Good Girls Talk About Money

Are layoffs ultimately good or bad for the companies that do it and the general economy? This month, we got Timothy Ho, Co-founder and Managing Editor of DollarsAndSense, on the show to talk about how the scale at which workers are getting laid off is affecting the economy, what investment opportunities we can take advantage of, and how individuals impacted by layoffs can come out of this event financially stronger. Timestamps (00:00) – Episode introduction. (00:29) – Introduction to the episode's guest, Timothy Ho, Co-founder & Managing Editor, DollarsAndSense. (03:36) – What has led to the current economic climate? (07:47) – Do layoffs always achieve the goal of improving profitability for companies? (12:54) – How is a small country like Singapore affected by layoffs globally as well as locally? (16:08) – How does the current climate of layoffs affect personal spending, or the way people invest? (19:30) – Given the opportunity for investment returns during a period of recession, how has Timothy tweaked his investment strategy during this current time? (25:02) – Is investing in big tech companies going to continue providing the same returns as we have seen in recent years? (30:56) – What can somebody affected by the layoffs change in their daily habits around spending or investing to improve their situation? (35:28) – Episode outro If you're curious about a particular investment or personal finance topic and want the Good Girls' to talk about it, drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The advice shared in this podcast has not taken your personal risk and finances into consideration, please seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any decision about your money.

Have you ever wondered if investing $1 at a time in the stock market is actually going to make a difference to your wealth? This month, we interview Deepak Khanna, CEO of Revolut Securities, on the fintech app's latest launch - Stocks. In this episode, Deepak shares some of his insights into wealth managing and talks about how we can maximise our experience using fractional stock trading platforms.   Timestamps (00:00) – Episode introduction. (00:30) – Introduction to the episode's guest, Deepak Khanna from Revolut. (02:59) – What are some of the stock trading functionalities on the Revolut app? (05:44) – How can someone with little to no experience in investing or trading get started? (07:27) – Does it even make sense to invest a very small amount into a share i.e. use fractional shares? What is the wisdom behind buying fractional shares and how can investors maximise their investing by using fractional shares? (10:49) – Is there any general advice to share around how to invest e.g., how to research conduct research etc.? (12:25) – What are some of the fees involved in trading on the Revolut platform? (15:07) – Deepak's time-tested investment takeaways for the new investor. (19:05) – Episode outro If you're curious about a particular investment or personal finance topic and want the Good Girls' to talk about it, drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The advice shared in this podcast has not taken your personal risk and finances into consideration, please seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any decision about your money.

This month, 3 women - each in a different decade of their lives - talk to The Good Girls about their “backup plans” in the event of redundancy. We touched on what our careers mean to us, how getting laid off affected us financially and emotionally, and the lessons we learnt coming out of such an unfortunate event. Special thanks to Lili and Megan for agreeing to share their experiences and stories with us. Timestamps (00:00) – Episode introduction. (00:29) – Introduction of the three podcast interviewees: Lili, Megan, and Deborah. (03:10) – Introducing the podcast topic: retrenchment. (03:45) – Have you ever been laid off before? (09:05) – What did the experience of being laid off teach you? (15:31) – From your experience of having been laid off before, do you have a Plan B or what do you hope to do differently it if does happen again? (21:39) – How does a job loss impact someone depending on the current financial responsibilities they have? (28:02) – Have you been tempted to start your own business to do away with the risk of retrenchment? (34:59) – How one's psychological and emotional safety can be affected in the event of retrenchment. (39:59) – Are there financial tools available that allow consumers to adjust their investments based on their needs e.g., flexibility in the event of being laid off? (40:44) – The inevitability of retirement and the importance of financial planning for retirement. (42:06) – Key takeaways and lessons from the episode interviewees. (47:00) – If you've been recently laid off and need introductions or boost in visibility, please reach out to the Good Girls. (48:24) – Episode outro If you're curious about a particular investment or personal finance topic and want the Good Girls' to talk about it, drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The advice shared in this podcast has not taken your personal risk and finances into consideration, please seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any decision about your money.

