Providend's Money Wisdom

Welcome back to part four of this nine-part mini-series, where we delve into the wealth management journey of our clients.As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we have been receiving many questions about who we serve and our work for our clients. So we put together a collection of all the stories that clients and prospective clients shared with us. It ranges from why they are looking for guidance, the challenges they faced before meeting us, and their experience working with Providend.In part one of this mini-series, we covered who our clients are, their concerns, and their need for a trusted wealth adviser. Following that, in part two, we shared the potential reasons for a lack of trust in the advisory industry and the need for sound wealth advice. In part three, we discussed how Providend was set up to be the trusted adviser to our clients, to guide them through a minefield of misinformation with honest, independent, and competent advice.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode (part four), our co-host Isaac interviews Christopher, our Founder & CEO, about Providend's advisory and planning process and why we go the extra mile to understand our clients' life goals before making any recommendations to them.The first meeting is termed a "Pre-Discovery" meeting, where we will decide whether there is a mutual fit, before arranging for subsequent meetings. And like a good slow-boil soup, the subsequent meetings are where we take time to know our clients, and what a good life means to them. This is of absolute importance to us, before we start to embark on suggesting specific instruments that would be suitable for them.Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where Amelia from our Brand Experience team will be having a discussion with Chris about his article in The Business Times. Do watch out for it!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Being a trusted adviser to our affluent clients for over two decades, it is important to ensure the reliability and sufficiency of investment returns to meet our clients' non-negotiable life goals.Some weeks ago, our CEO Chris encountered three situations that inspired him to write his Business Times article, with one of them being his recent trip to Guangzhou as a keynote speaker at the Morningstar (China) 2024 Investment Summit. A common theme running through all three encounters was the challenge for investors to stay invested.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our new co-host Amelia, from the Brand Experience team, interviews Chris, beyond what was written in the article. Chris opened up about the lessons Singaporean investors can learn from the Chinese and also shared a case study of what a non-negotiable life goal is and the importance of holistic wealth advice that contributes to our clients achieving these goals.You can find Chris’ article in The Business Times on this topic here: https://providend.com/a-more-reliable-way-to-get-enough-investment-returns/Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where we will be jumping into part 4 of our mini-series: "The Story of Our Clients' Wealth Journey".Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Amelia Wong, is the Senior Content & Digital Marketing Executive at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Download Investment eBook Today!Download our Investment eBook titled “A More Reliable Way to Get Enough Investment Returns: Even During Times of Market Uncertainty” here: https://providend.com/publications/#investment

Welcome back to part three of this nine-part mini-series, where we delve into the wealth management journey of our clients. As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we have been receiving many questions about who we serve and our work for our clients. So we put together a collection of all the stories that clients and prospective clients shared with us. It ranges from why they are looking for guidance, challenges they faced before meeting us, and their experience working with Providend. In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our co-host Isaac talks to Chin Yu, our Lead of Advisory Team, about the two qualities that a trusted adviser should have. Chin Yu also shares more about how Providend's collective wisdom, philosophies and strong work culture push the team forward to become trusted advisers, as we manage over S$1 billion worth of our clients’ assets with care, so our clients can reliably meet their non-negotiable life goals. Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where Amelia from our Brand Experience team will be having a discussion with Chris about his article in The Business Times. Do watch out for it!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Download our RetireWell™ eBook Today!Our popular RetireWell™ eBook has been updated! RetireWell™ is a methodology that Providend has developed to design a retirement income plan that will provide you with a safe and reliable stream of income for the rest of your life. Check out the link here to download a complimentary copy of the full eBook today: https://providend.com/publications/#retirewell

Welcome back to part two of this nine-part mini-series, where we delve into the wealth management journey of our clients.Being a trusted adviser to our affluent clients for the past two decades, we have been receiving many questions about who we serve and the work that we do for our clients. So we decided to put together a collection of all the stories that clients and prospective clients shared with us. It ranges from why they are looking for guidance to challenges they faced before meeting us, and their experience working with Providend.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our co-host Isaac probed our Deputy CEO & Chief Advisory Officer, Evelyn Goh, with several difficult questions on the common issues faced by clients in their search for a trusted wealth adviser. Evelyn addressed the elephant in the room when talking about the "4Cs" that possibly frustrate clients when all they desire is for their needs to be met. She also shared the painful truth that no single adviser can be competent in all areas of a comprehensive wealth plan, and why is that so?Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where our co-host Jin will be talking to Chris about his article in The Business Times. Following that, our next episode will be part three of this new series, so please look forward to that!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Grab Your Very Own Money Wisdom Book Today!Some longtime listeners might know that the inspiration behind this entire podcast was our CEO, Chris’s book titled Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness. If you are interested in getting your very own signed copy, please check out the link here: https://providend.com/publications/

