A Big Paycheck ≠ High Income: In Investing, Would You Rather Build Skills or Take the Easy Route?
Recently, a programmer in Singapore shared his experience online after calling an electrician. The repair took just 40 minutes but cost him S$300, which translates to an eye-popping S$450 per hour. Netizens joked, “Time to sign up for electrical courses!”
At first glance, technical trades like electricians, plumbers, locksmiths, or even nail technicians seem to earn far more than regular office workers. After all, they can charge premium rates for urgent jobs. But look closer, and you’ll see that high hourly pay ≠ high income.
From an investing perspective, this looks a lot like high-volatility assets:
When opportunities strike, returns can be huge—but they’re rare and costly to maintain. By contrast, a steady full-time job—whether in IT, finance, or other industries—resembles fixed-income assets: the returns may not be flashy, but they’re consistent and predictable.
Now, when high hourly pay also comes with stability, that’s the real jackpot: effortless high income. But let’s be honest—opportunities like that are extremely rare. In investing terms, it’s like finding a high-beta stock that not only spikes but also delivers consistent, repeatable gains.
For most investors, the reality is closer to 1 win out of 10, often ending in a net loss.
Questions for you:
Would you choose:
A. To upskill yourself and take on side gigs with high hourly pay?
In investing: sharpening your stock-picking ability to capture high-volatility, high-return opportunities.
B. To stick with your main job and easy way to get stable income?
In investing: add to high-dividend stocks, and reinvesting those dividends for compounding returns.
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As Warren Buffett likes to say : "Never depend on a single income. Make an investment to create a second source."
He also said :
"If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die."
Therefore my main job is my active income engine while my investments are passive income.
@Tiger_SG @TigerStars @CaptainTiger @Tiger_comments @TigerClub
That’s not to say I don’t admire those who go for Option A. Upskilling to take on high-value side gigs can boost income, but it often comes with uncertainty, irregular demand, and physical limits on how much you can handle. In investing terms, it’s like timing volatile trades—you might win big once, but sustaining it is tough.
So I prefer focusing on stability while letting my portfolio compound in the background. Dividend reinvestment feels like the “silent worker” that doesn’t need me constantly chasing the next opportunity. Over time, that reliability gives me peace of mind and financial freedom without worrying about the next high-paying gig.
@Tiger_comments @TigerStars @Tiger_SG
Everyone should always upskill themselves, and build multiple source of income. See each source of income as a small stream of water, no matter how small it is. When all the steam of water is form up, it will become a lake or even a river.
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現在，當高時薪也伴隨着穩定性時，這纔是真正的頭獎：毫不費力的高收入。但說實話，這樣的機會極其罕見。從投資角度來看，這就像找到一隻高貝塔值股票，它不僅會飆升，還會帶來持續、可重複的收益。
對於大多數投資者來說，現實情況更接近十分之一的勝利，通常以淨虧損告終。
From a trader’s perspective, it’s the same principle: the what is looking at fundamentals for long-term investing, the value is building skills (like AI) that keep paying off, and the time is knowing when to act — because investing in the right thing at the right time compounds both in career and portfolio.
Tech and AI can now be applied in almost everything — the key is reapplying it in a way that’s meaningful to you. Try using AI logic daily, in both work and investing.[Eye][Call]
Sticking with my main job and getting a stable income is what gives me stability to continue to have the appetite to tap on high volatile but high return opportunities. By having a steady income, i know I will always have cash flows in that will help with my retirement planning. However, the high volatility and high return opportunities are the ones that will be the catalysts that propel my portfolio.
In investing, risk appetite and risk management would be key. As I do consider myself young now with sufficient runway, I can afford to have a greater risk appetite and allocate a significant portion of my money into riskier assets with the aim of getting greater returns. However, in 20years, I would shift gear to predominantly high dividend stocks as my aim now is to have continuous funds for my retirement and there is less need to generate greater wealth at higher risk.
先说A，培养技能和追求高回报。现实中，高时薪的兼职就像高波动性的成长股，一旦抓对时机，回报远超预期。投资上，如果能不断提升自己的研究能力，理解行业趋势，捕捉到真正的黑马股，那种翻倍的机会确实令人兴奋。只是这种模式的风险也很高，你需要投入大量精力和时间，而且要有承受挫折的心理准备。
再说B，坚持主要工作，稳定收入，用股息股去做长期复利。这种方式虽然缺乏“暴富”的快感，但胜在稳健，长期来看能提供一种可持续的安全感。尤其是把股息再投资，复利的力量会在10年、20年后显现出来。对大多数人而言，这也是更容易坚持的路径。
我个人更倾向于“前A后B”。在年轻、精力充沛时，我愿意花心思提升投资能力，去尝试高成长机会，哪怕经历波动也算是一种学习。但随着时间推移，我会逐渐把重心转向股息股，用稳定现金流锁定生活质量。这样既能享受机会带来的爆发力，也不会失去复利的踏实感。
With a stable income, any additional side income will be beneficial to allow more investments to improve my finances.
@Tiger_SG
I can be at my stable salaried job from 9-5. The after hours or weekends is free for earning extra with the more volatile/adhoc side hustles.
In investing, one might prefer the stable boring div stocks, but he could also have some fun and excitement with trendy hot stocks with some limited exposure? So this pretty risk averse person can probably allocate some 90% to the dividend stocks and limit the risk with 10% allocation to fun trading.
In trading I utilize both A and B strategies, having some of my portfolio in longer term, high dividend stocks, but also do some swing trading whenever opportunities present (with moderate success).
I think I would rather trade stocks and accumulate assets, than work a real job.