Newsletter Issue 93: Happy Travels

Embark on meaningful journeys with insights to plan memorable vacations, navigate budget travel, and uncover cultural treasures. Whether you’re crafting a family adventure or exploring last-minute deals, these ideas inspire travel that deepens connections, stretches savings, and invites discovery.

Newsletter Issue 92: Family First: From Exams To Finance

As families navigate the challenges of exam season, it's important to foster resilience, support growth, and nurture well-being. These insights explore how to create a balanced, supportive environment for children, helping them thrive academically, emotionally, and financially.

Newsletter Issue 91: Persistent Progress, Purposeful Pursuit

Persistence and perseverance are the cornerstones of personal growth. As we enter the final stretch of the year, these traits become even more essential. Discover ways to harness determination, build resilience, and stay committed to your goals. Even when the journey feels long and challenging, remember—you’re closer than you think. Let’s push through this last lap together.

Newsletter Issue 90: Stretching The Dollar

Navigating the rising cost of living requires strategic planning. This issue provides tips on budgeting, skill development to increase income, and utilising resources to manage money. I hope these strategies help empower you to stretch your money further and maintain financial stability.

Newsletter Issue 89: Boost Immunity, Travel Safely

Prioritizing our health and immunity is essential, especially with summer holidays and travel on the horizon amid the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Here are some practical tips, nutritious recipes, and expert advice to keep you safe and ensure healthy and enjoyable summer vacations for you and your loved ones!

Newsletter Issue 88: Keep Cool & Beat the Heat

As we approach the time of year when scorching temperatures send us seeking refuge indoors, this issue offers essential tips and strategies for managing the heat. Arm yourself with knowledge and discover ways to stay cool, hydrated, and healthy amidst the sweltering heat, ensuring you thrive in your daily life!

Newsletter Issue 87: Growth and Transformation: Nobody Said It Was Easy

Life is a multifaceted journey of growth and transformation. From overcoming setbacks to embracing professional and personal development, this issue contains wisdom on self-forgiveness, career and financial success, and the limitless power of lifelong learning. The process of growth may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. I hope this enriches your life.

Newsletter Issue 86: Plan Well. Age Well.

Amidst rising costs, aging and retirement planning is becoming a growing concern for many. Yet, more than just ensuring financial readiness, one who is planning to retire also needs to be psychologically prepared for the shifts in lifestyle, routine and everything that comes along with it. In this issue, let's explore expert tips on staying healthy, mentally sharp and financially secure, so we can age gracefully in our golden years.

Newsletter Issue 85: How To Ride The Dragon

As we embrace 2024, discover essential insights for a prosperous journey ahead. Explore key financial strategies and economic trends aligning with the Dragon Year's promise of prosperity. Immerse in the cultural vibrancy of the Lunar New Year celebrations. I hope this issue with its blend of wisdom and practical advice equips you to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead with confidence. Together, let's ride the Dragon!

Newsletter Issue 84: Reflect, Review & Recharge

In this issue, here are some insights on mindful reflection, effective goal-setting, and strategic reviews. I hope this helps you equip yourself for a thriving year ahead with impactful resolutions and fresh perspectives. Let's embark on this journey of growth and renewal together.

Newsletter Issue 83: Holiday Highlights: Echoes of Joy

Embrace the spirit of the holiday season in this month's issue, where cherished traditions meet thoughtful innovation. From smart savings and healthy feasts to meaningful gifts and cozy stays, our collection of articles offers a reflective journey through holiday warmth. Savour every moment with our handpicked tips and recipes, and let's celebrate the joy and generosity that define this wondrous time of year.

Newsletter Issue 82: Inflation & You

As inflationary pressures continue, affecting both individuals and businesses, it is vital to equip ourselves with effective strategies to navigate this environment. This issue provides pragmatic insights and ideas, guiding us to not only weather these economic challenges but also thrive in the midst of them. I hope this brings us greater financial resilience and empowerment.

Newsletter Issue 81: Empowering Children

In celebration of Children's Day, here is a friendly collection of articles brimming with insights! I hope these writings can guide us in embedding valuable skills, boosting financial literacy, and laying down a roadmap to raising resilient, balanced children. May we empower the upcoming generations, helping them blossom into well-rounded and holistic individuals. Let's cherish the joy of nurturing our future

Newsletter Issue 80: Home Dreamers

Making decisions on property is not trivial, as they often have effects on our quality of life in ways that are not just material but also financial and emotional. Regardless of our experience levels in making decisions on our properties and homes, it helps to have an appreciation of what resources are involved, and how we can be resourceful about them. I hope you find the materials in this issue useful.

Newsletter Issue 79: Before It's Too Late...

In today's rapidly ageing society, advance care planning and long-term care planning are emerging as critical considerations for ensuring a comfortable and secure future. As we journey together through the intricate aspects of planning for what lies ahead, it's never too early to make such vital decisions. It's your future; plan it well.

Newsletter Issue 78: Unlocking Potential of Our Awe and Envy

In the delicate balance between awe and envy lies an opportunity for growth. Awe opens our eyes to the beauty and possibilities around us, while envy stirs our desires for improvement. By using awe as a wellspring of inspiration and envy as a catalyst for positive change, we get to harness these emotions to fuel our ambitions, cultivate empathy, and create a brighter future for ourselves and others in various aspects of our lives.

Newsletter Issue 77: Living with New Realities of AI and ChatGPT

As artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots like ChatGPT become ever more prevalent, AI’s potential to transform our lives and economy cannot be understated. With the increasing adoption of these technologies, they will not only transform the ways we use or consume information, but they are also poised to play a pivotal role in just about every aspect of our lives, including work, finance, and parenting. In this issue, we explore the nuances of AI and the possibilities it brings to our world.

