Podcast · Business

BT Money Hacks

by The Business Times · English · Business

Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful personal financial tips with expert guests. Hosted by Howie Lim. Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times , SPH Media.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 15 min

S1E290: Beyond the black box: Inside a glass-box approach to Asean investing

Markets are loud. Your strategy doesn't have to be. In this episode of Money Hacks, Howie Lim speaks to BlackRock strategist Filip Mena Berlin to pull back the curtain on systematic active equities — not a black box, but a glass box where data, discipline, and human judgment converge. Discover why Asean is the diversification trade most portfolios are missing, how sentiment data reveals who you're really trading against, and why the best investors don't try to time markets — they outlast them. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips.…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E289 · 4 Oct 2026 · 21 min
S1E289: Is the 60/40 portfolio dead? Navigating rate hikes and oil shocks
With the Fed signalling persistent rate hikes and oil shocks stirring global markets, is your portfolio positioned to survive—or thrive? What do rising bond yields, stubborn inflation, and central bank manoeuvres mean for everyday investors? Is the traditional 60/40 portfolio dead? Should you pivot to gold, lock in fixed income, or look to Asian credit for refuge? StashAway’s Stephanie Leung and Fullerton Fund Management’s Angus Hui join correspondent Howie Lim to decode hidden market risks, FX traps, and the institutional strategies you need to build bulletproof wealth…
S1 · E288 · 27 Sep 2026 · 14 min
S1E288: The psychology of financial clutter: why we accumulate bad investments
Your portfolio might be messier than you think. Most of us don't build investment strategies — we collect financial products the way we hoard old cables and orphaned keys in a kitchen drawer. In this episode of Money Hacks from The Business Times , Howie Lim talks with Bryan Low — wealth management head at KGI Singapore and NTU professor — about why we keep buying without a plan, how loss aversion traps us in bad positions, and the surprising upside of cutting your portfolio down to ten lines. If your financial life needs a clean-out, this conversation is your Marie Kondo…
S1 · E287 · 20 Sep 2026 · 17 min
S1E287: Ask vs answer: the human edge AI can't replicate
Would you let AI manage your money the way it manages your inbox? Turns out, most of us won't — 76 per cent use AI to crunch the numbers, but only 8 per cent trust it to make the final call. Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with Ishan Sarkar, head of wealth and premier solutions at HSBC Singapore, to explore the "conviction gap" — the moment data has to become a decision. From Gen Z investors to Black Swan events, discover why the smartest financial move might still be a human one. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:24…
S1 · E286 · 13 Sep 2026 · 20 min
S1E286: Strategy over sentiment: why the old property playbook no longer works
Is your dream home a financial trap? Singapore's cooling measures and shifting interest rates have upended the old playbook—Build-to-Orders (BTOs), resale flats, and executive condos (ECs) no longer play by the rules you think you know. Howie Lim and Eugene Lim, president of the Singapore Estate Agents Association, unearths the hidden costs, minimum occupation period (MOP) traps, and stress-tests your finances so your biggest purchase builds wealth, not regret. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:13 The hidden time cost of a BTO…
S1 · E285 · 6 Sep 2026 · 13 min
S1E285: The $70,000 question: how to master your family's new financial tailwind
Singapore just pledged nearly S$70,000 per child over 16 years — but is that windfall building your family's future, or quietly funding lifestyle creep? Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with SingSaver's Ayush Goyal to dissect how to split, invest, and protect this new child credit stream — from emergency funds to retirement trade-offs — so parents don't waste a single dollar. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:07 Dissecting the S$70,000 package into 2 buckets 05:19 Rethinking your emergency fund 07:28 Kids' future…
S1 · E284 · 30 Aug 2026 · 25 min
S1E284: The raise paradox: why earning more never feels like enough
You just got a raise. So why does your bank account still feel broke? It’s the lifestyle creep — the sneaky force turning your bigger paycheck into the same old savings. From $8 lattes to subscription traps to the psychology behind "keeping up with the Tans," find out why more income rarely equals more wealth, and what to actually do about it. Warning: may cause spontaneous budgeting. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:07 The pay-raise paradox 01:11 What lifestyle creep really means, psychologically 04:12 Three forces…
S1 · E283 · 23 Aug 2026 · 15 min
S1E283: Singapore stocks aren't boring anymore — here's the proof
