Avant General and Insurance Services

05/11/2024

In Memory of Auntie – A Reminder to Take Care of Ourselves

This past weekend, a dear friend’s auntie passed away, leaving a quiet reminder of how fragile life can be and the importance of thinking of our own needs, even as we dedicate ourselves to caring for others.

Auntie lived in Johor Bahru, working tirelessly her whole life and always putting her family first. She took care of her husband and two sons, sacrificing so much along the way. But when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer six months ago, everything changed.

Her husband chose not to support her treatment, and her sons did not step in to help. With no options and limited funds from all her siblings’ contributions, they did what they could. Her siblings, who were in Singapore, took turns traveling back to Johor Bahru to care for her and eventually brought her to see Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hoping it might offer an alternative. But after three difficult months, her condition only worsened. By the time they took her for a review with the same doctor and repeated diagnostic tests, it was too late—the cancer had spread. She was in the late, terminal stage, and there was nothing more to be done but to keep her comfortable.

Auntie’s story left us feeling both upset and saddened in so many ways. It also led me to think deeply about the importance of having support and options for whatever life may bring. In memory of Auntie, let’s remember her strength and all that she gave to her family. Her story reminds us of life’s uncertainties and the comfort that comes from having support, like the care her siblings offered, in difficult times.

07/11/2023

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and it's a reminder to show you care. Let's all come together to raise awareness and support those affected by this important cause.

07/11/2023

Worth a read

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/21/53-year-old-early-retiree-shares-3-regrets-from-his-20s.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Intl&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2OrGUjh6jhpDfjUkkwQorJ2NEl04fpX8HH77Mt23FQidrt4sKA1YCqeKE_aem_ASYFSNl0YngvNjhGyHBG7wZJIRXNe0ePRmPbLUlrqtg4QhYpSDtgOZbme13UngjPsdU =1699117059

Alex Trias retired more than 10 years ago when he was just 41. Here are three regrets he has from his 20s and his advice for avoiding similar mistakes.

29/10/2023

It’s always our family who will stand by us when we are down, cherish all the time we have with our loved ones

21/02/2023

Keyman insurance, also known as key person insurance, is a type of life insurance policy that is taken out by a company on the life of an individual who is considered to be a key person within the organization. The purpose of keyman insurance is to provide financial protection to the company in the event that the key person dies or becomes disabled, as this could have a significant impact on the company's financial stability and operations.

The key person is typically someone who is critical to the success of the company, such as a CEO, managing director, or any other high-level executive. The death or disability of this individual can result in loss of business, lost profits, and decreased value of the company. Keyman insurance can help mitigate these risks by providing the company with a lump sum payment that can be used to cover the costs of finding a replacement, training new staff, or making up for lost profits.

Keyman insurance is an important risk management tool for companies, especially for those that are heavily reliant on the skills and expertise of a few key individuals. It can help ensure the continuity of the company's operations and provide financial security for the company's stakeholders in the event of a key person's death or disability.

20/02/2023

Providing complimentary health screenings for employees can be a valuable benefit for companies, as it helps promote employee health and well-being, and can also potentially reduce healthcare costs for the company. Some common types of health screenings offered by companies include:

Biometric screenings: These may include measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, as well as body mass index (BMI).

Cancer screenings: These may include screenings for breast, prostate, or colon cancer.

Eye exams: Regular eye exams can help detect vision problems early and prevent more serious issues down the road.

Hearing tests: Hearing tests can help detect hearing loss and prevent related health issues, such as depression and cognitive decline.

Mental health assessments: Mental health screenings can help identify potential issues and provide employees with the support they need to maintain good mental health.

Offering these types of health screenings can be a proactive way for companies to invest in the well-being of their employees and promote a healthy work-life balance. By doing so, companies can improve employee morale, reduce absenteeism, and create a positive work environment.

If you are a company owner or HR and considering to provide some form of health screening for your employees, do DM us to find out more

20/02/2023

When you invest your money, it has the potential to generate returns even when you are not actively working, sleeping or on vacation. This is in contrast to earning a wage or salary, which typically requires you to actively work for a certain number of hours.

Additionally, by investing your money, you are taking advantage of the power of compound interest. This means that the returns you earn on your investments can generate additional returns, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of growth over time. This can help you reach your long-term financial goals, such as retirement, more quickly and efficiently.

So, investing allows your money to work for you, even when you're not, and has the potential to help you build wealth and secure your financial future.

20/02/2023

In Singapore, there are several corporate solutions available to help companies provide comprehensive employee benefits packages to their employees

Companies can purchase group insurance plans to cover their employees’ health, life, and disability needs. These plans often offer a range of benefits and features, such as coverage for hospitalisation and surgical expenses, critical illnesses coverage , etc

You may DM us to find out more

20/02/2023

Keyman insurance, also known as key person insurance, is a type of life insurance policy that is taken out by a company on the life of an individual who is considered to be a key person within the organization. The purpose of keyman insurance is to provide financial protection to the company in the event that the key person dies or becomes disabled, as this could have a significant impact on the company's financial stability and operations.

The key person is typically someone who is critical to the success of the company, such as a CEO, managing director, or any other high-level executive. The death or disability of this individual can result in loss of business, lost profits, and decreased value of the company. Keyman insurance can help mitigate these risks by providing the company with a lump sum payment that can be used to cover the costs of finding a replacement, training new staff, or making up for lost profits.

Keyman insurance is an important risk management tool for companies, especially for those that are heavily reliant on the skills and expertise of a few key individuals. It can help ensure the continuity of the company's operations and provide financial security for the company's stakeholders in the event of a key person's death or disability.

20/02/2023

Investing is a way to make your money work harder for you by putting it into financial instruments that have the potential to grow in value over time

And investing involves some level of risk, and different types of investments come with different levels of risk. It's important to assess your risk tolerance and choose investments that align with your risk tolerance.

10/08/2022

As an SME business owner, do you also share these same concerns?

08/05/2022

SINGAPORE: Additional buyer’s stamp duty (ABSD) of 35 per cent now will apply on any transfer of residential property into a living trust occurring on or after May 9, the Ministry of Finance (M*F) announced on Sunday (May 8). ABSD will be payable even if there is no identifiable beneficial own