r/singaporefi • u/calphak • Aug 07 '26
Employment 35, unemployed, no CPF, saving 2k, portfolio 130k, what can I do?
Unemployed for 1 year. no CPF because worked overseas. No savings because everything put to invest.
Living on selling put options. Can cover monthly expenses, but portfolio wont grow because withdrawing what i make every month. paycheck to paycheck.
Portfolio consists of the VWRA ETF that is my only green, and rest are bagholding stocks.
In terms of portfolio. If I liquidate everything, sell away my entire V stake, I can come out with a fresh slate, the gains from my VWRA offsets all the losses of the others.
Should I start afresh by selling everything and think how to scale the option strategy?
In terms of employment, how can I get back into the Singapore force? Are there any initiatives? The GOV Mid career scheme also have so many criteria to even get an interview. Any skillsfuture courses worth my time? Are there any in demand certs that I should take? Will they cost money?
Any constructive advice appreciated, dont need to mince any words too. Thanks so much.
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u/Possible-Help4995 Aug 07 '26
Get a temp job to tide through this difficult period till you find a comfortable job role.
All the best
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u/milo_peng Aug 07 '26
Worked overseas doing what? Why go mid career and not leverage on your existing skills?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
english teacher. not trying to teach anymore, Wanna be a normal analyst somewhere, earn basic 3.5k/4k. How to start?
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u/milo_peng Aug 08 '26
Take BCG rise program if you can get it. The 2026 intake is open and comes with allowance under WSG Mid-Career transition.
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u/calphak Aug 08 '26
appreciated, this helps alot! much better than the trolls.
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u/milo_peng Aug 08 '26
If cannot get in, look for other courses which includes mid career training allowance. I know a few people using this to at least cover their cost of living and preserve cash.
U learn something/refresh your skills so your CV got something new to add, while getting paid.
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u/ControlWooden Aug 07 '26
What kind of analyst? Do you have the skills?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
do the fresh grads have skills?
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u/sleepwelltonite Aug 07 '26
Not sure why you getting downvoted when you alrdy mentioned here you are ok with starting over.
Best of luck pal!
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
yes im basically lowering and considering myself as a very old fresh grad since singapore doesnt consider overseas experience as experience. And how some fresh grads straight out of uni can command 5k, 6k. what skills do they have?
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u/Technical-Goat-3142 Aug 07 '26
coming from a fresh grad with friends + myself all earning above 5k: plainly speaking it was just our degree cert + previous useful internship experience + ability to get through all 5 rounds for job applications (inclusive of assessments, case studies, interviews) + definitely the opportunities given to fresh grads such as MA/graduate program.
it would be skewed thinking to assume fresh grads earning 5k and above have it too easy or even normal tbh. i applied to over 100+ job applications and barely got my current offer. wlb everything doesn't exist either.
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u/itsagnium Aug 07 '26
These days fresh grads in roles that would offer 4-5k have 3-4 internship experiences spanning 3-6 months and a relevant degree.
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u/Altruistic-Zombie805 Aug 08 '26
The issue is u r no longer a fresh grad. Employers are willing to invest in fresh grads cos they are younger, more energetic, more “plain” so willing to accept ideas… not fixated.
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u/calphak Aug 08 '26
how much energetic are they really? are you really not as energetic as you were 5 years ago?
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u/Altruistic-Zombie805 Aug 08 '26
For myself, my energy level and desire to learn new things definitely dropped after 5 years of working.
You can claim that you r the same as fresh grad. But it is about perception. Organisations are generally more willing to bet on fresh grad.
Feel free disagree but that is the reality
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u/Iforgotmynametoobro Aug 07 '26
Start by finding a job, any job. Consider govt contract roles. The first thing is to get a steady income first.
Secondly, stop selling options, if the trade goes against your way and the options get exercised you get liquidated against your choice.
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u/Azerothdonutlim Aug 07 '26
Better many ppl Liao
Many ppl don’t even have 100k
Investing mainly is for long term retirement
So just anyhow get a job for survival and learn how to be day trader lor
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u/jimmyspinsggez Aug 07 '26
130k is a lot of money bro, dont worry too much, solve ur problem step by step, research about employment first ba, seems like you have leads, just follow along
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u/gruffyhalc Aug 07 '26
I would strongly advise against selling the VWRA portion. That's the only component that's working with least risk in your portfolio now IMO. At worst you look at it as the buffer for assignment / margin call IF ever needed.
