6 Review your investment portfolios

It is very likely that many investors' portfolios have suffered big losses with gains wiped out and even the starting capital reduced.

Given that your objectives, time horizon and risk appetite remain unchanged, Mr Lim recommends restructuring the portfolio to cater for more risk.

But if taking on more risk is not consistent with your investment profile, then either moderate the target amount needed or extend your time horizon.

Here's a suggestion from Mr Chong on how to restructure a portfolio: 'At least rebalance your portfolio in accordance with your investment-risk profile. A 60 per cent equities and 40 per cent fixed income portfolio would probably need to be rebalanced by selling one-third of the fixed income and deploying the proceeds into equities.'

This discipline means you automatically buy cheap as equities now are at bargain prices with an average dividend yield of 4 per cent. 'The economy and the stock market will eventually recover as global money supply is beginning to pick up in response to the aggressive central bank rate cuts,' Mr Chong adds.

7 Investment checklist

If you are planning to enter the market, Ms Lim says you should ensure that your investment strategy is well diversified across asset classes, countries, sectors and stocks.

In addition, practise dollar-cost averaging, which involves buying into the market via a fixed sum regularly so when the prices are low, your money buys more units.

Over the long term, your portfolio will benefit as markets tend to trend upwards.

For stock traders, DMG & Partners head of research Terence Wong's advice is to stay away if they need the cash in the next couple of months.

Enter only if you are willing and able to wait for the long haul. While stocks appear cheap now, he expects better opportunities next year as the negative sentiments are expected to weigh on the market.

8 Use of CPF top-ups

Enjoy tax relief on your income when you top up either your own CPF Minimum Sum or those of your immediate family members.

You can enjoy tax relief of up to $7,000 a year if you use cash to top up for yourself and/or receive cash top-ups from your employer.

You can enjoy an additional tax relief of up to $7,000 a year if you use cash to top up for your siblings, spouse, parents or grandparents.

Your siblings and/or spouse must have earned $2,000 or less in the preceding year to qualify for the tax relief.

The giver can claim tax relief in the following year's tax assessment.