Singapore – February 27, 2026 – The heart of Singapore Management University (SMU) buzzed with energy on February 26th and 27th. Students flocked to the annual SMU FinLit Carnival, a cornerstone event for promoting financial literacy among young adults.

A Legacy of Financial Empowerment

The SMU FinLit Programme leads the university’s efforts in financial education. The student-led initiative has a long history of empowering students. Generous support from Jay and Marilyn Ng makes this work possible. Since its start in 2012, the programme has reached over 100,000 young adults. It has also trained over 1,800 students across Singapore. This makes it the nation’s first and only university-level financial literacy program.

Making Expense Tracking Simple and Fun

GoodWhale’s mission to make financial literacy practical was a natural fit for the carnival. Their booth quickly became a hub of activity. Students met the “GoodWhale Buddy,” an AI money companion on Telegram and WhatsApp. This tool simplifies expense tracking.
The booth’s interactive activity, “3 Ways to Clock an Expense,” was a major draw. It allowed students to try tracking their spending firsthand. They used text, receipt photos, and even voice messages. This hands-on approach demystified the often-daunting task of expense tracking. It showed students that managing money does not have to be a chore.
“We were thrilled to join the SMU FinLit Carnival,” said JiaXuan, GoodWhale Co-Founder. “It was inspiring to see so many young people eager to learn about personal finance. We designed GoodWhale Buddy to remove the friction from financial management. Our goal is to empower users to build healthy financial habits.”

A Carnival of Community and Collaboration

The carnival was a resounding success. A lively atmosphere filled the air, along with the ice-cream and Thai milk tea. Students enjoyed various booths, games, and activities. They also gained valuable insights into budgeting and smart spending.

The partnership between GoodWhale and SMU FinLit highlights a shared commitment. Both organizations want to empower the next generation with financial knowledge. GoodWhale proudly supported the SMU FinLit Programme’s important work. They joined other event partners, including HDB, GEN-Z Group, Nataxis, and MedriSG.
If you missed the event, you can learn more about GoodWhale. Visit our website and follow our social media channels to see our innovative approach to financial literacy. You can also keep up with the SMU FinLit Programme by following their social media platforms.