13 February 2026
People often view managing their personal finances as a complicated process. In fact, it’s a lot more straightforward – it’s organising your money by establishing a budget that accounts for current expenditure, as well as building a strategy for the years ahead to achieve your financial goals. In this introductory article, we will outline the steps required to create a financial plan and highlight the importance of managing your money effectively.
1. Access your financial situation
Let’s start with a blank sheet of paper. Write down a summary of your assets. These can cover existing investments, savings, property, cash on deposit or cash in hand. You may subtract your liabilities, such as mortgage loans, to calculate your net worth.
Understanding your net worth is an important first step. It helps you assess where you currently stand financially, determine where you need to begin, and identify what is required to reach your goals.
2. Budgeting
Next, write down your income and list all your expenses to see how much is left over.
Different people have different spending patterns depending on lifestyle and family structure, but in general, expenses fall into three categories:
A budget surplus (income greater than expenses) is always preferable to a budget deficit. By being prudent now, you will have more resources to allocate toward longer term goals. Budgeting is also a good opportunity to “spring clean” your finances. For instance, look at items like unused subscriptions or the interest you are paying on a credit card or loan. In turn, check out transfer deals offered by card companies or attractive debt consolidation packages.
3. Set goals
By developing a clear understanding of your financial situation, you can define your short-, medium-, and/or long‑term goals. These goals should be quantifiable and concrete — not vague statements such as “make more money” or “have a good retirement.” Clear goals make it easier to establish a realistic time frame, develop a strategy, and monitor your progress.
4. Implementation
Now it is time to put your plan into action. Prioritise your financial needs and goals, and outline the specific steps/instruments required to achieve them — for example, setting up a regular savings plan, investing, or purchasing insurance products.
Ensure you understand the risks involved, know your responsibilities, and think carefully before making or adjusting decisions. To manage risk effectively, maintain a well diversified investment portfolio that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
5. Review your plan
You now have a budget and a clear set of goals, but remember that financial planning is fluid. Your individual circumstances, or even your goals, may change over time. That’s why it’s vital to regularly review and adjust your plan, so you could stay on track and continue moving towards your near and longer-term objectives.
Retirement Planning
Your goals may evolve, but it’s never too soon to begin planning for retirement. If needed, you could talk to a financial planner to find out how you can invest for your senior years and establish the best way to structure a balanced portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance level at different stages of life.
Investment Planning
Investment planning is one type of financial planning. A full financial plan gives you a roadmap toward your financial goals. Investment planning is like the engine of a car — it provides the power to move you along that roadmap toward your financial destinations. You don’t start with investments. You invest after you know where you want to go.
Insurance Planning
You may already have insurance plans in place, but will they cover unexpected costs, such as healthcare expenses? Explore relevant insurance plans that will remove another form of stress: uncertainty.
Estate Planning
You’ve worked hard all your life and reserve the right to decide what happens to your money and how it can be transferred to the next generation. Estate planning is the management of your assets should you become incapacitated or die. Examples of components include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance directives, life insurance, and cross-border structuring.
Significant Life Events Planning
Apart from retirement, what other significant life events should you prioritise and plan for ahead of time? For some, it’s funding a child’s education, while for others it’s buying a home, starting a business or paying for a wedding.
Dollar cost averaging: An easier way to withstand volatile markets
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Risk Diversification
There is no free lunch. But Risk Diversification comes close in investing. A diversified portfolio was shown to optimize returns with lower volatility in the long run.
Better income – Aim for higher, not the highest
If we focus too much on chasing the highest yield and upfront yield generation, we could suffer from early capital depletion and miss the total return opportunity towards the later stages of the investment journey.
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Singapore bonds posted strong performance in 2025 amid a raft of global challenges on the back of structural inflows and sovereign strength. In this 2026 Outlook, the Singapore Fixed Income team outlines the underlying fundamentals and catalysts supporting positive momentum for the asset class in the new year and why the market is increasingly seen as a sanctuary for investors in uncertain times.
2026 AP REITs Outlook: From Rate Relief to Growth Revival
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2026 Outlook Series: Global Equity Diversified Income
Equity market leadership could broaden in 2026 beyond mega-cap technology, creating opportunities across sectors and regions. Global economic growth is expected to stabilize, supported by fiscal spending and easing monetary policy in key markets. Europe and select Asian economies offer attractive valuations and improving fundamentals, complementing US resilience. Value and income-focused strategies may regain prominence alongside growth, supported by quality fundamentals. The Global Equity Diversified Income strategy is positioned for diversification across geographies, sectors, and styles, aiming for income and capital appreciation.
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