Hi, I've emergency savings, purchased SSB and a unit trust. I'm also saving for a house. Is my financial portfolio diverse enough at the moment or should I invest in REITs/stocks? I'm stuck between putting my money into savings or investing?

Question

Brandan Chen · Accepted Answer

Since you already have your emergency funds, it would be good to focus on building your portfolio.

Would suggest you set up another savings account for discretionary spending (your wants, travelling etc) and put the rest into investing for the future!

Yong Kah Hwee · Answer

Good job having your emergency savings.

You'll need to calculate your expenditures for the house. Do you need any huge amount of money for it? If so, save your money for the huge expenditure first before investing.

I would suggest splitting up your money, putting some into stocks and some into REITs. Maybe do some research and find out what you'll putting your money into first! :)

Serene Toh · Answer

Congratulation. Have you purchased any insurance? That's the only essential that I can spot missing from your list. You can consider an insurance cum savings policy (not sure if there are any good ones out there now, I bought mine eons ago).

Luke Ho · Answer

Hi, Luke here. I'm a Financial Advisor and an investment specialist.

It's great that you have SSB and emergency savings set aside. I'm assuming from the choice of words - saving for a house - that you haven't placed the downpayment on it yet.

Your portfolio is only as diverse as you NEED it to be. So if you're saving for a house, your portfolio stays diverse but it probably leans more towards cash or CPF. In order to decide whether you should be saving or investing, you need to have solid, quantifiable numbers.

Let's address the house first

1) What house are you aiming for? a) downpayment  b) subsequent payment methods c) how much liquid money you need to put aside to achieve this?

From there, look at the investment

1) For your unit trust, which sector/asset allocation is it in? Is what you plan on buying e.g. REITs etc   having an similar relationship to your current unit trust?

Do run through the questions and then with your budget, allocate your priority accordingly and then invest the rest!

I'd love to advise on this as my field of specialty. You can always reach me here.

https://www.facebook.com/luke.ho.54

Ck Chai · Answer

Agree with Brandon, aside for emergency fund, it will be good to have another savings account for discretionary spending so that you can buffer for spending on travelling and special occasions and on your wants, etc.  Can spend a bit of time or even go for a course to learn more about investments, access your risk profile before deciding what else to invest in, with the remaining money.

Hi, I've emergency savings, purchased SSB and a unit trust. I'm also saving for a house. Is my financial portfolio diverse enough at the moment or should I invest in REITs/stocks? I'm stuck between putting my money into savings or investing?

Answers (5)

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