Volatile income

The actress supplements her income with a four-figure sum monthly for being a spokesman for ChartNexus, a technical analysis company.

On average, she sets aside about 20 per cent of her income, which she describes as very "volatile", either saving it or investing it in insurance.

Anything else is fair game for spending.

She said: "I'm a die-hard shopper.

"In the past, I would not think much of blowing a few thousand dollars on a shopping spree."

Hong also went on a holiday through Europe in September last year, a jaunt that set her back by more than $10,000.

She said: "I love to travel and it's one of the ways I like to pamper myself. It really depends on my savings, but if I can afford to travel, I will.

"Now that I'm older, I've learnt from others how to be wiser with money.

"I now try to save my money for my business because that's where it can be best put to use."

Hong also revealed that she has been dating a businessman for the past two years.

She said half-jokingly: "He's a totally different kind of business-person from me."

She said they both love good food and he makes it a point to take her to nice restaurants when they are able to make time in their busy schedules to meet.

"We don't have any firm plans for marriage or children yet. I try to let a lot of things in my life just fall into place naturally.

"I don't try too hard to fight fate."

This article was first published in The New Paper.