Money Talks

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.

Is it possible to insure yourself against climate change? Is personal cyber insurance a must, given that we have digital lives? In this week’s episode of Money Talks, Helen Shen, Singlife’s Group Head of Health, tells us what you need to know about supplementary insurance policies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a freelancer may offer flexibility and freedom, but what about financial security? In this week’s Money Talks, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of MoneyOwl Chuin Ting Weber, shares tips on how freelancers can manage their money better for a financially secure future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fixed deposits and government bonds are top choices for Singapore investors. But there are many other opportunities to grow wealth outside these tried and tested vehicles. But to do this, investor education is critical says Jo-Ann Chia, Asia Fixed Income Senior Portfolio Manager at Nikko Asset Management. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making a career pivot may seem scary, regardless of your age or station in life. How should you plan and manage your finances before making the leap into a new career? In this week’s episode of Money Talks, Peter Tan from Unicorn Financial Solutions shares some tips on how to navigate the change without disrupting your finances.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Asia, stock markets have seen diverse performances. From frontier markets that offer opportunities, to emerging ones that continue to entice investors and developed markets with steady growth, what should we know before dipping our toes in? Alex Wolf, Managing Director and Head of Investment Strategy for Asia at J.P. Morgan Private Bank gives us the lay of the land. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial abuse of vulnerable adults has been on the rise in Singapore. What are the red flags and what kind of legal and non-legal action can be taken to mitigate the impact? In this episode of Money Talks, Chong Yue-En, a lawyer and the Managing Director of Bethel Chambers LLC, gives us a breakdown of this complex issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as there are generous grants for workers to learn new skills, businesses too have a range of resources to tap on. Lee Hsin Chong, managing director of BNL, explains how he uses subsidies and grants to help his company and the staff improve. This episode was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, in support of Budget 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government recently announced a S$4000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up for Singaporeans aged 40 and above. While this is good news for those keen on upskilling themselves, others may not know where to start. Peggy Lim, director of the Public Engagement Division at SkillsFuture Singapore, guides the way on this week’s Money Talks. This episode was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, in support of Budget 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing rental market in Singapore has gone through significant changes over the past few years. How should potential renters prepare themselves before taking the plunge? What red flags should they look out for in their contracts?In this episode of Money Talks, 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.

