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.
REWARDS
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正如沃伦·巴菲特喜欢说的：“永远不要依赖单一收入。进行投资以创造第二个来源。”
他还说：
“睡觉不想办法赚钱，就干到死。”
因此，我的主要工作是我的主动收入引擎，而我的投资是被动收入。
@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.
@UTOtrader
@AN88
@TheStrategist
@FTGR
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@Sachy
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@1PC
@Zarkness
@Mrzorro
@Joker_Smile
@KienBoon
@dragonfyre
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@TimothyX
@太复杂的我不懂
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@SN19
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@Shyon
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。
从交易者的角度来看，这是相同的原则：长期投资的基本面是什么，价值是培养不断获得回报的技能（如人工智能），时间是知道何时采取行动——因为在正确的时间投资正确的事情会在职业生涯和投资组合中复合。
技术和人工智能现在几乎可以应用于任何事情——关键是以对你有意义的方式重新应用它。尝试每天在工作和投资中使用人工智能逻辑。[Eye][Call]
坚持我的主要工作并获得稳定的收入给了我稳定性，让我继续有兴趣挖掘高波动但高回报的机会。有了稳定的收入，我知道我将永远有现金流，这将有助于我的退休计划。然而，高波动性和高回报机会将成为推动我的投资组合的催化剂。
在投资中，风险偏好和风险管理将是关键。由于我确实认为自己现在很年轻，有足够的发展空间，我可以承担更大的风险偏好，并将很大一部分资金分配到风险较高的资产，以获得更大的回报。然而，20年后，我会转向以高股息股票为主的股票，因为我现在的目标是为我的退休生活提供持续的资金，并且不太需要以更高的风险创造更多的财富。
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
我可以朝九晚五地做我稳定的带薪工作。下班后或周末是免费的，可以通过更不稳定/临时的副业赚取额外的收入。
在投资中，人们可能更喜欢稳定无聊的div股票，但他也可以从投资有限的时尚热门股票中获得一些乐趣和兴奋？因此，这个非常规避风险的人可能可以将大约90%的资金分配给股息股票，并将10%的资金分配给有趣的交易来限制风险。
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.