Money and Me

Retirement isn’t dead—but it may be reinventing itself before our eyes. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode examines why 13% of retirees are heading back to work in 2025 and what it means for the rest of us. From FIRE to “micro-retirements,” younger generations are reimagining financial freedom, but often without a solid plan.  Guest Polka Mishra, Partner at Javeli...

From fiery ramen to quirky toys, viral sensations are reshaping markets at lightning speed.  Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode dives into Samyang’s Buldak noodles — up 93% this year — and Pop Mart’s Labubu dolls, driving nearly 400% profit growth in six months. Are Millennials and Gen Z really spotting tomorrow’s winners first, or just creating the trends t...

Singapore’s GDP outlook has just been revised—what does this mean for your money and your next move? In this episode, we decode the implications of Singapore’s 2025 growth forecast and what it means for portfolios. From resilient sectors to alternative assets, discover where opportunities may lie even in a cautious climate. Simon Foo, Financial Services Associate Director at Phil...

What if the smartest real estate play isn’t buying buildings, but financing them? In this episode, we dive into the rising world of real estate credit, an asset class delivering stable income in today’s shifting interest rate landscape. eith Ong, CEO of RealVantage, joins Michelle Martin to explain how credit compares with direct property and S-REITs. Discover how investors can gain ex...

Wall Street’s on fire — global indices are smashing records while Singapore’s STI breaks 4,200 for the first time. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode asks what’s fueling the rally: Fed rate cut hopes, AI productivity, or strong earnings. Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment at Providend, shares his insights on whether Singapore banks can keep leading the charge. With T...

Are your early life experiences shaping how you relate to money? Are you avoiding facing the reasons behind why you find yourself in the same money messes repeatedly? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode explores how our emotional state influences every financial decision we make. Guest Douglas Lynam shares his extraordinary journey from growing up watching his parents split, to becoming a Bene...

Lump sum cash or a drip approach to your CPF funds? After you pass, have you decided how you would like your CPF funds disbursed? Michelle Martin walks you through the myths, strategies and considerations to make the most of Singapore’s CPF system.  There is a new free resource to help you get the most out of it— The CPF Playbook  by Pang Zhe Liang. Hear Christopher Tan, CEO...

S-REITs are on a winning streak — how early in the cycle are we? Is the run sustainable? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Kenny Loh, Wealth Advisory Director and one of Singapore’s leading REIT specialists, to unpack July’s standout performers and the key drivers behind their double-digit returns. We dive into why the S-REIT Index hit record highs in early July, a...

Three banks, three sets of earnings — but only one clear standout. DBS defied expectations with stronger Q2 profits, while UOB and OCBC faced headwinds. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode with Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, unpacks what drove each bank’s performance, from shifting interest income to tariff impacts. We explore how leadership changes could redefine strategi...

A 90-day US-China trade truce lifts Asia-Pacific markets, but the bigger buzz is in Singapore’s telecom scene as Keppel sells M1 — to an unexpected buyer. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang, this episode unpacks the impact on rivals StarHub, SingTel, and Simba, and whether market share shifts are coming. In the US, Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan goes from “conflicted”...

Chinese companies are eyeing the region to expand their markets amid this trade war. Today on Money and Me, Michelle Martin takes you to a story quietly gathering momentum — one that could redefine Asia’s capital markets. Deal-making is back, with IPOs, dual listings, and share placements surging across Southeast Asia as Chinese and Hong Kong companies look to internationalise. Hosted...

Tighter rules are reshaping the property game in Singapore. From the High Court ruling that 99-1 ownership splits can be deemed tax evasion, to the Housing Development Board’s new Prime and Plus flat classifications with stricter resale conditions, today’s buyers face a whole new set of constraints. Add in the long-term implications for downgrading or cashing out, and the decision matr...

Will your favourite pharma players suffer greatly because of Trumps' proposed massive pharma tariffs? Will embodied AI bring China ahead in the AI race vs the West? Can Palantir's monster results continue or is the market already pricing in perfection with this company? Michelle Martin and Arun Pai discuss geopolitics, innovation, and valuations. From Trump’s jaw-dropping plan to slap 250% t...