Your parents' "boring" Singapore dividend stocks only portfolio just had an upgrade nobody told you about. While everyone's obsessing over US tech, Singapore's equity market has quietly doubled its research coverage, attracted real institutional capital, and uncovered small-cap opportunities most investors haven't even heard of. Correspondent Howie Lim sits down with East Spring's Daniel Lau to figure out why "safe" and "boring" are no longer the same thing — and why ignoring this market might be the riskiest move in your portfolio. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks…
S1 · E282 · 16 Aug 2026 · 16 min
S1E282: Behind the institutional veil: what your bank doesn't want you to know about asset allocation
If you think your bank’s “diversified” portfolio is built for your future, think again. In this episode of Money Hacks , we pull back the curtain on the institutional world with Arki Finance founder David Ng. We’re dissecting the "product-first" myths, exposing why your “tick-box” diversification might be failing you, and revealing why your obsession with benchmarks is costing you real outcomes. Stop investing like a hedge fund—start investing for your life. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights:…
S1 · E281 · 9 Aug 2026 · 15 min
S1E281: The mass affluent trap: too rich for retail, too small for private banking
Your cash isn't safe just because it's sitting still — it's quietly losing to inflation while you wait for "the right time" to invest. Howie Lim gets StashAway's chief investment officer (CIO) Stephanie Leung to explain why the mass affluent get the worst of both worlds, why gold just earned a permanent seat in your portfolio, and why timing the market is a fool's errand professionals gave up on long ago. Stop parking your future. Start compounding it. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:03 The underserved mass affluent 03:24…
S1 · E280 · 2 Aug 2026 · 17 min
S1E280: Market noise vs real signal: are you investing or just guessing?
We obsess over what to buy, but when it’s time to sell—or hold—we often freeze. Market volatility shouldn't trigger a panic-induced sell-off, yet emotion frequently overrides strategy. In this episode of Money Hacks, Howie Lim, Ritesh Ganeriwal, and Kenneth Chan dissect the crucial "portfolio check-in." Learn how to filter signal from noise, why "doing nothing" is a strategic superpower, and exactly when your original plan needs a tune-up. Stop guessing and start managing. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:00…
S1 · E279 · 26 Jul 2026 · 16 min
S1E279: Artificial sycophant or financial genius? When to trust AI
Speed is everything in investing—but is it actually the enemy of wealth? We’re conditioned to trust human advisors, but what if your portfolio manager, tax expert, and risk officer was a cold, calculating AI? Howie Lim speaks with 8FIGURES founder Andrew Izyumov to ask: can AI truly cure emotional trading habits, or is it just an "artificial sycophant"? Should we let an algorithm manage your future? Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:04 The trust gap 04:01 The incentive trap 08:43 When AI agents disagree 11:28 AI calms…
S1 · E278 · 19 Jul 2026 · 21 min
S1E278: Loss of income, not identity: navigating the psychology of retrenchment
Retrenchment isn't just a career setback; it's a financial and psychological earthquake. Howie Lim speaks with clinical psychologist Dr Annabelle Chow about navigating the initial shock. What is the single biggest financial mistake most make in the first 48 hours and how to stop panic from driving your decisions? From mastering the "3-bucket" survival strategy to separating your identity from your paycheck, and moving from fear to clarity. Don’t let uncertainty manage your future. Reclaim your financial agency—because while jobs go, your security shouldn't. Synopsis: Every…
S1 · E277 · 12 Jul 2026 · 20 min
S1E277: From windfall to wealth: making fortune last
Sudden windfall? Congratulations — now don't screw it up. Let’s tackle the messy reality of instant wealth: the 30-day rule before making any big moves, why "generous relative energy" can drain your fortune fast, and the emotional identity crisis nobody warns you about. RBC's Gautam Chadda breaks down guilt-free spending, family giving frameworks, and staying rich long after the confetti settles. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:49 Doing nothing: the smartest move 05:15 Net worth vs. self-worth 09:55 The boring paperwork…
S1 · E276 · 5 Jul 2026 · 17 min
S1E276: Stop 'revenge investing': why panic selling is your portfolio's worst enemy
Markets crash. Portfolios bleed red. And your gut screams "sell everything." But what if the scariest moment in investing is also the most dangerous time to trust your instincts? Howie Lim sits down with Grace Tay from finexis advisory to find out why panic selling turns temporary losses permanent, why "get-evenitis" wrecks recoveries, and how one simple framework — reframe, reset, reenter — can turn your worst market moment into your smartest move yet. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:57 Sharp crashes vs. slow grinds…
S1 · E275 · 28 Jun 2026 · 19 min
S1E275: The six-month breaking point: are you actually prepared for the unforeseen?
