Wise Investment

Investing your hard earned savings seems a difficult task , but in reality it is not. You you don’t have to be rich to start investing. The key principle is to Start small and start early.

If we focus on the right path to investment, then we would be amused to see the amount that we save in a very short time. It is mind-boggling to see everyone around me spending a considerable time before buying a mobile phone, car or even grocery. But when It comes to investment , the most significant decision of our lives(financially), we just go about it without giving much thought to it.

Hence we want to talk about how investment can be prioritised in the right fashion, and we have the following to explain just that.

7 pillars to build a wise long term investment portfolio:-

• 1. Put up a road map together: and answer two significant questions:
  a) How long do want to remain invested for?
  b) What’s your risk appetite?
• 2. Diversify your investments: The investors falling in the category of high risk takers, also plan investment by diversifying their portfolio. This is important not to invest everything into a single basket or instrument class.
• 3. It is imperative to Plan for long term and avoid the temptation of short term gains.
• 4. Never invest in something that you do not fully/partially understand. Research well to understand and then invest accordingly.
• 5. Invest to save tax : You can save tax by investing under section 80 C. The maximum amount that can be invested is 1.50 lakh, and this means your income gets reduced by this investment amount. So you are exempted to pay tax on this amount. Also the invested amount increases in a period of time. So it is a win-win situation for you.
• 6. Investment should be your first priority, and it should begin with the initial sum of money, and not with the leftover amount. Practicing this as a habit will help you clearly evaluate the difference, and you will be surprised to see the funds that are actually available for you to spend.
• 7. Every Rupee costs: don’t let go off a single rupee. Do not fall fall pray to exotic schemes and keep your portfolio very simple. Try to look for the extra yield that many banks offer such as the superior returns on saving as compared to others that don’t.
  Saving is as simple as spending. If you intend to do it then just follow it like you follow your daily rituals.

We are listing down some wise saving options for the young working population:

ELSS: (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) is a diversified equity mutual fund which is qualified for tax exemption under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. ELSS is a good option to invest in, because the investor has the opportunity to invest in equity markets as well apart from getting benefits of tax deduction.
Also, ELSS has the shortest lock- in period of three years as compared to other tax saving options.

Mutual Funds: Mutual funds are diverse in nature.. They are broadly divided into Equities, Debts and Balance funds. Here the money is pooled in by investors in many bonds, stocks and other types of investment. It also gives you the access to investment professionals who expertise to manage your funds in the best way possible
So owning shares in a mutual fund instead of owning individual stocks or bonds the risks get spread out.
Diversification ensures that a loss in a particular investment gets nullified by gain in another

ULIP’s: ULIP or Unit Linked insurance plan is a life insurance product that provides the risk cover to the policy holder accompanied by the option to invest for long term.
Recurring Deposit : The concept is fairly simple. You can allocate a fixed amount of money every month as deposit with a bank for a period that you specify. This will push you to save and invest on regular basis thus securing your future.

PPF :- The Public Provident Fund has been established by the central government.
Any individual can open a PPF account with any nationalised bank or its branches that handle PPF accounts.
The minimum amount to be deposited in this account is Rs 500 per year. The maximum amount you can deposit every year is Rs 100,000.
The entire balance can be withdrawn upon maturity i.e after 15 years of the close of financial year . The rate of interest is decided upon the government every year. Currently the rate of interest and principle is exempted from tax at the time of deposit and withdrawal.

We hope that this article helps you out in thinking better and planning wisely. Happy Investing!

Image Source:Gurufocus.com