“At 17, my goals were simply to make more money to afford regular meals like chicken rice.”

The chairs are switched in this very special episode of The Providend Conversation: Living the Good Life, where we are honoured to have Michelle Martin in conversation with our CEO, Christopher. In this candid chat, he shares his personal life — speaking on money, family, career, parenting, and more.

As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we have always believed that financial planning should begin with life decisions, and not the other way around. This philosophy aligns closely with the definition of the “good life” as described in the book Repacking Your Bags by Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro: “living in the place you belong, with people you love, doing the right work, on purpose.”

In this episode of The Providend Conversation, we hear from Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend. You may have heard him on the radio, seen him on television, or read his books on professional wealth advisory. But have you ever heard about his personal journey towards money mastery and financial wellness?

There is also one fundamental philosophy that Chris strongly aligns with, which also shapes how we advise our clients at Providend: to first make life decisions before making financial decisions.

This video is a joint production of iFAST TV and Providend, inspired by Christopher’s article “To Live the Good Life, Make Life Decision First Before Wealth Decisions”. This video series is now available as a podcast for those who prefer listening on the go.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Michelle Martin, Financial Presenter of Money FM 89.3, will be interviewing Christopher Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

“I have my wife who is my pillar and rock, and also my little baby who can’t say much but at least I can hug him after a long day from work, and I can then say: Okay, the day is good.”

As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we’ve always advocated for making life decisions before money decisions—especially when it comes to your hard-earned money.

In this episode of “The Providend Conversation,” we’re delighted to feature Jonathan Teoh, an architect by training and practice who gave up a well-paying job to start a socially conscious enterprise called AN LIVING. The initiative focuses on helping seniors enhance their financial security, aligning with Singapore’s vision of becoming a “Nation for All Ages.” AN LIVING’s goal is similar to the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme—but designed for private property homeowners with fully paid-up freehold or 999-year leasehold homes.

In this interview, we learn more about Jonathan’s upbringing, and the support that shaped his strong conviction to help seniors in Singapore enhance their financial security.

This video is a joint production of iFAST TV and Providend, inspired by Christopher’s article “To Live the Good Life, Make Life Decision First Before Wealth Decisions”.  This video series is now available as a podcast for those who prefer listening on the go.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Having survived multiple market crises in our investment journey since 2001, we know what works and what won't work.

In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, co-host Isaac sits down with CEO Christopher Tan to unpack why saying “stay invested” without the right context might actually do investors a disservice.

They explore whether it’s better to be a pessimist or an optimist during uncertain times like today’s ongoing trade tensions, and how to approach the “money equation” — balancing short-term financial planning on the left, with long-term investment decisions on the right.

Chris and Isaac also touch on how mental well-being plays a vital role in financial decision-making, especially when markets are volatile. For those nearing retirement, they discuss whether it may be time to approach things differently to protect both your financial future and peace of mind.

Tune in to the full episode for a grounded and thoughtful take on navigating uncertainty with clarity, focused on your non-negotiable life goals. 

You can read Chris’ article in The Business Times on this topic here. 

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download Investment eBook Today!

TBC

Welcome to the second episode of our Milestones by Decade mini-series! We’re excited to continue this journey with more insightful conversations with our Client Advisers. In each episode, we reflect on the lessons and advice they wish they’d received a decade ago, offering practical tips for navigating key milestones, from your 20s to your 50s.

As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we’ve had the privilege of guiding clients from all walks of life at different stages for over two decades. In this mini-series, we hope to be able to impact both life and money wisdom to you, to inspire you and help you avoid costly mistakes.

In this episode, Amelia chats with Jit Hwee, one of our Client Advisers in his 40s, as he reflects on the mindset shifts that came with time and experience. From chasing success to finding clarity in what truly matters — across career, money, life, and family — Jit Hwee shares it all with his signature wit and humour. If you’re in your 30s or know someone who’s still figuring things out, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Amelia Wong, is the Senior Content & Digital Marketing Executive at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

“I want to live a more colourful life, I want to experience more of the world, I want to see different aspects of the healthcare industry, and also the world in general.”

As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we have always advocated that when it comes to your hard-earned money, life decisions should come before money decisions.

That’s exactly what Dr Tang did. Unlike most doctors, he chose a very different career path — and his latest portfolio? Medical concierge and advocacy.

In this interview, Dr Tang shared the drivers behind his career and life decisions as well as the way he is helping those in need of tailored medical or healthcare advice.

You may find out more about Dr Tang’s book, ‘It’s Your Life, You Call The Shots’ here.

This video is a joint production of iFAST TV and Providend, inspired by Christopher’s article “To Live the Good Life, Make Life Decision First Before Wealth Decisions”.  This video series is now available as a podcast for those who prefer listening on the go.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Being a trusted adviser to our affluent clients for over two decades, legacy planning is about more than just Index-linked Universal Life Policies (ULPs) or wills and trusts.

In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our co-host Isaac has a heart-to-heart talk with our CEO, Christopher, on the importance of starting your legacy planning now, instead of waiting until you are older. In fact, what is the difference between estate and legacy planning? How does a 'life decision' that a person made during his lifetime translate into a legacy for his or her family in the form of a legal instrument, such as a trust? And is it ever too late to start? Tune in to this podcast to listen to the full story.