Newsletter Issue 76: In Honour of Moms

Whether we are mothers ourselves or simply have someone in our lives who has played a motherly role to us, chances are, our lives have been influenced in profound ways by motherhood. Let's take a moment in this issue to honour, value, and draw lessons from the incredible wisdom of women and mothers who have impacted our worlds.

Newsletter Issue 75: Keep Calm & Innovate

Necessity is the mother of invention. Throughout history, humans have demonstrated the ability to innovate, solve problems, and create solutions in the midst of crises, resulting in some of humanity's greatest inventions. All it took was resourcefulness, action, and persistence. Through this issue, I hope to provide insights into how we can live life constructively and creatively, regardless of the challenges that we may face today.

Newsletter Issue 74: Bright, Brainy & Beautiful Living

As we get back into the groove of work, our most important arsenals have to be our health and brains. After all, these are essential in allowing us to lead a functional and meaningful life. To do that, we need to take care not to fall ill and ensure that we upkeep our physical, mental, and social well-being. Let us explore in this issue the various ways that help us protect and strengthen our overall health.

Newsletter Issue 73: The Golden Gift of Intentional Quiet

For many, the festive season is a time of food, celebrations, social interaction, and hype. Coupled with the continuous demands of work and life, such periods can sometimes leave us feeling drained, and some of us may even struggle to get a breather. In this issue, I have put together resources on how we can possibly wind down and benefit from more intentional quiet and less noise.

Newsletter Issue 72: Finding The Silver Lining

As the world enters a recession, the upcoming year can pose a challenge for many due to increasing economic uncertainty, and the natural fears surrounding it. In this issue, we look at some trends and possible actions that can help us become more emotionally and financially resilient to not just ride out the challenges, but rise above them. I hope this gives us hope.

Newsletter Issue 71: Planning Ahead

We live in three distinct timeframes - the Past, the Present, and the Future. Many times, we tend to live and make decisions based on what gives us immediate gratification, and often to our detriment. Despite not knowing what tomorrow will bring, planning ahead removes uncertainty and provides clarity to our lives. In this issue, I have included articles that I hope will inspire you to take actions that your future self will thank you for.

Newsletter Issue 70: Taking A Walk

Many of us lead busy and stressful lives. Even when we may be caught up meeting deadlines, sprinting towards our next goals, or looking after our families, we cannot neglect taking appropriate breaks for our well-being. While it may feel counter-intuitive to do so, sometimes the best thing is simply to step away from the four concrete walls to go for a walk outdoors. It refreshes the mind, body and soul, and is beneficial for our health and creativity. So let's lace up our trainers and walk our stresses away.

Newsletter Issue 69: Mind Over Money

In an environment of rising inflation and uncertainties in global geo-political climate, almost no one is spared from the economic consequences of the day. It is therefore more important than ever to be intentional and mindful in how we manage our finances in our daily living. Here, I have put together some resources which you can tap on to help you gain a better insight on how you can be more savvy with your money.

Newsletter Issue 68: Navigating Differences, Conflicts and Relationships with Maturity

Every one is different, and differences in opinions, interests, backgrounds and personalities tend to come with conflicts. Whether is it our co-workers, friends, family members or even our partners, disputes are not only common, but they're natural and sometimes inevitable. The question is, while such conflicts arise, how do we navigate them? Do we attempt to work through issues amicably with others, or do we allow our egos and emotions to rear its ugly head? Today, we look at practical tips on how we can manage ourselves and relationships in more mature ways.

Newsletter Issue 67: Better Than Before

As humans, the pursuit of change and progress is something that is innate to every one of us. Like it or not, there will always be things in life that we hope could be a little different, a little better in the way that daily situations & events turn out. It could be in the way we think, speak, or the way we handle everything from our finances to our relationships with others. We seek to become better -- and we should. As we strive to continuously exceed our potential, we rise above all previous versions of ourselves and grow stronger. In this issue, we look at some ways in which we can embrace a better self and an even better future.

Newsletter Issue 66: Self-Doubt & Self-Confidence

In life, there are days and moments where everything we do does not feel enough, or face situations that are beyond our control. A common response to such instances is to doubt ourselves and our abilities, and that is a very normal and human thing to do. But the effect of self-doubt can cut both ways: It can either spur us to achieve our goals and thereby boost our confidence levels, or cause us to feel entirely powerless and paralysed. Fortunately, whether we allow it to work for or against us is mostly up to us. In this issue, we will explore the ways in which we can harness self-doubt to build confidence -- one step at a time.

Newsletter Issue 65: 80 Summers, 80 Winters, 1 Life

Statistically, most people live till an average age of 80 years. Although this number varies across cultures and nations, we cannot deny that life is still all too fleetingly short. 80 years a lifetime translates to 80 summers and 80 winters - to love, laugh, live, and make the most of our time on this earth. Far too often, when faced with our mortality, we look back at our lives and think of all the things that could have been different. Regret may sometimes be inevitable, but it is still possible to live an unlimited life with the limited time that we have. In this issue, we look at some of the ways we can do so.

Newsletter Issue 64: Travelling Again

For the past years, given the pandemic and restrictions, many of us were forced to re-evaluate how to plan and book trips for holidays, or consider whether we should even be planning for any travel at all. Now, as borders are opening up, we have reached a stage where many of us are ready to start traveling again and make vacation plans once more. The catch, though, is that traveling will likely continue to be complicated as new variants emerge. How then do we plan for travel? In this issue, we explore this matter in more depth.

Newsletter Issue 63: Being Positive

Life can be unpredictable with obstacles, making it sometimes difficult to stay afloat. Whether it is the loss of a loved one, stress from work, or financial woes, everyone faces challenges and does at some point, struggle with remaining optimistic or hopeful. Nonetheless, it is still important to maintain positivity to keep us going; by finding the good in the bad, and being the light in the darkness. For this issue, let us explore on what being positive means & how we can harness it in ways that truly benefit our lives.

