By Apr 2017, I had set up semi-retirement well in advance, as evidenced in the numerous posts under category “cashflow” (and also “retirement”). Key factors:

1. quality affordable education in sg
2. career longevity — mom and dad.
   1. Age-friendly Singapore employers for mom
3. medi-shield; and most medical costs are much lower in Singapore
4. low burn rate — mom and dad
5. CPF LIFE
6. HDB home is low maintenance (almost care-free) compared to U.S.
7. property passive incomes
8. Beijing home

Q: now why I feel the cash-flow pains, despite these factors?
A: peer comparison, but I always forget these factors are my unique strengths not shared with my peers.
A: saving towards 600k (even 800k) home .. stress! See the master index page
A: U.S. burn rate is inherently higher. See “Gerald” post