You can read Chris’ article in The Business Times on this topic here.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download our RetireWell™ eBook Today!

Our popular RetireWell™ eBook has been updated! RetireWell™ is a methodology that Providend has developed to design a retirement income plan that will provide you with a safe and reliable stream of income for the rest of your life.

Welcome to the second episode of our miniseries on Finding Your Ikigai, where we invite a series of guests to explore what it truly means to live a good life, incorporating the concept of Ikigai alongside Providend’s Philosophy of Sufficiency. 

As trusted advisers to affluent clients for over two decades, we’ve always advocated that clients prioritise life decisions before financial ones. These life decisions are what we refer to as "Ikigai" decisions. 

In this episode, our Founder and CEO, Christopher Tan, sits down with Stanley Ng, Founder of Mindful Circle, a not-for-profit social enterprise, and Founder and Managing Director of Sage Capital Management Advisors, a private advisory firm for top management within corporates, banks, and financial institutions. 

Stanley, also a client of Providend, shares his journey from being law-trained, transitioning into the banking industry, becoming a consultant, and now being involved in the philosophy of mindfulness and the importance of being present in the moment—injecting Ikigai moments even into the most mundane tasks. Listen to the full podcast conversation and share it with a friend. 

Learn more about Mindful Circle here: https://mindfulcircle.org/ 

Through deep conversations with our advisers, you will gain clarity on what matters most in life and what needs to be done to live a good life, both financially and non-financially—with your Ikigai goals at the forefront of your wealth plan. Find out more about a mindful approach for a calmer investment journey here: https://providend.com/a-mindful-approach-for-a-calmer-investment-journey/

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to Our Mailing List Today!

If you’re interested in getting more of our thought leadership contents, click this link to subscribe to our newsletter today: https://providend.com/#newsletter-subscribe

“We feel that social media is flooded with a lot of negativity, so we wanted to create a space where we can celebrate the everyday Singaporean and promote positive values.”

As the leading fee-only wealth advisory firm in Asia, we have always advocated for our clients to make life decisions before money decisions, when it comes to their hard-earned money.

In this episode of “The Providend Conversation,” we are delighted to feature Why Keen, former Creative Director of The Royal Singapore, a man who has touched the hearts of not only those who watched his videos but also the teams who worked alongside him. Throughout his journey—navigating various business ventures and transitioning through different seasons in his career—having a supportive wife has played a crucial role in his development as a creative at heart.

This video is a joint production of iFAST TV and Providend, inspired by Christopher’s article “To Live the Good Life, Make Life Decision First Before Wealth Decisions”.  This video series is now available as a podcast for those who prefer listening on the go.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download our RetireWell™ eBook Today!

Our popular RetireWell™ eBook has been updated! RetireWell™ is a methodology that Providend has developed to design a retirement income plan that will provide you with a safe and reliable stream of income for the rest of your life.

Welcome to the second episode of our miniseries for Finding Your Ikigai, where we invite a series of guests to explore what it means to live a good life, incorporating the concept of Ikigai and Providend’s Philosophy of Sufficiency.

Being a trusted adviser to our affluent clients for over two decades, we have always advocated for our clients to first make life decisions before financial decisions. Life decisions are also what we term “Ikigai” decisions.

In this episode, our Founder and CEO, Christopher Tan, speaks with Moon Shary, Providend's Group COO & Executive Director, on how she finds her own Ikigai. As a mother of two, she has made intentional trade-offs—turning down a higher-paying job to prioritise her family.

A past health scare reshaped her outlook, reminding her to treasure life’s small moments. Looking ahead, she continues to explore her Ikigai while planning for the future.

Through deep conversations with our advisers, you will gain clarity on what matters most in life and what needs to be done to live a good life, both financially and non-financially—with your Ikigai goals at the forefront of your wealth plan.

Learn more about Moon's story and how she navigated life's unexpected hurdles: https://youtu.be/6I74SzkEOoE?feature=shared

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Christopher Tan, is Chief Executive Officer of Providend, Singapore’s first fee-only wealth advisory firm and author of the book “Money Wisdom: Simple Truths for Financial Wellness”.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

In managing over S$1 billion worth of our clients’ assets, there is continuous monitoring in place to ensure that the funds in our portfolios are behaving as we would expect them to, so our clients can reach their life goals reliably, with peace of mind.

In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, our co-host Isaac talks to our CEO, Christopher, about cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, and whether they deserve a spot in your investment portfolio, especially if you already have investments in safer and diversified asset classes. 

Chris touches on Bitcoin's wild ride of booms and busts over the years, with returns largely shaped by unpredictable news and events. But is there a hidden pattern or hints of reliability in cryptocurrency? Should all investors stay away, or could investing in Bitcoin still be suitable for some? Tune in to this podcast to listen to the full story.

You can read Chris’ article in The Business Times on this topic here. Also in this podcast episode, Isaac and Chris mentioned an article Isaac had written here, on why winning the lottery does not mean you had made a good 'investment' decision. 

Stay tuned for our next episode from our miniseries, 'Finding Your Ikigai'!

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download Investment eBook Today!

TBC