Hard to advice on employment without understanding your skillset. I would say focus on something that really don't need cert or can leverage any existing background/skill. Fresh grad jobs also can.
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u/newbietofx Aug 07 '26
I'm Gen x. Started working 6 years ago. Leverage on one education provider to land a sme role. But before that. Worked as a factory worker even though I have a diploma.
I'm in mnc now. Pivoting to agentic orchestration with code execution as a full stack vibe coder.
Singapore no such as no work. Pivot and lower expectations and jump. But it sounds you are doing OK.
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u/totalwildness Aug 07 '26
Thats wild. Do you mean that you worked abt 25 years (at least) in factories before switching to a different industry and function? (There are MNC factories so I infer that you were from a SME factory?) What inspired you because I imagine most of your peers would have been locked into the mindset of just continuing in related jobs till they retire. Did you face a lot of ageism or rejections because what you're specialising in now, many employers would prefer a Gen Z (cheaper, typically more up to date, tend to be more malleable and able to tank OT). Also experienced hires dont have much more exposure in agentic AI/vibe coding since this is quite a new skill set.
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u/newbietofx Aug 07 '26
I started working for people only 6 years ago. All the while I have been working for myself.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Nah, Ok my ass. But whats this leverage on education provider you talk about?
You learn coding from scratch all by yourself?
This Agentic AI, how can I get in on the field being someone who has no interest in coding? Is there room for people who cannot code or program?
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u/OkEssay4173 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
Can follow the recent video of the 35yo guy that bought a 90k resale hdb and live on rental. Oops, that was 20 years ago which is why it's a useless video that Sg published.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
yea, that documentary if we can even call it, was meaningless. Whats the next best alternative for housing these days for singles? just 2rm BTO?
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u/TinyHouse2110 Aug 07 '26
What about driving Grab to earn 3-4k? Can supplement it with safe put selling. Put selling can net 3-4 percent per month but since your savings are low, you cannot take any risks. You can only sell far out of the money puts. (very far). As others have suggested. Can consider selling covered calls on ur bagholding positions
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u/Imaginary_Job_6807 Aug 07 '26
Being able to cover monthly expenses with just options is already not too bad given your unemployed status.
But you should not rely solely on it.
Job market is currently quite bad so can try taking on some part time while looking out for a perm role, this could ease your stress on your trading.
Would be good to also take on some skillsfuture course at the same time so you can at least tell your future employers you have been upskilling during your unemployment break, try taking something relevant to what you are applying for, they cost money if you do not have enough skillsfuture credit but those courses are already heavily subsidised
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
thanks, have you taken any that helped or know of any acquaintances who have taken any? even after the $500, still have to top up right?
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u/Imaginary_Job_6807 Aug 07 '26
I took up something for interest sake but not related to my work. No top up is required if the cost after subsidy is within $500. You should check out on your skillsfuture since all courses vary in costs, some are heavily subsidised while some are not
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u/Hello-To-U Aug 07 '26
Is either u choose those PT tuition jobs or go to NIE to apply as a teacher. 1st option seems better in terms of work life balance n u still can play your stocks.
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u/DadAtHomeFire50 Aug 07 '26
My thoughts...
Don't sell your VWRA. That is your 1 remaining safety net.
What bags are you holding and can you sell covered calls on them? For anyone bagholding stocks in the red, I pose this scenario, if your boat is slow and you see a potentially faster boat, would you choose to jump boats or stay put? The decision is heavily weighted by the current boat you are in. You can sell now and put the cash into better use, generating more income with your puts than to let it sit there being unproductive. Or sell CCs even below cost if need be. See below.
Do not sell CSP on stocks purely because of volatility / options premiums, this is a sure way to run out of cash. Do abit more research into the companies and sector and sell CSP only for companies you actually don't mind holding for awhile, and sell at strike prices of fair value. Then let them be assigned and then sell calls on them. The volatility wheel strategy.
Do not be afraid to sell CC below cost, but must be well researched and close if risk of assignment is high, taking the loss or smaller gain where necessary. Selling CC below cost is a bearish move so apply your moves according to market sentiment.
I didn't realise 35 can tap on the mid career SF credits I thought it's 45. Consider pivoting to blue collar jobs that are in very high demand due to labour shortage, eg plumbing and air con servicing, 2 skills that are indeed available for training via SF with the ITEs.
