Chinese Zodiac 2020: Your Finance & Career predictions in the Year of the Metal Rat

Hellloooo 2020! This year not only marks the beginning of a new decade but also represents the beginning of a new cycle for the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Let’s take a look at how good your fortune will be in 2020. 

But first, here’s a back story on how the rat became the first animal of the Chinese zodiac. Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor threw a party and invited all the animals in the kingdom. The order they arrived in would determine the order of the animals in the zodiac – which explains why these animals were very competitive.

Well, the small rat was no match for the other animals who were much bigger and faster. Hence why it tricked the ox to give it a ride to the Jade Emperor’s palace. Then, once at the steps, the rat leapt off the ox’s back and dashed in! And, that’s how it became the first animal of the Chinese zodiac. 

Now, moving into this year’s predictions, we have gathered information from across the World Wide Web and Prof Joe Choo’s 2020 Year of Rat Outlook to guide us along. 

1. Year of the Rat – Born in 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 

Finance: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Career: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

Loss of Money: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Lucky Number: 3 and 6

Lucky Colour: Orange and purple

Money-making opportunities are low so if you want to earn extra income, you need to spend energy and time on it. But be wary, as there is the risk of a bad investment so only do so wisely and if necessary. In your career, a Rat meeting a fellow Rat in the office means a good relationship amongst colleagues.

For career changes, however, if you’re switching jobs, you may encounter many competitors fighting for that opportunity. On the other hand, if you’re competing for a project/position in your current company, you will face competition from a fellow Rat.

2. Year of the Ox – Born in 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009

Finance: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

Career: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Loss of Money: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

Lucky Number: 1 and 7

Lucky Colour: Yellow and pink

Good fortune will bless you for only a certain period of time so seize it while you can. If you face any financial problems, put your ego aside, grow some thick skin, and ask your family members or those born in the year of the Goat, Dog, Dragon, or Ox to help.

Not much career change or pressure from work — which is a good thing. But, you’re focused on finding wealth instead of power in a career. Career opportunities might pop up and if you are offered a promotion, you can consider it.

3. Year of the Tiger – Born in 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 

Finance: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

Career: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Loss of Money: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 5

Lucky Colour: Red and white

Woohoo! Long-term investments bring promise this year but as always, be careful and diligent. You won’t feel any office pressure, but neither will you focus on career development. If you have a Rat colleague, you might feel suffocated while working with them.

READ: How to invest in property in Malaysia? Here’s a complete guide for beginners. Tips included!

4. Year of the Rabbit – Born in 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 

Finance: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

Career: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 8

Lucky Colour: Black and gold

Financial investments are not a priority for you but if you want to prosper, you can count on those born in the year of the Ox. This is because they are good partners and advisors in terms of wealth and finance. Alternatively, Goat, Dog, or Dragon will be able to help too.

Career development is one of your lesser worries and there won’t be many changes. Even if you encounter any hurdles in your way, fret not as someone will be there to guide you and help your career blossom.

5. Year of the Dragon – Born in 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 

Finance: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

Career: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 3 and 0

Lucky Colour: Yellow and pink

Money-making is in your cards and money will literally ‘fall like rain’, but it will eventually stop so seize all opportunities as best you can. As an employee, you will earn a good income. You will seek wealth and not position, and you won’t feel any pressure from work. If someone (Rat) offers you a career opportunity with a good paycheck, you should accept it like a shot as it won’t stand for long.

6. Year of the Snake – Born in 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 

Finance: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Career: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 6

Lucky Colour: Orange and white

A bulk of your finances will come from your fixed income but don’t expect any windfalls anytime soon. Money investment is risky, so if you must invest, then switch to conservative alternatives like fixed-deposit accounts, unit trusts, and mutual funds.

A Rat will bring you career opportunities but it will also cause a lot of pressure and conflict. Worry not as your career luck is good, so you will be able to handle it — just develop your knowledge and experience.

However, if a different job offer appears, it’s best to reject it as you might face tough times unless you are extremely passionate about it and ready to take on whatever challenge that is thrown at you.

