Ringgit and Sense

Cryptocurrencies are increasingly mainstream with the launch of ETF's but what are the pitfalls of this asset class and will it replace fiat currencies one day? Andy Baehr, Managing Director at CoinDesk Indices tells us and also what are the lessons from the recent FTX trial and the fall of its founder, Sam Bankman Fried.

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Last week, EPF has reorganized its existing two accounts into three to include the new flexible account for all members under the age of 55.

Licensed financial planner, Angie Ng joins us to discuss the details of these changes, who and when you should dip into the new account.

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Death and taxes are said to be two unavoidable things in life which is why estate planning is an essential part of financial planning. Nor Fazlina, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Trustees Berhad shares with us the difference between a will and a trust and the unique challenges women as well as Muslim women face in estate planning.

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The most famous value investor is Warren Buffett but what does this style of investing mean? Faridq Ridzuan, Vice President of CFA Society Malaysia  discussed the basics of it,  how to identify a value stock and the importance of portfolio construction.

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As part of the series on insurance this month, we delve into the 101 of Takaful. Idi Irwan, Executive Director of Bill Morrisons explains to us how Takaful is different from conventional Insurance products and the unique feature of surplus and deficit sharing.

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Insurance planning  for the family is often neglected but we speak to Antony Lee, President, Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia as to why this is critical. He shares with us what considerations must be made from marriage to having children and even for the home.

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Insurance is an often overlooked part of financial planning but why is it a critical part that should not be ignored? Dr Selina Dang, Licensed Financial Planner, Coreplus Advisory tells us whilst giving us some tips on what insurance to buy and how much one should set aside for it.

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The year has started well with Bursa Malaysia in positive territory on a year to date basis but at the same time, there was a flurry of stocks which hit limit down over successive sessions. A reminder that markets can be rewarding yet volatile. Stephanie Tan, Head of Investor Strategy and Development at Bursa Malaysia tell us what tools they have in house which will help the retail investor overcome the challenges of equity investing and how education is a key part of that.

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As we draw close to the end of the lunar new year and start tallying our angpau haul, we discuss how guardians and parents can use this windfall money to impart financial literacy, especially with Raya happening in less than 2 months. Nalissa Suria, Project lead at Arus Academy shares the different ways to guide children in utilizing the money to maximize their learning potential, besides the “I’ll put it in the bank for you” method.

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The recent volatility of selected counters was a timely reminder that equity investing is not to be pursued without the right mindset and skills. Ng Zhu Hann, CEO & Founder at Tradeview Capital gives us some advice on what to adopt and how it can be rewarding when the right tools are in place.

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Indonesian voters have spoken - unofficial results indicate that defence minister Prabowo Subianto has won the presidential election by a comfortable margin. What does this mean for the policy direction of the country? We get colour and analysis from journalist Erin Cook who’s on the ground in Jakarta.

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It is Chinese New Year time again. In this special episode, Master Kenny Hoo of Good Feng Shui Geomantics shares his insights from a feng shui perspective on what the Year of the Dragon may have in store for the different zodiac signs.

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Investing is challenging even for professionals - but what are some of the tools and tips to make that process easier? Lim Mei Ching, a former fund manager and Author of 'Be Your Own Fund Manager' tells us whilst explaining what "FATA" is.

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In this age of rising life expectancy, saving for retirement has become a fundament of personal finance. Why do some people have solid retirement plans while others don’t? We speak to Joyce Chuah of Success Concepts about the nexus between behavioural dynamics and retirement planning.

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In the first Ringgit and Sense of 2024, we discuss what should be your financial resolutions. Stephen Yong, Licensed Financial Planner, Wealth Vantage Advisory shares with us how to prepare for the year ahead, what calls for a readjustment in budget, and what you should do with your bonus.

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2023 ends soon but before year ends, we explore all the tax breaks that are available with Christine Koh, Managing Partner of Owen KLCA. We also find out if its better to file your own taxes or with your spouse and what to do, if you do get that letter from Inland Revenue.

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As we draw a conclusion for the year, Rajen Devadason, CEO, RD WealthCreation joins Philip See to discuss the key lessons from 2023 that had a notable impact on personal finance and what financial goals to set for the coming year.

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Data shows that more Malaysians are engaging professionally certified financial planners to help them understand the complex world of investments to match their financial goals. Anwar Mahbob speaks with Alvin Tan, President of the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia to find out how this profession has evolved and why financial planning is for everyone, not only the wealthy.

