Here's how women can get started on their investment journey to freedom
The Straits Times|September 29, 2024
Instead of following trends, think about how to structure your portfolio to meet life goals
Alyssa Woo
Here's how women can get started on their investment journey to freedom

I was taken by surprise recently when a younger colleague confessed that while she is unfamiliar about S&P stocks, she invests in them anyway because all her friends were doing it.

“I don't know much about it, but all my friends said it is safe and has made them money, so I'm okay with investing,” she said.

This was during a conversation I had with a few others about their financial confidence and money matters. Apparently, she is not alone.

A 2023 study by American financial services company Fidelity found that only a third (31 per cent) of women in Singapore are comfortable with investing, with 33 per cent confident about their financial situation compared with 41 per cent of men. It also found that 75 per cent of women in Singapore are anxious about their ability to save and invest.

This is not to say that women refuse to learn how to invest or do not know how to manage their money. Maybe they are like how I was in the past, intimidated by financial jargon, or under the impression that the finance world is one for those in suits and good at mathematics, and that we should just leave all this money business to them, anyway.

But I've since learnt that understanding the basics of investing and getting started really isn't that hard, and I wish I had got over my irrational fear and started investing earlier.

It's crucial that more women become confident in their financial security and investment strategies.

For one thing, women in Singapore have a longer life expectancy of about 85 years, compared with 81 years for men, and pay for health insurance premiums over a longer term because of that.

Living longer also requires women to have a higher provision to fund their retirement expenses as well as medical and caregiving costs such as for live-in helpers for their twilight years, said a Great Eastern spokesperson.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 29, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 29, 2024 من The Straits Times.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE STRAITS TIMES مشاهدة الكل
Krupnova brings positivity to Wondersticks and S'pore
The Straits Times

Krupnova brings positivity to Wondersticks and S'pore

While it has been only two weeks since Eliska Krupnova joined Singapore Floorball Premier League (SFL) side Wondersticks, the 2020 world's best female floorball player has lit up the league in more ways than one.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 06, 2024
HER UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The Straits Times

HER UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Belarusian Goutseva back to complete her artistic swimming vision for Singapore

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024
The Straits Times

Villa now in the big leagues, thanks to their manager

On The Ball | There are doubts about the new Champions League format, its extended group stage and \"Swiss model\" fixture list. Try telling that to anyone connected with Aston Villa, though.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024
REDS' WIN 'SPECIAL' FOR SLOT
The Straits Times

REDS' WIN 'SPECIAL' FOR SLOT

Manager says it will let wife see a happy man, but warns of tough stretch ahead

time-read
3 mins  |
October 06, 2024
Respectful Emery wary of United's winning mentality
The Straits Times

Respectful Emery wary of United's winning mentality

Unai Emery praised the under-pressure Erik ten Hag on Oct 4 as the Aston Villa boss labelled Manchester United \"the best team in the world\" despite their dismal form.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024
ANGE FACES A 'CURIOUS' TEST BY HURZELER
The Straits Times

ANGE FACES A 'CURIOUS' TEST BY HURZELER

Brighton boss, who asked 'many questions' on a day at Spurs in 2023, has 'inside info'

time-read
3 mins  |
October 06, 2024
Pogba's 'nightmare is over' as ban cut to 18 months
The Straits Times

Pogba's 'nightmare is over' as ban cut to 18 months

French international footballer Paul Pogba said on Oct 4 that his \"nightmare is over\" after a four-year ban for doping was reduced to 18 months.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024
Blues need time to compete with City, Arsenal
The Straits Times

Blues need time to compete with City, Arsenal

Chelsea are improving but are not yet ready to compete with top English Premier League clubs like Manchester City and Arsenal, manager Enzo Maresca said on Oct 4.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024
The Straits Times

Billie Jean King Cup to align with Davis Cup format

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will transition to an eight-team event in 2025, from the current 12, to mirror the existing Davis Cup format, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Oct 4.

time-read
1 min  |
October 06, 2024
Money talks to grow US rugby reportedly back on
The Straits Times

Money talks to grow US rugby reportedly back on

Rugby union's governing body World Rugby has revived talks to raise funds for growing the sport in the United States, three people familiar with the matter said.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 06, 2024