It has been a month since the CPF changes were announced, and there are still ongoing discussions in the media, online, and in various finance chat groups. With all the noise surrounding this 'hot topic,' our CEO, Chris, shared a simple guide in a Business Times article, which all Singaporeans can refer to when considering their next steps in light of these changes.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our co-host Jin interviews Chris, as he digs deeper into this article to discuss the pros and cons of a private annuity plan and CPF LIFE, with your life goals and savings plan in mind. Chris shares how crucial it is to have a robust wealth plan, as government policies and your personal needs may change over time.You can read Chris' article in The Business Times on this topic here.Also, stay tuned for our next podcast episode, for part 2 of a nine-part series that covers the wealth management journey of our clients!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Jin Lee, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia. The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to Our Mailing List Today!If you’re interested in getting more of our thought leadership contents, click this link to subscribe to our newsletter today: https://providend.com/#newsletter-subscribe

Providend has always been proud to share that we are Southeast Asia's first fee-only advisory firm. In recent years, we have been receiving many questions about who we serve and the work that we do for our clients.In this nine-part sequential mini-series, we will delve into the wealth management journey of our clients. This is a collection of all the stories that clients and prospective clients shared with us ranging from why they are looking for guidance to challenges they faced before meeting us, and their experience working with us. We are sure you would find something that resonates with you in your own wealth journey and glean some interesting insights.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our CEO Chris, and co-host Isaac, begin by telling the tale through the perspective of our clients - the protagonist of this story. As you continue through the series, you will learn about the values that they hold dear and the common thread that runs across what clients are looking for in a credible wealth adviser.Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where our co-host Jin will be talking to Chris about his article in The Business Times. Following that, our next episode will be part two of this new series, so please look out for it!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

The CPF changes announced during #Budget2024 have been receiving a range of opinions on the ground as Singaporeans who had "Special Account shielding" on their minds, question their next steps when it comes to retirement planning. Given the unpopular opinions, is this the right move to make for the primary purpose of the CPF? What do these changes mean to you as a young accumulator or a near-retiree? In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our CEO, Chris, encourages us to dig deeper and to ask ourselves what the original intent was for the monies left behind in our CPF balances after turning 55, should these changes not have been announced in the first place. That would give us a good idea of the next steps to take. Also, stay tuned for our next podcast episode, where we will be going through a client case study!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Jin Lee, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia. The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Download our RetireWell™ eBook Today!Our popular RetireWell™ eBook has been updated! RetireWell™ is a methodology that Providend has developed to design a retirement income plan that will provide you with a safe and reliable stream of income for the rest of your life. Check out the link here to download a complimentary copy of the full eBook today: https://providend.com/publications/#retirewell

Until today, Providend remains the only fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia, a model inspired by the U.S. and Australia - why is that so? For the average person seeking trustworthy wealth advice that is client-centric, should they exclusively consider fee-only wealth advisers? Also, what are the differences between fee-only and fee-based advisers? In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our CEO, Chris, and our Co-Host, Jin, discuss this controversial topic of the various compensation methods in the financial advisory world and the pros and cons of each. After listening to this podcast, we hope you will gain clarity on how to best evaluate the type of financial adviser that is most suitable for your needs. Stay tuned for our next "The Brain Behind" episode, where we delve deep into Chris' upcoming Business Times article!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Jin Lee, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia. The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to Our Mailing List Today!If you’re interested in getting more of our thought leadership contents, click this link to subscribe to our newsletter today: https://providend.com/#newsletter-subscribe

