Do You have to Quit when You are Financially Free?

Last week, I read an article which shares a 32-year-old young retiree goes back to work two years after his retirement. He says the reasons for him to return to work are:

逾半国人储蓄难撑3个月 About half of Malaysians' Savings Can't Last for 3 Months

新洲日报2019年10月5日财经版第3页

看到这篇报导，感到些许无奈。原来马来西亚人的储蓄是那么的少。到底问题出在哪儿？

二十几年前，刚大学毕业的我刚开始工作时，薪金也是惨不忍睹。当时的我只是一味的量入而出，不浪费辛苦赚来的钱。有规划的消费，从来没当过月光族。就因为这样，那时的我因工作的关系虽居住在外地，每个月还能储蓄超过七成的收入。虽然低薪但至少还有储蓄。在那同时，我也努力学习投资。在投资领域里我也跌到过。但我从错误中学习让我创建自己的投资模式。之后收入虽然增加，也因为结婚，生子，买屋，买车等等负担下，我还能存下至少四成的收入。控制花费，储蓄，投资与积极的财务管理让我在30岁时达到无债务，40岁时完成财务自主，47岁正式提早退休。因此，我还是真的不是很理解为何当下那么多的马来西亚人的储蓄撑不过三个月。

我认为国人应该留意自个儿的消费模式。当我在外走走时，我不会随意消费。但我观察到那些奶茶店却挤满了年轻人。他们面不改色的花超过马币10块钱来买一杯奶茶。我的眼镜几乎要掉了下来。我可以在普通咖啡店里用不到马币1.60喝到的奶茶，为何那些年轻人要多花超过10倍的数额购买？为何时下的人们愿意花千元换手机而不储蓄？说到底，不就是要跟潮流，要最新最好的，只为了一时的过瘾。其实我们只要在消费时三思，情况肯定会好转，想成为月光族都很难。就从今天开始，好好研究消费模式吧！

This Chinese article is sharing some information about 43% Malaysian's savings can't last for more than 3 months. I was shocked when I saw this report. It turns out that the savings of Malaysians are so small. What is the problem?

Twenty over years ago, when I was a fresh graduate, my salary was terrible. However, I did not waste my hard earned money. Careful consumption planning had make me saved more than 70% of my monthly income. Although my salary was low, I was still able to some some. Meanwhile, I also learned to invest. I failed in  investment as well but I learned from my mistakes. This has make me to create my own investment model. Years after, even though my income increases, burden on marriage, childbirth, buying a house, buying a car, etc. increase, I still able to save at least 40% of my income. Continuous spending control, savings, investment and active financial management have allowed me to reach debt-free at the age of 30, financial free  at the age of 40, and early retirement at the age of 47. Therefore, I still don't really understand why there are so many Malaysians don't even three-month savings.

I believe people should pay attention on their own consumption patterns. When I walk outside, I don't simply spend. But I observe that the tea shop was crowded with young people. They queue to buy a cup of tea that cost more than RM10 while I can have the same at RM 1.60 in a regular coffee shop. Why do those young people spend more than 10 times more for a cup of tea? Why people willing to spend thousands of dollars to change their mobile phones? In short, it is just to follow the trend for the moment of fun. In fact, as long as we think twice before we consume, the situation will definitely be improved. Start today and study the consumption model!

Life of Early Retirement

During chatting, I ask my wife what I have changed after my early retirement. She says I have become friendlier, more smile on face and spend more time with the family. My kids tell me that I have become more patient. My observation to myself is that I walk at slower pace to make myself easy. No work pressure has make me to show my real heart on greeting with my neighbors and friends when meeting each other. I strongly believe that relaxing mindset and feeling happy are keys to remain healthy.