Liquid Gold - The 101 to Whisky Cask Investing If you've always been curious about investing in alternative assets like whisky and art, you won't want to miss this episode. This month, The Good Girls interview Matthew Lim, Chief Commercial Officer of Whisky Cask Club. Is whisky cask investing just for accredited investors or those with a large capital? What exactly does it mean to invest in a whisky cask? Unbottle the FAQs with us here. Timestamps (00:00) – Episode introduction and sharing a listener's response to the question from January 2023: What are the 3 things you would do with your money in 2023 that you didn't do in 2022? (02:45) – Introduction to Matthew Lim from Whisky Cask Club and an overview of the Whisky Cask Club. (04:18) – Discussion on the current market for investing in whisky casks and whisky investing in general. (05:55) – What are the differences between the Whisky Cask Club and the Whisky Cask Fund? (07:14) – How can a retail investor invest in whisky casks via the Whisky Cask Club and what are the various factors to consider before investing? (09:24) – What are some of the additional costs associated with whisky cask investing e.g. storage, insurance etc.? (11:01) – The things to look out for to ensure that your whisky cask investment is legitimate. (15:47) – What are some potential pitfalls investors should look out for before dipping their toes into whisky cask investing? (17:01) – How branding and bottling works when investing in whisky casks. (18:30) – How does the brand of a whisky affect how attractive it is to potential buyers? (18:58) – Discussion on independent whisky bottling vs large branded whiskies and what investors can do with their whisky casks. (20:09) – The whisky community in Singapore and the events Whisky Cask Club are running for the whisky community. (22:02) - Episode outro Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewlim/ To find out more about whisky cask investing, visit the Whisky Cask Club website at https://whiskycaskclub.com/ If you're curious about a particular investment or personal finance topic and want the Good Girls' to talk about it, drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The advice shared in this podcast has not taken your personal risk and finances into consideration, please seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any decision about your money.

Goodbye 2022, hello 2023! This month, Huiyu and Debs talk about how 2022 affected the way they invested and what their respective investment strategies could look like this year. Will the 1% GST hike change the way they spend and invest? And, what are the things they would do with their money in 2023 that they didn't do in 2022. Timestamps (00:00) – Episode introduction (01:24) – Recap of the major events of 2022 and how these events affected the markets: The Russia-Ukraine conflict, interest rate increases, bear market in stocks, the collapse of cryptocurrencies. (06:01) – What are some ways we can invest our money in 2023? Most investors should consider diversifying their investments into different asset classes that have become more attractive e.g. bonds, T-bills Depending on your risk appetite, buying opportunities have become available based on the year's “discounted” prices. Equity presents a higher potential (and risks) for returns than safer investment opportunities. (09:57) – Deborah's investment strategy for 2023 (15:28) – How the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike from 7% to 8% in 2023 affect us from a business owner and consumer perspective. (17:58) – The history of and changes in GST over the years in Singapore, and putting GST increases into context against inflation. (20:25) – Discussing the Assurance Package for GST and CDC vouchers. (24:45) – How the GST increase affects the way we invest and the other factors affecting how much we have to invest e.g. lifestyle inflation. (27:03) – Recap of the investment strategies previously discussed: stick to your investment strategy by paying yourself first, dollar cost averaging, don't let emotions steer your decision making. (28:44) – What the Good Girls would do with their money in 2023 that they did not do in 2022. (36:13) - Episode outro If you're curious about a particular investment or personal finance topic and want the Good Girls' to talk about it, drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The advice shared in this podcast has not taken your personal risk and finances into consideration, please seek the advice of your financial advisor before making any decision about your money.

In the final episode of 2022, Deborah talks to Andrew Leelarthaepin - APAC General Manager of Ledger - about why it's so important to deposit your crypto holdings in a hardware wallet. What exactly is a hardware wallet? How does it work? And, do you really need one at all? Andrew also shares his thoughts and insights on the crypto market and the important lessons we can learn this year about investing in crypto.  As usual, if you have any questions about this episode, do drop us a note at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com.  Note: Good Girls Talk About Money does not accept any sponsorships and Ledger did not compensate us financially to interview Andrew or to use its products

"One of my clients liken her annual financial review to going to the dentist," Huiyu recounts in this episode. Do you dread meeting your financial adviser? Do you feel embarrassed asking them questions about your money? What should you expect when your annual review rolls around?  This month, The Good Girls talk about why that annual review is important and why it's crucial for you to feel so comfortable with your adviser, that, as Debs puts it, "it should be like you can use the toilet while your other half is brushing their teeth". 

This month, The Good Girls talk about whether it makes money-sense to use a multi-currency app when preparing for travelling abroad. Do you use a multi-currency app or wallet before you travel? Or, do you still visit money changers at places like The Arcade and Chinatown hoping to score a good exchange rate? Debs also shares why you should never change currencies during a weekend, so be sure to stay right to the end to get the secret. 

This month, The Good Girls talk about pocket money and how their attitudes towards money were shaped by how they managed their allowances.  What are the values parents can teach their children through pocket money? Is there an easier way to help children? How can family members talk about financial issues with one another without the accompanying awkwardness?    Tune in as Debs and Huiyu navigate the seemingly straightforward but potentially complicated issue called Pocket Money. 

This month, Huiyu assures Debs that she's not "finished" just because she's cashed out on her investment, instead she talks about how one can get back into investing after taking a hiatus.  Debs then shares 2 platforms she's tried out in the past month and how they're working out for her. If you are leery about the low interest rates banks give for their savings accounts, you might want to find out more. 

This month, The Good Girls interview Deepak Khanna — Head of Wealth & Trading at Revolut Singapore. Deepak has over 2 decades' of experience in wealth management and prior to joining the global financial super app was Head of Wealth Products and Journeys at HSBC.  In this episode, Deepak explains what safe haven assets are, why they are enjoying a moment in the news these days, and how to get started if you are keen to put some of your money into safe haven assets like gold and silver. 

