Category: Personal Finance

  • Understanding the Difference Between Credit and Debt

    Understanding the Difference Between Credit and Debt

    Understanding the Difference Between Credit and Debt

    What is Debt?

    Debt refers to the money that you borrowed & is yet to be paid. Debt is an obligation, and a fixed amount of interest is charged. It is suggested to avoid taking debts since later you may find it difficult to repay. Examples of debts are home loans, credit card bills, car loans, mortgages, personal loans, etc. Debt characterizes a financial burden.

    DEBT

    Types of Debt

    Debts can be categorized into the following types

    • Secured Debt
    • Unsecured Debt
    • Revolving Debt

    Let us go through each of the types in detail.

    Secured Debt

    Secured debts are backed by collateral such as assets, investments, or property. In this debt, if the borrower fails to repay the debt amount, the lenders seize the borrower’s collateral, and the debt is covered from the same.

    Unsecured Debt

    Unlike secured debts, unsecured debts are not covered by any collateral as security. These debts are granted to the borrower once the lender relies on him. The approval depends on the payment of the past debts. For example, education loans and automobile loans.

    Revolving Debt

    A debt that does not have a fixed payment amount every month is known as a revolving debt. The payment amount and interest rate depend upon the amount that you borrow. Once the borrower repays the existing debt amount, he can again borrow either the same or a different amount. It is like a line of credit. Credit card is an example of revolving debt.

    Merits Of Debt

    • Debt can help you achieve your financial goals by leveraging your current resources.
    • Debt can offer individuals, corporations, and governments immediate access to funds in case of emergency.
    • Paying your debts on time can help you improve your credit score.

    Demerits of Debt

    DISADVANTAGES
    • Borrowing money typically comes with interest costs. The interest payments can add up over time, making the overall cost of the debt higher than the initial borrowed amount.
    • Failing to make debt payments can lead to default, resulting in penalties, fees, and damage to credit score.
    • High debt can lead to anxiety and financial stress because monthly payments can be a burden.
    • Long-term debts can land you in a cash crunch, and your savings capacity will also be affected.
    • Debt can also lead to loss of collateral security that you must have given to the lender at the time of agreement.

    Having discussed the debt, let us understand the concept of credit.

    What is Credit?

    Credit means an individual can borrow the fund to repay it later. Let’s say that you have a credit limit of 2 lakhs and the amount that you used from this amount to 50 thousand; then 2 lakh is your credit, and 50 thousand is the amount you owe to the creditor. Creditors decide an individual’s eligibility for credit after analyzing their past debt repayments.

    CREDIT

    Read Also: Why Debt Funds Are Better Than Fixed Deposits of Banks?

    Types of Credit

    Credits can be majorly categorized into 3 types

    • Open credit
    • Revolving credit
    • Installment credit

    Open Credit

    Credits are like trade credits in which the goods can be exchanged between the buyer and the seller based on the buyer’s ability to repay it later on a pre-decided date.

    Revolving Credit

    Revolving credit allows borrowers to use credit continuously as long as they make minimum payments, including the interest charged.

    Instalment Credit

    When an amount is borrowed for a fixed period and fixed interest rate, you repay it monthly. EMIs (easy monthly installments) are an example of installment credit. Our readers should also know that when you pay your debt on time, you earn a credit score, which increases your creditworthiness.

    What is a Credit score?

    A credit score is several 3-digit, which lies somewhere between 300 to 850. The higher the credit score, the chances of you to avail a loan are more likely. A credit score of 700+ indicates that you make timely repayments of your debt amount. Some companies are known as credit rating agencies like CRISIL and ICRA that helps creditor generate a credit score.

    Merits of Credit

    Advanatges
    • Just like debt, credit also provides immediate access to the funds
    • Credit cards can offer the consumer financial flexibility or take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities.
    • Timely repayment of credit will help you secure your loans more easily and conveniently.

    Demerits of Credit

    DISADVANTAGES
    • Non-payment or late payments can lead to default and heavy interest expenses, reducing your credit score.
    • Credit availability can lead to overspending, as individuals may be tempted to make purchases they cannot afford.
    • If credit is used to cover recurring expenses and debt payments, it can lead to a cycle of increasing debt.
      Also, read the case study of Satyam Scam.

