# The Wealth Meta

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What Wealth Game Are You Playing?

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Investing in broad-based index funds gives you superior returns, NOT average returns](https://thewealthmeta.com/investing-in-broad-based-index-funds-gives-you-superior-returns-not-average-returns/): KEY TAKEAWAYS A broad-based index fund mimics the performance of the index. However, contrary to popular interpretation, it is not a reflection of the average investor return in the market. Passive investing in broad-based index funds, over the long term, generates returns superior to those achievable by most active investment professionals Passive investing also outperforms
- [Investment portfolios should be simple and boring](https://thewealthmeta.com/investment-portfolios-should-be-simple-and-boring/): Key Takeaways The overwhelming majority of investors are best served by a simple and boring Boglehead portfolio, consisting of just 1-3 broad-based market index funds A simple and boring portfolio provides a near-guaranteed 10-12% annual return in the long-term, for virtually zero effort Chasing alpha through individual stock picking or excessive diversification increases decision fatigue,
- [Couple Finances: A shared life needs shared finances](https://thewealthmeta.com/couple-finances-a-shared-life-needs-shared-finances/): KEY TAKEAWAYS There are many methods of couple finances, differing in levels of integration and communication Fully integrating finances, combined with frequent and open dialogue, is the most effective long-term method to strengthen the relationship and family wealth Other methods may seem to work in the short-term, and come with longer-term trade-offs As your relationship
- [Meta skill #1: Identifying signals vs noise](https://thewealthmeta.com/meta-skill-1-identifying-signals-vs-noise/): KEY TAKEAWAYS The world is overloaded with information and news, of which the large majority is noise The ability to pick up signals and to filter out noise is an extremely underrated and critical meta skill to succeed in life In personal finance, noise is anything that distracts you from your investment strategy and financial
- [How SMART financial goals impact your financial plan and budget](https://thewealthmeta.com/understanding-how-smart-financial-goals-impact-your-financial-plan-and-budget/): This post is a continuation of my Developing your Financial Plan Series. In my previous post, I talked about how to set SMART financial goals. As a recap, financial goals can be anything you want them to be, as long as they're Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Hopefully, you've taken some time to write
- [EPF Series Part 2: Predicting when Malaysians will achieve EPF retirement savings targets](https://thewealthmeta.com/epf-series-part-2-predicting-when-malaysians-will-achieve-epf-retirement-savings-targets/): Key Takeaways Savings targets grow over time, due to inflation increasing the cost of living Based on current EPF balances and median salaries, most Malaysians, when they reach the age of 60, will achieve the Basic Savings Level but not necessarily the Adequate Savings Level target Increasing the EPF contribution rate or dividend rate over
- [Salary Series Part 1: Unpacking the challenges in Malaysia](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-unpacking-the-challenges-in-malaysia/): Key Takeaways Salaries in Malaysia are growing; however, they remain low relative to developed markets Salaries are determined based on the supply vs demand for labour, in addition to the effectiveness of matching supply and demand Impediments to improved salary growth in Malaysia are mainly due to structural reasons in our economy and country: Oversupply
- [Salary Series Part 2: Unpacking company salaries and bonuses](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-part-2-unpacking-company-salaries-and-bonuses/): Key takeaways Companies categorise roles into job functions and grade levels, which results in salary bands Salaries (and bands) are reviewed annually as part of the annual budgeting and performance review process Salary bands are revised based on benchmark data, financial performance and macroeconomic forecasts Budgets cascade downwards into individual teams, with the manager of
- [Salary Series Part 3: How to negotiate salary raises](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-part-3-how-to-negotiate-salary-raises/): Key takeaways Early preparation is key to success Document everything Do your research and develop your business case Be collaborative, especially when handling objections Keep a positive attitude, showing commitment to the company Introduction Welcome to the third post in my Salary Series! In my previous post, I wrote about how companies determine employee salaries.
- [Salary Series Part 4: How to negotiate a new job offer](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-part-4-how-to-negotiate-a-new-job-offer/): Key takeaways Job offer negotiations are an exercise in price discovery You don't know what the maximum salary is possible is til you push boundaries Always negotiate. You don't ask, you don't get The biggest leverage you can have is multiple job offers at the same time Introduction Welcome to the fourth post in my
- [Salary Series Part 5: Understanding recruitment dynamics and myths](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-part-5-understanding-the-employment-marketplace/): Welcome back to another post in my Salary Series! In my previous post, I wrote about negotiating salaries for a new job offer. But how do you go about getting those job offers in the first place? That’s where Parts 5 (this post) and 6 come in, where I delve into the dynamics and how
- [Salary Series Part 6: How to find a new job (with downloadable templates)](https://thewealthmeta.com/salary-series-part-6-how-to-find-a-new-job-with-downloadable-templates/): Key takeaways Your career profile is not just your CV. Carefully crafting your profile into a clear, compelling narrative and succinct pitch will elevate your success in the job search Networking is key to accessing the hidden job market, and it doesn't need to be cringey or inauthentic Preparing for interviews is more than just