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We've all employed rationalizations for our purchases, whether it's crunching the numbers on the cost per wear or persuading ourselves that snagging a discounted item equates to savvy savings. This isn't exactly a new way of thinking while social media has recently labeled it as "Girl Math".

Dr. Grace Lee, professor of economics at Monash University Malaysia speaks to us on the psychology behind girl math and when it becomes too dangerous.

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In this era of high interest rates, how should you invest? We explore that conundrum since the historical correlations between asset classes appear to have broken down with Lim Chia Wei, Senior Portfolio Manager at AHAM Capital.

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On Monday was World’s Children’s Day. Idham Idris, Director & Licensed Financial Planner from Wealth Vantage Advisory discuss the cost of having these bundles of joy, how to budget and when is a good time to talk about money with them.

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Sustainable Assets under Management has increased to US 2.8trillion as of June 2023. A significant sum as more investors seek to align their own ESG values with investments. But is there sufficient depth and breadth to the market? Jigar Shah, Global Head of Sustainability Research, Maybank Investment Banking Group gives us that answer whilst telling us if ESG returns can be superior.

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For ringgit and sense today, we discuss the impact of inflation on household budget. Felix Neoh, Director of Financial Planning of Finwealth Management tells us what are the adjustments that could be made, who should look into reviewing their loans and whether long term goals like investment and retirement planning are not compromisable.

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According to Art Basel’s 2023 market report with Swiss Investment Bank, UBS, Global art sales increased by 3% year-on-year to an estimated $67.8 billion thanks to event driven art fairs, gallery opening and auction returning to pre-pandemic levels. With art increasingly seen as an alternative investment, how does one even start and is it only for the rich. Bingley Sim, an investment banker and avid art collector tells us.

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Gig or freelance work is increasingly common and there are many pluses but it's not without its financial consequences. We check in with Gor Sheau Shuenn, a licensed financial planner at Alpine Advisory on how to budget, save and even invest when income can be uncertain.

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Budget 2024 is the most expansionary to date but with the government focused on fiscal consolidation, what goodies were there for the rakyat? Thanneermalai Somasundaram from Thannees Tax Consulting Services advises us whilst explaining to us the new taxes and the importance of paying it.

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October 10 marks World Mental Health Day and The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1 in 4 people are affected by mental disorders at some point in their lives. We explore the connection between mental health and money from various aspects with Anita Abu Bakar, President of the Mental Illness Awareness & Support Association.

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October 1 was designated as International Day of Older Persons by The United Nations General Assembly. And Malaysia is expected to become a 'super-aged nation' by 2056. For Ringgit and Sense today, Martin Yap, Founder & CEO, CARE Concierge helps us understand how to balance filial piety with our own financial obligation, the cost of elderly care and how can we prepare ourselves financially for it if we decide to take on that responsibility.

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Financial literacy is unfortunately not taught in schools as part of core curriculum but according to a recent survey by The Financial Industry Collective Outreach (FINCO), it should be. We find out why and how it should be taught with their CEO, Clare Walker.

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BFM just turned 15, so what are the 15 things every retail investor should know. We turn to Founder & Chief Research Officer of Trident Analytics Sdn Bhd and author of the book- “What I learnt as an Analyst”, Peter Lim to have this important discussion.

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We have routines like eating healthy and exercising regularly but why isn't this extended to financial planning? Ian Wong, licensed financial planner & CEO of Uno Advisers tells us how to make that a habit and why it's so important.

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Barbie the movie has grossed more than USD1bn at the box office but is she in the best shape financially? We check in with Rozanna Rashid, Licensed Financial Planner from Alpine Advisory as to what advice she would give to a 64-year-old lady with multiple homes, a jet-setting lifestyle and no dependents.

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The government is proposing progressive wages on a voluntary basis but rather than wait, how can you earn more over the course of your career? Deepa George, Managing Consultant at MYHRC Services gives us some advice whilst telling us if job hopping is really detrimental.

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Recently there has been more talk about private equity on the back of the listing of Mr DIY. But how does a PE firm work, what are the risks and potential returns. We ask Ng Sai Kit, Chairman of the Malaysia Venture Capital and Private Equity Association these important questions.

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Deciding to have a child is one of the biggest decisions to make. However what is the cost of even having a baby. Founder of the financial blog Ringgit Oh Ringgit and new mother, Suraya Zainudin tells us.

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Recently the Prime Minister announced that initiatives will be introduced to encourage family offices to start in Malaysia. But what is a family office, what can they achieve and what role do they play in the world of finance and investments? Carrie Ng, Head of Family Office Advisory, Bank of Singapore tells us.

