Investment Planning: Where to invest ?

People today are often in a dilemma as to where and how much money should they invest. As most financial advisors would say it is important to diversify and have exposure across various asset classes.

Refer the link below for the entire article


http://www.curioushalt.com/investment-planning-invest/

SWACHH BHARAT

“A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150 birth anniversary in 2019,” said PM of India as he launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October 2014 throughout length and breadth of the country as a national movement. He gave the mantra of ‘Na gandagi karenge, Na karne denge.’

A sense of responsibility and awareness has been evoked among the people through the Clean India Movement. With citizens now becoming active participants in cleanliness activities across the nation, the dream of a ‘Clean India’ once seen by Mahatma Gandhi has begun to get a shape.

The government has created a platform for the citizens to keep our country clean. There is an enormous effort put in by the government to keep our country clean. This can be successful only if we contribute to the mission.  We cannot ask the country to do everything.  What is more important is what we have done for our country. When we go abroad for a trip or whatsoever reasons, we throw the waste in dustbins and not just openly on the road. Then why can’t we do the same in our country.

It’s about following the basics to keep the surroundings clean, simple things like to put the waste in dustbins, while traveling in train, many people normally throw the food outside the window and thus pollute the environment. Instead of throwing it outside the window, people can just wait for the next station and put the waste in dustbin. We must also think about using the handkerchiefs to the extent possible instead of tissue paper to further save the environment.  These are just few examples and there are many more. The more we take a step towards keeping our country clean, the happier we will feel. 

There are a lot of benefits from the Swachh Bharat mission

1.     We can improve the health of our countrymen

2.     We can enhance our tourism

3.     We can prevent many diseases.

4.     We can have a happy and healthy society

5.     We can attract global players to invest in India

6.     We can give better life for the upcoming generations

7.     We can build a better eco-friendly environment

8.     We can reduce cost of maintenance

9.     We can feel proud

When we have an intolerance policy towards our house cleanliness, why can’t we have the same mindset for our home country Just an introspection question to all of us - if we being the citizens don’t value the importance of keeping our country clean, is it worth to follow it in abroad countries just because we are bound by the law of the land, we must never forget- Charity begins at home. So if today we put some efforts, which could be as small as retaining the waste packet until we locate a dustbin or encouraging others to do the same, It does make a difference…

Discipline comes from within, and it’s time we make that discipline a part of our culture with the Swach Bharat Mission.

MONEY PERSONALITY

Money personality speaks about a person’s money attitude, money instincts and habits. It is more about knowing yourself on perception about money.

Let us know about your money habits through the following exercise. In each of the questions select the options (a,b,c,d) and take the highest number of letter which appears in your answer and compare it will the answers given below:

Q1. You Can’t afford a new phone and your old phone works. You will.

a)     Tweak your budget to accommodate it.

b)     What budget? All will work out right.

c)     Think hard before spending the money.

d)     Buy it whether or not you can afford it.

Q2. You got a Bonus of Rs.1 lakh. You will..

a)     Figure out how to optimize returns.

b)     Not take any hasty decisions.

c)     Immediately put it somewhere safe.

d)     Spend it on things you want

Q3. What do you do if family member is hospitalized and you need cash ?

a)     You have put aside some money but it may not be enough.

b)     Hope for the best as you don’t know if you have enough saved.

c)     Not worry because you have saved for emergencies and also have health cover .

d)     Borrow because you never have enough.

Q4. Your friend wants to borrow money from you. You will..

a)     Not mind lending at a good interest rate.

b)     Not be sure whether you can afford to lend.

c)     Be tense till it is repaid as you never lend.

d)     Not have any extra to spare.

Q5. How do you handle tax planning?

a)     You know how to minimize your tax bill.

b)     You hate it and want to get over it soon.

c)     You file returns well before the deadline.

d)     You always scramble to file your returns.

Q6. You would apply for a loan to :

a)     Invest in a business or some high-yielding opportunity.

b)     What loan? You don’t borrow money as its easy to lose track of repayment.

c)     Make essential repairs, pay off debt, or increase future security.

d)     Go on vacation or buy what you really want

Q7. What you think about the future:

a)     You know it will be fine. You plan to earn plenty of money and make it grow

b)     You hope the future will take care of itself.

c)     You feel reasonably confident, since you have saved systematically for years.

d)     You are concerned .Its hard for you to save.

Q8. Your primary financial objective is :

a)     Earn and grow your money as much as possible, as quickly as possible.

b)     Unclear.

c)     Save enough for retirement and other financial goals.

d)     Earn enough so that you can buy whatever you want

What the answer means: 

Mostly As: AMASSER

„ You equate money with self-worth and power. Lack of it leads to depression. You are the happiest when you have money to spend, save and/or to invest. You like investments with high rate of return.

„ Suggestion: Keep a track on your investments and wealth generation. Keep rotating funds if previously selected funds are not performing well.

Mostly Bs: AVOIDER

„ You find it tough to balance your cheque book, pay bills or file taxes timely. You don’t know how much money you have, what you owe or how you spend. You avoid investing money, even if you have some.

„ Suggestion: Setting aside money. Have a target % you want to save depending upon your requirement. 

Mostly Cs: HOARDER

„ You like to save money. You like to prioritize financial goals. You have a hard time spending money on luxuries. If you invest, you tend to be concerned not with liquidity but with future security.

„ Suggestion: Start exploring investment options, Eg: MFs, equity shares. 

Mostly Ds: SPENDER

„ You enjoy spending for your immediate pleasure. You have hard time saving money. It may be difficult for you to put aside enough money for future oriented purchases and long term financial goals.

„ Suggestion: Set aside money. Give yourself a restriction on spending.

Take Away

„ Increase Net Worth (Asset- liabilities): You must always look to appreciate your net worth i.e. all assets after considering the liabilities. Lower the liabilities the better individual feels.

„ Saving= Earnings-Spending

„ Spending= Earnings – Savings- Spending Should always be after savings

„ Planning for contingency fund- 3 months’ salary-Liquidity Eg: Flexible RD

„ Keep a track of spending- Budget Planning- Helps in time of need w/o stress on Finance.