I am going to update on my Financial Goals Progress for November 2025. This month, the total value of my assets retreated slighted to 106.44%. I exceed my financial goal by 6.44%. The main reason for the decline was the slight decrease in total value of my assets. What does the above chart mean? The above chart is the total value of my financial assets represented in percentage against my financial goal (target). They comprised of my insurance savings, savings accounts, fixed deposits, Singapore Savings Bonds, Singapore Treasury Bills, current value of my stocks, and funds in Supplementary Retirement Scheme account.
Have you defined your financial goals yet? These goals are the specific targets you set to guide how you manage your money whether for short-term needs or long-term aspirations. Establishing financial goals gives you clarity, purpose, and motivation to make smarter financial choices. With clear objectives in place, you can monitor your progress, make informed decisions, and steadily build toward lasting financial stability and security. My long-term financial goal is to stash sufficient money (target) which can help me to retire early in Singapore.
How did I achieve my financial goals?
To achieve my financial goal in 5 years, you need a lot of discipline. Below are the actions I did.
Save 20 Percent of My Salary
I have made it a habit to set aside 20% of my salary into the savings pocket on GSX Digital Bank. Every month, as soon as my paycheck comes in, I transfer that portion straight into the pocket. It is a simple routine that steadily builds my cash reserves giving me a financial cushion I can tap into whenever I need it in the future.
Contribute to SRS
It goes without saying, most working adults understand the value of contributing to their Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) account, especially for the tax relief it offers. To stay disciplined, I set up a dedicated savings pocket under GSX Digital Bank, where I have been transferring funds monthly into my SRS Saving Pocket. Next month, I plan to close this pocket and move the accumulated amount into my actual SRS account to maximize this year’s tax benefits.
Reinvest Dividends Collected
If you are familiar with investing, you have likely heard of the power of compounding. It is the process where earnings from an asset such as dividends or interest are reinvested to generate even more earnings. In simple terms, compounding allows your money to earn money, and then those earnings earn even more.
Over time, this snowball effect can lead to exponential growth. As reinvested returns increase your investment base, each cycle produces larger gains than the last. That is why compounding is often called the “eighth wonder of the world”, a quiet but powerful engine for long-term wealth.
The secret to unlocking compounding’s full potential? Start early and stay consistent. Even modest, regular contributions can grow substantially if given enough time. Patience is key. The longer you let your investments compound, the greater the payoff.
Personally, I have been practicing this since 2012. Whenever I receive dividends from the stocks and REITs in my portfolio, I do not spend them. I accumulate and reinvest them into more dividend-yielding assets. This disciplined approach has steadily increased my passive income year after year.
Side Hustle
What is a side hustle? A side hustle is a way to make extra money outside of your full-time job. It is typically a passion project or small business that you work on during your free time to bring in additional income. Side hustles can range from freelance work, selling products online, offering services, or even renting out property. Many people start side hustles to pursue their interests, build new skills, or save up for a specific goal.
In April, I decided to take the plunge and started a new side hustle. If you notice, I started selling stock investments and personal finance related books on my blog. Reading stock investment and personal finance books offers a range of powerful, long-term benefits, especially if you’re serious about building wealth and making informed decisions.
Reading books on stock investment and personal finance significantly enhances your financial literacy, helping you understand key concepts like budgeting, saving, investing, and risk management. These books cultivate an investor mindset, teaching discipline and long-term thinking while improving your decision-making and helping you avoid common financial mistakes.
They encourage wealth-building habits and provide diverse strategies from seasoned investors, allowing you to find approaches that align with your goals. Ultimately, they empower you to take control of your money, build financial independence, and make informed choices that support lasting financial well-being.
My Stock Portfolio
In November, I did not make any buy or sell transactions. As such, the holdings in my Singapore stock portfolio remained unchanged. Many REITs and companies in my stock portfolio had announced their dividend payout dates. Till date, I have collected the dividends paid by DBS Bank. I am looking forward to receiving the dividends from Frasers Centrepoint Trust, Boustead, Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust, ST Engineering, Singtel, Mapletree Logistics Trust and lastly Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust.
As shared earlier, the decline in total value of my assets was largely due to my stock investments. In November, stock prices of several companies in my US stock portfolio declined slightly. As you can see from the above, my US stock portfolio comprised of several artificial intelligence companies. The stock prices of these companies declined because of mounting worries that artificial intelligence companies, which have propelled the market to new records this year, are overvalued.
The share price of Sea Ltd also took a nosedive as investors remain cautious of the future performance of Monee and Shopee.
Financial Goals Progress for December 2025
We are one month away to end the year 2025. With discipline in savings and spending, I am on track to meet all my financial goals I set forth this year. By the way, I have also max out my SRS contribution for 2025. In December, I shall be reporting the total dividends I collected in 2025.
As the holiday season draws near, I shall also be travelling overseas for my holiday.
See you in December!