Introduction👋
Hi there! I’m just your ordinary Singaporean guy, or should I say Uncle liao, on a quest to fund my daily kopi with dividends from stocks.
My investment journey kicked off in 2008, right before the financial crash. It was a rollercoaster ride – watching my fund shrink to 40% (sweat sia) and then rebounding to a 60% profit (this one really huat ah!). It taught me the value of long-term investing (or what i call, the kiasu approach)!
As for my risk appetite? Kiasi la of course.
Join me as I chiong the world of stocks, dividends, and the simple joy of a good cup of kopi. At least the kopitiam type la, but can toast box even better.
I don’t like ang mo kopi leh.
For my international friends, ChatGPT is kind enough to provide this footnote specially for you:
Uncle liao: “Uncle” is a respectful term for an older man in Singapore, often used in a self-deprecating way by middle-aged men about themselves. “Liao” is a Hokkien term that can imply “already” or “now,” so “Uncle liao” means he now considers himself as an older man or ‘Uncle’.
Sweat sia: “Sweat” is used metaphorically to express stress or anxiety, and “sia” is an exclamation for emphasis. So, “sweat sia” conveys a feeling of intense stress or worry.
Huat ah: “Huat” comes from the Hokkien word for “prosper” and is often used to express joy or celebration, especially regarding financial success. “Ah” is an exclamation for emphasis. “Huat ah” is equivalent to exclaiming “What a win!” or “Jackpot!”
Kiasu: A Hokkien term meaning fear of losing out or being overly competitive. In the context of investing, it implies a cautious and strategic approach to avoid missing out on opportunities.
Kiasi: Literally means “afraid to die” in Hokkien. It’s used to describe a person who is extremely risk-averse or overly cautious.
Chiong: A Singlish slang for going fast, working hard, or plunging into something. In this context, it means actively engaging with the world of stocks and dividends.
Kopitiam: A traditional Singaporean coffee shop serving local coffee and affordable meals.
Ang mo kopi: “Ang mo” is a Hokkien term for Westerners, so “ang mo kopi” refers to Western-style coffee, which the author does not prefer.
Toast Box: A popular Singaporean café chain known for its traditional coffee and toast.