Singapore’s “Buffett” Dinner 💸 S$18,900 for a Meal: Would You Do It?

What can S$18,900 get you in Singapore?

Wealth manager Ng Tse Meng chose to spend it in an extraordinary way—on a private dinner with DBS’s new female CEO, Tan Su Shan. This charity auction started at S$13,000 with S$1,000 increments, but Ng went straight to S$18,000. With service fees, the total came to S$18,900.

Why did this dinner cost so much?

  1. Face-to-face with Tan Su Shan, the “female Buffett,” who manages trillions in assets and grew her wealth management business by 20% annually.

  2. She’s $DBS(D05.SI)$ first female CEO, wielding unmatched political and business influence in Singapore.

  3. An intimate six-person dinner at the National Gallery, with top-notch Peranakan cuisine.

Even wealthy people don’t spend money randomly—this dinner has investment value, just like the Buffett dinner.

Of course, netizens were shocked: "This meal could feed me three years of mixed rice!"

🤔 Food for thought:

  • If you were as wealthy as Ng, would you spend S$20,000 for a high-value networking dinner?

  • Or, what would you do with S$18,900?

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# Singapore’s “Buffett” Dinner 💸 S$18,900 for a Meal – Would You Do It?

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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  • Shyon
    ·10-01
    TOP
    If I had S$18,900, I wouldn’t spend it on a single dinner, but I see why Ng did. A private meal with Tan Su Shan $DBS Group Holdings(D05.SI)$ isn’t about the food—it’s about influence, knowledge, and connections. For someone in finance, the value of that conversation could far outweigh the cost, just like Buffett’s charity lunches.

    Personally, I’d rather use that amount to grow my portfolio or fund a meaningful experience. S$18,900 could strengthen my investments, serve as a property down payment, or sponsor a long overseas trip. To me, compounding or lasting experiences bring more value than one extravagant night.

    Still, I admire the boldness of going straight to S$18,000. It shows how much people value access to leaders who shape industries. If I reach that level of wealth, I might also pay for such a chance—but for now, I’d prefer to let that money work harder in the market.
    @TigerStars @Tiger_comments @Tiger_SG

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  • BTS
    ·09-29
    TOP
    S$18,900 for a meal。。。

    Would much rather invest that money in shares of the 3 banks, SGX, and other STI component stocks to earn steady dividends and grow wealth over time

    At the end of the day, investing always beats splurging
    Tag :
    @Huat99
    @Snowwhite

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  • MHh
    ·09-25
    TOP
    I think this is how the wealthy becomes more wealthy. To the ordinary man like us, we see $18,900 as 3 years of mixed rice. To the rich, this is just a small part of their wealth and this is an opportunity to pick the brain of somebody who can grow wealth by 20% each year and manages trillions of dollar so she certainly knows what she is doing and does it well. So, it is spending ‘small’ money in return for big money. Putting into perspective, if he invests and replicate to get 20% returns like her, he can invest less than $100k to get it $18900 back in one year. Yet, wisdom sticks, so his returns will compound year after year. It will not just be a networking dinner. It will hopefully be transference of knowledge, wisdom and know-how unless she is so guarded that she reveals nothing. Like all investments, there is a risk and this is a well-calculated risk. I would have done the same if I’m wealthy enough and have sufficient financial knowledge to properly learn from one of the best.
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  • Lanceljx
    ·09-25
    TOP
    If I were as wealthy as Ng, spending S$20,000 on a high-value networking dinner would depend on its strategic return. If the dinner gave access to decision-makers, policy shapers, or industry leaders that could unlock opportunities worth many times the cost, it could be justified as an investment rather than mere indulgence. However, I would still be cautious—relationships built on transactional dinners are often fragile.

    With S$18,900 personally, I would prefer diversified uses: allocate a portion to investments (equities, bonds, or REITs), reserve some for professional development or business building (courses, software, networking events with more sustainable ROI), and dedicate a part to meaningful experiences or charitable impact. The balance between personal growth, financial compounding, and social contribution would deliver longer-term value than a dinner event.

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  • DiAngel
    ·09-24
    TOP
    At last, the mystery bidder is out. If I were as wealthy as Ng, I will bid it anonymously and decline having the dinner. Since it is for charity, DBS can open up the bidding again. Therefore, more money for the charity event. That’s what always happened at charity events. The bidder will donate the item for second round of bidding. Double revenue for the charity organisation.


