The Singaporean Guide to Money
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All posts are for information only and should not be taken as financial advice. Read about why finfluencers cannot provide financial advice here.
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The biggest investing lessons from 2025
What did the past year teach us? Lots. But if we do not learn from it, we are doomed to repeat it. Here are some of the most important lessons that 2025 taught us. 1. Stay in your seat On April 2, 2-25, Donald Trump announced Liberation Day Tariffs. The S&P500 proceeded to drop by…
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5 Financial Resolutions for 2026
It is 2026, and a new year brings a new beginning. In a year, we can accomplish massive things. But we usually don’t. New beginnings are precisely the best time in our lives to enact changes that benefit us. Professor Katy Milkman of The Wharton School calls this the fresh-start effect. These are points in…
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Is “VWRA and chill” good advice?
VWRA is a splendid way to invest. It is extremely diversified. It is very low-cost. It is set-it-and-forget-it material. It is advice that gives you the best outcomes. Historically speaking, a 100% equity portfolio is the best strategy for retirees. So “VWRA and chill” is good advice, right? Financial advice isn’t so simple It involves…
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How much should I save for retirement?
One answer is 10x your annual income by age 67. That is the answer given by a Fidelity report. It may seem like an insurmountable task. Luckily, we have the power of time and compounding on our side. Savings milestones by age The Fidelity report suggests the following milestones: That’s a hefty list. I don’t…
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Debt doesn’t just cost interest. It sacrifices opportunity.
One thing is for sure. Debt is costly. If I take a $50k loan to fund my wedding, at 5% for 10 years, I would pay $13k in interest. But if that $50k had been saved or invested at 5% for 10 years, I would have ended up with $81k, or over $31k in interest.…
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Your lack of financial knowledge is a risk
I recently went to get my car serviced. The mechanic told me I needed to replace my brake pads as they were less than 3mm thick. I said yes, but I had no idea if he was telling the truth. He could have been ripping me off and I would be none the wiser. Luckily,…
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Skipping drinks won’t make you rich
I’m not a fan of 3-dollar Cokes, as I’ve pointed out before. I used to be a fan of “skipping the latte”. I would wait for discounts before buying meals. I would skip drinks, always. If I didn’t need it, I wouldn’t buy it. It adds up, but not to much Let’s do some actual…
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You are the know-nothing investor
Diversification is for the know-nothing investor – Charlie Munger. That is why, with some deep research and a bit of common sense, you can select stocks that have strong growth, good fundamental prospects, and will outperform the market. That previous statement? Completely false. You are the know-nothing investor. Even professionals can’t outperform the market Active…
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The hidden risk in bank savings shows up
In 2022, UOB One account offered a 3.85% interest rate. In December 2025, UOB One account will offer a 1.00% interest rate. In my podcast with the Straits Times, I told you bank accounts were extremely risky. Not in a volatile sense, of course. Bank deposits are anti-volatile – they’re always worth the same amount.…