The philosophy of sufficiency serves as the anchor for everything we do here at Providend—whether it's planning for our clients, investing for them, or providing advice. Sufficiency is about having enough, but the question remains: when is enough truly enough? How do we find contentment in life, and what does contentment mean?In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, elaborates on how we can identify the things that are important to us, which he terms as life decisions, and also "ikigai" decisions—those that help us live our day-to-day life in a way that is worth living. Financial decisions can then be arranged to support these life decisions.You can find The Business Times article "How to Make Life Decisions" here, where Chris shares the true meaning behind "ikigai" and how you can discover the life you have always desired to live: https://providend.com/how-to-make-life-decisionsMeanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Jin Lee, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia. The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Welcome to the FIRST episode of Providend’s Money Wisdom Podcast Season 3!For this season, we are doing things a little differently in our sharing of money wisdom with you. We will be introducing various mini-series covering different aspects of your overall wealth plan holistically. But first, let’s get to know more about your new co-host, Jin Lee, Associate Adviser at Providend.In this episode, Jin shares her interesting past experience and thorough research on Providend before making a career switch to join us. Even though Jin has only been with us for a short time, her interest in personal wealth and passion to do the right thing will surely make her a great co-host, alongside Isaac!Meanwhile, stay tuned for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his first article of 2024 on The Business Times!If you are interested in joining our Providend Associate Adviser Programme, kindly visit this link to find out more: https://providend.com/careers/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 3 can be found here.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Did you know that Dave Butler, Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), was a former professional basketball player? Standing at over two metres tall, how did he come to and stay in his role at DFA for the past 28 years, instead of pursuing his career in basketball?In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, Dave recounts his journey in one of the biggest fund management companies in the world. With the wealth of knowledge he possesses, he shares his views on money and explains why he still believes that having a wealth adviser is essential for leading a peaceful life.You can find the video version of this podcast episode on YouTube here: Meanwhile, stay tuned for exciting updates coming soon!The host of this episode, Evelyn Goh, is the Deputy CEO and Chief Advisory Officer at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Having a roof over your head is one of the necessary aspects of life. However, nowadays, many people in Singapore view properties as an investment and often even prefer these over equities. So, the question arises: Should you focus on property investment?In this week's Money Wisdom episode, Chin Yu discusses why people might prefer to invest in properties over equities and whether Providend considers it as an investment, using our investment framework.You can refer to Chin Yu's article on properties and their suitability in your overall investment portfolio here: https://providend.com/how-should-property-fit-into-your-overall-investment-portfolio/As mentioned, this is a video podcast, so you want to watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KNyayoE3tJEMeanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode, where we will be joined by a very special external guest!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

With the latest changes to investment-linked policies (ILPs), many investors may be contemplating the inclusion of this product in their investment portfolios. This prompted our CEO, Chris, to write his latest article in his The Business Times column, addressing the suitability of ILPs for your investment strategy.In this week's Money Wisdom episode, Chris expounds on the four pillars of our investment philosophy - economic contribution, empirical observation, implementation, and practical considerations – and explains how we use these to determine whether to include ILPs in our portfolio for clients.You can refer to The Business Times article here: https://providend.com/are-investment-linked-policies-suited-for-executing-your-investment-strategy/Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode where we'll discuss the pros and cons of investing in equities versus properties!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

It is inevitable to avoid crises or market downturns during your long-term investment journey. While we acknowledge that some turbulence is normal in any flight, it doesn't guarantee our hearts can always withstand the market's volatility. That’s why, at Providend, we are committed to coaching our clients even before they embark on their investment journey. In this week's Money Wisdom episode, Evelyn Goh, our Deputy CEO and Chief Advisory Officer, shares Providend’s experience through the various crises and our process of holding our clients’ hands through those difficult times. Meanwhile, stay tuned for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his latest article on The Business Times!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

At Providend, we've always advocated an evidence-based approach when investing your money and do not attempt to time the market. One might assume that, as long as you invest your money this way, you would be in good shape. However, another crucial piece of the puzzle is using the right instrument with the right investment manager. This was why Providend decided work with Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) to enhance the investment experience for our clients.In this week's Money Wisdom episode, our Head of Investment, Chye Hsern, is joined by Dr. Marlena, Global Head of Investment Solutions at DFA, to delve deeper into the DFA approach to managing their funds, ultimately benefiting our clients who will have peace of mind in their investment journey.You can also read more about Chye Hsern's thoughts on active investing that adds value to the client here - https://providend.com/active-investing-that-adds-value-to-the-clientMeanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode where we compare the pros and cons of investing in properties vs equities!The host of this episode, Cheng Chye Hsern, is the Head of Investment at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia. Learn more about Chye Hsern’s wealth insights here.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

