Since 2020, the US Federal Reserve has been raising the federal funds rate to 4.75-5% in an attempt to tame the rampant inflation that has reached 40-year highs. As a result central banks all around followed suit and raised their interest rates as well putting an end to the era of ultra low rates which saw many making money in equity markets and properties. In Malaysia, Bank Negara has been raising the overnight policy rate to 2.75% from 1.75% in 2020, the lowest level on record. Chong Jin Yoong shares his thoughts on why the governments are raising rates and how it impacts your money.

No matter how in love you are with your partner, money can make it or break it in your relationship. Hence it is important to talk about your finances with your other half. Licensed financial planner shares some tips and advice on how to approach this issue. Image credit: Shutterstock

Earlier this month, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested allowing contributors of the EPF to take bank loans by using their contribution as collateral instead of adhering to calls by certain people to again allow withdrawals from the fund. Licensed financial planner Shing Yee Ling talks about the idea behind this, what kind of impact it would have and what to do to ensure you have a safe retirement.Image credit: Shutterstock

Life is often uncertain and unpredictable, hence it is necessary to ensure you and your family are protected from any unforeseen life events. Whether it’s planning for retirement, or protecting your loved ones in your absence, a health crisis or even a car accident, these are situations that can be frustrating if you’re not prepared, hence the importance of insurance. Licensed financial planner Rajen Devadason shares his thoughts on insurance and why it's an essential cost.Image credit: Pixabay

With the US Federal Reserve still poised to hike rates as it seeks to tame inflation and a turbulent global economy plaguing markets, how can one keep their cool and stay invested? This topic was explored in the recent BFM Ringgit and Sense Investing Through a Stormy 2023 event where we discussed the state of the market and how it impacts your financials. Tune in to catch a summarised recap of the event.

Budget 2023 was recently re-tabled in parliament with the theme: “Developing Malaysia Madani” which encapsulates the message of upholding sustainability, prosperity, innovation, trust, respect as well as care, and compassion. The revised Budget 2023 features a slew of initiatives like tax cuts for the M40, luxury taxes and other incentives. We unpack what's in it for you with tax expert Thanneermalai Somasundaram of Thannees Tax Consulting Services.Image credit: Shutterstock

Signs of a recession are everywhere. From your groceries getting more expensive to companies looking to tighten their belts, it's crucial that you take this time to plan out your finances. This is especially important in the event that you lose your job. Stephen Yong of Wealth Vantage Advisory shares some advice on how to prepare for a recession and what to do if you get retrenched.Image credit: Shutterstock

A recent finding by UCSI showed that more than 70% of Malaysian youths are in debt with factors such as financial constraint, inflation and luxurious lifestyle being the main drivers. The issue of our youth falling in debt has been a long standing issue that seems to be growing year by year. What can be done about it and why are they falling into such perils? Nirmala Supramaniam of AKPK shares her thoughts on this episode of Ringgit and Sense. Image credit: Shutterstock

On today’s episode of Ringgit and Sense, we look at life after retirement, do you or do you not work? Do you have a choice? Because if you look at the numbers from EPF, it looks like many of us will have to work even after we pass the retirement age of 60. Licensed financial planner Joyce Chuah of Success Concepts comes on the show to talk about retirement and how you can un-retire yourself.Image credit: Shutterstock

2022 was an extremely difficult year for markets and no asset class really performed exceptionally well with exception for the US dollar. The 6.5 trillion dollars ETF industry saw their fund sizes shrink, no thanks to the sharp drawdowns by investors. So how did a robo advisor like StashAway, which primarily focuses on ETFs performed? And what are the expectations for 2023?Sim Wie Boon speaks to Stephanie Leung of StashAway for some answers.

About a month ago, RinggitPlus ran a survey last month and found that more than 70% of Malaysians save less than 500 ringgit per month or do not manage to save at all. Hann Liew of RinggitPlus comes on the show to share some thoughts on the highlights of the survey and why do Malaysians find it hard to save. Image credit: Shutterstock

This year we’ll say goodbye to the fierce and ferocious tiger and wave hello to the cautious and peace-loving rabbit. The rabbit has long been a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture and with the global economy in the doldrums and political tensions still running high, will the rabbit bring much needed calm and tranquility? Master Kenny of Good Feng Shui Geomantic Research shares some insights and advice on how you can enhance your luck this year.

