The Financial Coconut Podcast

Marketing experts know how to target your weaknesses, but with the right strategies, you can flip the script! Start by recognising the marketing tactics that lure you into impulsive spending in this new episode. Today, Reggie, our Chief Financial Coconut, is joined by Dave, the author of Minimalist in the City, Daron, the founder of the team Property Partners, and Andy Schmidt, a solopreneur also...

Every career, no matter how small or simple, requires you to keep learning if you want to keep up with its demands. In today’s episode, we’ll be talking about how upskilling and reskilling are essential to stop yourself from being left behind and being left without a job. We’re joined by the one and only Brandon Lee from Workforce Singapore. He has graciously agreed to come on to talk about the im...

In this Chills episode, we sit down with Andy Schmidt, a former CFO at Siemens, who reveals his journey from climbing the corporate ladder to retiring at 44. After spending over two decades in the corporate world, Andy realized the importance of family time, having heard from retiring colleagues about their biggest regret—neglecting their children. Determined to avoid the same mistake, he left his...

Are 10 more weeks of parental leave really a game-changer? Or just a band-aid solution? Our co-hosts are fired up about the controversial new parental leave policy. We've gathered some opinionated guests - from fed-up parents to a savvy HR pro - to unpack what the extra 10 weeks of shared leave and doubled paternity leave could mean for families and businesses. Is this new policy really helping pa...

With medical inflation soaring to 9.5%, your health and financial future are at a critical crossroads. In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the real impact of rising healthcare costs and reveal why taking charge of your health now can save you from major expenses—and stress—later on. Explore the latest in medical advancements, the crucial role of early health screenings, and how the right insura...

Varick’s captivating journey has blown up across LinkedIn with it reaching over 400,000 views. Although it is initially a tale of failure, Varick hasn’t let it stop him from moving forward with his life as he rebuilds from the rubble of his former career. In today’s episode, Varick, Founding Engineer @ Voltade, will recap everything from A-to-Z on how he went from founder to full-time employee. Al...

Are you dreaming of retiring in Australia but unsure of what it really takes? Join Rakaesh as he sits with Andrew and Ronald - two Singaporeans who have made the move Down Under. Andrew relocated to Adelaide almost a decade ago with his family and has gone from running his own IT business to venturing into property investment after semi-retiring. Ronald took the leap in 1996, migrating as a family...

Ever wondered how to use AI to make your workday smoother? We’ve got Anyā Likhitha from Hatch MediaHouse spilling the secrets on how to do just that! With companies investing big bucks in AI while laying off staff, it’s clear that learning to automate is key to staying relevant. Anya shares practical tips on how to start automating those repetitive tasks that eat up your time—like monthly reports...

Some say the world is flat and expanding into international markets is easier than ever before. But is that really the case? We're going behind the scenes with entrepreneurs who have learned the hard way that overseas expansion is no walk in the park. From supply chain snags and website crashes to pricing wars and mismatched local partnerships, our guests opening up about their massive headaches a...

Ever wondered how your financial approach stacks up against other generations? We bring together Tan Hong Tau, CEO of Manulife Financial Advisers, Chris from HoneyMoney, and Vanessa Ho, the Venture Capital Investor and Content Creator, to uncover the fascinating contrasts in how Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X view money, work, and financial independence. From the "live in the moment" attitude of Gen...

Curious what the strategies are behind one of Singapore’s leading REITs? Kelvin Chow, CEO Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, breaks down their approach to balancing stable income generation with growth, highlighting key assets like 313@Somerset and JEM. We explore how Lendlease Global REIT manages its portfolio, including its strategic investments in Milan, and the cautious yet bold steps taken to...

Are you keeping tabs on your "career health"? Brandon Lee, Assistant Chief Executive Transformation Support Group from Workforce Singapore (WSG) to explore how you can proactively manage your career and stay resilient in today’s fast-changing job market. Brandon shares valuable insights on the importance of staying aware of economic opportunities, building various forms of career capital and setti...

In this follow-up to our viral episode with Hossan Leong, we dive deeper into the realities of rebasing in Johor Bahru as a retirement strategy. Our guest, Shamir—a seasoned real estate consultant—shares his journey of moving to JB with his wife and 3 children while maintaining his work life in Singapore. Discover why more Singaporeans are considering JB for its lower cost of living, spacious home...

