To The Moon

What does S$18,900 buy you in Singapore? A luxury stay? A small art collection? For wealth manager Ng Tse Meng, it bought something far rarer: a private dinner with DBS’s new female CEO, Tan Su Shan.

Imagine sitting across from one of the most powerful figures in Singapore’s banking world. This isn’t about food, it’s about ideas and perspective. The kind of conversation that could reshape how you see business, leadership, and opportunities.

I’m not rich so spending S$18,900 on a meal isn’t even on my radar. But if I were wealthy, the decision would be different. Money isn’t the real barrier here. If I were very wealthy, S$18,900 would be small change, and the opportunity cost in dollars would be negligible. The bigger consideration is whether I have the mental space and hours to fully engage. A dinner like this demands more than cash—it demands presence and attention. It’s not just eating—it’s observing, listening, asking thoughtful questions, and absorbing lessons.

For me, the decision would hinge on whether I have the bandwidth to truly benefit from it. If I have the time to be present, time to learn and time to build connections, I’d gladly pay not just for the networking, but for the chance to learn something new, see the world from a CEO’s lens, and perhaps even spark connections that could last a lifetime.

If I’m busy or distracted, even the most expensive dinner can’t deliver its value. Time, not money, becomes the scarce resource. The cost isn’t the S$18,900—it’s the hours spent, the energy invested, and the focus required to extract meaning from the experience.

It’s also fascinating to think about what this says about modern wealth. Big money can buy experiences, yes but the real currency is opportunity. Access, mentorship, and insight often come with a price tag much higher than the menu. And that makes me wonder: how many opportunities in life do we pass up, not because of money, but because we don’t have time or don’t recognize their potential?

So, would I pay S$18,900 for a meal if I were rich? Yes, if the timing is right, and I can engage fully. Otherwise, it’s just an expensive plate of food.