Money and Me

Michelle Martin asks if falling interest rates are changing the maths for Singapore’s savers who love hoarding cash. With billions still parked in T-Bills and money-market funds, investors now face a new risk: opportunity cost. Michelle speaks with Afdhal Rahman of OCBC about what could trigger a shift from cash into equities, bonds and gold. They unpack why Asia ex-Japan may look more attractive than the US as the dollar weakens and valuations diverge. The conversation also explores how bonds are becoming income engines again, and why gold is moving from hedge to strategy. What happens when staying on the sidelines costs more than riding out volatility. 

Today Michelle picks up a thought-provoking book by a serial British entrepreneur Gary Ashworth. The book unpacks a simple framework; what if becoming rich wasn’t about genius or luck - but about repeating one maths movement, ten times?  Michelle Martin speaks with self-made multi-millionaire and author Gary Ashworth about his “Double Up” wealth framework. The conversation explores responsible leverage, three-year wealth cycles, and why starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Money and Me is hosted by Michelle Martin, and this episode reveals how patience, structure, and psychology shape long-term financial freedom. 3 High-Impact Insights: Wealth grows through repeatable maths, not one big win - what if doubling capital consistently became your new north star? Value is created, not found: improving assets is as important as buying them cheaply. Time and psychology matter as much as money - most people fail because they hesitate about getting started. No journey is perfect.

Markets are rattled by geopolitics - but panic is rarely a strategy. From US military action in Venezuela to tensions over Greenland, investors are questioning whether uncertainty now warrants a shift in portfolios. We examine how US equities have actually behaved through geopolitical shocks - and what history suggests about staying invested. The Magnificent 7 start the year unevenly, raising the question of whether leadership is broadening beyond mega-cap tech into SMID caps. A weaker US dollar prompts a closer look at currency exposure in global portfolios - risk, opportunity, or both? With noise rising across geopolitics and policy, we ask the hardest question: sit in cash, or stay the course? Hosted by Michelle Martin. Guest: Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment, Providend.

Is leaving your CPF alone the safest option in 2026 or are there smarter moves for more than 2.5%  interest? As Singapore’s retirement rules shift, what do you need to know about the moves that you can make for greater savings and smaller tax bills. With new dollar-for-dollar government matching schemes, the roadmap to retirement offers new possibilities regardless of paycheck size. We break down how the RSTU, MRSS and the newly launched MMSS actually work - and who benefits most. From withdrawal rules at 55 to whether CPF LIFE truly delivers a paycheck for life, we tackle listeners’ most pressing questions. We also explore how to prioritise top-ups for yourself versus your parents, and where spare cash should go now that SA rules have changed. A practical, clear-eyed guide to building retirement income with confidence - hosted by Michelle Martin with guest Boo Chiang Tat, Manager, Retirement Savings Department, CPF Board.

The market looks strong - but only a handful of stocks are doing the lifting. As 2026 begins, investors are grappling with a big question: can mega-cap dominance last, or is leadership finally starting to broaden? With just 10% of the S&P 500 driving gains, valuation gaps are widening even as market breadth quietly improves. We explore whether easing rates, broader earnings, and capital rotation are setting the stage for SMID-cap companies to step into the spotlight. The conversation digs into AI’s shift from infrastructure to application, separating real earnings leverage from hype. We also assess how new US tax incentives are shaping corporate behaviour - and whether small- and mid-cap fundamentals are truly recovering. Joining the discussion is Ann Miletti, Head of Equity Investments and Chief Diversity Officer at Allspring Global Investments, hosted by Michelle Martin.

Asia’s markets are flashing mixed signals - so how is a smart investor to think through where to really place money? Michelle Martin unpacks Morningstar’s Q1 2026 Asia Investment Outlook with Lorraine Tan, cutting through the noise on growth, rates and risk. From AI-driven earnings to valuation support - what’s real, what’s hype, and where the cracks could form. We zoom in on fund flows, asset allocation shifts, and how China and Japan are shaping the regional picture. Plus four Singapore stocks in focus - Singtel, StarHub, ST Engineering and SIA - and what investors should actually watch for next. Finally, we talk portfolio anchors, red flags, and how to balance opportunity with defence in the year ahead - hosted by Michelle Martin.

Our company in focus list, zeroes in on companies we here know about in Singapore. In 2026, it’s no longer about whether markets rise - it’s about which companies truly deliver. Money and Me looks past daily noise to uncover businesses entering pivotal turning points across sectors.. Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode features Vance Tan, Financial Services Manager, PhillipCapital, on spotting durable value beyond headlines. We explore how to identify companies with real structural tailwinds versus short-term hype and headline-driven rallies. The discussion dives into balance sheet strength, non-negotiable financial metrics, and valuation discipline in a still-uneven market. Finally, we break down how investors can turn high-conviction ideas into diversified, long-term portfolio strategies without overconcentration. Will STI hit 5000 in 2026?

Singapore REITs may finally be turning the corner. Singapore REITs enter 2026 at a pivotal moment say's Kenny Loh, as interest-rate cuts revive sentiment and valuations remain below historical averages. After delivering a near-23% gain in 2025 - their best run since 2019 - analysts expect a two-year earnings upgrade cycle driven by falling borrowing costs and rising distributions. We unpack which REITs face refinancing risks, how balance sheets are being managed, and where higher interest coverage offers protection. From industrial and logistics to retail, offices and data centres, we assess which property sub-sectors look resilient - and which still face headwinds. We also ask whether current price-to-NAV discounts present compelling entry points, or if markets are still pricing in too much caution. Joining us is Kenny Loh, REIT Specialist and Wealth Advisory Director, as we discuss strategy, risks and specific S-REITs on the radar for 2026, hosted by Michelle Martin.

When rates diverge, the real risk isn’t missing the bottom - it’s what you do once you’re there. Singapore’s interest rates are nearing a projected floor, while the UK remains stubbornly higher - setting up a rare refinancing crossroads for homeowners. Michelle Martin speaks with Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, about whether this is the moment to lock in cash-flow relief or risk overleveraging,refinancing timelines and borrower psychology. From Singapore’s TDSR to the UK’s stress tests, we explore how safeguards work - and where blind spots still exist. Ultimately, it’s about keeping leverage as a disciplined wealth tool, not a silent strain - hosted by Michelle Martin.

A digital bank, a S$1.3 billion war chest - and a big question: can a newcomer really change how Singaporeans save, invest and bank. Michelle speaks with Natalia Goh, CEO of MariBank, on how a digital-first model is reshaping everyday finance. Backed by Sea Limited and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, MariBank has rapidly grown its investment offerings to over S$1.3 billion in AUM. We unpack how the Lion - MariBank SavePlus Fund works, what investors should know about short-term bonds and capital preservation, and how gold investing fits into a digital wallet for this bank's customers. Natalia also explains fixed deposit rates, the rationale behind the S$100,000 deposit cap, and what safety looks like in a digital bank. Finally, we ask the big question for savers and investors alike: is putting your money with a digital bank worth a thought?