Newsletter Issue 62: Social Media and Mental Health

As humans, we have an innate need for connection and approval from others. Often, we make an effort to gain validation and this is natural. Yet, in our world today, this need for others’ approval becomes magnified; as many of us are constantly plugged in on social media, we tend to get caught up in the pursuit of “likes”, “shares”, “follows” & engagement. These can have implications on our mental well-being and happiness. Through this issue, I hope that we can be more aware of the impacts & risks associated with excessive use of social media, and what we can do about it so that we can live out our best lives.

Newsletter Issue 61: Being Savvy This Festive Season

It is a season of feasting, socialising and spending time with our family and friends. Amidst the bustle of festive preparations and joviality, let us not forget to take care of our well-being even as we celebrate this time of wealth, health and happiness. Stay safe, savvy and prosper!

Newsletter Issue 60: Looking Towards 2022

By this time, we would have endured quite a long period of the COVID-19 pandemic and many things have changed. Collectively, we have adapted to new ways of living, working and socializing. While there is no telling of when this pandemic will truly “end”, one thing’s for sure: Life goes on. The best we can do is to continue to look towards the future and live out the best we can. As we head into a new year, here are some predictions and trends we can look forward to.

Newsletter Issue 59: 6 Essential Money Moves To Make In Uncertain Times

In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. With the COVID-19 outbreak, we are faced with the challenge of adapting life around the virus and navigating intense market volatility. This leaves many of us feeling anxious and even disempowered.

Newsletter Issue 58: Misconceptions that hold us back

Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, left us with these words to contemplate: The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute: the man who does not ask is a fool for life. As the year winds down, it is time to reflect on some popular and widely - accepted beliefs and misconceptions that we may hold that do not serve us in achieving our goals and desires. Today, we look at debunking some of these misconceptions to expand our thinking and explore new perspectives and horizons.

Newsletter Issue 57: One Thing At A Time

In meeting the demands of work and every day life, many of us can feel compelled to do all things at once, and may become overwhelmed or less effective as a result. To counter this, it is worth taking a moment to adjust our pace; to give ourselves the space to practice taking one step at a time in the ways we perform our tasks and how we manage our minds & emotions.

Newsletter Issue 56: Habits & Decisions That Compound

As human beings, we are a culmination of our environment, decisions, behaviours and habits. It is worth giving thought to how we live our lives; taking a step back to reflect on some of our own less-than-ideal tendencies and ponder about how we can mitigate or improve upon them. Here are some resources that I hope can help us foster habits and patterns that can create an upward cycle for ourselves over time.

Newsletter Issue 55: Managing Burnout

In a world where more of us are increasingly working remotely, the issues of exhaustion, burnout and digital fatigue have become more pronounced in recent times. The implications on mental health and quality of life are real. Here are insights and resources that I hope can help us better understand the nature of the burnout that we may experiencing. More importantly, we can learn to manage, uplift ourselves and also the people around us.

Newsletter Issue 54: On Leadership

Leadership is the act of guiding a team or individual to achieve a goal through direction and motivation -- and there is a leader in all of us. This issue contains insightful resources and pointers that touch on the various under-talked about but important aspects of leadership. I hope this inspires us to not just exercise good leadership in our daily lives as individuals and organisations, but more importantly, help us get through and thrive even in difficult times.

Newsletter Issue 53: Productivity, Personal Effectiveness & Meaning

As our personal lives get increasingly intertwined with our work in this season, it becomes more important than ever to find ways to devote our energies to become more effective & productive as individuals. Here, I'd love to share with you on some resources and powerful ideas on how we can not only become more productive, but also make our work & daily life more meaningful in the process.

Newsletter Issue 52: Living A Good Life

What does it mean to lead a good life? The meaning of a good life, or life for that matter, is subjective. But there are some evergreen truths and wisdoms that we can all live by that help us gain the most out of life even through obstacles and challenges. In this issue, I have put together for you a series of insights, tips & advice by some of the best thinkers throughout history on how to live out a good life. I hope these resonate with you.

Newsletter Issue 51: Dignity and Why It Matters

Dignity is the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect by virtue of being human, and every person has an intrinsic need to feel valued and needed. Yet, in our world, there is often a gap between the ideals and realities of how dignity is accorded to individuals across age, gender, social statuses and financial positions. In this issue, I'd like to bring attention to the topic of dignity, and the ways which we can protect & honour the dignity of others and ourselves.

Newsletter Issue 50: Empowering Women In Our Midst

Women have long played a huge part in our society and economy. When it comes to uplifting women, the work extends beyond just international women's day or month. In fact, it requires continuous effort from not just leaders, but also every day folks like us to recognise and appreciate the great potential of women in our lives. In this issue, I'd like to share insights on how we can be enablers of women's progress while staying aware of the realities and struggles they may face. I hope this helps us in empowering the women and girls in our midst.

Newsletter Issue 49: The Gift of Paying It Forward

When was the last time you received kindness from somebody? When was the last time you extended an act of kindness to someone else, and to what end? As it turns out, there can be tremendous merits and outcomes in paying forward a kindness received with a good deed to somebody else, especially when done out of gratitude. The concept of "Paying It Forward" is nothing new, but in our world, I believe we could do with more compassion and selflessness as it brings out the best in us.

Newsletter Issue 48: Done is Better Than Perfect

As we begin a fresh year, it is a good idea to not just evaluate ourselves based on the previous year on how we have been managing our lives, but also to find out ways to become more productive as we move along. In this issue, I'd like to share with you some powerful ideas on productivity and how we can make the best of our resources, time, energy and capabilities. Let's do this!

