Money and Me

Inflation has been at the top of many people’s minds in recent years. After all, with food and energy prices going up, the issue of rising cost of living further exacerbates Singapore’s position as one of the most expensive cities in the world! So you might be wondering, while national inflation might be at 3-4%, why are we finding ourselves paying 30-50% more for our meals at your go to hawker centre? And why is personal inflation a term that everyone of us should be keeping in mind today? Join Dan Koh as he invites Benjamin Goh, co-founder, Mybasket.sg to discuss the importance of understanding personal inflation when managing our spending patterns and finances, and how his latest innovation tool is empowering people to take charge of their finances while navigating the effects of inflation.

When travelling, currency exchange rates can be a killer—especially with hidden fees at banks or exchange booths. In fact, according to key insights from Revolut and YouGov’s recent Survey, almost 50% of Singaporeans pay unnecessary FX fees when travelling abroad! So as the holiday season looms large, what are some cost-saving strategies and tricks to incorporate to make your next trip a lot more affordable? Learn to get the best bang for your buck with Dan Koh as he speaks to Charlie Short, Head of Growth for APAC, at Revolut about actionable financial habits that you can start today to save more on your next holiday and what Revolut is doing to address the financial distresses we face when travelling.

Being financially rich takes more than just racking in a large sum of salary every month. According to Mastercard’s latest study, Inside the Wealthy’s Playbook: How the Affluent are Mastering Their Money with Financial Gymnastics, ‘Financial Gymnastics’ is a key formula to reaching your financial goals. Dan Koh invites Ben Gilbey, Senior Vice President, Digital Consumer Solutions, Asia Pacific, Mastercard to discuss how exactly the affluent approach money management and payments, what goes behind the making of the ‘perfect wallet’, and what you can do to start maximising your rewards to live richly today. 

In a whirlwind of action and suspension, Donald Trump has been elected as the new President of the United States, nearly 4 years after leaving office! And markets are fast to react, having witnessed astonishing moves on ‘Trump Trade’ plays across assets ranging from dollars to stocks. But while this signals confidence that a second Trump term will spur economic growth and profits, how might this impact inflation and the US Fed’s interest rate cut trajectory? Dan Koh speaks with Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend to find out the winners and losers of Trump’s win, how global markets are reacting to news of a Trump administration, and what it means for the US Fed and their fight against inflation. They also discuss where you can find attractive opportunities in equities that have been lagging amid a recordbreaking rally in the US markets.

In the recent release of the EU-ASEAN Business Council's 10th annual Business Sentiment Survey, nearly 90% of European firms revealed plans to increase their trade and investment in Southeast Asia over the next five years. That marks the highest level of optimism recorded since the COVID-19 pandemic! Dan Koh invites Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council on the show to discuss what’s driving ASEAN’s appeal as a growth market and what investors need to understand about shaping their portfolio to best tap on the growing opportunities of ASEAN?

Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Nirgunan Tiruchelvan, Head of Consumer and Internet at Alethia Capital Equity Research. Both explore the implications of record-high gold prices for investors. Together, they dive into industries and stocks set to benefit from the bullion surge, including insights on jewelry companies in Hong Kong and Singapore. Discover key growth drivers and potential risks, along with Nirgunan's perspective on stocks listed on Singapore and Hong Kong's stock exchanges that could offer value and round of the discussion with what's sparkling in investors eyes on the back of the rising middle class and consumer trends like Asians taking to courtiship rituals traditionally associate with the West.

Join Michelle Martin on Money and Me with her guest Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager, Phillip Securities. This episode explores foundational investment strategies for anyone new to the idea of growing their savings. Elijah shares insights on safe investment choices, setting achievable financial goals, and navigating risk comfortably. Discover the benefits of etfs, SSB's, Treasury Bills and high-yield savings accountsand learn how compound interest can impact even small investments. Perfect for those new to investing and seeking practical, low-risk pathways to financial growth.

The short answer is yes but there are exceptional cases when nefarious intentions behind such divisions are detected. Get legal Insights on divorce and asset division as Michelle Martin speaks with legal expert Justin Chan from Justin Chan Chambers LLP. Money and Me dives into the legal principles guiding asset distribution in Singapore, particularly when courts suspect asset shielding through sham divorces. Justin explains when asset transfers may be blocked to protect creditors, the consequences of evading financial obligations, and the role of the public trustee. Learn about Mareva injunctions, legal repercussions for fraudulent divorces, and valuable takeaways from recent high-profile cases.

Stability, consistent paying dividends, and competitive yields are some of the many reasons why many of us choose to invest in Singapore dividend stocks. In fact, with Singapore dividend yields boasting an average of 4-6% dividend, as compared to that of the US where they typically offer 3% yield or less - not forgetting 30% US dividend withholding tax on all dividends received from US listed equities -, you may wonder, is it still worth investing in US dividend paying stocks? Packed with decades of experience in analysing and choosing the best global dividend stocks, Willie Keng, Founder, Dividend Titan joins Dan Koh on Money and Me to share why he believes everyone should be looking to the US for some of the best dividend players. They discuss fundamentals to look at when assessing a sustainable dividend payer, the investment approach to take when investing in the US and stock ideas you may want to consider adding into your portfolio today.

Options can certainly be daunting for many beginners given the complex technicalities it brings to the table. But maybe it doesn’t have to be complicated. By grasping a proper understanding of what options are, what fundamental metrics to watch out for, and proper strategies set in place, Simon says it is undoubtedly possible to become profitable with options trading, and fast.  Dan Koh invites Simon Ree, Founder, Tao of Trading to tackle the complexities of options, the key metrics you need to understand before trading, and effective strategies that you can employ to improve your returns over the long term.