You might’ve watched the movie Crazy Rich Asians or at least heard of its dazzling display of wealth, drama and old-money glamour. The lead character, Nick Young, isn’t just rich but also heir to one of Asia’s wealthiest families, complete with sprawling estates, a private jet, and a staggering S$40 million budget for a wedding banquet that’s portrayed as a royal Asian wedding.

However, here’s what the movie doesn’t show: the financial sophistication it takes to stay that rich.

Being rich doesn’t guarantee staying rich

In the real world, being born into wealth is one thing. Preserving it amid volatile markets, health pandemics and global tariff chaos is quite another. Furthermore, many of today’s affluent aren’t heirs to a massive fortune like Nick Young. They’re self-made entrepreneurs, high-flying professionals or second-generation stewards with a sharp eye on what’s next.

So, rather than just another guide for how to get rich, this is for those who already are rich and want to stay that way. 

Secrets to staying crazily rich

Becoming rich is often easier than staying rich. Maintaining that wealth and getting more from it requires strategy and effort. Inspired by the hit movie, here are eight secrets to staying a crazily rich Asian in the real world…

1. Turn active income into passive wealth

In the movie, Nick enjoys the fruits of his family’s generational wealth, but what isn’t shown is the work it took to turn active income such as property development into self-sustaining empires. Building that kind of financial autonomy in real life is an intentional process, not something one simply wakes up to.

So, while you may be earning well from your business, portfolio or profession, taking your wealth to the next level is about liberating your time so you can focus on the things you really love while your money quietly blooms in the background. The wealthy stay rich by turning earnings into enduring, income-generating assets. The actual yield here isn’t just financial returns, but the freedom to walk away from work if you want to.

• Accelerate growth by allocating surplus cash into diversified income streams, for instance, income-generating property, investment-linked funds, and dividend-yielding stocks. Diversify across countries too, which lets you tap into multiple economies and build a more resilient flow of passive wealth.
• Work with a trusted family office or wealth manager to build a passive income strategy. Here’s what high-net worth individuals should look for in a financial adviser.

2. Optimise for tax efficiency and wealth structuring

Nick’s family’s lifestyle screams ultra-wealthy, yet the assets they hold are not openly discussed and they're carefully managed. The family is discreet, absent from international rich lists and generally maintain a low-key, high-control approach to wealth. It’s a reminder of the importance of thoughtful structuring in preserving assets.

When your income grows, so does the opportunity cost of inefficient structuring or a leaky defence system. Smart UHNWIs or ultra high-net worth individuals know that what matters isn’t just how much you earn but how much you keep. This makes it vital to devise a gameplan for multigenerational wealth preservation which will help ensure your wealth isn’t eroded by lawsuits, taxation shocks or potential family disputes.

• Use legally structured tools like holding companies, trusts and offshore accounts to protect wealth across generations. 
• Consider CPF optimisation, tax-efficient drawdowns and business succession planning. Here’s a useful guide to using the Supplementary Retirement Scheme for tax optimisation. 

3. Protect your wealth with insurance

From the walk-on-water-effect wedding aisle to Nick’s grandma’s sprawling mansion nestled amidst rolling hills and endless lush gardens, the movie showcases what it’s like to be landlord to some of Asia’s wealthiest. Yet planning for the best things in life isn’t complete without insuring against the worst things that can upset it. Health crises or sudden loss are very real risks that could derail a wealthy lifestyle. Illness like cancer, dementia and disability don’t discriminate based on net worth.

• Ensure robust health protection with coverage for common and costly conditions. Cancer, dementia and severe disability can easily wipe out decades of investing or derail family plans. Pick plans that give you the financial flexibility to access the best care, for example:
  
  - Cancer: Singlife Cancer Cover Plus II covers treatments both on and off the Ministry of Health’s Cancer Drug List, as well as treatment abroad, with as-charged coverage of up to S$1.5 million.
  
  - Long-term care: Singlife CareShield Plus provides up to S$5,000 in monthly payouts on top of national long-term care schemes, starting from just two Activity of Daily Living (ADL) limitations (i.e. dressing, feeding, toileting, washing, walking or moving around, transferring).
  
