Should I Invest, Pay Down Debt or Save?

This week, Sim breaks down exactly what to do when you come into a lump sum of money, from a $10,000 bonus to a $40,000 windfall, using her simple decision matrix. She covers the order of operations for tackling high interest debt, building a three to six month emergency fund, and deciding when to invest so you can feel confident you are making a smart move. If you have been wondering whether to pay down debt or invest, this episode gives you a clear plan to protect your future and stop feeling overwhelmed.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim wraps up the final episode of the three part wedding series by sharing the five wedding costs she would cut immediately and the five things she believes are actually worth splurging on. From skipping real flower decor and trimming catering packages to investing in a great photographer, venue, and day of coordinator, she breaks down what guests truly remember and where your budget has the biggest impact. If you're planning a wedding on a budget, this episode will help you save thousands without losing the moments that matter most.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down how much you should actually spend on a wedding, why over 50% of newlyweds go into debt for theirs, and how to set a budget that fits your household income without sacrificing what you value most. She shares a simple values exercise to help couples prioritise spending, plus her four golden rules for wedding money, including why you should never go into debt or sell investments to pay for one. Sim also explores the “Vogue feature to divorce pipeline” and what the research really says about whether expensive weddings and rings are linked to higher divorce rates.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim kicks off her three part wedding budget series and shares 24 practical ways she saved nearly $10,000 on her own wedding, including the exact email that helped her negotiate $4,000 off one vendor. She breaks down the biggest wedding expenses like venue, catering, photography, and outfits, and explains how small tweaks like e-invites, fewer vendors, buffet or family style food, renting suits, and skipping wedding favors can save thousands without sacrificing the vibe. Sim also shares mindset shifts around what guests actually remember, why a detailed wedding budget spreadsheet is essential, and how to spend intentionally on what matters most while cutting the rest.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down why birth rates are falling across developed countries and why it matters, from aging populations to bigger pressure on government spending, productivity, and tax revenue, using Japan as a real world example. She pushes back on the podcast bro take that women are “to blame” and shares the data that most people still want kids, but financial stress, job insecurity, and housing costs are the biggest barriers. Sim wraps by explaining what actually helps, like making parenthood more affordable through housing, decent work, paid parental leave, and reproductive health services, so having kids feels like a real choice instead of a financial gamble.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down the biggest investing mistakes she made in her first year, from underinvesting in a global index fund that ended up being her best performer to panic selling her first shares and paying fees just to buy them back minutes later. She explains why simple investing usually wins long term, like sticking to broad market index funds instead of trying to stock pick, being realistic about IPO hype, and understanding where bonds or high interest savings can fit in your portfolio. Sim also shares a mistake many beginners make with retirement accounts, staying with a high fee bank default fund for years, and reminds listeners that learning through small missteps is part of building confidence with investing.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares a practical guide to money and relationships, including how modern couples can handle finances when women earn the same or more than their partners and often act as the household CFO. She breaks down smart ways to structure joint and separate accounts, how to talk through mismatched spending habits and shared goals, and the key money questions to ask before moving in together like income, debt, budgeting style, and how to split bills fairly. Sim also explains when a prenup makes sense, why financial transparency matters, and how the right conversations early can protect both partners and reduce money stress later.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim breaks down the classic personal finance question of whether you should invest or pay down your mortgage, using real numbers to show how interest rates and repayments affect your cash flow. She explains how paying extra on your home loan can save you big on interest and boost peace of mind, but how investing a lump sum in a broad index fund could grow more over the long term if your mortgage rate is lower than expected market returns. Sim finishes with a simple decision framework based on your interest rate, income stability, and risk tolerance, plus the reminder that you can often do both by splitting the money and avoiding paralysis.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares a simple, stress free way to rebuild your emergency fund after you have had to use it, and she reminds you to drop the guilt because that money did its job. She walks through taking stock of your situation, setting realistic mini targets like $500 to $1,000 first, and then using automation and a separate account so you are not relying on willpower. Sim also explains how small weekly transfers add up fast and how having even a basic buffer can make you feel calmer, more confident, and ready for whatever life throws at you.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sim shares the three simple strategies she is using to make 2026 her wealthiest year yet, starting with building a growth mindset that stops comparison and turns money into a tool for freedom and options. She explains the friendship circle investing method, showing how to build a beginner friendly portfolio using a local index fund, an international or emerging markets fund, and a stabilising bond fund based on your age and risk tolerance. Sim also reveals her burn book of investments to avoid, including guaranteed high return schemes, FOMO stocks, and penny stocks, so you can grow your wealth without falling for hype or scams.Watch the episode on Youtube hereFor more Friends That Invest:Stock Market Tea newsletter: build financial freedom in under 5 minutes a week. Join 115,000+ investors in training.InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.