Money Talks

Earlier this year, a rare Pikachu card sold for US$16.5 million at an auction, but does that make Pokémon trading cards a serious investment? On the Money Talks podcast, Andrea Heng speaks with Roy Raftery, head of pop culture at Stanley Gibbons, about what drives trading card prices, why some cards can lose value quickly and whether they deserve a place alongside alternative investments such as art and luxury watches.

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Being young means you can afford to take more investment risks. But should you be taking more risk if you're still in your 20s and 30s? On the Money Talks podcast, Andrea Heng speaks with Koay Hui Sien, head of iShares Fixed-Income product strategy for APAC (excluding Japan) at BlackRock, about how investors in this age group can assess their risk tolerance, balance growth with diversification and be on track with their financial goals.

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With oil prices hovering around US$100 a barrel, stubborn inflation and higher interest rates creating uncertainty, investors may be wondering which risks actually matter to their portfolios. Andrea Heng speaks with Kelly Chia, head of investment strategy at UOB Private Bank, on what you should prepare for before the next dip.

This episode is brought to you by UOB.

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It started as a text message from someone she thought was her daughter. By the time Lena Soon, a financial adviser of more than 20 years, realised something was wrong, she had lost almost S$4000 to a scam. On the Money Talks podcast, she joins Andrea Heng to recount how the scam unfolded, the warning signs she missed and tips on how to have a conversation with a loved one you suspect is a scam victim.

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What happens when you realise your ageing parents may not have enough money for retirement? Providend CEO Christopher Tan joins Andrea Heng to discuss the options when parents face a retirement shortfall. From tighter budgeting to leveraging the family home, learn how adult children should assess their own finances before deciding how much support they can afford to give.

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The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, prompting questions about what higher borrowing costs could mean for Singapore households and whether spare cash should go towards paying down debt or investing. MoneyOwl's Chuin Ting Weber joins Andrea Heng to explain how to think through that decision and why paying down debt can sometimes leave you with less liquidity when you need it most.

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Two ETFs can track the same S&P 500 companies but have different tax, cost and dividend implications for Singapore investors. The choice between a US-domiciled ETF and an Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETF may also affect potential US estate tax exposure and long-term returns. Andrea Heng speaks with Mahesh Sethuraman, CEO of Saxo Singapore, about how different investors can benefit from these ETFs.

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Starting April 2027, parents will receive S$2,000 a year for each Singaporean child from age one to 16, as part of a new financial support scheme from the government. But if you don’t need the money for day-to-day expenses, how can you invest it towards your own retirement? On the Money Talks podcast, Andrea Heng speaks with SingSaver’s Ayush Goyal about putting the new SG Child Support Package to work.

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Rising US Treasury yields may sound like a distant problem, but could they eventually affect your mortgage, investments and the prices you pay in Singapore? UBP's Paras Gupta joins Andrea Heng on the Money Talks podcast to explain the relationship between your mortgage and the US bond market, and what investors should consider if borrowing costs remain elevated.

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Surviving a critical illness may be only the start of the financial journey. A Singlife study estimates that recovery can cost around S$170,000 and stretch for an average of 27 months, with expenses extending beyond medical treatment. Andrea Heng speaks with Singlife Group Head of Products Helen Shen about the “recovery gap”, including out-of-pocket expenses, lost income and caregiving.

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