When Shao Chun Chen lost his job at Google on the eve of his 38th birthday, it felt like heartbreak. But a year later, he’s turned what could have been a crisis into a dream life in Thailand—working just three hours a week and earning enough to live comfortably. His story, rooted in financial foresight and bold decision-making, offers a compelling lens into how strategic planning can make layoffs feel less like endings and more like new beginnings.
From Google to Goodbye
On February 14, 2024, after eight years at Google, Chen was laid off. It was a moment he likened to the end of a long-term relationship. Leading a sales team at the tech giant’s Singapore office, the news wasn’t entirely unexpected. The company had been pulling back on spending—cutting business travel, slashing retreats, and slowing hiring. Chen, who had witnessed the 2008 financial crisis while working at Merrill Lynch, had long understood that no job was forever.
But unlike many who find themselves scrambling after a layoff, Chen had quietly prepared for this very scenario. Years of disciplined financial habits—saving nearly half his salary, living frugally, and aggressively investing—had built him a seven-figure portfolio. By the time the pink slip came, his net worth stood at about $2 million.
A Radical Shift—and a One-Way Ticket to Thailand
With his finances in order and no urgent need for a paycheck, Chen opted for something few dare to consider: a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. In November 2024, he and his wife left Singapore for Chiang Mai, a picturesque and affordable city in northern Thailand.
There, the couple lives in a plush one-bedroom condo with amenities that would make most high-rises blush: multiple pools, a water slide, a gym, co-working spaces, even a Pilates studio. The rent? Just $450 a month, which Chen admits is on the higher side—he could pay closer to $300 with a longer lease.
Their total monthly expenses—food, transportation, housing, and weekly round-trip flights to Singapore—rarely exceed $1,500. And Chen earns enough to cover it all with a single job: teaching a digital marketing course for three hours a week at the National University of Singapore, bringing in the equivalent of $1,500 to $3,000 per month.
The Strategy Behind the Freedom
Chen’s lifestyle today didn’t come from luck—it came from a well-devised, long-term plan focused on three financial pillars: growing active income, living below his means, and investing aggressively.
He credits a career mentor for introducing him to the "up or out" mindset early in his corporate journey. At Google, that translated into steadily climbing the ranks, ultimately tripling his salary and landing a six-figure role. Strategic internal moves brought him closer to revenue-generating roles, which he says are more highly valued in any company.
But instead of letting his rising salary fuel a more lavish lifestyle, Chen maintained modest spending habits. He routinely saved and invested half his paycheck, pouring his earnings into a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and ETFs. By the time he was laid off, he realized he no longer needed to work for money—his investments alone could sustain him and his wife for decades if managed conservatively.
Supercommuting and Side Hustles
Chen now splits his time between Thailand and Singapore, “supercommuting” weekly to fulfill his adjunct teaching gig. While the teaching alone covers his core expenses, he supplements it with other active income streams—coaching (where he charges up to $500 an hour) and his growing YouTube channel, The 9 to 5 Millionaire Mindset.
He’s also embraced what’s known as geographical arbitrage—earning in strong currencies like the Singapore dollar while spending in countries with a lower cost of living. "It’s about gaming the system," he says. "Three hours of working in Singapore sustains my entire expenditure in Thailand."
Dollars and Baht: A Balanced Life
Chen’s daily life now looks radically different. He makes breakfast for his wife, shops at local Thai markets, and enjoys a slower pace far removed from the corporate grind. “In my previous life, I didn’t even have the time for that. I was always rushing,” he says.
In total, he spends four to eight hours a week working across his part-time teaching, coaching sessions, and YouTube production. His discretionary expenses are minimal—local food, Thai beer, and the occasional domestic travel. He avoids imported goods and foreign luxuries, advising fellow expats to truly embrace local life instead of trying to recreate Western comfort in Southeast Asia.
A Life Redesigned
Still, Chen acknowledges the trade-offs. Corporate jobs bring structure and stability, something he occasionally misses. Weekly flights can be draining, and without fixed schedules, maintaining discipline takes effort.
But for Chen, the upsides far outweigh the inconveniences. "It took the layoff for me to realize I was financially independent," he reflects. “Now I can just enjoy what life and Thailand have to offer.”
