The Plan B - with Bryan

04/08/2026

02/08/2026

30/07/2026

💸 Are you unknowingly giving away up to 40% of your US portfolio gains? 💸

A lot of us love investing in US markets, but many miss two major tax traps for non-US investors: 30% dividend withholding tax and up to 40% US estate tax on assets above $60,000.

If you hold US stocks or funds, it’s worth spending 3 minutes to understand how this impacts your long-term returns (and what alternatives exist).

Read more here 👇

Source: https://www.stashaway.sg/r/dividend-withholding-tax-estate-tax-us-equities-singapore

Holding US equities like VOO, QQQ, or SPY? Singapore investors face 30% US dividend withholding tax and estate tax above USD 60,000. Learn how to reduce your exposure.

29/07/2026

In a recent conversation, a candidate asked me about my mentorship style and the kind of culture I aim to build.

It brought me back to my second year in the business, when I first stepped into a trainer’s role. Even then, one core vision stayed clear in my mind:

✨To build a team of like-minded individuals who love life, value time with loved ones, and truly believe in doing well by doing good.✨

Financial consulting is often stereotyped as just "pushing for the next sale." But that has never been how I view this work.

To me, we are 🔥Value Creators🔥.

My goal has always been to help clients unlock the true potential of their hard-earned savings, while serving as a trusted advisor they can speak to candidly, as a friend. Because my own practice was built entirely on a referral basis, I learned early on that trust isn't given. It's earned.

It’s about being there for the long haul and guiding people through life-changing decisions, not just selling a product and disappearing.

Looking back at my training days, my favorite moments were always the collaborative ones:

👉In the room: Diving deep into case studies, debating market trends, and brainstorming ideas together to maximize client portfolios.

👉Outside the room: Unwinding over a casual drink, grabbing afternoon coffee, or going for a run together.

Work hard, support each other, and enjoy the journey along the way. That balance has always been my benchmark for a meaningful career.

🤔What core values or moments in your career shaped the kind of culture you value most today?

27/07/2026

Being present for every single one of my daughter’s 'firsts' came down to a decision I made at 30.

When i first entered the workforce, my goal was simple: Work hard, build a stable career, and hit the standard milestones. Back then, I didn't think much about time. Most people probably wouldn't too.

Then at 30, I got married and got the keys to our BTO. Suddenly, the future felt very real.

I remember looking at my aging parents, and I thought about the family my wife and I wanted to build. I knew I wanted kids, but more than that, I knew I wanted to actually be "present" for them, and be there for my parents as they grew older. Not forgetting my parents-in-law too.

That was the exact moment I realized my current trajectory wasn't going to give me the time freedom I needed. So, I made the decision to switch career, ditching everything i had built by then.

Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made.

Because I made that switch when I did, I didn't have to miss my daughter’s big milestones. I was there for every single one of her "firsts."

And when my parents eventually faced health issues that required monthly medical follow-ups, treatments, and surgery, I didn't have to ask an HR manager for permission or negotiate for leave with my boss. I could simply put family first and be there every single time.

If you’re currently in your 20s, you might not be thinking about these things yet. But it’s the best time to start asking yourself: "What kind of future do you actually want to design?"

And if you’re in your 30s-40s, sitting at a crossroad, thinking about your aging parents or your young family, I want you to know there is always other paths where you don't have to sacrifice your life's priorities just to earn a living.

For me, it was an easy decision because i knew what i wanted. Getting into financial advisory made sense to me, because i love working with numbers, people, and the whole idea of doing well by doing good just fits me so perfectly. But more than that, it completely changed my family's quality of life.
Looking back, I’m just deeply grateful I made the switch when I did.

Whether you're in your early 20s just starting out, or in your 30s navigating these exact life milestones, I hope sharing this help serves as a gentle reminder:

"Your time is the one resource you can never earn back. Make sure you're spending it on what truly matters."

18/07/2026

Having a cold beer and chatting about everything under the sun with a new referral i met for the first time. It doesn't have to be all dollars and business.

Can't get any better than that. 🍻

15/07/2026

Sharing this in the sincere hope that it serves as a reminder and a warning. If it helps even just a few people protect their hard-earned money, then it’s worth putting it out there.

👉 Yesterday, a client called me to help her younger cousin. A few years ago, this cousin bought an investment product, only to recently realize that the product features were completely misrepresented to her. Pulling out now means losing at least 50% of her money.

