Insurance products like general savings plans, retirement plans, and investment-linked policies can help you build wealth while providing financial protection. They offer opportunities for growth through interest, dividends, or market-linked returns.

The earlier you start, the more you can take advantage of compound growth. Starting in your 20s or 30s allows your savings and investments more time to grow and helps you achieve long-term financial goals.

A good rule of thumb is the 10-10-80 rule - 10% of your income for protection, 10% for savings/investments, and 80% for expenses. However, if you use an ILP, you can often combine those first two categories, ensuring you are building a nest egg while staying fully covered.

Investing is "offense," but insurance is "defense." Think of insurance as the floor that supports your wealth. If you have a medical crisis or a total car loss without insurance, you are forced to sell your stocks (possibly at a loss) to pay the bill.Insurance ensures your investments stay in the market so they can keep growing.

Insurance transfers the risk of "Big Expenses" to the insurance company. Instead of keeping RM100,000 sitting in a low-interest savings account for emergencies, you pay a small premium. This frees up your remaining cash to be invested in higher-return opportunities like property or business.