Have you ever made an investment and wondered what drove you to do it? What kind of bias or preconceived notions that led you to select a certain stock or asset class? Could it be your subconscious mind? K. Gunasegaran from Wealth Street talks to Sim about how your subconscious mind can impact your financial decisions.Image credit: Shutterstock

As the year kicks off to a start, Stephen Yong of Wealth Vantage Advisory comes on the show again to share his outlook for 2023 and the key events to look out for that might impact your wallet. Stephen gives some tips on how to start off the new year and how to prepare for the looming recession as well as what are the opportunities to take advantage of. Image credit: Shutterstock

We recap some of the most interesting conversations we’ve had on the show, including a series on money and relationships, scams, personal loans and how to cope with your finances when everything is getting more expensive. Featured interviews include:Dating And Money, What To Look Out For And What To SayThe Financial Conversations To Have Before MarriageMoney And Marriage: How To Make It WorkThe Cost of A DivorceDon't Be A Fool For ScamsPersonal Loans: When To Take It And When Not To What To Do When Everything Is Getting Expensive?Image credit: Shutterstock.com

As the year wraps up, we take stock of how 2022 has impacted your financial goals. Stephen Yong of Wealth Vantage Advisory talks about his year end financial checklists, how the various global events would have impacted our finances and the lessons to learn from it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Do you feel overwhelmed when it comes to money? Don't know where to start? Do you feel like you're on the wrong track? Suraya Zainudin, founder of ringgitohringgit.com seeks to address all these questions in her new book, Bergaji & Pokai. The book helps readers to navigate through the complexities of managing your own money with simple straightforward tips and fun examples. On Ringgit and Sense, she talks about why she wrote it and how she hopes it can help people in their own financial journey.Image credit: rawpixel.com / Freepik

Our conversation with PIDM continues about how they protect your money in case of an institution failure. Rafiz Abdullah of PIDM returns on the show to talk about how banks could fail and what happens to your money when something of low likelihood but high impact happens. Rafiz also shares what's on PIDM's radar when it comes to events that can threaten our financial institutions and how they are helping to build financial resilience amongst Malaysians.

Do you know what happens to all the money in your bank if a bank fails? Can you get it back? Or is it gone for good? Well luckily in Malaysia, banks are members of an institution called PIDM which protects bank depositors and owners insurance policies in the event of a member institution failure. Rafiz Azuan Abdullah, the CEO of PIDM talks about their role and what could cause a bank to fail.

In his latest book, Financial Freedom Investing, licensed financial planner Yap Ming Hui compiles his decades of experience in helping Malaysians achieve financial freedom. Sim Wie Boon dives into the book to unpack what the lessons are for everyday Malaysians to achieve financial freedom and the challenges in doing so as well as possible missteps to avoid.Image credit: Shutterstock

Estate planning is a vital but often forgotten element in a Muslim’s financial plan. We usually spend the most of our time building and protecting our assets but usually forget the last part which is legacy planning. According to the Malaysian Institute of Estate Planners, 80% of Malaysians do not possess valid wills, with many having no idea what happens if their wishes aren’t followed after death. Ahmad Shareza, Head of Islamic Wealth Management and Business Development from Maybank Islamic talks about the importance of Islamic estate planning, what are some of the issues that could crop up, and how Maybank Islamic Wealth Management can assist you.

As difficult as it may be, sometimes relationships don't work out the way we want them to be and unfortunately a divorce may be the last option for a couple. And while the emotional aspect can be painful, there is a financial aspect to consider as well. Who gets what and how will you go about it? Rozanna Rashid of Alpine Advisory shares some thoughts on the cost of divorce in Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock

How young were you when you first had experience with money? How was it? And how has it shaped the way you view money while growing up? Sim Wie Boon speaks to Alina Amir of Fund For Life on the importance of teaching your kids about money. Image credit: Shutterstock

The general consensus over the past few years, even before the pandemic, is that Malaysians generally do not save a lot. Be it because of structural issues or a lack of financial planning awareness, the issue is not to be taken lightly. In part of its journey to help Malaysians build financial resilience, PIDM has been conducting surveys and multiple engagements to help raise awareness on financial planning. Wan Ahmad Ikram Wan Ahmad Lotfi, Executive Vice President of PIDM comes on the show to share some thoughts.

Increased globalization and interconnectivity has opened up the world of investing to near unlimited opportunities. Yet, most investors in Malaysia have about 80% of their investments in Malaysian-based assets. On today's episode of Ringgit and Sense, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Matthew Stuart-Box of robo advisor MYTHEO about the importance of global diversification especially in today's uncertain environment.

Budget 2023 was presented by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul focusing on economic recovery and resilience with a bill of RM372.3 billion, the biggest that has been tabled in Malaysian history. Unfortunately due to the dissolution of parliament several days later, we'll likely be looking at a different one when a new government gets elected. For today's episode of Ringgit and Sense, Sim Wie Boon speaks to tax expert Thanneermalai Somasundaram about Budget 2023, and what tweaks could be made to improve it. Image credit: Shutterstock

With the Covid-19 pandemic leading to more indoor time, less physical activity and stress eating, it's not surprising that many Malaysians struggle with their weight. However, most Malaysians find it expensive to eat healthy especially in the current inflationary environment. So can we eat healthier on a budget? Sim Wie Boon speaks to Prof Dr Winnie Chee at International Medical University (IMU) to get some tips on how to eat healthier with a budget.Image credit: Shutterstock

