At LAX, on my first return from SIN in 2002, Customs asked was how long was I gone? I told them I was in for SIN 3 days. I should have said I was gone from home for 5 days. I had 3 bags and I believe that may have been the reason that I got the secondary. They asked me how could I afford to travel. I said I had a rental property that gave me income every month greater than what the SIN trip cost. (this was in the day when LAX-SIN was less than $500. ). I also said my apt rent was <10% of my employment income so I had plenty of extra $ for travel. I bought a bag in SIN along with alot of gifts and was well under the $800 limit. I answered all their questions and had my local govt ID with me. I had another flight to catch to ONT but was able to make the flight.

After that trip, I responded that I was gone from home for 5 days for similar trips. Never any secondary after that.