GenZ after achieving Swiss Standard of living, now looking forward to pluck Aapples in their Micro Retirement for better work life balance, Kym?

[k1976]

Farming, volunteering, dancing: Why some employees are ‘micro-retiring’ in their 20s​

Ms Rachel Yeo left her job in marketing to go on micro-retirement for a year so she could experience “living sustainably” in New Zealand.PHOTO: COURTESY OF RACHEL YEO

Sherlyn Sim
UPDATED MAR 04, 2025, 05:03 PM


SINGAPORE – When Ms Rachel Yeo and her husband visited Tasmania during their honeymoon in 2022, they were struck by the simplicity and tranquillity of life in the countryside.

That week-long trip sparked something deeper for the Singaporean couple – a yearning for a slower pace.

So, in June 2024, they gave up their fast-paced careers to “micro-retire” for a year in New Zealand.

Farming, volunteering, dancing: Why some employees are ‘micro-retiring’ in their 20s​

Ms Rachel Yeo left her job in marketing to go on micro-retirement for a year so she could experience “living sustainably” in New Zealand.PHOTO: COURTESY OF RACHEL YEO

Sherlyn Sim
UPDATED MAR 04, 2025, 05:03 PM
SINGAPORE – When Ms Rachel Yeo and her husband visited Tasmania during their honeymoon in 2022, they were struck by the simplicity and tranquillity of life in the countryside.
That week-long trip sparked something deeper for the Singaporean couple – a yearning for a slower pace.
So, in June 2024, they gave up their fast-paced careers to “micro-retire” for a year in New Zealand.

 

[k1976]

Ms Yeo, 28, who had worked as a marketing manager for a healthcare start-up, said: “My partner and I love nature and hiking. We were curious about living sustainably through growing our food and being less reliant on money. New Zealand is the best place to explore these interests.”

To fund their year-long sojourn, Ms Yeo and her 30-year-old husband – who previously worked in sales in electric vehicle charging station installation – took on odd jobs in New Zealand. These ranged from planting trees to pet-sitting to farming for locals in exchange for accommodation.

When they spoke to The Straits Times in February, they were working at a cafe in Lake Tekapo, a township in New Zealand’s South Island.

 

[k1976]

So, what is micro-retiring? Similar to the more familiar sabbatical, it refers to when individuals, especially younger professionals, take a break from their jobs to do things that most would normally do at the end of their careers, such as travel or a passion project.

 

[k1976]

So, what is micro-retiring? Similar to the more familiar sabbatical, it refers to when individuals, especially younger professionals, take a break from their jobs to do things that most would normally do at the end of their careers, such as travel or a passion project.

The period of the break may range from several weeks to a year or two.

The concept of micro-retirement was first coined by entrepreneur Tim Ferriss in his 2007 book, The 4-Hour Workweek. He said the idea challenges the long-held belief that enjoyment should be deferred until retirement age.

 

[k1976]

The term re-emerged on social media platforms such as TikTok in recent months. It is a buzzword adopted by young workers – in Singapore and around the world – who are choosing to pause their careers to enjoy the perks of retirement while they still have their youth, good health and energy.

Recruitment experts told ST that, unlike previous generations of workers who were focused on career-building and long-term savings, Gen Zers and millennials often seek a balance between career success and personal well-being.

This includes a focus on “living in the moment”, said Mr Akshay Mendon, Singapore head of global executive search firm EMA Partners.

“The pandemic highlighted the importance of mental health and flexibility. More people recognise that life is unpredictable, and balancing work with rest is crucial to sustaining long-term happiness and productivity,” he added.

Experts also noted that micro-retirements may become more common, especially as Gen Zers are projected to work into their 70s. In Singapore, retirement age and re-employment age will be increased to 65 and 70 respectively by 2030.

 

[k1976]

Actor Edwin Goh, back in Singapore, quit smoking and binge-drinking while living in Sydney​

Local personalities Edwin Goh and Rachel Wan plan to tie the knot in April 2026.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Joanne Soh
UPDATED APR 18, 2025, 05:24 PM


SINGAPORE – Spending two years away from Singapore did wonders for Edwin Goh.

The local actor – who relocated to Sydney, Australia, in 2023 but moved back home on April 9 – stopped binge-drinking and quit smoking.

“Before I left Singapore, I was not in a good relationship with myself, and alcohol was my coping mechanism,” the 30-year-old tells The Straits Times.

Actor Edwin Goh, back in Singapore, quit smoking and binge-drinking while living in Sydney​

[IMG width="442px" alt="ST20250416_202579600639/jsedwin20/Taryn Ng/Joanne Soh HK//

Local personalities Edwin Goh and Rachel Wan pictured on April 16, 2025. The pair returned to Singapore after spending two years in Sydney as they missed their loved ones back home. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG"]https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/...e8f6b32d4f87325a7631cdcc23c366d2d?w=860[/IMG]
Local personalities Edwin Goh and Rachel Wan plan to tie the knot in April 2026.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG

Joanne Soh
UPDATED APR 18, 2025, 05:24 PM
SINGAPORE – Spending two years away from Singapore did wonders for Edwin Goh.
The local actor – who relocated to Sydney, Australia, in 2023 but moved back home on April 9 – stopped binge-drinking and quit smoking.
“Before I left Singapore, I was not in a good relationship with myself, and alcohol was my coping mechanism,” the 30-year-old tells The Straits Times.