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The EPF Belajawanku Guide says that a single person in the Klang Valley can live on RM1930. We check in with a BFM intern, Ethan Kow to see if that is true. This is then followed by financial advice provided by Idham Idris, a professional financial planner from Wealth Vantage who provides some tips to make balancing the books a little easier.

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The EPF Belajawanku Guide has suggestions on the minimum incomes for singles, couples and senior to live on depending on their location. Today we explore the figure recommended and how to balance the 'books" with Roshan Kanesan who is of course a presenter on Enterprise and also a CFP.

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Women make up half of the Malaysian population, but yet fall behind in terms of salary and often take career breaks. Should women then plan when it comes to their finances. Rejina Rahim, co-founder of Wahine Capital helps us with that question whilst giving women some important career tips.

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Money may not buy love but it often is a cause for divorces. So, what are some of the practical issues that we need to be aware before matrimony and even when the the love flounders. Siew Choon Jern, a family lawyer from the firm Douglas Yee Advocates & Solicitors gives us his views.

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In 2023, baby boomers will be celebrating birthdays between the ages of 59 and 77. And by 2030, one in six people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. Malaysia is of course no exception to this global trend with the World Bank we’ll have 20% of the population to be aged by 2056, giving us the status of a “super-aged nation”.

So what happens to us when we grow old in a country that is experiencing an ageing crisis? What impact does it have on our wallet and cost of living? Rajen Devadason of RD WealthCreation talks to us about how we can ride this global silver tsunami.

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Should you buy or rent a home? The arguments for and against have evolved over the years. There are now more factors in play – the pandemic and resultant work-from-home practices, for instance, have provided more incentive for people to own their own residential property. But the rising interest rate environment along with growing cost of living and low wages has made it difficult for someone to own a home. So how can we make this decision? We turn to Felix Neoh of Finwealth Management for some insights.

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For many singleton nowadays, there’s something far more pressing on their minds than putting a ring on it: financial security. People with a partner or spouse generally have someone helping out with expenses, as well as a built-in caregiver to lean on. For those who are getting older, are single and childless, that lack of a default support system poses additional challenges as they age. So what do you do when you’re planning for your retirement but have no one to lean on? Joyce Chuah of Success Concepts explains.

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What’s the difference between a financial planner, advisor, wealth manager and money coach? How do you decide who is better for your financial needs? Sim Wie Boon unpacks this with Desmond Chong of the Malaysian Financial Planning Council.

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Earlier this year, credit reporting agency CTOS, in collaboration with Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business conducted a study looking into the state of consumer credit in Malaysia for 2022. The study found that the average credit score of Malaysian consumers stood at 678 points in 2022 which means that while most Malaysians will be able to qualify for a wide range of credit products, they may not be getting the best deals on the market.

So to run through the key highlights of this study, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Erick Hamburger of CTOS and Professor Dr Nafis Alam of Monash University Malaysia on the show. 

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If you're a personal finance enthusiast, you would've heard of Financial Independence, Retire Early aka FIRE, a movement which encourages people to attain financial independence as early as possible, working hard, saving a lot, and cutting expenses extremely.

All this is so one can retire as early as possible, some even as early as 30. But in the backdrop of the pandemic and changing economic landscape, is this line of thinking still hot on everyone’s mind? Financial planner, Rajen Devadason shares his thoughts and why he thinks FIRE is a flawed strategy.  

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Continuing our two part episode focusing on scams, Ooi Beng Cheang of FPAM comes on the show again this time to talk about online scams. He shares tips on how to spot online phishing scams, what to do when you're caught in one and what you can do if you fall for one.

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Last week, news came out that 73% of mobile phone numbers, equivalent to more than 21 million people in Malaysia, were leaked or sold to scammers. This is especially concerning given that the cases of scams have been increasing at an exponential rate here. In a special two part episode, Sim Wie Boon speaks to Ooi Beng Cheang of FPAM to understand how these scams work and how to protect yourself from them.

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Over the past decade, options for Sharia compliant investments and financing have grown tremendously cementing Malaysia as the world's third-largest Islamic banking market. We speak to Rafiq Hidayat of Wealth Vantage Advisory to understand the values behind Sharia investing and what makes Sharia investing, Sharia compliant.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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 Say

The Financial Conversations To Have Before Marriage

Money And Marriage: How To Make It Work

The Cost of A Divorce

Don't Be A Fool For Scams

Personal Loans: When To Take It And When Not To

 What To Do When Everything Is Getting Expensive?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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/

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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