The 5th of October is World Financial Planning Day, a day held to raise awareness about the importance of financial planning. And in conjunction with that, we explore the world of financial planning to discuss the path of being a licensed financial planner and also the trends of financial literacy amongst Malaysians. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Rafiq Hidayat of Wealth Vantage and Rozanna Rashid of Alpine Advisory about why they are doing what they are doing and their thoughts on the industry.Image credit: Shutterstock

Continuing a special series on money and relationships, Dr Selina Dang of Coreplus Advisory comes on the show to discuss the kind of financial issues that might crop up in a marriage. Dr Selina shares some thoughts on how to talk to your spouse about money and what steps to take to ensure that you and your partner are on the same page.Image credit: Shutterstock

The Monetary Policy Committee of Bank Negara Malaysia has once again increased the overnight policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing it from 2.25% to 2.50%. Bank Negara has been gradually hiking rates from the low rate environment during the pandemic in a bid to fight rising inflation. With more hikes likely to happen in the future, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning, Finwealth Management to understand how the OPR hikes impact your finances.

We continue our exploration of the axis between relationships and money and for this episode, we look at those at the cusp of making that everlasting commitment, getting married. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Rafiq Hidayat of Wealth Vantage Advisory about the conversations you should be having with your partner before tying the knot and the possible issues that could arise when planning a wedding.  

With cost of living rising while wages remain stagnant and the investment markets in turmoil, how do adherents of the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early) continue with their strategy to work hard and retire early? Is it still achievable in this day and age? Sim Wie Boon speaks to Aaron Tang of mr-stingy.com to find out more. 

EPF members' savings are at very low and worrying levels because over 145 billion ringgit had been withdrawn because of the four Covid withdrawal schemes. Half of the 13 million EPF members aged under 55, now have less than RM10,000 in savings as of June 2022 - which should trigger alarm bells. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Puteri Marjan Megat Muzafa of Khazanah Research Institute on how this impacts our elderly population, and how it affects you and me.

Do you have a dispute with your capital market intermediary and having trouble settling the matter in the courts? Perhaps the Securities Industry Dispute Resolution Center or better known as SIDREC can help with an alternative solution. Sim Wie Boon speaks to its chairman to understand the role of SIDREC and how it helps investors with their disputes. For more, head to their website at https://sidrec.com.my/

It’s well known that money is one of the most common subjects for couples to argue about. In fact, many studies have shown that regardless of the happiness level within the relationship, money is a topic that couples consistently disagree on. It can be exciting dating someone new and getting into a committed relationship with them but when is the right time to talk about money? How do you start the conversation and what are some of the red flags to watch out for?Financial blogger Suraya Zainudin, Founder and writer, ringgitohringgit.com shares some tips on this episode of Ringgit and Sense. Image credit: shutterstock

Pets can be amazing lifelong companions to us humans but unfortunately taking care of them can really put a strain on your wallet. From the initial costs of buying a pet or adopting one, to the veterinary cost to buying pet food and other toys, it’s really not cheap to have a pet nowadays. The good news is that with proper planning, owning a pet doesn’t have to be financially burdening. Sim Wie Boon speaks to licensed financial planner Joyce Chuah for her thoughts.Image credit: Shutterstock

As fuel price rises and concerns for the environment become more important, electric vehicles are starting to become popular around the world as more people switch up their petrol cars for EVs. In Malaysia, EVs are relatively new but more brands have started to bring them in. But are they in any way affordable for the average Malaysian? Advocates for EVs would say that in the long run, you save more from maintenance and charging when compared with the average petrol car. Auto journalist Daniel Fernandez joins us on Ringgit and Sense to discuss. 

As high inflation, rising rates and the thirst for yield creates challenges for many investors seeking income from their investments, alternative income generating solutions like infrastructure are starting to gain popularity over the more traditional income solutions. But what exactly is infrastructure investing and how beneficial can it be to your portfolio? Sim Wie Boon speaks to Ajay Dayal of ClearBridge Investments on this. 

Concerns on recession are becoming much more alarming as global economic data becomes more bleak day by day. With inflation creeping up and the cost of goods rising, what are you and I to do? How will recession impact your savings and investments? What kind of preparation do you need to make? Licensed financial planner Kevin Neoh sheds some light. Image credit: Shutterstock

The word recession has been looming over the heads of many economists and government’s around the world for some time now. But what does a recession mean for the average person? Why does it happen and what will it do to your wallet? Professor Geoffrey Williams, Economist, Malaysia University of Science and Technology explains.Image credit: Shutterstock

Are you planning to get a credit card? Or do you already have one? Why do you have? These are the questions we'll be pondering on this episode of Ringgit and Sense with Hann Liew of RinggitPlus. Sim Wie Boon and Hann discuss the considerations when getting your first credit card, how to choose the right one for you, the benefits and drawbacks of having a credit card.  Image credit: Shutterstock

Charlie Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, is often overshadowed by his colleague Warren Buffett. But if you're an ardent follower of the two, you'll know that the investment philosophy employed by Buffett and Berkshire can be attributed to Munger's influence. Rajen Devadason of Manulife Investment Management Malaysia Berhad, CEO of the consultancy RD WealthCreation tells us who Charlie Munger is and what are the lessons we can learn from him. 