More often than not, many investors assume that once they have completed their wealth plan when they are younger, they do not need to revisit it. However, this is not a reliable approach to managing your wealth plan. As accumulators, there are numerous unexpected events for which you may not have planned. Similarly, there are concerns as retirees that you did not encounter when you were younger.In this week's Money Wisdom episode, Alvin, our Client Adviser, discusses the differences you should take note of when planning for these two different life stages so that you can develop a comprehensive wealth plan for the long term.Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode, where we will be joined by a very special external guest!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

In a previous article written for The Business Times, Chris, our CEO, explained the different ways an adviser could be compensated – commission-based, fee-based, or fee-only. However, it is important to note that the different compensation methods alone do not determine if an adviser is the right one for you.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, Chris shares the three things you should take note of when choosing the right adviser for yourself and how Providend strives to uphold these in our day-to-day processes.You can also read Chris' Business Times article here: Choosing a Wealth Adviser That Will Always Do the Right Thing for You.Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode, where we discuss how an accumulator or a near-retiree should plan for their wealth respectively.The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

After finding the right instrument to invest in, the next question many investors might have is whether they should invest their entire amount all at once (Lump Sum) or spread it out over a few months (Dollar Cost Averaging). There are merits to both approaches, but which one is right for you?In this episode, Zhi Han, our Client Adviser, shares the historical evidence for both methods and highlights an important factor investors should consider when deciding between the two.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his latest article on The Business Times!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The third quarter of 2023 has been a challenging three months, as the MSCI All Country World IMI Index and the Bloomberg Global-Aggregate, our references for equities and bonds respectively, both fell this quarter.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, Choon Siong, our Research Analyst, shares the key catalyst of market movements and discusses the outperformance of value stocks over growth stocks.You can also read our complete market review of September here.Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode where Zhi Han, our Client Adviser, shares his views on lump sum investing versus dollar cost averaging.The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Investment-Linked Policies (ILPs) have always been a heavily debated and controversial topic among investors. To make matters worse, there are multiple types of ILPs being sold, and all with varying features. At Providend, we had previously stated our stance against the use of ILPs in our clients’ portfolio. However, with the changes around the new Wealth ILPs, will this change our stance?In this week's Money Wisdom episode, Mike Zhang, our Insurance Specialist, gives an overview of the different types of ILPs and all its features, its pros and cons, and his views on whether Wealth ILPs would fit into Providend’s investment philosophy, or not.You can also hear Chris' view on ILPs in his interview with the BagHolder Pod team here.Meanwhile, stay tuned for our next episode where Choon Siong, our Research Analyst, shares how the markets had performed for quarter three of 2023.The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Previously from other big financial institutions, Joyce and Zhi Han both coincidentally applied for an advisory role at Providend after watching this video where Christopher, our CEO, shares the reason why he left the insurance agency - Joyce Chng, our Associate Adviser, and Toh Zhi Han, our Client Adviser, both coincidentally applied for a job at Providend after watching this same video where our CEO, Christopher, shares the reason he left the insurance agency - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfDoOIACGsIn this episode, we are glad to have Joyce, our Associate Adviser, and Zhi Han, our Client Adviser, share their past working experiences in the big banks and well-known financial advisory firms – from client acquisition to the advisory and wealth planning process - versus what they are currently doing here at Providend.Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode where we discuss one of the most complex and controversial form of insurance, Investment Linked Policies (ILPs).The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

At Providend, in order to help our clients achieve enough returns in the most reliable way to enable their life goals and life events, we started using the Ibbotson-Chen Model early this year to be more robust in deriving the planning returns used for constructing our clients’ wealth plan. In this episode, Chris clarifies that these planning returns are actually not our portfolios’ target returns and that it is just a part of all the backend work we do (i.e. regular reviews of our clients’ circumstances, regular monitoring of the portfolios’ performances, a constant search for other suitable investment instruments) to give clients a better investment experience.Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode where we invited two of our colleagues to share their past working experiences in the financial advisory industry and how it compares to working here at Providend now!You can find the original article of Why a Robust Estimate of Future Returns Is Important for Investment Planning here.The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

“When I was much younger, we used to stay at a much bigger place. We had two cars and two maids, then subsequently, we just had one car, no more maid, downsized a little bit and went to rent instead.In my younger childhood years, I didn’t really have to worry about money, but the change was quite apparent after that, and I began to feel like money is very hard to come by.”In this episode, Seth shares two major life events that happened when he turned 18 and how that shaped his money values for life.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his latest article on The Business Times!The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