Is your financial plan truly resilient, or are you one emergency away from disaster? 61% of households struggle to cope beyond six months after a loss of income. Howie Lim sits down with Sun Life Asia’s David Broom to dismantle the myth that resilience equals a high salary. Is Singapore’s “safe haven” status creating a false sense of security? And how to stop trading your long-term future for short-term survival. Discover the habits that separate the resilient from those in survival mode. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips.…
S1 · E274 · 21 Jun 2026 · 16 min
S1E274: Stop waiting for the 'right time': why micro-investing is the new wealth superpower
You think investing is complicated? That's exactly the problem. What if you could start with $10 with no need to wait for the "right time"? Many entities are quietly embedding finance into everything you already do, and the best investment app feature isn't a chart — it's a well-placed "Are you sure?" Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned portfolio juggler, this one will change how you think about where your idle money is sleeping. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:36 Analysis paralysis: the real reason people don't invest…
S1 · E273 · 14 Jun 2026 · 16 min
S1E273: Mid-year reality check: the "ETF and chill" era is over
Your "ETF and chill" strategy just got a reality check. Halfway through 2026, the S&P 500 is no longer the only game in town — and the smartest investors are quietly restructuring. Chips, crypto, Singapore blue chips, UCITS ETFs — what's hype and what's genuinely worth owning? Oriano Lizza from CMC Markets and Ritesh Ganeriwal from Syfe cut through the noise. Less FOMO, more discipline. This is your mid-year portfolio wake-up call. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:11 Is it time to look beyond US stocks? 04:22 Hot…
S1 · E272 · 7 Jun 2026 · 19 min
S1E272: Credit score myths debunked: what banks really look for
Your credit score impacts everything. Experts from Credit Bureau Singapore and MoneyHero Group bust the biggest myths, from "clean" profiles to unused cards. Are you managing your financial reputation correctly? Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:23 Top credit score myths 05:13 Why NOT having a credit score hurts 07:01 How to build credit without going into debt 09:20 How often should we pull our credit scores? 14:35 Review to reporting framework to note --- Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to…
S1 · E271 · 31 May 2026 · 16 min
S1E271: Liquidity: the anxiety antidote
Is your emergency fund ready for the real financial crisis: stacked, non-stop inflation? A budget is not enough. The rising cost of living demands a new kind of preparation. We dismantle the "inflation illusion" and reveal the critical difference between looking financially stable and being genuinely, liquidly prepared. Are there specific cash structures you need to survive volatility without panic? Howie Lim finds out from Walter de Oude, founder and CEO of Chocolate Finance. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 02:38 Building a cash…
S1 · E270 · 24 May 2026 · 15 min
S1E270: Yield without fear: Navigating credit markets in a high-rate era
Are you missing out on serious returns? With a massive $12 trillion sitting in money markets, it's time to look at fixed income again. But success in this market depends on knowing which bonds to buy. Join Howie Lim, Erik Keller from Robeco and Kylie Soh of Fullerton Fund Management as they cut through the noise. They'll reveal where the true opportunities lie, demystify the risks of high-yield bonds, and share strategies for building a resilient portfolio in today's unpredictable interest rate environment. Don't let caution keep your money parked in cash. Synopsis: Every Monday, The…
S1 · E269 · 17 May 2026 · 19 min
S1E269: The great yield shift: why banks are gaining altitude as Reits seek grounding
The high-yield trade is fracturing. As higher-for-longer rates lift banks' fortunes, Reits face a triple threat: narrowing yield spreads, soaring debt costs, and depressed valuations. Is your income portfolio resilient? Howie Lim speaks to RHB experts to discuss this growing divergence, revealing the crucial metrics (beyond yield) and tactical moves you need now to navigate uncertainty and secure superior returns. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:02 Reits' triple threat: how rising rates hit 03:56 What higher for longer means for…
S1 · E268 · 10 May 2026 · 17 min
S1E268: Risk reset: differentiating a flash sale from a fundamental flaw
Is "buying the dip" dead? The market is volatile, interest rates are up, and the old rules are breaking. Don't be fooled by a flash sale that's actually a fundamental flaw. What are systematic, disciplined strategies for spotting a true bargain—or a bottomless pit? Howie Lim finds out from the experts. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:09 Temporary dip or fundamental reset 04:16 Higher-rate, higher-volatility 09:14 Signals to look out for 13:42 High concentration amplifies risk --- Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas,…
