The DollarsAndSense Podcast

You wouldn’t bet your life savings on a football team. So why do it with a single stock? In this DollarsAndSense podcast episode, we explore why investing in the STI ETF is a lot like following the English Premier League. Whether you're a Manchester United die-hard or just ETF-curious, we break down how index investing works, why teams (and stocks) get “relegated,” and how not to be a fair-we...

Ever tried booking a trip with 4, 5… or 6 kids? 😵‍💫 In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, Timothy, our Managing Editor/ Co-founder, also a dad of three, and Nick, a dad of six, dive into the real challenges and hilarious moments of traveling with a large family. From the logistical headaches of packing for multiple kids to finding family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy, the...

The NCMP role gives opposition candidates who narrowly lost a second chance to enter Parliament. But with a $2,063 monthly allowance and limited voting rights, is it fair to expect them to accept it? In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, we unpack the origins of the NCMP scheme, how it's evolved, and why taking on the role is not just a political decision but a deeply personal one....

Can most Singaporeans really afford to retire between 40 to 60? In this episode of DollarsAndSense podcast recorded at InsureXpo 2025, CIMB’s Raymond Tan breaks down what Singaporeans believe about retirement and the financial reality behind those dreams. From rising living costs and CPF choices to FIRE aspirations and healthcare inflation, this episode explores whether early retirement is achieva...

Is FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) realistic in Singapore? With high property prices, rising living costs, and sandwich generation pressures, it seems like a distant dream for many. But is it really? In this episode of DollarsAndSense podcast recorded at InsureXpo 2025, we speak with Dawn, better known as SGBudgetBabe, to unpack the realities of achieving FIRE in Singapore. She shares...

Is your insurance plan really serving your life stage — or draining your wallet? In this episode of DollarsAndSense podcast recorded at InsureXpo 2025, Helen Shen, Group Head of Products at Singlife, joins us to unpack what "the right insurance at the right time" really means. We talk misconceptions, affordability myths, how healthcare inflation is reshaping coverage, and the biggest mis...

After Trump’s surprise trade tariffs sent global markets into turmoil, many rushed to “buy the dip” — but is that really the smart move? In this episode, we speak to Mr. Loo Cheng Chuan, founder of the 1M65 movement, on how he reads market crashes, why most investors fail at DCA, and what he’s doing this time amid the volatility. Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dollars...

Curry puffs and chicken wings aren’t just snacks — they’re tracking inflation. In this DollarsAndSense podcast episode, we break down Singapore’s rising cost of living using a unique and surprisingly accurate gauge: the Old Chang Kee Index. From 2006 to 2025, prices of OCK snacks have more than doubled — and that mirrors the inflation many of us feel every day. We explore how everyday staples like...

Most Singaporeans focus on investing and saving, but estate planning is often overlooked. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or a will, your assets and decision-making power may not be handled the way you intend. In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, we speak with Tan Check How, Director at iFAST Global Trust, about why these legal documents are crucial. Learn how an LPA ensures y...

In this episode of our DollarsAndSense Podcast Heritage Series, we uncover how the Securities Investors Association of Singapore (SIAS) became the champion for minority shareholders. Join us as we speak with David Gerald, founder and CEO of SIAS, about the 1999 Clob saga, where 172,000 Singapore investors had their Malaysian stocks frozen, and how SIAS fought against unfair deals to protect retail...

Singapore Budget 2025 has introduced several major policy changes that will impact families, businesses, and workers. In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, Dinesh and Timothy break down the biggest game-changers you may have missed. 🔹 $6.4B Budget Surplus – What does this unexpected surplus mean for future government spending? 🔹 Large Family Scheme – Families with 3+ kids receive $10K...

The rise of AI is fueling unprecedented demand for semiconductor chips, with companies like NVIDIA and AMD at the forefront. But what does this mean for investors? In this episode of the Dollars and Sense Podcast, recorded at FSM Invest Expo 2025, we dive deep into the semiconductor industry with Tan De Jun, Portfolio Manager at iFAST Singapore. Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.face...

