NOTG - Nuggets on the Go by PropertyLimBrothers

#82: Singles Scheme: Affordability, Housing Options, Reno Costs & Resale Concerns

This week on NOTG, Alexa, Yong Zhun, and Joan dive into the life of Charmaine, a typical 35-year-old at the end of her “Spring season”, who’s just trying to get her own place—kind of like Alexa! They chat about singles’ eligibility for HDB flats at this age and navigate through the various stages of property investment.
 
They explore Charmaine’s options, from HDB resale flats and 2-room BTOs to 1-bedroom condos. The team breaks down the pros and cons, from mortgage costs and rental income to location and future resale potential. They also highlight the perks of acting early in today’s booming property market.
 
Wrapping up, they dive into the nitty-gritty of living with tenants and renovating older flats versus the benefits of a 1-bedder condo. It’s all about making savvy, financially smart choices that fit a single-buyer’s goals and future stability!
 
Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:42 Introduction of Spring Persona03:23 Affordability check for most singles05:39 Singles comfortable staying with their parents06:52 BTO Option12:25 BTO Option Comparison view22:09 HDB Resale Option29:36 HDB Resale Option Comparison view34:30 1-Bedder Condo Option38:29 1-Bedder Condo Option Comparison view P141:14 Names stuck in the property45:46 1-Bedder Condo Option Comparison view P250:31 Closing thoughts55:18 Next Episode55:44 Outtakes

#81: Tackling Inflation, Transition From Faceless Content & Gen Z Housing Challenges

In part two of Melvin’s catch-up with The Weeblings, Sara and Aaron talk about how they tackle the high cost of living in Singapore, the significant challenges of saving for a house down payment, and the pervasive influence of social media on financial habits, highlighting how these factors shape their investment strategies.
 
Topics include breaking down miles versus cashback, giving tips on using cards like the DBS Women’s World Card and UOB Preferred Platinum Visa. Sara shares valuable tips on maximising rewards, managing multiple credit cards, and, crucially, avoiding the pitfalls of credit card debt.
 
The Weeblings address the challenges of the competition for BTO flats, and the impact of rising salaries on small businesses. They also discuss the cooling measures affecting property investments and the shift in housing plans among young Singaporeans, including preferences between BTO and resale flats. More on this concluding episode!
 
Timestamps00:00 Intro00:58 Getting recognised01:52 Credit card strategies (Miles/Cashback)06:33 Keep up with credit card rewards07:43 Best credit card for dining08:11 Fear of people copying online content10:30 Debt management12:15 Struggle of getting your first house in Singapore21:16 Live in a HDB forever?23:10 Will Cooling Measures hold prices next year?25:48 Melvin's investment strategy30:16 Future plans of The Weeblings32:36 First YouTube Channel37:28 Advice for young content creators38:36 Candor Cards39:20 What does Aaron want more than anything?43:01 Sara's biggest choice that changed her life?45:35 Closing thoughts46:02 Outtakes

#80: The Road to $1,000,000, the 4% rule & Social Media Impersonation!

In this episode of NOTG, Melvin Lim chats with The Weeblings about their content creation journey, which kicked off during COVID-19. Sarah and Aaron Wee talk about starting with multiple daily posts and eventually finding their groove with financial related content across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
The Weeblings, known by their audience for their goal of a $1 million investment target, dive into what led them into the world of finance and their aim for financial freedom with $2.5 million each by 40—following the 4% rule. They break down their investment strategies, from Aaron’s army days dabbling in crypto and stocks to focusing on value investing and dividends. They also discuss how US monetary policies affect their decisions, particularly when it comes to property investments in Singapore.
 