Whether you’re new to investing or have been in the market for years, you may feel a little bit like you are lost at sea looking for a safe harbour in 2022.With a war going on in Europe, supply chains still going haywire and central banks hiking interest rates, markets have been going gangbusters. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Steve Lim of Affin Hwang Management to get his take on how to approach such volatile markets.

Over the years, thousands of Malaysians have lost millions of ringgit to investment scams. So how exactly do these scams happen and what can you do to protect yourself from losing your money? Jawahar Ameer Ali from the Securities Commission Malaysia shares some tips on how to spot these scams and what you can do to protect yourself from them.

If you haven’t already noticed, inflation is here and everything is getting more expensive. What does it do to your savings and investments? And how do you protect it? Ng Chze How of Manulife Investment Management shares some thoughts on how REITs and Shariah funds can be a hedge against inflation and protect your savings and investments. Image credit: shutterstock

Covid-19, the stock market crashing, rising interest rates, inflation, and everything just getting more expensive. These are some of the things that can cause many of us to sweat buckets especially when you look at your investment portfolio or savings account. What do you do when everything is in the red and your daily expenses keep mounting? How do you protect your savings and navigate your investments? Annie Hor of Harveston Financial Group shares some tips. Image credit: shutterstock.com

After two years of Covid-19 and staying indoors, many are beginning to make holiday plans as the travel restrictions in the region begin to ease and the world shifts towards an endemic stage. But just because you can go on vacation outside of the country now, doesn't mean you should simply spend your money on air tickets and hotel accommodations as these things can cost a bomb when not budgeted correctly. Suraya Zainudin, of Ringgit Oh Ringgit shares some tips on how to make the most out of your travel budget. Image credit: shutterstock

Tax season is coming to an end and for those who have filed their taxes, they can expect their deductions and returns to be sorted out in due time. But there are those who have yet to file their taxes and as the deadline closes, panic is setting in. Fret not as Sim Wie Boon speaks to Thanneermalai Somasundaram, Managing Director, Thannees Tax Consulting Services for some last minute tax filing tips as well as what are the consequences for missing the deadline. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

As the world marches on it post-pandemic recovery trajectory, many of us might think that this will be a return to "more of the same" but with a rise in inflation, a sudden outbreak of war in Europe and China's Covid-19 strategy, there’s no telling how the markets will shift. So how do you maneuver in these volatile times? Yap Ming Hui, Licensed Financial Planner, Whitman Independent Advisors shares some tips. Image credit: shutterstock

Higher education is widely seen as a key stepping stone in social and economic mobility, but it doesn’t come cheap. For almost three decades, PTPTN has helped many students with loans to help fund their education in order for them to get a good job. However, students must also be aware that financial aid isn’t free money, and that the repayment of PTPTN education loans is important to ensure the sustainability of the programme for future generations. Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid of PTPTN talks about PTPTN's efforts to help students with their financial situation, Simpan SSPN and the importance of repayment. 

According to Bank Negara’s recently published 2021 annual report, Malaysian households have nearly 1.38 trillion ringgit worth of debt and a chunk of it are due to personal loans. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Idham Idris of Wealth Vantage Advisory to understand why people take it and get his thoughts on when personal loans are a good idea as well as when they are not. They also discuss the dangers of personal loans and how easy it can lead you into a debt trap. Image credit: Pixabay.com

During times of volatility and uncertainty, gold is seen as a safe haven investment to protect your wealth. But apart from that, what real value does it really have to your investment portfolio and how should you position it? Sim Wie Boon speaks to licensed financial planner Eng Meei Yu, Co-Founder and Executive Director of MyFP Services on why people buy gold during uncertain times and how we should value it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

For a World Health Day special, Sim Wie Boon will be diving into the rising healthcare costs in Malaysia exploring how much it costs to visit a clinic or hospital and get treated there as well as the pros and cons of public vs private healthcare. He also touches on the importance of healthcare insurance and the considerations to have when getting it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Scams have been rising lately in Malaysia with complaints about financial fraud, especially Internet, investment and phone scams being the top five issues raised by the public in Bank Negara’s 2021 Annual Report. In fact, according to the Selangor police, a whopping 33.7 million ringgit was lost to online scams and cyber crimes in Selangor in the first two months of 2022 alone. Sim Wie Boon speaks to Kevin Neoh of VKA Wealth Planners on how to spot scams and what to do when you find yourself falling for one. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

For many of us, we spend our younger years working really hard to build a career and earn a decent living so we can afford to live a comfortable life in retirement. However, things are not as simple as just setting aside a sum of money for retirement. A factor many seldom take into account is inflation and the rising cost of living in the future. So how should you approach this? How do you inflation-proof your retirement? Tune in for more. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Tax season is upon us and we all have slightly more than a month to file our taxes. So in conjunction with this, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Ang Weina, the global employer services leader of Deloitte Malaysia on what to look out for in your tax filings and the consequences of late submissions. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Personal finance and investing has seen significant changes in the last century. Technology has saved us all an immense amount of time and money because everything is available through a click of a mouse, or the tap of a screen. It has also imparted a sense of control over the information you have, opened doors to forums for discussion and changed the way you budget and save, or spend your money. Vincent Fong of Fintech News Malaysia joins Sim Wie Boon for a discussion on the relationship between technology and investing. To learn more please visit www.franklintempleton.com.my/helloprogress.

