Money Talks - podcast cover

Money Talks

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.

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Episodes

Are T-bills and Singapore Savings Bonds worth investing in anymore?

Singapore’s Treasury Bills (T-bills) and Savings Bonds (SSBs) created a buzz with retail investors when yields hit record highs in end 2022. But since then, the returns have fallen, prompting many to ask if these government securities are still worth investing. On this episode of Money Talks, CEO and founder of Beansprout, Gerald Wong explains why yields have dropped despite the US Federal Reserve rate hikes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 28, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 16

Making the switch on your electricity provider

Ever since the Open Electricity Market (OEM) launched in end 2018, residents in Singapore could choose their preferred OEM retailers and select a price plan that best serves their household needs. But with the sudden exit of several players, is it still best to switch to an electricity retailer or stay with the incumbent provider SP Group? Joel Koh, content manager at Seedly, breaks it down for Andrea Heng on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 21, 202317 minSeason 2Ep. 15

Maximising your CPF: Tips for your 40s

Growing kids, establishing your career and ageing parents. Juggling your forties with an eye on retirement is no easy walk in the park. How do you use your CPF to plan for a tidy nest egg? Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, shares his insights and experience on Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 15

Maximising your CPF: Strategies for your 20s and 30s

Investing your CPF money when you are in your 20s or 30s - that’s something not many of us think about when we’re younger. But can young people afford to be more aggressive with their CPF investment strategy? Lawrence Tan from the Institute for Financial Literacy gives us his top hacks on Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 07, 202324 minSeason 2Ep. 14

Should you terminate your investment-linked insurance policy (ILP)?

With a wide range of insurance policies and investment opportunities available in today’s market, should you be looking to buy or even keep your existing investment-linked insurance policy (ILP)? Colin Lai, client advisory lead at MoneyOwl weighs the returns and risks, and tells Andrea Heng what to look out for if you decide to terminate your policy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 31, 202325 minSeason 2Ep. 13

Am I Adulting Right: Can I get rich being a content creator?

Fast cars, glamorous homes, luxurious holidays - some content creators appear to lead a lavish lifestyle that others can only dream of. How much can you really make as a content creator and how do you stand out? Host Elizabeth Neo gets some answers from husband-and-wife duo Jianhao Tan, CEO of Titan Digital Media and Singapore’s top YouTuber, and Debbie Soon, entrepreneur and influencer. “Am I Adulting Right?” is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

Jul 03, 202331 minSeason 2Ep. 12

Am I Adulting Right: How much is too much to spend on your pet?

Exotic treats, luxury fashion collars, birthday parties, trust funds … Some pet owners go to great lengths to provide the best for their furkids. But is there such a thing as spending too much on your pet? What are the necessities and what can you save on? Elizabeth Neo returns with her limited series Am I Adulting Right and gets answers from Daniel Boey, fashion director and dog owner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 26, 202330 minSeason 2Ep. 11

Is there a right credit card for you?

The range of credit cards available to Singapore spenders can be mind-boggling. From cash back, air miles, lady’s card to dining rewards, there’s a card that caters to every need. How do you select the right credit card, and is it practical to not own one at all? Abel Lee, general manager of MoneySmart Group speaks to Andrea Heng. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 19, 202316 minSeason 2Ep. 10

Is a strong Singdollar always good news?

The Singdollar soared to a record high of S$1 to RM3.44 on Jun 8 – making shopping and eating trips across the Causeway very attractive. But is a strong Singdollar always better for the average consumer? What about investing? Enya Rodrigues, research analyst at ValueChampion, breaks it down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 12, 202319 minSeason 2Ep. 9

Going solo: Can you DIY your way to financial success?

Gone are the days where the only way to trade stocks is through a physical broker. With a plethora of financial tools and readily available information, more people are choosing to manage investment portfolios on their own. But is this for everyone? Tim Phillips, Head of Content & Investment Lead at ProsperUs, CGS-CIMB Securities, explains what it takes to go solo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 05, 202322 minSeason 2Ep. 8

Does a financial planner really help you grow your money?

Finding a good financial planner who understands your needs and goals can be a challenge – and breaking up with one may be even tougher. Luke Yap, financial planner with Great Eastern, talks about penalties and potential risks, and how your relationship with a financial planner boils down to trust and communication. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 29, 202319 minSeason 2Ep. 7

Alternative Investments: When wine is not just for drinking but for investing

How do you tell if that delectable Bordeaux wine with a dark fruity note is more than just a conversation piece and could make you some real cash? Andrea Heng gets Nico Monroy, Southeast Asia director at Cult Wines, to pop the cork on what makes a fine wine investment worthy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 22, 202325 minSeason 2Ep. 6

Alternative Investments: Can luxury watches make you wealthy?

A childhood interest introduced by their father turned into a business when Jarod and Joses Ng saw how profitable flipping luxury watches can be. But does buying a brand name watch always guarantee a return? The directors of Watch Capital tell Andrea Heng the highs and lows of investing in luxury watches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 14, 202318 minSeason 2Ep. 5

This or That: Packages or per-pay-visit for beauty and wellness services?

Visit any beauty, fitness or wellness service and it’s likely that a package deal will be offered to you. While a package may be more cost-effective on a per-session basis, is it always a better deal than paying for a single session? Seow Kai Lun, managing editor at The Simple Sum, breaks it down for Andrea Heng on the limited series This or That. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 08, 202317 minSeason 2Ep. 4

This or That: Stock picking or index fund?