DBS hits above expectations while UOB disappoints - Michelle Martin and Ryan Huang unpack what’s driving profits at Southeast Asia’s top banks. Over in the U.S., Disney doubles its earnings as theme parks and streaming shine, but TV headwinds remain. Meanwhile, trade tensions escalate: Trump doubles tariffs on India and proposes a 100% levy on semiconductor chips. What could this mean...

Ryan Chaw ate many Subway 5-foot long sandwiches and worked two jobs as he built his property empire. Now retired at age 31, he went from working as a pharmacist to real estate millionaire through student housing in just 7 1/2 short years. Michelle Martin finds out how Ryan saved and strategized his way to building a property empire of properties across the USA. Hear which parts of his model would...

What if the ground beneath your feet gave way—are you covered? A sinkhole along Tanjong Katong South Road jolted Singaporeans into asking tough questions: if you fall victim to such an event, will insurance step in—or will the dreaded “Act of God” clause shut the door? As Singapore turns 60,  Money and Me  zooms in and out—from personal compensation to natio...

Is Trump stoking the economic furnace ahead of the midterms—and what does that mean for your portfolio? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode of Money and Me  features veteran trader Simon Ree, founder of The Tao of Trading. With U.S. job numbers weakening, earnings from the Magnificent 7 in full swing, and the traditionally bearish August-September season upon us, Simon shares how he...

Is China uninvestible—or a misunderstood giant in your portfolio strategy? Michelle Martin dives deep with Seow Kek Wee, CIO of Unicorn, to uncover the real story behind China’s markets. Despite headlines of crackdowns and trade wars, China just posted 5.2% growth and booming Belt and Road flows. Are there still pockets of value in Chinese stocks? How does China stack up against India?...

Is cash still king—or just an underperforming subject? Cash offers safety and flexibility, but it also risks being eroded by inflation and market opportunity costs. Michelle Martin explores how to smartly put idle cash to work amid shifting rate environments and geopolitical uncertainty. From high-yield alternatives to multi-asset strategies, find out how to rethink your liquidity playbook....

Is it time to rethink the China narrative? After years of investor pessimism, the Hang Seng Index is up over 22% in 2025—but is this rally for real, or just a mirage? From innovation in EVs and AI to steep equity discounts, could China finally be shedding its “uninvestible” tag? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Willie Keng, Founder of Dividend Titan, as we unpack...

According to the People at Work 2025 report by ADP Research , 60% here in Singapore lived paycheck to paycheck last year.  Are you spending every dollar you earn—and wondering why saving feels impossible? What is the real problem here? Michelle Martin dives into the rise of the “100 per cent spender”. From frictionless digital payments to lifestyle creep, are we wired to ove...

Is your money working hard enough—or just sitting in bricks and mortar? Hosted by Michelle Martin, this SG60 special unpacks how Singaporeans can build smarter, more diversified portfolios. Daphne Tan, Director of Business Development at CMC Markets Singapore, joins to explain the Straits Times Index (STI), and how to get exposure to it. From CPF investing to balancing property with equities...

Is Trump good for business, or just good for market headlines? Hosted by Michelle Martin with Swapnil Mishra, this episode dives into the real economic impact of the Trump presidency. From tax cuts and deregulation to tariffs targeting Asia, what’s been the net effect? Hear how industries in Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore may need to rethink manufacturing strategy. We unpack the st...

Meme stocks are flying high—GoPro, Krispy Kreme, and Beyond Meat are back on traders' radars. Is it FOMO, technical breakouts, or another wild retail ride? Tesla stumbles, Alphabet soars, and the Fed faces fire from President Trump. Inflation stays sticky, tariffs loom, and the “Big Beautiful Bill” shakes up fiscal policy. Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, breaks down the psy...

Could your next best investment lie in a country you may have overlooked until today? Frontier markets—from Vietnam to Africa and beyond—are often overlooked, but are they poised for breakout growth? Michelle Martin sits down with Johannes Loefstrand, Portfolio Manager at T. Rowe Price, to explore how investors can spot real value in high-potential but volatile frontier economies. From...