Ringgit and Sense

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...

We discuss your personal finance issues with the help of a professional financial planner. - What to do with RM 2,000? - Should you invest in oil palm? - Helping your mom invest. - Gold investment options. - Anything to the Forex investment hype? - Good time to buy property? - Insurance policies that are not tied to an investment plan - Is there a list of certified financial planners available? -...

With Malaysia Day established as a national public holiday, we look into what East Malaysians on the ground feel about their income levels. The lack of financial planning services in Sabah & Sarawak has also made investing into property a lot more prominent than others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Malaysia interest rates have already risen by 0.25% and are expected to rise again by another 0.25% over the next 6 months. Today we look into the plight of the fixed income investor, where bond prices will come down as interest rates go up and at the same time, bond investors also suffer from very low bond yields. What should we do? News: - Average Household Income over RM 5,900 a month, says...

In conjunction with BFM's 6th anniversary, we look into 6 major trends or events over the last 6 years that had a significant impact on personal finance. Some would even say these events were life-changing. Clips were sourced from: Al Jazeera, CNN, CNBC, Lost in America, EducateKnowledge and Mark Ledzian. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss your personal finance issues with the help of a professional financial planner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial crises are times of strife and uncertainty. However, it is possible to use these situations to enhance long term financial returns. News: Commissions for agents could be revised Singapore revises pension plan on retirement concerns Berkshire shares crosses the $200,000 mark Poor Allen Iverson only has $30m left from a $150m wealth Tip: Buy when you have the money, sell when you need it S...

The online revolution has arrived at the doorstep insurance distribution which is a good thing since it will reduce the cost of buying policies substantially. There is also strong policy support from Bank Negara to make this successful.  News: What's next for Robin William's estate? Is A Hard Life Inherited - NYT SEC probes alt-funds Tip: The web helps those who help themselves See omnystudio...

Bank Negara recently raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.25%. Liew Ooi Hann talks to us about how your loans will be affected. It's not all bad news though as savers will enjoy higher interest rates. News: P2P lending democratises money Housing prices are key to inequality: Piketty Off-grid living gives power back to people New York holds $13b in unredeemed funds Tip: Saving on...

Investing is not just investing. Like everything else, there are various facets to investing. However, investing is of particular importance since this process will have an impact on one's future well-being. News: Singapore cheapens insurance products Personal finance as a life skill Cheap international travel becomes reality Tip: Don't Peek See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Insurance products are so important but cause so much confusion. How much should you be covered for? Should you load up on life coverage over critical illness? What riders to consider? How should you assess investment-linked products? We provide some life hacks to buying insurance policies.   News: -  The Chinese are coming. And they want to buy your house - Parent-child personal finance...

The phenomenal returns of property markets in Malaysia and around the world have attracted more people, both speculators and genuine buyers, into property investments. There are a few things you should bear in mind when you think of property investments and they may not have anything to do with your view of where the property market is going. News: KL Luxury condo supply "frightening" EPF starts m...

We look at gambling from the mathematical and social perspectives. The conclusion that gets thrown up is: gambling hurts. News: New Zealander correctly bets on Brazil thrashing Mick Jagger, the World Cup Angel of Doom Tip: Know the difference between gambling and investing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the pros and cons of yet another investment scheme from distant shores: Canadian oil investment. News: Poor millions without internet face higher household costs For smokers, can e-cigarettes save money? Suze Orman's prepaid debit card makes exit Tip:  Don't trust financial gurus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a conservative investor is not about totally eliminating risks as some token amount of risk gives some zing to the portfolio. This is of course after making sure the conservative investor has taken care of prudential matters like setting up an emergency fund. News: Millionaire women marrying on financial par with men Student commits suicide after losing World Cup bets Highest-paid World Cup...

In a marketplace flooded with agents touting impending doom left, right and centre, how do you know what the right insurance solution is for you? We identify key questions you should be asking as well as the fundamental role of an independent financial planner in finding that elusive solution. News: CIMB in-house survey show staff slightly bullish on stock market Eastspring survey: Investors eyein...

We continue with the conversation with an exploration of returns on investment when it comes to your child’s education and explore alternatives like free education. News: - Worst College Majors - 2000 protest in Singapore over new CPF rule - Brazil's 1% richest benefits from World Cup - Highest prize money ever for World Cup at $576m - Cuepacs: Keep up fitness during World Cup Tip: unit trus...