23/05/2015
Dear Friends,
In our schools we were taught the languages, Science, Social, Maths, but not anything about finance or money. Though we deal everyday with money. It's disappointing to know that many of them do not have any idea where to make good investments once they start earning. They think that buying LIC policies, gold or real estate as the real investments. Not many know about the equities. They do not know for how much they should buy insurance policy and which policy should be bought. Worst of all they do not know the product name that they have bought. They work so hard for their money but when it comes to finance they do not even spend a few hours to know which one is the best for investing. They don't even attempt to know about them though most of them are available on the internet, the public libraries. They spend most of their free time on the facebook, whatsapp during their weekends. If these people do not know much about the equities then how can they teach them to their children. Our Educational System should be blamed for this. They should include finance right from Class 3 or 5. Children should be taught about the income, the expenses, later on as a first step they should be taught how to invest in RDs and then slowly should be moved to the world of equities. I started investing in RDs while I was in 9th standard and came to know about mutual funds when I was around 25 years of age.
1. Do not buy LIC policies as investments or for tax purpose. They provide only 6 to 8% as returns at the time of maturity. Buy only Online Term policy for insurance purpose which is the cheapest form of insurance available. Though online term policies were available from private players, the Bid Daddy has introduced the product last month. LIC eTerm plan. Consider buying this.
2. Buy Health Insurance policy even though your employer has provided one. The policy provided by your employer ceases once you quit your job. What will you do after retirement?. The hospital expenses are skyrocketing. Two weeks back I went for a policy for my mom. Her policy was rejected because she had BP and sugar and none of us knew about this. She walks for an hour everyday and we thought she is healthy. So, if you have any disease you will not be issued a policy. So, please consider buying one when your are healthy.
3. Invest in Mutual Funds for a long term. They have given superb returns over a period of time. HDFC Equity Fund which has been since 20 years has given 21% since inception. In this journey of 20 years, Rs 10,000 has become ~ Rs. 4.7 lacs as at a CAGR of 21.0. A SIP of just Rs 2,000 per month in HDFC Equity Fund since inception (total investment of Rs. 4.8 lacs) has grown to more than Rs. 1 crore by March 2015. Market has fallen from its highs more than 5 times during these 20 years and in spite of this volatility the fund has performed really well. Though this fund has given 21% returns I keep on saying be satisfied with 15% returns per annum and anything above that should be treated as BONUS. I have taken only the case of HDFC Equity but there are many funds which are doing really well.
4. Consider investing in Gold, Real Estate thereafter.
Have you ever thought from where LIC pays the interest amount to you. The premium collected by you is invested in stock markets. They get huge money as returns but pays only 6 to 8% to you on maturity. LIC is the Big Daddy of Stock Market. When they can invest and reap super profits why don't you all consider investing directly into stock markets through Mutual Funds or buying Shares. You make money, why allow LIC to make money and give a scrap to you. Think over friends. Start teaching your kids about finance at an early age.