Financial Planning In The Wake Of COVID-19

Financial planning has never been an easy task, but the pandemic has made it even more difficult. Finance professionals are used to consistency and accuracy. They are not trained to plan for unclear economic conditions. No one is! The five-year plan that we are supposed to send to our supervisors is now completely out of the window.

How can you plan for your finances, if you do not know what is going to happen in the future?

#1: HAVE A ROBUST PLAN

You can better understand your financial resources such as investments and cash flows, if there is a robust financial plan in place. A comprehensive plan covers the ares of budgeting, investment, insurance, retirement, credit, and estate planning. When these areas are well covered in a sound financial plan, you have a greater clarity on how each financial decision affects another.

Specifically, the financial-planning team should focus on the following five steps: getting a clear view of the company’s position, building a fact base, aligning the financial plan to a concrete direction, determining the best moves, and identifying the trigger points that prompt businesses to adjust.

#2: KNOW WHERE TO START

Companies and individuals must know where to start. To get this, you need the support of experts. Together, you can see the historical and current financial trends. The January 2020 financial plan can be a good place to anchor on. This can help you to establish any assumptions that will need to change as a result of the pandemic.

#3: ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE POSITIVE CASH FLOW

Set up a realistic budget, which indicates your money inflows and outflows. Having an emergency fund that covers you for three months can ensure that you have enough liquidity to tide you and your dependents during financially difficult times. Doing so will give you some peace of mind even if you suffer temporary setbacks such as losing a job or are unable to make a living because you must be quarantined

#4: GET INSURANCE COVERAGE

Insurance is a means to cushion against financial losses and unexpected events. Find a suitable hospitalization and life insurance plan to cover your hospital bills and critical illnesses. There are also insurance plans that are related to growing your savings like endowment plans and investment-linked insurance plans.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Focus on what you can control. Set up a sound financial plan, carve a realistic budget, get insurance protection, diversify your investments, and commit to a long-term strategy to achieve our life goals.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Newbie’s Guide To Mobile Wallets In Singapore

Much like you, I constantly find myself in a sea of recommended YouTube videos. The other day, I chanced upon a GQ video, which highlighted an athlete’s collection of items that he cannot live without. He said that he cannot live without his phone. You see, his phone has a card casing. This phone casing stores his credit card and house keys. Gone are the days when you need to carry large wallets to stash all your valuables!

These days, everything you need can fit inside your pocket. Your mobile phone is a powerful device that can scan documents, track calories, book rides, and snap selfies. All you need to do is to instruct it. You may also download a mobile wallet.

When it comes to handling money matters, you can maximize your gadget by downloading a mobile payment app or a mobile wallet. Singapore’s unified QR code can accept payments from 27 digital methods such as GrabPay, AliPay, FavePay, Nets, PayLah! and Dash.

WHAT IS A MOBILE WALLET?

A mobile wallet is a virtual wallet that keeps payment information on your mobile device. It is a convenient and a cashless way to pay your bills. Whether you are paying for your lunch or splitting the bill with a friend, you can use your mobile wallet in Singapore and abroad. For instance, you may use UOB Mighty in Malaysia and Thailand. While, Alipay and WeChat Pay can be used globally.

WHERE CAN YOU USE THE MOBILE WALLETS?

#1: TO TRANSFER FUNDS INSTANTLY

Say that you went out for a quick grocery run with your friend. To split the bill, you may transfer money to his or her mobile number or NRIC/FIN that has been registered for DBS’ PayNow digital bank. You do not have to worry about getting the bank accounts right away!

#2: TO GIFT MONEY TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Did you just attend a virtual wedding thru Zoom? If you cannot figure out what to get for the couple, you can consider gifting a virtual red packet. Send money through your mobile wallet and the receipient will receive it immediately. It makes for an eco-friendly and a practical gift!

#3: TO RECEIVE CASHBACK AND REWARDS

If you frequently use your mobile wallet for purchasing your airline tickets or for cafe-hopping, you will most likely receive reward points or cashback benefits. You can save quite a lot of money by using the right mobile wallet.

#4: TO GET YOUR CRAVINGS SATISFIED

It is lunchtime and you have not cooked anything yet. Fortunately, there are several food apps that can deliver right in your doorstep. You do not have to endure long lines and to risk your health by going outside. Collect your food through the GrabFood app and pay it through GrabPay. GrabPay is rapidly adding and growing its network of partner merchants, as well as adding services like GrabFood and GrabDelivery.

#5: TO INSURE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Whether you are going of on a quick weekend retreat or a big adventure, buying travel insurance to cover unforeseen events can save you. You can purchase a travel insurance plan through the DBS PayLah! app just before your departure. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

#6: TO PAY BILLS

Several banking mobile payment apps allow you to pay your bills on time. Use your mobile wallet app to settle your phone bills, fitness club membership fees, insurance premiums, and more. You can do all these while you are outside or while you are inside your home.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Having a mobile wallet is necessary and helpful given the current situation. Simply ensure that you secure all your details before you use it. Stay safe!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Get covered for accidents and COVID-19 for less than $0.30/day

Get covered for COVID-19 and personal accidents for less than $0.30/day

Protect yourself and your family members from the impact of the novel coronavirus. The ongoing pandemic has means uncertainty for a lot of people. To cope with the health and financial challenges, SingSaver has launched a personal accident insurance policy with FWD to extend coverage for COVID-19.

