Bridger's Stories EP01 | How a Singapore Accountant Rebuilt His Investing Since 1998

ABOUT THIS COLUMN

Bridgers’ Stories is Longbridge Singapore’s community interview column.

Every episode, we sit down with one member of this community — someone whose posts you already scroll past every week — and learn how they actually invest, in their own words.

If you follow our community, you have read @Fattycat. The REIT comparisons. The weekly gold and bitcoin updates. The DBS–OCBC–UOB infographics he builds himself.

What you might not know is how he started his first investment — and nearly lost everything. Without further ado, let’s dive into this fascinating investment journey.

Bridgers’ Stories · Episode 01 — at a glance

I. First Steps — and the First Expensive Lesson

Q: When did you buy your first stock, and what made you start?

“I started my trading in 1998 during my National Service. My army friend asked me to join him to open a trading account.”

Q: Did you have any finance or accounting background at that point?

“None at all. I graduated with an engineering diploma. In the early days, I made plenty of bad investments and had to pay the price for them.”

Q: What was the most expensive lesson of your first year?

“I used to follow friends and so-called ‘gurus’ into penny stocks, trading on their tips and my own gut feel. I chased hot momentum and never looked at valuation. In the end I lost nearly everything — my army allowance and all my school savings. I was so caught up in the losses, and it really hurt emotionally.”

II. Building the Toolkit: From an Engineering Diploma to FCCA

Q: So how did you actually learn?

“After finishing NS I worked as a technical specialist, but I soon realised the job wasn’t for me. I wanted something where I could truly show my potential — work with numbers, interact with people and bosses. Accounting looked like the fastest way to better opportunities.

That’s why I studied part-time, completing CAT and ACCA in three years while working full-time as an accounts assistant. I started right from the basics, learning bookkeeping from scratch.

Once I qualified, I got the opportunity to work in China — the place where I really grew. From management to Chinese accounting. Over five years there, I gained deep experience in Chinese accounting practices, working entirely in Mandarin. I returned to Singapore to settle down and start my family.

My learning never stopped. I did another degree and a postgraduate diploma after coming back, to refresh my accounting knowledge. I still attend CPD programmes to keep up with recent developments.”

III. Investing Philosophy: Four Non-Negotiable Rules

Q: If you had to describe your investing style in one sentence?

“Invest what you can afford to lose.”

Q: Do you have hard rules for yourself?

Q: Give us an example where you followed your own rules.

“I have been steadily building up my investments in the REITs ETF after doing my homework. I like its steady growth and reliable income. I enjoy the quarterly dividends and I reinvest them right back in. That’s my main safety net.”

Q: What has investing taught you that has nothing to do with money?

“Persevere and trust your judgment after you’ve done your homework. The market will always be there, so don’t chase every move — and never do revenge trading.”

IV. Portfolio in Practice: How to Keep the Rules

Q: You also trade CFDs. How does that sit with ‘invest what you can afford to lose’?

“Sometimes I might sound contradictory. I say I am prudent, yet I trade CFDs. I trade SpaceX. The truth is I am using a small amount — less than a thousand — for CFDs, while the bulk of my portfolio stays in solid investments. Normally I write off my investment in CFDs. Those are high-risk trades.”

Q: What have you been working on most recently?

“I started trading Hong Kong stocks a year ago, looking for growth opportunities. After careful study, I believe the HK market offers value.

Using my accounting background, I found many quality companies trading at attractive prices. I am aware there is currency risk, but I am willing to take that calculated step. I always stay selective and focus on established large-cap blue chips.”

🎤 Over to you — the AMA starts now

AMA = Ask Me Anything

@Fattycat is in the comments for the next 3 days, answering questions himself. We sincerely hope you learn something here — or even better, meet some investment partners.

How to join in — from 18 Sep to 20 Sep, 23:59 SGT

🎁 100 Task Coins
Leave an on-topic comment of 10 words or more.

🏆 SGD cash vouchers
Captain Leo will pick the 3 best questions of this AMA and award each one a SGD 2 stock cash voucher.

DISCLAIMER

The views from this post are the Longbridge community member’s own and do not represent the position of Longbridge or its affiliates. Nothing here is investment advice or an offer to buy or sell. CFDs are leveraged products and carry a high level of risk. Markets carry risk — do your own research.

No fee was paid for this interview. The guest and participating readers are eligible for community incentives as described above.