At NUS while I was immersed in academic study, there is a lot of quiet chatter among fellow students, about investment and leveraged trading. Rumor was spreading that active trading could generate 100k/Y profit. How about an engineer’s salary at that time? About 5k. Some evidence ..

1. in 1992, My HJC classmate EnJia said his engineer dad was earning 3k+
2. in 2005, some Tyco engineer was earning 5k.
3. In 2013, I heard that some Japanese MNC managers were only earning 6k.

Now in my late 40s I have a different perspective/perception — 1) unrealized profit is not an income replacement 2) Consistent periodic cash payout is, but much harder to achieve 3) engineer’s salary is modest but reliable over 40Y. An engineer needs to stop comparing with the exclub — zzcl[知足常乐].

With current income, we feel confident to spend the income. In contrast, with unrealized gains
* sometimes we are unable to cash out easily and quickly .. consider rEstate
* sometimes the bid/ask or commission is too high, eroding actual net profit .. consider bccy
* sometimes the paper profit can quickly turn into paper loss