Michelle Lee Zi Yi
Michelle Lee Zi Yi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 4, 1989 |
| Nationality | Singaporean |
| Citizenship | Singaporean |
| Occupation | Content creator, certified money coach, storyteller, Financial Advisor |
| Organization | Better Money EQ |
| Website | askmichellelee |
Michelle Lee Zi Yi is a Singaporean content creator, certified money coach, storyteller and former financial adviser.[1] She is the founder of Better Money EQ, a money coaching platform focused on money psychology, financial behaviour and helping people develop a healthier relationship with money.[2] Through her work as a money coach and finance creator, Lee combines her background in financial services with storytelling, personal development and education around money and life choices.[3]
Lee began her career in financial advisory in Singapore at the age of 21 and spent more than 15 years in the financial services industry, progressing into senior financial advisory and sales leadership roles. During her career, she achieved multiple Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifications, including Top of the Table and Court of the Table. In 2021, she was recognised as Financial Adviser of the Year, Asia, at the Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards. The same year, she received the Singapore Young Entrepreneur Award from Junior Chamber International (JCI) in recognition of her contribution to women’s empowerment.
After achieving financial freedom at the age of 35, Lee left the traditional financial advisory profession and transitioned into money coaching and content creation. Her work focuses on the behavioural and emotional dimensions of money, including money psychology, financial habits, financial behaviour, personal growth and the connection between money and life choices.[4]
Through her personal platform, Ask Michelle Lee, and Better Money EQ, Lee creates educational and storytelling content about money, financial freedom, personal growth and redefining success. Her work draws on her experience in financial services to help people rethink their relationship with money, make more conscious financial decisions and build a definition of success that reflects their own priorities.
Early life and education
Michelle Lee Zi Yi was born on February 4, 1989, in Singapore. She attended De La Salle School and Jurong Junior College before pursuing higher education at RMIT University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business (Marketing).
Career
Financial advisory
Lee began her career in Singapore’s financial services industry in 2010, working as a Financial Consultant at a leading financial services institution before progressing into management and senior sales leadership roles within the financial advisory sector. Over approximately 15 years in financial advisory and financial services, she worked with individuals and families on financial planning, wealth management and related financial matters.[5]
During her financial advisory career, Lee achieved multiple Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifications, including Court of the Table and Top of the Table, distinctions associated with high levels of professional performance in the financial services industry.[6]
In 2021, Lee was recognised as Financial Adviser of the Year, Asia at the Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards. She subsequently left the financial advisory profession after achieving financial freedom at the age of 35, transitioning her professional focus toward money coaching, financial education and content creation.[7]
Better Money EQ
Lee is the founder of Better Money EQ, a money coaching platform focused on the behavioural and emotional aspects of money. Her work explores money psychology, financial behaviour and money habits, examining how beliefs, emotions and personal experiences can influence the way people earn, spend, save and make financial decisions.[8]
Her approach to money coaching differs from her former role in financial advisory by focusing on an individual's relationship with money rather than financial products or investment recommendations. Better Money EQ explores the relationship between money, personal values, identity, lifestyle and individual definitions of success.
Content creation
Lee creates content under the Ask Michelle Lee brand, where she discusses money psychology, financial behaviour, personal growth, Singaporean life, travel, financial freedom and the relationship between money and success.
Drawing on her background in financial services and money coaching, Lee uses personal storytelling and conversational content to explore how financial decisions can influence broader aspects of life, including freedom, lifestyle and personal priorities.
Lee has built an online audience of more than 70,000 followers across social media platforms including Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok.
Entrepreneurial activities
Lee's entrepreneurial work evolved from her career in financial services into money coaching, financial education and content creation. In 2018, she founded Legacy Edge as part of her earlier work in the financial services industry.
Following her departure from traditional financial advisory, Lee founded Better Money EQ, a money coaching and financial education business focused on the behavioural and emotional aspects of money. Her work explores money psychology, financial behaviour, money habits and financial freedom, with an emphasis on helping individuals better understand their relationship with money and make more informed financial and life decisions.
Lee also established Ask Michelle Lee, her personal content platform, where she shares perspectives on money, financial freedom, personal growth, Singaporean life, travel and success. Her current entrepreneurial work combines money coaching, financial education and content creation, drawing on her experience in the financial services industry and her transition to financial freedom.
Financial literacy and community work
Lee has participated in financial literacy and financial education initiatives in Singapore, with a focus on women’s financial empowerment and wealth building.
She collaborated with United Women Singapore as part of its Empowered Women Series on wealth building, contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening financial knowledge and financial awareness among women.
Lee has also conducted financial education webinars in connection with fundraising initiatives supporting women and girls, including programmes associated with United Women Singapore and the Singapore Children's Society.
Publications
Big Deals
Lee is a co-author of Big Deals, a book featuring contributions from senior leaders and leading practitioners in Singapore’s financial services industry. The book explores financial advisory practices, business development and strategies used within the insurance and financial services sector.
Lee contributed a chapter titled “The Power of Social Selling,” which examines how financial professionals can use social media and social selling to build relationships, expand their professional networks and develop their businesses.
Other topics covered in the book include client acquisition, legacy planning, premium financing, the Top of the Table (TOT) Formula, and building and leading high-performing teams. Top of the Table is a level of membership within the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) that recognises members who meet higher production requirements than standard MDRT membership.
Awards and recognition
- Financial Adviser of the Year, Asia – Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards, 2021[9]
- Top of the Table, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) – multiple qualifications
- Court of the Table, Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) – multiple qualifications
- Singapore Young Entrepreneur Award – 2021, Junior Chamber International (JCI), recognising contributions to women’s empowerment
- Generation Grit – The Straits Times
Professional qualifications
- Certified Money Coach (CMC®)
- Associate Financial Planner (AFP®)
- Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (AEPP®)
Current professional work
Lee's current professional work focuses on money coaching, financial education and content creation. Through Better Money EQ and Ask Michelle Lee, she explores topics including money psychology, financial behaviour, money habits, financial freedom and the relationship between money and personal choices.
Her work focuses on helping individuals develop a better understanding of their relationship with money and consider financial decisions in the broader context of their personal priorities, lifestyle and definition of success.
Gallery
In the media
References
- ↑ Michelle, Lee Zi Yi. "Beyond Money Mistakes Podcast | RSS.com Podcasting". RSS.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ↑ Kelli Luu (17 July 2025). "Money Moves that Helped Michelle Lee Change Her Life". Goldsea. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Michelle Lee". YouTube. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ Network, Asia Advisers. "Asia's life insurance industry celebrates wide spectrum of awards finalists". Asia Advisers Network. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ↑ "(Episode 5) How To Be Numb To Failures". open.spotify.com. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
- ↑ "Better Money EQ". Better Money EQ. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Ask Michelle Lee". Ask Michelle Lee. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Money and Me: Retire at 35? The Real Secret Isn't Money - It's Your Money EQ". MONEY FM 89.3 / Omny.fm. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ Network, Asia Advisers. "Financial Adviser of the Year 2021 - Lee Zi Yi, Michelle". Asia Advisers Network. Retrieved 30 September 2021.