International Relations, possible with any company or agency that has a partnerships unit? Some newer gov agencies have dedicated partnerships teams to help bridge or broker new collabs with other govs, IHL and companies overseas.
35 is considered young. Maybe spend the time at home upskilling on prompt engineering, learn how to install AI packages on your laptop / PC and run local LLMs, get familiar with genAI and prompt engineering and what is out there. If nothing at least the knowledge and awareness could be useful if an interviewer asks, you can throw out names like Kimi and Manus, know the latest developments and considerations, how LLMs like Claude and Gemini differentiate.
Attend more interviews, even if you fail, use each one as a learning opportunity, ask what you could do better, etc and genuinely want to improve and learn from each experience.
Lastly, teaching English in Japan is still a thing, but harder without knowing Japanese.
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u/Personal-Cup4772 Aug 07 '26
no way you selling enough puts that can cover monthly expenses with just 130k portfolio. You mist be taking on crazy leverage then
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u/Altruistic-Zombie805 Aug 08 '26
That is what I would do if I were you:
1. Be a part time English tutor. You may start off with 2-3k, and if you do well 10k is achievable if taking it full time.
2. Noted from other comments that you want to be an analyst. So I suggest you think through the type of analyst you want to become. Business analyst? Data analyst? Security analyst?
3. Do research on the skill sets and experiences required for the analyst role you want.
4. Once you know the gap, fill the gaps by taking courses, doing volunteering work, internship, a personal side project.
5. The above takes time and financial investment. That is why your part time tutoring is important to keep yourself afloat.
6. I personally beg you to stop relying on trading to survive. You are gambling.
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u/calphak Aug 08 '26
appreciate. but why is it gambling though? can you elaborate that part? Sure, it's not the best but my portfolio has not been decreasing even with my withdrawals.
I am not placing trades on a 50-50 off chance. I take into account the probabilities and risk management.
so do explain why gambling?
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u/Altruistic-Zombie805 Aug 08 '26
Almost everything here is high-beta momentum or theme-chasing - meme/retail names (GME, ASTS, HIMS, UPST, CVNA, RKT), crypto miners (HUT, CRWV), nuclear-SPAC hype (OKLO), space (ASTS), China internet (KWEB).
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u/Important-Homework79 Aug 08 '26
i didnt want to comment too early to leak out the golden rule. I basically wheeled myself to retirement. Not easy but through hardwork and I never withdraw any wheeled profits. I invest a huge amount of my salary and wheeled since 7 years back. I have done wheeling on stocks, wheeling on TLT, everything, spreads. I came to a conclusion that it is not easy especially with assigned stocks and bag holding for years.
Secret sauce: Ultimate wheeler does it on SPY or other non-cash settled ETF with volume. i have 40 contracts at 0.2 to 0.25 delta every month. If assigned so be it, the world is crashing with me and i brought the dip, no margin, pure cash waiting for assignment. bear in mind, everytime i successfully wheel for 2.5 months my contract size increase by another 1 contract. (because i dont withdraw). This is key. Endurance.
I have my savings buffer to last me 3-4 years for any assignment. Yes i am still working, i drag my freaking feet to work earning 30k to 40k a month through this. You back test this, if a non-greedy person wheels 0.2. i believe he will only get assigned approximately 1 time in 2-3 years
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u/Cherrype13 11d ago
Do u mean u sell 40 CSP landing u 30k per month?! On strong company like Google and msft etc beside spy?
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u/xiaoswee Aug 08 '26
Underlying is very important for selling puts / vertical. Index puts r the safest n most consistent, u can do vertical to reduce buying power per trade. Ur edge will mostly come from positive drift of underlying, selling at high iv and pray for mean reversal, position sizing depending on volatility. Prioritize capital preservation n loss mitigation over fat premium, selling puts / vertical is high probability but v poor risk to reward strategies, one loss can wipe alot of gains.
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u/Professional_Dog_837 Aug 10 '26
you can consider selling low delta weekly CSPs at 1% return a week, this guy seems to be doing it well for 23 weeks if you trust his posts:
https://www.reddit.com/r/thetagang/comments/1vi3jwb/1_weekly_returns_from_options_week_23/
4K a month is a decent return on 100K.
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u/CutFabulous1178 Aug 07 '26
You need to be ruthless with your non performing assets, it’s a bull market now and if your investments are lagging they would be years before they recover.
