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Sandwiched generation

Was reading this https://www.asiaone.com/money/sandwich-generation-singapore-finances-caring-aged-parents-and-children 

Coincidentally, this is also a topic close to my heart, as I am really part of this sandwiched generation. Uncle isn't blaming anyone, since Uncle's parents aren't well to do, and they literally gave all they have to their children, to support them and give them a head start in life, while sacrificing their own retirement resources. If they had focused on their own retirement, Uncle and my siblings would had to stop school pre-maturely to start working to fend for ourselves, likely resulting in bad outcomes for ourselves. So I thank my good parents and would always be happy to support them in their golden years. Uncle also made a choice to have children as they give me purpose in life. 

So what does Uncle want to do?

My view is, as long as it's within my ability, I will strive to be the last generation of being sandwiched. This means, I will aim to be financially independent in my retirement years, with resources to take care of myself, to engage helper to take care of me, without needing any of my children to support me or my wife.  This means, my adult children are no longer sandwiched. They are free to use their own resources for themselves and their offsprings, which means they themselves should be able to do their own retirement planning and thus free their offsprings from the burden of needing to support them. This is my mission now. 

My mission to break this vicious cycle of sandwiching between parents and children and retirement. This will be, in my opinion, the best gift I can give to my children. Not everyone can do this, due to high cost of living here in Singapore and the high level of competition for jobs, housing etc. So Uncle is grateful for the opportunity to take a shot at this mission. 

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