Aaron and Sarah also shared how their family's run-ins with financial scams shaped their approach to money. And on the discussion of scams, they highlight the importance of ethical financial advice and the constant battle with fake social media accounts impersonating them. Stay tuned and see what these siblings have to say about finance!
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro00:56 Content scheduling05:54 Is the Weeblings just a side hustle?06:38 Journey to a million dollars09:13 First investment12:48 Advice to fresh graduates for investment14:12 Investing methodology18:08 Following US news21:10 Aaron is fascinated about numbers23:08 Singapore interest rates increase, property prices also increase24:56 The current situation of buying your first property26:18 How Sara manage her money27:28 Fear of money32:10 View of retirement33:11 Their parents got scammed38:38 Fake Weeblings Channel / Telegram scams40:58 Money growing up45:34 Pursuing content creation full-time49:08 Monitising the Weebling brand53:36 View on cryptocurrency55:54 Part 2 teaser56:25 Outtakes

#79: BTO to Condo Upgrade Strategies, Cost Considerations & Lifestyle Trade-offs

In this second part of the four seasons framework discussion, Jesley, Jun Wei, and Melvin Lim dive into the Spring season of property investment—a time when life starts to bloom with new opportunities. Today, we’re focusing on the personas of a typical Singaporean couple at age 33, who are making the big leap from a BTO flat to a condo. Jun Wei’s got some real-world experience here that makes this topic super relatable.
 
We’re also taking a closer look at the nuts and bolts of property investments. Jesley and Melvin break down the financial benefits of splitting your investments, and they even bring out PLB’s proprietary ROI calculator to show how you can maximise returns from rental income, manage expenses, and grow your capital gains. They use a real couple’s journey to show exactly how this plays out—because seeing the numbers in action makes all the difference.
 
To wrap it up, the team compares different investment strategies, digging into case studies that highlight the differences in rental yield and capital appreciation when you invest in one big condo versus two smaller ones. This is essential stuff for anyone thinking about upgrading their home, balancing the need for more space with the potential for better financial outcomes.

#78: First-time Buyer Dilemmas, Making The Wrong Initial Decisions & Rentvesting

NOTG Banter is back! Jesley and Jun Wei, Listing Managers at PropertyLimBrothers, joins Melvin Lim for an engaging discussion focusing on the four seasons framework for property investment, exploring how different stages of life impact investment strategies.
 
Seven buyer personas will be examined over the next six months, starting with Wayne and Joanne, a young couple navigating the complexities of their first property purchase. With a combined income of $8,000, they face the common fears and challenges that many first-time buyers experience, such as securing a BTO and dealing with conflicting advice. The team shares case studies and highlights alternative strategies, emphasising the importance of informed decision-making and future planning in property investment.
 
Stay tuned for more insights into the financial implications of various property decisions, “rentvesting”, and the strategic importance of layouts and the future competition between properties. They also discuss leveraging bank loans and clarify the legality and sensitivity of the 99-1 ownership scheme for asset progression.
 
(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:50) New Launch Convention Recap(00:02:04) 4 seasons of investing in property(00:07:58) Introduction of all personas(00:10:13) Introduction of Wayne & Joanne (Persona A - 1st Time Buyer)(00:16:24) Age 27+ / How long should you wait for a BTO attempt(00:18:51) Case study(00:26:47) "Showing of funds"(00:29:38) 99-1 ("Big Hoo-ha")(00:31:57) 99-1 Things NOT allowed(00:34:12) 99-1 What is allowed(00:35:23) Case study decision / "Rentvesting"(00:40:06) Couples with no kids splitting a property(00:43:22) What if there was no input of $700K?(00:47:15) Consider looking at ECs(00:47:50) What will condos compete on in the future?(00:48:59) Hundred Palms 3-Bedder efficient floorplan layout(00:57:17) Strategy for high-income earners below 35 years old(00:58:16) Persona B - HDB Upgrader Teaser(00:58:45) Outtakes

#77: Credit Card Hacks, Cashback vs Miles and AI in Credit Cards

Part 2 of Melvin Lim’s chat with Seth Wee from Sethisfy dives into the nitty-gritty of credit card rewards. He breaks down when to go for cashback or miles, explaining the financial logic behind each choice and how you can maximise your credit card benefits. Seth also tackles the opportunity cost of travel rewards and shares pro tips for getting the best bang for your buck.
 
