Member-only story
I still remember the day I received my job offer in management consulting in Singapore.
The salary number made my heart race with excitement.
At that moment, I thought I reached the peak of my career.
I told myself: “The company is paying me well — I should at least work hard enough to deserve it.”
That began my relentless hustle — working tirelessly to justify my paycheck.
The Turning Point: 2022
Then, reality hit.
By the end of 2022, interest rates in the U.S. soared, and Singapore increased its consumption tax by 1%.
Almost overnight, the cost of living skyrocketed.
My salary was adjusted by 3% the following year.
However, the Consumer Price Index had surged by 7%, and my landlord shamelessly raised my rent by 25%.
I couldn’t believe it — after working hard for a year, improving my skills, and creating more value for my company, my actual standard of living decreased.
That was when I realized something was fundamentally wrong.
