In both social and professional settings, 80% of those close to you will change. This idea emphasises something we all experience in our lives change even if it may not be accurate for everyone. Everything changes throughout time, from priorities to how we handle different situations. Our perspectives on money and investment are likewise affected by these changes in our life.
While earning money is crucial, it is also necessary to stick to a financial plan and make the appropriate financial investments. Saving money is not a solution since it provides no growth and merely provides interest that is not indexed for inflation when kept in a savings account. Therefore, the money should be invested so that it can grow and generate a return. Depending on a person’s age and stage of life, an investing strategy may change. Here are some investing options for persons of various ages.
Stage 1: Starting a Career or New Earner
Due to the current lack of job experience, abilities, and connections, the saving proportion may not be very high. The saving part, however, may begin at 10% of revenue. In addition, having a solid understanding of finances is important, especially when it comes to understanding the many sorts of investments and savings options. Equity funds are recommended experimenting with at first before considering playing the stock. Investments in the stock market at a young age might range from 70 to 90 percent of the overall allowance.
Young people who have just begun to earn money and have no obligations will have distinct investing possibilities. They might not be responsible for anything, yet they will still have objectives to meet. As they are still young and have time on their side, they can invest in stocks through equities mutual funds, which provide both growth and capital protection.
Taxability will also grow with an increase in income. Therefore, to lessen their tax burden, consumers might participate in equity-linked savings plans offered by mutual funds or the Public Provident Fund. Young people should also obtain insurance as a safeguard against unforeseen events.
Stage 2: Married or 30’s
A person must transition from pure stock investments to a debt portfolio or a fixed income producing instrument as they reach middle life. He must retain liquidity since regular costs must be paid. Goals like a child’s education and marriage must to be taken into account. Investments in gold should be taken into consideration for these objectives since the yellow metal is a hedge against inflation and its value increases with time.
After marriage, the following stage of life begins. Typically, costs rise significantly during this period. And in this situation, you must take care to preserve 40% of your income, even if your costs rise.
After being married, you should coordinate your aims and desires with your spouse. Additionally, it entails sharing obligations and assets, which necessitates open communication with your spouse. Create a broad overview of the overall input, outflow; investments you can make, and risks you are willing to accept. You will be able to take fewer risks at this point than when you were a bachelor since you need both stability and progress. As a result, it may be a wise decision to increase your allocation to debt or balanced advantage funds while decreasing your investment in risky stock strategies.
Along with assets, you should prioritise protecting your family from unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, the insurance coverage has to be reviewed due to the new responsibilities that came with marriage. Purchase a life insurance policy that offers just protection. Additionally, convert the individual medical coverage into family floater insurance with a greater sum covered.
Stage 3: Kids and Financial Stability
When you become a parent, you are in your third stage of life. A greater sense of responsibility and higher costs come along with this happy experience. However, it’s crucial to keep your savings rate around 30%.
You must now make plans for specific events when you become a parent. Your children’s marriage, your retirement, and their education. Some of the events in your life are sort of predetermined. For these reasons, it’s crucial to begin goal-based investing as soon as you become a parent. Decide on your investment vehicles after defining your goals and their time frame.
During this period, most tend to earn more than the previous stage and start to build more stable financial status. Looking for a house, buying a car, and having a family are usual requirements. Based on higher income and more demands, saving amount should be risen as well. It can be up to 30% of income or even higher. For investment portfolio, it should be a mix of high and medium-low risk of investment types to balance the risk with family security and other commitments.50% might be adequate for stock allocation and the others to medium-low risk funds, including insurance and investment instruments that allow tax deduction benefit.
Stage 4: Retirement Preparation
At this point, a person retires from the workforce and wants his labor-intensive savings to start working for him. Due to the fact that the longer the tenure, the higher the corpus at retirement, a person must begin financial planning for it as soon as they begin earning money.
The accumulated funds may be invested in a number of government programmes, including the Senior Citizen Savings Program, the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojna, and Post Office Schemes. Investments can be made in these plans, which are less risky than investing in equities. After determining the person’s risk tolerance, debt investments may also be made.
At this stage, low risk investment is recommended since less time left for making money. Bank savings and pension insurance plan are also suggested.
Stage 5: Retirement
Most of your obligations would have been practically finished by the time you retired. Therefore, obligations right now are extremely little. Your income is much smaller after retirement or, in many circumstances, nothing.
This is an enjoying time of life after a long period of working and financial planning. It is recommended to find a hobby to do, spend retirement fund wisely, and continue to invest especially in low risk alternatives e.g. bank savings and money instruments. For those who purchase pension insurance before, guaranteed living benefit will be paid out annually after retirement.
Additionally, there is a chance of disease, which need medical insurance protection to lessen financial stress and safeguard other future goals. Low risk investing is advised at this point because there is less time left for profit. Stock investments should not exceed 20–30% of your entire investment allowance. Additionally recommended are bank savings and pension insurance plans.