Money Talks

If the US dollar weakens against the Singdollar, should you buy it even if you’re not traveling to the US anytime soon? And what happens if the rate drops drastically? In this week’s Money Talks episode, Khoon Goh, head of Asia research for ANZ gives a run down the basics of currency exchange.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond the physical and emotional toll that comes with having cancer, the financial burden can be just as daunting. So what are the key costs to consider if you or your loved one are faced with cancer? Group director for clinical services at the Singapore Cancer Society Dr Dennis Chia is our guest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property disputes – especially among family members can lead to painful and costly legal battles. What can be done to avoid these conflicts before they escalate? Andrea Heng sits down with Lim Fung Peen, director and head of family and private wealth practice group at Yuen Law LLCSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond using your CPF to buy a home or as a retirement plan, it can also be used for investments. But what are the risks involved? In this episode of Money Talks, Christopher Tan from Providend explains how to avoid some common investment pitfalls.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S$NEER – the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate - is a critical component of Singapore’s monetary policy. Jeff Ng, head of Asia macro strategy at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, tells Andrea Heng how this affects the price of our daily coffee or our shopping sprees on holiday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning a funeral can be a deeply emotional experience - but it can also come with significant financial costs. Andrea Heng speaks with Ang Ziqian, vice-president of the Association of Funeral Directors Singapore and managing director of Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors, on the costs and logistics of planning for a funeral. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European stock market was outperforming the American markets in the first quarter of 2025. Then came US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” and markets across Europe plunged. Should investors still look to Europe in the mid- and long-term? Yap Fook Hien, senior investment strategist, wealth solutions for Standard Chartered Bank breaks it down.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From growing up in a wealthy family to losing it all when she was just 15, group CEO and founder of The Parentinc, Roshni Mahtani Cheung, is our guest on this episode of How I Made It. She tells Andrea Heng how she built her business from scratch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sent shockwaves through global markets. But what does this mean for your investments? Eddy Loh, chief investment officer at Maybank Group Wealth Management tells Andrea Heng what you should consider having in your portfolio to weather through the falls. This podcast was recorded on Apr 8, 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early March, financial services firm Chocolate Finance announced it had suspended instant withdrawals, causing concern among customers. This raised questions about the safety of digital banks and investment platforms. Avishek Nandy from Bain & Company gives Andrea Heng a quick lay of the land in this week’s Money Talks Explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you planning to refinance your mortgage loan but not sure if it’s the right time? In this episode of Money Talks Explains, Clive Chng, head of relations at Redbrick Mortgage Advisory, gives a breakdown of what homeowners should consider – from loan tenure to interest rates – before making the move.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From big-ticket items to daily expenses, the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme has gained traction among consumers for its convenience and flexibility. But do consumers fully understand the risks involved? Associate Professor Pearpilai Jutasompakorn from the Singapore Institute of Technology breaks down the pros and cons of the scheme with Andrea Heng in this week’s episode of Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When making travel plans, buying travel insurance is usually treated as an afterthought. In this episode of Money Talks, Cherie Wang co-founder of Planner Bee tells Andrea Heng why this shouldn’t be the case, and highlights what fine print to look out for to ensure you can travel with a peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2025 was chockfull of goodies – from top-ups in CDC vouchers, increased support for workers looking to upskill themselves, and more incentives for Singaporeans to have larger families. In this week’s Money Talks, Navin Sregantan, financial literacy specialist at DBS Bank tells Andrea Heng how we can make the most out of this year’s offerings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever bought an insurance policy only to have your agent ask if you would like to add on a rider for extra cost? In this week’s Money Talks Explains, Samuel Low from Income Insurance tells Andrea Heng what to consider before adding an integrated shield plan (IP) rider to your insurance policy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial analysts will tell you that you need at least S$600,000 in cash when you retire. But for most people with heavy financial needs, what’s a reasonable plan? Andrea Heng asks OCBC's group wealth management head, Tan Siew Lee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From home renovation to purchasing a car and buying a house, what types of loans are available in Singapore and what should you look out for? Head of retail at GXS Bank Jenn Ong explains how to find the correct loan for your needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When choosing a credit card, which reward system should you go for – miles or cash rebates? On the brand-new Money Talks Explains, where we break down your financial questions, Tim Philips from TimTalksMoney explains the pros and cons of each, the trade-offs and key factors to consider before choosing your next credit card. