Money and Me

Michelle Martin asks if falling interest rates are changing the maths for Singapore’s savers who love hoarding cash. With billions still parked in T-Bills and money-market funds, investors now face a new risk: opportunity cost. Michelle speaks with Afdhal Rahman of OCBC about what could trigger a shift from cash into equities, bonds and gold. They unpack why Asia ex-Japan may look more attra...

Today Michelle picks up a thought-provoking book by a serial British entrepreneur Gary Ashworth. The book unpacks a simple framework; what if becoming rich wasn’t about genius or luck - but about repeating one maths movement, ten times?  Michelle Martin speaks with self-made multi-millionaire and author Gary Ashworth about his “Double Up” wealth framework. The conversation e...

Markets are rattled by geopolitics - but panic is rarely a strategy. From US military action in Venezuela to tensions over Greenland, investors are questioning whether uncertainty now warrants a shift in portfolios. We examine how US equities have actually behaved through geopolitical shocks - and what history suggests about staying invested. The Magnificent 7  start the year unevenly, raisin...

Is leaving your CPF alone the safest option in 2026 or are there smarter moves for more than 2.5%  interest? As Singapore’s retirement rules shift, what do you need to know about the moves that you can make for greater savings and smaller tax bills. With new dollar-for-dollar government matching schemes, the roadmap to retirement offers new possibilities regardless of paycheck size. We...

The market looks strong - but only a handful of stocks are doing the lifting. As 2026 begins, investors are grappling with a big question: can mega-cap dominance last, or is leadership finally starting to broaden? With just 10% of the S&P 500 driving gains, valuation gaps are widening even as market breadth quietly improves. We explore whether easing rates, broader earnings, and capital rotati...

Asia’s markets are flashing mixed signals - so how is a smart investor to think through where to really place money? Michelle Martin unpacks Morningstar’s Q1 2026 Asia Investment Outlook with Lorraine Tan, cutting through the noise on growth, rates and risk. From AI-driven earnings to valuation support - what’s real, what’s hype, and where the cracks could form. We zoom in...

Our company in focus list, zeroes in on companies we here know about in Singapore. In 2026, it’s no longer about whether markets rise - it’s about which companies truly deliver. Money and Me looks past daily noise to uncover businesses entering pivotal turning points across sectors.. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Vance Tan, Financial Services Manager, PhillipCapital,...

Singapore REITs may finally be turning the corner. Singapore REITs enter 2026 at a pivotal moment say's Kenny Loh, as interest-rate cuts revive sentiment and valuations remain below historical averages. After delivering a near-23% gain in 2025 - their best run since 2019 - analysts expect a two-year earnings upgrade cycle driven by falling borrowing costs and rising distributions. We unpack which...

When rates diverge, the real risk isn’t missing the bottom - it’s what you do once you’re there. Singapore’s interest rates are nearing a projected floor, while the UK remains stubbornly higher - setting up a rare refinancing crossroads for homeowners. Michelle Martin speaks with Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, about whether this is the moment to lock in cas...

A digital bank, a S$1.3 billion war chest - and a big question: can a newcomer really change how Singaporeans save, invest and bank. Michelle speaks with Natalia Goh, CEO of MariBank, on how a digital-first model is reshaping everyday finance. Backed by Sea Limited and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, MariBank has rapidly grown its investment offerings to o...

As 2026 begins, Money and Me takes a moment of introspection - looking not just at how much you made, but how you spent. What did money add to your life in 2025 - and what quietly drained your peace, health, or joy? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, who introduces a powerful reframing: Return on Spending, not just Return on Investing. From a $10,00...

Defense stocks swing sharply as US President Donald Trump pivots from threatening dividends to floating a staggering US$1.5 trillion military budget. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode unpacks why names like Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies and AeroVironment surged - and what it says about policy-driven markets. We also look to Europe, where defense stocks extend a four-day rally as geo...

