Your weekly dose of personal finance with Andrea Heng. Here’s everything you need to know on how you can manage your money better.
The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.
When geopolitical tensions flare up, all eyes turn to oil. But why does this commodity trigger global anxiety? In this episode of Money Talks Explains, energy expert Vandana Hari from Vanda Insights unpacks how changes in oil prices can have a ripple effect through economies – impacting policies, prices and portfolios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With Singapore phasing out the sale of new internal combustion engine car and taxi registrations by 2030, many Singaporeans are contemplating switching to an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid car. But what are the costs involved? In this episode of Money Talks, Julian Kho from Sgcarmart gives a breakdown of the real costs and benefits involved – from maintenance fees to charging costs and road tax. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
The financial costs of studying overseas may seem daunting but it can be manageable with the right planning and a buffer for unexpected costs. In this week’s Money Talks, Dr Chan Khai Leok from education consultancy theRightU walks us through the key financial planning essentials - from funding options to major expenses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If the US dollar weakens against the Singdollar, should you buy it even if you’re not traveling to the US anytime soon? And what happens if the rate drops drastically? In this week’s Money Talks episode, Khoon Goh, head of Asia research for ANZ gives a run down the basics of currency exchange. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beyond the physical and emotional toll that comes with having cancer, the financial burden can be just as daunting. So what are the key costs to consider if you or your loved one are faced with cancer? Group director for clinical services at the Singapore Cancer Society Dr Dennis Chia is our guest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Property disputes – especially among family members can lead to painful and costly legal battles. What can be done to avoid these conflicts before they escalate? Andrea Heng sits down with Lim Fung Peen, director and head of family and private wealth practice group at Yuen Law LLC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Beyond using your CPF to buy a home or as a retirement plan, it can also be used for investments. But what are the risks involved? In this episode of Money Talks, Christopher Tan from Providend explains how to avoid some common investment pitfalls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S$NEER – the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate - is a critical component of Singapore’s monetary policy. Jeff Ng, head of Asia macro strategy at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, tells Andrea Heng how this affects the price of our daily coffee or our shopping sprees on holiday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Planning a funeral can be a deeply emotional experience - but it can also come with significant financial costs. Andrea Heng speaks with Ang Ziqian, vice-president of the Association of Funeral Directors Singapore and managing director of Ang Chin Moh Funeral Directors, on the costs and logistics of planning for a funeral. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The European stock market was outperforming the American markets in the first quarter of 2025. Then came US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” and markets across Europe plunged. Should investors still look to Europe in the mid- and long-term? Yap Fook Hien, senior investment strategist, wealth solutions for Standard Chartered Bank breaks it down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From growing up in a wealthy family to losing it all when she was just 15, group CEO and founder of The Parentinc, Roshni Mahtani Cheung, is our guest on this episode of How I Made It. She tells Andrea Heng how she built her business from scratch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sent shockwaves through global markets. But what does this mean for your investments? Eddy Loh, chief investment officer at Maybank Group Wealth Management tells Andrea Heng what you should consider having in your portfolio to weather through the falls. This podcast was recorded on Apr 8, 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In early March, financial services firm Chocolate Finance announced it had suspended instant withdrawals, causing concern among customers. This raised questions about the safety of digital banks and investment platforms. Avishek Nandy from Bain & Company gives Andrea Heng a quick lay of the land in this week’s Money Talks Explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are you planning to refinance your mortgage loan but not sure if it’s the right time? In this episode of Money Talks Explains, Clive Chng, head of relations at Redbrick Mortgage Advisory, gives a breakdown of what homeowners should consider – from loan tenure to interest rates – before making the move. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From big-ticket items to daily expenses, the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme has gained traction among consumers for its convenience and flexibility. But do consumers fully understand the risks involved? Associate Professor Pearpilai Jutasompakorn from the Singapore Institute of Technology breaks down the pros and cons of the scheme with Andrea Heng in this week’s episode of Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
When making travel plans, buying travel insurance is usually treated as an afterthought. In this episode of Money Talks, Cherie Wang co-founder of Planner Bee tells Andrea Heng why this shouldn’t be the case, and highlights what fine print to look out for to ensure you can travel with a peace of mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Budget 2025 was chockfull of goodies – from top-ups in CDC vouchers, increased support for workers looking to upskill themselves, and more incentives for Singaporeans to have larger families. In this week’s Money Talks, Navin Sregantan, financial literacy specialist at DBS Bank tells Andrea Heng how we can make the most out of this year’s offerings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ever bought an insurance policy only to have your agent ask if you would like to add on a rider for extra cost? In this week’s Money Talks Explains, Samuel Low from Income Insurance tells Andrea Heng what to consider before adding an integrated shield plan (IP) rider to your insurance policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Financial analysts will tell you that you need at least S$600,000 in cash when you retire. But for most people with heavy financial needs, what’s a reasonable plan? Andrea Heng asks OCBC's group wealth management head, Tan Siew Lee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From home renovation to purchasing a car and buying a house, what types of loans are available in Singapore and what should you look out for? Head of retail at GXS Bank Jenn Ong explains how to find the correct loan for your needs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When choosing a credit card, which reward system should you go for – miles or cash rebates? On the brand-new Money Talks Explains, where we break down your financial questions, Tim Philips from TimTalksMoney explains the pros and cons of each, the trade-offs and key factors to consider before choosing your next credit card. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs could raise prices, but his pro-growth policies could work for your investments. Abel Lim, Head of Wealth Management Advisory and Strategy at UOB, shares his insights on this week’s Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Common disputes customers face with financial institutions include having their bank accounts frozen due to fraudulent transactions or not understanding why their insurance claims were rejected. So how can these issues be resolved? Eunice Chua, CEO of the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC) shares with Andrea Heng how mediation can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When it comes to financial resolutions, the common advice is to spend less and save more. But is it really that simple? In this episode, author of personal finance blog SG Budget Babe Dawn Cher shares with Andrea Heng how to diversify income streams, overcoming inertia to start investing and reviewing financial portfolios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the last installment of our top five episodes of the season, Andrea Heng finds out what potential renters need to know before taking the plunge and what red flags to look out for when reviewing their contracts. Dr Lee Nai Jia, Head of Real Estate Intelligence, Data and Software Solutions with PropertyGuru Group gives his take. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In one of our top five episodes of the season, Chong Yue-En, a lawyer and the managing director of Bethel Chambers LLC, breaks down the complex issue of financial abuse. What are the red flags and what kind of legal and non-legal action can be taken to mitigate the impact? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the third episode of the top five episodes of the Money Talks season, CEO of Mortgage Master, David Baey, shares his insights on how to navigate the costs of home ownership, amd getting the most out of your mortgage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second of the top five episodes from our archives, Nabila Hanim shares with Andrea Heng about some of the hidden financial and non-financial costs that come with being the primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first of the top five episodes from our archives this year, Andrea Heng sits down with PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor. He shares how his childhood shaped his attitude towards money, the number one financial rule he and his wife live by, and why it took years for him to finally enjoy spending money on himself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Companies in Singapore are always encouraged to invest in training and upskilling of their staff. But with limited resources and time constraints, what sort of assistance can SMEs tap on to keep up with the competition? Brian Stampe from Commonwealth Concepts and Xu Wenshan from SkillsFuture Singapore share their insights in this week’s Money Talks. This episode is brought to you by SkillsFuture Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
