The Financial Coconut Podcast

What makes an artwork worth $2,000 today, but potentially $20,000 or even $150,000 in the future?
Unlike stocks, art doesn't come with financial statements or easily accessible market prices. So who actually decides what a painting is worth, and can buying art really be a profitable investment?
In this episode of Chills with TFC, we speak with Alan Koh, Fair Director of Affordable Art Fair Singapore, and Kenneth Tan, Gallery Owner of Wasuka Art, to uncover the business behind art collecting and investing.
From an artist's reputation and gallery representation to collector demand, scarcity and auction results, we explore what drives art prices up and how galleries build an artist's market over time.
But there's a catch. Even when an artwork increases in value, finding someone willing to buy it isn't always easy.
We also discuss why galleries charge 40–50% commission, how beginners can start collecting art, and why buying something you genuinely love might matter more than chasing returns.
Produced in partnership with Affordable Art Fair Singapore, happening 26–29 November 2026 at the F1 Pit Building.
Would you buy art hoping its value increases, or simply because you love having it in your home?

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🎧 The Financial Coconut:
Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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⚠️ Disclaimer:
The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.
Learn about our events
Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You completed an AI course. You earned the certificate. But can you actually prove what you've learnt?
As AI reshapes the workplace, having qualifications may no longer be enough to demonstrate your value.
In this live Wise & Shine conversation, Adrian Tan joins Koo Sengmeng, Julie Lee, Eric Lim and Carolina Yeo to explore why practical experience, problem-solving and transferable skills matter when building a sustainable career.
From demonstrating AI capabilities to navigating career transitions, the panel discusses what employers really want to see beyond a polished CV.
Adrian's takeaway: Learning a skill is only half the equation. You also need to make your abilities visible through real projects, portfolios and evidence of what you can contribute.
Because in a changing job market, what you can demonstrate may matter as much as what you know.
If your next employer asked you to prove your skills tomorrow, what would you show them?
Produced in partnership with Lifelong Learning Singapore. Get clarity on your next career step with LLSG's career and skills services at lifelonglearningsg.org.
For more support on jobs, skills and career development, explore the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA).
Disclaimer: This content is for general information only and not meant to be professional career or financial advice.
Find out more via the link in bio on Instagram.
#WiseAndShine #LifelongLearningSingapore #SFF2026 #SkillsFutureFestival #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #AIAtWork #TheFinancialCoconut

Watch the full conversation on Youtube.
#WiseAndShine #TheFinancialCoconut

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🎧 The Financial Coconut:
Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
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🔗 CONNECT WITH US
Get daily tips, insights, and community:
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📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK
Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.
Learn about our events
Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much time do you actually need to become a good investor?
For most working adults, spending hours watching charts, tracking every headline and hunting for the next hot stock sounds exhausting.
Thomas Chua thinks investing doesn’t have to work that way.
He started learning about investing as a teenager, opened his first brokerage account at 18, and spent years trying different approaches. From dividends to technical analysis, before settling on a much simpler idea: understand good businesses, buy them at a sensible price, then give them time to compound.
The hard part isn’t always finding the next stock.
Sometimes, it’s having the patience to leave a good investment alone.
On this episode of Chills with TFC, Reggie sits down with Thomas Chua, Founder of Steady Compounding and author of The Lunch Break Investor, to talk about building wealth, knowing when to sell, career risk, financial independence and why investing doesn’t need to become a second full-time job.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
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🎧 The Financial Coconut:
Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
Spotify
Apple Podcast
YouTube

🔗 CONNECT WITH US
Get daily tips, insights, and community:
Instagram
TikTok
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📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK
Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.
Learn about our events
Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you say when a client likes your work, then asks you to lower the price?
That conversation can be harder than the creative work itself. Especially when you want the project, need the income or worry that pushing back will cost you the relationship.
At this Artbox panel, Adrian Tan speaks with Kyle Ong, James Tan and Johnson Gunasekaran about how they handle those moments across filmmaking, photography and marketing.
James explains why having prices ready for additional requests helps you respond before the work starts piling up. Kyle discusses negotiating a trade-off when a client wants a discount. Johnson shares why a rate quoted two years ago does not have to remain your rate forever.
For freelancers and small agency owners, these are decisions that shape how much time a project actually takes— and whether the fee still makes sense.
Which is harder for you: quoting your price or holding it when someone pushes back?
Watch the full episode on YouTube.
#TFCBusinessShow #Freelance #CreativeIndustry #PricingStrategy #SingaporeBusiness #Artbox
Learn about our events
Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you really make a living doing what you love in Singapore?
For Rowena See, theatre is her passion, but teaching accounts for around 70% of her income. The remaining 30% comes from theatre work.
And here's the surprising part: landing more than two theatre projects in a year can already feel like an amazing year for her.
Meanwhile, Fiona Chua balances modelling, acting and other creative jobs, planning her finances around an unpredictable stream of opportunities.
So what does financial stability actually look like when your dream career doesn't come with a fixed salary?
In this episode of Wise & Shine, Adrian Tan and Faith Choo sit down with Rowena and Fiona to uncover the realities of building a creative career in Singapore.
From taking on multiple jobs and managing irregular income to developing new skills and creating their own opportunities, they share what it really takes to keep pursuing the arts.
Because passion may be what gets you started, but financial planning is part of what keeps you going.
Would you give up a stable salary to pursue something you love?

Watch the full conversation on Youtube.
#WiseAndShine #TheFinancialCoconut

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🎧 The Financial Coconut:
Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
Spotify
Apple Podcast
YouTube

🔗 CONNECT WITH US
Get daily tips, insights, and community:
Instagram
TikTok
Telegram
Whatsapp
Newsletter

📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK
Discover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube

⚠️ Disclaimer:
The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.
Learn about our events
Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.