These past two years have seen a period of disruption and opportunities with the Covid-19 pandemic becoming a trigger for government spending, low interest rates and a supply chain crisis. And while the world is slowly learning to live with the virus, we’re now faced with a war in Europe. So how do these global trends affect your investments? What is the appropriate strategy to employ when you invest globally? Subash Pillai of Franklin Templeton explains. To learn more please visit www.franklintempleton.com.my/helloprogress.

When it comes to investing, risk and reward are inextricably entwined. Therefore, it is important for anyone to weigh the potential reward against the risk to decide whether it's worth putting their money on the line. Licensed financial planner and CEO of Success Concepts, Joyce Chuah shares her thoughts on the relationship between risks and rewards, the search for yield and how to navigate these waters. To learn more please visit www.franklintempleton.com.my/helloprogress/

A core tenant of investing and financial planning is asset allocation. You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket as it greatly magnifies risks to your portfolio should that basket hit a rough patch. So how do you allocate your assets accordingly and in an optimum manner? What are some of the mistakes and fundamental rules when it comes to asset allocation? We discuss the 101 of asset allocation in today's episode of Ringgit and Sense. To learn more please visit www.franklintempleton.com.my/helloprogress/

The pandemic has seen a boom in small businesses as many people started their own businesses ranging from baking to selling clothes to ICT services. While many have found new opportunities in this wave of new entrepreneurial strides, there's a lot of considerations to be had. One such is taxation. How can you make a better tax plan for your business? Why should you set up a sendirian berhad or open up a business bank account instead of using your own personal bank account? Tax expert Thanneermalai Somasundaram of Thannees Tax Consulting Services shares some advice. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

The past two years of Covid-19 and recent spate of terrible floods has shined a spotlight on the need to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances, whether you are a business owner, home owner or car owner. Antony Lee, the Chairman of the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM) joins Sim Wie Boon on Ringgit and Sense to discuss the importance of insuring your property against natural disasters and what you need to know about it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Chinese New Year is around the corner and in conjunction with that, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Master Kenny Hoo of Good Feng Shui Geomantic Research for a Feng Shui perspective on how to spend your money in this year of the Water Tiger and what are the dangers to look out for. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Have you asked for a raise or promotion in your job recently? Do you plan to? How much would you ask for? On this episode of Ringgit and Sense, Sim Wie Boon speaks to communications coach Indira Nair about asking for a bump up in your salary or position from your boss. They discuss the culture around it, the different perspectives towards it and ways to approach it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Can someone without a finance certificate manage their own investment funds well enough to build up a comfortable retirement nest or even generational wealth? Former fund manager and author of the book Be Your Own Fund Manager, Lim Mei Ching believes so provided if you apply both fundamental and technical analyses, coupled with strict and disciplined portfolio management skills. We speak to her about her latest book to find out more. To get her book online, visit: MPH Link or Shopee LinkImage credit: Shutterstock.com

As investors grow savvier, more Malaysians are open to trying out new investment vehicles to grow their portfolios. While not a new form of investment, Exchange-Traded Funds or ETFs have been growing in popularity thanks to its growing reputation among investors for being conveniently tradable and having relatively lower management fees compared to mutual funds. So what exactly are ETFs and how should they be positioned in your portfolio? Tune in to find out. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

We recap some of the most interesting conversations we’ve had on the show, including budgeting for your wedding, Buy Now Pay Later, the mental health impact of bankruptcy and the recent EPF withdrawals. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Sim Wie Boon speaks to Wong Wai Ken, Malaysia Country Manager, for the robo advisor Stashaway about thematic investments. They'll be discussing why thematic investments have become more popular in the past two years, what are the risks and opportunities associated with thematic investing and how to assess a theme. Image credit: Unsplash.com

As a result of Covid-19 related withdrawals, almost half of the EPF members have less than RM10,000 left in savings, and 3.6 million of them now have less than RM1,000. These shocking figures point towards the likelihood that Malaysia will experience a huge problem with a majority of its lower to middle income elderly living in poverty in the coming decade. So what do we need to do to address this issue? Sim Wie Boon speaks to Balqais Yusoff of EPF about the impact of Covid-19 on EPF withdrawals and the looming retirement crisis ahead. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