    I tend to donate anonymously and when the organisation wants to publish my name on their newsletter or charity ladder, I politely declined them. Once I was in Europe and I wrote my credit card expiry date wrongly, they tried to reach me but my mobile was off due to time zone. In the end, they referred back to my past records. When I was back to SG, I called them and they told me that they managed to sort out my expiry date. [Chuckle][LOL][Happy][Smile].


    But SG children society will send me certificate on a yearly basis. 😇😅🤭. I always put them away. Not for show off. 😇😇


    @MHh @melson @Wayneqq @1PC @rL
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  • Tiger_SG
    ·10-20
    Thanks for participating in my discussion. Your coins have been sent through the tiger coin center!
    Check them in the history - “community distribution“
    @TheStrategist
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  • Relative or business partner bought the " dinner ticket"?😀
    I won't use that amount to have dinner with her since I'm not a business partner with DBS . If she can give me huge money lobong after dinner, maybe I can consider..
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  • ECLC
    ·09-28
    Definitely would not spend $18900 for a meal. Also, sure to turn down if invited for a $18900 paid meal.
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  • Success88
    ·09-25
    If I am as wealthy as her I also will join the dinner. Why not can get more knowledge and see different kind of investor for advice. Who know just a few picture can get rich 😆
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  • FarmerK
    ·09-25
    I am open to bidding for such a dinner if I have the opportunity, can take the opportunity to get tips on her thought process behind decision making and things like that.
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  • 北极篂
    ·09-25
    如果我真像吴先生那样财富自由,我未必会花两万新元只为一顿饭。诚然,与星展女CEO同桌用餐的确难得,也可能带来独特的人脉价值,但这种机会并非人人都能转化为实际收益。商业合作与投资眼光,更多靠长期积累,而不是一晚上的对话。对我来说,这更像是一次昂贵的“体验消费”,意义在于谈资而非回报。


    18,900新元能做的事太多:投入年化4%的稳健投资,十年后本金可增值到近三万;或是去欧洲深度旅行一整个月,把钱换成难忘的记忆;甚至可以升级家里的一些设备,或支持家人实现心愿。若从自我成长角度,我更愿意拿出一半资金报读高级课程或创业加速计划,让知识和技能带来复利,这比短暂的晚宴更踏实。


    当然,如果我正处于创业关键期,需要金融资源或行业洞察,也许会考虑把这场晚餐当成一次战略投资。但以我的生活阶段和价值观来看,把钱花在长远可见的成长与体验上,才是更值得的选择。
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  • If I had 18,900, I would use it to buy OCBC and/or UOB shares as their prices are steadily dropping towards 1 times book value for this rate cut down cycle. Opportunity to get them for cheap. The dinner with Ms Tan wouldn't likely benefit me as I'm just a insignificant retail investor and anything useful shared would be actionable by me with my peanuts capital.
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  • 1PC
    ·09-24
    Should go up to 180,900 instead [LOL].... If I have that 💰 money, I will round it off to 20k and Buy DBS shares [Chuckle] @JC888 @Barcode @koolgal @DiAngel @Aqa @Shernice軒嬣 2000 @Shyon
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  • TimothyX
    ·09-24
    爲什麼這頓晚餐要花這麼多錢?
    面對面“女巴菲特”譚素珊管理萬億資產並發展了她的財富管理業務每年20%.

    她是$DBS(D05.SI)$首位女性首席執行官,在新加坡擁有無與倫比的政治和商業影響力。

    在國家美術館,與頂級土生華人美食.

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  • Cadi Poon
    ·09-24
    財富經理Ng Tse Meng選擇以一種非同尋常的方式花錢——花在與星展銀行新任女首席執行官譚素珊共進私人晚餐.這場慈善拍賣起拍價爲13000新元,增量爲1000新元,但Ng直奔18000新元。加上服務費,總數爲新元18,900.
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  • He Man
    ·09-24
    with 20k, I will bring my aged mum for a long trip.
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  • 123321Alex
    ·09-25
    my goodness, this is cheap
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  • LawrenceSG
    ·09-30
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  • terimakasih atas infonya [Shy]
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  • cheap buffet
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