Mr. Lee Kuan Yew on impressing people. Latest videos.

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew said this in 2011.

"I see no reason why I should impress people by having a big car or changing my suits every now and again to keep up with the latest styles.

"I've got many new suits that are absolutely in good condition because I seldom wear them.

"In fact, the older I get, the less willing I am to spend time putting on a suit and tie.

"I just have a blouson or a buttoned-up Chinese jacket, and it saves a lot of trouble.

"I have had them for many years and they are very comfortable."

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Why do we obssess with salaries? Why compare?

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Why do we obsess with salaries? Why compare?

This is the first time I am doing this.

It is the transcript of a YouTube video I made recently. 

People who prefer reading might like this.

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Regular long-time followers of my blog know that I have become very reclusive in my retirement.

There are many reasons why this is so. 

One reason is because I retired relatively early in a society where it is not the norm. 

This leads to some awkward moments for me even with members of the extended family. 

Like most Singaporeans I know, they like to ask the following question. 

"What do you do?" 

I would feel like telling them that I am a NEET. 

However, I am sure they wouldn't know what that is. 

So, I just tell them I am jobless. 

OMG! Someone only in his early fifties and jobless? 

Next question. 

"How long have you been jobless?" 

About 7 years. 

OMG! He has been jobless since his mid-forties! 

Oh, in case you don't know, NEET stands for Not in Employment, Education or Training. 

Basically, it just means I am a non-productive member of society. 

Of course, even if I should be gainfully employed, they are not shy to ask the next question. 

I am sure you know what it is. 

"How much do you make?" 

The Singaporean obsession with salaries. 

I still remember the time when a reader told me he found my blog through a forum which discussed salaries in Singapore. 

I was so stunned like vegetable! 

I have had to suffer comparisons with my cousins in my years growing up. 

"You know your cousin so and so?" 

"You know he got full marks for his tests?" 

Of course, I am talking about school days. 

These days, the only tests I take are blood tests. 

Anyway, one day, I got so fed up that I told my mother to stop comparing me with others! 

I am sure the comparing continues but if I don't hear about it, it doesn't affect me. 

Unfortunately, at family gatherings, it is hard not to hear such things. 

A friend told me recently that my passive income puts me on par with the top decile of household income in Singapore. 

I didn't know this. 

I worry about inflation, and I worry about whether I would have sufficient passive income. 

Of course, I have always been a worrier, and I don't think I would ever stop worrying. 

Anyway, I found out that the top 10% of households in Singapore had an average monthly income of $13,626 in 2021. 

So, my friend is right. 

OMG! Am I the one comparing now? 

You know what they say? 

Misery loves company. 

Miserable people are comforted knowing they are not alone. 

So, I should not be too reclusive. 

I should not shun company. 

I just have to be in the right company.

(While I am at it, do you know what is the 2022 average monthly income of the top 10% of households in Singapore? 

If you have the numbers, please let me know in the comment section.)

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