Hi, I’m Richard Tan, a Singapore dad of two boys who never wanted to work until 65. SideHustleRich is where I share what I’m actually doing about it: holding Bitcoin, investing and working towards financial independence.
My story
I started SideHustleRich in 2018 to journal my experiments with side income. The plan was simple: reach financial independence by 45, rather than working until 65 and then aching through a short retirement.
I’m 47 now, so you can do the maths: I didn’t make it by 45. My new target is FIRE in 2027, and I’m pretty confident of this new timeline.
I first bought Bitcoin back in the 2010s, long before it was dinner-table talk, and I’ve stuck with it through several boom-and-bust cycles. Today my portfolio is a mix of broad-based ETFs, Bitcoin and single-name stocks, spread across growth and dividend names.
For the past five years I’ve worked in marketing technology at a bank. Before that I did ad operations at media agencies and growth marketing at Vrbo (formerly HomeAway).
Home is Loyang Valley, where my wife, our two boys, aged 12 and 9, and I have lived through several en bloc attempts. There were tries in 2018 and 2021, an 80% mandate in 2022 that drew no bids at a $950M reserve price, another round in 2024, and a relaunch in January 2026. It’s been a real-life lesson in property, timing and patience, and I’ve written about every step here on this site.
My dream is to live a simple farmer life. Haha.
Why I write
Most money advice online is either written for Americans or quietly selling you something. I want practical, honest guides that fit Singapore’s rules: CPF, SRS, IRAS tax treatment and MAS-licensed platforms. Where I have personal experience, I tell you what I actually did and why.
Watch on YouTube
I also make videos at @vinyarb. That’s crypto, side hustles and personal finance, plus real life with the family: our travels and events. That’s why you’ll find the odd Bintan or Phuket itinerary here too.
Not financial advice
Everything here is for education and reflects my personal views and experience. I’m not a licensed financial adviser and I don’t hold any financial qualifications. Please consider your own situation, or speak to a licensed professional, before you invest.