Road to 1 Million! Are you one of them?

The Million-Dollar Question: Are You One of Them?

Based on the 4% rule, if I have USD 1,000,000 invested and it generates an average return of 4% per year, I can withdraw USD 40,000 annually—about USD 3,333 per month—while preserving the value of my capital over the long term.

If USD 3,333 a month is insufficient for retirement, the solution is straightforward:

1. Accumulate more than USD 1 million, or

2. Achieve a higher sustainable return.

There are no shortcuts—just arithmetic.

Now, consider geography. If I take that same USD 3,333 and spend it overseas, the purchasing power changes dramatically. In countries with lower living costs and favourable exchange rates, this monthly amount can stretch much further. What looks modest in Singapore can feel abundant elsewhere. Suddenly, the idea of retirement transforms from survival to choice.

On paper, it looks like the perfect plan.

But imagination without action leads nowhere.

My own journey started nine years ago. Yet real action only began five years later, after countless excuses and stubborn procrastination. Fortunately, in the real world, it is rarely “too late.” The real tragedy is not starting at all—despite knowing the formula and understanding the logic perfectly.

Everyone knows smoking is bad for health, yet many continue to smoke. In the same way, most people know investing matters for their future—yet never truly begin.

When I was young, there was a popular board game called Millionaire (大富翁), a knock-off version of Monopoly. The objective was simple: accumulate assets, bankrupt your opponents, and win the game.

Almost everyone has played Monopoly at least once in childhood. Yet surprisingly, not everyone understands its lesson. The game is not about luck—it is about cash flow, assets, leverage, and survival.

Coincidentally, “one million dollars” has become the default benchmark of financial success—internationally understood as USD 1 million, not one million rupiah.

So how many people actually reach it?

If you have USD 1 million in net worth, congratulations—you are among roughly 58 million millionaires worldwide, representing about 1.5% of the global adult population.

The “old rich” built wealth through inheritance, land ownership, and industrialisation. The “new rich” emerge through strategic investing, entrepreneurship, and multiple income streams. This alone proves one thing: wealth creation is not limited by time or place.

According to Forbes, over 1,900 new millionaires are created every single day. Perhaps one day, a billion dollars will become the new benchmark—but that is a discussion for another time.

So the real question is not how to reach USD 1 million.

The real question is: Are you one of them?

I didn’t invent this idea. It came from a conversation with a friend.

Imagine Argentina just won the World Cup. How do you feel?

• Super excited? You’re probably a fan. You follow the team, know the players, and understand the strategy.

• Fairly excited? You’re somewhat informed. You watch occasionally, hear friends talk, maybe even place a small bet.

• Not excited at all? Football simply doesn’t matter to you.

This framework applies to everything—music, Pokémon cards, politics, technology, and yes… investing.

Now imagine you’re at a dinner table. The conversation turns to investing, interest rates, IPOs, CPF rules, SRS, tax reliefs, mergers, and markets. Everyone is engaged—except you. You have no idea what they’re talking about, and worse, no interest.

If that’s you—congratulations. You’ve just discovered that you are not one of them.

And this is the most dangerous position of all.

You are playing Monopoly every single day—earning income, paying expenses, making financial decisions—yet you don’t know the rules of the game.

If you are not one of them, perhaps—just perhaps—it is time to take action.

Edited by ChatGPT so that it is more structured and free from grammar mistakes.

About The Contributor

Ben is not financially trained. He is not a certified financial planner and he does not sell any insurance or investment plans. He is not financially motivated by any entities to produce this blog. He just want his friends to know more about money management and not have anyone fall between the social cracks. Nope, he is not a millionaire though he aims to be financially free before 50 years old.