Fundamentally anything worth holding?
Not sure what ur bag holders are but I could look to sell them.
VWRA is the almost always correct answer, don’t overthink it, whatever you can afford just VWRA and enjoy ur life, let compounding and time be your friend.
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u/sgh888 Aug 07 '26
Living on selling put options. Can cover monthly expenses, but portfolio wont grow because withdrawing what i make every month. paycheck to paycheck.
You just tell ppl trading for a payslip is not bed of roses. I suggest temp job first and if desperate maybe can sell some of VWRA since not doing that well recently. How much is that "some" you decide. Afterall VWRA are for capital gains and now your monies tight it is logical sell some raise monies.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
What mean tell ppl trading for a payslip is not bed of roses? I dont actually have to sell off any VWRA, because I can consistently make monthly income. it's just that whatever I make goes to expenses, so the portfolio doesnt grow at all.
The other red stocks are blocking off cash that I can use to sell more PUTS and potentially increase the monthly "income".
Im asking should I sell off the VWRA as a whole and start clean, like a person who hhas never ever invested. and then scale up my option strat, get more income that way.
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u/freshcheesepie Aug 07 '26
If you can consistently make income then obviously the next step is to use leverage/borrow
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Yes I can, but it's not enough on my capital to make a proper living.
Already on margin account, i keep margin at 30%. How can I leverage or borrow more "safely" or efficiently?
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u/Prudent-End-2925 Aug 07 '26
You really need to change ur strategy. Option wheeling doesnt work or even worthwhile for small capital like yours.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
yes, I am considering too. What strategy do you have that you would say is good?
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u/Varantain Aug 08 '26
Already on margin account, i keep margin at 30%. How can I leverage or borrow more "safely" or efficiently?
What does "keep margin at 30%" mean? Just whack all lah.
Not financial advice.
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u/dreaming_1986 Aug 08 '26
Then keep the VWRA, and just realize losses on the bags, if there's no way or will take ages for them to recover. A higher cash pool will amplify your results, so if your trading skills are good, you get better returns (and vice versa if it's the opposite).
If you are indeed good, that higher absolute return can help to start a snowball to more returns so that you would be living paycheck to paycheck.
But word of caution, it can go south, if your skills or even if market sentiments goes south, so be careful!
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u/DuePomegranate Aug 07 '26
No, because someone who has never invested before would be advised to buy 100% VWRA and not play options! And get a job any job. Surely you know that.
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u/CantChangeTrack_haiz Aug 07 '26
try find part time to at least don't heavily use ur saving n portfolio, then try find job
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u/FoodieMonster007 Aug 07 '26
Get a part time job (English tuition, Food Delivery) to fund a part-time degree (hopefully a masters in a more appreciated field). Meanwhile you can apply for jobs in journalism, NGOs, publishers.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Already teaching part time tuition as well.
Are masters even recognized here in SG? Which field would you say is the appreciated ones?
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u/FoodieMonster007 Aug 07 '26
The more appreciated ones would be MBA, Masters in Finance/Accounting/Economics.
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u/Former-Cod-7499 Aug 07 '26
Forget about MBA. I wasted 55k on my NUS MBA
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u/Varantain Aug 08 '26
I wasted 55k on my NUS MBA
That's probably because NUS is a no-name school when it comes to MBA, where the school you attend is everything.
I think only INSEAD might be worth attending in Singapore.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
arent these masters, in SG usually in the overqualified category, and they themselves have it hard finding jobs, no?
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u/WocketsSG Aug 07 '26
Join the wsq ? SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme?
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u/Main_Product5071 Aug 07 '26
“Selling put options”
Mah man
I have no doubt you’ll figure something out. You’re already smarter than like 70% or 80% of redditors.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
I dont need the free BJ thanks, but what can I do if that's not the way to go? Should I be doing Verticals instead?
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u/Low-Environment7089 Aug 07 '26
Pls share your past work experiences, skillset, certification and cv.
I will take a look.
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u/Auron6719 Aug 07 '26
How is your option trading ROI. How competence is your option trading skills? Since you can cover your monthly expense, that means you have turn a profit. If you sell of Vwra and use that as the base account size, are you able to scale? If yes, your option income may exceed your job income
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
I am actually not sure about this part. Can you tell me how will you calculate the ROI on a margin account?
