My 'Boring' Uncle Portfolio Makes $200K a Year [Chills 260 ft Stocks.cafe]

In this episode of 'Chills with TFC,' Reggie from The Financial Coconut Podcast interviews Evan Koh, founder of Stocks.cafe, about his journey from a comp sci PhD to building a $200,000+ annual passive income stream through dividend investing, REITs, banks, and options. Evan shares his experience living and working in Japan for over a decade, including earning a high salary in a US-based tech company, obtaining PR status, buying a home and car, and ultimately deciding to return to Singapore due to high taxes and limited long-term mobility. Despite Japan’s high cost of living and tax burden—over 50% in some cases—he found the lifestyle rewarding until the tax structure and lack of flexibility for foreigners made him reconsider. Back in Singapore, he built a low-expense, high-freedom life with minimal reliance on CPF, using a mix of dividend income, side ventures, and strategic investing. His philosophy centers on financial independence through consistent income, lifestyle design, and personal fulfillment—now fueled by high-intensity fitness challenges like High Rocks. The episode underscores the value of reverse-engineering financial goals, prioritizing income over net worth, and seeking environments that reward output over face time.