Money Talks

Caught between caring for ageing parents and young children, Singapore’s “sandwiched generation” faces both time and financial pressure. Yuvaraj Uthaman joins Andrea Heng to share his own financial journey caring for his ageing parents, raising his one-year-old son and trying to set aside money for his future. This episode is brought to you by Prudential Singapore. See omnystudio...

Planning for retirement no longer means a hard stop at 65 years old. With longer life spans and rising living costs, Singaporeans are now planning for a flexible, active second act in life. Andrea Heng speaks to Lim Szer Khee from Prudential Singapore to find out how you can fund a meaningful retirement while staying financially secure. This episode is brought to you by Prudential Singapore. ...

For Gen Zs and millennials, financial success is no longer about the 5Cs - it’s about freedom. And that requires a new kind of financial blueprint. From side hustles to micro-retirements, Andrea Heng sits with Jocelyn Kau from Prudential Financial Advisers Singapore to discuss what it will take to achieve the new Singapore dream. This episode is brought to you by Prudential Singapore. See om...

Diversification is more than just buying different stocks – it's about spreading risk across asset classes, markets, currencies and investment styles. Andrea Heng sits down with Jeik Sohn from Capital Group to unpack how retail investors can ensure their investments are adequately diversified without breaking the bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is often seen as a safe and disciplined way to invest, but does it always work? From risk aversion to market timing, Isaac Lim, Chief Market Strategist at Moomoo, shares with Andrea Heng when DCA helps – and when it may be holding you back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A house fire is not just traumatic – it can be financially devastating. While most homeowners have fire insurance, many overlook contents insurance, which covers personal belongings. Imran Sinwan from Finexis Advisory unpacks how to be financially ready before disaster strikes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US-China tensions are back, shaking up the markets. But market volatility isn’t always bad news for investors. In fact, it could be a chance to buy into future winners. Andrea Heng finds out from Thomas Chua, author of personal finance blog Steady Compounding, why patience and discipline matter more than timing the market. This episode was recorded live at Seedly Personal Finance Festival 20...

Being in the top 15 per cent income bracket doesn’t guarantee a secure future. Lifestyle inflation, DIY missteps and uncoordinated plans often catch  high income earners off-guard. Andrea Heng sits down with financial adviser Jo Ong to find out how to better manage your salaries and avoid financial hurdles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A US Federal Reserve rate cut may be good news for your mortgage, but bad news for your fixed deposits. As global interest rates shift in response, where should Singaporeans invest for better returns? Andrea Heng sits down with Ritesh Ganeriwal from Syfe to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is making its way into the financial planning space, with the technology’s ability to scan through hundreds of products and generate investment plans within minutes. But can AI chatbots replace a human adviser? Andrea Heng sits down with Kilde co-CEO Radek Jezbera to unpack the capabilities and limitations of asking an AI for financial advice. See omnystudio.com/liste...

Many Singaporeans overlook the fine print when it comes to CPF nominations, especially during key life changes like divorce or having more children. Andrea Heng sits down with Pang Zhe Liang, financial adviser and author of The CPF Playbook, to find out what can go wrong – and how to fix it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of long-term care is rising, and CareShield Life is evolving to keep up. How will the new support measures and revised premium structures affect Singaporeans? Andrea Heng sits down with Alex Lee from the Singapore Actuarial Society to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having the “money talk” with your parents can be daunting, especially when they’re reluctant to listen. But with housing assets, health costs and retirement planning at stake, these talks are critical. Vera Lau from Saxo shares what worked in her own experience and breaks down how to approach the conversation with empathy and respect. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...

Franchising promises a head start with a proven brand. But is it really easier or cheaper than building a business from scratch? From royalty fees to brand restrictions, there’s more than meets the eye. Nafees Khundker, the franchisee of Lush in Singapore, unpacks what aspiring franchisees need to know. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While some Singaporeans are familiar with local exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a world of opportunity lies beyond our borders. How does one navigate the complexities of different time zones, currency risks and foreign taxes? Is there a hack to lower the tax on dividends? Gerald Wong, CEO and founder of Beansprout, breaks down what you need to know before taking your investments global. See omnystud...

Central banks around the world are looking to increase their gold reserves, seeking a safe haven amid global uncertainty. How can individual investors get in on the action? How much of one’s portfolio should be allocated to this precious metal? Shaokai Fan, global head of central banks and head of APAC (excluding China) from the World Gold Council, breaks it down.  See omnystudio.com/li...

The 2021 GameStop saga introduced the world to meme stock mania. Now, with the likes of GoPro and Krispy Kreme in the spotlight, the phenomenon is returning. Andrea Heng speaks with SMU's Associate Professor of Finance (Education), Aurobindo Ghosh, to unpack the psychology behind the hype and the risks for retail investors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No contract, large data packages and free overseas internet roaming. These are just some of the perks that mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Singapore are offering. Dinesh Dayani of DollarsandSense.sg discusses what to watch for in the fine print and how to know when it’s finally time to make the switch.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many jobs come with corporate insurance coverage but for those who want extra protection, they may consider paying for a personal insurance policy. Which policy should you claim first and how do you make the most out of your company insurance policy? Peggy Chan from the Institute for Financial Literacy shares what to look out for.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When companies like Reddit and Grab are listed on the stock exchange, there is often a buzz. But what does “going public” really mean for the company and for you as an investor? In this week’s Money Talks Explains, Dr Zhang Weina from NUS Business School unpacks the ins and outs of getting an Initial Public Offering (IPO), how prices are decided and whether it’s wise to inv...

When geopolitical tensions flare up, all eyes turn to oil. But why does this commodity trigger global anxiety? In this episode of Money Talks Explains, energy expert Vandana Hari from Vanda Insights unpacks how changes in oil prices can have a ripple effect through economies – impacting policies, prices and portfolios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Singapore phasing out the sale of new internal combustion engine car and taxi registrations by 2030, many Singaporeans are contemplating switching to an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid car.  But what are the costs involved? In this episode of Money Talks, Julian Kho from Sgcarmart gives a breakdown of the real costs and benefits involved – from maintenance fees to charging costs...

The financial costs of studying overseas may seem daunting but it can be manageable with the right planning and a buffer for unexpected costs. In this week’s Money Talks, Dr Chan Khai Leok from education consultancy theRightU walks us through the key financial planning essentials - from funding options to major expenses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.