Access to private markets may be expanding, but they remain opaque to the regular investor. In this episode of the Money Talks podcast, co-founder and CEO of investment platform StashAway, Michele Ferrario, takes us through the differences between public and private markets, and how access to private markets still has its limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One tool that every shareholder or investor should have in their arsenal is the ability to read and assess a company’s financial statements. But not everyone is equipped to cut through the jargon. David Gerald, founder, president and CEO of Securities Investors Association (Singapore) shows Andrea Heng what to look out for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following its peak in 2021, China has seen an epic US$7 trillion stock crash. Are we seeing a bottom nearing? What benefits can be reaped from buying cheaper Chinese stocks? Andrea Heng speaks to John Lin, Chief Investment Officer of China Equities at AllianceBernstein.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might have heard of the 'Magnificent 7' - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. But how did they become the darlings of the tech stock market and why are they so attractive to investors? Jonathan Woo, senior equity research analyst with PhillipCapital gives us the lowdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest changes to the CPF scheme announced in Budget 2024 raised concerns about the potential impact on retirement planning – specifically, the closure of the CPF Special Account. How will these changes affect your nest egg? We speak to Alvin Chow, CEO of financial education platform Dr Wealth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The shock of losing a job without any warning is usually followed by anxiety over the loss of regular income. What are your options if you are retrenched and how do you stretch your savings while waiting for the next job? Sim Yong Han, senior financial consultant of Trust Advisors Group at SG Alliance, provides some practical tips.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picking the right bank isn’t as straightforward these days. Beyond finding a reputable name to park your savings in, banks are also aggressively wooing customers with investment products, higher interest rates and customised financial planning. Prashant Aggarwal, CEO of the MoneyHero Group, guides Andrea Heng on how to choose the right bank for your needs.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gold and other precious metals, certain currencies and some defensive stocks are often considered safe haven assets. But are they really zero risk? Vasu Menon, managing director of investment strategy at OCBC, explains why these assets are a popular choice during an economic downturn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US securities regulator recently approved the first US-listed exchange traded funds (ETFs) to track bitcoin, putting ETFs in the spotlight with first-time investors. What are ETFs and what do you need to know before investing in these funds? Andrea Heng finds out more from Yeap Jun Rong, market analyst at IG. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2023 was a challenging year for real estate investment trusts or REITs with rising interest rates. But how exactly do they work, and should every investor include REITs in their portfolio? Executive chairman of GCP Global Gabriel Yap gives Andrea Heng a crash course on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some people develop bad spending habits due to stress, while others learn them in childhood. How do we recognise these behaviours and more importantly, how do we get rid of them? Benny Ong of investment advisory community I Quadrant shares his experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates four times in 2023 and at least three cuts are expected this year. How do fluctuating interest rates affect our expenses and investments? Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer of Maybank Group Wealth Management gives an overview of 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last instalment of our top three episodes from our archives, Dawn Cher, author of personal finance blog SGBudgetBabe shares her top tips on how to combat rising food prices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second of three top episodes from our archives this year, Julian Kho, general manager of Sgcarmart weighs the pros and cons of having a car in Singapore. With car prices at an all-time high, thanks to record-breaking Certificate of Entitlement (COE) fees, would it make more financial sense to lease a car instead of owning one?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of top three episodes from our archives this year, Andrea Heng asks property agent Jooann Tay what prospective homebuyers should do. Get a new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat that can take more than four years to build? Or buy a resale flat that might cost significantly more?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Need a break but don’t want to splurge too much on an overseas holiday? You can travel affordably if you are willing to take these extra steps, says finance blogger Eugene Chai. He shares with host Elizabeth Neo his best hacks on how to score cheaper air tickets, accommodation and sightseeing deals. Am I Adulting Right is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dexter Tiah was only two years into his first job when he accumulated enough to start his first S$100,000 investment portfolio. The investor and author of the personal finance book Laughs, Losses and Lessons, shares with Andrea Heng how he achieved this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yoga, pilates, massages and facials – these are some of the offerings in a growing health and wellness industry in Singapore, all in the pursuit of staying healthy. But how much is too much for this portion of our expenditure? And what are the must-haves in your wellness budget? Kenneth Lou and Dr Ryan Ware from Mito Health break down their spending in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax season isn’t in a few months but with year-end bonuses coming, it’s time to plan how to maximise tax reliefs and deductions. What are the easiest and best-known ways to reduce personal income tax? Josh Tan, financial adviser and host of YouTube channel The Astute Parent, guides Andrea Heng on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are single, it could mean you have more time for self-discovery and self-care. But chances are, you are also paying all the bills, with no one to share the financial load with. Andrea Heng gets tips and advice from siblings Sara and Aaron Wee, otherwise known as the Weeblings, on creative ways to budget, save and invest better when you’re flying solo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It can be very tempting for some of us to quit work so we can rest, study or just spend more time with the family. What financial calculations do you need to make so you don't end up struggling? Andrea Heng speaks to Andy Soh, who does sales for SMEG Singapore and took a career break for two years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While getting a divorce is not something many people plan for when they walk down the aisle, navigating the financial costs when it’s time to split can be difficult. What financial decisions should a couple agree on when they’ve reached the end of their marriage journey? Ivan Cheong, a family law specialist and equity partner with Withers Worldwide, gives his advice on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thinking or planning to take up a job overseas? Before jumping into that jet-setter life that awaits you, what expenses should you set aside your money for? He Ruiming and Goh Wei Choon of The Woke Salaryman give host Andrea Heng a clear-eyed breakdown of what you need to consider. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money can be a delicate topic for some couples. But such conversations are important when planning for a future together. What are some red flags you should look out for in your relationship? Hans and Shu Goh, husband-and-wife team behind Homesmart Singapore, share with host Elizabeth Neo about their financial journey. “Am I Adulting Right?” is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.