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs could raise prices, but his pro-growth policies could work for your investments. Abel Lim, Head of Wealth Management Advisory and Strategy at UOB, shares his insights on this week’s Money Talks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Common disputes customers face with financial institutions include having their bank accounts frozen due to fraudulent transactions or not understanding why their insurance claims were rejected. So how can these issues be resolved? Eunice Chua, CEO of the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) shares with Andrea Heng how mediation can help.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to financial resolutions, the common advice is to spend less and save more. But is it really that simple? In this episode, author of personal finance blog SG Budget Babe Dawn Cher shares with Andrea Heng how to diversify income streams, overcoming inertia to start investing and reviewing financial portfolios.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last installment of our top five episodes of the season, Andrea Heng finds out what potential renters need to know before taking the plunge and what red flags to look out for when reviewing their contracts. Dr Lee Nai Jia, Head of Real Estate Intelligence, Data and Software Solutions with PropertyGuru Group gives his take.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one of our top five episodes of the season, Chong Yue-En, a lawyer and the managing director of Bethel Chambers LLC, breaks down the complex issue of financial abuse. What are the red flags and what kind of legal and non-legal action can be taken to mitigate the impact? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third episode of the top five episodes of the Money Talks season, CEO of Mortgage Master, David Baey, shares his insights on how to navigate the costs of home ownership, amd getting the most out of your mortgage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second of the top five episodes from our archives, Nabila Hanim shares with Andrea Heng about some of the hidden financial and non-financial costs that come with being the primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of the top five episodes from our archives this year, Andrea Heng sits down with PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor. He shares how his childhood shaped his attitude towards money, the number one financial rule he and his wife live by, and why it took years for him to finally enjoy spending money on himself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Companies in Singapore are always encouraged to invest in training and upskilling of their staff. But with limited resources and time constraints, what sort of assistance can SMEs tap on to keep up with the competition? Brian Stampe from Commonwealth Concepts and Xu Wenshan from SkillsFuture Singapore share their insights in this week’s Money Talks. This episode is brought to you by SkillsFuture Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, going against the big players can seem almost impossible. But what if the big players can help the SMEs to not only survive but thrive? In this week’s Money Talks, Andrea Heng sits down with Yee Wee Tang, managing director of Grab Singapore, and Xu Wenshan from SkillsFuture Singapore to share about the SkillsFuture Queen Bee networks and how industry leaders can further support SMEs. This episode is brought to you by SkillsFuture Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From budget constraints to moving timelines and working with contractors – renovating your home can be a mentally and financially draining process. In this week’s Money Talks, Qanvast co-founder Daniel Lim shares tips on how to navigate the renovation journey without breaking the bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the suburbs of Australia to the snowy resorts in Niseko, Singaporeans are venturing overseas in search of a second property. Whether it’s an investment or to be close to your child in university, the process comes with certain costs and trade-offs. Clarice Lau, head of sales, residential (international project marketing) from Knight Frank Singapore gives Andrea Heng the lay of the land in this week’s Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims limits for hospital stays and outpatient treatments will go up - but so will MediShield Life premiums. How can we maximise our MediSave, and what support is available for those who may not be able to afford the rising costs? Dr Cynthia Chen, Assistant Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health sits down with Andrea Heng on this week’s Money Talks. This podcast was produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore may have one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but this comes at a heavy price. In this week’s Money Talks, Dr Jeremy Lim from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health explains how early detection of diseases may help lower your healthcare expenses in future. This podcast was produced in partnership with the Ministry of Health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From defective home appliances to misleading product descriptions, it can be frustrating when your purchases fall short on quality. What rights do customers have when seeking compensation, and when is it all a futile exercise? Linus Ng, chairperson of the CASE Consumer Education Committee and partner at Donaldson & Burkinshaw, explains if you can get your money back from errant vendors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether it is taking care