---
title: "Bridger's Stories EP01 | How a Singapore Accountant Rebuilt His Investing Since 1998"
type: "Topics"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/topics/100000000905218.md"
description: "“I lost my army allowance on penny-stock tips. Then I became an accountant.” — Bridgers’ Stories #01 is live."
datetime: "2026-09-18T11:15:48.000Z"
locales:
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/topics/100000000905218.md)
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/topics/100000000905218.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/topics/100000000905218.md)
author: "[Captain Leo](https://longbridge.com/en/profiles/2070106138627633152.md)"
generator: "portal-rs"
---

# 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?**

**MY NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES**

**1 Never put a large lump sum into anything you don’t fully understand.**

**2 Always diversify your investments.**

**3 Do your own homework.**  
Don’t blindly follow self-proclaimed ‘gurus’ or ‘experts’ — everyone has a different risk appetite, so only invest in what you’re comfortable with.

**4 Be realistic: high return always means higher risk.**  
Ignore anyone promising big gains with zero risk. That doesn’t exist.

**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.

### Related Stocks

- [D05.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/D05.SG.md)
- [O39.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/O39.SG.md)
- [U11.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/U11.SG.md)
- [GLD.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GLD.US.md)
- [DBSDY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DBSDY.US.md)
- [UOVEY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/UOVEY.US.md)