  - Dementia: Singlife Dementia Cover plugs the long-term care protection gap, providing coverage for cognitive conditions, and offering early financial support for crucial rehabilitation and care. Nearly 90% of persons with dementia need help with one ADL and live with a disability.¹

• Use insurance not just for protection, but as part of estate equalisation, key person coverage and even trust structures.

4. Stress-proof your wealth

The Young family’s main house is tucked away in a highly secret location, the kind of upscale address that might warrant top-notch security and contingency planning. 

In real life, folks who sustain their wealth know that such a degree of protection involves more elaborate layers than privacy alone. It requires proper legal, medical and financial safeguards to weather any crisis. It’s about holistic prudence.

• Make sure your wills, lasting power of attorney, trusts and business continuity plans are updated and that those closest to you are aware. Together with your financial adviser, work out what happens during worst-case scenarios, for instance, if you’re incapacitated, your business is disrupted or markets crash.
• Ensure you have liquidity in the form of an emergency fund or other accessible resources beyond your properties and portfolios, to tide through crises without facing pressure to sell.

5. Invest in legacy: family, philanthropy and social capital

Eleanor, Nick’s formidable mum, is obsessed with legacy – preserving the family’s values, name and influence. While we may not agree with all her methods, her focus on generational wealth is undeniable. 

What truly keeps ultra-wealthy legacies alive isn’t their net worth but the wisdom, values and impact they leave behind. Wealth takes on real meaning when it extends beyond oneself – whether through family, philanthropy or social capital. The most respected ultra-rich Asians don’t just fund private islands but futures.

• Invest in financial literacy and governance frameworks for your children so they take a responsible approach to building wealth. Multi-generational wealth is rooted in multi-generational wisdom.
• Explore charitable foundations, donor-advised funds or cause-driven philanthropy that aligns with your values.
  
• Build social capital through mentorship, angel investing and community leadership. For more on making a wider impact, here's how to leave a legacy beyond your family.

6. Don’t let lifestyle inflation take control

It’s easy to spend more when you make more, however, true luxury is about intentionality. In the movie, Astrid Leong exemplifies the concept of intentional luxury. She’s rich, stylish and graceful while at the same time discreet and self-aware. The ultra-wealthy in real life don’t just spend more. They spend better, aligning their lifestyle with personal values, not public validation.

• Curate a purpose-led lifestyle. For instance, buy time through a private travel concierge or a professional chef at home, instead of just buying status.
• Live or invest in places where your money gets you more. For instance, own holiday homes in tax-friendly countries or move your investments to cities where your money goes further because of lower living costs.

7. Buy assets that appreciate, not just glitter

From flashy sports cars to breathtaking bling and couture threads, the movie is full of extravagance. But it’s not all about keeping up with the Youngs. When Astrid quietly acquires a pair of extremely rare earrings, she highlights the power of value-based purchases – strategic indulgences that bring both enjoyment and lasting worth. The wealthy stay wealthy not by consuming more, but by choosing what grows with them over time.

• Allocate a portion of your “wants budget” to collectible assets that hold value: fine art, rare whisky, complication watches or even vintage cars. You’ll be able to indulge in them while their value grows – and possibly your net worth too.
• Focus on utility-based luxury, for instance, a yacht that’s also chartered, or a private villa in an exclusive development with capital appreciation potential. 

8. Surround yourself with people who think bigger

The clash between lovers Rachel’s and Nick’s worlds reminds us how different mindsets shape relationships, wealth and success. In the end, it’s those with long-term vision who thrive. The company you keep can either elevate your thinking or hold it back, so surround yourself with people who aim higher, and you’re more likely to rise with them.

• Seek out investor networks or private forums where conversations revolve around strategy, impact and innovation.
• Stay down to earth. Many of the richest people may not live large or dress in the finest threads, but they’re playing the long game.


Final thoughts

You don’t need a mansion in Sentosa Cove or Tyersall Park to be a crazy-rich Asian. True wealth is more than just being asset-rich and the most enduring fortunes are built on being knowledge-rich, purpose-rich and freedom-rich.

Want to preserve and keep your wealth growing? Speak to your preferred financial adviser representative to explore smarter ways to structure, protect and pass it on.

After all, staying crazily rich isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy.

Notes

1. Source: Singlife, “From awareness to action: Securing long-term care for a super-aged society”, published on 27 July 2025.

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