7. Year of the Horse – Born in 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002

Finance: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

Career: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 3 and 6

Lucky Colour: White and yellow

Work towards your goal and you will accumulate a decent income. Most of your earnings will come from your salary because financial investments aren’t your focus. Having said that, if you must invest, then do so with safer, more stable, and less-risk alternatives instead like FDs and mutual funds.

A Rat will bring you opportunities, but it will also throw you some curveballs, which you will be able to handle given your knowledge and experience. Career development is promising as you can learn from your mentor.

8. Year of the Goat – Born in 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003

Finance: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Career: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Loss of Money: ★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (2/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 6

Lucky Colour: Orange and white

Financial opportunities will come to you intermittently so take what you can. It is predicted that you will lose money, so manage your wealth efficiently. This year, career development takes a backseat for you but you can count on a pay raise or performance bonus at work. The offer might not stay on the table though, so grab it while you can!

If you are looking for a new job, feel free to consider but be well-prepared as it will bring along with it some pressure and difficulties.

9. Year of the Monkey – Born in 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004

Finance: ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

Career: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 9

Lucky Colour: Gold and brown

Financial investment is the least of your focuses, but neither will you hit a financial jackpot. Should you desire to earn more money, you will need to depend on your talents to create opportunities. A risky investment might bring a loss of money, so be careful where you put your money.

That aside, your job status is stable and there won’t be many changes in terms of career development. This is the best time to flaunt your skills and abilities, as well as earn a good reputation at work. But, stay humble, avoid arrogance, and watch your behaviour.

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10. Year of the Rooster – Born in 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005

Finance: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Career: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 5

Lucky Colour: Purple and gold

Financial investment isn’t your focus and you won’t experience a gold rush, but you can rely on your skills to create income. The Rat may play a part in managing your wealth, so take charge of your finances and manage it on your own.

Your career might not experience much of a change, but if you work well, your performance will guarantee a good income. For any office obstacles, you can count on friends born in the year of the Ox or Rat to help you out (the Ox is your secret guardian angel). If you are thinking of switching jobs but are unsure, that means you are not ready, so make sure you think it through first.

11. Year of the Dog – Born in 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006

Finance: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

Career: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 7

Lucky Colour: White and yellow

You can predict excellence for your wealth but grab it before it’s too late. You might find it a bit difficult and experience problems saving money, so consult financial experts for help.

There isn’t much career change and you won’t see yourself pursuing new positions. Despite that, your good performance at work will result in a better income. Plus, your career luck is good because you will have people to help you overcome challenges. As for promotions, don’t delay any decision-making or else your opportunity will be gone.

12. Year of the Pig – Born in 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007

Finance: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Career: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)

Loss of Money: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)

Lucky Number: 2 and 5

Lucky Colour: Grey and yellow

Financial investments are not so important to you at this time. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be wary about your financial health. Avoid mixing friendship and money as it might result in money loss.

Your career is steady so you don’t have to worry about any work pressure. That said, if you’re looking for a job, you’re not in luck as there are many rivals in your way. If you are a business owner, avoid expanding your business this year. Also, a person born in the year of the Rat would make a good business partner

Bonus: General Predictions for Businesses

Now that we’re done and dusted with what your zodiac can expect in 2020, here are some predictions that business owners and/or employees can refer to for this auspicious year, in terms of business and economy.

The favourable industries this year are:

Metal-related: Legal, gas and petroleum, automobile, aerospace and airline services, machinery, tourism, manufacturing.
Earth-related: agriculture, property, construction, companies involved in land-related products/services.
Fire-related: F&B, paint, telecommunications, IT, electrical appliances.

We hope you use this Chinese zodiac guide to help you achieve your financial and career goals. Share this with your friends and family to prepare yourselves for 2020 and its fortunes to come!

*This article was repurposed from “Chinese Zodiac 2020: The Finance/Career Predictions“, first published on Loanstreet.com.my