His story isn’t just a tale of early retirement or escape from the rat race. It’s a blueprint—carefully crafted through intention, sacrifice, and strategic thinking—for anyone wondering what lies beyond the 9-to-5. And it all began with getting fired.
From Google to Goodbye
On February 14, 2024, after eight years at Google, Chen was laid off. It was a moment he likened to the end of a long-term relationship. Leading a sales team at the tech giant’s Singapore office, the news wasn’t entirely unexpected. The company had been pulling back on spending—cutting business travel, slashing retreats, and slowing hiring. Chen, who had witnessed the 2008 financial crisis while working at Merrill Lynch, had long understood that no job was forever.
But unlike many who find themselves scrambling after a layoff, Chen had quietly prepared for this very scenario. Years of disciplined financial habits—saving nearly half his salary, living frugally, and aggressively investing—had built him a seven-figure portfolio. By the time the pink slip came, his net worth stood at about $2 million.
A Radical Shift—and a One-Way Ticket to Thailand
With his finances in order and no urgent need for a paycheck, Chen opted for something few dare to consider: a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. In November 2024, he and his wife left Singapore for Chiang Mai, a picturesque and affordable city in northern Thailand.
There, the couple lives in a plush one-bedroom condo with amenities that would make most high-rises blush: multiple pools, a water slide, a gym, co-working spaces, even a Pilates studio. The rent? Just $450 a month, which Chen admits is on the higher side—he could pay closer to $300 with a longer lease.
Their total monthly expenses—food, transportation, housing, and weekly round-trip flights to Singapore—rarely exceed $1,500. And Chen earns enough to cover it all with a single job: teaching a digital marketing course for three hours a week at the National University of Singapore, bringing in the equivalent of $1,500 to $3,000 per month.
The Strategy Behind the Freedom
Chen’s lifestyle today didn’t come from luck—it came from a well-devised, long-term plan focused on three financial pillars: growing active income, living below his means, and investing aggressively.
He credits a career mentor for introducing him to the "up or out" mindset early in his corporate journey. At Google, that translated into steadily climbing the ranks, ultimately tripling his salary and landing a six-figure role. Strategic internal moves brought him closer to revenue-generating roles, which he says are more highly valued in any company.
But instead of letting his rising salary fuel a more lavish lifestyle, Chen maintained modest spending habits. He routinely saved and invested half his paycheck, pouring his earnings into a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and ETFs. By the time he was laid off, he realized he no longer needed to work for money—his investments alone could sustain him and his wife for decades if managed conservatively.
Supercommuting and Side Hustles
Chen now splits his time between Thailand and Singapore, “supercommuting” weekly to fulfill his adjunct teaching gig. While the teaching alone covers his core expenses, he supplements it with other active income streams—coaching (where he charges up to $500 an hour) and his growing YouTube channel, The 9 to 5 Millionaire Mindset.
He’s also embraced what’s known as geographical arbitrage—earning in strong currencies like the Singapore dollar while spending in countries with a lower cost of living. "It’s about gaming the system," he says. "Three hours of working in Singapore sustains my entire expenditure in Thailand."
Dollars and Baht: A Balanced Life
Chen’s daily life now looks radically different. He makes breakfast for his wife, shops at local Thai markets, and enjoys a slower pace far removed from the corporate grind. “In my previous life, I didn’t even have the time for that. I was always rushing,” he says.
In total, he spends four to eight hours a week working across his part-time teaching, coaching sessions, and YouTube production. His discretionary expenses are minimal—local food, Thai beer, and the occasional domestic travel. He avoids imported goods and foreign luxuries, advising fellow expats to truly embrace local life instead of trying to recreate Western comfort in Southeast Asia.
A Life Redesigned
Still, Chen acknowledges the trade-offs. Corporate jobs bring structure and stability, something he occasionally misses. Weekly flights can be draining, and without fixed schedules, maintaining discipline takes effort.
But for Chen, the upsides far outweigh the inconveniences. "It took the layoff for me to realize I was financially independent," he reflects. “Now I can just enjoy what life and Thailand have to offer.”
His story isn’t just a tale of early retirement or escape from the rat race. It’s a blueprint—carefully crafted through intention, sacrifice, and strategic thinking—for anyone wondering what lies beyond the 9-to-5. And it all began with getting fired.
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