The year is ending and it's time to look back and do some financial upkeep. What are the financial checklists you should cross off before we close the year off? Steve Lim of Affin Hwang Asset Management talks to Sim Wie Boon about this. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Do you remember your first car? What went into the decision to buy that specific car? Was it the price? The look? Or a decision made by your parents? Daniel Fernandez of dsf.my and BFM's Cruise Control talks to Sim Wie Boon about buying your first car and what should be the considerations to make when deciding to buy one. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

A recent nation-wide survey conducted by Luno Malaysia aimed at understanding the financial management habits of everyday Malaysians found that more than half of Malaysians say the most important purpose of having money is to safeguard their family’s long-term well-being, meanwhile nearly a third of them were more inclined to seek financial advice from family members or peers compared to more professional sources. So how exactly do Malaysians view wealth? We find out on this episode of Ringgit and Sense. Image credit: Shutterstock

Having a child can be expensive. Even before you lay eyes on that bundle of joy, you're probably already calculating the cost of seeing the doctor, having the baby, staying at the maternity ward and the post martum care itself. And that's just the first few months, what about when the kid grows up? Education, hobbies and whatnot will cost alot money. So where do you begin? How much do you have to save? In conjunction with World Children's Day happening on November 20, Sim Wie Boon speaks to licensed financial advisor Annie Hor on how to save for your child. Image credit: stockunlimited

Budget 2022 is the largest budget to date at RM332.1 billion. According to the government, no sector has been left out and it will help each and every Malaysian. So what’s in it for you? What should you keep an eye out for? Thanneermalai Somasundaram of Thannees Tax Consulting Services explains. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

One of the toughest jobs in the world is being a parent, so it’s doubly hard as a single parent. Apart from work obligations, household chores, and looking after the kids, usually all of the financial burden falls on the single parent as well. So how would a single parent financially plan for the future?  Sim Wie Boon speaks to licensed financial planner Gunaseelan Kannan, from Blueprint Planning to get his thoughts on the matter.

Have you ever been asked to be a guarantor for someone else’s loan? Often it is a partner or relative who asks, but nowadays it can also be friends or work colleagues. Usually it is difficult to refuse and you would be surprised at just how many of us often agree to be one without thinking of the long term consequences. Farah Razali of Zul Rafique & Partners shares some advice on the risks and consequences that comes with being a guarantor. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

It’s a wonderful thing to be able to say you are newly debt-free. Paying off your debt is like being handed a blank piece of paper on which to write the next chapter of your life. But while many of us aspire to be debt free, the reality is that most of us will have to live with debt until old age. Is this a bad thing though? How can you make debt work for you and live with it positively? What are the important factors to consider when in debt? Felix Neoh of Finwealth Management answers all these questions. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Filing for bankruptcy can feel like you’ve hit the financial equivalent of rock bottom. While it does wipe out your old debt, bankruptcy is a mark on your credit record and it can affect one’s emotional and mental health as well. But it is important to remember that bankruptcy is not the end of the road and there are ways to get out of it. Nirmala Subramaniam of AKPK and licensed professional counsellor Heeran Kaur speaks to Sim Wie Boon on this. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

People are living longer than ever, thanks to modern medicine and advances in technology but this has brought about a new dilemma as children born of older parents are often faced with an unexpected cost down the road: becoming a young caregiver. Taking care of your parents is not an easy role. And even if you're not the one directly providing the care, it can lead to emotional and financial stress. In conjunction with International Day for Older Persons, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Rajen Devadason of RD WealthCreation and Linnet Lee of FPAM to get their advice on how to budget for the care of your elderly, what are the considerations and why is this important. Also, for more information on Malaysia Financial Literacy Month and other related events, please refer here https://smartfinance.my/, here https://www.investsmartsc.my/, and here https://worldfpday.org/global-events/ Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Key highlights from our Ringgit and Sense webinar touching on the importance of investing, how it fits in with your financial planning, the types of asset classes to choose from, and some tips on how to pick stocks. For the full conversation, check out the FB Live session here: https://www.facebook.com/BFMradio/videos/536760667585566 Image credit: Shutterstock.com

What are some of the financial planning lessons to take away from the pandemic? How do you build yourself back up after losing your savings and what are the common mistakes made during the financial crisis triggered by Covid-19? Should you have taken the moratorium or even dip into your EPF? Licensed financial planner Joyce Chuah answers all these questions and more with Sim Wie Boon on this episode of Ringgit and Sense. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

The rise of robo-advisors has taken the world by storm and grown in popularity especially with millennials and Gen Z. But as exciting as this development has been, is it the be all, end all financial solution? What of the human touch? Sim Wie Boon speaks to licensed financial planner Yap Ming Hui of Whitman Independent Advisors for his views on the limitations of robo-advisors and how to better integrate it into your investment portfolio. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

