Ringgit and Sense

According to Art Basel’s 2023 market report with Swiss Investment Bank, UBS, Global art sales increased by 3% year-on-year to an estimated $67.8 billion thanks to event driven art fairs, gallery opening and auction returning to pre-pandemic levels. With art increasingly seen as an alternative investment, how does one even start and is it only for the rich. Bingley Sim, an investment banker and avi...

Gig or freelance work is increasingly common and there are many pluses but it's not without its financial consequences. We check in with Gor Sheau Shuenn, a licensed financial planner at Alpine Advisory on how to budget, save and even invest when income can be uncertain. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2024 is the most expansionary to date but with the government focused on fiscal consolidation, what goodies were there for the rakyat? Thanneermalai Somasundaram from Thannees Tax Consulting Services advises us whilst explaining to us the new taxes and the importance of paying it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 10 marks World Mental Health Day and The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1 in 4 people are affected by mental disorders at some point in their lives. We explore the connection between mental health and money from various aspects with Anita Abu Bakar, President of the Mental Illness Awareness & Support Association. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listene...

October 1 was designated as International Day of Older Persons by The United Nations General Assembly. And Malaysia is expected to become a 'super-aged nation' by 2056. For Ringgit and Sense today, Martin Yap, Founder & CEO, CARE Concierge helps us understand how to balance filial piety with our own financial obligation, the cost of elderly care and how can we prepare ourselves financially for...

Financial literacy is unfortunately not taught in schools as part of core curriculum but according to a recent survey by The Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO), it should be. We find out why and how it should be taught with their CEO, Clare Walker. Image credit: Shutterstock.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BFM just turned 15, so what are the 15 things every retail investor should know. We turn to Founder & Chief Research Officer of Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd and author of the book- “What I learnt as an Analyst”, Peter Lim to have this important discussion. Image Credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have routines like eating healthy and exercising regularly but why isn't this extended to financial planning? Ian Wong, licensed financial planner & CEO of Uno Advisers tells us how to make that a habit and why it's so important. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barbie the movie has grossed more than USD1bn at the box office but is she in the best shape financially? We check in with Rozanna Rashid, Licensed Financial Planner from Alpine Advisory as to what advice she would give to a 64-year-old lady with multiple homes, a jet-setting lifestyle and no dependents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is proposing progressive wages on a voluntary basis but rather than wait, how can you earn more over the course of your career? Deepa George, Managing Consultant at MYHRC Services gives us some advice whilst telling us if job hopping is really detrimental. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently there has been more talk about private equity on the back of the listing of Mr DIY. But how does a PE firm work, what are the risks and potential returns. We ask Ng Sai Kit, Chairman of the Malaysia Venture Capital and Private Equity Association these important questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deciding to have a child is one of the biggest decisions to make. However what is the cost of even having a baby. Founder of the financial blog Ringgit Oh Ringgit and new mother, Suraya Zainudin tells us. Image by: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently the Prime Minister announced that initiatives will be introduced to encourage family offices to start in Malaysia. But what is a family office, what can they achieve and what role do they play in the world of finance and investments? Carrie Ng, Head of Family Office Advisory, Bank of Singapore tells us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EPF Belajawanku Guide says that a single person in the Klang Valley can live on RM1930. We check in with a BFM intern, Ethan Kow to see if that is true. This is then followed by financial advice provided by Idham Idris, a professional financial planner from Wealth Vantage who provides some tips to make balancing the books a little easier. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EPF Belajawanku Guide has suggestions on the minimum incomes for singles, couples and senior to live on depending on their location. Today we explore the figure recommended and how to balance the 'books" with Roshan Kanesan who is of course a presenter on Enterprise and also a CFP. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women make up half of the Malaysian population, but yet fall behind in terms of salary and often take career breaks. Should women then plan when it comes to their finances. Rejina Rahim, co-founder of Wahine Capital helps us with that question whilst giving women some important career tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money may not buy love but it often is a cause for divorces. So, what are some of the practical issues that we need to be aware before matrimony and even when the the love flounders. Siew Choon Jern, a family lawyer from the firm Douglas Yee Advocates & Solicitors gives us his views. Image by: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2023, baby boomers will be celebrating birthdays between the ages of 59 and 77. And by 2030, one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. Malaysia is of course no exception to this global trend with the World Bank we’ll have 20% of the population to be aged by 2056, giving us the status of a “super-aged nation”. So what happens to us when we grow old in a country that is experi...

Should you buy or rent a home? The arguments for and against have evolved over the years. There are now more factors in play – the pandemic and resultant work-from-home practices, for instance, have provided more incentive for people to own their own residential property. But the rising interest rate environment along with growing cost of living and low wages has made it difficult for someone to o...

For many singleton nowadays, there’s something far more pressing on their minds than putting a ring on it: financial security. People with a partner or spouse generally have someone helping out with expenses, as well as a built-in caregiver to lean on. For those who are getting older, are single and childless, that lack of a default support system poses additional challenges as they age. So what d...

What’s the difference between a financial planner, advisor, wealth manager and money coach? How do you decide who is better for your financial needs? Sim Wie Boon unpacks this with Desmond Chong of the Malaysian Financial Planning Council. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, credit reporting agency CTOS, in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business conducted a study looking into the state of consumer credit in Malaysia for 2022. The study found that the average credit score of Malaysian consumers stood at 678 points in 2022 which means that while most Malaysians will be able to qualify for a wide range of credit products, th...

If you're a personal finance enthusiast, you would've heard of Financial Independence, Retire Early aka FIRE, a movement which encourages people to attain financial independence as early as possible, working hard, saving a lot, and cutting expenses extremely. All this is so one can retire as early as possible, some even as early as 30. But in the backdrop of the pandemic and changing economic...

Continuing our two part episode focusing on scams, Ooi Beng Cheang of FPAM comes on the show again this time to talk about online scams. He shares tips on how to spot online phishing scams, what to do when you're caught in one and what you can do if you fall for one. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, news came out that 73% of mobile phone numbers, equivalent to more than 21 million people in Malaysia, were leaked or sold to scammers. This is especially concerning given that the cases of scams have been increasing at an exponential rate here. In a special two part episode, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Ooi Beng Cheang of FPAM to understand how these scams work and how to protect yourself fr...