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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

How to make the best use of your SkillsFuture Credit

The government recently announced a S$4000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up for Singaporeans aged 40 and above. While this is good news for those keen on upskilling themselves, others may not know where to start. Peggy Lim, director of the Public Engagement Division at SkillsFuture Singapore, guides the way on this week’s Money Talks. This episode was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, in support of Budget 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Apr 22, 202427 minSeason 3Ep. 2

What to know about renting in Singapore

The housing rental market in Singapore has gone through significant changes over the past few years. How should potential renters prepare themselves before taking the plunge? What red flags should they look out for in their contracts? In this episode of Money Talks, 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....

Apr 15, 202433 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Invest 101: What you need to know about investing in private markets

Access to private markets may be expanding, but they remain opaque to the regular investor. In this episode of the Money Talks podcast, co-founder and CEO of investment platform StashAway, Michele Ferrario, takes us through the differences between public and private markets, and how access to private markets still has its limits. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 202426 minSeason 2Ep. 45

Why investors need to know how to read financial statements

One tool that every shareholder or investor should have in their arsenal is the ability to read and assess a company’s financial statements. But not everyone is equipped to cut through the jargon. David Gerald, founder, president and CEO of Securities Investors Association (Singapore) shows Andrea Heng what to look out for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 202421 minSeason 2Ep. 44

Should investors still put their money in the Chinese market?

Following its peak in 2021, China has seen an epic US$7 trillion stock crash. Are we seeing a bottom nearing? What benefits can be reaped from buying cheaper Chinese stocks? Andrea Heng speaks to John Lin, Chief Investment Officer of China Equities at AllianceBernstein. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 11, 202428 minSeason 2Ep. 43

Time to put money into the 'Magnificent 7' tech stocks?

You might have heard of the 'Magnificent 7' - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla. But how did they become the darlings of the tech stock market and why are they so attractive to investors? Jonathan Woo, senior equity research analyst with PhillipCapital gives us the lowdown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 04, 202428 minSeason 2Ep. 42

CPF Special Account closure: How it will affect you

The latest changes to the CPF scheme announced in Budget 2024 raised concerns about the potential impact on retirement planning – specifically, the closure of the CPF Special Account. How will these changes affect your nest egg? We speak to Alvin Chow, CEO of financial education platform Dr Wealth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 26, 202425 minSeason 2Ep. 41

How to financially survive a retrenchment

The shock of losing a job without any warning is usually followed by anxiety over the loss of regular income. What are your options if you are retrenched and how do you stretch your savings while waiting for the next job? Sim Yong Han, senior financial consultant of Trust Advisors Group at SG Alliance, provides some practical tips. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 19, 202428 minSeason 2Ep. 40

Choosing the best bank for you

Picking the right bank isn’t as straightforward these days. Beyond finding a reputable name to park your savings in, banks are also aggressively wooing customers with investment products, higher interest rates and customised financial planning. Prashant Aggarwal, CEO of the MoneyHero Group, guides Andrea Heng on how to choose the right bank for your needs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 12, 202428 minSeason 2Ep. 39

Invest 101: Are safe haven assets really safe?

Gold and other precious metals, certain currencies and some defensive stocks are often considered safe haven assets. But are they really zero risk? Vasu Menon, managing director of investment strategy at OCBC, explains why these assets are a popular choice during an economic downturn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 05, 202428 minSeason 2Ep. 38

Invest 101: Your essential guide to ETFs

The US securities regulator recently approved the first US-listed exchange traded funds (ETFs) to track bitcoin, putting ETFs in the spotlight with first-time investors. What are ETFs and what do you need to know before investing in these funds? Andrea Heng finds out more from Yeap Jun Rong, market analyst at IG. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 29, 202429 minSeason 2Ep. 37

Invest 101: The ABCs of REITs

2023 was a challenging year for real estate investment trusts or REITs with rising interest rates. But how exactly do they work, and should every investor include REITs in their portfolio? Executive chairman of GCP Global Gabriel Yap gives Andrea Heng a crash course on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 25, 202424 minSeason 2Ep. 36

Getting rid of toxic financial habits

Some people develop bad spending habits due to stress, while others learn them in childhood. How do we recognise these behaviours and more importantly, how do we get rid of them? Benny Ong of investment advisory community I Quadrant shares his experience. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 202426 minSeason 2Ep. 35

How do fluctuating interest rates affect our personal finances?

The US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates four times in 2023 and at least three cuts are expected this year. How do fluctuating interest rates affect our expenses and investments? Eddy Loh, Chief Investment Officer of Maybank Group Wealth Management gives an overview of 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 08, 202425 minSeason 2Ep. 34

Best of: How to shop smarter to manage higher grocery bills

In the last instalment of our top three episodes from our archives, Dawn Cher, author of personal finance blog SGBudgetBabe shares her top tips on how to combat rising food prices. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 18, 202321 minSeason 2Ep. 33

Best of: Own or lease a car in Singapore?

In the second of three top episodes from our archives this year, Julian Kho, general manager of Sgcarmart weighs the pros and cons of having a car in Singapore. 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? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 11, 202320 minSeason 2Ep. 32

Best of: Should I get a BTO or a resale flat?

