Sorry for not being influencer enough, lah.
Last week, DollarsandSense compiled a list of sharing from some of Singapore’s Financial Influencers. Surprisingly, not a single one of them has ever had a MAS license for influencing, particularly if you ever have to take serious responsibility for someone you influence. Naturally - Money Maverick has asked some of Singapore’s Financial Consultants - people from various other firms and specialties. Thankfully, every single one of the following operates ethically and competently.
Aside from their own unique brand of influencing - through Facebook groups, Instagram, Blogs, Telegram and the like, I actually have quite a lot of respect for them and the impact they have on people's lives.
Here's some of their reflections, lessons, resolutions…
You get it.
Hariz Arthur Maloy
Independent Financial Advisor Representative at Promiseland Independent
https://seedly.sg/profile/hariz-arthur-maloy
No # preference, but probably #seedlygod [inserted here by Money Maverick]
#1 Looking back, how was the 2019 for you – in terms of personal finance, investment portfolio, etc?
Reliance on cold prospecting methods from Facebook has been less important - a good chunk of business has come from readers of my contributions on the Seedly Q&A, FB groups, and even from some telegram finance channels.
I've maintained my stance on not soliciting and getting people to PM me for no reason, so this influx has been a pleasant surprise. I would say I'd get message requests on fb, or random emails or telegram chats at least twice or thrice a week.
I've continued work around the region to support and improve one another in the communities I’m involved in.
But I'm glad the year is coming to an end. I could've have worked harder especially at the start of 2019, and I want to go through a full year working hard.
#2 What are the biggest lessons you learnt from 2019?
Strength in numbers - I've had the opportunity to be contributing to various communities consisting of both regular Joe's and a few enthusiasts, to expert groups, to rubbing shoulders with the CEOs of advisory firms, insurers, even international insurance organisations.
We're all here to understand how to have a better life for ourselves and our loved ones with better use of money and resources. Everyone needs help.
And I'm just glad some of them have chosen me as a trusted professional and practitioner to assist, but I can't help everyone. We need to learn to help each other more effectively at a community level.
#3 What are your personal resolutions (finance or otherwise) for 2020?
I want to launch my book (that I've been procrastinating on since September) to be out before the end of the first quarter of 2020.
I want to also start my podcast. Something casual, not too technical. Just good conversations on things we can do to improve our financial health.
And I believe lastly, to get into the credit card game. I've had bad flashbacks to just a few years ago when I was struggling to pay my education loan, affecting my credit score and my BTO application. Bad times.
But I've been missing out. Since I expect to travel a lot more this coming year, I should be getting rewarded for it. Saving on our spending even by 3-5% adds up. And the miles game is fascinating.
Riley Koh
Riley Financial Planning
https://www.facebook.com/rileylivegreat/
#1 Looking back, how was the 2019 for you – in terms of personal finance, investment portfolio, and Riley Financial Planning?
2019 was pretty alright. There's been a boost in personal savings, but not up to expected growth yet.
In addition to learning how to offer a wider range of accumulation plans successfully, I’m proud to say I'm settled for risk management (at this stage-for now!)
For Riley Financial Planning, I've decided to gear more towards a combination of lifestyle + finance and motivating myself to step out of my comfort zone by doing more branding (RileyLivegreat)
Will learn to incorporate more of personal styling into it so as to have my own unique USP.
#2 What are the biggest lessons you learnt from 2019?
Never ever be complacent and procrastination kills.
Attended my first MDRT conference and was overwhelmed by the utmost enthusiasm and learning spirits of the giants. Sometimes I tend to slip into my comfort zone and end up achieving my goals at a later phrase, but time waits for no one.
Keep progressing, and always have belief in yourself.
#3 What are your personal resolutions (finance or otherwise) for 2020?
Setting more time for myself and my loved ones as I'm quite a workaholic. (Love what you do so you won't think it's work!)
At the same time increasing my personal savings by 20% so that my savings won't dip after the wedding expenses. Also looking forward to deploying more funds into investments so as to grow my passive income pot.
Lean Jun Xian Investment Therapy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/investmenttherapy/
#1 Looking back, how was the 2019 for you – in terms of personal finance, investment portfolio, and Investment Therapy?
After having a good return from 2018 with my personal short term trading, I think I have pushed my luck too far to expect the same kind of return in 2019. I was lucky to have diversified my long term and short term investment separately, although I might have took off some profit from my long term investment because of the seemingly confused market in 2019.
#2 What are the biggest lessons you learnt from 2019?
This is the first time that I am fully exposed to re-investment risk as I was fearful of the market volatility. Instead of adding more capital to it, I started to take off profit (it does not mean right or wrong). I invest almost nothing for my 2nd half of 2019, except continuing to re-invest my REITs dividends to buy more share units.
I am seeing a very interesting era where countries are maintaining very low interest rate, some with zero or even negative rates. I also realize that journey of learning investment does not stop after you start making profit.
Times change. So does the market, too.
#3 What are your personal resolutions (finance or otherwise) for 2020?
Planning to work hard for my active income and waiting patiently for the next opportunity to come.