I Started Investing Too Late but I’m Doing It Anyway
The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t See Coming
In early 2020, I thought I was doing okay financially. Not rich, but okay. Working at sea meant no rent, no groceries, no utility bills. I was saving money, sending some home, and keeping the rest on hand for “just in case.”
Then COVID happened.
The cruise industry shut down overnight, and so did my income. Savings that once felt like enough drained away. A series of unexpected events before and after made sure of that. That’s when I realised: saving isn’t enough.
For years, I had been doing what felt safe – holding onto cash, unsure where to put it. Investing seemed like something only KL finance guys did, not cruise ship crew. Passive income? That sounded like a myth.
But the pandemic forced me to think differently. That’s when I realised that financial security isn’t just about having a cushion. It’s about creating a life that doesn’t constantly drain you financially.
Working at sea has already taught me a lot about living simply, but this was different. This was about making money work for me, not the other way around.
I wish I had started earlier. But since I didn’t, I’ll say this: don’t follow my example. Learn from it.
The “I’ll Start Later” Lie
Looking back, I realise it wasn’t about how much I earned. It was about how I managed it. Budgeting as a cruise crew could have helped me start sooner, but I kept thinking investing was only for people with “extra” money.
“I’ll start when I earn more.”
“I need to figure out where to invest first.”
“I don’t want to risk losing money.”
The truth? I had no financial knowledge. Still don’t, really. But I’m learning, bit by bit. And the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that waiting until you feel “ready” is the fastest way to waste time.
I finally started investing in 2024. Way too late. But here’s the thing: no matter how late you start, it’s still better than never starting.
For seafarers, it’s easy to assume financial planning is something to think about “later.” Ship life can be overwhelming at first, but the earlier you start, the more freedom you create for your future self.
Even $10 invested is better than $10 sitting in a low-interest account getting eaten by inflation.
Why Passive Income Sounds Easy (But Isn’t)
In 2022, while working on land temporarily, I experimented with freelancing. It was okay, but inconsistent.
In 2023, I’ve tried different ways to earn online, from print-on-demand to affiliate marketing. Some of these methods worked for others, but for me, inconsistency was the problem.
It’s not just about time – it’s about energy. By the time you’re done with work, the last thing you want is another “job.” That’s why so many crew members focus on saving money instead of earning more. Cutting expenses while travelling is often easier than trying to build something new from scratch.
In 2024, I took my first real step into investing. At the same time, I started blogging while still figuring out how to build passive income. It’s a work in progress, but at least I’m no longer ignoring it.
If you’re at sea, thinking about it but not taking action – just start something. Even if it’s messy, even if you fail. You won’t figure it out by waiting.
Why I Chose Precious Metals Over Crypto and Stocks
Most crew members I know talk about investing in crypto and stocks. I get it – it’s exciting, fast-moving, and people love the idea of getting rich overnight.
But here’s what I noticed: the same people investing in crypto were still returning for another contract, still complaining about ship life, still stressed about money.
If it worked, why were they still here?
I’m not into crypto or stock trading. After seeing how unstable financial markets can be, I lean toward something physical – precious metals. Not financial advice – just my personal choice. It aligns with my interest in sustainability (something else COVID made me rethink), and unlike digital currencies, it’s not something that disappears when a market crashes.
The Fear of Letting Go of Cash (And Why I Did It Anyway)
For years, I held onto cash because I thought it was the safest option. Turns out, cash is only “safe” until inflation eats away at its value. But the real reason I hesitated to invest?
Because I might need it.
And, well, I did. My family needed money. So instead of watching numbers go up and down in an investment account, I used that money when they needed it most. No regrets.
That moment made me realise something fundamental: money, at the end of the day, is meant to be used. But the hardest part is knowing when to save, when to invest, and when to let go.
Travel has given me some of my biggest financial lessons, but this one was personal.
That’s why now, I’m thinking long-term. Investing in things that don’t just sit, but grow. It doesn’t mean I’ll never hold cash again, but now I understand that security isn’t just about having money—it’s about making sure it’s working for you, not just waiting to be spent.
For Crew Members Wondering How to Start
Being at sea doesn’t mean you can’t start. You just need to carve out small pockets of time – maybe on port days, during quiet shifts, or in between finding ways to stay entertained onboard.
Stop waiting for the “right time.” The right time was yesterday. The second-best time is today.
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to start.
Passive income takes time. It’s not overnight, but it’s worth it.
Figure out what aligns with your values. Stocks, metals, real estate, online income – choose what makes sense to you.
If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to start earlier. But since I can’t, I’m telling you instead: start now. Future you will be grateful.
Financial Freedom Still Feels Like a Dream – But At Least I’m Working Toward It
The idea of financial freedom still feels distant. But unlike before, I actually have a plan to build more security for my future.
I don’t know exactly what financial freedom will look like for me yet. But asking “What if?” has already changed my life in ways I didn’t expect, and maybe it’ll lead me somewhere I never imagined. Either way, it’s a step forward.
And that’s the whole point. Investing and building passive income isn’t about quitting work tomorrow – it’s about making sure my money isn’t just sitting there, waiting to be spent.