As the China growth narrative fades, attention is shifting from the New Economy to an overlooked source of income: high-dividend state-owned enterprises. Raymond Cheng explains why China’s energy and infrastructure giants have delivered strong returns even as oil prices fell. We explore how Beijing’s policy reset has effectively programmed  state firms to return more cash to share...

When prices barely move after big news, that’s often the loudest signal of all. Nvidia’s Vera Rubin chip debut at CES promises cheaper, faster, lower-power AI - yet the stock barely flinched, raising questions for both traders and long-term investors. Michelle Martin unpacks what muted price action really means when expectations are crowded and positioning is full. Geopolitical shock f...

He was told borrowing could boost his retirement - instead it wiped out his peace of mind. A real-life Singapore case shows how a retiree lost a large portion of his savings after taking loans to buy complex insurance-linked investments. In this episode, we unpack why borrowing to invest is especially dangerous once your paycheque stops. We break down the red flags hidden in structured products, l...

The biggest threat to your money in 2025 wasn’t what everyone was shouting about, it was your reaction to them. As markets whipsawed through tech shocks, AI scares, and policy pivots, many investors hurt themselves trying to react. This episode reveals the  real  wealth destroyer hiding beneath the headlines. We unpack volatility, false market narratives and why first impressions o...

Why do intelligent, hard-working people still struggle financially in retirement — and what do they miss along the way? Straits Times Invest Editor, Tan Ooi Boon and author of Retire With More Money discusses the money traps and glimmering opportunities available to us here in Singapore to retire well  using foresight. From CPF blind spots and property laws to marriage, legacy planning...

Markets are shifting fast - not just what you invest in, but how you stay ahead when trading never stops. As NASDAQ moves toward a 23-hour trading day, investors face a world that’s always-on, faster, and more volatile. At the same time, AI enters its second phase, with infrastructure players like Micron powering the data-centre boom. And AI is no longer just in servers - it’s moving o...

Do markets still have room to rally - and where should investors really be positioned for 2026? After a strong run for equities in 2025, global wealth manager Lombard Odier lays out how investors should think about the next phase. We unpack the CIO Office Viewpoint with Jack Siu, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, Asia at Lombard Odier. The conversation explores why Lombard Odier is under...

S-REITs are on track for their strongest year since 2019, delivering double-digit returns as borrowing costs ease and yields remain compelling, but looking ahead, what do investors need to keep an eye on for 2026? The episode explores standout S-REIT sectors, the key metrics that matter most in a falling-rate world, and how income investors can position portfolios today. We also unpack what Hong K...

The Fed has cut rates again - but the real story is the deep divide into what that means for your money next! Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode breaks down one of the most divided FOMC meetings in years. So how should investors read this pause - and what does it mean as we look toward 2026? We examine the potential impact on different types of equities, from cyclicals to defensives, and whet...

Should you buy where the locals live when thinking about buying overseas property investment? Zero tax, double-digit yields and glossy brochures - but is overseas property really the opportunity Singapore investors think it is? On  Money and Me , Michelle Martin speaks with Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, about what Singaporeans truly need to know before buying property overse...

We attend to your health insurance wallet today. New IP rider rules mean deductibles are no longer covered and annual co-payments double to S$6,000. Premiums may fall by about 30 percent - but smaller procedures could now hit your cash flow harder. We break down who benefits, who loses, and how these changes affect younger adults, retirees and those with chronic conditions. Through case studies, w...

From April 2026, new Integrated Shield Plan riders will no longer cover deductibles, and your annual out-of-pocket cap doubles to S$6,000 under the latest Ministry of Health overhaul. Premiums are expected to drop by about 30%, as policymakers push patients to shoulder more costs to cool the runaway private healthcare inflation. We break down what’s changing, what stays, and how to plan your...

Is the next big move in U.S. markets a continuation of the rally - or the setup for a sharp reckoning? Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, shares his base case for 2026. We unpack what the options market is signaling about an imminent Fed rate cut, and why interest rates still matter for risk assets. From the AI investment boom and earnings resilience to megacap dominance, Simon explains what&rs...