Money and Me

Why do intelligent, hard-working people still struggle financially in retirement — and what do they miss along the way? Straits Times Invest Editor, Tan Ooi Boon and author of Retire With More Money discusses the money traps and glimmering opportunities available to us here in Singapore to retire well using foresight. From CPF blind spots and property laws to marriage, legacy planning and investment traps, this conversation tackles the issues people avoid until it’s too late. We unpack real-life cases of devastating financial mistakes - and the quiet habits that protect wealth over decades. This is a discussion for readers, investors, and lifelong learners who believe thinking well is the foundation of living well. Money and Me - hosted by Michelle Martin.

Markets are shifting fast - not just what you invest in, but how you stay ahead when trading never stops. As NASDAQ moves toward a 23-hour trading day, investors face a world that’s always-on, faster, and more volatile. At the same time, AI enters its second phase, with infrastructure players like Micron powering the data-centre boom. And AI is no longer just in servers - it’s moving onto our faces, as smart eyewear reshapes consumer tech. So which trends are structural, which are cyclical, and where should investors be wary of hype? We break it all down, hosted by Michelle Martin and Swapnil Mishra, Author of "Investing for the Clueless, Reckless and Overly Cautious".

Do markets still have room to rally - and where should investors really be positioned for 2026? After a strong run for equities in 2025, global wealth manager Lombard Odier lays out how investors should think about the next phase. We unpack the CIO Office Viewpoint with Jack Siu, Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management, Asia at Lombard Odier. The conversation explores why Lombard Odier is underweight the US, overweight emerging markets, and tactically cautious on Japan. We dig into standout opportunities in South Korea, healthcare, materials - and the risks markets may still be underpricing. A practical discussion on portfolio positioning, sector-level alpha and what investors should do next, hosted by Michelle Martin.

S-REITs are on track for their strongest year since 2019, delivering double-digit returns as borrowing costs ease and yields remain compelling, but looking ahead, what do investors need to keep an eye on for 2026? The episode explores standout S-REIT sectors, the key metrics that matter most in a falling-rate world, and how income investors can position portfolios today. We also unpack what Hong Kong Land’s move into private funds means for listed REITs like Keppel REIT - and whether dilution risks are rising. Joining the conversation is Kenny Loh, REIT Specialist and Wealth Advisory Director, hosted by Michelle Martin.

The Fed has cut rates again - but the real story is the deep divide into what that means for your money next! Hosted by Michelle Martin, this episode breaks down one of the most divided FOMC meetings in years. So how should investors read this pause - and what does it mean as we look toward 2026? We examine the potential impact on different types of equities, from cyclicals to defensives, and whether falling rates really support risk assets. Is the AI trade still the engine of market returns, or are cracks beginning to show beneath the surface? Joining the conversation is Cheng Chye Hsern, Head of Investment at Providend, with practical insights on how investors should position their portfolios for the next phase of the cycle.

Should you buy where the locals live when thinking about buying overseas property investment? Zero tax, double-digit yields and glossy brochures - but is overseas property really the opportunity Singapore investors think it is? On Money and Me, Michelle Martin speaks with Daniel Sim, Founder of Golden Goose Properties, about what Singaporeans truly need to know before buying property overseas. They unpack global sentiment heading into 2026, how strong SGD shifts the equation, and what realistic capital commitments look like beyond marketing headlines. From Dubai’s growth story to Japan’s cash-flow appeal, and the tax-heavy realities of the US , this episode breaks down opportunity versus illusion.

We attend to your health insurance wallet today. New IP rider rules mean deductibles are no longer covered and annual co-payments double to S$6,000. Premiums may fall by about 30 percent - but smaller procedures could now hit your cash flow harder. We break down who benefits, who loses, and how these changes affect younger adults, retirees and those with chronic conditions. Through case studies, we examine whether to stay on old riders or switch to the new regime. Expert guidance with guest Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, hosted by Michelle Martin.

From April 2026, new Integrated Shield Plan riders will no longer cover deductibles, and your annual out-of-pocket cap doubles to S$6,000 under the latest Ministry of Health overhaul. Premiums are expected to drop by about 30%, as policymakers push patients to shoulder more costs to cool the runaway private healthcare inflation. We break down what’s changing, what stays, and how to plan your medical sinking fund with Elijah Lee, Senior Financial Services Manager at Phillip Securities - all hosted by Michelle Martin.

Is the next big move in U.S. markets a continuation of the rally - or the setup for a sharp reckoning? Simon Ree, Founder of Tao of Trading, shares his base case for 2026. We unpack what the options market is signaling about an imminent Fed rate cut, and why interest rates still matter for risk assets. From the AI investment boom and earnings resilience to megacap dominance, Simon explains what’s structural versus what’s becoming a crowded trade. We also drill into key risks - from stretched valuations and weak market breadth to capex-heavy Big Tech and tariff shocks. A clear 2026 playbook for everyday investors - hosted by Michelle Martin.

Is this the point where S-REITs start to reclaim their shine? Singapore’s REIT landscape is stirring back to life as investors eye the long-anticipated rate-cut cycle - but recovery may not be a straight line.  In this episode hosted by Michelle Martin, Tim Phillips, Founder of TimTalksMoney, breaks down the bright spots and blind spots across major S-REITs. We dissect CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, and Keppel DC REIT to understand their  growth drivers, and exposure risks. Tim addresses data-centre amidst the AI bubble narrative and how retail and hospitality REITs stack up against struggling office assets. We tackle the biggest macro indicators that matter now - from inflation resilience to cash-flow predictability. Whether you’re holding, buying, or waiting, this REIT reset may shape your 2025 investment playbook.