Since her polytechnic days, @vansncents has been quietly building a foundation for financial freedom, shaped by intention, creativity, and discipline. Based in Singapore and working in R&D by day, Vanessa wears many hats: math tutor, musician, designer, and personal finance creator.
On her Instagram page, she blends reflections on money, mindset, and purpose, offering a refreshing reminder that personal finance isn’t just about numbers; it’s about designing a life you love.
In this interview, we explore Vanessa’s early lessons with money, her evolving approach to investing, and her reflections on reaching her FIRE goal of $1M.
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1. Hi Vanessa! Could you start by introducing yourself and sharing what first prompted you to begin your personal finance journey?
Hi, I’m Vanessa — I work in R&D, where I get to explore creative solutions that improve how people live and interact with their surroundings. Outside of my 9-to-5, I teach math tuition, enjoy travelling, enjoy sports, enjoy playing in a band, enjoy communing with friends, serve in church as a graphic designer, and run a personal finance page on Instagram called @vansncents — a space where I share about money, mindset, and living with intention.
My personal finance journey actually started when I was around 17 or 18, back in polytechnic. I grew up with a very survival mindset — I was always conscious about money and wanted to make sure I could stand on my own two feet. Even then, I knew I wanted more than just to “get by.”
I wanted to reach financial freedom — not just to live comfortably, but to live intentionally, with the choice and flexibility to design a life I love, and to be in a position to give and bless others along the way!
I am blessed to have that seed of financial independence that was planted early, and it’s shaped every decision I’ve made since.
2. How did your early experiences with work, salary, or money shape the way you view finances today?
When I entered the workforce (2.5 years ago), those early money lessons became real. I realised that a paycheck alone doesn’t equal security — financial literacy does. You can work hard, but if you don’t know how to manage or grow what you earn, you’ll always feel like you’re chasing.
That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to earn money — I wanted to understand it. I wanted to design a life where money supported my goals, not dictated them. Over time, this mindset has shaped how I view work too.
I value autonomy and meaning more than a traditional path of just climbing ladders or chasing titles.
3. How has your career evolved since you started working, and how has that influenced your financial mindset or habits?
When I first started working, I was focused on building experience and proving myself.
But as I grew, I started asking deeper questions — What kind of work feels meaningful to me? What kind of life do I actually want?
That shift changed how I managed money. I became more intentional with my spending, more serious about investing, and more focused on creating financial flexibility.
I want to eventually have the freedom to choose work for passion/interest, not out of necessity — and that requires planning early.
4. What first inspired you to start investing, and what were your initial steps like?
The turning point came when I realized saving alone wasn’t enough to reach my goals. I was inspired by the idea of financial independence — that with enough intentional planning, you could buy back your time and freedom.
To be honest, I started very conservatively by trying to “claim/redeem” the freebies that online brokerages (e.g., Tiger, Moo Moo, Webull, IBKR) offered for depositing/investing money with them. Seeing my money grow through these free stocks gave me confidence and familiarity in using these brokerages.
Eventually, I took the plunge and bought individual stocks and ETFs such as VUG, VOO, and dividend stocks like Singapore bank stocks and Singapore REITs.
My strategy is simple: I continued investing in ETFs and dividend stocks, as well as Singapore T-bills and bonds.
For insurance, I adopted the concept of “buy term and invest the rest.” It wasn’t fancy or fast, but it built discipline and helped me understand risk, patience, and the power of compounding.
My strategy is simple — I continue investing into ETFs and Dividend stocks, and SG tbills / bonds. It isn’t fancy or fast, but it built discipline and helped me understand risk, patience, and the power of compounding.
I also get to sleep in peace every night knowing that my money is working hard quietly in the background (at beating inflation).
5. Could you describe your investing philosophy or personal money rules? What principles guide your decisions today?
I believe in simplicity, consistency, and intention.
- Simplicity: I stick to investments I understand — mainly broad-market ETFs and funds.
- Consistency: I invest regularly, regardless of market noise.
- Intention: Every dollar should serve a purpose — whether for growth, security, or joy.
