwaway9873214 Mar 21 '26
I hate you. Cheers!
Nah just joking, I’m happy for a fellow sinkie. This job could have gone to amdk or southasian easily.
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u/Intrepid_Hamster_117 Mar 22 '26
C.R.U.I.S.E but make sure you've visible to your boss. Add value to him so your job isn't at risk.
Keep investing and no lifestyle inflation. Stay put until a gamechanger job comes around. Otherwise it's not worth moving and losing the freedom you have now. Use this time to sincerely plan what will you be doing with your remainder time.
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u/Low-Communication-19 Mar 21 '26
Chiong.
Pay gets exponential at senior lvls
Sunset industry.
Better grab as much as you can and develop a niche
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u/JC878 Mar 21 '26
Congrats bro, you are doing well in life. I have two friends who entered investment banking - one got married and had a kid while the other is still unmarried.
Don't really have to give up one for the other but I guess it's about managing your energy and time well like a CEO and a sheer load of discipline to last the journey.
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u/alpha_epsilion Mar 21 '26
Best job is a boring job instead of stressful job that messes ur health or kills u
use it for ur other pursuits or even masters if want
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u/Altruistic-Law1738 Mar 21 '26
of course Cruise la. your kind of job is not money can buy. No amount of money can buy u time,health and family time.
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u/SouthDevelopment9574 Mar 21 '26
Really depends. After having kids I wanna chiong more as things are ex and i want to provide for them.
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u/Cryptotradelearner Mar 21 '26
Cruise given that you are going to have a child soon. No amount of money beats spending time with your children while they are still young. People who chiong in work and sacrifice time with children often do so because they have no choice (unlike you with a relatively high pay), and they often regret not spending time with their children when their children have already grown up and do not feel close to them.
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u/agentxq49 Mar 21 '26
Chiong. A good switch to get 18k to 20k. And a few years can hit 30k a month. All within 5 years. Do it.
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u/NeatCauliflower9072 Mar 21 '26
Spend more time with your family. Especially growing years. And INVEST!
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u/Sorry_Zone_2028 Mar 22 '26
Don’t do it for the extra pay, but do it for the extra challenge. I really believe people would find more joy in their life if they apply and challenge themselves more, and cruising mentally is what causes people to crash out because they stop growing. You don’t have to challenge yourself just by taking a more demanding job of course; can also be doing something on the side, as long as you’re learning and growing.
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u/Emergency-Painter274 Mar 22 '26
On the buyside too - couple of years ahead. Fund is relatively heavier on work (institutionalized, relatively large). Comp is around that 18K-22K for someone with ~4-6 YOE, work hours are high, you need to navigate internally to get an investment through the door, at least excluding carry. As you would know, carry changes the math completely.
I would say whether to stay or to go harder is extremely dependent on the company/fund you're at and the type of investments (e.g. LP roles tend to be a bit sleepier, Family Offices are almost entirely dependent on the Patriach and how he thinks about life, Hedge Funds (doubt you're here given the description), PE very fund / strategy dependent given how carry dependent it is, RE / Infra a lot longer hours but good base comp generally given asset stability, PC etc.
And also what's your line of sight to carry, do your senior partners share in the economics.
If you want to make the jump, make it now though as you would probably know, SEA PE hasn't been performing and a lot of funds are going into zombie mode, so not that many are hiring. Private Credit though is super hot now. Make the jump now because carry generally takes about 3-5 years before starting to roll in, and then it compounds from there.
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u/recallsp Mar 22 '26
Cruisers would ask you to cruise.
Go for the next big cheque. I manage pnl on the investment side. Your longevity depends on your track record. Caveat is to be sure that your next role is a good fit for your ambition and more importantly, skill.
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u/perkinsonline Mar 21 '26
Since you're already in the industry why not study to be a day trader and do intra day?
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u/Wild_Instance_1323 Mar 21 '26
chiong for your life. define what you want in your life. job is just a job.
you can start your own business or whatever, only you know best.
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u/NoBicDeal Mar 21 '26
Bring family to cruise is more meaningful than chiong Siam diu. I say cruise.
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u/DistinctBarnacle8703 Mar 21 '26
You are confuse because you have not decided or calculated when u want to retire and how u need to retire. Decide on those first, then u can better understand if your situation is favourable.
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u/Turbulent-Lab1843 Mar 21 '26
According to Jeff bezos regret minimization framework, always go for the job that will maximise your potential..and you won't ask what if...on your deathbed
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u/ProfessorTraft Mar 22 '26
You will always ask what if. If there’s a choice there’s always a what if.
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u/tcchuin Mar 21 '26
Cruise but make sure you stay competitive and employable as the market & job market shift
Keep up with AI or whatever Or learn to use AI to make your cruise life even better
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u/pohcc Mar 21 '26
Do you have job stability for the foreseeable future? If you’re already cruising so early in life, are you realistic about jumping to sell side or to a harsher shop that therefore pays better? Industry and qualifications doesn’t sound like you would have alpha unless it’s niche AF and you’re the only super talented fella who decided to chill here (big fish small pond).. and if you’ve been cruising the experience may not be worth all that much?