## Comments (543)

- **Lemonade · 2026-09-20T16:08:17.000Z · 👍 1**: Great share, @Fattycat! Seeing how you transitioned from Engineering to CAT/ACCA while working full-time shows incredible discipline - truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing your non-negotiable rules and REIT ETF strategy with the community.Since you allocate a small portion (<$1K) for high-risk CFD
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T21:51:40.000Z): I have my own plan set your own TP and SL. 😉
  - **Captain Leo** (2026-09-22T11:31:00.000Z): Asking for the exit trigger rather than the returns is the way you get an answer other people can reuse. Hoping it comes back as a rule and not a feeling. 👀
- **4M65 · 2026-09-20T15:59:12.000Z · 👍 1**: @Fattycat Appreciate the selfless sharing. I started trading during COVID pandemic and like you followed a few "gurus" and lost $$. While you started during army, I started in 40s and time is not on my side. Been buying CFA on DCA but some how feeling uncertainty over it's long term futu
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-21T05:32:46.000Z): Hi 4M65,You are absolutely not too late! Just be careful with your investments though. Skip those expensive "crash courses" and anyone selling you a secret formula. They don’t exist. This trai
  - **4M65** (2026-09-21T07:04:09.000Z): Appreciate the advice.🙏
- **NewUser_zGmm3I · 2026-09-20T15:52:35.000Z · 👍 1**: and beautiful
- **epicli413 · 2026-09-20T14:42:47.000Z · 👍 2**: Why?
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:47:49.000Z): How ? Then ? What happened 😂🤣. Good nite to you 😴
- **Champ_tkd · 2026-09-20T14:15:31.000Z**: good post
- **lukejing · 2026-09-20T14:01:13.000Z · 👍 1**: 😍
- **longbridgehksgus · 2026-09-20T13:55:22.000Z · 👍 1**: Given the expectation of rate hikes, REITs are expected to fall. Should I add to my position, or sell first and buy back at a better opportunity?
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:19:10.000Z): I am not qualified investment advisor cannot help you. MAS will fine me 🤣🤣🤣. You need to get professional to help you.If any guru give you advice, better Becareful😉. Your money. You decided . Read and
- **Shyon · 2026-09-20T13:51:40.000Z · 👍 2**: I am also in the engineering field, so I am curious — should I follow your investing pace? Haha! 😄 Jokes aside, I really admire how disciplined and systematic your approach is. As engineers, we are trained to analyse problems, manage risks and trust data, so I wonder how much your engineering or ana
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:11:29.000Z): Part 1/3:Thank you so much for your kind words. This is a tough question before I sleep 😆. I can say that this is the hardest part of investing and every investor struggles with this! I think someone 
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:11:53.000Z): Part 2/3 :Let say if the fundamentals have actually deteriorated, for example margins shrinking, cash flow turning negative, customer base eroding or the business model facing real disruption, then it
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:12:20.000Z): Part 3/3When to add more, or just hold?I only ADD more when two things happen together: the price drops AND the fundamentals actually improve or stay just as strong ( just like JD.com) . I wait for co
- **Shyon · 2026-09-20T13:50:20.000Z**: Nice interview! Interesting and helpful to read through.@Fattycat You mentioned doing your own homework, avoiding revenge trading, and keeping high-risk trades small. But what happens when you have done all the homework, built a high-conviction position, and the market still proves you wrong? How do
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T14:23:14.000Z): See above . … your tough questions … I better run… later cannot sleep🤣
  - **Shyon** (2026-09-20T14:58:50.000Z): Saw them, really much thanks!
- **NewUser_WG7ZA · 2026-09-20T13:47:11.000Z · 👍 1**: 🚀
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T13:48:17.000Z): 🤔🤔🚀🚀😆😆
- **Henry Low · 2026-09-20T13:37:38.000Z · 👍 1**: nice
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T13:41:01.000Z): Thanks Henry Low . Good nite . I going to bed soon.😆
- **O.O · 2026-09-20T13:11:25.000Z · 👍 1**: Hi, I enjoyed reading your post!How do you envision your personal investment journey shaping your financial freedom ten years from now?
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T13:39:30.000Z): Part 1/2Hmmm. Good question . I also never think of it. Ten years from now, I do not see myself chasing quick riches. Actually I am contented with what I have now. I know my weakness. My little “greed
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T13:39:38.000Z): Part 2/2:My goal is simple: my portfolio will continue to generate enough consistent passive income from REITs, CPF retirement account and my carefully selected growth stocks that I no longer need to 
- **PSChua · 2026-09-20T13:09:27.000Z · 👍 1**: can you share what skills did you gain or courses you attended to become a professional trader?
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T13:14:43.000Z): Hi PSChua, i am nowhere to professional trader. I am just an ordinary retail investor 🤭 who share my experience here. I am not accredited investor too. Hence, I cannot give you financial and investmen
- **FaithAnchor · 2026-09-20T12:36:01.000Z · 👍 1**: @Fattycat Thanks for sharing your investment journey and insights. Wishing you greater success in many years to come.
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T12:37:27.000Z): Thanks FaithAnchor. 🚀💪🏽
- **JQ · 2026-09-20T12:15:34.000Z · 👍 1**: very interesting topic
- **Jonathan_LKT · 2026-09-20T12:14:41.000Z · 👍 1**: Wow
- **TerryTan · 2026-09-20T12:13:23.000Z · 👍 1**: which market do you like best?
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T12:25:23.000Z): Singapore 🇸🇬😉
- **JQ · 2026-09-20T12:13:10.000Z · 👍 1**: interesting
- **Jake_L_Kelly · 2026-09-20T11:46:57.000Z · 👍 1**: Could you share more about investing in China companies via HK Ex? Any best app for? Things to take note of?Tax and fees charges ?I have some exposure in China A50 ETF and China Tech ETF.
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T12:24:01.000Z): Part 1/2Question 1:Could you share more about investing in China companies via HK Ex?Response 1: I started investing last year. I’m not an expert, but I only focus on large-cap companies and businesse
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T12:24:19.000Z): Part 2/2Question 3: Things to take note of? Tax and fees charges? I have some exposure in China A50 ETF and China Tech ETF.Response 3: If you already invest in China, I believe your experience is grea
- **Spartan · 2026-09-20T11:24:08.000Z · 👍 1**: Really inspiring to read about your journey. Coming back from early setbacks, building a strong understanding of accounting, and then developing a disciplined approach to investing shows a lot of patience and self-control. What stood out to me most was your focus on risk management and the simple pr
  - **Fattycat** (2026-09-20T11:56:41.000Z): I totally agree your above writing .Always stay prudent. No greed. Volatility can wipe you out of the market in no time includes all your hard-earned profits instantly. All those old birds know🤭.


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> **Disclaimer: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.**