But that’s not all—Seth reveals some savvy credit card hacks, like manufactured spending and using intermediary services to supercharge your rewards. He opens up about balancing a full-time job with a side hustle in credit card content creation, giving insights into time management and how to monetise your skills. Plus, he gives advice for young professionals on holistic financial planning and smart investing.
 
Seth also looks to the future, sharing his thoughts on the role of AI and tech advancements. He talks about AI potentially surpassing human intelligence and its current use in recommending credit cards, while stressing that human expertise is still crucial for the best advice. All these and more on this concluding episode of NOTG with Seth from Sethisfy!(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:38) Against credit cards(00:02:18) Ways to monitor all your credit cards(00:03:33) Does the amount of credit cards affect credit rating?(00:05:15) Credit card strategies(00:06:10) Miles or Cashback(00:10:06) Not paying for your next flight(00:10:16) Selling off your miles(00:11:31) Credit card hacks / manufactured spending(00:15:55) Managing credit cards(00:17:35) Promos and deals(00:18:50) Sethisfy telegram channel(00:19:46) Monitising Sethisfy YouTube channel(00:20:13) Day job(00:23:21) Advice for fresh graduates(00:25:22) Becoming a content creator(00:26:19) 5 years plan(00:27:19) Other investments(00:29:41) Mentors(00:31:01) Future of AI(00:34:04) Closing thoughts(00:34:41) Outtakes

#76: Business Partnership Fallouts, Starting Sethisfy & The Top 3 Credit Cards

This week on NOTG, Melvin Lim, Co-Founder & CEO of PropertyLimBrothers, chats with Seth Wee from Sethisfy. Seth shares his journey from telemarketer to financial advisor, focusing on how his fee-only model eliminates commission-based conflicts and ensures unbiased advice.
 
Seth highlights how his expertise in financial planning complements his personal finance YouTube channel. He provides valuable insights into optimising credit card usage, discussing the best credit cards for cashback and miles, and the importance of staying updated on new offers.
 
Seth also shares lessons from his business ventures, including the significance of choosing the right partners and having clear dispute resolution mechanisms. His experience and advice make for a compelling and informative episode.
 
(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:40) Education background(00:03:18 Self-employed parents(00:04:17) Sethisfy(00:05:24) Being an insurance agent(00:17:06) Start of Sethisfy Youtube Channel(00:18:00) Commissions of Insurance / Tuition business(00:25:10) Tuition business status(00:28:09) Optimal number of share holders(00:29:42) First blog(00:30:31) Why sign up for a credit card(00:32:00) Best credit cards to get in 2024(00:34:34) Part 2 Teaser(00:34:45) Outtakes

#75: Building A Personal Brand, Finding Your Niche & Lessons from a Failed Business

If you’re into financial related content, you might have come across our next guest!
 
In this episode of NOTG, Melvin Lim speaks to Josh Tan, founder ofThe Astute Parent. Josh shares his journey from starting his YouTube channel in 2015 to becoming a trusted financial advisor. He discusses overcoming self-doubt, scaling his brand, and the importance of consistency in achieving long-term goals.
 
Josh elaborates on his distinctive route in financial planning, which began during his undergraduate years and led him to choose a self-employed path. Over time, his focus evolved from basic savings and insurance plans to comprehensive retirement planning, highlighting the importance of aligning one’s online presence with their area of expertise and maintaining consistency in social media messaging.
 
Find out more about Josh strategies on managing financial stages, as he shares advice, case studies and lessons from his (failed) entrepreneurial journey, on this episode of NOTG!
 
Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:48 YouTube Channel Journey02:44 Financial Planning Journey04:42 First niche08:40 Mid 20s financial advice12:54 Seasons of life16:17 Approaching retirement20:24 Is their a formula for retirement?22:09 Good habits23:34 Insurance recommendations28:24 Life insurance for kids30:17 Life or Term?32:36 Allocating your cash for Insurance, Investing, Savings, ETC...35:13 Consuming Policies37:07 Residential loan to retirement38:43 Inheriting a big property41:07 Are you too optimistic on real estate?46:12 Sharing personal journey online50:40 Planning your inheritance54:41 Paying off your outstanding debt with your inheritance01:00:00 Remembering cases of customers01:01:28 Current company01:02:17 PromiseLand01:02:24 Why TheAstuteParent?01:06:06 Ice cream business mistakes01:13:58 Meaning of money?01:18:05 The next step01:19:09 Advice for parents01:20:37 Tax planning and stocks01:23:50 What professional skill are you currently working on?01:25:12 What title would you give this chapter in your life?01:26:56 Work life balance01:33:36 Outtakes

