BT Money Hacks

Money Hacks Ep 39: How to be happier in life by being less of a financial hoarder

11:18 mins

Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes.

Our guest is Dr William Wan, the general secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement, and he has advice of a different type, rather than hard money-making or saving strategies.

He warns against financial hoarding by outlining four points in this episode:

1. "Make all you can, save all you can and give all you can." - applying John Wesley's dictum to stewardship of your own finances. (1:50)

2. In making a will, and if you are more capable financially, consider not just the benefit of your family members, but also blessing charities and other needy organisations whose missions resonate with you. (5:10)

3. In your retirement years, consider spending a bit more on yourself to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Take vacations and enjoy some of the comforts of life. No point in hoarding all for your children, for example. (6:07)

4. Live above, within or below your means. Living above will burden you with debts. Living within is usually just about spending on yourselves. But living below will ensure you have some to share with others, and that can be a good principle to strive for during your working years. (7:01)

Dr Wan's new book - Through The Valley, The Art of Living and Leaving Well - is out in major bookstores or online.

Check ST Press' Facebook page.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 38: Make compound interest your best financial friend if you're in your 30s

10:23 mins

Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes.

Aggregate Asset Management is a fund management house that focuses exclusively on equities, also known as stocks. The company was first launched in Singapore in December 2012, and was the first local fund house to adopt a zero-management-fee model, charging only a performance fee.

We chat with co-founders and executive directors Wong Seak Eng, Kevin Tok and Eric Kong about how you can retire earlier with a bigger retirement income by the age of 60 if if you plan as early as your 20s.

For example, if your portfolio returns in equities or stocks are 10% a year, the Rule of 72 calculator - which means how many years it takes you to double your money - shows that 72 divided by 10, equals doubling your portfolio's value in seven years.

So if you invest $1 at the age of 30, it can become $2 when you're 37, $4 by 44, and $16 by the age of 58.

On paper, they explain that you have many seven-year cycles to go even if you're in your 30s, to maximise the power of compound interest.

Are you also aware of transaction costs, brokerage or custodian fees? Do know they can also eat into your stock investment profits.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 37: How you can fund your retirement systematically with equities or stocks

10:19 mins

Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes.

Aggregate Asset Management is a fund management house that focuses exclusively on equities, also known as stocks. The company was first launched in Singapore in December 2012, and was the first local fund house to adopt a zero-management-fee model, charging only a performance fee. 

We chat with co-founders and executive directors Wong Seak Eng, Kevin Tok and Eric Kong about why equities are a great tool to fund your retirement.

Find out why merely having a stock portfolio isn't enough, if it's messy like rojak. 

The three directors also explain the Rule of 72 calculator, which essentially means how many years it takes you to double your money. For example, if your portfolio returns are 10% a year, 72 divided by 10 means you will double your portfolio's value in seven years.

If your returns are 1%, it will mean you only double your money in 72 years.

Explore the power of compound interest in making your assets work harder for you.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 36: How to build your wealth by investing in equities or stocks

10:19 mins

Synopsis: Every Monday, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can take action after listening to our podcast episodes.

What are the best assets to invest in? Property? Bonds?

Aggregate Asset Management is a fund management house that focuses exclusively on equities, also known as stocks. The company was first launched in Singapore in December 2012, and was the first local fund house to adopt a zero-management-fee model, charging only a performance fee.

We chat with co-founders and executive directors Wong Seak Eng, Kevin Tok and Eric Kong about why equities are a great tool for making your money work harder for you.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Season 2: Step-by-step tips for HDB flat sellers in today's market

10:19 mins

Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can get started after listening to this episode.

Editor's note: Property information correct when published on Feb 18, 2019

We host sisters Rhonda (front row on right) and Race Wong (front row on left) - who are co-founders of Ohmyhome. Ohmyhome is an online one-stop shop with a 30% market share, that is aiming to make housing transactions in Singapore simple, fast and affordable.

Here are their top step-by-step tips for HDB sellers in today's market.

1. Register an Intent To Sell in the HDB resale portal (which is valid for 12 months)

2. How to check data and set your flat price more accurately as today's more price-sensitive and educated buyers are able to compare flat prices and past resale values in your area, and use apps like Ohmyhome's on iTunes and Google Play.