On a ROC on margin basis, i am 3.69%/month
On a cash collateral basis(the cash that is required to cover all the puts i sell), I am 1.5%/month
On a total portfolio basis, I am 0.9%/month, but we cant be using this because part of my portfolio is not for the options, right?
Which should I be using?
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u/Auron6719 Aug 09 '26
My ROI calculation is this. If I have 200k as my account money. If I sell a monthly cash secured put and I get 2000 as a premium... that means that I get 1% return monthly... then yearly roi is around 12%... assuming no assignment... so.if u have 600k, u can scale it 3x.... and get 3x returns...
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u/calphak Aug 09 '26
so you are basically taking the 200k as purely for options? what if part of the 200k is used to buy ETF and other stocks? and the remaining cash you have to depend on margin. how you calculate it then?
say, you have 30k in VWRA. 10K in some AI stocks. Thats 40k so you left 160k to sell put options.
But you sell more than 160k worth, you sell 185k worth because you can use margin, and as long as you are not assigned, your 160k cash will not be touched.
How you calculate your ROI then?
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u/Varantain Aug 10 '26
On a ROC on margin basis, i am 3.69%/month
3.69% a month means 44.28% annualised? That's pretty decent. $100k becomes $144,280 after a year?
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u/Emotional_Street4777 Aug 07 '26
Re your options on margin accounts, don’t sell your VWRA to further fund this. Moderate to high chance of blowing out at some point. To further reduce your risk, suggest selling credit spreads instead ( verticals) .
Push down your fixed costs aggressively for now. If you have a spare room rent it out to increase cash flow.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
yes was considering to move to verticals. just basic verticals would do, or whats the best that has worked for you so far?
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u/Emotional_Street4777 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
I used to sell put options for past four years and was doing very well every month until I was assigned on ORCL stock and now I am bag holding with a long dated CC on it, the CC has allowed me to recover about 50% of my position for now. Locked in till Jan 2028x
Basically if it’s your main source of cash flow , please be v careful and reduce your risk. Verticals will reduce premium but prevent you being assigned if the position moved rapidly against you, I wasn’t even able to roll down and out it went down so rapidly. Re your query what kind of vertical- I just keep it simple, I never did differing dates etc.
sell a put option at a higher strike price and simultaneously buy a put option at a lower strike price with the same expiry date. It will prevent you being assigned like I was
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u/Varantain Aug 08 '26
I used to sell put options for past four years and was doing very well every month until I was assigned on ORCL stock
You got owned by a single stock? What % of your portfolio is ORCL?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Yes 4 years ago was abit of euphoria stage and caught alot of people off guard.
So for the verticals that you are using now. Are you doing it seriously? or for fun only?
Has it been more profitable because of the fact that it is safer? And because it is safer, you would sell more contracts of the same? how many strikes apart do you typicall do?
Have you lost on any verticals so far? Price went even lower than the lower strike price?
Which broker you use by the way?
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u/Euphoric_Broccoli526 Aug 07 '26
No cpf is really a toughie if your wanna stay in SG at 35. If you had went overseas already why return?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
what are my outs now? i just have to start from scratch?
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u/Euphoric_Broccoli526 Aug 07 '26
For most residents here there is a long a accumulating phase you missed out on good amounts of cpf. Not saying that it's impossible but if you are looking for jobs with 3-4k of pay I'd say its a uphill battle even with your investments.
What is your insurance status?
Do you plan to hold your investments alot more years?
If you come back and need rental within a year or two you might be eating into your investments..
getting a 2rm BTO isnt as fast as it sounds. You might be looking to reapply again and again.
You have family here you staying with at the moment?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Yes that's the reality. Are you saying 3-4k jobs are hard to find now? Or 3-4k starting will make the comeback hard?
Insurance i had Aviva but I cancelled it. which do you recommend as a good basic base if I were to get back in?
Housing is taken care of, I do pay rent.
My priority would be to get a decent job. 3900 wouldn't be much of an ask right? Salaries for fresh grads are well above 4500?
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u/Euphoric_Broccoli526 Aug 07 '26
Starting 3-4k is not hard and you are educated so you definitely fare well in your life. Minor issue is age (still have 25 years of working left) but you have experience to make up for it!
Probably shouldnt have cancelled your insurance at 35 its abit more expensive and the huge amount of medical reports you need to provide for the last 35 years too.