This is the second time just in a couple of months that a client has sent a family member to me to help them untangle a mess for the same exact reason.

It makes me angry because I know how many amazing, ethical consultants are out there doing the right thing every single day. But it only takes a few who prioritize quick sales over client well-being to impact the reputation of our entire profession and make people afraid to seek the help they actually need.

👉 If you or your loved ones are currently working with a financial advisor, please keep these red flags in mind:

🚩 "Guaranteed high returns with zero risk" — If it sounds too good to be true, it always is.

🚩 Pressure tactics — If you are being rushed to sign without time to read the documents, stop
🚩 Vague details on penalties — Always ask: "What happens if I need to touch this money in 3, 5, or 10 years?"

I’m glad I can be a safe harbor for my clients and their families when things go wrong, but I really wish they didn't have to go through this pain in the first place.

Let's look out for one another. If you ever have a gut feeling that an investment/insurance you hold isn't what you were told, get a second opinion.

You deserve transparency.

👉 To end it off, most consultants out there are still good. But as i always tell my clients, keep your trust to yourself. You can choose to like me, but i would prefer if you doubt me and question me, instead of blindly trusting me.

15/07/2026

Sometimes a small reframe can make all the difference.

13/07/2026

Lately, one question keeps coming up.

"Bryan, why has my hospital insurance become so expensive?"

If you've been wondering the same thing, you're definitely not alone.

Over the past few months, I've had many conversations with people who were surprised by their renewal premiums. Some thought they had done something wrong. Others wondered if they should cancel their plans altogether.

The reality is, there have been significant changes to Singapore's Integrated Shield Plan landscape this year, in fact over the years, and many existing policyholders are starting to feel the impact too.

But here's something I always tell people.
It's probably time to have a review, to get your doubts cleared.

A review doesn't automatically mean buying something new.

In fact, some of the most meaningful reviews I've had ended with me saying,

"Your current plan still makes sense. Let's keep it as it is."

Other times, there may be better ways to structure your coverage based on your current stage of life, budget or healthcare needs.

The goal is to help you understand what you have, why your premiums have changed, what your options are, and what makes the most sense moving forward.

Because making financial decisions without clarity is stressful.
Making informed decisions gives you confidence.

If you've received your renewal letter recently and you're unsure what it means, feel free to reach out. Even if it's just for a second opinion.

Sometimes, all you need is someone to explain things in the simplest form.

09/07/2026

Why I chose a $6–7 million portfolio over chasing the ultra-wealthy. 💼✨

Almost 10 years ago, I made a major career switch. I stepped away from my role as a purchaser in the shipping and marine industry to become a Financial Consultant. I was 31 then, just got married to my beautiful wife, and I entered this industry with a clear, intentional promise to myself:

"Do well by doing good"

In an industry where it absolutely make sense for advisers to chase high-net-worth "whales" or accumulate a massive database of 500+ names, I chose a completely different path. I intentionally capped my practice to a small, exclusive group of fewer than 200 clients, growing my business 100% on a referral-only basis.

Today, I also manage a investment portfolio of $6–7 million for a small group of 60+ clients. To some industry veterans, that might seem modest. But to me, it is the ultimate badge of honor. Why? Because it wasn't built on large corporate lump sums. It was built steadily, month by month, through $300 to $500 commitments from everyday families who trusted my investment and planning strategies to achieve highly satisfactory results.

But wealth management is only half the story. The true test of a financial consultant is how you show up when life goes sideways.

Over the last decade, I have handled countless insurance claims for my clients. Just a few days ago, one of my clients faced a major health scare. In that moment of panic, I told him: "Focus on the doctor. Let me handle the financial side."

Just this morning, that claim was fully approved. Thankfully, he is doing well—but knowing that I could lift that massive load of stress off his shoulders during a crisis is exactly why I do this job.

My clients see me as their go-to person—not just for investments, but for life transitions, family planning, and parenting. I’ve been honored to attend your weddings, housewarmings, and family dinners. You bring me gifts from vacations and respect my personal boundaries by keeping my weekends for my family.

Thank you to every client who became a friend, and every friend who trusted me enough to introduce me to your loved ones.

As I step into the next decade, my commitment to this authentic, close-knit approach to wealth and protection remains exactly the same as Day 1.
Here’s to navigating the next decade of growth and protection together. 🌊❤️

Thank you.