    Read Also: Credit Score: What Is It And How It Impacts You?

    Conclusion

    Credit and debt are closely related financial concepts, but they have distinct meanings and implications in personal finance. In summary, credit represents the ability to access resources or make purchases with the promise of future repayment. In contrast, debt represents the obligation to repay borrowed funds, goods, or services with interest, often over a specified period. Irresponsible use of credit can lead to debt accumulation, but not all credit usage necessarily results in debt if payments are made promptly.

    Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)

    1. Are debt and credit the same?

      No debt and credit are not same.

    2. Name of credit rating agencies?

      CRISIL & ICRA are 2 credit rating agencies.

    3. Are home loans a debt or credit?

      Home loans are a kind of debt.

    4. Explain secured debt.

      Secured debts are backed by collateral such as assets, investments, or property if the borrower fails to repay the debt amount, the borrower’s collateral is seized by the lenders.

    5. Define Credit.

      Credit means an individual can borrow the fund to repay it later.

  • Why It Is Essential To Teach Your Children About Saving And Investing

    Why It Is Essential To Teach Your Children About Saving And Investing

    According to the Pew Analyzed Census Bureau data, only 24% of adults are financially independent before age 22, to that of 32% in 1980. Most adults today complain that they were, never taught about financial independence in schools or at home. It is because of this reason, they struggled with their finances in the later years of life. Financial knowledge is not something that you can learn in one day, month or year. It takes years of discipline and hard work to be financially independent. Parents must teach their kids the basics of financial literacy, like saving and investing, from a young age. 

    Addressing the above problem. Today, we will discuss about the importance of teaching your children about saving and investing.

    Why Do We Need To Teach Financial Literacy To Our Kids?

    quick summary of the Need To Teach Financial Literacy To Our Kids

    Have you ever seen the construction of a building? Laying a strong foundation for the building is important, to make it last for years. Similarly, to achieve financial independence, it is necessary to give financial literacy to children from a young age. 

    But, what exactly is financial literacy?

    Financial literacy

    financial literacy

    Financial literacy is understanding the behaviour and working of money to make sound financial decisions like budgeting, asset building, loan financing and debt repayment. Having financial knowledge helps a person to feel empowered. Moreover, people with better financial education are less likely to be financially vulnerable in future. According to research in India, only 27% of the people are financially literate. It means only 1 out of 5 Indians are capable of making their crucial money decisions by themselves. The numbers are bizarre because dealing with money is one of the most customary aspects of human well-being. 

    Thus, it is the responsibility of the parents to instil this basic human understanding in their children. 

    Why Build a Strong Financial Foundation?

    • To build a strong financial foundation, children should be made familiar with basic concepts like saving and investing from a young age. 
    • Saving is that part of your income that is left, after spending upon your consumption. Any person who has just started earning spends a prominent chunk of their income on consumption and saves little to no amount. 
    • But, as they grow professionally, they start saving more for their future & the people dependent on them. Saving helps to build a cushion to rely on during uncertain times.
    • Investing is putting your money to work. Heard this famous quote, “Rich doesn’t work for Money, Money works for them” Weird right? But true.
    •  By putting your money into Assets, you can make your money work for you even when you are not working. For example, investing in real estate could earn you a rental income and give you capital appreciation in the long run.

    Parents should focus on securing their children’s future financially but also focus on building and developing their characters. So that, in case of future uncertainties, they can fight through. 

    Preparing for Future Financial Challenges

    The majority of the people feel anxious when asked about their financial situations. As we grew, we realised that we weren’t ever, taught about financial education in our schools or colleges on which we’re supposed to make real-life decisions. How many of you have learned about finances in your schools or colleges? 

    I could confidently say that none. Our educational curriculum was never designed in a way to help us with our day-to-day problems. Most adults even today, don’t even know that there are options other than FD and mutual funds to invest in the markets. 

    Providing your children with early financial knowledge could help them to have a better future. 

