As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, I can’t help but reflect on my financial journey so far. While it’s nice to see my paycheck at the end of each month, the grind of earning money by constantly trading time for dollars isn’t as satisfying as it might seem. There’s the constant hustle, the bosses, the endless tasks, and the inevitable wear and tear on my mental and physical well-being. Plus, let’s not forget the taxman taking his share.
True satisfaction, at least in my view, comes from passive income — that magical stream of cash effortlessly flowing into my account. Just owning a sliver of income-generating assets, like real estate, businesses, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), or stocks, can keep the cash register ringing without lifting a finger. And here’s the icing on the cake: dividends aren’t taxed.
For the first quarter of 2025, here’s how my passive income portfolio has shaped up, drawing from Singapore Savings Bonds, stocks, and REITs:
– On January 2nd, I received $544.50 from Savings Bonds and another $147.50 from the Savings Bond under my Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS).
– February brought $377.40 from a Savings Bond on the 3rd, and later in the month, I received $326.64 from Keppel DC Reit under SRS on the 10th, $355.00 from Ascott Reit on the 28th, and $78.50 from Suntec Reit also on the 28th.
– March was a decent month too. On the 3rd, I got $299.55 from Savings Bonds, and $138.00 from Savings Bond SRS. By the 7th, Mapletree Commercial Trust (MPACT) pulled in a nice $400.00.
– As we hit mid-March, $768.10 came in from Ascendas Reit on the 11th, followed by $438.24 from Mapletree Logistics Trust on the 13th. A day later, Mapletree Industrial Trust added another $527.73 to the pot, thanks to the Dividends Reinvestment Plan, bringing in an additional 249 shares.
These figures reflect the beauty of having a diversified investment strategy. It’s a constant reminder that the more you let your money work for you, the closer you get to financial freedom.
