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Dave’s Life story revealed – How Does One Go From A 6-Figure Debt To Financial Independence

Recently, I had an opportunity to share my life story on a podcast by The Financial Coconut. They had located me through this blog and thought that the topic on minimalism and financial independence might appeal to their listeners.

As I was preparing for the podcast, I reflected on my life journey and it became rather emotional for me – especially when I started recalling some of those key pivoting points, failures and hard experiences. As I chronicled my journey, there were many important life lessons learnt, and money management lessons as well. I wanted to share my experience hoping that those lessons that I’ve learnt will also serve as food for thought for you, and may you also draw some inspiration from them.

Everything that I had experienced in life – I believed they happened for a reason. Each episode was instrumental in the culmination of the experience in further episodes.

I hope you will enjoy the podcast and do reach out to find out more about my work.

“The biggest form of financial independence for me personally is that you could make most of your daily decisions based on the value it might provide to people around you rather than the financial reward that you might receive from it”

Important: The information and opinions in this article are for general information purposes only. They should not be relied on as professional financial advice. Readers should seek unbiased financial advice that is customised to their specific financial objectives, situations & needs. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

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David Wu

David Wu: Financial Coach, Certified Financial Planner & Life Enthusiast

With over 15 years of international banking and financial services experience, David Wu is a dedicated financial coach and certified financial planner committed to empowering individuals to take control of their financial lives. His mission is to demystify complex financial concepts, helping clients right-size their resources and explore a broader spectrum of life choices.

As a passionate advocate for financial literacy, especially among underrepresented communities, David combines holistic, unbiased advice with practical strategies rooted in his belief that living a simple, purposeful life is the key to true financial independence. He is the founder of minimalistinthecity.com, promoting minimalism as a pathway toward clarity, purpose, and financial freedom.

Beyond advisory work, David contributes actively to the digital finance space through platforms like CPF, The Financial Coconut, and iFast, sharing insights that foster financial wellness and literacy. His approach centers on building lasting relationships, walking side by side with his clients on their journey towards financial clarity and personal fulfillment.

A firm believer in “living a simple and meaningful life,” David helps clients discover their ikigai and craft tailored financial plans aligned with their passions. His dedication to education extends beyond one-on-one coaching—he frequently speaks at conferences, seminars, and community events, inspiring audiences to embrace deliberate financial and life choices.

When he’s not guiding clients or sharing insights, David enjoys adventures in nature, with aspirations to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and trek across Patagonia—reminding us all to seek fulfillment through exploration and purpose.

Let’s collaborate to unlock your financial potential or inspire others to take charge of their financial future.

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  • I have not been directly contacted or approached by any representative or employee of FAPL with an offer or solicitation to apply for any financial products not offered in my home country.
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司的代表或员工并未直接与我联系或提出要约或招揽购买我原居住国境内所不提供的任何金融产品.
  • Financial Alliance Pte Ltd ( “FAPL”) is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and allowed to conduct financial advisory activities in accordance with the Financial Advisers Act (Cap. 110) (“FAA”) and the Securities & Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Singapore and in accordance with the licenses granted by MAS
  • 鑫盟理财私人有限公司( “鑫盟理财”)持有由新加坡金融管理局(“MAS”)所颁发的牌照，并许可在新加坡共和国境内依据财务顾问法（第110章）和证券与期货交易法（第289章）进行财务咨询等相关业务
  • Any services provided by FAPL to persons not ordinarily resident in Singapore are provided solely on an offshore basis from Singapore, resulting from direct enquiry on the part of the foreign residents.
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  • Such documents and information are provided by Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) is for general information only and is not intended for anyone other than the recipient.
  • 此类由鑫盟理财所提供的文件和信息仅供收件人做一般信息参考。
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  • You shall ensure that you have and will continue to be fully compliant with all applicable laws in your home country when entering into discussion or contracts with FAPL.
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In compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act, Financial Alliance Pte Ltd (“FAPL”) seek your consent to collect and use your personal data (e.g. name, NRIC, contact numbers, mailing addresses, email addresses and photograph) for the purposes of and in accordance with FAPL’s Data Protection Policy, which can be found on FAPL’s website at https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

根据《个人数据保护法》，鑫盟理财私人有限公司征求您的同意向您收集并使用您的个人信息。鑫盟理财将根据公司的个人数据保护政策所阐述的用途使用您的个人资料（例如姓名，证件号码，联系电话，邮寄地址，电邮地址和照片）。 该政策可在本公司网站上查寻，网址为 https://fa.com.sg/data-protection-policy/.

By submitting this form, you are deemed to have read and understood FAPL’s Personal Data Policy.

提交此表格，即表示您已阅读并理解鑫盟理财私人有限公司的个人数据政策