What is Financial Independence or Financial Freedom? Are they basically fancy words for retirement? Roshan Kanesan gets into all this and more with writer Aaron Tang, founder of Mr-Stingy.com, and Stephen Yong, Licensed Financial Planner with Wealth Vantage Advisory. Roshan also explores their views on how to achieve financial freedom, thoughts on the FIRE movement and the 4% rule, and ‘Why Retire Anyway?’. Other episodes to check out: > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning > No Risk, No Retirement? > Wealth Protection, Accumulation, And Distribution: What, Why, And How? > Mr. Money TV On Retirement Planning, Compounding, and Mistakes

Balancing your portfolio means setting up a portfolio that fits your individual risk tolerance and investment goals. But it isn't enough to just "set it and forget it." You also need to make sure your portfolio stays balanced, which is known as rebalancing. Roshan Kanesan explores the importance of asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing with Rajen Devadason, Licensed Financial Planner with Manulife Investment Management Malaysia Berhad. Among other things, they get into the Rule of a 110, methods of rebalancing, common mistakes, and whether events like a market crash should trigger us to rebalance. Other episodes to check out: > Bitcoin and Roboadvisors: How Do They Fit In A Portfolio? > Why Do You Need Different Assets In Your Portfolio? > Is Gold Still A Stock Market Hedge? > 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Stock

Buy and Hold is simple, but can go incredibly wrong as investors of Enron or Blockbuster Video would know. And with current stock market valuations bringing back Dotcom parallels, some are worried that the next bubble pop could be around the corner. Roshan Kanesan dives into how to invest for the long term with fund manager Jack Kouzi, Director of Australian Financial Services Licensee VFS Group. They get into not just surviving the bubbles but also thriving regardless of where markets are heading or how volatile things get. Other episodes to check out: > Why Does The US Federal Reserve Matter To Malaysians? > 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Stock > Fund Manager’s 5 Key Investing Lessons From 2020 > Mr Stingy's 10 Investing Principles > How To Invest While Managing Anxiety?

What should you watch when looking at bank stocks? When it comes to the stock market investing, the banking sector can be an attractive one for a variety of reasons including yield, but not all banks are created equal, so as a budding, rising, or experienced investor, what should you watch when looking at banking stocks? Roshan Kanesan explores this with Liew Wai Hoong, Banking Analyst with RHB Research. They get into the main income drivers of a bank, the key financial metrics and factors to watch, and whether banks are for dividends, capital gains, or both. Other episodes to check out: > 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Stock > How To Analyse And Choose Good REITs > How To Analyse Property Stocks In Malaysia > Fund Manager’s 5 Key Investing Lessons From 2020

Insurance is a vital pillar of personal finance, but what if for some reason, you can’t get insurance? How does this change your financial planning, and more importantly, how do you then prepare and protect yourself? Roshan Kanesan explores this with VP Thanga, Executive Director and Licensed Financial Planner, with Blueprint Planning. Other episodes to check out: > Life & Health Insurance: What, Why, And How Much? > Wealth Protection, Accumulation, And Distribution: What, Why, And How? > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning Background image credit: Shutterstock.com

Following up from our episode last week on BNPL - or Buy Now, Pay Later - today on the show Roshan Kanesan expands the conversation on credit and debt, and take a look at what good debt management looks like with writer Suraya Zainuddin of ringgitohringgit.com and Licensed Financial Planner Idham Idris from Wealth Vantage Advisory. Other episodes to check out: > Buy Now, Pay Later: Good, Bad, or Complicated? - > Wedding Planning: Critical Advice, Common Mistakes, And Taking On Debt > Bankruptcy: Basics, Impacts, And Way Out

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), easy credit to help with cash flow or a debt trap in waiting? Roshan Kanesan speaks to Idham Idris, Licensed Financial Planner with Wealth Vantage Advisory, and Suraya Zainudin, founder and writer at ringgitohringgit.com, to find out. Other episodes to check out: > Emergency Cash: How Much and How To Keep it > Loan Moratorium: Should You Opt-In? > Wedding Planning: Critical Advice, Common Mistakes, And Taking On Debt > Bankruptcy: Basics, Impacts, And Way Out

So should you opt-in for the loan moratorium? Roshan Kanesan explores this with Annie Hor, Licensed Financial Advisor with Harveston Financial Advisory. They’ll get into how to make this decision, how to utilize this moratorium, and what this could mean for your payments later on. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Other episodes to check out: > Emergency Cash: How Much and How To Keep It > Wealth Protection, Accumulation, And Distribution: What, Why, And How? >  3 Fixed Deposit Alternatives As Rates Stay Low

Emergency cash buffers are vital, but how much do you need to set aside and where should you keep the cash? Roshan Kanesan explores this with Annie Hor, Licensed Financial Advisor with Harveston Financial Advisory. They also get into differences between savings accounts, fixed deposits, and money market funds. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Other episodes to check out: > Loan Moratorium: Should You Opt-In? > Wealth Protection, Accumulation, And Distribution: What, Why, And How? >  3 Fixed Deposit Alternatives As Rates Stay Low

Buying a property outright isn’t the only way to invest in property, REITs provide another, more diversified, avenue. Instead of buying one particular property, you can get access to the rental from a diversified pool of property depending on the REIT. Roshan Kanesan speaks to DBS’s Banks Derek Tan to learn more about REITs and the key things to watch before investing in one, from revenue generation and cost management to interest rates and other macroeconomic factors. Other shows you might like > Buying Property - First 5 Steps, 4 Common Mistakes, And More > How To Analyse Property Stocks In Malaysia > 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Stock > Active V Passive Investing: Which Is Better? > Wealth Protection, Accumulation, And Distribution: What, Why, And How?