I also follow a “values-first” approach — money should enable the life I want, not define it!
6. Over time, how did you refine your strategy? Were there any lessons or mistakes that shaped how you invest now?
Definitely. I used to chase returns, overthink timing, and compare my progress to others. Those experiences taught me that peace of mind beats performance. I’ve since learned to automate, diversify, and detach emotionally from short-term movements.
P.s. my young friends, it’s so so easy to invest and automate the process in this day and age, don’t think too much and start taking action today!
Another lesson was that financial planning isn’t just about numbers — it’s about clarity. Once you know what you’re working towards, your strategy becomes much simpler. (Ps I’m still a work-in-progress!)
7. What eventually led you to launch @vansncents, and how do you see this space as part of your personal finance journey?
@vansncents started as a creative outlet — a mix of my love for design, content creation, and personal finance. Over time, it became more than that — a space to share lessons, reflections, and real stories about money and mindset. And to add, my corporate job doesn’t allow me to disclose/talk about my salary, I felt like it is something that is such a taboo, I believe sharing my numbers would allow me to gain awareness and do better to improve my life.
@vansncents started as a creative outlet — a place for me to blend my love for design, content creation, and personal finance. Over time, it became a meaningful space to share lessons, reflections, and even struggles.
It keeps me accountable, but more importantly, it lets me connect with others who want to live more intentionally. For me, personal finance isn’t about chasing wealth — it’s about building a life that feels free, balanced, and true to your values.
8. You’ve set a FIRE target of $1M. Beyond the numbers, what does financial independence mean to you personally?
I’ve set a FIRE target of $1 million — but to me, the number itself isn’t the point. Financial independence means freedom with purpose. It’s not about quitting work; it’s about having the flexibility to choose work that aligns with my values.
Beyond the numbers, it’s about time — time with loved ones, time to create, time to live at a slower, simpler pace. That’s what I’m really working towards.
9. Congratulations on getting married! How has the process of getting married in Singapore shaped the way you and your partner plan your finances? Did you decide to combine finances or set shared financial goals together
Thank you! We’re in the midst of planning our engagement and will be selecting our BTO unit soon, which will only be ready around 2030. The wedding will probably be in 2026 or 2027, so this stage has really prompted us to think long term.
We’ve been very open about our financial values — how we spend, save, and invest. Instead of fully combining finances, we maintain a shared pool for joint goals and keep individual accounts for personal ones.
It’s about partnership, not control — aligning on our values and long-term vision, even if our day-to-day habits differ.
This stage has really reinforced the importance of planning ahead. Big milestones like a home or wedding come with long timelines, so it’s never too early to start saving and investing toward them.
10. Finally, what advice would you give to Singaporeans who are just starting their financial journey, especially those balancing career uncertainty and long-term goals like marriage?
If I could share one thing with anyone just starting their financial journey, it’s this: start small, but start early. You don’t need to know everything before you begin. What matters is consistency and self-awareness.
Your income and career will evolve — but clarity is what keeps you grounded. Know what kind of life you want, and make financial decisions that support that.
And remember: money is a means, not an end. Don’t measure your success by comparison or milestones. Focus on building a life that feels true to you — that’s the real wealth.
Final Thoughts
A huge thank you to @vansncents for sharing her story with such honesty and warmth. Vanessa’s journey from a survival mindset to building over $280K by 28 in Singapore is truly inspiring.
She shows that financial independence isn’t about chasing quick wins, but about staying consistent, clear on your goals, and aligning money with your values. Through her intentional approach to investing and open conversations about shared goals with her partner, she reminds us that real freedom comes from purpose, not impulse.
Here are three takeaways we loved from this interview:
- Financial peace > performance. Building wealth should feel calm, not chaotic.
- Start small, stay steady. Progress compounds when you show up consistently.
- Money should serve your life, not define it.
Follow @vansncents on Instagram for more grounded reflections on personal finance, intentional living, and the pursuit of freedom with purpose.
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- Episode 5 – From Salary Earner to Six-Figure Investor | @aytim_askyoutoinvestmore
