Me & My Money: Dental surgeon plays his cards right with his board-games side venture

SINGAPORE - While Dr Spencer Douglas had a passion for dentistry, he postponed his university offer in dental surgery to pursue his other interests in life first.

The native of the United Kingdom fulfilled his childhood dream by taking up a position as a chef in France, and also working as a mountain bike instructor in Turkey in the summer, over the span of two years.

“I always intended to study dentistry, which blends hands-on skill and creativity and allows for genuine patient care,” he said, adding that he studied dental surgery at the University of Liverpool, and graduated in 2019.

He then practised as a dental surgeon in Cheshire and North Wales for five years before moving to Singapore last year.

Dr Douglas, now 30, is a dental surgeon at Dental Essence, a family and general dental practice located in Tanglin Road.

Outside of work, he is a big fan of board games.

“My biggest collection is of board games, over 200 of them, ranging from vintage classics to modern hidden gems. I collect them mostly for sentimental reasons, but who knows… one day, they might be worth something more. I love the social aspect; you’re forced to put down your phone and connect with those around you,” said Dr Douglas, who has been collecting board games since 1999.

The hustle and bustle of working in a city did not stop the hobby enthusiast from combining two of his interests, board games and golfing, into a new business venture selling a card game he developed.

His golf-themed card game, Foreplay, involves a set of game cards you hand out on the course during a real-life game to sabotage opponents’ shots, give a helpful boost, or score a mulligan, an extra stroke allowed after a poor shot.

Dr Douglas lives in River Valley with his partner of nine years, who is a teacher at an international school.

Q: What do you invest in and why?

A: I invest in assets that introduce some risk. While at university, I invested a moderate amount of my income in cryptocurrency. But I keep crypto to a small slice of my portfolio, making sure I never invest more than I’m willing to lose.

I also believe in balancing stability and opportunity. The bulk of my income goes into high-yield savings accounts and I maintain a stake in select stocks with growth potential in fields I’m deeply interested in. Finally, I invest my time and resources in projects I believe in, such as my upcoming golf-themed card game. That balance – between safe foundations and personal passion projects – keeps my finances both grounded and geared for growth.

In a field like dentistry, where new techniques and technologies emerge quickly, continuous learning is crucial, which is why I invest in it as well. Whether I’m mastering veneer restorations or aligner systems, each added skill strengthens my professional value and patient trust. That, in turn, provides a steady income stream I can reinvest in future opportunities.

My biggest asset is the investment I have made and continue to make in my professional development. That allows me the freedom to balance my career and new hobbies, such as the development of my card game.

Q: How did you first become interested in investing? What was your first investment? 

A: My first foray into investing happened a bit later in my adult life when I started noticing how many of my peers were chatting about stocks after work. Their conversations really piqued my interest and hearing them discuss different companies and market trends made me keen to know more.

So, I put a small amount into a few stocks, purely treating it as a practical education. It was a modest start, but you learn a lot more when it’s your own funds you’re risking. It opened my eyes to the ups and downs of the market and showed me the importance of balancing risk with caution.

Q: What has been your biggest financial mistake?

A: Not diving deeper into my financial education earlier. I don’t regret the adventures I had while I was younger, but knowing what I do now, I would’ve given my financial trajectory a friendly nudge a lot sooner.

Q: What has been your best financial decision to date?

A: I’d say my small venture into crypto was eye-opening. I only invested the equivalent of pocket change at the time, but it jumped roughly by 500 times. I cashed out quickly, which in hindsight, was a good call. The bigger lesson was understanding volatility and knowing how much risk you can really handle.

Q: Where’s home for you?

A: I live in River Valley, which is near enough to work and fun spots to make life seamless.

Q: What do you drive?

A: I don’t drive here because cycling and Singapore’s transport system make it easy to get around. Plus, it aligns with my goal of living actively.

Q: Money-wise, what were your growing-up years like? How did these experiences shape your outlook on personal finance/investing?

A: My parents worked tirelessly so my siblings and I could benefit from an excellent private education and wider opportunities in life. Seeing how they threw themselves into each project with purpose and always followed through to the very end taught me that money is not just about earning, it’s about investing yourself in what you believe in.

I’d like to think that’s how I ended up exploring so many paths in life, from dentistry to making games. That perspective shaped how I handle finances now: I’m willing to put in the hard work, but I also make sure each endeavour aligns with my passion and long-term goals.

While I valued the money I earned, I also used to spend a bit of my paper-round money on sweets or little treats. Today, I’m more structured. I set aside funds for necessities, continuing education and a “fun budget” for travels with my partner or spontaneous hobbies like forging knives or creating quirky board games.

Q: What was your childhood dream? 

A: I dreamt of being a chef. Cooking still gives me that same creative rush: experimenting with flavours, learning new techniques and making people happy with what I create. It’s not too different from the sense of fulfilment I get in dentistry or board game design.

Q: What was your first job? 

A: I had a paper round in Brighton when I was about 16. Waking up at dawn, delivering newspapers and then cycling to school taught me discipline and made me appreciate the value of every pound I earned.

Money Matters:

Q: What would you do if you suddenly had a windfall of millions?

I’d invest in more advanced dental certification, expand the board game range, and look into philanthropic projects aimed at improving access to dental care. Finally, I’d set a pot aside for exploring more of Asia because travel always sparks new ideas.

Q: If you suddenly had only $100 to your name, what would you do with it?

If I suddenly had only $100 to my name, I’d buy a coffee and a croissant. Simple but delicious, a small investment in a good mood to kickstart the day. But here’s the thing: I’ve already invested in myself, so the real wealth isn’t in the $100… it’s in my skills, knowledge and creativity. That’s the capital I’m working with. The money will come because I’m not relying on luck, just hard work and creativity. So, while the croissant might be short-lived, my ability to influence the future and create more opportunities – that’s my long-term asset.

• Rosalind is a business journalist who has been with The Straits Times since 2021. She covers e-commerce and stories on retail businesses.