For the past 22 years, our CEO, Christopher Tan, has always been at the front line to share more about the humble beginning of Providend and how we persevered despite all the hardships faced to tirelessly journey along side our clients as their trusted wealth adviser.In this episode (which coincides with our 22nd birthday!), we specially invited two of Providend's founding members, Loh Mei Kuen and Vincent Tey, to share their reflections as they recount their initial experiences at the firm and their hopes for the future of Providend.As mentioned in the episode, we are hosting a webinar titled 'How Providend Ensures Reliable Investment Returns for Your Life Goals' tomorrow on 12 September. If you are interested in joining this webinar, kindly register for it here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tf--vqjwvEtD2GgFVYZ7pD-eJ_qC3--YXMeanwhile, stay tune for our next episode with a special guest where we discuss further on the value of wealth advice!The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

With the recent COE prices reported to be at an all-time high, the idea of owning a car in Singapore has become even harder to justify.In this episode, our Client Adviser, Ray Zheng, shares the deep conversations he had with some of his clients to better help them determine where car ownership ranks in terms of their other important life priorities and key considerations before making a car purchase that can actually make 'financial sense'.Meanwhile, stay tune for a special episode next week in celebration of our 22nd birthday!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

In this fast-paced financial landscape where businesses are in pursuit of faster revenue, interactions between wealth advisers and clients are highly transactional such that the value is often placed on the sale of products and not actual advice itself.In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, shares what value you should be expecting from your adviser and emphasises the importance of consumers’ demands in improving the overall financial landscape. Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode where we share our views on buying a car in Singapore, balancing lifestyle goals and financial considerations.The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

"When you say people get free advice here, I laughed because in the end when you think about how this world works, nobody works for free. So you are paying for what you are getting somehow.And in my mind, if you’re specifically paying for advice, to me, it’s a much more transparent set up than getting free advice or freebies packaged in some other ways that I don’t fully know. I’m less comfortable with that.”In this episode, Head of Investment Research at Dimensional Fund Advisors, Dr Wei Dai, shares her concerns towards “free advice” and key considerations when finding a suitable wealth adviser, especially as an expert in her field.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his latest article on The Business Times!The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Recession, the pandemic and shifting demographics are intensifying the pressures on the ‘sandwich generation’ – those taking care of both their elderly parents and young children. This can put a strain on not just their finances but on their emotional and time capacity as well.In this episode, our Advisory Team Lead, Loh Yong Cheng, shares his personal challenges balancing the roles, responsibilities and obligations as a sandwich generation and provides useful tips on how to manage these challenges in the various aspects.Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode with a special guest on the value of advice!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Estate planning is an essential component of both life and wealth planning that is often overlooked. Neglecting this critical aspect can lead to dire consequences, leaving loved ones with unnecessary burdens and financial challenges.In this episode, our Head of Solutions, Eddy Cheong shares the three key areas of estate planning – Distribution, Creation and Preservation, as well as considerations when crafting your estate plan so that the transfer of your estate, upon your unfortunate demise, can be transferred to your intended recipients without any unnecessary delay or unexpected situations that may complicate the entire distribution process.Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode where we share wealth planning tips for the sandwich generation! The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

As we appear to take a 'passive' approach to investing by not doing the typical tactical asset allocation (TAA) or market timing approach, many seem to think that nothing much is done once a client invests with us. So, why should clients pay us an ongoing advisory fee if we take a 'passive' instead of an 'active' approach to investing? In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, explains why Providend uses the Ibbotson-Chen Earnings Model, when crafting our client's wealth plan, to properly estimate the future expected returns of the stock markets and how our investment approach has shined during the market downturn in 2022.Meanwhile, stay tune for our next episode on the 3 main aspects of Estate Planning – Distribution, Creation & Preservation!The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

In the past quarter, we have seen multiple trends emerging in the investment market, most notably the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI). Many investors watching the AI trend are curious about how to get exposure, hunting for undervalued opportunities in an overvalued space.In this episode, our Research Analyst, Lim Choon Siong, summarises key market events that happened in the past quarter and explains what long-term investors like us should do to get the returns we truly need.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where Chris discusses more about his latest article on The Business Times!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The total cost of university education can range from $100,000 to $1 million in SGD today, depending on many factors such as country, university, academic field, degree level, inflation, and foreign currency exposure. It is not a small amount to set aside and requires a well-considered financial plan to achieve successfully.In this episode, our Solutions Specialist, Tan Choong Hwee, and our Insurance Executive, Ma Jiamin, share their overseas education experience as well as a step-by-step guide to planning for your children’s education.Stay tune for the next episode where we look back at the events that have shaped the markets over the past quarter and share the market outlook for the rest of the year!You can read the 2-parts article titled Wealth Planning for Your Child's Tertiary Education here:Part 1: Setting a Financial GoalPart 2: Achieving the GoalThe host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

*Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be postponing the episode on Investment-linked policies to a later date. Do keep a look out for it in the coming months and meanwhile, we hope you will find this new episode useful!*At Providend, we divide the whole process of planning for our demise into 3 stages – End-of-life planning, Legacy & Estate planning and Administration.In today's episode, Chris delves deeper into the End-of-life planning process where he explains what Advance Medical Directive (AMD), Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and Advance Care Plan (ACP) are for and why we need to get these important documents done early, when we are in good health.Stay tune for our next episode where we share tips on how you can plan well ahead for your children’s tertiary education, especially if you intend to send them overseas!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

One of the most challenging aspects of insurance planning is determining how much coverage you need. Buy too little insurance and you won’t have enough to get through a tough situation when you actually need it to do its job the most. Buy too much insurance and you’re wasting money every month on premiums when you could be saving more for retirement or another long-term goal.In this episode, Mike Zhang, our Insurance Specialist, shares the must-have insurance you need at the different life stages (yes, they vary at every stage and hence it's important to do an insurance review regularly) as well as key considerations to take before you purchase your next insurance policy.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where Mike shares his expert opinions on a relatively debatable topic - Investment-linked Policies (ILP)!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Did you know that back in 2013, a panel set up to review the financial advisory industry has rejected an outright ban on commission for financial advisers in Singapore?In this episode, Chris shares his thoughts behind this matter, one that is close to his heart, and also elaborates further as to why the commission-based approach actually makes more economic sense for individuals with less complex needs as well as ways on how we, as consumers, can mitigate this conflict of interest if we choose to engage a commission-based adviser.Meanwhile, stay tune for the next episode where we discuss how your insurance plan differs depending on your life stage.You can find the original article of Mitigating the Conflicts of Interest in the Financial Advisory Industry here.The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

"There have been many bad money decisions because I know how to buy (stocks) but I don't know how to sell!"In many industries like healthcare and legal, it is a norm for people to pay for professional advice. However, when it comes to the wealth industry, many are still hesitant to pay a fee for advice.In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, speaks with Lee Soo Chye, Managing Partner of Wee Swee Teow LLP, on his money journey as well as key traits to look out for in a good adviser, be it in the legal, healthcare or wealth industry.Stay tuned for the next episode as Chris shares deeper insights behind his upcoming article in The Business Times! The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Are you making the most of your CPF account? In this episode, Isaac discusses the strategies for optimising your CPF accounts and integrating them into your personal wealth plan with Tan Chin Yu, our Advisory Team Lead. Discover valuable tips and insights that will help working Singaporeans and PRs harness the full potential of their CPF monies. Meanwhile, stay tuned for our upcoming episode featuring a special guest!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Aside from conventional investment assets like stocks and bonds, there are other alternative investments that investors can consider. Among these, investing in private equity is deemed to be more sophisticated and while many may have heard about it, not many fully understand how it works.In this episode, Isaac speaks with our Head of Investment, Cheng Chye Hsern, where he shares what investors need to know about private equity and Providend’s view on investing in this asset class.Stay tune for the next episode where we share tips on how you can optimise your CPF monies!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

With all the buzz surrounding Singapore Treasury Bills (T-Bills) over the past 18 months due to its rising yields, our CEO, Christopher Tan, took the opportunity to explain the nature of these short-term, risk-free instruments in his latest article on The Business Times.In this episode, he further emphasises the opportunity costs involved especially during a high inflation period like now and shares other inflation-protected assets you can consider for the long term.Stay tune for the next episode where our Head of Investment, Chye Hsern, returns to discuss about alternative investments!The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

We all know Kyith as the brain behind Investment Moats, Singapore's most well read financial blog, but how much do we know about his motivations and money values that led him to where he is today?In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, walks down memory lane with the Chief Editor of Investment Moats and Providend’s very own Senior Solution Specialist, Kyith Ng, as he shares stories of his growing up years and key things to note when making the switch from a DIY investor to engaging a wealth adviser.Stay tuned for the next episode as Chris shares the brain behind his upcoming article in The Business Times!The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