Earlier this year Aaron Tang, a.k.a Mr. Stingy, took another step in his personal finance journey and engaged a licensed financial planner. Roshan Kanesan speaks to him about: > How this has helped Aaron and whether it's been worth it > Whether he agreed with all the recommendations > What to watch if someone is thinking about getting a licensed financial planner > At what point should someone seriously look at a planner, considering the price point Other episodes you might like: > Mr Stingy's 10 Investing Principles > Mr. Stingy's Lessons From the Pandemic and Recession Investing > Money & Relationships With Mr. Stingy And ‘Ringgit Oh Ringgit’

Financial literacy an ongoing process that can be a little daunting considering how much information is out there. So for some guidance here, Roshan Kanesan speaks to Aaron Tang a.k.a. Mr-Stingy.com, about how he learned about money, some of his favourite resources, and how he turns knowledge into actions. Other episodes you might like: > Mr Stingy's 10 Investing Principles > Mr. Stingy's Lessons From the Pandemic and Recession Investing > Money & Relationships With Mr. Stingy And ‘Ringgit Oh Ringgit’

The most popular part of personal finance is the accumulation of wealth, but it's extremely important to think about how to protect the wealth you build, and how to distribute it when you’re gone. Roshan Kanesan speaks to Licensed Financial Planner Rajen Devadason to get a better understanding of how all this works together, its importance in your life, and things to keep an eye on. Rajen Devadason is a Licensed Financial Planner with Manulife Investment Management Malaysia Berhad. Other episodes you might find valuable: > Life & Health Insurance: What, Why, And How Much? > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning > No Risk, No Retirement? > What To Watch When Reviewing Your Investments And Insurance > How Do I Start My Family Financial Plan?

Should I buy and hold index funds for the long term or actively trade to beat the market? That’s the essential debate between active and passive investing. To get a better understanding of active and passive investing, and which one might be for you, Roshan Kanesan speaks with Ben Johnson, Director of Global ETF Research with Morningstar Research Services. They get into fund performances, how fees factor into performance, what to watch when looking at fund facts sheets, and a look at Malaysian data on fund performance and survivorship. Other episodes you might like: > Mr Stingy's 10 Investing Principles > How To Analyse Property Stocks In Malaysia > How To Invest While Managing Anxiety? > Bitcoin and Roboadvisors: How Do They Fit In A Portfolio? > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning

ESG has become a much bigger topic over the last few years, but is it for you? Roshan Kanesan speaks to Raymond Tang, CEO of Eastspring Investments, about the basics of ESG investing, what to watch, risks involved, and more.

We’re coming to the middle of the year, which means it’s soon time for a mid-year review! But how do we go about doing a financial review and why is it so important? Roshan Kanesan dives into this with Licensed Financial Planner Yap Ming Hui of Whitman Independent Advisors. Other episodes you might like: > Life & Health Insurance: What, Why, And How Much? > How To Invest While Managing Anxiety? > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning > No Risk, No Retirement? > 3 Fixed Deposit Alternatives As Rates Stay Low

Whether single, married, if you have dependents you need a financial plan to not just provide, but protect them. Today on the show, Roshan Kanesan gets into the basics of family financial planning with a focus on debt, insurance, and the importance of estate planning. He speaks with Nirmala Supramaniam, Head of Financial Education Department at the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK), and Fateen Rosli, Licensed Financial Planner with Wealth Vantage Advisory. Other episodes you might like: > Wedding Planning: Critical Advice, Common Mistakes, And Taking On Debt > Life & Health Insurance: What, Why, And How Much? > 3 Fixed Deposit Alternatives As Rates Stay Low > 5 Steps To Jumpstart Your Retirement Planning > 4 Ways To Teach Kids About Money

Luno, StashAway, and Wahed Invest are just a few names that have risen in the WealthTech and FinTech space in Malaysia. How could these new tools fit in your portfolio? Roshan Kanesan speaks to Stephen Yong, Licensed Financial Planner from Wealth Vantage Advisory, and Vincent Fong, Chief Editor of Fintech News Malaysia, to explore this space and its place. Other episodes you might like: > Why Do You Need Different Assets In Your Portfolio? > Bitcoin 101 - Is It The New Gold? > Is Gold Still A Stock Market Hedge? > 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Stock