of your parents, grandparents or a relative with needs, caregivers have been deemed the “invisible workforce”. What are some of the hidden financial and non-financial costs that come with the role? In this week’s Money Talks, Nabila Hanim shares with Andrea Heng how she manages being the primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s stock market has been in the doldrums, struggling to attract and retain listings. For such a competitive economy, why is the stock market so lacklustre? Yang Eu Jin, partner and co-head of RHTLaw Asia’s Corporate & Capital Markets Practice, tells us in this week’s Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second of a two-part series, Love, Bonito co-founder Rachel Lim tells Andrea Heng how her family’s early financial struggles shaped her financial values and why she would advise budding entrepreneurs not to quit their day jobs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After another record sell-off in the US stock market in early September, should investors start looking at Asian markets and sectors outside of AI? Andrea Heng sits down with Garett Lim, head of partners, Asia at SIX Financial Information and they discuss how investors can reassess their investment strategies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special two-part series, we sit down with Singapore’s money makers and ask them about their relationship with money. PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor shares how his childhood shaped his attitude towards money, the number one financial rule he and his wife live by, and why it took years for him to finally enjoy spending money on himself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From tests to therapy, parents raising a child with special needs require additional resources and careful financial planning. How can they tap on available support? In this week’s Money Talks, Frederic Maury, parent of a special needs child, shares his experiences and advice on how parents can effectively plan for their children’s future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spending your golden years in a country with a slower pace of life or cooler climate may seem enticing, but it also requires careful financial planning. Joie Lim, Financial Services Director and private wealth consultant at Prudential, shares both financial and non-financial factors to consider. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studies show that Gen Alpha is set to become the generation with the greatest spending power in history. But how can parents help them cultivate the right financial habits? In this week’s Money Talks, financial coach and mother of two Gen Alpha sons, Michelle Howell, shares tips on how to teach your children about the value of money in an age of digital payments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global financial markets were in a spin recently when the Japan's main stock index suffered its worst day in 37 years and stocks on Wall Street faced their sharpest decline in nearly two years. Eddy Loh, chief investment officer of Maybank Group Wealth Management, tells Andrea Heng what this means for economies and for investors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, all of us have a credit score and that number gives a snapshot of your financial health. How do you find your score and make sense of it? In this episode of Money Talks, Wong Sok Quan from Credit Bureau Singapore gives a breakdown on how to read your credit score, and how it can affect your loan options and job opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Legacy planning affects everyone, and being open about it can prevent a great deal of pain in the long run. From being transparent about inheritance among family members, to clearing debts, Lionel Wong, associate director of finexis advisory, shares tips on how to conduct your legacy planning smoothly. Editor's Note: This episode of Money Talks has been edited to remove an incorrect reference by our guest to CPF monies when there is no nomination. CPF funds are paid to the Public Trustee's Office for distribution to family members. We apologise for the error. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s never a better time to be an entrepreneur because of the widely available funding today. But who should you pitch to and what do they expect? Co-founder of Fintech Nation and adviser to NUS Alumni Ventures Vanessa Ho, shares more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Turning a business idea into reality takes grit, determination – and money. In this week’s episode of Money Talks, Tipsy Collective co-founder David Gan talks about his entrepreneurial journey – from managing startup costs to cutting losses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore saw its highest surge of personal bankruptcy applications in 2023. What does it mean to be declared bankrupt? What impact can it have on your career and your future? In this episode of Money Talks, we talk to Claudia Khoo, a lawyer at Shook Lin & Bok, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it always safe to invest in dividend stocks? In this episode of Money Talks, UOB’s Head of Wealth Management Advisory and Strategy, Abel Lim, shares his insights on how to identify the right ones, and the risks and rewards of adding them to your portfolio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. But how do you make sure that you’re getting the most out of your mortgage? In this episode of Money Talks, CEO of Mortgage Master, David Baey, shares his insights on how to navigate the costs of home ownership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Investing in sustainable businesses is on every major fund portfolio. Where do you start when looking at green finance and what are the risks and rewards? In this episode of Money Talks, Professor Lawrence Loh from the NUS Business School is our guest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.