I’ve never once when asked the question ”What should I invest in?” told anyone to invest in a specific stock or a security.
Instead, I provide you with the tools and the means to do that through my own trials and experiences. For example, if you’re looking to venture into stock investing, I give you a comparison of Malaysia’s brokers.
If like me, you want to head to and invest in the US, I give you a comparison of that too. Of course, there may be other better options out there but these are what I’ve personally tried and used.
Whatever you choose, onwards and upwards!
You are done with the Investing Series, check out article 001 of the FI/RE and Savings Series – Is the First RM100K the Hardest?
As always, Facebook, Instagram, and now YouTube! Follow, keep up to date.
Investments
1. Rakuten
Link: hERE
Code: DIVMAGIC
Rakuten is the first brokerage in Malaysia that offers points for stock trading. You can redeem you RT points for AirAsia flight tickets, a Starbucks drink or fuel from Shell.
How I Use This:
Rakuten Trade offers Nominee Accounts instead of the traditional Direct CDS accounts.
Other brokerages generally charge a fee for corporate actions such as signing up for Dividend Reinvestment Plans but I’ve gotten confirmation from Rakuten that they will continue to provide the services free of charge.
On top of that, you get points for every trade you make.
Read more on Rakuten Trade hERE.
2. eToro
Link: hERE
My US Portfolio has been generating pretty good returns ever since I started investing in 2020.
I switched from using Hong Leong as a broker to eToro. I went from getting zero dividends due to fees and taxes to paying zero fees on eToro. My eToro review can be found hERE.
3. Luno
Link: hERE
Code: HFCCY
Sign up to get RM75 worth of Bitcoin when you buy RM250 or more. That’s an instant 30% return on your investment.
Read more on Luno hERE.
4. Stashaway
Link: hERE
Sign up with me and get a deduction on 50% fees for the first RM100,000 invested for 6 months.
More on Stashaway can be found in my article hERE.
5. Funding Societies
Code: j1mwa37p
You’ll receive RM50 when you invest your first RM1,000. That’s an instant 5% return.
How I Use This:
Funding Societies is a P2P loan financing platform. I’ve been earning annualized returns of up to 13% with them.
Read more on it hERE.
Travel
1. Airbnb
Link: hERE
Using the above link, you’ll receive RM165 off. Even if you’ve got an inactive account currently, it’s worth opening a new one for that RM165.
How I Use This:
I always use my American Express or BigPay cards when booking through Airbnb
Ever since Airbnb launched, I’ve all but stopped booking with other sites. Even for my hotel stays, I book through Airbnb. I’ve found tons of good deals on the site as I’m sure you will too.
Credit Cards
1. American Express (AMEX)
My Amex credit card is issued by Maybank. They offer a 5% cashback for weekend spending. I use it mainly for petrol and food as well as online purchases.
Amex by Maybank also rewards me with 5x Treatpoints whenever I spend. I use this religiously to accumulate and convert it for air miles.
Link to register and sign up hERE.
E-Wallets
1. Big Pay
Link: hERE
Code: SPUXOYWAI5
You’ll get free RM10 once you activate your card. Thereafter, you earn AirAsia BIG points from topping up as well as for each transaction.
How I Use This:
I use Big Pay in tandem with a Maybank credit card and Boost.
First, I top up my Big Pay with my Maybank Mastercard. Earning me Maybank’s Treat Points as well as BIG points from Big Pay.
And if a merchant accepts Boost as payment, I reload my Boost with Big Pay. I get additional cashback from Boost.
2. Boost
Link: hERE
Code: leeo0lg
You’ll get up to RM5 cashback when you top up Boost for the first time. Thereafter, you earn cashback after each transaction by Shaking your phone.
How I Use This:
I use this together with Big Pay whenever possible. See above for the steps to maximum efficiency.
3. Grab Pay
Link: hERE
Code: Nil
How I Use This:
Grab Pay is the only e-wallet I know of that allows payment with Amex cards. And I love Amex.
I top up with my Maybank American Express card on the weekend, earning me a 5% cashback as well as 5x TreatPoints. Boom!
I now have to pay directly using my Maybank American Express card instead of topping up GrabPay credits to earn my points.
Books
Booklist as recommended by me and some of our readers.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
These are all books that I’ve read and found extremely useful and motivating in my path to Financial Independence.
I’ve posted the links as e-book and Kindle versions. If you’ve not got a kindle, I highly suggest getting one because getting your reading materials there is way cheaper compared to conventional books.
If you have any other suggestions do leave a comment here. Your contributions are highly appreciated.
Frugality and Philosophy
- The Millionaire Next Door
- The Millionaire Mind
- The Richest Man in Babylon
- Your Money or Your Life
- Work Less, Live More
Investing
- A Random Walk Down Wallstreet
- The Four Pillars of Investing
- The Intelligent Investor
- Security Analysis
- Value Averaging: The Safest and Easy Strategy for Higher Investment Returns
- Master the Game by Tony Robbins
- The Smartest Investment Book You’ll Ever Read
- Snowball
- The Making of an American Capitalist
- Berkshire Hathaway Annual Letters
- More Money Than God
- Liar’s Poker
- Flash Boys
- You Can Be a Stock Market Genius
Others
- The Virgin Way
- Think and Grow Rich
- How to Win Friends & Influence People
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Good to Great
- The Alchemist
- Early Retirement Extreme
End.
You are done with the Investing Series, check out article 001 of the FI/RE and Savings Series – Is the First RM100K the Hardest?