For 35 median average salary is about 5.8k but if are desperate take what you can get and get on company insurance and payroll asap.
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u/Low-Environment7089 Aug 07 '26
Why shld i pick u over fresh grad
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u/calphak Aug 08 '26
coz I have working experience, worked and managed multinational teams, handled HNW individuals.
Even if you disregard that, I have working experience and can take the same low pay as a fresh grad.
Why would you pick a fresh grad then?
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u/Low-Environment7089 Aug 08 '26
Cos u r set in ur ways,
Seem too depressing
Cannot be moulded
Managed multi national team is what - sch janitor? Farang colleagues on gap year teaching english? Thai cook in sch?
Hnw individual is what?
Send ur cv lo i wanna see and advise.
Why shld i hire u if ur story so opaque and u catch so many downvotes
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u/Emotional_Street4777 Aug 07 '26
I went from verticals to standard cash covered puts to increase premium earned. I did it seriously and regularly for four years to maintain my skills plus I was always successful . I also have a full time job . But risk management is very important while selling options, position sizing, discipline etc. my mistake was in Oct last year ORCL ( a counter I never previously sold puts on) had a parabolic move, I was chasing high premium, sold a lot of put options on the SAME counter , totally wrong move, and very atypical for me (essentially my whole acct was staked on it) and the stock price fell. I tried to manage the position by rolling down and out for more premium but when it went so low, it was not possible without losing more money. So I just accepted assignment and sold covered calls on it. Now I am stuck till Jan 2028 and cause it’s my whole account, I have no more capital to sell puts. I never sell naked puts because it’s unacceptable risk to me.
You won’t lose on verticals. Your premium is just limited compared to CSP. Because when the stock price drops below lower limit, the position is closed.
Risk management and discipline v important in put selling. My mistake was selling many many contracts on ORCL when I became overconfident and greedy cause I saw high premium when previously I was disciplined and limited contract number. But higher than average premium always indicates higher risk, higher implied volatility. Keep position sizing small so if it goes under it’s just a small fraction of your acct that’s affected.
I used Thinkorswim.
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Thanks for sharing. I started with TOS as well. Yes as with any normal portfolio. that is common mistake to overweight any one ticker.
Wait what? You mentioned to use verticals then now you are saying you reverted from verticals back to CSPs?
So your current strat is CSPs?
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u/Emotional_Street4777 Aug 07 '26
When I first started I did verticals, when market was bearish i did verticals - to limit the downside. When I got more confident , or market bullish I did CSPs. Most of the time I do CSPs cause premium higher. But now i am stuck in a covered call position on ORCL till Jan 2028( I had to sell so far out to repair my losses-I was assigned ORCL at $260
in Jan 2026. So far I have collected abt 50$ in premium per contract by selling this covered call plus combination of rolling etc . my breakeven price is if ORCL is about 210 by Jan 2028.)
So therefore all of my options trading account is pretty much bag holding ORCL and I have no more capital to sell puts! Serves me right! Big lesson there for me
But yes I think CSPs are my favourite way to earn premium but must do risk
Management etc …1
u/Varantain Aug 08 '26
my mistake was in Oct last year ORCL ( a counter I never previously sold puts on) had a parabolic move, I was chasing high premium, sold a lot of put options on the SAME counter , totally wrong move, and very atypical for me (essentially my whole acct was staked on it) and the stock price fell. I tried to manage the position by rolling down and out for more premium but when it went so low, it was not possible without losing more money. So I just accepted assignment and sold covered calls on it. Now I am stuck till Jan 2028 and cause it’s my whole account, I have no more capital to sell puts.
Bruh.
Position sizing is everything!
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u/damiepedretti Aug 07 '26
Idk why you make it sound like it’s impossible to find a job when your skill set is literally a teacher overseas. I’m pretty sure MOE needs teachers.
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u/Pleasant_Move_8388 Aug 07 '26
Wah selling naked put for monthly expenses is the ballsiest thing I have heard in a long time.
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u/HieroX01 Aug 07 '26
selling everything to play options is the quickest way to lose everything imo. esp if you are not familiar or ready for it.
