| As the world enters a recession, the upcoming year can pose a challenge for many due to increasing economic uncertainty, and the natural fears surrounding it. In this issue, we look at some trends and possible actions that can help us become more emotionally and financially resilient to not just ride out the challenges, but rise above them. I hope this gives us hope. | | How to Be Happy in a Recession Recession begets misery, which makes for more economic bad times. You naturally make the pattern worse by following your loss-aversion instincts. Although you probably can’t break the global economy out of this feedback loop, you can break yourself out of it. Start with the following three practices. | | Here are 8 ways to bulletproof your finances ahead of a likely recession in 2023 5 personal finance experts here give tips on how to protect your finances. Their recommendations include building up an emergency fund, trimming your regular spending and up-skilling | | How to Stay Optimistic During Hard Times | | Proudly Brought to You I seek to reach out to people who believe in safeguarding the interests of their loved ones. Let me know if I can be of help to someone you know or care about. We can make a difference to lives when it matters most. Cheers. | | Serene Ho | | | | | | | | unsubscribe | You are receiving this email because you're my client, a friend or you've given permission to receive this email. If you'd rather not receive our emails, you can unsubscribe from our mailing list by clicking 'Unsubscribe' above. © Serene Ho, All rights reserved. | | | | Kang Ying. Pastor & Mentor I got to know Serene when we attended the same church cell group together around 1988/89. At that time, she was working in the bank, running the branch operations and thereafter moving to the headquarters , serving the retail market with various loan facilities before transiting to the financial services sector as a financial consultant .
Serene is a caring and loving person. She is always helping and serving others in whatever ways she can. I always enjoy her company and the valuable inputs/ suggestions/ recommendations she gave in the financial area and other personal areas as well.. She is a good friend, not just my Financial Consultant.
She always looks out for my best welfare and not just about selling or promoting the products. This is the key point I saw in her profession all these years. Serene genuinely cares for each of her clients/ friends and their family members. She remembers our birthdays; always updating us on the new changes in Government policies for CPF, investments, life policies etc. and she always remind us to manage our financial resources well and not to leave them idle.
Serene is very versatile , she can advise and work with people of all ages and offer good advice on how to maximise our financial resources according to our willingness to invest and risk appetite.
I am very happy she has become my Financial Consultant and I value her advice and services , which have helped me plan and grow my wealth well all these years.
| | | | Ms Chia Yen-Yen . A Professional Nurse turned Financial Consultant Serene Ho, a close friend of mine, took over servicing of my husband’s portfolio when his close friend agent passed on. She also became my consultant as we wanted to have the same FC servicing us. As we have known Serene for close to 10 years, we were confident that she will be our trusted and dependable FC. Till this date, I have no regrets with this decision. Through Serene, I have purchased policies to meet the financial needs and goals of my family and I.
Serene has been consistently reviewing my family members’ portfolio every year. She provides an up-to-date summary of the policies which gives me a comprehensive yet concise picture of my wealth protection and wealth accumulation status. I was rather impressed with how systematic her approach has been.
I am grateful to Serene for guiding me with the insurance claims after my husband had a major stroke. When there was a delay in receiving the medical reports from the hospital, she followed up by making enquiries to the Medical Records Office [MRO] and Service Quality [SQ]. This expedited the matter and I was then surprised that the personnel from these departments called me up to find out how they could be of help to me.
Since then, I was just an email or call away from any assistance I needed with the medical reports. This was very helpful because I had to apply for several medical reports for claims from various insurers and other administrative matters. Serene’s proactiveness had facilitated the ease with which I was able to obtain prompt and personalised service from the MRO and SQ.
Serene also met up with me regularly during the initial 6 months after my husband’s stroke to find out how things are with me . She was always concerned about my well being as I had just experienced a rather traumatic event. She also presented the cheque for the insurance payout to me personally which she did not have to. I am thankful to Serene for going the extra mile for me. I am certain that she does the same for others.
Fast forward to 2021, I have made a career switch from a nurse of 30 years to a ‘newbie’ FC, as late as in my fifties. Also, from being my FC, Serene is now my Agency Leader and Mentor. She drove all the way to my home to hand to me by hand the learning resources for my preparation for the licensure examinations to become an FC.
I am confident to entrust my career as an FC to Serene and I have much to learn from her to be successful in this very purposeful and meaningful financial advisory service to others. I hope to emulate her attentive and listening, as well as methodical and analytical, approach.
Serene has been very encouraging, supportive and generous. For this, I am very grateful to her.
Thank you Serene.
| | | | Celine Choe . Product Development Strategist I first got to know Serene at a work event when I was a fresh graduate. She introduced me to financial planning and got me started on my protection plans. Serene is a veteran in this industry given her experience from the banking sector.
Regardless of your background or work experience, Serene takes the time to understand your financial and protection needs. She provides quality service, not only ensuring that you are well protected but in times of claims, she would do her best to assist you. | | | | Wee Jin & Jean. Daddy & Mummy of Jay Ong I was introduced to Serene through a friend in university and had my first policy with her in 2011.
My wife and child have policies with her. When my child was just born, I remember that she sent us a gift hamper to congratulate us. When my child needed surgery later on, the claim procedure was smooth and uneventful, which can only be a good thing!
Serene has kept in contact through the years and is not the sort to contact me out of the blue to buy more. When it was National Day, she even sent me a link to receive our nation’s flag (for free)!!
What I find reassuring about Serene is that she has been in the business for decades. When you need help, instead of finding out your adviser has left for another job, it is nice to know that she will be there. She knows her products inside out, including all the nitty gritty, and gets back to you with information in a timely manner.
Serene knows life has many demands and has helped my family and I get some protection for what is important.
| | | | Elaine Seah . Advisor YWAM I’ve known Serene for more than 40 years and for most of those years she has served me as my insurance and investment advisor.
I’ve stayed with her as I faced changes in my life’s profile and circumstance as she has understood and met my changing investment needs and preferences.
When I needed a fresh briefing of insurances I had taken years past, she had been patient to re-explain the scope of the coverage and payment. She has served me well since she became my financial service provider that I’ve not found a need to look for another.
I would recommend her to anyone seeking an experienced, knowledgeable and honest financial adviser whom you could work with over changing life’s seasons. | | | | Soh Kee Seng. IT Facility Manager I first got to know Serene Ho back in 2003 when she took over as my servicing agent. I was hesitant initially thinking that she will be yet another ordinary agent who is only interested in selling . However, she impressed me with her sincerity, looking out always for my interests whenever we meet . We stayed connected with periodic updates and reviews .
Serene engages with her clients well as I find her passionate and experienced in what she does. Her advice is often comprehensive as she patiently explains and explores with me strategies that best suit my changing circumstances and needs over the years.
I am glad I took her advice where applicable and needed as recently I became a beneficiary to my own financial plans which I took up following her diligent follow up and advice. Serene again showed her commitment delivering her exceptional service that exceeded my expectation with my claim. She is definitely my choice financial consultant and will not hesitate to recommend her to my family, friends and colleagues.
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