In today’s volatile stock market coupled with an uncertain economic outlook, should investors be looking at picking specific stocks or buying index funds? Adam Wong, editor-in-chief at personal finance and investment website The Fifth Person, weighs the options for Andrea Heng on the limited series This or That. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 01, 202318 minSeason 2Ep. 3

This or That: BTO or resale flat?

A new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat can take more than four years to build. A resale flat in the same vicinity will likely cost you significantly more. So what should a prospective home buyer to do? Andrea Heng gets property agent Jooann Tay to weigh the options on the limited series This or That. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 24, 202323 minSeason 2Ep. 2

This or That: Own or lease a car in Singapore?

Season 2 of Money Talks kicks off with a limited series called “This or That”, where guests weigh the pros and cons of each option. With car prices at an all-time high, thanks to record-breaking Certificate of Entitlement (COE) fees, would it make more financial sense to lease a car instead of owning one? Andrea Heng puts the question to Julian Kho, general manager of Sgcarmart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 17, 202319 minSeason 2Ep. 1

Am I Adulting Right – Should I break the bank on my once-in-a-lifetime wedding?

From a bride who insisted on renting a S$15,000 wedding dress, to grooms screaming at vendors on their wedding day, wedding planner Hellen Lie from Rosette Designs and Co has seen it all. She gives guest host Elizabeth Neo tips on saving costs and tells us what wedding couples really shouldn’t scrimp on. Am I Adulting Right is a limited series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 27, 202330 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Am I Adulting Right – How should I manage my first paycheck?

Getting that first paycheck as a young adult can be exciting – and daunting. How do you balance spending and living for today, while also saving and investing for your future needs? Guest host Elizabeth Neo gets answers from Gregory Van, CEO of Endowus and 29-year-old Rita Goh. Am I Adulting Right is a limited series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 202326 minSeason 1Ep. 32

Is it time to ditch cash for multi-currency apps when travelling?

Gone are the days when you need to use up your leftover foreign currency at the airport or carry wads of cash during an overseas trip. Dinesh Dayani, co-founder of Dollars and Sense, analyses the pros and cons of multi-currency apps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 13, 202321 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Are NFTs worth anything beyond speculation and hype?

The first tweet created. A picture of a bored ape. An animated kitten. Virtually anything digital can be converted and sold as an NFT or non-fungible token. But is there value to owning a digital certificate of an item that can be easily duplicated? Saniya Ramchandani, Blockchain Insights Lead for Momentum Works, breaks it down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 06, 202318 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Why the ultra-rich set up family offices in Singapore

Singapore has become a magnet for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, thanks to its image as a safe and modern financial hub. Adding to the wealth mix are family offices, which oversee all aspects of a family’s wealth, often to the tune of S$100M or more. Bryan Henning, Senior Vice President of Eton Solutions, shares a glimpse into this rarefied world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 27, 202327 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Are rental properties still a worthwhile investment asset in 2023?

With property prices and home loan rates at all-time highs, is it still worth owning a property for rental income in Singapore? Ryan Ong, partner at real estate consultancy Stacked Homes, gives advice on choosing an investment property, including why being close to an MRT station doesn’t always guarantee the best rental yield. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 202320 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Why the ABCs of financial literacy for children is critical

How an adult manages his finances has a lot to do with the money lessons he learnt as a child. This week, Ruperto Ancajas, portfolio specialist at Foord Asset Management, gives his top tips on how to teach children to save, spend and yes – even invest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 13, 202328 minSeason 1Ep. 27

How to shop smarter to manage higher grocery bills

Are the rising prices of eggs, meats and fruits putting a strain on your wallet? Food prices in Singapore rose 7.5% year-on-year in December 2022, the fastest increase since 2008. What can you do to combat high food prices? Dawn Cher, author of personal finance blog SGBudgetBabe, shares her top tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 06, 202321 minSeason 1Ep. 26

As China reopens for business, is it time to invest in China stocks?

With China rapidly reopening its economy after three years of strict COVID-19 controls, investors are hopeful that this will be a bright spot for 2023. John Lin, Chief Investment Officer of China Equities at Alliance Bernstein, outlines the risks, opportunities and policies to watch out for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 30, 202323 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Using robo-advisers? Do not be trigger happy

With low service fees and easy to use apps, robo-advisers have gained popularity in recent years especially with younger investors. But the ease of use could become an issue if you are prone to over-checking and panic selling. Ferris Wee, Master Trainer at the Institute for Financial Literacy, shares tips on optimising usage on a digital investing platform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 23, 202322 minSeason 1Ep. 24

Why women don’t invest as much as men do

There’s nothing to suggest that women aren’t good at investing, but data shows that they are not as involved in growing their personal wealth as men are. Oi-Yee Choo, CEO of private market investment platform ADDX, shares her views on how women can take better control of their own finances. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 16, 202322 minSeason 1Ep. 23

2023 outlook: More pain ahead, but bargain hunters rejoice

2022 was volatile and with market recovery only expected towards the end of 2023, are there still investment opportunities to be had? Christopher Ng, trainer at financial education company Dr Wealth, discusses investment strategies and money lessons for the year ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 09, 202320 minSeason 1Ep. 22

GST hike: How to manage your money better

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set to rise from 7 per cent to 8 per cent in January 2023. Household budgets are expected to tighten and spending habits will need to be adjusted. Sumit Agarwal, Professor of finance, economics and real estate at NUS Business School, explains why the GST hike is unavoidable, and what you can do to manage it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 28, 202224 minSeason 1Ep. 21
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