Since I started actively promoting my fee-based financial planning services, I had been getting more than expected interest in this service. In the past, I used to allow the client to choose the mode of service. Moreover, I did not charge any fee for any consultation at my office for the first few hours. But these days I’ll state my preference and default mode of operation which is fee-based planning service. Unless it is really a simple case, a fee will be charged.

I have been advocating the importance of planning – especially portfolio planning for investment.  

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S$20,000 of the cash deposit in a local bank is insured by Singapore Deposit Insurance Corp. But does anyone know that the following are not insured?

Here are some tips when you want to engage a financial adviser:

For people who are looking to join an FA firm as a financial adviser, I have some tips for you:

The current lousy market sentiment provides an excellent opportunity. It is not often that we experience such bear market. While the length of the bear market is unknown to all, starting a regular saving plan (RSP) now is the best investment idea now. When doing an RSP, we hope that the market continues to go down so that there will be opportunity to buy at low points. To have a good RSP, it should fulfil the following:

1. RSP in a market that is volatile. This is to provide an opportunity to buy at low points;
2. RSP is a long term plan. Never RSP in something that is meant for short term. Instead RSP on regional or global markets;
3. RSP must be automated. For cash it will be GIRO. Never attempt to RSP manually because one's emotion can sabotage the RSP plan;
4. RSP large amount. If one would to RSP $100/month and assuming the bear period ends after 3 years, the total principal is 100*12*3=$3,600. Even an absolute return of 100% only translate to a mere $3,600 which is really not meaningful;
5. Finally after RSP is done, it is probably advisable to forget one's password and never look at the account statement until maybe many years later. The number 1 enemy to prevent a successful RSP is SELF. I suggest not looking at the account after 5 years.

There is a lot of interest in this currency because everybody knows that it is terribility undervalued. Over the past 1 year, the Chinese government allowed a slow appreciation of Yuan against the USD by 11.3% !  I have always been asked on how to invest in chinese yuan currency.  My answer is that it cannot be done properly. Either a person opens a bank account in China (not possible for most people) or that one has to buy Yuan currency from money changer. The latter is as good as putting the money under pillow forfeiting interest which can be a significant component. Recently I found a way to invest in Yuan without the need for a bank account nor money changer.  Note that as the Sing dollar has been appreciating against the USD, the CNY/SGD change has not been too exciting. Anyway the method I found is only for Accredited Investor.