Arigato, {{ first name | dear investor }},
When I first visited Taiwan at 21 years old, I was a broke university student.
Every dollar mattered.
I remember spending hours comparing accommodation prices, looking for the cheapest options possible.
In fact, I still remember checking into a hotel in Taichung that was significantly cheaper than everything else around it.
I thought I was being smart.
But that night, I barely slept.
The room felt old, dirty, and uncomfortable. The blanket was itchy, the environment wasn't pleasant, and instead of enjoying my holiday, I spent the entire night wishing I had paid a little more.
Fast forward more than 10 years later.
This month, I returned to Taichung again.
But this time, something was different.
Because money is no longer my biggest concern.
Don't get me wrong—I still believe in budgeting. I still compare prices. I still look for value.
But saving money is no longer the main objective.
Enjoying life is.
Instead of asking, "How can I spend the least?"
I now ask, "How can I have the best experience within a reasonable budget?"
And honestly, this trip completely changed my perspective.
Over the last 5D4N, my fiancé and I explored Taichung, Qingjing, Puli, Hehuanshan, hot springs, sunrise spots, sunset viewpoints, and even went paragliding.
The crazy part?
Even though my goal wasn’t trying to save money, the entire trip still only cost about S$360 per person. 🤯
That's just S$70 per day.
And that’s how affordable Taiwan is!
For less than the price of a restaurant meal in Singapore, we were creating memories that will stay with us forever.
We stayed at Ku Kuan Hotel which has a beautiful mountain view, cute Japanese lantern street, spacious rooms, and an amazing outdoor hot spring.
It cost us only about S$100 a night.
The next day, we stayed near Qingjing Farm.
The hotel 清境茲心園山莊 (Zusin Shin Garden Hotel) overlooked rolling green hills and mountains. The room was modern, beautifully designed, and the breakfast was fantastic.
The next morning, I woke up to one of the most beautiful sunrises I've seen in years, with sheep grazing nearby.
And that room?
Only around S$70 Singapore dollars for two people. FYI, I could only found this crazy insane price at Agoda!
Then came the highlight of the trip.
Paragliding over Puli (埔里).
For about 15 minutes, we flew high above the town, surrounded by mountains and endless views.
The instructors at Puli Paragliding were incredibly professional, and they even did some crazy aerial tricks that had us screaming and laughing at the same time.
It was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
And it only cost around S$140 per person with the Insta 360 video taken throughout the trip. Highly recommend adding this to your bucket list and experiencing paragliding here! 🪂
As I sat there reflecting on the trip, I realised something important.
For years, I thought there were only two options:
Either spend a lot of money and travel luxuriously.
Or save aggressively and sacrifice comfort.
But that's simply not true.
There is a middle ground.
You can enjoy life.
You can stay in a beautiful comfortable hotel.
You can create amazing memories.
And you can still do it within a reasonable budget.
That's what financial freedom means to me today.
Not buying the most expensive things.
Not flexing luxury brands.
Not staying in five-star hotels just because you can.
But having the freedom to choose experiences that genuinely make you happy without worrying about money.
The funny thing is, the entire S$325 I spent on this trip was earned back through one of the high-growth ETFs that I bought during the same period.
Financially speaking, this trip was practically free.
But the memories?
Watching the sunrise over the mountains.
Relaxing in the hot spring.
Flying above Puli.
Driving through Taiwan's beautiful countryside with my fiancé.
Those moments are priceless.
That's why I believe investing isn't just about accumulating a bigger number in your account.
Money is a tool.
A tool to buy freedom.
A tool to enjoy experiences.
A tool to create memories with the people you love.
If you'd like to learn how I built my portfolio to generate cash flow and fund experiences like these, join me at my upcoming 3-day ETF Options To Freedom Bootcamp happening in July!
I'll show you the exact ETF and options strategies I use to grow my wealth while still enjoying life along the way.
Arigato!
Chloe
Arigato Investor
Just a quick heads-up 🌸 Except for Instagram, where I may reply if you comment on my posts, I’ll never initiate a private message to you on any platform. So if you ever get a DM from someone claiming to be “Chloe” or “The Arigato Investor” on Telegram or TikTok — please know that’s not me. It’s a scammer impersonating my account. Stay safe and always double-check 💛
The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should seek their own independent financial advice before making any investment decisions. Please note that the opinions expressed in this newsletter are Chloe's own and do not represent the views of any organization. Always perform your own research and due diligence before investing. 💛
