Previous Interactions
I have sort of known Early Retirement Sg for close to 3 years, having stumbled onto one of his first few posts like this. Needless to say, I was quite impressed by his writing and views.
So much so that as a rather new blogger then, I plucked up my courage and approached him to see if he was willing to guest post on my budding blog. And voila, here’s what he came up with.
So when he stopped blogging in the middle of 2014, I was rather disappointed.
But in the past few months, he’s been busy churning out articles on his site: earlyretirementsg.weebly.com
And I have been gobbling them up in between my commutes and honestly, he’s a big reason why I have decided to become a more prolific writer on this blog.
His Background
These awesome acts of spending $18,000 together for both renovation and furnishing and spending $4 a month on mobile usage are impressive.
But what strikes me most is the fact that even though he’s in his early to mid thirties, he has been voluntarily unemployed for a total of 4 years over two different periods. In fact, it’s been two years and counting since he left his most recent job.
I probably used up most of my courage to take a 6 month sabbatical and I honestly believed that 2 years of voluntary unemployment for a married man in his early thirties is another level higher.
I wanted to find out first hand how he spent his time and more importantly, coped with the “pressure” from friends and relatives. So, I asked him out for lunch last week and he agreed.
The Meet-Up
At this moment in time, you would probably have wagered that we had a meal at a food court or even a hawker centre.
But nope, we had a nice lunch of seafood white beehoon with lots of clams and prawns, roasted chicken, cheese baked oysters and a coconut and durian dessert each. And all these with a view to boot on a weekday afternoon.
And the total bill? Just slightly over $40.
I shall not bore you with the details of our conversation but I shall share a small (hopefully humorous) snippet below.
At 2:30pm in the restaurant after we both realised we had outstayed our welcome after 3 hours.
ERSG: So where do you suggest for coffee later?
15HWW: Since I don’t come to town as often as you do, why not you make the call?
ERSG: Ok, normally I will pop by Ngee Ann City, grab those $1 coffees offered by this Japanese bakery and enjoy it by the fountain.
15HWW: Oh, now that you have mentioned it, if I am alone or with the Mrs, I would just go to Nespresso* inside Takashimaya for a complimentary cup of coffee.
ERSG:
This might just be how some of us in the blogging community one-up each other.
*In case some of you think I am joking or just simply a cheapskate, let me explain a little. I really have no qualms getting something complimentary from a European MNC whose business model is to procure raw ingredients from South America and Africa at ridiculously cheap prices, package them and then resell them at super high margins. The money saved means more for me to give to the busker.
$4 a month is wow. Most ppl like me are used to the convenience of Internet.
Well I am on the old 12Gb data plan. Gona hug it till Singtel terminate.
Really need think out of the box n be frugal like u guys
Hi Desmond,
Wow, 12GB. How to finish!
U’d be amazed, i have exceeded my 12gb once or twice in the past year lol
Hi Unluckid,
Wow. I am pretty sure streaming videos would use up the data very quickly.
Hello, who’s judging? haha its great that you are sharing a lobang.
Can i confirm if its this one?
Nespresso Boutique TAKASHIMAYA
391A Orchard Rd, B1 Takashimaya, Takashimaya Square, 238873
https://www.google.com.sg/maps/place/Nespresso+Boutique+TAKASHIMAYA/@1.3032125,103.8342576,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x45f8cea8c6d7adbd!8m2!3d1.3032125!4d103.8342576
So ill just pop in and great a free coffee? hehe
Hi coffeelobang,
I have never been denied a cup of coffee when I ask for flavours to try. They are more than willing to serve a complimentary cup.
Next time we go to Ikea for coffee. Cheaper!
Hi Uncle8888,
If I am not wrong, it’s $0.50 with unlimited refills? =)
Ikea if member can get 2 coffee or tea everyday for free. Just show the Ikea member card.
Wow, you have it?
We could probably meet there next time if you are driving. I stay pretty near. =p
You will be surprised. More data mean can use freely. End up u just watch more YouTube, lazy to switch to wifi at hm.
Gd thing is can use for my work for tethering.
During school days I would need 4 to 5GB. That’s a few yrs back.
Nw I always used to 12GB, sometimes over.
At minimium I believe I need 5GB +2Gb for work
As more media arise and higher resolution. More data ia being used
Will be watching my data usage so as to not be too complacent n become a long term liabilities when the time comes.
Oops think I post on the wrong reply
Hi Desmond,
Maybe the solution is just to consume less media on HP.
But looking at how fast you “like” and comment on my posts on FB, that’s going to be quite difficult. A big change of habit, at the very least.
Can share where the shop selling white bee hoon, coconut, cheese baked oysters and durian dessert is?
40 plus is reasonable
Hi Sgdividends,
We had our meal at Tunglok Seafood at Orchard Central. There’s a catch as we both had the Amex Platinum Card which gives a 50% discount if 2 pax are dining. Otherwise, the total bill would have been 80 plus.
Omg that’s gd discount
Some ppl I saw in forum so like the idea of credit cards
Those ppl probably don’t bother to manage their finances
Hi 15hww
Stumble upon ur blog while Google where to buy gold in Singapore, enjoy ur ‘life hack’ and contribution so far.
Heres my bit, for coffee you can can got to the motor belt along leng kee, good free coffee at Volvo, WV even Bentley. All Foc.
The other replace were u can get 0.50 cent coffee is at ikea, free parking for tampines branch!
Keep write!
Koh.
Hi Ralph,
Thanks for your kind comment and your suggestions. Seems the Ikea suggestion is really hot!