- [The art of personal financial models - input assumptions](https://thewealthmeta.com/the-art-of-personal-financial-models-input-assumptions/): In my previous post about building your own financial model, you would have seen that for some of the input data, the numbers that you would use can be quite subjective. For example, what rate of return should you use for investing in stocks, or what inflation rate should you use for regular expenses? This
- [EPF Series Part 1: Where we are now in 2026](https://thewealthmeta.com/epf-series-part-1-where-we-are-now-in-2026/): Key Takeaways When analysing how Malaysians are stacking up for retirement, active EPF members aged 54 is the most relevant cohort to examine. Including inactive or younger cohorts to examine aggregate statistics is not meaningful EPF Basic Savings Level was revised to RM390k, but is only effective in 2030, and is not comparable to the
- [My prediction for the stock market and bitcoin in 2025](https://thewealthmeta.com/my-prediction-for-the-stock-market-and-bitcoin-in-2025/): Bankers are broadcasting their predictions that next year the S&P 500 will be 10% up. Standard Chartered thinks that Bitcoin will rise to USD 200k in 2025. Economists expect inflation to rise based on potential policies that Donald Trump may enact since winning the 2024 US election. It's that time of the year when everyone
- [Reflections on personal finances and TheWealthMeta for the year 2025](https://thewealthmeta.com/reflections-on-personal-finances-and-thewealthmeta-for-the-year-2025/): Disclaimer: This isn't a typical post of mine, aimed at providing insights and value on a personal finance topic. It's more of a self-serving reflection on my own personal finances, and an affirmation of what I'm trying to achieve at TheWealthMeta. Read at your own discretion2025 has been a year of affirmations and enjoying the
- [My Achievements and Reflections of 2024](https://thewealthmeta.com/my-achievements-and-reflections-of-2024/): It's been another very interesting year. Trump, Syria. AI. Raygun. As the year ends, I'd like to share my achievements and reflections. Not to brag, but to (1) celebrate successes, and (2) reflect on some thoughts in my mind. Putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is a great way to sharpen thinking. It's
- [21 Principles of Financial Independence](https://thewealthmeta.com/21-fundamental-principles-to-achieve-financial-independence/): Introduction Throughout history, humans have learnt (the hard way) the fundamental workings of capitalism. The road to financial independence is filled with the bodies of those who have not heeded lessons from history. With every new investment mania, wealth guru, or market rally, it is easy to get carried away and forget fundamental principles. I
- [Finite human resources: Effectively managing your time and attention](https://thewealthmeta.com/finite-human-resources/): Key takeaways We only have a limited amount of time and attention Not all activities deliver equal or even valuable impact; where you spend your time and attention matters The most impactful wealth-building activities are Having the right partner Following a plan Mastering your money psychology Growing your primary income Most people, when choosing to
- [Recommended reading to start your personal finance journey](https://thewealthmeta.com/recommended-reading/): The list below is reading material I recommend as a starting point in your journey to financial independence. I highly recommend everyone read the Core reading list at a minimum, which should cover the basics of personal finance. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, there are many great personal finance books out there.
- [The "secret" to creating wealth - An introduction to capitalism and personal financial statements](https://thewealthmeta.com/the-secret-to-creating-wealth-an-introduction-to-capitalism-and-personal-financial-statements/): Before I got my first corporate job in stockbroking, I thought the way to become rich was simple. Work your way up to a high-paying job as a senior executive, and you'll be rich. In many ways, this is true, but also not. Just earning a high income does not create wealth and financial independence.
- [What is a financial plan and why do I need one?](https://thewealthmeta.com/what-is-a-financial-plan-and-why-do-i-need-one/): When I first started my first job in stockbroking, I was excited. I was working with clients, executing their orders, and watching the stock market every day. I dabbled in a few stocks myself, but never really made much money. Also, I never had an idea of how I should structure my investment portfolio, or
- [Making a habit of tracking finances and 5 reasons why it matters](https://thewealthmeta.com/making-a-habit-of-tracking-finances-and-5-reasons-why-it-matters/): (Yes, that screenshot is a previous version of my Excel dashboard report with fake numbers. I've since shifted my reporting to PowerPoint, but I still use the Excel file for a lot of data collection, calculation and analysis) When I was finishing up university, I was your typical broke student. I also had debt, which
- [How to track your cash flow and net worth](https://thewealthmeta.com/how-to-track-your-cash-flow-and-net-worth/): I first started tracking my finances after I finished university in 2007 when I was broke and unemployed. My net worth when I started? About negative AUD 1,300. Since then, I have used many methods and tools to track my finances. There isn't a "right" way to do it, but you need to ensure it
- [How SMART are your financial goals?](https://thewealthmeta.com/how-smart-are-your-financial-goals/): When I was young and started working, I had no idea what to do with my money, how much I needed to save and invest, and where to put it. I was lost and had no financial direction. This was the case even though I was in stockbroking, looking at money going in and out
- [Creating a budget with savings /investment targets using SMART goals](https://thewealthmeta.com/creating-a-budget-and-incorporating-your-smart-goals-to-savings-investments/): In my previous post, I wrote about calculating how much you need to save/invest based on your SMART goals. In this post, I want to cover how you use those expenses, savings and investment targets to form a budget. As you start to form a budget, you also need to link it to your actual
