How should an NSF like me grow my wealth? There are so many options such as investing in ETFs, putting my money in Robo-advisors or insurance savings plan (such as the Singlife 2.5% p.a.).?

Investment Objective

Before you start investing, it will be best to understand your objective. Here are some questions to help you:

1. What is your capital?

2. How will you want to invest your capital? E.g. lump sum or an amount on a regular basis

3. How long will you want to stay invested? E.g. 10 years

4. What is your risk appetite? E.g. How do you feel about short-term volatility?

5. What is your objective for investing?

With a well-defined investment objective, we will conduct regular portfolio reviews to evaluate whether our portfolio remains on track. Otherwise, we may have to make adjustments in order to reach your goal.

Professional Advice

Next, you need to determine whether you possess the knowledge, skills, experience and time to invest on your own. Otherwise, evaluate whether you will be open to seek professional advice, e.g. through expertise from global investment firms like Mercer, BlackRock.

Financial Instrument

On the whole, there are various financial instruments that we can invest your money into, e.g. bonds, equity, real estate, commodities. Each instrument has its set of investment risk.

More Details:

Types of Investment Risk that You should know

The onus will be on you to do proper research, or to get trusted advice from a professional.

I share quality content on estate planning and financial planning here.

If you do not intend to touch your wealth in many years' time e.g. at least 10 years, feel free to put them into robo-advisors at any medium to max risk possible.

If you intend to touch them in 5 or fewer years' time (for BTO etc), either put them in robo-advisors with a lower proportion of equities or insurance savings.

As for touching them between 6 to 9 years' time, it depends on your risk appetite...

Your investment budget should only come from cash that you are fine without.