Introduction Recently, I had a conversation with a prospective client who was exploring her financial options. We had thoughtful discussions and outlined strategies aligned with her goals. But when it came time to decide, she made her choice based on a personal impression—something that felt reassuring rather than being objectively grounded. This reminded me how often emotional…
In today’s fast-paced world, financial well-being is more than just a personal goal—it’s a critical factor that influences our professional lives and long-term aspirations. Many of us dream of retiring early, but the path to achieving that dream is often clouded by financial stress, especially in the workplace. Some of us are plagued by work…
Financial planning is the cornerstone of a secure and prosperous future, especially in a dynamic and high-cost environment like Singapore. When you have a resilient financial plan, you lead a less financially stressful life. With rising living expenses, evolving retirement needs, and the increasing variations of schemes and scams, it’s prudent to adopt time-tested best…
Retirement planning is a crucial aspect of financial management that often requires careful consideration and strategic decision-making. Yet, it is hardly a priority for many, until when it might be too late. According to an article published in Business Times (source: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/wealth/science-behind-why-we-are-bad-saving-retirement), 3 in 4 of those polled, planned to start retirement planning at the…
When it comes to personal finance, I like to think of it like the 4 seasons in our financial life. At every stage of the journey, I believe to achieve financial well-being, employing sound strategies to achieve financial resilience is the way to go. In this article, I will introduce each of these seasons and…
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in immediate financial concerns and overlook the crucial task of planning for retirement. However, recent studies reveal alarming statistics that highlight the urgent need for Singaporeans to prioritise their retirement planning. The Retirement Reality Check A recent HSBC Quality of Life report uncovered some startling…
The recent CPF changes in 2024 present both opportunities and challenges for retirement planning in Singapore. Here’s the summary list of the key changes. 1. Increased CPF Contribution Rates for Senior Workers From January 1, 2025, the total CPF contribution rates for employees aged 55 to 65 will increase by 1.5 percentage points. This change…
In today’s day and age, many information can be easily found online. If that is so, why should anyone still want to work with a Financial Advisor? Here are some benefits when working with a Professional: Personalised Financial Planning: A Financial Advisor takes time to understand a Client’s needs and challenges to propose tailored solutions…
For many people, retirement planning seems complex and thus difficult to even think about. In some cases, they are also unsure of the amount they will need at retirement. For those who had worked out a number, they might think that the amount could be inflated. For others, in lieu of accumulating for a lump-sum…
Towards my last few years as a retail investor, I was exploring what Unit Trusts to buy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find good answers online or from the banks at that point in time. And this question came up again recently. Now that I am in a different position, I shall attempt to answer this as…