Today, I would like to discuss a topic that pops up on ? every now and then — designer bags. As you can imagine, there’s no shortage of posts and comments throwing shade at those who indulge in these luxury treats, from accusing them of flexing to questioning their sanity for splurging on what’s essentially a bunch of logos. Ouch ..read more

From diversifying across asset classes to within equities, this article unravels the key components of building a diversified portfolio to help you achieve long-term success in the dynamic world of investing ..read more

This is the first instalment of a two-part series on portfolio diversification. Part 1 examines the advantages and disadvantages of diversification in investing while Part 2 touches on ways you can diversify your portfolio.  Investing is a perpetual balancing act of risk and reward that requires careful planning and implementation. One way to maintain balance is to spread your investments across a variety of assets. This strategy is known as diversification. In the world of investing where uncertainty is the only certainty, diversification plays a vital role in reducing risk and increasin ..read more

In 2019, Mr Wow and I decided it was time to write our wills. When we told a friend about it, his immediate response was, “What for? You guys don’t even have kids.” Interestingly, despite having two kids himself, he didn’t have a will then (I’m not sure if he has made one since). When I asked him about it, he simply said, “I don’t see the hurry.” Ok… let’s tackle this “no hurry” mindset first. The Eisenhower Matrix, a simple but effective decision-making tool, splits tasks into four categories: I think many folks classify making a will as important but not urgent, which often leads to procra ..read more

When it comes to social media, you’ll find Mrs Wow (aka Lynn) buzzing around ? more than anywhere else. It’s her go-to spot to meet and hang out with fellow finance enthusiasts.  Although I’m not on ? myself, Mrs Wow always keeps me up to date with all the latest happenings, including the cool people she meets. Recently, she introduced me to two of them, who were kind enough to share their investment wisdom with us.  This article is presented in the style of an interview, with me asking the same questions to: JJ (North America) Rafael (Europe) Mrs Wow (Asia) Since the three of the ..read more

Mr Wow and I officially retired in February 2020. Can’t believe it’s been four years! It’s true that time flies when you’re having fun!  Anyway, I was reminiscing about our wealth building journey the other day and thought it appropriate to write something about the topic this month. As usual, I’ll be sharing our experience where relevant, in the hope that it might help you in some way.  In the pursuit of a fulfilling and abundant life, the importance of wealth accumulation cannot be overstated. Beyond mere material possessions, wealth provides security, gives us more freedom and cho ..read more

Let’s start with a short tale about a small fish from a small pond. It goes something like this: There once lived a small fish in a small pond. The small pond was just next to the massive sea, separated by narrow barriers of land. If the small fish wanted to, he could with some effort leap from the small pond into the neighbouring sea. But of course he didn’t. Why would he? The small pond was home and he felt safe and secure. Even when the weather got nasty and the waves crashed against the rocky barriers with a vengeance, the small pond and its inhabitants remained isolated from the chaos. Th ..read more

We are delighted to welcome our guest contributor, Rafael (aka Shield Investor) who will be sharing his experience moving from Lisbon to London. In recent years, Portugal has become an increasingly popular destination for relocation. The Internet has no shortage of useful information on moving from the UK to Portugal, but seldom have I come across articles that cover the other way around. So, this is what I will be sharing today: my personal experience relocating from Lisbon, Portugal to London, UK. Why I Relocated from Lisbon to London Cost of Rent in London vs Lisbon Cost of Utilities in Lo ..read more

Happy 2024! Cheers to a new year and positive new beginnings!  This year, I, Mrs Wow, resolve to exercise five times a week and have more fun in life.  What about you? Whatever you set out to accomplish, I know an incredible journey lies ahead of you.  If you feel the need for a dose of motivation, here are 10 uplifting quotes that will empower you to work towards your aspirations and bring them to fruition. 1. The best way to predict your future is to create it. — Abraham Lincoln Are you a mere spectator or an active participant in your own life? The truth is, many people are ..read more

It’s been a privilege for Mrs Wow to be featured in the December 2023 issue of the UK-based Shield’s Investing Newsletter. With the kind permission of the author, Rafael, here’s the interview for our readers. Hope you enjoy it! FIRE. Financial Independence, Retire Early. A concept many pray to achieve, but very few get there. Lynn, tell me a little bit about your background: where are you originally from and how did you find out about what is money and investing in the first place? I’m a Singaporean, 46, married for 22 years, no kids. My hubby and I achieved FIRE in early 2020. Prior to t ..read more