Ringgit and Sense

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...

The cost of sending your children to university is so exorbitant that proper planning is essential. Surprisingly, there are also cheap or free alternatives. News: - US cost of raising a child till age 18 goes up sharply - Advising the ultra-rich - Inclusive Capitalism Conference attempts to quell capitalism backlash - Is Giant wrong to sell shark meat at RM9.99/kg? Tip: Start a college education f...

It won't be long before we can buy unit trust and investment schemes from around the region under the Asean Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) Framework. This will enable shopping for the best-managed and cost efficient funds. We discuss the key points this framework. News: EPF Q1 return rate averages about 1.5% Bankruptcy registers an alarming 32% jump Five things that are cheapest in the world's...

Buying too late, chasing prices, selling during crashes - these are some actions that make our investments perform worse than what the market actually achieves . We discuss how our emotions affect our long term investment returns and how to avoid behavioural pitfalls in investing. News: - Malaysia GNI per capita hits US$10k - Singapore's CPF raises savings floor - China urges banks not to deal wit...

The idea of retirement is undergoing transformation. It is no longer a singular moment at 60 but an alignment of wants, health and funding at many different points of your life. Plus: world personal finance news and money tip-of-the-day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Debt management is a serious issue that probably ranks up there with health. Madam Koid Swee Lian of Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK) wants to help you do that. Plus world personal finance news and money tip-of-the-day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brigitte Miksa, Head of International Pensions for Allianz Asset Management talks to us about the retirement conundrum: living longer but with chances of being poorer. She addresses the plight of widowed women, a state that is the biggest predictor of old-age poverty. Plus: world personal finance news and money tip-of-the-day See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

iMoney CEO Lee Ching Wei discusses how home loan refinancing could be used to your advantage. We also bring you a news snippet from the world of personal finance and the money tip-of-the-day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lars Kroijer questions how many investors are smart enough to do better than market returns. His answer may surprise some of us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look at how the national budget will affect the personal budgets of people and whether there is any impact on long term financial objectives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.