Energy levels and sleepiness

Uncle is entering semi-retirement now. Stopped working to see if this will work out

Suddenly, noticed that I will fall asleep every day at around 3-4pm.

Initially I attributed it to my tiredness after years of stressful worklife

But after 2 weeks of taking naps, it didn't go away.

Then it hit me....

Its my body and mind trying to find a new rhythm of life.

You see, when you have a full time job, the rigours and schedule of that job takes over your life. It becomes the center upon which you revolve the rest of your life around, including personal, family, schedules.

Now, take that job away, and you lost your "center" schedule. And your mind and body goes hunting for directions, and becomes disoriented.

I need to find a new center to replace the old one. But this time it will be a better version.Why?

Because, when you are employed, you have no control over this center of life, since it almost dictates when your "own" time starts and ends, and sometimes, it takes over all your time.

Now I can create my own center on my own terms

But I must be careful...

If I am lazy and creates a center that is too relaxed, I will decline, both in physical and mental capacity. Use it or lose it, right?

So I must instil a schedule, a discipline, and routine, that is not too relaxed, that is able to give me a little push to make me work hard, but yet at the back of my mind, take comfort in that this is totally in my control, and not someone else (ex Boss)

I hope this is the reason, but I have to try it. I think it should be it, because I am generally healthy and didn't have any issues based on recent health screening and blood tests.

Also, I don't think full retirement is in the cards, I should upskill and get a job for another 5 years or so to take money off the table!

Comments

CPF balances 24 July 2024

I think for SA, my balance is considered "self-sustaining" as the 4% pa for SA could ensure my balance will continue to meet the FRS requirement every year until I reach 55. from CPF website, my SA balance already exceeds FRS for 2024. Every year, the FRS increases a little for inflation. E.g. the FRS for 2025 is 3.4% increase compared to 2024. But SA interest rate is 4%, so as long as you already reach FRS amount for current year, you will be fine I think, even if you stopped working (i.e. SA stops having contribution)

Income tax for YA2024

Lesser than previous years due to lower stock prices during vest date. Got lucky. Interest-free instalment for paying income tax spread over 12 months...about $5k per month. Quite a lot of cash outflow per month just to pay tax, but I think this is already low compared to most other countries

Getting comfortable without a salary from working

Not sure if I am there yet. Basically I am effectively drawing down my cash each month, primarily due to 2 things : mortgage and income tax mortgage (after CPF) is about $9k per month income tax is about $5k per month My investment cashflow covers all my other expenses, including utilities, groceries, handphone/internet bills, insurance, property taxes, condo maintenance fees, personal spending. With some input from wife who is still working, I am still out of pocket by almost $11k per month. She will continue to be able to save a decent sum per month and I'll let her grow that and managed it for her via safe investments. Am I comfortable? Not really. I will if I am not out of pocket per month. If I really stop working for good, the income tax amount will go to $0 after 2025. So only mortgage left We can pay off the mortgage but I think I said before, it doesn't make sense since it's our home and we will be locking the money up with little leeway to do other things. So I ...

uncle lim kopi

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