Ringgit and Sense

We discuss this philosophical issue including whether there is a magic number that will make you happy. News: When investing guru say buy, maybe it's time to sell It's official: student loans stress you out OCBC Real Money Story: Being responsible about student loans. Plus Money Hacks: Ways to pay down student loans quickly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robo-advisors are websites that are disrupting the investment advisory scene that haven't reached Malaysian shores. When they do, they can be essential to your investment planning. News: Hong Kong rejects cash-carrying limits on tourists Living in smaller spaces saves costs and brings people together OCBC Real Money Story: Surviving against the odds See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

What are gifting considerations when you attend weddings, birthdays an other social events? Joyce Chuah and Lee Mun Wai, give the financial planner's version. News: High suicide rates in startups Rising college inflation OCBC Facebook Story: Saving for children's education and post-graduate degrees See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part 2 of 2 of our insurance series looks at what products are out there and their pitfalls.   News: - Lack of money delays American financial objectives - Millennials are good at setting up emergency savings - OCBC Facbook story of the day: A big spender with saving urges See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many questions on property in this month's Ringgit Ring-In which is only natural since this is such a big part of our lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given how big the link is between life's goals and financial planning, the role of the financial planner is becoming more important. We explore more of this with the deputy president of the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia News: -The intergenerational transfer -90-year-old Wall St old hand reveals her investing wisdom -OCBC Real Money Story: Is 'trading' gambling or investing? See omnyst...

How much to save? What if there isn't enough income to do so? We look at some of these questions in this week's Ringgit Ring-In. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't base too much of your investing decisions on how well the market or fund managers have done in the recent past. News: Mystery why money pours into hedge funds Buffet asks for frugality in CEO pay 80% EPF savings below poverty line Gen X, Y, Z want money Tip: Invest forever See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The good news is that we are living longer. The bad news is retirement funding is getting more costly. This discussion will cover things you have to know to prepare for your post-work life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another episode of our call-in session, we talk about about whether we should dabble with currencies, oil schemes or property. Also, what to do with a RM30m inheritance.  Our guest is Yap Ming Hui, Independent Financial Advisor from Whitman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are always talking about saving and investing but today we deviate from that and talk about what Malaysians splurge on. The results aren't as wasteful as you think. News: Saving for the ages Bad news: people are living longer Janitor dies with $8m to his name Money psychology is a thing Tip: Saving and spending are different sides of the same coin See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

Bank Negara has replaced the BLR regime that of the base rate. Find out how you can benefit from this. News: Ex-Pimco boss moves money into new fund Buffet leading in stock market wager US recovery may become Malaysia's cushion Cars to be 20% by 2017? Tip: Negotiate with banks that have the lowest base rates See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss your personal finance issues with the help of a professional financial planner. - Should I invest into the oil & gas sector? - Buying into low-cost world index funds - Financial planning for parents with special-needs children - Identifying fraudulent or legitimate investment schemes - Buy gold or invest in unit trust? - Investing in start-ups - Can a foreigner invest by buying shar...

Wealth accumulation, an important aspect of financial planning, should be executed together with some kind of feedback to tell us how well we are doing financially. The role of personal net worth and cash flow statements are often understated in this respect. News: HELP University students win stock-picking contest Fund advisor gains traction in index strategies HK regulator investigates misleadin...

You don't necessarily have to cough out huge sums of money to buy property. With REITs you can become a regional and global property investor. Our guest is Yap Ming Hui, Independent Financial Advisor from Whitman. News: Malaysians want RM2m for retirement Ronald Li invested till death US wage growth is at odds with economic boom What wealth women want Tip: Don't over-borrow while speculating...

Maybe all it takes is to look at resolutions differently for them to succeed. Liew Ooi Hann from Savemoney.my shares his wisdom with us. News: No GST for life insurance premiums Food stall operators maintain prices despite oil price crash Global government bond yields falling Tip: Your body is a wonderland See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After having provided phenomenal returns over the past few years, it is timely to talk about how to view property investing. For instance, questions like whether property is a sure bet and how returns compare to stocks and bonds are relevant. News: Turning fuel to taxes How to avoid being a Scrooge at Christmas Tip: Invest in stocks like you invest in property - never sell unless you need the mone...

We don't realise it but the things we do in the short term have long term financial consequences. This is akin to a very slow-moving crashing train. News Everyone wants a piece of China Dr M: rich-poor divide in education Child-raising non-essentials Tip Short-term decisions can whiplash long-term financial returns See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysians buy a lot of cars. But there are now alternatives to avoid the costs of car ownership. News Inequality rises in Malaysia Zeti: Indebtedness caused by "social pressures" Aussie bank gets Shonky award for dodgy service Tip Save money from not buying a car. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All it takes is a default of just RM30,000 to have bankruptcy proceedings started against you. To state the obvious, a bankrupt status is like a millstone hung around one's neck. We look into how bankrupts can clear their name and into the business of such offering such services. News Alibaba develops ETFs in China Norway fund studies China investment PTPTN cuts off non-BR1M Qualifiers Orman frown...

We discuss your personal finance issues with the help of a professional financial planner. - Is insurance important to have or a must-have? - How much should you spend a month for life/health insurance? - If GST will be on motor insurance and riders, should I switch to Takaful since it is GST exempt? - I own a rental property with my wife. Can I have the tenancy agreement in her name only, which w...

We look into the GST in greater detail and see whether there are options for the consumer to strategise dealing with it. News: Youth bankruptcy on the rise Mid- to small-cap stocks get battered Tip: Think long term when thinking about inflation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not, there are ways to manage the imminent GST and subsidy cuts. Part of it is psychological. News Fink is not Gross Swedes Go Cashless Tip Money and Mind are Linked See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liew Ooi Hann, co-founder of savemoney.my talks to us about a survey on what Malaysians want in the upcoming budget. Whether they get them or not would be a different matter as the media and industry have started get word of what to expect. You can also adopt a personal strategy of how to deal with the imminent GST. News New Pr1ma scheme likely to be introduced Malaysian youths want milk and money...

A Look Into Korean ETFs Samsung is well-known for it's consumer electronics but they also do finance and are one of the biggest issuers of ETFs in Korea. We look into the development of ETFs in Korea and come to the same conclusion - that the low-cost nature of ETFs will continue to fuel migration of investments into these products. News Septuagenarians and above should take their money out of EPF...