The DollarsAndSense Podcast

With US markets experiencing sharp swings, how can investors build their portfolios while managing volatility and keeping trading costs low? In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, host Feng Yi speaks with Vik, Director and Head, Securities Retail Sales at Phillip Securities, about navigating market volatility, dollar-cost averaging, and how zero-commission investing can help investors build their portfolios more cost-efficiently. We also explore the POEMS Cash Plus account, which o...

Singapore investors may know SGX for local stocks, but Singapore Depository Receipts (SDRs) offer access to selected overseas-listed companies while still trading in Singapore dollars during SGX market hours. In this episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, Feng Yi and Deanna speak with Bernice, SGX’s product manager for SDRs, and Han Hui, a trading representative from UOB Kehian, to explain how SDRs work and where they may fit in a portfolio. They explain what investors actually own, how pr...

CFDs allow traders to take advantage of short-term market movements, whether prices are rising or falling. They can also be used to access global markets, trade with leverage or hedge an existing investment portfolio. However, CFD trading is very different from long-term investing. While leverage can give you greater market exposure with less upfront capital, it can also amplify your losses when a trade moves against you. In this episode of DollarsAndSense Markets, Alex Furber, Head of Clie...

Having insurance does not automatically mean you are adequately protected. A serious illness, accident, loss of income, or unexpected family situation can change your finances overnight. The key question is whether your coverage can support you and your dependants when it matters most. Recorded on-site at InsureXpo by CIMB 2026, host Deanna Lim and Helen Shen from Singlife discuss common protection gaps in Singapore, why insurance should work alongside wealth building, and how caregiving fo...

How much money do you really need to retire comfortably in Singapore? Is the famous $1 million retirement goal realistic, or should you be focusing on something else? In this special episode of the DollarsAndSense Podcast, filmed live at **InsureXpo by CIMB 2026, we sit down with Prof Sharon Ng to discuss what financial independence actually means—and why retirement planning isn't just about hitting one magic number. In this episode, we cover whether $1 million is enough for retirement, how...