BT Money Hacks

New year, clean slate. But does your money reset have to feel stressful?  In this episode of Money Hacks, Emily Liu explores a softer way to plan for the year ahead. Financial consultant Patrine Choo and Gen Z money author Lillian Zhang share how they reflect on the past year, manage emotional money habits, and turn big goals into small, doable steps.  From automating savings to letting...

This episode is your financial ‘crystal ball’! Did 2025 leave your portfolio feeling... something? As cash yields drop, find out where the real returns hide. Ditch nominal gains as Howie Lim gets the expert-led playbook for a more resilient 2026. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:45 2025 review 04:57 Private market warning 08:5...

Your business is your biggest asset—but is it your smartest retirement plan? SME owners often risk starving personal wealth by betting everything on a future sale. Howie Lim learns the essential strategies for valuing your business, achieving tax-smart profit extraction, and building a separate, resilient retirement portfolio from Grace Tay, associate director, finexis advisory. Stop risking...

Future-proof your finances? That's what your advisor wants you to believe. Chris Miles, the anti-financial advisor, rips up the rulebook on saving for the "long haul," the myth of "money making money," and why high-risk is just high nonsense. Howie Lim gets the real cheat code from him.  Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:42 The 'long...

Forget the blue chips. Singapore’s iEdge Next 50 indices are outperforming the STI by significant margins, signalling a seismic shift in market focus. Are mid-caps the new sweet spot for growth, offering higher potential with less small-cap volatility? Experts dissect the fundamentals, risk management strategies, and macro indicators essential for navigating this exciting segment. Synopsis:...

Feeling squeezed by school fees, ageing parents, and volatile markets? You’re not alone.  Howie Lim chats with OCBC’s Timothy Liew, a wealth-management pro and fellow parent, about investing wisely when life gets expensive. Timothy opens up about his disastrous first trade, how he builds his core-and-satellite portfolio, and why diversification beats get-rich-quick dreams every ti...

If you’re worried about inflation eating into your savings, discover the art of "right-siting" your insurance. We're not just cutting premiums; we're freeing up capital for smarter investments. Learn how to identify over-insurance, maximise value, and even use tech tools to ensure your coverage fits your evolving life. Howie Lim speaks to Chan Wai Kit from Life Insurance Association (LIA) fo...

Forget slogging until 65 before retiring or taking a break. Discover the rising trend of mini-retirements – a "Project You" career pause that's surprisingly achievable. Howie Lim gets experts to reveal how to plan, fund, and navigate these strategic breaks, turning your financial fears into a roadmap for investing in yourself. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful fin...

Is a strong work ethic enough to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle? Many Singaporeans prioritise immediate gratification over long-term financial security. We need to challenge the old ideas of saving and explore automated strategies with Benjamin Tan from Chocolate Finance. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:57 Automating savings: $5 a...

Forget what you think you know about investing. Even the CEO of an online brokerage embraces "basic" strategies. Howie Lim discovers from Ian Leong of Tiger Brokers Singapore why dollar-cost averaging (DCA) isn't just for beginners, how emotions sabotage your portfolio, and what's truly in a seasoned expert's investment mix. Uncover the secret sauce that separates speculation from sound strategy....

Think of it as a tax-shielded account that's also a financial snooze-button! Discover how to invest smartly and save on taxes with your SRS funds. Don’t let your money sit there! Howie Lim finds out more from Jeremy Foo from StashAway and Hugh Chung from Endowus. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:01 Why leaving SRS funds in cash is d...

Think your "girl math" makes that coffee purchase free? Or that an $800 credit card spend for airport lunch is a "side hustle"? Join Howie Lim and Seth Wee as they hilariously debunk TikTok finance trends. Discover how to build real wealth, enjoy life's splurges guilt-free, and distinguish between savvy tips and absolute nonsense. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful finan...

Many build financial fortresses only to feel guilty spending a penny. But you don't just want to be rich, you want to live richly as well. How can you get over the psychological hurdle of spending in retirement? Learn to redefine wealth beyond numbers, embrace "Ikigai goals," and create a spending plan that frees you to live fully and leave a lasting legacy with Loh Yong Cheng from Providend. Syno...

If you’re ready to ditch the 9-to-5, David Kuo, co-founder of The Smart Investor, reveals if dividend investing is your golden ticket to financial freedom. Discover how he transformed his wealth, navigated market volatility, and even found peace through income generation. Howie Lim has a candid chat with David about how to live life on your own terms – no Scrooge McDuck vault required....

Unlock reliable income amidst market madness. Singapore's dividend stocks shine but don’t be chasing flashy returns. Howie Lim speaks to the experts to find out how quality, consistency, and clever diversification can turn economic uncertainty into dividend gold. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:09 Factors contributing to Singapore&...

Investing can feel like a second job, but what if your money could work harder than you do? Find out how clarity, sound strategy, and a long-term view transform market noise into financial freedom. Simplify your wealth journey with systematic reviews, automation, and expert guidance. Howie Lim gets the skinny from Grace Tay from finexis advisory. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks d...

If you’re sick of your salary shrinking faster than your social life, discover if employee benefits are the secret handshake to a richer life. How can you go about trading pay for perks? And how can you negotiate your way to a benefits package that's anything but basic? Howie Lim speaks to the experts to find out. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips....

If your stomach has been in freefall, don't panic! Let’s cut through market madness with the experts to uncover Asia's resilient sectors, navigate geopolitical shifts, and explore alternative investments. Gold may be pricey, but smart moves in tech, infrastructure, and private markets await. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:52 Globa...

While it might seem altruistic to engage in values-driven investing, let’s face it: we still want to profit from sinking in hard-earned money into something. Does values-investing really come at the expense of performance? Is there a way to incorporate our values into our wealth growing journey? Howie Lim speaks to Patrick Hong from Bill Morrisons Capital and Steward Thum from Phillip Securi...

Buying property is a bit like dating: timing the market is hard, but "time in" it, understanding its "master plan," and ditching the HDB for an EC, can lead to a long-term, profitable relationship. Howie Lim gets insights from Eugene Lim, key executive officer of ERA. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 02:06 Timing vs time in 04:34 Understandi...

Is US exceptionalism a myth, or simply a premium price for unparalleled performance? Is it time to diversify your portfolio beyond Uncle Sam's shadow? Howie Lim finds out from experts if the future of investing lies elsewhere. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 02:20 Why US exceptionalism is being questioned 03:51 US tech dominance 06:57 Why d...

Unlock smarter investing with core-satellite strategies! Learn how to build a stable foundation and seize opportunities with tactical bets. Howie Lim speaks to Amanda Ong from Arta Finance and Samuel Rhee from Endowus for all the tricks. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:47 Only for institutional investors? 03:01 Understanding core and sat...

Are data centres worth investing in? They seem such a large concept but are, apparently, quite a steady return on investment! And the APAC market is blowing up. Howie Lim finds out from the experts where the opportunities are. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:01 How retail investors can participate 04:59 The risks and rewards 08:36 The hi...

Early financial education can empower children to avoid debt and parental mistakes, fostering financial independence. But how early is early and how do you rectify the mistakes you've made and ensure your kids don't pick that up? Howie Lim speaks to the experts to find out. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:10 Good habits are better than g...

Stablecoins promise fast, cheap, borderless money transfers—but can they also be part of your investment strategy? With Singapore and Hong Kong rolling out new regulations, interest is heating up.  In this episode of Money Hacks, Howie Lim talks to Amy Zhang from Fireblocks and Koen Hoorelbeke from Saxo to unpack what stablecoins are, how they're used today, and why regulation is key.&n...