Kris Ng

Advice From One Parent to Another

There is a difference between understanding family financial planning professionally and experiencing parenthood personally.

Since becoming a father, Kris has experienced many of the same financial decisions his clients face.

There are immediate considerations such as medical expenses, childcare and household costs.

Then there are longer-term questions around protection, education, investments, retirement and eventually leaving something behind for the next generation.

Because of this, Kris does not believe parents need to solve everything at once.

Instead, his approach is to first understand:

Where is your family today?

What have you already put in place?

What are your biggest concerns?

Which areas genuinely require attention now?

Which goals can be planned progressively over time?

Only after understanding the bigger picture should financial solutions be considered.
The objective is not to buy everything at once. It is to know what matters, what comes next and why.

Your Parenthood Financial Roadmap

Preparing for Baby

During pregnancy, parents are often focused on medical appointments, preparing the home and getting ready for the baby's arrival.

This is also a useful time to review the family's financial foundation.

Areas to consider may include maternity protection, hospital planning, emergency reserves, existing insurance coverage and how household finances could change once the baby arrives.

Welcoming Your Child

Once your baby arrives, new financial considerations begin.

Parents may want to understand healthcare and hospitalisation arrangements for their newborn while reviewing whether their own protection remains adequate now that they have a dependant.

This is also a good time to review nominations and other family arrangements.

Building the Foundation

During the early childhood years, financial planning gradually shifts from immediate newborn needs towards building a stronger long-term foundation.

Parents may begin reviewing emergency savings, family protection, wealth accumulation and education planning.

Starting early can allow these goals to be approached progressively rather than becoming a large financial burden later.

Growing Together

As children grow, family finances continue to evolve.

Income may increase, mortgages may change, additional children may arrive and education goals may become clearer.

Financial plans should therefore be reviewed periodically rather than being treated as something completed once and forgotten.

Preparing for Their Future

Eventually, the child who once seemed so young begins approaching secondary school, tertiary education and adulthood.

By this stage, parents who began planning earlier may have significantly more flexibility when deciding how their child's education should be funded.

Education Planning

University May Be Years Away. Planning Doesn't Have to Be.

When your child is only a few years old, university can feel very far away.

But education is also one of the largest financial commitments many parents may eventually face.

The challenge is that parents rarely know exactly what their child's education journey will look like.

Will they study locally?

Will they study overseas?

Will they attend university, pursue professional qualifications or choose another path entirely?

Rather than trying to predict everything today, Kris helps parents establish a reasonable education target and build towards it progressively.

The planning process begins with several important questions.

Where might your child study?

What could education cost by the time they reach university age?

How many years do you have before the funds may be needed?

How much investment risk are you comfortable taking?

Once these questions are understood, parents can make better decisions about how much they may need to set aside and what strategy may be suitable.

The objective is simple:
Determine the education goal first. Choose the financial solution second.

Why Parents Work With Kris

A Parent Himself

Kris understands many of the financial questions young parents face because he has experienced the transition into parenthood himself.

His son is now four years old, giving him first-hand experience of the changing priorities that come with raising a young child.

More Than 17 Years of Financial Experience

Kris brings experience across financial advisory, insurance, banking, investments, wealth management and family financial planning.

This allows him to look beyond any single financial product and consider how different parts of a family's financial plan work together.

Planning Before Products

Kris believes that financial recommendations should begin with understanding the family first.

Goals, responsibilities, financial commitments, concerns and existing arrangements should be understood before discussing potential solutions.

Practical, Understandable Advice

Financial planning does not need to feel complicated.

Kris focuses on explaining financial concepts in a practical and conversational manner so parents can understand the decisions they are making.

A Long-Term Relationship

Family financial planning changes over time.

The plan that makes sense when a child is born may look very different five, ten or fifteen years later.

Kris aims to support families throughout these different stages rather than treating financial planning as a one-time transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start maternity planning?

Parents can begin understanding maternity-related financial planning before pregnancy or during the earlier stages of pregnancy. Certain insurance options may have eligibility conditions or application periods, so understanding them earlier can provide more choices.

When should I review insurance for my newborn?

Some areas of planning can only be addressed after the baby is born, while others may be considered during pregnancy through maternity-related solutions. The important thing is understanding what can be done at each stage.

When should I start saving for my child's education?

There is no single correct age.

However, beginning earlier generally provides a longer time horizon, allowing parents to work towards the goal more progressively instead of having to set aside significantly larger amounts closer to university.

How much should I save for my child's education?

This depends on several factors, including whether you are planning for local or overseas education, the number of years before the money is needed, expected education inflation and the investment strategy being considered.

The first step is usually estimating a future education target.

Should I prioritise my child's education or my retirement?

Ideally, both should be considered together.

Parents naturally want to provide for their children, but sacrificing retirement completely can create financial challenges later in life. A balanced financial plan considers the family's different goals together.

Do parents need more insurance after having a child?

Having a dependant can change the financial consequences of death, disability or serious illness.

Parents may therefore want to review whether their existing coverage remains appropriate after their family circumstances change.

Can Kris review insurance or investment plans I already have?

Yes.

In fact, understanding what you already have should normally come before considering anything new.

Existing policies, investments, CPF arrangements and other financial resources can be reviewed as part of the overall planning process.

Do I need to purchase anything during the first meeting?

No.

The initial conversation should primarily help you understand your current situation, priorities and potential planning gaps.

Any financial decision should only be made after you understand the purpose, benefits, limitations and affordability of the proposed solution.

Your Child Has a Lifetime Ahead

Parenthood comes with thousands of decisions.

Not every financial decision needs to be made today.

But having a clearer roadmap can help you understand what deserves attention now, what can wait and what you should gradually work towards.

Whether you are preparing for your first baby, navigating the early years of parenthood or beginning to think seriously about your child's future education, Kris can help you organise the different pieces into a clearer financial plan.

Plan today so you can spend more time enjoying the journey ahead.