Newsletter Issue 47: Of Languages, Love and Possibilities

In the words of Poet Ali in his TED Talk, "Every language we learn is a portal by which we can access another language"; the more we know, the more we can speak. To round off the year, I'd like us to take a moment to learn new concepts, stories and ways of seeking and connecting, which will empower us to adapt to the needs of others & ourselves in the way we relate, love, heal, and see possibilities. I hope this inspires you.

Newsletter Issue 46: Guiding Principles and Tips on Taking Charge of Finances in Our Lives

In a year where many of us are affected and perhaps feel powerless over our incomes amidst a pandemic, it is a good time to take stock of our financial health and confront our feelings about them & the way with deal with them. Whether we are young, middle-aged or senior, here are some important principles & practical tips on money management that we can fall back on which can go a long way into helping us optimise our finances and become financially wiser.

Newsletter Issue 45: On Teaching, Learning & Growth

All of us would have people around us that we learn from in our lives. And people whom we in turn teach and need to be accountable to at some point - as students, working adults or parents. The better we are at relating and leading others into growth, the better we become as individuals. In this issue, I hope we can draw some lessons and wisdom from these materials that can help us cultivate values and cultures that we want in our lives and lift us up.

Newsletter Issue 44: The Ability to Rethink & Reassess Our Minds

As humans, we often like to think we're right, even when we can be wrong at times. Many of us have the unconscious tendency to seek information that support our existing beliefs & disregard or undermine those that do not match ours. But doing so without awareness or questioning can have adverse effects in the way we think, make decisions & live our lives. Today, I'd like to share with you some potential consequences of confirmation bias & what we can do about them.

Newsletter Issue 43 : Staying Grounded in Things that Serve Us

The world as we know it has changed for good on pretty much every level - from our lifestyles, to habits, to incomes and economy. As we navigate our way and find our place in trying times, it is important to stay grounded and keep the faith as we focus on seeing and creating opportunities, solutions & meaning. While there are no quick fixes in times like these, there's still a space for us to find ways to improve and cope better in our lives. I'd like to share them with you in this issue. Let's keep our heads up in choosing to persist in hope & good thoughts, and I believe we will emerge stronger than before.

Newsletter Issue 42 : Moms Never Retire?

As they dedicate their love and lives to their households and make constant sacrifices for their family’s & children’s well-being, mothers never retire. For all these, moms deserve more thoughts besides during Mother’s Day. But should mothers also think about planning their own retirement — financially speaking? In this issue, as we give tributes to all mothers, we would also like to give thoughts to a mother’s financial freedom. Mothers deserve a worry-free retirement as well.

Newsletter Issue 41: This is the 8th Wonder of the world - Einstein

Albert Einstein said, "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it earns it. He who doesn't, pays it."

Newsletter Issue 40 : Mastering the Skill of Learning New Skills Fast

Today's phone in our pocket has 100,000 times the power of the computer that landed man on the moon 50 years ago. Our world is evolving at breakneck speed today. The World Economic Forum projected that more new jobs will be created compared to the ones lost. Uncertainty remains about what these new jobs would be. But the time to change our approach to learning new skills has come. The time is now. The 4th Industrial Revolution has begun.

Newsletter Issue 39 : What is hurting Employees and Employers

There are many new things to deal with at this time while we are being isolated from life-as-usual. A new lifestyle, a new future and something that can be quite subtle - a new kind of burnout. It should do us well to be aware about this so we can learn to disengage when we need to. I wish you and your loved ones good health and may you continue to stay safe!

Newsletter Issue 38 : Holding Space in Difficult Times

Amidst a pandemic, the profound impact & discomfort of loss or the prospect of loss is felt almost universally. We may find ourselves and even those we care about feeling anxious & restless, which makes it challenging as we find ways to adjust not just physically, but also mentally & emotionally. At this time, emotional support for one another becomes ever more essential. Here, I'd love to share with you insights that can help us have a deeper understanding on the complex emotions that we may be dealing with, & the ways in which we can provide meaningful social support in our daily interactions through being present & holding space for others.

Newsletter Issue 37 : Covid19 - No turning back from a new future and reality

What the eyes cannot see is bringing countries to their knees as we write. The full impact of Covid19 is still unknown. It has ushered in a new reality for the World. Our lives will never be the same again. And Covid19 won't be the last. While we #fightasone, let's see how we can prepare ourselves and our children for this new future - together. Here are some good reads that I believe can help us rethink this new future and its possibilities. If you find these resources useful, please forward them to those you care about, especially at a time such as this. Cheers!

Newsletter Issue 36 : Make these 6 decisions

Here's wishing you and yours a very fruitful 2020, and the best is yet to come! Another year, and what better way to start it with a collection of thoughts that might turn out to touch your life for the better? I hope you could find something useful and share along with those you care about too. Cheers for a blessed 2020!

Newsletter Issue 35 : When the going gets Rough

When the going gets rough, it can at times be easy to lose sight of what we set out to attain in our lives, be it in our personal endeavours, work or finances. The process of going & pushing through such situations may not be most comfortable, but persevering and talking about how to handle them is necessary. These are perspectives I found useful and inspiring. I hope this gives you hope.

Newsletter Issue 34 : Trust, Relationships and Emotional Security

In many ways, relationships are key to our well-being, as trusting, fulfilling relationships lay the foundation for our emotional health and security. But to work through relationships and trust matters aren't always linear or clean - they can be messy and raw. Here are some articles that I found incredibly valuable that enrich us in our personal and professional lives.

Newsletter Issue 33 : These are simply worth sharing with you

Change is hard. To force change is harder. They usually don't last. Perspectives however, are easier to accept. They change our minds and maybe that's what we need more than change itself. I hope you enjoy these articles.