With so many new and exciting investment products on the market now, how do you assess which are suitable to be included in your portfolio? In this episode, our Head of Investment, Cheng Chye Hsern, dives deeper to talk about the careful selection of the fund managers we partner with and the intensive brainwork done behind the scenes to construct our core investment portfolios to effectively capture the returns for our clients in the long run.Stay tune for the next episode where we are joined by a very special guest!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

In a competitive investment environment where everyone blindly strives for the highest return, Providend firmly believes that our client's needs drive our investment philosophy and hence the rate of return.In this episode, Isaac speaks with our Head of Investment, Cheng Chye Hsern, where he shares more about Providend’s investment philosophy as well as how it guides us in evaluating and seeking out the financial assets that give our clients the highest probability of reaching their financial milestones.Stay tune for the next episode where Chye Hsern dives into how Providend structures our portfolios! The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

In celebration of his 25 years in the financial industry, our CEO, Christopher Tan shared an epiphany he experienced 2 years after the Global Financial Crisis in a recent article he wrote for the Money Wisdom column on The Business Times.In this episode, Christopher further explains how he applies the philosophy of sufficiency to the different aspects of his life and how it can help one achieve true contentment.Stay tune for the next episode as our Head of Investment joins us!You can find the full Achieving Contentment Is the Greatest Gain here.The host, Nataly Ong, is Deputy Head of Brand Experience at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Making the shift from a saver (while you accumulate) to a spender (while you retire) can be a surprisingly hard part of retirement.In this episode, Isaac speaks with our Client Adviser, Bryan Chan, on the various retirement spending strategies, from the commonly known 4% rule to dividend investing and our very own RetireWell™.We hope you enjoy this episode and stay tuned for the next!The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Local bank stocks slumped in mid-March amid fears of wider financial contagion globally from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) as well as Credit Suisse's downfall.In this episode, our Research Analyst, Lim Choon Siong, summarises key market events that have happened in the last quarter and explained why the short-lived market turbulence that followed the US banking crisis in March did not prevent investor optimism leading US stocks higher over the quarter.The host, Isaac Ong, is Associate Adviser at Providend, Singapore’s First Fee-Only Wealth Advisory Firm.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

4 years ago in 2019, The Woke Salaryman was set up with the intention of helping Singaporeans make better financial and life choices through education.In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, speaks with its founders, He Ruiming (the guy who writes) and Goh Wei Choon (the guy who illustrates), to learn more about their interesting money story and how they view the value of wealth advice.Stay tuned for the next episode as we chat with a special guest from our investment team!The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

22 years ago, a group of like-minded people with a conviction to provide conflict-free wealth advice to their clients came together and founded Providend.In this episode, our CEO, Christopher Tan, reminisces the uneasy period to sustain the business in the early years and how we have come so far to where we are today, with a strong corporate culture that emphasises on doing the right thing for our clients.Link to Episode 2: https://providend.com/s2e2-the-past-present-and-future-of-providend/Stay tuned for the next episode!Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

Here comes the FIRST episode of Providend’s Money Wisdom Podcast Season 2!In this episode, you will get to know more about your new co-host - Isaac Ong, as he shares what he does as an Associate Adviser at Providend, his past experiences in the industry, and what brought him to us.You will also gain insights into our advisory philosophy as well as our unique hiring process through his conversation with our CEO, Christopher Tan.Link to Episode 1: https://providend.com/s2e1-meet-your-new-co-host-isaac-ong/We hope you will enjoy this episode 😉 Stay tuned for the next one as we get their chairs switched! https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-2/Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

“Focusing on the correct side of your money equation will help you not only be financially successful, but also help you finish well in life.”In this episode, I will elaborate both sides of the money equation - left for short-term financial planning decisions and right for long-term investment decisions. - and my views on the YOLO and FIRE ideologies.Important note: Spend more time on the left side of the money equation instead of the right side.The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”. View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-1/ Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

“What would happen to my firm, Providend, and my loved ones if I did not make it home?”In this episode, I will share the two main concerns of business owners and the need to plan for your business as early as you can, especially in the areas of its transfer and continuation plan.Important note: As long as the question of who will be the new owner of the business remains unanswered, the future of the business is at risk.The host, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”. View the full list of podcast episodes published: https://providend.com/providends-money-wisdom-podcast-season-1/ Music courtesy of ItsWatR.