Money and Me

What would you do if $129,600 landed back in your account overnight? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into the maturity of Singapore’s first-ever 10-year Savings Bond and what investors might be weighing to do next. Elijah Lee from Phillip Securities joins to unpack reinvestment strategies, the trade-offs between safety, liquidity, and yield, and how SSBs stack up against T-Bill...

Markets are brushing off a U.S. government shutdown - but how long can they ignore the risks? OpenAI’s $500 billion valuation, record gold prices, and Bitcoin at $120K all raise new questions about bubbles, belief, and safe havens. Michelle Martin and Simon Ree unpack whether this is Dot-Com 2.0  or durable growth. They explore George Soros’ bubble logic, the Fed’s data blac...

How far can $1,350 a month really take you in retirement? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores CPF Life and whether the Standard or Escalating Plan is better suited for your golden years. Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, joins the conversation to unpack the trade-offs of starting payouts at 65 versus delaying till 70. They also discuss strategies to supplement CPF w...

Are more in Singapore rewriting the rules of work and retirement? Hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC Singapore, this episode explores how Singaporeans are trading the “work till 65” model for intentional career pauses. We unpack HSBC findings that show 40% of Singaporeans planning mini-retirements aim to keep cos...

Singapore’s IPO market is on fire - and it’s the strongest in over a decade! Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into the surge fueled by MAS’s S$5B liquidity fund, tax rebates, and record-breaking listings like Centurion Accommodation REIT and AvePoint’s dual debut. Malcolm Koo, CEO of CGS International Singapore, shares insights on sector shifts to AI, renewable...

Pharma stocks plunge as Trump’s 100% tariffs send shockwaves across Asia. Hosted by Michelle Martin, we break down the impact on Singapore’s $4 billion pharma exports, Sumitomo Pharma, CSL, and more. Are these tariffs a short-term blow or a long-term reset for Asian healthcare investments? Plus, we spotlight Mapletree’s three Singapore REITs - Logistics, Industrial, and Pan-Asia...

Singapore is on track to hit super-aged status next year, and the housing market is bracing for change. Hosted by Michelle Martin, today’s show dives into the launch of Perennial Living’s private luxury assisted living project in Kovan, with monthly fees from $8,900 to $17,000. Will this premium model succeed alongside government-led Community Care Apartments, or remain a niche for the...

How could the new iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices  reshape valuations, visibility, and investor opportunities. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into how the Next 50 indices could unlock liquidity, ETF flows, and future growth for S-REITs within a context of falling rates. REIT specialist and Wealth Advisory Director, Kenny Loh breaks down the impact of falling borrowing cost...

Are there moves you should make now with your portfolio? The US central bank slashes rates by 25 basis points to 4 - 4.25%, with cautious guidance pointing to only a handful of cuts ahead. Standard Chartered’s Global Market Outlook calls this a “delicate balancing act,” with investors urged to rotate from US to Asia ex-Japan equities. EM local currency bonds and locking in yields...

Given this mix of lower rates, a strong stock market, and lingering uncertainties, how should investors balance risk and return in their portfolios for the rest of the year? And if you wanted to skip complicated products like ILP's, what would alternative options be? Michelle Martin finds out with Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a borderless career meets a cross-border divorce? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores the financial and legal pitfalls facing globally-mobile professionals when marriages break down. Guest Foo Soon Yien, Senior Director at BR Law Corporation, breaks down jurisdictional rules, domicile requirements, and the risks of assuming Singapore’s courts will hear your cas...

The STI has smashed past 4,300 – should you be looking to gain exposure to it? Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, joins the conversation to explore what investors should make of this milestone. We break down valuation risks, macro drivers, and whether DBS Group still has room to run. ETFs tracking the STI come under review for those eyeing a diversified route. Beyond Singapore, we scan...

A record jobs revision, inflation still sticky, and yet markets soar - what’s going on? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode connects the dots with Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading. From the latest PPI and CPI data to the Fed’s looming rate cut decision, we ask if investors should brace for volatility or ride the bull. Is the S&P 500 in bubble territory as valuations stretch...

Are investment-linked plans really balancing protection and wealth growth? Hosted by Michelle Martin. ILPs now make up 43% of new life insurance sales, but complaints have surged alongside. Regulators are considering classifying them as complex products by December 2025. Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, joins Michelle to unpack how ILPs have evolved with bonuses and fund choices. Are costs still...

The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone is shaping up to be one of the region’s most exciting growth stories. Could this cross-border initiative accelerate Johor’s economy beyond Malaysia’s average - and what does it mean for Singaporean investors? Michelle Martin dives into the industries set to benefit most, from manufacturing and logistics to the digital economy and se...

Are selected older properties hidden gems in today’s market? Hosted by Michelle Martin with Daniel from Golden Goose, this episode dives into the dynamics of investing in aging real estate. Learn how older units can make strategic sense and when they fall short. We unpack key factors like location resilience, capital appreciation, and maintenance considerations. Daniel shares his expert take...

Singapore’s small- and mid-cap IPO market is roaring back, powered by MAS liquidity measures and a wave of fresh listings. Join us as Vincent Toe, Co-founder and MD of ICH Group, shares how anchor investors are reshaping IPO confidence and attracting cross-border capital. We explore Singapore’s growing role as a listing hub amid global shifts, the readiness of deep tech and AI for IPOs...

The 2025 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index shows APAC grew 69% year-over-year, adding nearly US$1 trillion in transaction volume. India, Vietnam, and Pakistan are driving grassroots adoption, while Singapore jumps into the top 20 globally when adjusted for population. Stablecoins are exploding in use cases. Meanwhile, Bitcoin remains the top fiat on-ramp. We break down the findings, U.S. po...

Will you save money buying an EV? What are the real running costs? What are the costs of insuring an EV?  Is owning an EV in Singapore really a smart financial move? Join Michelle Martin as she digs into the dollars and sense of electric vehicle ownership. With Dhiren Amin from Income Insurance and Stanley Chan who bought his first EV a year ago. Hear first-hand what goes into insuring and dr...

CareShield Life is changing - are you paying more or getting more value? Monthly benefits are stepping up 4% a year even as premiums rise for five years, so how should households plan cashflow? We unpack what the changes mean for you. We explore the hidden bills families don’t see coming and on the ground realities. When do private supplements make sense? What will help with inflation? All e...

Heard of the reinsurance market? On Money and Me, Kenrick Law, Chair, Singapore Reinsurers’ Association speaks with Michelle Martin to discuss how the field is evolving and why Singaporeans may want to consider a career in it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nvidia smashes earnings with US$26 billion in revenue, but markets still sell the stock — what does that tell us about investor nerves around AI? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into Washington’s extraordinary 10% equity stake in Intel, what it signals for the future of strategic industries, and how subsidies and politics are reshaping valuations. We also explore the glob...

Are you saving as much as 40 % with your food delivery platform? Michelle Martin speaks with Raphael Zennou, VP Quick Commerce, foodpanda to find out how food delivery platforms are evolving with changing consumer behaviours, technology and financial products. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private equity is at a turning point in 2025, and investors are watching closely. Globally, deal value has jumped 19% in the first half, signaling renewed momentum. Here in Southeast Asia, while fundraising has slowed, opportunities are shifting toward resilient sectors like tech, healthcare, and renewables. So what can we expect in the next 6–12 months for Singapore and the region? Which So...

How does an investor make sense of market signals? DBS crosses the $50 milestone — but should investors chase momentum or take profit? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Willie Keng, Founder of Dividend Titan, who explains why he isn’t buying DBS at these levels and why he sold out of ST Engineering despite its $31 billion order book. We dive deep into Singapore’s t...