Shao Chun Chen, a 39-year-old ex Googler, illustrated how he flipped his world upside down after news of an unexpected layoff. He is originally from Singapore. Today, residing in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he is trying to figure out how to use his adjunct lecturer position at the National University of Singapore to fund the adventures of living abroad. His experience shows how intentional budgeting and a remote work lifestyle make this rewarding lifestyle possible.
Chen had spent the rest of his life in Singapore, where he had carved out a good career at Google. He lived well below his means, saving as much as 50 percent of his paycheck to invest regularly. His hard work showed great foresight, and his discipline paid off. By February 2024, he had developed a $2 million portfolio before getting laid off. The layoff, which was traumatic at first, became a turning point for Chen.
“It was very devastating, it was a huge blow to my ego, my identity, but it turns out, with time … it sort of mandated me to think about what I really wanted in life.” – Shao Chun Chen
Around a year after leaving Google, Chen and his wife decided to move to Chiang Mai in November of 2024, once travel restrictions eased. Thanks to the significantly lower cost of living in Thailand, they’ve been able to maintain a comfortable standard of living without breaking the bank. Chen’s professorial commitment at the National University of Singapore now has him flying over 1,200 miles each week. Even with the two-hour commute, he is able to only work three hours a week. This is more than enough to support his cost of living within Thailand.
“Three hours of working in Singapore can sustain my entire expenditure in Thailand.” – Shao Chun Chen
Along with teaching, Chen has expanded his streams of income in the last year-and-a-half. He does a lot of coaching and consulting and just makes YouTube videos which helps him with both passive and active income strategies. His primary teaching position provides just enough income to support both him and his wife comfortably. In the meantime, his extra-curricular activities allow him to manage discretionary spending.
Chen’s financial strategy is based on the 4% rule. This rule gives him the green light to take out about $80,000 annually from his portfolio, adjusting for inflation. This approach has given him the liberty to pursue deeply personally fulfilling things without the expectation of a conventional career.
Now, as he considers the future, Chen weighs the cost of the home abroad. He doesn’t want to pretend that it’s easy for everyone to make this shift either.
“I’m also conscious that not everyone can do it, and the locals are not making as much as we are. [We are] earning in dollars, spending in baht,” – Shao Chun Chen
Despite these challenges, Chen stresses that adapting to the local culture and lifestyle is key. Additionally, his lived experience has taught him that getting plugged into the local community makes living there feel more rewarding overall.
“The strategy for anyone who wants to live in a country like Thailand is to really embrace the local culture, the local options, the local way of life,” – Shao Chun Chen
Chen’s tale can do double duty as a motivational kick in the pants for anyone hoping to get their fiscal house – and work-life balance – in order. He advises people to develop new skill sets, or find jobs that pay more per hour. A region’s robust income potential combined with an affordable cost of living can do the heavy lifting. It drastically reduces the number of hours you have to work each week.
“Find a way to improve your skill sets, or to reach a position where you can charge a high per hourly rate,” – Shao Chun Chen
His all-business, all-the-time attitude has helped him escape the corporate grind.
“I no longer feel the need to … be on that hamster wheel or to always be producing.” – Shao Chun Chen
Chen has seen other expatriates who live in Thailand view things from a different angle. Although most are lured by the appeal of a more affordable cost of living, others come out of discontent.
“I’ve actually met a few expats here, and they’re really not happy because they were only attracted to Thailand because of the cost of living,” – Shao Chun Chen