Avoid common financial mistakes in India with smart strategies. Set clear goals, build emergency funds, invest wisely, and prioritize financial planning. Learn about credit scores, debt management, and retirement planning. Take proactive steps for a secure financial future in India.
India is a country of hundreds of cultures. Every culture has its own uniqueness and history attached to it. However, one culture which has flourished of late is the millennial culture. Millennials are the young generation of this country who shall be responsible for the dawn of a new era in this country which will help India achieve its long-cherished dream of becoming a global leader. Millennials though, often have a lot of peer pressure and are often so busy aping the West that they often forget that the Indian culture is so flourished and appreciated by the Globe because of its longevity and time-tested processes. One habit often seen in the millennials as well as some other cultures is unplanned finances. When it comes to managing finances, avoiding common pitfalls is crucial. In India, where financial planning and investment choices play a significant role, making informed decisions can greatly impact one’s financial well-being. In this article, we try to highlight some common financial mistakes to avoid, empowering you to take control of your financial future.
Setting Financial Goals: The first part of success is always making an appropriate plan and then working towards its successful execution. Setting clear financial goals for different life stages, such as buying a house, funding education, or retirement planning. Defining the timelines and quantify the amount required for each goal helps in planning and allocating resources effectively. Most people get too busy with their routine life aspects and start ignoring this important activity.
Neglecting Emergency Funds: One of the most common mistakes is not having an emergency fund. Life is unpredictable, and unexpected expenses can arise at any time. One must aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an easily accessible account to handle unforeseen circumstances without disrupting the long-term financial goals. These funds should usually be saved in low risk and extremely liquid sources such as Fixed Deposit, Mutual Funds, etc.
Having Adequate Medical Insurance: India’s healthcare costs are rising rapidly and as such it is becoming extremely difficult to define what “adequate” is. However, it’s essential to have sufficient medical insurance coverage to protect yourself and your family from unexpected medical expenses. Choose a health insurance policy that suits your needs, considering factors like coverage, network hospitals, and claim settlement history is an extremely important activity. Those people who are working in multi-nationals and corporates have insurance coverage given by their employers. Often, these turn out to be extremely low amounts. Moreover, when employees leave these companies, they are often left exposed without medical insurance coverage.
Life Insurance: Life insurance is a very crucial element for financial protection. In India one major issue is people fail to distinguish between Insurance and Investment and often end up paying high premium for policies which are not good enough for their family’s requirements. One should always consider purchasing adequate term insurance coverage to provide financial security to the family in case of any unforeseen event. Term insurance offers comprehensive coverage at affordable premiums, ensuring that the loved ones are financially protected. Hybrid policies often defeat the objective of insurance.
Avoiding Excessive Use of Credit Cards: Many surveys have found that it is easier to avoid unnecessary and reckless expenses while paying with cash as compared to paying with a credit card. While credit cards offer convenience and rewards, it’s important to use them responsibly. One should always avoid accumulating high-interest credit card debt by paying off the balance in full each month. Setting a budget for credit card expenses and avoiding unnecessary purchases is equally important. The credit cards should be used for essential expenses and emergencies, keeping in mind the repayment capacity. People often end up having a credit card bill which is higher than their in-hand salaries.
Tracking Expenses and Budgeting: Budgeting is the process of creating a plan for how you will allocate your income and expenses. Tracking your expenses by categorizing them into essentials (such as rent, groceries, and bills) and discretionary spending (such as entertainment and dining out) is a very important activity. One should maintain some details of their inflow and outflows which can enable them to identify areas where they can save and cut back on unnecessary expenses.
Understanding Credit Score and its Importance: Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness. It plays a crucial role when applying for loans, credit cards, or other financial products. Maintain a good credit score by paying your bills and EMIs on time, keeping your credit utilization ratio low, and regularly reviewing your credit report for any discrepancies. A higher credit score improves your chances of accessing credit facilities and obtaining better loan terms for any opportune investments.
Debt Traps: Taking on debt for luxury items, such as expensive gadgets, fast cars or vacations, can strain your finances. It’s advisable to avoid unnecessary debt and prioritize your financial goals. Save and plan for luxury purchases instead of relying on debt, as it helps us to maintain financial stability and avoid excessive interest costs.
Paying off the Right Debts: Prioritize paying off high-interest debts first, such as credit card debts or personal loans. These debts tend to have higher interest rates, and paying them off sooner can save you significant interest costs over time. Make minimum payments on other lower-interest debts (like car loan, home loan, etc) while focusing on clearing high-interest debts.
Neglecting Retirement Planning: Delaying or neglecting retirement planning is a mistake that many people make. Start investing early in retirement plans like Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF), National Pension Scheme (NPS), or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). The power of compounding works best when you start saving for retirement as soon as possible.
Investment in SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans): Harshad Mehta once famously said, “India par paisa lagao, India ka time aa gaya hai.” (Put your money on India, India’s time has come.) Growth of India’s stock market over last few decades have really proven this statement correct. One should always consider investing in mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). SIPs allow us to invest small amounts regularly, reducing the impact of market volatility. It helps in disciplined investing and takes advantage of the power of compounding.
All eggs in the same basket: Investing all your money in a single asset class or failing to diversify your investment portfolio is risky. Spread your investments across various asset classes such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and fixed deposits. Diversification helps mitigate risks and maximize potential returns.
Making a Will: Creating a legally valid, registered will is essential to ensure smooth and fair distribution of assets among the loved ones. In the absence of a will, families often end up disputing the distribution or often end up losing ownership of asset due to lack of succession planning.
Informing your family: One must maintain a comprehensive record of their assets, including property, investments, bank accounts, and insurance policies. Share these details with the family members or a trusted individual at least once every year, making it easier for them to handle the affairs in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
By avoiding these common financial mistakes and adopting smart strategies, you can build a solid foundation for your financial future in India. Take the time to educate yourself, seek professional guidance when needed, and make informed decisions. Remember, a proactive and disciplined approach to your finances can lead to long-term financial security and peace of mind.
The author can be reached at ravi@raviladia.in
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