Newsletter Issue 31 : The Power of Tiny Gains

These are some rather transformative articles that could help you and those you care about. So please be free to share them. I hope you find them beneficial. If you like them, do drop me a note and I'll be very glad to know I've added value and touched someone.

Newsletter Issue 30 : How the World forgot to sleep

The lack of sleep being linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease isn't a happy story. Certainly not for those of us who are more conscious about building happiness in life. Please share this newsletter issue with those you care about. We can impact lives together!

Newsletter Issue 29 : Don't leave life without it

The Bucket List - chances are that you may not have made one. It is an interesting journey that we can take together. It's also a lot easier taking a peep at some of the most inspiring bucket lists that we have put together to share with you. Let's start one and live it out!

Newsletter Issue 28 : 8 Ridiculously Good Recipes That Only Take 15 Minutes

Since our taste buds are not working like black and white TVs. We know it's meant for some tasty good food. Yummy! Let's stay healthy, and also up our knowledge about making some nice interesting food. Here are some really good resources curated for you.

Newsletter Issue 27 : Life's most Powerful Lessons

There's a man in Singapore, that every time he concludes a business deal, he would go buy a plant and plant it somewhere. It's a simple way of giving back. He was also able to disengage and be with himself while doing something meaningful, albeit how simple it was. In this issue are some more examples of such life's lesson that we can benefit from. All we need, is to just take some time, slow down and breathe in the fresh air.

Newsletter Issue 26 : 3 Financial Wisdom from a woman with 3B Net Worth

There are just too many things that we know to be good for us, but have not yet become a part of us. Applying wise financial habits may be one of them. Here are some to learn about by seeing them from the eyes of a very successful woman - Oprah Winfrey. Change requires conscious efforts. I hope some of these thoughts will begin to be a blessing in your life. Cheers.

Newsletter Issue 25 : Come 15th May, Singaporeans have One more thing to be proud of

In case you missed the news, besides the big 3 - US, Russia & China, tiny Singapore would be the next to send a human into Space using a helium Stratospheric balloon capable of lifting an SUV. This is a 5 years arduous journey filled with many inspiring stories. A Visionary who saw the possibilities, followed by 150 applicants to be Singapore's first Astronaut, and finally an extraordinary individual to make the trip, laying his life on the line. Yet his project isn't about Space. It's about creating a better mental model for Singaporeans - that with the heart, mind and grit, we can do great things. Enjoy this historic moment.

Newsletter Issue 24: The Interesting secret

Or rather, this issue is about learning the secrets of being interesting. Even calling it a secret is a little too much. In today's world of overwhelming information overload, it's about paying attention to certain things that some people do to make themselves more interesting than others. We can all do better in life with a little dose of this knowledge. So let's dig in!

Newsletter Issue 23: The way we Think

In this issue, I'd like to do something different. All of the highlights are very interesting videos from TED talks about the way we think. The videos are between 15 to 30 minutes, but they are well worth your time I promise. Hope these resources will help create marginal changes in your life every so often. Let's be enlightened together!

Newsletter Issue 22: Why Happiness is linked to Deep Talk

Research seems to point to the fact that those who engages in deeper conversations with others are happier people. This is what I call a happy finding. It levels with what makes us human. We speak, we listen, we feel, we learn, we take and we give. And deeper conversations allow us to lift each other up.

Newsletter Issue 21: Half of the jobs in 2020 are not yet known

In the last issue, we discussed how robots will change our lives in the future. It has become increasingly important for us to keep our minds on the ball, stay sharp and stay progressive. If half the jobs in 2020 are yet to be known to us, how can we prepare ourselves and our children today? To face a fast changing future, we need to first understand it. We need to try and take a peek into this future and start to embrace change.

Newsletter Issue 20: Your Life is About to Change

We have come to a very unique juncture in time, where we are transitioning into the 4th industrial revolution. This is a time where technology as we know it will start to escalate in its rate of change. Our lives and jobs will surely be impacted. But how? It is time to consider this and take stock of where we might stand now and three to five years later.

Newsletter Issue 19: The Indispensable Power of Story

From a parent to a child, between friends and professionally in the workplace - there's something special about the role of story telling. And we've a lot to learn from the world's great story tellers. Some of the best are comedians, public speakers and politicians. But there's more. I hope the following articles will help you get started in this interesting journey of learning and exploration.

Newsletter Issue 18: Retirement dream vs reality

It's been a while since the subject of Retirement was discussed. In this issue's video, it's quite interesting to see how children have different ideas about Retirement. I'm sure all of us have our ideas as well. Yet life can mercilessly erode these dreams. But not if we are really serious about them. So how serious is your retirement dream?

Newsletter Issue 17: Some things don't change

The future seems to come at us at a faster pace than before. It brings along with it many questions. Will automation take over our jobs? What new jobs will be created? And which existing ones will be obsolete? How can we survive? Yet some things don't change. Understanding the things that will change and those that won't can help us carve out a better future.

Newsletter Issue 16: 2 Tips from a 116 year old

Most of us find it hard to change even when we know we need to. If only it's as easy as a walk in the park. But once in a while, a certain change of perspective is all it takes. Hopefully, today can be one of those time for you. We can gain some insights and wisdom from these articles that are worth sharing.

Newsletter Issue 15: The thing about Time management

Do we need to get better at time management? Or do we need to instead think about Time itself? More specifically, what it means to us - with the very limited time that we have. The answer would be different for each of us. But I'm rather certain that taking time to ponder about Time itself can be a fruitful thing to do.

Newsletter Issue 14: What you need to beat Diabetes

The World Health Organization's latest report says diabetes has quadrupled in the past 34 years. It's certainly something that we should care about. Not just for us, but also our loved ones. Here's a starter to help us understand and prevent this disease better.

Newsletter Issue 13: Hipster Hawker Stalls - Yummy!