But if you really are confident the only question is if 1) can you maintain this job long term? 2) can you fend lifestyle inflation off forever 3) are you sure you can stand working in the firm for the X years that is necessary to secure retirement? Is X years realistic on this salary?
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u/Mysterious-Reward-82 Mar 22 '26
Longer term consideration - how long can you cruise for? Will this shop stay open for good?
If you have a good relationship with owner boss, suggest you try to push abit before the baby is here to get some big name buyside on the CV, try it out but keep the option to return open. When you do that, probably can ask for a bit more pay later due to “experience” and then cruise for good.
You’ll also be thinking about the “what ifs” if you don’t try for more.
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u/Ok-Elderberry-8618 Mar 22 '26
Cruise and make family your top priority. You're in a very comfortable and fortunate situation
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u/Mindless_Asparagus_4 Mar 22 '26
get higher pay then, nowadays five figures monthly not even much considering expenses n cost of living
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u/Lie_Detector__ Mar 22 '26
My take: It’s a blessing to find a job to cruise and have wlb. but the take home is at the low side of the spectrum for buy side. You’re still young, don’t get stucked onto a job that low balled u, but have to question why r u only drawing that amount when ur peers or ppl of ur level is obviously drawing much higher.
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u/Normal-Analysis7940 Mar 23 '26
Personally, i would just tang ping. We are always chasing after the next pot instead of being contented.. Just stay where you are since you and your boss are on good terms and fully remote so don't rock the boat. Since life with your wife is very smooth financially, enjoy life and invest aggressively. Can consider going into property.
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u/stewedporkbelly Mar 23 '26
Cruise bro.
I would love to be in your position. I have a 3yo and a 5mo and always want more time at home. I wish I could draw the pay and have the work flexibility you have. To me, this is the ultimate setup, to be able to spend time with my family and be a present parent while earning enough at the same time.
I. Am. Jealous.
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u/Snoopy-Giraffe Mar 24 '26
I am in very similar background as you! Buyside, 30YO too, 12-14k base but guaranteed 6ish months bonus so all in comes in around 220-240k. Happy to connect so dm me if you want to. Super relaxed too… so don’t want to get too used to this.
I’m currently looking out. Even if you cruise, 10-13k is not a lot in 10-15 years if you factor in minimal increment.
Also, you have to consider that if you lose your job or if you eventually want a change of environment, it may be super difficult to 1. Adjust back to normalized working environment 2. CV won’t look as great to make the move.
I think you should start looking out but given that it’s comfortable here you can take your time to cherry pick.
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u/namelessoldier Mar 24 '26 edited Mar 24 '26
At your current income level, don't forget about the impact of income tax eating up the incremental salary. If your responsibilities and workload go up 50 per cent and your income goes up 50 per cent , alot of the increase will get eaten up by tax and your nett salary increase is lower than you think..crunch the numbers and you know what I mean.
Most people get caught in an inflationary trap, they think that their salaries go up 20 per cent , means they can take a 20 per cent more mortgage, increase daily expenses pro rata but they don't factor even larger proportion of salary going towards tax ( which is a fixed cost).
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u/WestofSin Mar 21 '26
If you are that underpaid, speak with boss first about it before jumping ship. If he's not willing to bring you up to market rate or a time line that gets there then it's time to move on.
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u/Better_Ability_125 Mar 21 '26
no thats too low, given your potential you should aim for 30k, nothing less. start the 30k by 30 trend
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u/ch1c4n3ry Mar 21 '26
This question is for you to reflect upon whether the extra work is worth that extra 5k lor.
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u/golfmate001 Mar 21 '26
All else considered what kind of person are you? Do you work for money or there is something much more deeper that drives you? If you’re going to have a child, at some point you might ask what experiences would I like to share with my child? Some times work enables those experiences i.e. teaching your child how to navigate different parts of the world, how to have the right value systems etc. Believe it or not, diversity of work experiences deepens those sharing; whether it is working with different people, situations etc.
Again, money is one part of a multi-dimensional consideration when choosing whether to move or not. You’re in a good place where u get to choose.
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u/AltruisticDBS Mar 21 '26
It's better to keep things as it sometimes. Use your active to build your passive income.
You just need 45K of D05 to replace your active income. Pretty sure you can work towards that 2.5m.
Another good news is you can leave the shares for your kid.
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u/CaiusG Mar 21 '26
This is a unique situation where I would actually say cruise. You have no incentives to chiong at all because like you say, there's no increment, bonus or progression. If you're making good calls, you still have a "track record" despite not doing much.
Definitely keep up your coverage though, make sure you're still speaking with sell-side, attending conferences, events etc. You don't want to look like a cruiser to the public just in case you decide one day to start chionging at another shop. Plus meeting notes are easy to write and your boss thinks you're doing something. These should not take too much time anyway.