How to Get Rich in Singapore (The Real Way)

If you type "How to get rich" into a search engine or the AI chat, the algorithm practically shouts at you to play the property upgrading game, how to spot the next investment with exponential returns, and umpteen side hustles to get on until your bank balance resembles a phone number. But for a parent managing work, school runs, and household and family demands, that traditional definition of wealth is not only demoralising, but outright missing the point of life.

In positive psychology, Dr. Martin Seligman and researchers defined human flourishing through the PERMAH model: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment, and Health. When you measure your life through these six pillars, you may realise you are already rich. True affluence is not about accumulating more capital, but about recognising the genuine value in your everyday life.

Here is how to see the wealth you already hold across the PERMAH framework:

1. Rich in Positive EmotionWhen You Have Daily Moments of Unhurried Joy and Peace

Time poverty is the default state for most working parents. Mornings are usually an athletic event of giving orders, wrestling uniforms onto children, and checking traffic applications, turning what should be a peaceful start to the day into a race against the clock.

Experiencing daily positive emotions like calmness and contentment is the fundamental buffer that protects parents from burnout. When a parent operates with an underlying sense of unhurried joy, that emotional stability creates a safe home environment where children feel secure.

Consider yourself rich in Positive Emotion if:

You step out of the house 15 minutes early and enjoy watching a void deck cat without checking your watch.

You laugh off a spilt cup of Milo on the kitchen floor instead of snapping at your child.

You sit down with your morning kopi and enjoy five minutes of silence before the household wakes up.

You catch yourself smiling as you watch your children sing songs in the back of the car.

You walk home from the MRT station taking in the evening breeze rather than mentally rushing through your to-do list.

You end the day feeling a sense of gratitude as you tuck your kids into bed.

True engagement is when time disappears because you are deeply absorbed in the moment.

2. Rich in EngagementWhen You Experience Deep and Immersive Presence Together

Weekends can easily turn into a logistical puzzle filled with back-to-back tuition, music lessons, and sports academies. Driven by the fear of letting their children fall behind, parents end up filling every available hour, turning potential family downtime into a crowded calendar of structured performance.

True engagement, or entering a state of flow where time disappears because you are deeply absorbed in the moment, is essential for mental restoration. For a family, shared engagement creates memories and deepens emotional bonds far more effectively than structured lessons ever can.

Consider yourself rich in Engagement if:

You drop weekend classes to watch your child spend two hours building a fort out of cardboard boxes.

You lose track of time while building a Lego set alongside your child on a Sunday afternoon.

You get absorbed in painting, reading, or running during your own protected solo time.

You join in on a game of pretend play with your kids and forget about your work emails.

You spend a rainy afternoon together listening to music or playing board games without checking your phone.

You watch your child deeply immersed in climbing a tree or inspecting insects at the park connector.

Rich in Relationships: Your child spontaneously opens up about their worries because they know you are listening.

3. Rich in RelationshipsWhen You Give Undivided Attention to the People Who Matter Most

Mealtimes and evenings are frequently treated as rushed pit stops between the end of the workday and bedtime chores. It is common to see family members eat their food in silence while staring at tablets propped against water bottles or scrolling through work emails on their phones.

Human beings are wired for deep connection, and strong social bonds are the single greatest predictor of long-term health and happiness. Investing in distraction-free relationships within the home gives both parents and children the emotional resilience needed to face external pressures.

Consider yourself rich in Relationships if:

Your family automatically puts phones down during meals and enjoys conversations over hawker food.

You have a partner with whom you share a quiet hour to talk about your day.

Your child spontaneously opens up about their worries because they know you are listening.

You maintain supportive friendships outside of your parenting duties who ground you.

You feel supported by your co-parenting partner during chaotic domestic moments.

You give your child full eye contact whenever they ask you to look at what they made.

4. Rich in MeaningWhen Your Life Is Guided by Internal Values Over External Benchmarks

In an environment obsessed with benchmarks, parents frequently default to goals set by society, such as enrolling children in certain schools, hitting income tiers, or climbing socio-economic ladders. This creates a treadmill where achieving one target simply unlocks a higher expectation for the whole family.

A meaningful life offers protection against peer pressure and anxiety, giving parents a clear internal compass. Living with purpose ensures that the daily sacrifices of parenthood feel worthwhile rather than an endless rat race.

Consider yourself rich in Meaning if:

You filter every major decision through your family's core values rather than societal expectations or FOMO.

You decline a demanding promotion because protecting family dinner time matters more to you.

You feel a sense of pride in raising kind children regardless of their academic achievement bands.

You engage in community work or small acts of kindness that teach your children the value of giving back.

You know exactly what enough looks like financially and refuse to compromise your peace to chase more.

You view the everyday chores of parenthood as acts of love rather than burdensome tasks.

True professional efficacy means delivering impact during working hours so you can step into your role at home with your head held high.

5. Rich in AccomplishmentWhen You Master Boundaries That Honour Both Work and Family

In a corporate culture that rewards visibility, managing optics often claims your evenings. You stay late polishing reports and answering emails, ensuring management sees your commitment so you remain ahead of your colleagues for the next promotion.

Real accomplishment is not about working until exhaustion. It is about setting firm, healthy boundaries. True professional efficacy means delivering impact during working hours so you can step into your role at home with your head held high.

Consider yourself rich in Accomplishment if:

You pack your bag at 6 PM, close your laptop, and walk out of the office without guilt.

You complete your critical work tasks efficiently during office hours so your evenings remain free.

You say a firm, polite no to late-night work messages or non-urgent weekend requests.

You celebrate personal milestones that have nothing to do with work titles or career achievements.

You successfully teach your child a new life skill, like riding a bicycle or cooking a simple meal.

You feel a sense of pride in balancing professional competence with being present at home.

Active health allows parents to lead by example and experience life with vigour.

6. Rich in HealthWhen You Actively Live and Share Physical Vitality

Physical vitality often takes a backseat to work and domestic duties, leaving many parents running on caffeine and energy reserves. At the playground, adults sitting on benches with their phones are usually just grabbing a rare moment to decompress after a long workday.

Health is the baseline currency that makes every other form of wealth possible. Without physical energy, mental clarity, and mobility, it is impossible to fully enjoy your life or keep up with growing children. Active health allows parents to lead by example and experience life with vigour.

Consider yourself rich in Health if:

You put away your phone and physically climb the playground rope tower or race your kids across the field.

You wake up feeling well-rested after getting a consistent seven to eight hours of sleep.

You enjoy regular exercise, whether running along the park connector or swimming with your family.

You nourish your body with simple meals that give you sustained energy throughout the day.

You have the physical mobility and strength to carry your child without hurting your back.

You prioritise taking care of your physical symptoms early rather than pushing through exhaustion.

You Are Already Richer Than You Think

True wealth is rarely found in a bank statement or a property title. It is already present in the quiet everyday moments of your home: savouring moments of unhurried peace, closing your laptop at six without guilt, and enjoying time with your family.

When you measure life by what truly matters, you realise you do not need to wait for a promotion or a windfall to be affluent. You are already living a rich life right now.