In the first of top three episodes from our archives this year, Andrea Heng asks property agent Jooann Tay what prospective homebuyers should do. Get a new Build-To-Order (BTO) flat that can take more than four years to build? Or buy a resale flat that might cost significantly more? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 04, 202324 minSeason 2Ep. 31

Am I Adulting Right: How to travel on a budget

Need a break but don’t want to splurge too much on an overseas holiday? You can travel affordably if you are willing to take these extra steps, says finance blogger Eugene Chai. He shares with host Elizabeth Neo his best hacks on how to score cheaper air tickets, accommodation and sightseeing deals. Am I Adulting Right is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 27, 202328 minSeason 2Ep. 30

How to invest your first S$100,000

Dexter Tiah was only two years into his first job when he accumulated enough to start his first S$100,000 investment portfolio. The investor and author of the personal finance book Laughs, Losses and Lessons, shares with Andrea Heng how he achieved this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 20, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 29

How much should you be spending on your health and wellness?

Yoga, pilates, massages and facials – these are some of the offerings in a growing health and wellness industry in Singapore, all in the pursuit of staying healthy. But how much is too much for this portion of our expenditure? And what are the must-haves in your wellness budget? Kenneth Lou and Dr Ryan Ware from Mito Health break down their spending in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 13, 202328 minSeason 2Ep. 28

Ways to reduce your personal income tax

Tax season isn’t in a few months but with year-end bonuses coming, it’s time to plan how to maximise tax reliefs and deductions. What are the easiest and best-known ways to reduce personal income tax? Josh Tan, financial adviser and host of YouTube channel The Astute Parent, guides Andrea Heng on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 06, 202325 minSeason 2Ep. 27

Stretching and saving income for singles

If you are single, it could mean you have more time for self-discovery and self-care. But chances are, you are also paying all the bills, with no one to share the financial load with. Andrea Heng gets tips and advice from siblings Sara and Aaron Wee, otherwise known as the Weeblings, on creative ways to budget, save and invest better when you’re flying solo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 30, 202324 minSeason 2Ep. 26

Can you afford to take a career break?

It can be very tempting for some of us to quit work so we can rest, study or just spend more time with the family. What financial calculations do you need to make so you don't end up struggling? Andrea Heng speaks to Andy Soh, who does sales for SMEG Singapore and took a career break for two years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 23, 202322 minSeason 2Ep. 25

Breaking down the cost of getting a divorce

While getting a divorce is not something many people plan for when they walk down the aisle, navigating the financial costs when it’s time to split can be difficult. What financial decisions should a couple agree on when they’ve reached the end of their marriage journey? Ivan Cheong, a family law specialist and equity partner with Withers Worldwide, gives his advice on this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 202326 minSeason 2Ep. 24

Moving abroad for work: Counting the cost with The Woke Salaryman

Thinking or planning to take up a job overseas? Before jumping into that jet-setter life that awaits you, what expenses should you set aside your money for? He Ruiming and Goh Wei Choon of The Woke Salaryman give host Andrea Heng a clear-eyed breakdown of what you need to consider. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 10, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 23

Am I Adulting Right: What are some red flags when navigating finances as a couple?

Money can be a delicate topic for some couples. But such conversations are important when planning for a future together. What are some red flags you should look out for in your relationship? Hans and Shu Goh, husband-and-wife team behind Homesmart Singapore, share with host Elizabeth Neo about their financial journey. “Am I Adulting Right?” is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 02, 202324 minSeason 2Ep. 22

Am I Adulting Right: Forget the 5Cs, millennials and Gen Zs set different financial goals

The 5Cs – cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club - have been touted as the classic Singaporean Dream. But for Singapore’s millennials and Gen Zs what are the new metrics of success and are their financial goals any different? Host Elizabeth Neo gets the answers from Bryan Choo, CEO of TheSmartLocal Media Group. “Am I Adulting Right?” is a limited series on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 25, 202325 minSeason 2Ep. 21

How much should you set aside for IVF?

If a couple has to turn to assisted reproductive methods such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), cost becomes a major factor. Tim Kwan, managing director of fertility clinic Virtus Health Singapore, explains the numbers on Money Talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 18, 202318 minSeason 2Ep. 20

Is owning a second property in Singapore worth the cost?

Owning a second private property is an aspiration for many – as retirement income and investment. But with the new additional buyers’ stamp duty announced earlier this year, is two always better than one? What are some considerations before taking the plunge? Hear more from Clive Chng, associate director at Redbrick Mortgage Advisory, on the Money Talks podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 202330 minSeason 2Ep. 19

What stocks should I buy during a recession?

The big “R” word: Recession. It’s been uttered so many times this year, striking fear in the most seasoned economist. With many signs pointing to a looming recession, is it time to add some resilience to your portfolio? Are there “recession proof” stocks that are worth investing in? On Money Talks, Alvin Chow, CEO and founder of Dr Wealth, charts a path through these uncertain times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 04, 202323 minSeason 2Ep. 17
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