The new and exclusive insurance product will cover infectious disease including COVID-19, Dengue, Zika and more at only $98/year — one of the cheapest in the market.

One of the highest limit/coverage for COVID-19

The policy offers coverage for the highest number of Infectious Diseases in the market. It also has the highest Death Benefits of $50,000; plus Guardian Angel Benefits and Funeral Expenses Benefits at $50,000 and $2,500 respectively.

That is not all. You will be covered with a $1,000 limit for inpatient and outpatient expenses and $25/day in hospital income for up to 365 days! ($50/day if you are admitted to ICU) Yes, you see it right. Insurance coverage for the entire year. (Most insurer has a higher daily hospital cash payout but has a cap of around 14 – 30 days)

With unlimited medical evacuation, you enjoy a peace of mind if you contract an infectious disease or met with a accident overseas.

No occupation loading

Working in an environment that carries more risk? Most insurers in the market impose occupation loading which increases the price by as much as 80%! You’d be glad to know that FWD does not impose occupation loading. (Yay, for frontline healthcare workers)

The plan also covers all personal accidents

The personal accident plan also covers all accidents. In the unfortunate event that there is an accident i.e. your Grab ride gets into a collision or a GrabFood rider on e-scooter knocks into you, you are well covered with this policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. For hospitalisation due to accidents and COVID, cost of ward stay is excluded right? (i.e. I’ll need to have medical insurance for that instead)
    Covid19 – SG govt covers the hospitalisation ward stay, so the $1K medical expenses is additional $ for you. For other infectious diseases and Accidents, your ward stay can be reimbursed via medishield life/ integrated shield plan (the $1K medical expenses is additional $ for you).
  2. The plan covers me for 1 year. Anything to note if I want to renew?
    Usually renewal or buying a PA policy will ask some questions like Age below 65, never excluded from any PA insurance
    applications previously, etc.
  3. Does it cover accidents arising from car accidents? i.e. my Grab ride gets into a collision, or a GrabFood rider on e-scooter knocks into me
    Yes, it covers ALL ACCIDENTS – as long as it is an accident.

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DBS/POSB customers and immediate family members enjoy FREE relief insurance coverage for COVID-19. Apply by 15 Mar 20

As part of DBS support for the Singapore community during this difficult period, they will be offering all DBS/POSB customers and their immediate family complimentary COVID-19 relief insurance coverage to further cushion affected patients’ expenses.

The COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy is a 30-day free coverage that provides a daily cash benefit for hospital confinement and a lump sum payout for ICU confinement in relation to the virus. It also provides worldwide coverage* for policyholders who must travel during this period.

Start your 30 days of free coverage under COVID-19 Hospital Cash by completing this online form by 15 March 2020.

Please note that each person can only be covered under one COVID-19 Hospital Cash policy.

(Note: Clicking on Apply now will redirect you to the DBS’s page)

Here’s a table showing the features and benefits:

Click here to find out more about the FAQs. Read the press release here.

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Is It Worth Getting A Variable Universal Life Insurance (VUL)?

As I was searching for a life insurance to protect myself and my family, I came across a type of product through the help of my financial advisor. She recommended getting the Variable Universal Life (VUL) insurance policy. I was drawn by the unique fusion of life insurance and investment.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with VUL, it is a type of life insurance policy with a built-in savings component (cash value). The cash value can be invested into different accounts consisting of mutual funds, bonds, or stocks. Associated with the savings component is a maximum cap and a minimum floor on the investment return.

What’s more? The premium you need to shell out is flexible. Flexibility is one of the advantages of having a VUL. Let us start with that.

FLEXIBLE PREMIUMS

Last week, I invited three experts to host a Financial Literacy Talk in our workplace. These experts discussed about the current economical state of the country as well as the investment and insurance options available in the market. One of the products that they highlighted was the VUL.

We all have different needs and different capabilities. However, that must not stop us to get an insurance. Fortunately, VUL’s premium can go up and down for several reasons. These reasons depend on your lifestyle and needs. For instance, you may consider to raise the death benefit as a breadwinner. Increasing your death benefit may require proof of “insurability”. Nonetheless, the performance of your cash value account may allow you to lower your premium.

BENEFICIAL DEATH

There is a considerable weight on the shoulders of the loved ones who have to go through loss. Money will never be able to replace someone’s presence, but it will help lessen the financial weight when going through a death of a family member. You need to avoid the double-whammy of losing someone and getting sucked into debt.

VUL offers both investment options, death benefits, and critical illness coverage. Study these elements before signing up.

VARIED INVESTMENTS

VUL has varied sub-accounts, which allow the investment of the cash value. Its function is similar to mutual fund with an array of stock and bond accounts along with a money market option. Some policies may restrict the number of transfers into and out of the funds.

Interestingly, VUL got its name from the varying results of investment in the ever-changing market. Keep in mind that exposure to market fluctuations can generate significant returns or substantial losses.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Let us move on the out-payments. You must ensure that you are insurable before implementing a strategy involving VUL or other life insurance policies. Several factors will affect the availability and cost of your life insurance. These factors include age, health conditions, and amount of insurance purchased. You see, life insurance have other charges attached to it. For instance, if a policy is surrendered prematurely, some policyholders may have income tax implications. Any guarantees associated with the policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments in the long run. Choose wisely.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that this VUL product is most applicable to American and European insurance issuer. Thank you.

Sources: 1 & 2

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