Honest opinion required: 30s, 60k in investments (heavily in stocks). Am i doing ok? I would like to slow down my lifestyle and enjoy life more..

You're doing OK. However, assuming a 4% dividend yield that's only around S$2,400 a year in investment income. You should really be targeting a net worth of at least 25 times your annual expenses. Let's say that's $30K per annum minimum living costs in Singapore, you need to be looking at a net worth of S$750K before you even think about easing up. It sounds daunting but it's quite doable.

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Hypothetically, say your safety fund is 12 months' expenses (imagine that's $30,000) and making 4% in T-bills and your stocks are making 7% CAGR, and you're taking home $60K. That's around 6% overall. If you maintain that balance one-third fixed interest and two-thirds equities for 10 years and save 40% of your take home (adjusting the dollar amounts in line with inflation, and not indulging in "lifestyle creep"). Then after 15 years, you'll just about get there (maybe sooner if you invest your bonuses).

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Realistically this is something a disciplined single person can probably do. However, reality is another thing. If you're married it requires similar discipline from a like-minded spouse. If you have children then you'll most probably have to work until you're 65 or get bigger paycheques from promotions or job swapping.

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The good news is that in our 30s our incomes tend to rise as we contribute more at work. If you're self-employed it's really in your own hands. My gut feel is that you just don't have enough yet to be easing up and "slowing down your lifestyle" with just $60K invested plus an emergency fund.

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If you are just fresh out of school, I would say you are doing well.

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If you intend to retire, $60k stocks is far from close to supporting passive income needs.

I am in my 30s, I have a family and I have more than that. No pressure, but it really varies on individuals situation. eg. responsibility, career, family support.

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I will suggest diversifying, be it bonds, reits etc to balance the 'risks'. As one slows down, I will recommend reducing your risks, and move towards more passive investment. This is so that you won't be stress and suffer heart attack... and be able to focus on your mental, physical and emotional health. Some may say that you are too young to be risk averse, but it really is dependent on one's own risk appetite.

Managing risk is the key, and understanding what you are investing into. A lot of people buy into the next big thing, or the "hot" stock that is sensationalised by the media. It all boils down to your risk profile and time horizon. Diversification is key to building a portfolio.

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If you invest into good businesses, using the following metrics :-

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1) Good Corporate Governance

2) A healthy balancesheet

3) Growth

4) A sustainable competitive advantage

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then you should not go wrong. Market fluctuations are normal akin to a human being breathing in or out.

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When you sit in the front row of a cinema, you don't get to see the whole picture. Try sitting in the back row. Example, a company like MSFT checks all the boxes, and here is the monthly chart.

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