With new global policies shaking up the economy, investors are re-evaluating their strategies. Filming The DollarsAndSense Podcast offsite once again—this time at FSM InvestExpo 2025, we explore how trade tensions, market volatility, and shifting supply chains could impact your investments. Senior Portfolio Manager You Weiren from iFAST Singapore breaks down: 01:55 – How markets and investors are...

In this episode, we dive into a topic that's crucial yet often misunderstood: Investing and Retirement Planning—Why They Are Not the Same Thing.  💡 Highlights of the episode: - Why lumping investing and retirement planning together could be a costly mistake. - The importance of starting early to leverage the power of compounding interest. - How to navigate healthcare expenses, housing loans,...

We’re on location at OCBC’s unique Wisma Atria branch – a place where banking meets lifestyle with a café, bookstore, and even an omakase restaurant! 📚🍱 In this DollarsAndSense podcast episode, we dive into the evolution of bank branches in Singapore and the shift towards digital banking. Our team shares insights on the early days of local banks, the rise of mobile banking, and what the future o...

In this episode, we’re taking you to OCBC Wisma Atria as we dive into the history of OCBC, Singapore's oldest local bank. Hear how the bank transformed from its beginnings in 1932 to become a financial leader in Southeast Asia. Learn about key milestones, innovations, and strategies that have shaped OCBC’s success over the past century. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the evolution of b...

Welcome to another exciting episode of the DollarsAndSense podcast! In this episode, we're filming at MooFest 2024 with a special guest: Dawn Cher, the creator of SG Budget Babe. In this episode, we dive into the ever-changing world of financial content creation. From blogging to YouTube and TikTok, we explore how platforms and content styles have evolved over the past decade. Fiona shares he...

Is your portfolio stuck in the traditional stocks and bonds mix? Discover why diversifying into multiple asset classes is crucial in today's market. 🎙️ Jermyn Wong from State Street Global Advisors breaks it down in our latest podcast. Tune in for practical tips on global diversification, ETFs, and more. 

Joining us for our debut on-site podcast discussion is Gavin Chia, CEO of Moomoo Singapore. Playing at home is always advantageous. Whether it’s the FIFA World Cup, NBA Finals or upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games, athletes tend to perform better when they are playing at home. With nearly 18 years of experience in various investment brokerages in Singapore, Gavin shares valuable insights.

The "5Cs of Singapore" refer to cash, car, credit card, condominium, and country club membership. In the 1990s, these items became not just objects of desire, but symbols of success, prestige, and social standing. But why were these particular items chosen to represent success, and are they still relevant today? DollarsAndSense explores how the 5Cs have evolved as a result of Singapore&a...

During his Budget 2024 speech, DPM Lawrence Wong admitted that the outlook for 2024 is mixed – with looming geopolitical risks. In lieu of this, he rolled out a slew of new support measures for both individuals and businesses. These measures covered a wide range of policies and schemes such as SkillsFuture and CPF. In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, we discuss 4 of the biggest and mos...

#TheGreatResignation has turned into #TheGreatRetrenchment in the past 12 months, with tech workers being one of the groups that have been most affected.  In this conversation about retrenchment, popular content creator and tech worker, Jeraldine Phneah, shares her recent retrenchment experience. Jeraldine also explained why companies sometimes lay off good performers and how workers can recover f...

CPF contributions was a prominent part of Budget 2023. The CPF Annual Salary Ceiling will be raised from $6,000 to $8,000 by 2026. CPF contributions will also increase for senior workers above 54 to 70, while Platform Workers will start receiving CPF contributions from the tail-end of 2024. Employers will also have to focus on employee productivity. DPM Lawrence Wong mentioned that guidelines will...

The price of gold has held up well over the long-term. This makes it a good investment to combat inflation and geopolitical uncertainties – which are creating volatility in the markets currently. In the podcast we look at how gold has held up during near-term uncertainties as well, such as recent wars and recessions.  We also need to go about buying gold. We can invest in gold ETFs, similar to how...

Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) has become an increasingly relevant topic around the world. While it’s not hard to guess what it refers to – buying something today and paying for it at some point in the future – we look at what really makes it different to credit cards. Beyond just that comparison, another layer to the discussion is how ethical is it for BNPL companies, which are typically not regulated,...