With the recent news of apartments catching fire, we turn the heat up on Fire Insurance this month. What should you look for in a fire insurance policy? What does fire insurance actually cover? Mandy Liaw from Allianz Insurance Singapore talks to the Good Girls on the finer points of this type of insurance product.

In this episode, the Good Girls discuss inflation — a topic that is undoubtedly on everyone's minds these days. What causes inflation? And, what should you do to protect your money from the effects of an inflation run? If you are not ready to take advantage of the market right now, what can you do to get your money to work just that tiny bit harder? 

In Season 2's first episode, we dive into the world of angel investing and where exactly can you learn to become one.  Our guest is Tanya Rolfe, co-founder of Sophia (sophiawomen.com). Tanya's 15-year legal career at some of the world's largest law firms has honed her ability to influence and collaborate with people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, She spent 7 years in Real Estate legal teams before moving into legal team management. Tanya then spent 8 years in Corporate M&A at both Simmons & Simmons and Norton Rose Fulbright in London.  Tanya founded the Ladies Investment Club in Singapore and grew a team of 40 female investors which enabled female investors to build their investment portfolio and credentials, while providing hard to access funding to female founders. She went on to launch a venture capital fund for women entrepreneurs and during her time at the fund, discovered the need for both more women investors and women entrepreneurs to be supported. Tanya believes in tapping into the largely untapped capital held by women through education and empowerment to both increase wealth held by women and to drive more capital towards diverse founders. Sophia was built to facilitate both of these things through it's platform.  Outside of Sophia, Tanya is an avid cyclist and yoga enthusiast. Tanya also advises two start ups and mentors young founders. 

Don't know your mutual funds from your hedge funds? Well, you are certainly not alone. This month, The Good Girls explain what the differences are between mutual funds, index funds, hedge funds, and ETFs (exchange-traded funds).  As usual, this conversation should not be taken as financial advice and you are strongly encouraged to speak with your financial advisor before making any investment decision.  The Good Girls will be interviewing an expert in trading in 2022. If you have any question on how to start investing in the stock market, email it to goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com. 

This month, The Good Girls take us into the scary world of Money Monsters! In order to get out alive, you'll need to learn some solid money management skills, which our hosts will share. Spoiler: If you are always paying for subscriptions you don't mean to maintain, Deborah has a hack using payments app Revolut.  So join them in this Halloween special and find out which Money Monster is hiding in your wallet right now. 

In this episode, The Good Girls talk about a number of investment platforms that make investing just that little bit easier. Not only do they require little to no minimum sum, they often do not charge platform fees nor do they impose any lock-in periods. Deborah talks about how wealth management apps suits her personality and spending style while Hui Yu demonstrates how discipline and a growth mindset in using these platforms are essential to financial success.  The information shared here should not be taken as financial advice and always remember that capital is at risk. Talk to your own financial advisor if you need more information or you may also drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

This National Day month, The Good Girls wonder if there is any point in buying a lottery ticket? While the majority of us probably buy a ticket every time a big jackpot comes up, just for the fun of it, there remains a group who could be addicted to gambling or even believe they could build a future as long as they strike. Tune in to see if your mindset needs a little reality check.

In this episode, The Good Girls talk to David Baey, CEO of Mortgage Master, to learn how everyone can navigate the property market without getting swept away by your emotions. He shares with us the 3 most important questions all of us must ask ourselves when we go house-hunting.  To learn more about Mortgage Master, visit https://mortgagemaster.com.sg 

June is Pride Month and in this episode, The Good Girls decide to talk about Pride finances, the issues gay couples face when planning for their retirement, and why it's important for everyone to have the security of a legally recognised union. If you have any Pride financial-related questions for Huiyu after this episode, we invite you to drop us an email at goodgirlstalkaboutmoney@gmail.com.

This month, the Good Girls share a super straightforward way of assessing your financial health. Whether you're a disciplined saver, an aggressive investor, or someone with no idea of how to get your finances in order, you'll learn from this honest, straight-talking duo on how to get started.

Think you're covered because you had the foresight to buy yourself a health insurance policy? In this episode, the Good Girls explain what about your health insurance has changed and WHY this is something we simply cannot afford to let slip.

The Good Girls tackle a hot topic in investment this month: Bitcoin. Whether you're a total noob in cryptocurrencies or just someone trying to decide if you should put money into them, we hope you'll feel a little less intimidated by the concept after this episode.

About 27% of Singaporeans admitted to being financially worse off due to a Buy Now Pay Later mistake so this month, The Good Girls talk about why we should be wary of such payment modes and what are some of the considerations we should bear in mind before signing up for one.

The Good Girls discuss at length if the credit card is still the status symbol it once was, what the SRS account is good for, and the book that'll change the way you see money.

The Good Girls discuss why it's important to get into the habit of doing a budget, the importance of CareShield, and if that Rolex is really worth an insurance policy.