Health is important, so is a good life and great food! One of the great thing about being in Singapore is that there's always new food places to explore. In this issue, I'd like to bring you to a couple really good yummy places - wrapped up with a hilarious video you don't wanna miss.

Newsletter Issue 12: Oh how beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Singapore is growing as a cultural center. But why is Art important? And how can Art, in its many forms make our lives better? Deep within all of us, there's a need for expression and appreciation. There's certainly more for us to explore and learn about Art. Do not miss the video below. Oh how beautiful this is ~ a celebration of art and life!

Newsletter Issue 11: Secrets of the Heart - Uncovered

It is always quite refreshing to discover new things about our health. In this case, Vitamin C is one of those surprises. Do watch the video below till the end ~ it could be a life saver. But please seek your doctor's opinion as well.

Newsletter Issue 10: The result of reading

The more we read, the more we can share. And sharing is caring. Here are a few interesting articles I'd like to share with you in this issue of my newsletter. Remember to pass it along to those whom you care about too.

Newsletter Issue 9: This isn't the bucket list

It isn't the bucket either. One good news is that more people are now surviving cancer. The other good news is that life expectancy has increased from 75 to more than age 80. But hold that thought for a moment - it's only good news if one is financially prepared to survive such a critical challenge.

Newsletter Issue 8: Creativity

We may have thought that creativity is a realm belonging to a selected few. But is it? In this issue, we explore together some interesting stories that may strike a chord of inspiration for you. You can be creative too.

She’s the whole package

I met Chanel about six years ago now through a friend's recommendation when I was looking to purchase an insurance policy. I was specifically looking for an insurance agent that was dedicated to the business over the long term, reliable, competent, and who genuinely cared for his/her clients.

Before meeting with Chanel, I had already met with a few insurance agents, none of whom met my strict criteria. It was obvious to me when I met with Chanel that she ticked all the right boxes. Her sincerity shone through her smile and her passion for helping her clients through the words she spoke.

Through these six years, Chanel provided me excellent advice on which insurance policies to get that best suited my needs. As my needs evolved from a simple life insurance policy to fuller coverage, and to more comprehensive estate planning, the portfolio of services that Chanel has been able to provide has also grown in tandem. I now treat her as my one stop shop for everything!

She's also been like a mum, big sister and friend to me. She's the whole package! When I was younger and spending my salary irresponsibly instead of saving, she made me commit to monthly saving targets and regularly checked in to see if I had met my targets. When we meet, we share about our lives and problems and happy moments.

She's now also a financial planner to my sister and I recommend her to anyone in need for financial planning services!

Maria Yee
Managing Consultant, Wood Mackenzie

Clients’ interest at heart

Hi everyone,

I met Chanel years back through a mutual friend before she joined the insurance industry. I’ve always been comfortable in talking to her about everything and anything so naturally when I felt it was time to enquire about insurance planning, I went to her.

Through her, I’ve learnt about proper financial planning and beyond. Identifying what is needed at different life stages as well as planning for my estate. She is very proactive in following up to do reviews when I attain different milestones in my life.

She is sincere and genuine in putting her clients’ interests at heart and she empowers us to make decisions, not the pushy sort.

We always have open and honest conversations about life and I can see that she is dedicated to her craft. Recently, I had a keyhole surgery for my spine and I was assured to have her assist me with it.

I think everyone should meet her. I’m sure they would have benefit from it. That’s why I’ve stayed with her all these years.

Thank you Chanel for everything!

Sincerely ,
Melissa Lim
Director, Focal Print
Proud mum of 1

A rare gem

Hi everyone,

I have been with Chanel for sometime now, and I must say I am very lucky to have met her.

I have always been careful about protection planning, and still is. It is not something that I take lightly. Chanel’s sincerity and genuineness make me warm up to her. She truly looks out for my interests.

There are many things I love about Chanel. She is not afraid of questions and is very open to suggestions. She is meticulous and keeps me posted on things that she knows I care about. There were also times when she is not afraid of putting her interests aside for mine. I am not an easy client but her patience and determination always win me over.

I appreciate that she reminds me how to manage my financials so that the outcome truly benefits the people I care about (which is my goal). She has taught me many things, including how to plan for LPA, Will, ACP etc. These are things that she took time to share with me and do not bring her any benefit at all.

I am proud to have her as my financial planner. I have and will continue to recommend her to my friends. So much so that my friends ask me if I earn any introductory fee. (Haha!) No, I don’t. I just trust her to look out for their best interests too.

And I hope, you do too. :)”

Sincerely ,
Tan Chew Lin
HR Executive, NGH

My trusted advisor

Hi everyone,

Chanel’s service is over the TOP, sincere, professional and personalised.

I underwent 2 surgeries, was very happy and satisfied that claims were settled promptly.

One particular area in which Chanel value added me was in managing my assets with a holistic view, creating emergency scenarios including estate and business succession planning to allow me to have greater awareness.

I would rate her a 10. If there were a higher score, I would give it to her.

I am inspired by Chanel and her husband by their drive in empowering lives!

I would highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for financial, insurance and estate planning.

Regards,
Alvin Ng
Director, Fide ID
Proud dad of 1

Genuine, Trustworthy and Empowering

Hi Mark,

Genuine, trustworthy and empowering.

These are the words I will use to describe Chanel.

Being able to identify my life priorities and provide relevant and valuable advice during our conversations, my experience with Chanel is one that felt natural.

I especially appreciate her non-pushy attitude, breaking the stereotypes of what people expect from financial advisors.

11 out of 10, I will definitely recommend my friends and family to work with her.

Cheers!,
Ted

A PHENOMENAL CHARACTER IN THE WORLD OF INSURANCE

Chanel, a phenomenal character in the world of insurance, that’s what I will brand her.

