Tey Ghee Kwan

05/07/2025

I used to be a teacher. It was one of those “iron rice bowl” jobs — stable, predictable, and something most people wouldn’t think of leaving. I didn’t leave because I was afraid of being retrenched. That was never really a concern.

But over time, I started to ask myself — is this it? Waking up, rushing through the day, repeating the same routine, year after year.

I wanted a career that gave me more room to grow, more flexibility, and the chance to build something that actually aligned with the life I wanted. That’s how I ended up in financial consulting.

It wasn’t a snap decision. It took me a while to figure out what I really wanted. But I’m glad I took the first step.

Saw this article recently about fresh grads and mid-career folks struggling to get hired or getting retrenched, and it reminded me again how important it is to take control of your own path, before you’re forced to.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/big-read/fresh-graduates-retrenched-workers-job-market-5217811

Just yesterday, I met up with a client who’s been a homemaker for years.
She decided to join me after applying for job after job, and not even landing a single interview.

If you’re at a point where you’re rethinking what you want for your career, I’m happy to share what worked for me.

Just pm me — no pressure, just a chat 🙂

04/07/2025

02/07/2025

Not All Growth Is Visible

Some clients feel like they’re “not doing enough” because their net worth didn’t double this year.
But here's the thing — not all growth shows up on a spreadsheet.

Sometimes it can simply be finally clearing your high-interest debt.
Sometimes it can be simply starting a regular investment habit after years of procrastination.
Sometimes it can be just having clarity on where your money is going.

Financial progress isn’t always dramatic.
But it’s often these quieter milestones that set you up for long-term wins.

30/06/2025

More isn’t always more.

There was a time when I believed working harder would automatically lead to better results.
Put in more hours, take on more responsibility, keep pushing… and eventually, things will get better. Right?

But after years of doing just that in my previous career, I realised I was getting busier, not wealthier.
My time wasn’t mine. And the “reward” was just more work.

That was the turning point. I started looking for something that could offer growth without burning out.

Financial consulting gave me a new perspective. I’m still working hard—but this time, I see real returns. In both income and lifestyle.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re giving your all but still stuck in the same spot, maybe it’s time to explore something new.

26/06/2025

𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.

It’s normal to feel uncertain — about market crashes, losing money, or “getting it wrong.”

But the real risk isn’t investing. It’s doing nothing and letting inflation quietly erode your savings.

Over the years, I’ve guided clients through the Global Financial Crisis and the Covid-19 crash. I’ve seen markets fall — and rise again stronger.
What made the difference wasn’t timing — it was staying invested with a solid plan.

You don’t need to know everything to begin. You just need to begin with someone who’s been there.

25/06/2025

Is CPF LIFE the Best Retirement Plan You’ll Ever Have? 🤔

CPF LIFE is often praised for its stability, government guarantee, and lifelong payouts. And rightfully so — it provides a safety net that many countries don’t even offer.

But here’s a question worth exploring:
Is CPF LIFE the only or even the best plan for your retirement income?

What if you could create a customised plan that:
- Provides higher monthly payouts
- Offers greater flexibility (e.g. leaving a legacy for your children)
- Or even adjusts to your changing lifestyle needs in retirement?

Of course, CPF LIFE is not bad — in fact, it’s a very solid foundation. But just like how one investment doesn’t make a portfolio, relying solely on CPF LIFE might not give you the freedom or options you really want in retirement.

The truth is, there are ways to complement or even outperform CPF LIFE — but it requires proper planning, and a good understanding of trade-offs like liquidity, risk, and returns.

Have you thought about how CPF LIFE fits into your overall retirement strategy?

21/06/2025

I came across the news about Standard Chartered cutting over 100 roles, some of which are in Singapore. It’s never easy seeing jobs get moved offshore, especially when many of those affected have built solid careers in the bank.

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/standard-chartered-cuts-jobs-in-singapore-moves-them-to-india

As someone who speaks to young professionals often, I’ve noticed a common sentiment—especially among those who studied finance. Many aspire to work in banks or asset management firms because it feels like the “right” path. It’s seen as a mark of success. I completely understand that. I felt the same when I first started out.

But over time, I started to question that mindset.

The truth is, even the most prestigious jobs don’t come with real security anymore. Restructuring, automation, and cost-cutting are affecting every level—regardless of how talented or hardworking you are.

That’s what led me to explore financial consulting.

It wasn’t a decision I made overnight, but it gave me something I never had before—control over my own time, income, and future. I could build something meaningful and still apply everything I learned from my background in finance.

If you’re someone who’s starting to question the traditional path or just want to explore what else is possible, I’m happy to share more about what I do.

Just drop me a message if you'd like to chat.

20/06/2025

Over the years, I’ve sat across from many clients who came to me after a financial mistake — usually involving an investment that promised high returns.

Sometimes it’s a friend’s recommendation. Other times, it’s a polished sales pitch backed by flashy brochures, impressive-sounding terms, and charts that only go up.

And often, the only thing people were really sold on… was the number.

10% annual returns. Guaranteed payouts. Zero risk.

It all sounds familiar because we’ve heard it before.

Remember Geneva Gold? Sunshine Empire? They promised the same thing — great returns, no downside. And for a while, it looked like they were delivering. Until the music stopped, and many people lost their life savings.

Now I’m not saying every product that offers high returns is a scam. But history has shown us that greed can cloud judgment.

And when you’re pitched something that sounds too good to be true — it usually is.

Whenever I sit with a client, I remind them to ask better questions:

- Where does the return actually come from?

- What are the underlying risks?

- Who is regulating this?

And most importantly — does it even fit into your overall plan?

Because even a legitimate product, if misunderstood or misused, can still do harm.

Wealth isn’t built by chasing what’s hot right now. It’s built by making informed, deliberate decisions — again and again — over time.

So the next time something “amazing” comes across your inbox or WhatsApp group chat… pause. Get a second opinion.

If it really is as good as it sounds, it’ll hold up to scrutiny.