#74: The 5-year Cycle. Market Stability & Timing Your Investment

Welcome back to NOTG whiteboard sessions with Melvin Lim from PropertyLimBrothers! In this episode, Melvin discusses why new launch buyers prefer fresh projects, introducing the 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) concept in relation to land acquisition and the 5-year property cycle. He explains how these cycles impact pricing and investment decisions, providing valuable insights for timing your property investments.
 
The session highlights the median PSF of non-landed private new sales by region, showing significant price increases and the effects of past en bloc projects. Melvin covers our government’s controlled release of land to manage property prices and discusses the ownership distribution of private properties, emphasising the niche market for condos and apartments. He also explains how cooling measures like SSD and the revised ABSD have increased the average holding period of properties, stabilising the market and reducing quick sales.
 
Curious about the future of property prices? Wondering how the decline in en bloc projects and new charges affect the market? Interested in why developers prefer GLS for its cleaner process? Melvin answers these questions and more!
 
Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:44 New whiteboard01:11 Whiteboard Session Recap01:40 4 seasons of land acquisition & 5 year cycle04:36 New Launch sales by region05:18 Era of HUDC en block projects06:36 PSF surged to +$400 PSF in 202407:18 Non-Landed supply09:53 Non-Landed ownership distribution10:49 Non-Landed supply changes year-to-year11:14 En blocs are at an all-time low.12:01 Average holding period13:07 Stable supply13:37 +$400 PSF every 5 years16:52 Applying the 4 seasons to the 5-years cycle18:04 Seasons of where to expect new PSF benchmark19:36 Preparation for each season20:16 Summary21:11 Outtakes

#73: How To Budget, The Art of Self Reliance & Investment Diversification

Join Melvin Lim, Co-founder and CEO of PropertyLimBrothers, as he catches up Dawn Fiona, a.k.a SG Budget Babe! Dawn shares her journey of financial empowerment, having saved $20,000 in just one year on a modest ~$2,000 take-home monthly salary through disciplined savings strategies, not investments. 
 
What began in 2014 as a blog born out of boredom evolved into a platform focusing on finance, driven by Dawn's passion for writing and client engagement.Despite juggling roles, including teaching tuition to supplement income and covering parental allowances and insurance, Dawn found joy in educating others, viewing it as a passion rather than merely a means to an end. 
 
In 2022, she transitioned focus to a new business venture, balancing entrepreneurial pursuits with family responsibilities, including teaching tuition even through pregnancy. Dawn's insights on financial literacy for fresh graduates, emphasising debt clearance, emergency savings, and insurance planning, provide valuable guidance for navigating early adulthood challenges. Find out more about what drives and keeps SG Budget Babe driven, on this special episode of NOTG!
 
Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:33 Start of blogging04:33 Side hustle mindset07:18 Fiona Dawn Cher fitness journey turn into business opportunity10:01 Teaching at home / Falling down the overhead bridge11:47 First finance article went viral13:13 Fresh graduate financial advice (Importance of insurance)14:15 Insurance to get18:27 Cut down debts as fast as possible19:40 Seasons of life29:14 Risk of retrenchment33:33 Will AI replace jobs?37:36 AI Investing39:11 Budgeting in the 20s42:09 Risk of Cryptocurrency42:58 Allocated budget for investing45:25 Knowledge of investing51:58 Checklist before investing55:22 Time analysing stocks / Fear of investing01:01:43 Time to sell a stock01:05:55 Meaning of money01:14:21 Meaning of money in your 40s01:17:08 Dealing with retrenchment01:20:53 Retire at 4501:24:43 Top three books01:28:17 Personal Growth from teaching and writing01:29:50 Work-life balance