What I adore about her, is how she consolidates all your other policies from everywhere else, like a human e-storage and looks through what you have got and what you are lacking and put them all together into pieces to make you feel literally ‘protected’.

I often joke with my husband, that if I were to ever land myself in a hospital, he won’t be the first person I would call, but Chanel, hahaha. I know that I can leave everything in her good hands to tell me what class to choose, and what I should or should not be paying. I work in the healthcare sector, and am very savvy with all the hospital cost myself but every individual owns a different set of policies. I have seen how patients get turned away by the insurers or unable to get a definite answer from their agent on what is best for them when it comes to choosing their choice of class for admission.

Sorry to say but majority of the agents out there, will always tell you to give up your policies from other insurers so that you could purchase a new one from them. Chanel was the only one who tells you, PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL ANY POLICY WITHOUT SEEKING MY ADVICE!

Chanel provides you that personal touch, in a very subtle way. She has this aura to mark her presence in your life, that you would be drawn to open up to her. Insurance is just not about buying a paper, and to get your reimbursement back. It’s also about learning the little details in your life, the health or financial risk you are in, and for your agent to craft out a perfect plan for you so that you don’t have to worry for at least the 10 years.

I have recently finalized by retirement planning with Chanel, and she is probably the one and only person who could convince me that I will see my money and I will get my money (of course if I diligently pay up my policies timely). I am generally a super super safe player, worried that my insurance premiums will go to waste just like everyone else out there. Takes me lots of convincing and courage to take that first step out, and Chanel had managed to move this rock from a comfortable place to an even more comfortable one J Thank you Chanel, know that you are well appreciated not just as my insurance agent, but also a very well trusted friend!

Sharon Teo
Healthcare Sector

Gone above and beyond

Chanel has gone above and beyond her role as a senior financial consultant by tailoring to each of our individual needs while ensuring that our expectations are met. She is extremely sincere and genuine about helping others though providing professional advice and openly sharing her personal experiences to aid us in decision making. Through years of Chanel’s thoughtful guidance, we are grateful and proud to be able to attain our financial goals without compromising on our personal goals and interests. Chanel is a great listener, understanding with empathy and exhibits no judgement. Coupled with her many years of knowledge and experience in the industry, Chanel is trusted to provide the best service to her clients.

Khairul Azree & Lee Shufen

Cares about you more than anything

I met Chanel through my sister a couple of years ago and at first I was a bit skeptical about her thinking that she would be like other agents that just wanted to sell some products to me. However the first few times I met up with her, we never even once talked about any policies and instead we spent a good couple of meetings actually going through my finances and what I already had and from there, she started to help me find out what and how much I needed in order to achieve my dreams and desires. Since then, I have a very clear picture of how much i am covered and what will happen if something happens. She is also helping with my personal financial planning to achieve my dreams and goals while also helping with my family planning together with my wife.

To summarise, Chanel is a person who cares more about you more than anything. She is a friend I can trust to give me the best advice on anything financial and when in times of need, she is always there to lend a hand. She is more interested in how she can make your money really work for you especially in times of need.

Mark Lau

Informative and Relevant

I was referred to Chanel from my son Joseph about 6 years ago. The services provided by Chanel is informative and relevant. I will not hesitate to recommend Chanel to anyone!

Simon Lee

Nothing short of amazing

Hi Francis and Michelle,

Chanel has been a wonderful agent and friend. Always attending to my enquiries when I have any and making every review session very comfortable. She had been able to see what Is essential for me at different periods of my life. This journey with her has been nothing short of amazing. Thankful and grateful for this wonderful being. I would like for you to meet and have a discussion with her. I’m certain that she can make a difference to your life!

Love,
Babelyn Ong
Proud mother of 2

Patient and personable

Chanel and I met years ago through our common group of friends. Since being her client, I have learnt how to plan for the future, manage my spending habits better and the importance of medical coverage. She is patient and very personable. In our conversations, she has shared her own personal experiences which I appreciate. I would highly recommend her to the people I’m close to and encourage them to meet her with an open mind. Thank you Chanel for your time!

Yanie Tan
Proud mum to twins

Explain fully and follow up yearly

I met Chanel after receiving a cold call almost 8 years ago. She shares with me ideas on managing money as well as growing my wealth.

She keeps in touch regularly, provides yearly updates, explains existing policies and other areas of planning.

People should meet her as she will explain fully and follow up yearly.

Toh Bin Tee
Civil Engineer

Chanel became my servicing agent after my previous one left. I was not keen to meet her until my good friend Mavis, who is also her orphan client, encouraged me to.

Since meeting her, I find her to be patient, good at following up and trustworthy. I’m willing to do business with her. Every time we get together, I’m very comfortable to share and there’s nothing to hide.

She understands my needs and tailors solutions to them. She also updates me on new things. Chanel, thank you. I really appreciate your help.

Particia Teng
Business owner

Listens to our needs

I met Chanel as she is my replacing agent after the previous one left the company. Chanel is very caring and sincere to help in providing the best and suitable advise regarding my financial needs at the moment. She listens to our needs and provides just the right solutions for our family needs. She is also quick to help on some issues that I have regarding my current insurance. I would definitely recommend her to my friends and relatives.

Amelia
Proud mum of 2 boys
Business owner in Indonesia

Honest and does not hard sell

Chanel was our replacement servicing agent after our previous one left.

Chanel is very patient in explaining the details of the different policies. She puts in a lot of effort to prepare a comprehensive plan for both of us.

She is very responsible and reliable and is always there for us when we have any questions. She cares about her clients and is always looking for ways which can help her clients. She is honest and does not hard sell her products.
 
Chanel spent long hours doing our retirement planning for us. And she even went beyond to talk about estate planning and other important issues beyond insurance.

