uncle lim kopi

 In Singapore, we can pay our income tax in instalments, without any interest. So naturally that's the default payment method for most people including this uncle. IRAS will serve you your tax notice, and with it, if you already have GIRO set up, the instalment payments per month, down to the exact cents. Based on my personal experience, the instalment starts in May the following year your earned income. E.g. you start paying income tax from May 2026 for your assessed income in CY 2025. For GIRO deduction, it happens around 6th of each month.  So, you will still be paying instalments up to 6th April 2026 for income tax you pay on your earned income in CY 2024.  So, uncle retired just after mid 2024, so uncle was still paying a mid 4-figure instalment for 2024 income. And today is the last day of that instalment! Hooray!  So is uncle income tax free? well, not really, but closer than ever. Uncle did some short term job in the last 3 months in 2025 going into first mon...

 Having constant “pain” from recurring issues But suddenly a new issue propped up, with pain like a jolt of lightning. It makes all existing issues and concerns seem like chicken feet.  It over took all other “priorities” At this point, it really woke me up. That nothing else matters if this new issue isn’t looked at right away Locked in and go. And nothing else matters 

 Not sure if it’s due to age or constant worry Why worry Worry about what’s going to happen to me when the move happens  Whether I can live with it if I feel guilty as it’s against my wishes But at same time, I also want to have freedom and less overheads dealing with things at home I must think through this. It’s all in my head and it’s really up to me how to deal with it, no one can tell me how Of course I want to be happy. I guess that’s key. I have my duties as son and husband and father. But my ow happiness should come first as long as my commitments are done. I can’t make everyone happy. But I can take of them decently and that’s should be enough. There’s no right or wrong. It’s my own yardstick  Hope this tides over.  Meanwhile, definitely must take care of my body and mind.  Don’t worry about work again. I don’t think I want to go back to work at least for now until things are settled. Only if money issue then I’ll get back to work lol

 That feeling comes and go. Anger, resentment, questions, regrets, confusion.  Guess it will take a long time, maybe forever  But it’s okay.  It could’ve been worse 

 Have you ever sat next to someone who munches away without closing their fucking trap? I do and I myself used to do it. I must make a conscious effort to not do this myself. Because it’s damn irritating to others. And it’s disgusting and it’s rude.  I will also teach my kids about this so they don’t grow up to be such ill mannered people, and worst, not aware of it being ill mannered in the first place. Peace and close it 

Fear Of Missing Out Joy Of Missing Out Read this from a book.  JOMO is cool! We always stress ourselves out due to FOMO. Must do this, must go there, must eat this etc etc But we have finite time and energy and resources. And usually we can only focus on one thing at a time to fully immerse and enjoy it.  So for sure when we decided to do something with our time, an almost unlimited qty of things we will give up or postpone. So we FOMO ourselves to death. JOMO is better. We take joy that we will miss out certain things in life, because it’s inevitable or it’s our own choice! And we take joy because we are grateful to be alive to be even able to make choices on how to use our life time. 

By now, you would already got your social feeds firing on this topic. Personally, the only reason I care about this is, unfortunately, whether it will cause economic hardships for Singapore and thus myself and my loved ones.  Yes, the politically correct answer should had been : wish the conflict ends soon and no more innocent lives are lost, and I will donate to Red Cross! Well, that's nice to say and to be seen saying But I know I am not making any difference, and my best shot is to ensure me and my family stay above water, and not end up being a burden, which if we are successful, is a small contribution already. Am I selfish? Why not? Who isn't? I am not hurting anyone by ensuring I take care of myself and my family. What the heck can I do for someone who is there in the conflict now? Now, don't get me wrong. I do donate to Red Cross several times before, not big amounts, but I answered some of those calls for help. I wonder whether I made a difference with my couple hu...