From Singapore's Skyscrapers to Thailand's Temples: One Viking's Quest for Serenity and Savings

Raiding the System: A Viking's Tale of Modern Economics

Hark fellow Vikings! Ragnar Lothbrok here reporting live from the land of modern wonders! I've heard tales of a man named Shao Chun Chen a Singaporean warrior who once toiled in the corporate fields for more hours than it takes to sail from Kattegat to England. Now this Chen fellow he's found a loophole a way to raid the system without bloodshed. He resides in Thailand a land of sun and spices and earns his keep by flying back to Singapore once a week to impart knowledge for a mere three hours. He calls it 'supercommuting,' I call it ingenuity! As I always say 'It pays to be wise and a wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.' This Chen fellow seems to have learned a thing or two from the corporate giants he once served.

The Great Layoff: A Blessing in Disguise?

Odin works in mysterious ways or so the priests tell me. Chen it seems was cast out from his tech company a 'layoff' they call it. Devastating they say. But hold! This misfortune revealed a treasure trove a 'seven figure portfolio' built from years of saving and investing. Like discovering a hidden hoard of silver Chen realized he was free no longer chained to the oars of corporate life. 'Fear not for the flames of Helheim cannot reach a soul that embraces freedom,' I always say. And Chen it seems has embraced it wholeheartedly.

New Shores New Treasures: Diversifying the Loot

A true Viking never puts all his axes in one basket. Chen in his wisdom didn't just rely on his nest egg. Nay he created new sources of income like streams feeding into a mighty river. He teaches he creates content he even coaches others for a king's ransom per hour! 'Life is a gift; don't squander it. Live it enjoy it and make the most of it,' is what I always tell my sons. And this Chen fellow he's certainly making the most of it by 'gaming the system,' as he so eloquently puts it.

The Art of Geographical Arbitrage: Dollars in Bahtland

Ah the sweet song of currency exchange! Chen keeps his earnings in Singaporean dollars a strong currency indeed and spends it in Thailand where the cost of living is lower than a dwarf's height. 'It's better to be a wolf of Norway than a fat sheep of France,' I once said and in this case it's better to earn like a Singaporean and spend like a Thai king. He has found a way to live like royalty on peasant's wages a feat worthy of a saga!

From Hamster Wheel to Hammock Life: A Viking's Dream

Chen speaks of a better life free from the 'hamster wheel' of corporate drudgery. He now has time to make breakfast for his wife a simple pleasure that was once denied to him. He no longer feels the need to 'over plan,' but instead enjoys the moment like a Viking basking in the glory of victory after a fierce battle. 'We must embrace the chaos for it is in the chaos that we find our true selves,' I always say and Chen seems to have found his true self in the tranquility of Thailand.

Caveats and Croissants: The Expat's Lament

But beware my friends! Chen warns of the pitfalls of expat life. Some seek only the cheapness of Thailand yet complain that the croissants don't taste like home. 'Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try,' I say but perhaps I should add 'and don't be afraid to eat the local cuisine!' Embrace the Thai food the Thai medicine and the Thai beer for they are the treasures of this land. And remember even a Viking king must occasionally endure traffic on his way to raid a new land.