We know that she will greatly value add to the people we recommend to her as they can trust Chanel to come up with a comprehensive plan for them.
 
Chanel, we just want to say thank you for being such a reliable consultant who always gives well-grounded advise.

Shawn Hoe and Lee Shuxian

Honest and sincere

Hi everyone,

I met Chanel recently as she is my replacement servicing agent. When we met, she was keen to understand my situation before providing any advice for my medical and retirements needs.

She’s honest and sincere, and Im certain that she would value add everyone I know so if you’re thinking if you should meet her, I say to you 100% must meet!

To Chanel, thank you for your advice! It has helped me to plan forward confidently.

Regards,
See Eng Hang
Semi-retired

My confidante and a semi life coach

Hi Yi Wei, Mavis, Ann and Debra,

Meeting Chanel was the best thing that has happened to me. It was back in secondary school, where we became the best of friends.

Despite all the things people fed into her thoughts about my attitude towards people in my secondary school days, Chanel took the time to interact with me and chose to take a leap of faith and embark on a bestfriend-ship that we’d never imagined we'd have until today, and of course in the future.

Chanel is empathetic, practical, detailed in planning, intuitive, genuinely cares and is concerned about the people in her life, and of course a great mother to my godsons!

She has taught me to amplify my heart’s capacity to lots of people who entered my life and to be a truly present person to them, as she has always been to me.

Chanel not only aligns my financial plans in a concise manner; she's my confidante and a semi life coach, by highlighting my blindspots and what I do about it. She has also always been my greatest supporter in whatever decisions (usually only the right ones) I make. :)

She will always be the one who intuitively gets in touch with me despite her busy schedule, and always makes sure that I am never neglected.

I am recommending her to you and all of my family, friends and co-workers as I know she will greatly add value to all of you!

If you are still considering to meet her, I’d say just do it and experience the genuine interaction with her, and the magic she does to help people in her life 😊

I just want to say to Chanel - You're the best, the rock, a family member everyone should cherish!

Sincerely,
Cecilia Ho
Treasury Specialist, Transferwise

Knowledgeable and reassuring

Hi mummies,

I wanted to ensure that my daughter has a comprehensive education savings plan in place for her when she reaches the age for tertiary education. The plan was important because tertiary education is expensive, having gone through this journey myself.

I was even contemplating putting more into the plan as my degree cost 10 times more than the usual due to my medical training.

Unfortunately, the amount I was comfortable with did not match that of the total savings. However, I am still satisfied that my daughter will be comfortable covered during her tenure in university. More importantly, I do not have to allocate a lump sum for her education.

Chanel provided good advice as she was knowledgeable and reassuring. Being a mother herself, she was able to relate her thought process very clearly and succinctly. I have every confidence that what she suggested and brought to the table can be applied to my desire for coverage.

Sincerely,
Dr Weng Yanyi
Emergency Physician
Proud mum of 2

Genuine and Compassionate personality

Hi everyone,

I have been with Chanel ever since she started her career as a financial planner many years back and have never once looked back and regretted.

Chanel is not only my planner but she’s my best friend. She always provides well thought ideas and plans, and never fails to provide a listening ear.

I am a stay home mom and as a Mother herself, she knows how important savings are for my children as well as myself. Though I do not have a steady income, she makes sure I am able to save and invest at ease with maximum returns within my means without putting added financial strains on my pockets.

What touches me about Chanel is her genuine and compassionate personality and her dedication for the business. She is constantly trying to improve and establish herself to ensure that she is able to understand, recognise and thus assist us better. She is always positive and keen to share on experiences and advice.

I trust her foresight entirely and never once questioned her abilities to aid in the financial planning for my family and myself.

I would definitely encourage anyone or any of my friends to engage her if they ever need financial guidance for their future planning.

Best regards,
Chloe Chua
Homemaker
Proud mum of 2

Never looked back

Hi everyone,

I first engaged Chanel as my life planner when I was 25. 6 years later, I am truly grateful for the way my life has benefitted from it.

Chanel has seen me through many life milestones such as getting married, getting my first home and now, starting a family. Over the years, she has given me sound advice that was suitable for the different life experiences and also helped me prepare for them financially.

At the start, I had barely any coverage and did not see the importance of getting any protection. After talking to Chanel, I decided to get some basic plans and I have never looked back since. Her expertise and recommendation has benefitted me especially at this stage of my life when physical and financial health is of growing importance.

What I really appreciate about my meetings with Chanel is that she never recommends me something I do not need. Her advice is sincere and she puts effort to working within my financial means. I feel very blessed and comforted that I am well protected without a strain on my pocket. Recently, she spent hours with my husband and I to discuss and guide us on how we should prepare our changing finances to accomodate the new member of my family. We emerged from the meeting feeling well informed of our financial situation and better prepared for the new chapter in our lives.

I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking sincere and friendly counsel on how they can better protect themselves and their future.

Sincerely,
Chelsia Chan
Proud mum of 1

From strangers to close family friends

Hi everyone ,

I've known Chanel now for almost 4 years. What started out as just a client + advisor relationship has evolved into an extremely close friendship between 2 families. Her warm and caring approach towards helping her clients achieve their financial goals has absolutely changed my perceptions on financial planning as an industry. She is definitely WAY WAY MORE than just an insurance agent.

She was there to help me plan for my children's future, figure out how I can build a startup without harming my family's financial commitments, protect myself from most future health crisis and create a retirement plan empowered by my ability to choose what I want to do.

Chanel has been there for me every step of the way helping me to build a future filled with possibilities for myself and my loved ones. For anyone out there who is hoping to get started on planning for their financial future, you won't find anyone more dedicated than Ms Chanel Lee.

Sincerely ,
Jamie Liu
Data Team Lead at MoneySmart Group
Proud mum of 2