Feb 23, 2026

I recently came across some interesting economic news from Singapore, where the median household monthly income has surpassed the $12,000 mark for the first time in 2025. This is a notable milestone, reflecting broader income growth in the country. However, whether this income level translates to financial comfort really depends on factors like where someone is in their life, the size of their household, and how income is distributed across different groups. It’s a reminder that headline figures only tell part of the story when assessing living standards.

In the commodity markets, silver prices have experienced a dramatic rollercoaster. After surging to around $120, silver suddenly crashed by about 50% within a single week, dropping to nearly $64. This rapid price movement has sparked debate about whether the recent highs were a speculative bubble and if the current lower prices might mark the bottom. The episode highlights just how volatile precious metals can be and the risks investors face when trying to time these markets.

I also heard some insights into how the super-rich manage their wealth differently from the average person. Rather than relying primarily on salary income, they emphasize ownership structures and strategic deal-making. Despite their vast wealth, many remain surprisingly frugal in daily expenses but are extremely calculated and ruthless in how they allocate capital. Their mindset tends to be long-term, often spanning decades, as they continually reinvest to create durable financial ecosystems around themselves.

Taken together, these stories illustrate a complex economic environment: rising income levels reflecting growth, sharp swings in asset prices showing market uncertainty, and highly sophisticated wealth management techniques employed by the wealthy. It’s clear that financial success today requires more than just earning a good income—it demands an understanding of market dynamics and a disciplined, strategic approach to investing and ownership.

Overall, these developments underscore the importance of context and strategy in finance, whether it’s evaluating personal income against cost of living or navigating volatile investment landscapes with a long-term perspective.

Stay Well!