Reviewing Your Finances
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So you have successfully begun your investment journey, good on you and welcome to the club! Now that you’ve taken your first step towards better managing your wealth and finances, it is time to move on to the next part – reviewing your finances and portfolio.

Similar to regular medical checkups, it is important to review your investments and finances from time to time to ensure that they’re in a healthy condition. Some do it annually, while others prefer to do it on a semi-annual or quarterly basis even. It’s fine to perform these reviews at your own pace, but when you do, here are some questions you may want to ask yourself.
Question 1: Am I on track with my financial goals?
A financial review should be an ongoing process – it’s not just a one-time thing! So, if you haven’t looked at your goals for awhile now, it’s time to revisit them.

Make sure you’re on track with your savings goals, emergency and rainy-day funding, and see if anything has changed in your life since then. If it has, make the necessary adjustments.

It can be especially useful to go through this exercise if nothing has changed – it’s a good way to make sure that your plans stay on track and continue working for you to map out a better course for the next six months of the year.
Question 2: What’s going on with my investment portfolio?
Just like your financial review, checking your investments periodically allows you to keep your portfolio aligned with your risk tolerance, time frame for investing, and financial situation.

Start by assessing your investment portfolio to see if it still matches your needs. If your portfolio is no longer aligned with your goals, consider making a change. These changes can include minimising your risk; diversifying your exposure to different geographical markets; or gradually increasing your monthly investment contributions.

The aim is to ensure you are a step closer to your investment goals.
Question 3: Is my current insurance coverage sufficient?
It may also be wise to check your insurance policies and make sure they still meet both your current needs and long-term goals.

If your family is growing, you might want to increase the amount of your insurance coverage to protect your loved ones. If you have children under 18, it's important to check if they are still covered under your health and disability insurance policies.

Consider taking on a pet insurance if you have adopted a tiny being. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but in the event, something happens, having pet insurance can be the difference between being able to afford expensive medical care and having to put your pet to sleep.
Question 4: How have I managed my spending?
Did you overspend your allowed spending budget on multiple occasions and dipped into your savings? Did you overcommit to any new recurring monthly bills? If you’ve answered yes, it’s time to get you back on track.

Look back at all your expenses from the past 6 months, so you can see where your money is going each month and highlight the unnecessary spendings you’ve made – like that impulse purchase at the grocery store.

Then look at your monthly budget and see if you could better allocate your allowed spending budget to ensure you don’t overstep your expenses while factoring in a buffer for your impulsive purchases or new recurring bills.

It’s important to stay within your budget and refer to it as a guide when making a financial decision.
Question 5: Did I tackle my debts better?
Begin by making a list of all your debts and their total amounts owed. You can do this on a spreadsheet or in a notebook – whatever works best for you! This list will help you see the whole picture of what you owe and how long it will take for each debt to be paid off.

Did you pay your debts on time? Set a calendar time to pay off your monthly payments so that you are never behind on your payments.

It's important to periodically revisit this list and update every few months as the total amount of your debts changes.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by AHAM Asset Management Berhad (hereinafter referred to as “AHAM Capital”) specific for its use, a specific target audience, and for discussion purposes only. All information contained within this presentation belongs to AHAM Capital and may not be copied, distributed or otherwise disseminated in whole or in part without written consent of AHAM Capital.

The information contained in this presentation may include, but is not limited to opinions, analysis, forecasts, projections and expectations (collectively referred to as “Opinions”). Such information has been obtained from various sources including those in the public domain, are merely expressions of belief. Although this presentation has been prepared on the basis of information and/or Opinions that are believed to be correct at the time the presentation was prepared, AHAM Capital makes no expressed or implied warranty as to the accuracy and completeness of any such information and/or Opinions.

As with any forms of financial products, the financial product mentioned herein (if any) carries with it various risks. Although attempts have been made to disclose all possible risks involved, the financial product may still be subject to inherent risk that may arise beyond our reasonable contemplation. The financial product may be wholly unsuited for you, if you are adverse to the risk arising out of and/or in connection with the financial product.

AHAM Capital is not acting as an advisor or agent to any person to whom this presentation is directed. Such persons must make their own independent assessments of the contents of this presentation, should not treat such content as advice relating to legal, accounting, taxation or investment matters and should consult their own advisers.

AHAM Capital and its affiliates may act as a principal and agent in any transaction contemplated by this presentation, or any other transaction connected with any such transaction, and may as a result earn brokerage, commission or other income. Nothing in this presentation is intended to be, or should be construed as an offer to buy or sell, or invitation to subscribe for, any securities.

Neither AHAM Capital nor any of its directors, employees or representatives are to have any liability (including liability to any person by reason of negligence or negligent misstatement) from any statement, opinion, information or matter (expressed or implied) arising out of, contained in or derived from or any omission from this presentation, except liability under statute that cannot be excluded.
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TENG CHEE WAI

Managing Director
Teng Chee Wai is the founder of Affin Hwang Asset Management Berhad (Affin Hwang AM). Over the past decade, he has built the Company to be the fastest growing and only independent investment management house in Malaysia’s top three, with an excess of RM47 billion in assets under management as at 31 December 2018.​

​In his capacity as Managing Director / Executive Director, Teng manages the overall business and strategic direction as well as the management of the investment team. His hands-on approach sees him actively involved in investments, product development and marketing. Teng’s critical leadership and regular participation in reviewing and assessing strategies and performance has been pivotal in allowing the Company to successfully navigate the economically turbulent decade.

Teng’s investment management experience spans more than 20 years, and his key area of expertise is in managing absolute return mandates for insurance assets and investment-linked funds in both Singapore and Malaysia. Prior to his current appointments, he was the Assistant General Manager (Investment) of Overseas Assurance Corporation (OAC) and was responsible for the investment function of the Group Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd.​

​Teng began his career in the financial industry as an Investment Manager with NTUC Income, Singapore. He is a Bachelor of Science graduate from the National University of Singapore and has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Actuarial Studies from City University in London.
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