Question for those in their 30s and 40s: On hindsight, what are the top 5 things about finance you wish you had learnt/done during in your 20s?

Interesting question! Here are my 5 things:

1. top up my CPF SA. (don't be influenced by older people's prejudice that CPF is money that we can never get back)

2. monitor my finances and know my net worth (I used to pride myself as a natural saver and never cared too much about where my money was going.

3. don't buy insurance as a way of investment (I learnt the hard way that insurance should be separated from investment)

4. start investing earlier by buying ETFs

5. have a separate bank account that I would never touch at all costs. (its sole purpose is just to collect interest)

1) too many people are fixated on property which really isn't the best asset class to be honest. Focus on the type you need and manage the cost down, rather than look at it as an investment. The interest on the property loan is pretty much the killer of any returns.

2) spend within your means and avoid credit card and consumer financing debt at all costs.

3) Save money and buy the right types of insurance. Don't over insure. Set aside money (sinking fund) and budgeting helps you open your eyes to your priorities that you want with your money, than what everyone else is telling you what you should do.

4) don't invest on margin. Not worth the risk. It's the same as don't go casino when you are broke. Look around for the folks that got burnt on margin during the current sell off.

5) don't lend money to family or friends unless you expect nothing back. Up to 1k might be OK (1k is quite small in the whole scheme of life), but when they need to borrow money, their life and habits usually need a big change... Lending them money is actually bad for them... It's only delaying the inevitable, you might not get anything back, you will lose this relationship and probably never ever talk to them again... Personal experience - I lent money to a friend for him to file for bankruptcy and tide over a job change after he said he was sacked. I cancelled holidays and scrimped on meals to set aside this money for him, then later found out he wanted to use it to take his mistress to New Zealand. Not worth lending, right?

1) save more

2) spend less

3) learn investing early

4) set financial goals yearly

5) learn more ways to make income
I make videos about interesting stuff at youtube here​​​

1) I wish I start learning more about investing!

2) ...so that I know what I'm buying into and accumulate more.

3) Stop going on expensive holidays when I get my bonus. 😆

4) Network with more people in finance and investing.