S1 · E267 · 3 May 2026 · 22 min
S1E267: To risk or not to risk your risk-free 4% CPF return?
Your CPF Special Account (SA) has been your financial security blanket for decades — a rock-solid 4 per cent return, no questions asked. But Singapore's about to shake things up. By 2028, a new life-cycle portfolio scheme changes the game. Is it a long-overdue upgrade or a risk not worth taking? Howie Lim finds out from Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend and Genevieve Cua, wealth editor of The Business Times. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 02:17 Leave SA out of the new scheme 05:23 Willingness to take risk is the key 07:48 Where…
S1 · E266 · 26 Apr 2026 · 20 min
S1E266: Beyond the algorithm: when AI says sell, who tells you no?
As AI takes the wheel in wealth management, will your 'perfect' financial plan survive a market crash? Algorithms crunch numbers, but only a human can manage emotions. Join Howie Lim and Javelin Wealth's Polka Mishra as they dissect the friction between AI's efficiency and the indispensable, empathetic role of the human advisor. Find out who’s truly in the driver's seat of your financial future. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:10 AI sits in the engine room, not driver's seat 06:51 The one thing AI can never replace 10:41 The…
S1 · E265 · 19 Apr 2026 · 14 min
S1E265: A slice of the pie: fractional investing deconstructed
Ever wondered if owning Mona Lisa's eyeball is smarter than buying a whole share? Forget high prices! Fractional investing lets you grab a slice of giants like Tesla and Amazon. Howie Lim gets the experts to demystify liquidity, costs, and security. Precision diversification without the huge upfront cost—find out how to build serious wealth, one fraction at a time. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:05 Myth vs. reality of fractional investing 03:39 The democratisation advantage 06:59 The power of bundling 10:09 Precision…
S1 · E264 · 12 Apr 2026 · 17 min
S1E264: Nest egg obsolete: fishing skills now equal financial security
Money moves are changing. Young investors chase crypto volatility while retirement nest eggs look obsolete. Perhaps financial security needs to be redefined - from saving a million to mastering the skill of making money. Howie Lim gets some financial survival tips from Zachary Young from Atlantis Labs. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:00 The financial reality for young investors 02:44 The most dangerous flawed assumption 07:45 The "winning is upsetting" paradox 11:33 Nest egg obsolete! Financial security redefined 14:24 The…
S1 · E263 · 5 Apr 2026 · 17 min
S1E263: Beyond the index: how active ETFs offer adaptability in volatile markets
Is passive investing a Trojan horse? Index funds, once the safest bet, now harbour extreme concentration risk, leaving investors vulnerable in volatile markets. Discover why active ETFs are the essential upgrade. Unlearn the "comfort" of index tracking and gain the adaptability to chase alpha. Howie Lim explores the future of ETFs with the experts. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:37 Passive investing's concentration risk 03:52 comparative advantages of active ETF strategies 07:11 Paying for adaptability, not just performance 08:30…
S1 · E262 · 29 Mar 2026 · 22 min
S1E262: Navigate job market caution; secure higher salary bumps
Feeling the job switch itch? Don't resign yet! The market is cautious, but salary bumps of up to 15 per cent are real. Hear legal experts on contract risks, from clawbacks to non-compete clauses. Howie Lim gets the fine art of negotiation—what to ask for, and when to start—to protect your career and maximise your next move. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 00:55 The state of play - job hugging 03:13 Job hopping: red flag or pay bump strategy? 04:49 Termination terms, the 'prenup for work' 10:28 The enforceability of the…
S1 · E261 · 22 Mar 2026 · 16 min
S1E261: Familiarity: portfolio's silent risk, hidden concentration builds
Is your portfolio trapped by comfort? Familiarity masks hidden risks, turning winners into dangerous concentrations. Discover the subtle signs of shared risk drivers—beyond sector labels—and learn measured, panic-free strategies to trim concentrated positions. Stop chasing the herd. Howie Lim gets true diversification tools from the experts. Synopsis: Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful financial tips. Highlights: 01:06 Subtle indicators revealing correlations 04:50 Temporary rotation or fundamental shift? 08:23 Common, yet often overlooked, behavioural biases…

About BT Money Hacks

Every Monday, The Business Times breaks down useful personal financial tips with expert guests. Hosted by Howie Lim. Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times , SPH Media.

BT Money Hacks is a English business podcast from The Business Times. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: The Business Times
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 17 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1431645014
Rights: 2026 The Business Times

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