Financial planning continues to guide the way I build long-term stability. August 2026 has been another meaningful chapter in my Financial Planning Progress for August 2026. This month, my total financial assets increased slightly by 0.68% as compared to July. The reason for the mediocre growth was because the total value of my stock investments remained stagnent.
My financial planning framework today includes various components. These are insurance savings, savings accounts, fixed deposits, Singapore Savings Bonds, Singapore Treasury Bills, the market value of my stocks, and the funds in my Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS). Each component plays a strategic role in strengthening my Financial Planning Progress for August 2026 and keeping me aligned with the long-term targets I set five years ago.
July 2025 marked the moment I achieved the financial goal I had been working toward for half a decade. That milestone was the result of consistent financial planning for retirement, investing in dividend-paying stocks, accumulating Singapore Savings Bonds, and building passive income streams.
How I Approach Financial Planning to Reach My Goals
Saving 20 Percent of My Salary
One of the most effective financial planning habits I have developed is saving 20% of my salary every month. GXS Bank’s savings pockets make this process seamless. From time to time, I took opportunity of the promotional interest rates and put my extra money in the boost pocket.
Consistent SRS Contributions
The Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) remains a core pillar of my financial planning strategy. It complements CPF and encourages disciplined retirement savings. Throughout 2025, I contributed monthly into a GXS savings pocket before transferring the accumulated amount into my SRS account in December.
In 2026, I am also on track to contribute the maximum allowed to my SRS account.
Reinvesting Dividends for Long-Term Growth
Since 2012, I have reinvested every dividend from my stocks and REITs. Instead of treating dividends as spending money, I reinvest them into more dividend-paying assets.
Building a Side Hustle
In April 2025, I expanded my financial planning strategy by launching a side hustle selling stock investment and personal finance books on my blog. What began as a simple idea to share useful resources with readers quickly grew into a meaningful extension of my financial planning journey.
My Dividend Stock Portfolio
My Singapore dividend stock portfolio reflects the disciplined financial planning approach I have taken over the years. In 2025, I collected a total dividend of $20,289.89 from my holdings. REITs provide reliable distributions, while banking stocks such as OCBC, UOB, and DBS offer stability and long-term value. In July, I maxed reached the full $200,000 allowable limit in Singapore Savings Bond. This increases my passive income further and enhances the stability of my fixed-income allocation.
This month, I added a new stock Heineken Malaysia Berhad (XKLS:HEIM) to my stock portfolio. Based on 152 sen paid in FY25, the current dividend yield works out to be roughly 9.48%.
My Growth Stock Portfolio
My US stock portfolio complements my Singapore holdings by giving me exposure to long-term growth companies such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, TSMC, Amazon, and Google. These global giants operate in industries with strong, persistent demand and deep structural growth drivers, ranging from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to semiconductors, e‑commerce, and digital advertising. Their ability to innovate, scale internationally, and maintain dominant market position provides a level of growth potential that is difficult to replicate in smaller markets.
Over time, the capital appreciation from these companies has become an important pillar of my financial planning for retirement, helping me balance the income stability of my Singapore dividend stocks with higher-growth opportunities abroad. As I review my Financial Planning Progress for August 2026, the performance of these US holdings continues to play a crucial role in strengthening my long-term wealth-building strategy and ensuring that my portfolio remains resilient across different market cycles.
Financial Planning Progress for August 2026
Recently, a retiree shared with me that the interest returns from GXS bank are not sufficient to support his retirement. He invested in bonds and REITs that pays him a return of more than 5 percent. What he shared reminded me to continue to focus on building my stock portfolio where the passive income can support me with more than 5 percent returns when I retire.
How are you progressing toward your financial goals this month?