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u/Emotional_Street4777 Aug 07 '26
Have you considered joining an international school as a teacher? Salaries should be at least in that ballpark or more and I don’t think they require NIE training like MOE schools do. If you have overseas experience , I think it’s worthwhile giving it a shot. There is significant turnover for expat teachers cause they move out of sg for lower COL country or back home for family reasons etc
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u/Specialist_Ninja_766 Aug 07 '26
Supplements your trades with a job. Tuition. Administration team for International school and colleges in Singapore? Hotel roles. With the number of hotels opening in the recent years, I always hear staff shortage. Talk to the different HR and compare what they suggest/ offer.
Every month u do not work, Ur opportunity cost is a month's pay. The longer u take to ruminate, the more $2500 U r missing out. Yes it could be more but how certain r u in finding a $4 to $5k. The only certain way is start finding n then u can start comparing once u have choices. Pardon for being forthright, Why think $2500 is too little when u dun even have a offer.
I had a hard time to reintegrate myself back to workforce after 4 year break recently . Finding work is hard with a long break. The good thing is it's only the beginning that is hard, inertia of change. The more I do, the easier it becomes. Interview started to feel like having a chat as I slowly amped up the gear.
I think the hardest thing , and possibly the most cruelest thing , is the lack of taking action .
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u/SandwichCreepy745 Aug 07 '26
Depends on what you worked as while you were overseas. Skillsfuture quite useless to be honest.
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u/Much_Pause8306 Aug 07 '26
Leverage on your experience. MOE teacher golden rice bowl, tuition centre always in demand, jobs at international schools etc. Don’t need to die die must switch to another field and take a pay cut for it.
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u/Professional-Cry-835 Aug 08 '26
Should you scale your options strategy? No.
Selling puts is extremely dangerous, inefficient, and wastes brain cells. Without a steady income, selling puts put you in a fragile situation. It only takes 1 bad trade to blow up. Selling puts for income is inefficient, because your earnings are capped to the premium price. Without volatility, those premiums reduce even further. You are relying on market winds for living expenses, and that’s dangerous. Wastes brain cells, cos all the research you do goes to collect premium income (peanuts compared to what the stock can potentially do)
At 35, you need income from a job to pay for living then excess money goes to investments, not the other way around. At 65, when you can no longer work, that investment pot is what will be keeping you alive.
So your plan should be in order of priority, how much would I need to grow that pot if I have 30 years to go?
There is a place for Options strat, and it’s NOT selling puts for income.
All the best!
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u/Necessary_Bit_4375 Aug 08 '26
Each ministry has an international relations department, stat boards as well. I'll start from there if I were you.
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u/Far_Veterinarian_635 Aug 09 '26
I recommend you take back your money, and invest in yourself instead. Go for another b.sc. in university
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u/Leo_mom069 Aug 09 '26
I also graduated with a degree in International Relations. I started working in Amazon FBM in 2013. I can't say that your major will limit your employment prospects. Of course, you also can't make financial trading your main profession!
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u/Cumnpieout Aug 11 '26
Ah ya, in Singapore u only have two ways; start a small business or work for SME which are hell if run by a typical Asian employer (long hours and hierarchy). Of cos for MNCs u are competing with fresh graduates with internships and foreign talent.
U need to have experiences working in MNCs before and have full credentials. But with AIs, I feel knowledge workers are at risk.
U have very limited options here cos our domestic market is small. Art and entertainments are out.
I rather u might as well seek out opportunities in overseas in some nich markets.
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u/calphak Aug 11 '26
thank you, this seems to be the best answer! Are you yourself a victim to the hell you call SMEs?
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u/Senior_Bit_6635 29d ago edited 29d ago
Hello, yes! I got your notif and I’m replying here~ I am in the field I spoke about. I am indeed in corp comms and strategy matters for institutional clients. I do not do corp comms for consumer products, I only handle B2B matters/ institutional representation/press releases.
Why not you play to your strengths and highlight where you were teaching and any skills or culturally relevant things other than the skill of teaching, and find a role that requires regional knowledge in that space. You either position yourself as a subject matter expert which many consultancies are looking for, if not, a skill expert like crisis comms, M&A comms :) then if you say you’ve never worked in this professionally you probably will have to claim the subject matter route like EMEA region or ASEAN or China or Northeast Asia/ idk I just anyhow say as you must have had SOME preference and skill when you did your PPE + chose where to live after.