 

[k1976]

Why Good hands suddenly so happy to push for Gen Z micro Retirement in Radio and 160th Holy News hah?

 

[k1976]

Fresh graduates in Singapore may face tougher job hunt amid economic uncertainty: Minister Tan See Leng​

• Published
  
  17 April 2025
• Author
  
  Umairah Nasir

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In that vein, the Government is calling on companies to use available support schemes to retain talent and prepare for recovery.​

At a press conference by the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce on 16 April 2025 (Wednesday), Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng stated that fresh graduates could be among the most affected if employers delay expansion or investment plans. Mature workers are also vulnerable, especially if companies scale down operations due to the uncertain economic climate.

Meanwhile for businesses, government are monitoring developments closely, particularly in sectors directly impacted by the recently announced US tariffs, such as electronics, chemicals, logistics, and transport. These developments are expected to have broader spillover effects on the wider economy.

In response, the government has assured that a wide range of support tools is in place to help both businesses and workers manage the challenges ahead. As highlighted by Minister Tan, several schemes were recently introduced under Budget 2025 and the Committee of Supply (COS) 2025, focusing on enterprise and workforce development, as well as upskilling, reskilling, and employment facilitation.

 

[mojito]

Collect cardboard for exercise now micro retirement by working in cafe. These pappies sure are positive.

 

[k1976]

Collect cardboard for exercise now micro retirement by working in cafe. These pappies sure are positive.

Collecting cardboard in NZ Cafe de woh….sounds like sinki is send overseas as maids?

 

[k1976]

FOR SUBSCRIBERS

3 takeaways from Singapore leaders’ blockbuster foreign policy speeches​

Major speeches by PM Wong and SM Lee offer a clear-eyed view on global transition and commitment to multilateralism, and link political stability to diplomatic strength.​

Bhavan Jaipragas

The speeches – first by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 14, then by PM Lawrence Wong on April 16 – are meaty enough to be studied from various angles.PHOTOS: MDDI, MARK CHEONG
PUBLISHED APR 19, 2025, 05:00 AM


If this were a routine April – not the tense run-up to what could be a bruising general election – the back-to-back heavyweight foreign policy speeches from Singapore’s top two political leaders would still have those who watch the Republic closely sitting up and taking notice.

Singapore’s friends and partners near and far are surely watching for clues about how the long-time stewards of this city-state – resource-poor and smaller than New York City – intend to navigate the accelerating decline of the world order under which it has risen to become one of the world’s wealthiest, most stable societies with the ability to underwrite its own defence.

​

FOR SUBSCRIBERS

3 takeaways from Singapore leaders’ blockbuster foreign policy speeches ​

Major speeches by PM Wong and SM Lee offer a clear-eyed view on global transition and commitment to multilateralism, and link political stability to diplomatic strength.​

Bhavan Jaipragas

The speeches – first by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 14, then by PM Lawrence Wong on April 16 – are meaty enough to be studied from various angles.PHOTOS: MDDI, MARK CHEONG
PUBLISHED APR 19, 2025, 05:00 AM
If this were a routine April – not the tense run-up to what could be a bruising general election – the back-to-back heavyweight foreign policy speeches from Singapore’s top two political leaders would still have those who watch the Republic closely sitting up and taking notice.
Singapore’s friends and partners near and far are surely watching for clues about how the long-time stewards of this city-state – resource-poor and smaller than New York City – intend to navigate the accelerating decline of the world order under which it has risen to become one of the world’s wealthiest, most stable societies with the ability to underwrite its own defence.

 

[k1976]

You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you'll never put Singapore together again: Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again... my asset values will disappear, my apartments will be worth a fraction of what they were, my ministers' jobs will be in peril, their security will be at risk and their women will become maids in other people's countries, foreign workers. I cannot have that!" - Justifying million-dollar pay hike for Singapore ministers

Lee Kuan Yew has forecast this many many moons ago…

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/526097-you-know-the-cure-for-all-this-talk-is-really

 

[myfoot123]

The young couple most likely opposition supporter too. Like many youngster, they have had enough of stressful life created by PAP.

 

[k1976]

The young couple most likely opposition supporter too. Like many youngster, they have had enough of stressful life created by PAP.

Most likely Tio stolen breakfast / lunch / dinner , families has some $$$ let them run one corner and relax

 

[myfoot123]

Most likely Tio stolen breakfast / lunch / dinner , families has some $$$ let them run one corner and relax

Good to know their family also opposition supporters.

 

[k1976]

Good to know their family also opposition supporters.

More likely they are sheep’s, dun even know what is happening at all??!

 

[k1976]

Sinki OL can part time there in their micro leetirement?​

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HaiDeLao Guangzhou Outlet Turns Into Club After 10pm​

High-dilao?

Jiamun Koh
17 Apr 2025 at 14:42
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Haidilao

Haidilao is known for their impeccable service, but just how far would the Chinese hotpot chain go to satisfy the needs of their customers?

Recently, Chinese food vlogger Huang Yi Tian shared a clip of himself at a Haidilao outlet in Guangzhou.