Welcome to this first episode of our miniseries Ikigai Insider, where we invite our Client Advisers to share what it means to live a good life, combining Ikigai with Providend’s Philosophy of Sufficiency.

Each episode explores one of the eight Ikigai petals identified by Mieko Kamiya, the mother of Ikigai Psychology, whose work has been revitalised by Nicolas Kemp, Founder of Ikigai Tribe. Our Client Advisers share personal reflections and the steps they take to fulfil each petal.

In this episode, our Client Adviser Annette Lee reflects on the Ikigai petal of Freedom, sharing her recent experiences in Wakayama, Japan.

From the delicate art of dyeing Furoshiki to exploring the guilt of “not having enough,” Annette reveals how even just 5–10 minutes a day spent on a small hobby can uncover moments of true freedom. Discover her personal reflections and learn how simple, intentional actions can help you find freedom in your own Ikigai.

Annette has also written an article on this, which you can read here: What Freedom Means in Ikigai: Reflections from Wakayama and Lessons for Clients

Through deep conversations with our advisers, you will gain clarity on what matters most in life and what needs to be done to live a good life, both financially and non-financially—with your Ikigai goals at the forefront of your wealth plan.

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Aaron Loo, is an Associate Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

The full list of Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast episodes from Season 4 can be found here.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

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If you’re interested in getting more of our thought leadership contents, click this link to subscribe to our newsletter today: https://providend.com/#newsletter-subscribe

As AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly capable of analysing financial data, generating reports, and answering complex questions in seconds, many have asked: Could AI truly replace a human wealth adviser?

Being trusted advisers to our affluent clients for over two decades, this Providend series began with an article by our Client Advisers on clients navigating major life transitions. The podcast goes further, exploring the thoughts behind these transitions.

In this podcast episode, Jit Hwee and our host, Isaac, explore three major retirement challenges through the case of Bob and his wife Elsie, both 45, who hope to retire at 60. They discuss how clients often find it difficult to navigate the mental gymnastics of evaluating trade-offs, particularly when faced with information overload about the steps needed for a successful retirement.

Jit Hwee also highlights three key limitations of using AI in retirement and career transition planning, and poses an important question: would you trust AI with your non-negotiable ikigai goals and life events, or for achieving clarity and peace of mind? Listen to the podcast to find out more.

To better understand the discussion, you may start by reading Jit Hwee's article here: Case Study: Can AI Replace a Human Adviser for Retirement and Career Transitions?

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download our RetireWell™ eBook Today!

Our popular RetireWell™ eBook has been updated! RetireWell™ is a methodology that Providend has developed to design a retirement income plan that will provide you with a safe and reliable stream of income for the rest of your life. Check out the link here to download a complimentary copy of the full eBook today: https://providend.com/publications/#retirewell

Having gone through multiple market crises together with our clients since 2001, we know what works and what will not work when it comes to the reliability and sufficiency of investment returns.

To share our insights, we are pleased to introduce our "Investment 101" video series featuring Dr Peng Chen, Senior Advisor & Director at Providend. In this series, Isaac Ong, our Client Adviser, discusses essential investing concepts with Dr Peng, to provide you with a better understanding of the financial markets as you embark on or continue your investment journey.

In this episode, Dr Peng and Isaac tackle the pressing topic of inflation, which has been a major concern since the sharp spike in rates in 2022.

Watch all five "Investment 101" videos here.

At Providend, we are passive in areas where evidence shows us that it is better to be passive and active in areas where we cannot afford to be passive. This philosophy is born out of our experiences managing money through many crises. Read this article to find out more.

Learn more by reading our investment eBook titled "A More Reliable Way to Get Enough Investment Returns: Even During Times of Market Uncertainty":

With a minefield of financial misinformation out there, we promise to be a safe pair of hands and a second pair of eyes to help you avoid costly financial mistakes. You can reach out to us for sound advice tailored to your unique situation: https://providend.com/our-clients/service-enquiry-form/

Music courtesy of ItsWatR.

The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.

Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episode on Thursday at 8pm.