3. For initial eligibility checks, visit HDB's portal to check ethnic integration policy and related quota in various estates 

4. Ensure you fulfil the minimum five-year occupation period

5. Decide if you want to engage an agent or consider a do-it-yourself approach, and how to ensure you have done the proper financial calculations and timeline planning for selling and buying your next flat so you will not be without a home in between.

Later in our podcast, we pose the scenario: If you had bought your HDB flat for $500,000 15 years ago, and sell it for $520,000 now, does it mean you automatically have a $20,000 cash profit?

Do you like direct responses from buyers and sellers? Apps like Ohmyhome's has a pool of ready buyers and sellers who can suggest their own flat listings directly to the buyer who indicates interest in a flat in their area. Can you save on agent's commissions with Ohmyhome?

You can download HDB's app too.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 34: Top 5 step-by-step tips for HDB flat buyers in today's market

11:24 mins

Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times and The Business Times break down financial tips so you can get started after listening to this episode.

Editor's note: Property information correct when published on Feb 11, 2019

We host sisters Rhonda (front row on right) and Race Wong (front row on left) - who are co-founders of Ohmyhome. Ohmyhome is an online one-stop shop aiming to make housing transactions in Singapore simple, faster and more affordable.

They explain their top 5 step-by-step tips for HDB buyers in today's market.

1. Calculate what you can afford using calculators like those found on Ohmyhome's app on iTunes and Google Play store.

2. Consider home financing options for a HDB loan or bank loan

3. Apps like Ohmyhome walk you through the buying process step by step

4. What to take note of if you are a current HDB flat owner and want to sell it, to buy another

5. Why young couples should think long-term and consider bigger flat sizes

You can download HDB's app too.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 33: Tips on responsible credit card use and borrowing

10:34 mins

Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times and The Business Times offer tips for the newcomer to the financial and investment scene.

Ms Natalia Goh - head of credit cards and personal loans for Standard Chartered Bank Singapore - explains step by step, good habits to cultivate to manage your credit card use and borrowing, even if you are a seasoned credit card user.

1. How to borrow within your means
2. How to understand the credit product you are taking up
3. How to pay on time

Write or list everything you spend daily and every month.

Look at the benefits of various perks for cashback cards, reward points, air miles and so on. Terms and conditions are clearly listed on bank websites these days too.

What is a strategy for those with rising outstanding credit card amounts?

Find out later on in this podcast episode, about the difference between debit and credit cards.

Produced by: Ernest Luis

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 32: Wine education for F&B trade professionals and enthusiasts

10:50 mins

Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times and The Business Times offer tips for the newcomer to the financial and investment scene.

In an advanced economy like Singapore's, food and beverage employees who have certification after undergoing wine education courses, or who certify themselves after years in the industry, can raise their own professional values.

Can Skills Future offset the costs of such courses like the French Wine Scholar and Certified Specialist Of Wine programmes? 

Veteran wine educator and international wine judge Lim Hwee Peng explains how enthusiasts who have business dealings here and in growing markets like China will find wine education beneficial.

Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim

Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 31: Using ST Wine to know more about wine investment and enjoyment

10:30 mins   Synopsis: In this podcast series, The Straits Times and The Business Times offer tips for the newcomer to the financial and investment scene.   Wine consultant Roderic Proniewski - who runs Asia Wine Network - speaks about investing in wine.   If you have little knowledge of wine, find out why ST Wine is a great way to dip one's toes in the worlds of both wine investment and enjoyment.   Produced by: Ernest Luis and Christopher Lim   Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 30: How to get started in robo-investing   9:11 mins   Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times and The Business Times offer tips for the newcomer to the financial and investment scene.   In August 2018, WeInvest announced a collaboration with OCBC Bank to launch OCBC RoboInvest, where you need a minimum of $3,500 to get started.   Mr Bhaskar Prabhakara - chief and co-founder of Singapore-based start-up WeInvest - explains how newbies and experienced investors can use robo-investing platforms.   Find out which thematic portfolios you can consider for your own risk appetites, and his own favourite choices that include food-based companies or upcoming US technology leaders.   Heard of the Singapore portfolio for conservative investors called Cash Is King in OCBC's RoboInvest scheme? Find out more in this episode.   Produced by: Ernest Luis   Like, subscribe and rate our Money Hacks podcast on:   Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGN   iTunes: http://str.sg/oeXe   Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oeGd   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   Feedback to: [email protected]   Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.