- [How to develop a personal financial model (with free template)](https://thewealthmeta.com/how-to-develop-a-personal-financial-model-with-free-template/): March 2025 Update: I have developed an enhanced version which may suit more complex scenarios and assumptions. Click here to access V2 of the model. In the early stages of my personal finance journey, I learnt how to build and use basic personal finance tools. I had budget templates, income/expense trackers, mortgage calculators, and so
- [A quick guide on managing finances with a partner](https://thewealthmeta.com/a-quick-guide-on-managing-finances-with-a-partner/): One of the most difficult aspects of personal finance is managing finances with a life partner (and then again once you have kids). Why is this important? One of the biggest contributing factor to failed marriages and divorce are financial disagreements or issues. No other aspect of life determines so much of how we think,
- [Rising Malaysian insurance and medical costs - Why everyone is responsible, and practical tips to manage](https://thewealthmeta.com/rising-malaysian-insurance-and-medical-costs-why-everyone-is-responsible-and-practical-tips-to-manage/): Yes, that's right. Everyone in the ecosystem, from patients to medical suppliers to doctors, contributes to the medical inflation problem in Malaysia. Everyone is talking about medical premiums significantly rising and much of the blame is on insurance companies. Unfortunately, they're an easy target. They're only part of the problem. Let's look at the facts
- [You probably should go subsale for purchasing your home (with practical steps)  ](https://thewealthmeta.com/you-probably-should-go-subsale-for-your-home-with-practical-steps/): How do you save hundreds and thousands of dollars, as well as time, sweat, stress and heartache, when buying property? First, don't buy investment properties. The past ~10 years' subpar performance in Malaysia will likely continue for the next 10-20 years. Second, don't buy. Rent. It's "cheaper". Even after the mortgage is paid off. Third
- [New Release: TheWealthMeta Personal Financial Model V2 for Download (March 2025)](https://thewealthmeta.com/new-release-thewealthmeta-personal-financial-model-v2-for-download-march-2025/): This post is a continuation of my Developing your Financial Plan Series, so do read the previous posts if you want to learn more about designing your financial goals and creating a financial plan. Last year I developed TheWealthMeta Personal Financial Model to educate and inspire others to develop proper financial plans and incorporate the plan
- [Learnings based on almost 10 years of personal finance modelling](https://thewealthmeta.com/learnings-based-on-almost-10-years-of-personal-finance-modelling/): In my most recent post, I shared a personal finance model template for financial planning and projection of your future net worth, income and expenses. I also mentioned that I have my own model suited to my personal needs. I've been modelling my future net worth for over 9 years (and tracking finances without projections
- [One step closer to mastering compound interest](https://thewealthmeta.com/one-step-closer-to-mastering-compound-interest/): For savvy investors and personal finance aficionados, the concept of compound interest is fundamental to growing wealth. Reinvesting returns, exponential growth, rule of 72, etc… compound interest as a concept is simple to learn, but a difficult concept to master. Brain teasers to test your grasp of compound interest Here are some questions as an
- [Operating from a position of strength](https://thewealthmeta.com/operating-from-a-position-of-strength/): Have you ever noticed that most successful people seem to always be in the right place at the right time, be luckier than others, always make the right decisions, or achieve positive outcomes with minimal effort? Is it luck/serendipity, or is there something common across successful people that breeds even more success and good fortune?
- [Reframing trade-offs to achieve a win-win](https://thewealthmeta.com/reframing-trade-offs-to-achieve-a-win-win/): Key Takeaways Oftentimes, options for big decisions are difficult due to what appears to be "equally weighted" trade-offs The root cause is often a lack of clarity of values and goals, followed by Reframing the problem creates opportunities for win-win situations (at the expense of a different trade-off) Choosing to play a different metagame enables

## Pages

- [About](https://thewealthmeta.com/about/): Contact Me If you wish to contact me to ask more about my writings or give feedback feel free to email contact@thewealthmeta.com and I’ll try to get back to you when I can. What is "The Wealth Meta" about? I've learnt from many years of managing personal finances and my career is that there are
- [Contact Me](https://thewealthmeta.com/contact-me/): If you wish to contact me to ask more about my writings or give feedback feel free to email contact@thewealthmeta.com and I'll try to get back to you when I can.
- [Personal finance resources I use](https://thewealthmeta.com/products-tools-i-recommend/): What I list below are products and tools that I use, and you might want to consider using when conducting your personal finances. What I use to track my finances Excel: The granddaddy of it all. Learn it. Master it. Plus, it is the most important tool in your professional and personal life that everyone

## Categories

- [Fundamentals](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/fundamentals/)
- [Planning](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/planning/)
- [Mindset](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/mindset/)
- [Career](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/career/)
- [Family](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/family/)
- [Strategy](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/strategy/)
- [Salaries](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/salaries/)
- [Investing](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/investing/)
- [Retirement](https://thewealthmeta.com/category/retirement/)