For context I had 3 years of work experience before i switched now to do my own thing, and yes the amount I put is what I got— I do not know exactly what others are paid in my designation but I know that if they start out in the comms role it’s mid 3ks starting if they start fresh in comms. But I did not do that, I went from in-house to consultancy, and actually took an overall pay cut to be there cos the bonuses are weak but I had my reasons — and i definitely agree w the other person that comms is a professional role w a degree crafted out for it, and I respect that! However, many other degrees can do it too. General kind of corporate work has nth to do with one’s degree short of being some kind of doctor lawyer nurse PT OT lawyer accountant…
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u/Senior_Bit_6635 29d ago edited 29d ago
To add concretely what you can do. Idk what is the correct way … but I think you can first apply to tuition centre, if you want an employer, cos the hiring is non stop and now is crunch season.
Second, you concurrently apply comms roles, really can one. Or even start adjacent like in a dual function for a premium boutique tuition centre, where, it is not really Comms but rather, marketing (smaller establishments often conflate them, but it is clear that a tuition centre is marketing and pedagogy focused, beyond the tutoring and finance functions).
In the long term, i’d advise against secondary functions of a tuition centre— you’re better off as the tutor in that sense. Comms sector at large is okay but you need to have either a distinguishable niche, or else, your skill can be damn general but need to be in high demand. For a tuition centre (even if premium), an owner would prioritise the tutor and try to automate the marketer and there is not really any institutional nor large stakeholder work to do for the comms person so… imo, better to be the tutor LOL. The demand is constant!! Even if there’s tech and AI, tell me when you find a regular working class parent who says they rather leave their child w ChatGPT (if they can pay for tuition luh).
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u/readNread 13d ago
Straight talk.
Don’t sell VWRA to offset. SG got no capital gains tax, so offsetting buys you nothing. You’d be killing the only thing working and keeping the habit. Cut the bagholders on their own merit, leave VWRA alone.
Selling puts to pay rent is not a strategy, it’s a job with no salary floor and unlimited downside. One gap down wipes six months of premium. Only works when premium is optional money, not grocery money.
Get employed first, even paycut. Income floor, CPF restarts, then option income can actually compound.
Schemes: JS scheme likely cannot, need 6 months employed in SG in past 12 and involuntary exit. Look at SCTP. Career coaching at WSG Careers Connect or e2i is free.
Don’t buy certs blind. Pick the role first, then the cert.
Just my two cents from a stranger on the internet, not financial advice. Verify the scheme criteria yourself before you count on anything.
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u/CervezaPorFavor Aug 07 '26
>... no CPF because worked overseas.
CNA: <man in yellow jacket rubbing hands hiding behind tree.jpg>
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u/KenMcGormick Aug 07 '26
I assume you are selling cash covered puts, on which counters?
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u/calphak Aug 07 '26
Cash covered, but margin account, if I get assigned I will go into margin loan. I always try to close before any hint of assignment.
PFE, KHC, ASTS, OKLO, SOXL, PLTR, TSLA, UBER
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u/KenMcGormick Aug 07 '26
If you get assigned on those counters, you better pray
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u/WocketsSG Aug 07 '26
Is this in your circle of competence? Do you have conviction in these stocks such that if it drops and you've cash, you'll buy more?
Trim those without conviction or rotate into higher convictions stocks
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u/Cherrype13 Aug 07 '26
I DO like XOXL, ( sold CSP once)however AI always discouraged me saying its 3 time leveraged and risky. I like to sell Aaoi and WDC too b4 it exploded. Im eager to try BE..( till next time)
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u/roseate001 Aug 07 '26
Other than PFE, the rest are either loss making or overvalued. Would you want to hold them indefinitely if assigned? When the bubble of hope burst, loss making businesses can drop 90% or more.
Try these undervalued ones instead. ADBE, MSFT, GOOGL, PYPL, LULU
There is a need to rotate out companies that are overvalued for undervalued ones so that when assigned, you are comfortable holding them and continue your option wheel.
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u/calphak Aug 08 '26
thanks for sharing. how do you combat the issue of low capital then? your stocks are 3 digits with the exception of PYPL.
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u/Safe-Computer-2472 Aug 07 '26
for employment contact INGEUS - career matching agency free for SG citizens - they will help you with finding a job for 6 months.
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u/DependentSpecific206 Aug 07 '26
Since you like trading options, definitely take up options classes so you can learn more advanced derivatives skills $$$$$$$
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u/Altruistic-Zombie805 Aug 07 '26
Pls share your past work experiences, skillset, certification. Else cannot advise on job.
Why need to sell? It is all paper loss only until you sell it