Are you struggling to stand out in job interviews? Or maybe you're an employer trying to hire the best talent? We dive into the interview process from both sides. Andrew Chai, CEO, AttituX, shares groundbreaking strategies that go beyond just reviewing resumes and CVs. He reveals how simple doodle drawings can surprisingly uncover a candidate's true attitude, values, and cultural fit within minute...

Intrigued by the allure of the solopreneur lifestyle? We sat down with Adrian Tan, the author of "No More Bosses,” for the launch of his latest book. From corporate layoffs to embracing the freedom of working for himself, Adrian's path has been anything but linear. Get ready to dive deep into the pivotal moments, unexpected challenges, and hard-earned lessons that have shaped his success. Discover...

In the ever-evolving real estate landscape, a delicate balance must be struck between going green and achieving profitability. But what if embracing sustainability could unlock new doors for growth and longevity? We dive deep into the world of industrial REITs with a candid discussion featuring Adrian Chui, CEO of ESR-LOGOS REIT. From decarbonisation roadmaps to attracting green capital, Adrian of...

Are you feeling stuck in your career, wondering if there's more to life than just climbing the corporate ladder? Here's the deal: Your purpose isn't a destination – it's the journey. It's messy, it changes, and that's okay. We sit with two career mavens who've been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale. We've got Alex Loh, Founder, Aviary & Co., the Growth Mindset Coach who's all about...

Ever wondered how the big players in the investment world really operate? Get ready for an exclusive peek behind the curtain of one of Asia's most influential investors - Temasek. In this episode, we sit down with Alpin Mehta, Head, Real Estate, and Deputy Head, Private Equity Fund Investments at Temasek, as he spills the tea on how this Singapore headquartered powerhouse has transformed from a lo...

Could you imagine suddenly losing your sight...right after giving birth to your newborn child? Thrown into total darkness, unable to even see your baby's face. That's the unimaginable reality Cassandra Nadira Lee faced. Out of nowhere, she went completely blind for over a year following an extremely traumatic pregnancy and premature birth. Cassandra Nadira Lee, the founder of COMB recounts her har...

We explore the intersection of slow travel and the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. Joining us are: Isabel Leong, a travel blogger and SEO coach at Bel Around The World; Samuel Goh, a photographer turned farmer; and Jane Tor, a digital marketer and human design expert. Jane discusses her Going Slow community, which supports travellers who embraced life abroad during the pandem...

In this episode, we sat down with Han Khim Siew, CEO of OUE REIT, to explore the dynamic world of real estate investment and management. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, OUE REIT has grown into one of Singapore’s most significant diversified real estate investment trusts, managing a diverse portfolio of upscale hotels and commercial office spaces. Han shares his insights on several key topics, in...

Ever wondered how to build mental toughness at work? 🧠 Christina Lim, Business Advisor and Mentor who has seen it all—from the high-stress world of advertising to advising start ups during rapid changes and Stanley Kan joins in to uncover the surprising sources of stress for middle managers and the powerful strategies to manage it effectively. Christina shares her journey, filled with practical a...

Have you ever wondered how superstitions influence our everyday decisions? 🤔 Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of "Kiasunomics," where we unravel the unique spending habits of Singaporeans. Did you know that birth rates spike by 5-8% during dragon years due to cultural beliefs? 🐉 But there's more! From the peculiar preference for house numbers to the surprising effects of children's...

2ICs had enough! They're breaking free from middle management mediocrity! We dive into the challenges faced by middle managers today. We'll be talking to business leaders and author Yeo Chuen Chuen and Stanley Kan about their work on what it takes to be an inspiring leader that people love to work for. You'll hear eye-opening research on what really makes middle managers unhappy, why this demograp...

The game has changed. It's no longer about coasting on momentum or playing it safe with your finances. We're living in an era where the markets are defined by unprecedented levels of uncertainty and rapid shifts. One day, you're riding high on the crypto wave, the next, you're drowning in supply chain chaos and runaway inflation. In this dynamic environment, how can organisations maintain a lean a...