Once upon a time, there was a poor young man named David who just got married. The couple lived in a small farm. David wanted a better life for his wife and decided to venture out to find a better job. Before he left, he said to his wife,

“Dear, I will go and find a job that pays well so that both of us can have a better life. I am not sure how long I will be away but all I ask of you is to stay faithful and wait for my return.” The wife promised to do so.

And so, he left. David walked for many days until he met a farmer in need of help. The young man offered his services and was immediately given a job. However, David requested the following,

“Sir, I will work for you as long as possible but when I decided to return home, please do release me. In addition, please save up all my salaries until the day I decided to go. When I decided to go, please return me all the money.” He farmer agreed to his condition and let him worked at his farm.

Since then, David worked really hard for the next twenty years without taking any holidays.

The post A scary journey of money advices appeared first on SG Wealth Builder.

Most Singaporean investors who buy UOB shares (SGX: U11) also hold shares in DBS Group Holdings (SGX: D05) or OCBC Bank (SGX: O39). Personally, I have only invested in DBS and OCBC. Among our local banking trio, UOB stands out as the only bank that remains family-owned and family-managed.

The Wee family maintains a tight grip on UOB through investment vehicles like Wee Investments, alongside listed entities. Haw Par holds an 8% stake while UOL holds about 4% in UOB. In turn, UOB holds strategic stakes in both listed companies. Because UOB is family-owned and family-managed, the Wee family tends to adopt a conservative approach toward the bank’s balance sheet and capital management.

UOB also remains the only bank that sells physical gold. During the sharp run in gold prices that lasted from late 2025 to early 2026, UOB’s gold business must have been robust.

The post UOB share (SGX: U11) versus DBS Group Holdings (SGX: D05) appeared first on SG Wealth Builder.

For background, CICT (SGX: C38U) is the first and largest real estate investment trust (REIT) listed on SGX with a market capitalisation of $18.9 billion as at 30 June 2026. It debuted as CapitaLand Mall Trust in July 2002 and was renamed CICT in November 2020 following the merger with CapitaLand Commercial Trust. CICT’s portfolio comprises 21 properties in Singapore, two properties in Frankfurt, Germany, and three properties in Sydney, Australia. The portfolio property value amounts to $30.9 billion.

What is surprising to me is that the latest DPU growth was achieved despite an enlarged unit base following the April 2026’s mega private placement, which raised $750 million to fund the acquisition of Paragon. Despite the enlarged unit base, CICT unit price did not bomb out as many had expected. Instead, the counter continued to trade at a premium to its Net Asset Value (NAV) of $2.15.

The post CICT (SGX: C38U): The Unstoppable Fortress appeared first on SG Wealth Builder.

When even statutory boards and public sector functions streamline operations, it proves no job is truly an “iron rice bowl” in today’s context. Of course, you can also face retrenchment due to performance issues or shifting corporate priorities. Whatever the cause, losing your job is traumatic—especially in Singapore, where social status and identity are so closely linked to our careers. In this context, I am under no illusion that my job is safe.

Lately, I have been visualizing the scenario of being retrenched and stress-testing my family’s financial situation in the event of being laid off.

SG Wealth Builder has always advocated maintaining a 3 to 6-month emergency fund as your primary defense during a sudden layoff. Beyond relying on that initial cash buffer, here are practical moves to stretch your runway and protect your financial baseline:

1. Cut non-essential spending immediately.

The post Navigating Retrenchments in Singapore appeared first on SG Wealth Builder.

The October 2026 Singapore Savings Bond (SBOCT26) issue has officially broken out of its multi-month slumber, offering a 10-year average return of 2.32% p.a. and a first-year rate of 1.65% p.a. This marks a 14-month high for SSB yields, reaching levels not seen since August 2025.

Using my Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) account, I have bought SSB every year since 2022. My last entry was in 2025 when the average 10-year interest rate was 2.97%. Overall, my average 10-year interest rate for my SSBs portfolio stands at 3.07%. Though the October interest rates is at 14-month high, it is still not attractive for me to buy but I am monitoring the situation closely.

For cash-flow-conscious investors and retirees looking for a safe harbor to park emergency funds in Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS), this sudden comeback of SSB rates presents a compelling proposition. But before you rush to click “Apply” on your DBS/POSB, OCBC, or UOB internet banking portals, it is critical to step back, analyze the underlying macroeconomic forces driving this spike, and evaluate how this asset fits into your broader wealth preservation strategy.

The post Singapore Savings Bonds (SSB) Interest Rates Hit 14-Month High appeared first on SG Wealth Builder.