Providend's Money Wisdom

Is beating the market really possible, or just a myth?In managing over S$1 billion worth of our clients’ assets, there is continuous monitoring in place to ensure that the funds in our portfolios are behaving as we would expect them to. To share deeper insights into how we manage investments beyond the basics, we’re pleased to launch a “Investment 201” video series featuring Dr Peng Chen, Senior Advisor & Director at Providend. In this series, Isaac Ong, our Client Adviser, engages Dr Peng in conversations on more advanced investment topics, while still breaking them down into simple, practical insights for everyday investors. In this episode, Dr Peng shares with Isaac, his simple but profound investment formula: (alpha + beta – costs) + risk. He explains what alpha really means, why beta may matter more for most investors, and how hidden costs and real-world risks can quietly eat into returns. Most importantly, he explores what this formula means for you as an investor, and whether it can be applied to achieving your ikigai goals.Watch all five "Investment 201" videos here.At Providend, we believe it is more important to look at the reliability and sufficiency of your investment returns to meet your non-negotiable life goals and events, instead of wanting to maximise your returns and dealing with the uncertainties and risks that would entail. Find out why positive returns do not mean enough returns here.Learn more by reading our investment eBook titled "A More Reliable Way to Get Enough Investment Returns: Even During Times of Market Uncertainty".Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

As trusted advisers to affluent clients for 25 years this year, our wealth management philosophy of making ikigai decisions before money decisions is grounded in real-world experience managing close to S$2 billion of our clients’ hard-earned assets.In this week’s Money Wisdom episode, we continue our ‘The Brain Behind’ series, where our co-host and Associate Adviser, Sudhan, speaks with our CEO, Christopher, about his latest Business Times article, ‘Why the Best Annuity in Singapore Still Isn't Enough on Its Own’.In this conversation, Christopher unpacks the trade-offs between fully relying on CPF LIFE and building a more diversified retirement income plan using a combination of CPF LIFE, cash and private annuities. He also explores how private annuities can give retirees the flexibility and liquidity to retire earlier than 65 and protect their spouse's lifestyle in the event of their demise.To gain more perspective on today’s conversation, you may begin by reading Christopher’s Business Times article here.Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Sudhan Purushothuman, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Rate Our Podcast!

As AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly capable, many have asked: Could AI truly replace a human wealth adviser? Being trusted advisers to our affluent clients for over two decades, this Providend series began with an article by our Client Advisers on clients navigating major life transitions. The podcast goes further, exploring the thoughts behind these transitions.In this podcast episode, Jia Ling, Client Adviser, and our host, Isaac, unpack a case of Elaine, 56, 56, a single mother of two adult children who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, requiring intensive treatment. For Elaine, the decisions she faces are not only about navigating her own financial future, but also about protecting the future she wants for her children.While AI can provide quick and sound recommendations, the prompts given may be incomplete, especially when clients are overwhelmed by a sudden health crisis, creating gaps in their overall wealth plan. They also explore the importance of having the accountability and guidance by human advisers to help clients put their plans into action as circumstances evolve.To better understand the discussion, you may start by reading Jia Ling's article here: Can AI Replace a Human Adviser During a Health Crisis?Music courtesy of ItsWatR.The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.Mentioned in this episode:Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today!If you’re interested in getting more of our thought leadership contents, click this link to subscribe to our newsletter today: https://providend.com/#newsletter-subscribe