Q: Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like?

I came from a middle-class family in Malaysia and have an older sister. My father was a rubber plantation worker in Malacca before becoming a construction worker in Kuala Lumpur in his mid-20s. He went on to set up his own construction firms when I was about three years old. He has always been an inspiration. My mother is a prudent housewife. I was taught the importance of careful spending and 'saving for the rainy day' since young. We lived in a 1,500 sq ft double-storey terrace house in Kuala Lumpur. My parents believed in the benefits of education and I was sent to Britain to pursue my A levels and university education.

Q: How did you get interested in investing?

I have always liked numbers. I learnt about the theory of investments in university where I was trained in economics and finance. I gained my first practical experience in investing during my first working year when I was working in China in 1999. I invested $15,000 in some high-risk 'penny' stocks in Hong Kong and lost everything a year later. I now keep my investments to much safer products such as blue chip stocks, unit trusts and properties.

Q: What property do you own?

I don't own any property but I'm on the lookout for good opportunities in Hong Kong, Britain and the US.

I'm not keen to buy property here as the average rental yield of about 3 per cent is very low.

I would prefer to borrow money here as the cost of funds is low and invest it in a territory, say Hong Kong, where the rental yield is about 6 per cent and enjoy capital appreciation as well.

Q: What's the most extravagant thing you have bought?

My own business, which I invested $200,000 in. Thankfully, things seem to be moving in the right direction. Based on its track record so far, it has a great potential to grow and hopefully generate income for my golden years.

Q: What's your retirement plan?

It's probably too early to say what we plan to do when we retire, but it is likely to involve a lot of travelling, which is a passion for both my wife and me. A monthly combined disposable income of $10,000 should be sufficient. I target to be financially independent at the age of 45.

Q: Home is now...?

A 1,600 sq ft rented apartment off Grange Road. I'm renting it for $5,000 a month.

Q: I drive...?

A black Nissan Murano.

Worst and Best Bets

Q: What has been your worst investment to date?

This would probably be my car, which cost $120,000 and continues to depreciate every year. I bought it in 2007. The current value of the car is $70,000. Of course, the convenience I enjoy from it and the extra sleep I get every morning is priceless.

Q: And your best?

I used to own a 30-year-old, 1,400 sq ft apartment in Mid-levels, Hong Kong, which I bought for S$850,000 in 2003 at the onset of the Sars epidemic. I bought it then as I was working in China and was familiar with the Hong Kong market. I earned an annual rental yield of 6 per cent and sold off the property at S$1.48 million in 2006. I managed to walk off with a profit of about S$500,000 after accounting for the bank loan interest, taxes and other costs.

Another good move was when I liquidated nearly all my investments in 2006 when everything was getting too bullish, and held 90 per cent in cash with the balance in a few unit trusts. I monitor charts that track stock movements and I look out for how long each market cycle lasts. It was only in 2008 and last year that I moved my savings back into financial instruments.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.