Are easy investments a pipe dream? Not really! Investing may sound complex, but it doesn’t have to be as long as you know what to look out for. Use this easy investment checklist to suss out investments that are simple and easy to deal with.
More often than not, the easiest investments will feature a combination, if not all, of the following qualities.
#TiqOurWord Did you know that investing may not be for everyone? Find out if you’re ready to invest here.
1. Low starting capital
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need a lot of capital to start investing. Contrary to that popular belief, there are lots of investment instruments available that don’t require a lot of cash outlay.
This includes robo-advisories, regular shares saving plans, endowment plans and even digital ILPs, which are suitable for cautious beginners who want to start small before going off into the deep end.
For instance, with Tiq Invest – a newly launched digital ILP from Tiq by Etiqa Insurance – all you need is just a single premium of S$1,000 to kick start your investment journey.
2. Upfront fees and commission
There’s nothing as frustrating as seeing your hard-earned money disappear mysteriously due to hidden fees or complicated commission structures. To prevent the dilution of your investment returns, look for products that feature clear fee structures and minimal commission fees.
Before you invest into a particular product, always make sure you do your research and understand how it works before purchasing it. Avoid making blanket assumptions as the benefits and fee structures may differ wildly among the various products, even if they’re the same type of investment instrument.
Take ILPs for example. Traditional ILPs have developed a reputation for being complex and expensive with a laundry list of fees and commission. On the other hand, digital ILPs such as Tiq Invest are a far cry from that.
Besides being commission-free, Tiq Invest features a low management fee of 0.75% per year and no additional charges for fund switches, partial funds withdrawal or a full surrender. Most importantly – 100% of what you invest goes directly into the purchase of funds. Your dividends are also re-invested so you enjoy more growth!
#TiqOurWord Unlike traditional ILPs where the insurance component is charged at a fee, Tiq Invest protects you with a Death Benefit and Terminal Illness (TI) Benefit at no additional charge.
3. Portfolio curation
Not confident of your investment knowledge? That’s not an issue. Look for products that help you take care of the legwork, while freeing up time for you to expand your knowledge and build your confidence.
If the thought of buying stocks directly induces anxiety, consider investment platforms such as robo-advisors that are simple and easy to use. Robo-advisors provide a guided approach by using algorithms to create an investment portfolio that matches your preferences, goals and risk appetite.
Digital ILPs are similar on that front by offering curated portfolios that take the complexity out of investing. With Tiq Invest, investors have the choice of four different packaged funds – Conservative, Moderate, Growth and Aggressive – that are tailored to match your risk tolerance and desired rate of returns, regardless of whether you prefer to take it safe and slow or fast and furious.
However, unlike robo-advisors, the funds in Tiq Invest are managed by dedicated specialists and in the professional hands of Etiqa Insurance.
4. Flexible with no lock-in period
The last thing any investor wants is to be stuck with a product that doesn’t give them returns. Look for investments that are flexible and let you withdraw your money at no additional cost when you need it.
For instance, Tiq Invest features no lock-in period (great for commitment-phobes) as well as the option to top up or switch your funds whenever you want (great for opportunists who want to accelerate their returns), all at the grand cost of… S$0.
5. Easy access to your investments
If you didn’t know by now, all investments come with an inherent level of risk. Anybody who says otherwise cannot be trusted! For this reason, it’s always good to check on your investment performance regularly.
Doing so allows you to act on market changes quickly and snag an opportunistic buy or cut your losses. Even if your funds are well-managed by algorithms or fund managers, it’s still good practice to check in regularly as first, you know your needs best, and second, it is your money after all.
In order to do so, make sure you can track your investment portfolio easily and readily. Rather than hedging your funds in products that can be accessed only via an agent, look for investments that you can track directly.
#TiqOurWord With Tiq Invest, you can track your investments and transact easily through TiqConnect and the Tiq by Etiqa mobile app. From top ups and withdrawals to a switch of portfolios, you can do all that and more in just a few taps.
Digital ILPs – the easier investment option
The investment landscape has changed drastically and there are now a variety of options out there that are simple and easy to invest in. This includes digital ILPs like Tiq Invest, which are a clear upgrade from traditional ILPs of the past.
Featuring low fees, convenience, flexibility, and transparency, Tiq Invest is a new, simpler way of investing that ticks all the checkboxes on the easy investment checklist.
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This policy is underwritten by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Company Reg. No. 201331905K).
Tiq Invest is an Investment-linked Plan (ILP) which invest in ILP sub-fund(s). Investments in this plan are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The performance of the ILP sub-fund(s) is not guaranteed and the value of the units in the ILP sub-fund(s) and the income accruing to the units, if any, may fall or rise. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the ILP sub-fund(s).
A product summary and product highlights sheet(s) relating to the ILP sub-fund(s) are available and may be obtained from us via www.tiq.com.sg/product/tiqinvest. A potential investor should read the product summary and product highlights sheet(s) before deciding whether to subscribe for units in the ILP sub-fund(s).
As buying a life insurance policy is a long-term commitment, an early termination of the policy usually involves high costs and the surrender value, if any, that is payable to you may be zero or less than the total premiums paid. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you.
This content is for reference only and is not a contract of insurance.
Full details of the policy terms and conditions can be found in the policy contract.
This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the Life Insurance Association (LIA) or SDIC web-sites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Information is accurate as at 08 October 2021.
Tiq by Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.
A digital insurance channel that embraces changes to provide simple and convenient protection, Tiq’s mission is to make insurance transparent and accessible, inspiring you today to be prepared for life’s surprises and inevitabilities, while empowering you to “Live Unlimited” and take control of your tomorrow.
With a shared vision to change the paradigm of insurance and reshape customer experience, Etiqa created the strong foundation for Tiq. Because life never stops changing, Etiqa never stops progressing. A licensed life and general insurance company registered in the Republic of Singapore and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Etiqa is governed by the Insurance Act and has been providing insurance solutions since 1961. It is 69% owned by Maybank, Southeast Asia’s fourth largest banking group, with more than 22 million customers in 20 countries; and 31% owned by Ageas, an international insurance group with 33 million customers across 16 countries.
Discover the full range of Tiq online insurance plans here.