    Introducing Financial Concepts to Children As They Grow

    First, introduce them to the notion of money at a young age. Its importance, how it works, why it is necessary & other things related to it

    • Rewarding- Reward them every time they progress in their work, like for every book they read. Give them a certain amount of money as a reward or when they complete their homework on time.
    Rewarding
    • Budgeting- Give them a monthly or weekly allowance and tell them to manage their expenses in that fixed amount. Explain how they should allocate their money towards their needs, wants and savings. 
    Budgeting
    • Savings- explain to your kids why saving is important and how it can help them. Encourage them to Save a portion of their allowances or paychecks (when they start working). 
    savings
    • Taxes- When they grew a little old and started doing part-time work. Teach them how taxes work and how employer deducts taxes from their paycheck. 
    taxes
    • Investing- When they start to work, teach them about investing and financial markets. Explain to them how they should build assets. 
    investing
    • Compounding- Teach them about compounding and the significance of early investing in life. Financial literacy is something that everyone should learn about. No matter your profession or field of interest, money is something that we all deal with daily. 
    compounding

    Therefore, every person needs to be financially independent & financially literate in life because life is very uncertain. 

    Conclusion 

    If you are a parent or a guardian to any child, now you know why you must teach them about finances. No parent wants to see their child. Therefore, they must teach kids about money, which they were never taught about by their parents. It is easy to instil good habits in children at a young age as they are growing. Apart from just giving financial learning, parents should also start to save and invest early to give their children a more secure future. 

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. Why financial literacy is necessary?

      Financial literacy is necessary to make sound financial decisions in life. Money is something that we all deal with on a day-to-day basis.

    2. How to improve financial literacy?

      To improve financial literacy you can read finance books like ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad, ‘Think and Grow Rich’, ‘And Intelligent Investor’ to learn about the stock market. 

    3. Why financial literacy is essential for students?

      Financial literacy is essential for students as it helps them understand how to make real-life money-related decisions once they start earning.

    4. Is it necessary for children to learn how to wisely spend their money?

      Yes, children need to learn to wisely spend their money.

    5. How to explain investing to a beginner?

      You can learn investing by understanding the basic technical jargon like return, risk, portfolio etc. After that, you consume content from different sources like books, online platforms & courses. 

  • What are ETFs? Are ETFs good for beginner investors?

    What are ETFs? Are ETFs good for beginner investors?

    Recently, Exchange Traded Funds abbreviated as ETFs have gained popularity among investors. For the various benefits they offer. ETFs are a good investment option for beginner investors as they offer a collection of stocks with similar characteristics in one place. Investing in ETFs enables investors to have a diversified portfolio without doing research for individual stocks. ETF helps to minimise the risk of the investor & maximise his return on his portfolio.
    By the time you finish reading this article. You will have a clear idea of whether you should invest in ETFs or not.

    quick summary of ETF

    What are ETFs or Exchange- Traded Funds?

    In simpler words understand like, that it is a box filled with many pebbles,& these pebbles are individual stocks or bonds with similar characteristics. An interesting fact is that specific ETFs track the movement of indices like NIFTY50, SENSEX, etc. So, you expect the same returns on your investment as the index’s annual CAGR.

    Exchnage Traded Funds

    Looking into the history of ETFs in India, we see that. The first ETF in India was launched in 2002 by Nippon India Mutual Fund (erstwhile Benchmark Asset Management Company Ltd). Listed on January 8th 2002, it witnessed a trading of 1.30 crores on the first day. The journey to listing of the 100th ETF on NSE took more than 19 years. The last one-year period has seen a lot of activity in the ETF space, with 21 ETFs getting listed on the NSE. The assets under management of ETFs in India are now at Rs. 3.16 lakh crores (end of May 2021), witnessing more than 13.8 times increase in five years,  compared to Rs. 23,000 crores (end of April 2016).

    ETFs offer the best of both worlds, like Mutual Funds, ETFs represent professionally managed collections or baskets of stocks or bonds. And just like individual stocks, they trade on the stock exchanges, which means you can buy and sell them like individual stocks.

    Types of ETFs in India

    There are different types of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) available in India, offering investors a variety of options to choose from according to their financial goals and risk tolerance.

    • Equity ETFs : Equity ETFs track stock market indices such as Nifty 50, Sensex, or Nifty Next 50. They provide investors with broad market exposure and are suitable for the long term. 
    • Debt ETFs : Debt ETFs invest in government or corporate bonds, such as Bharat Bond ETFs. These are known for stable income and low risk and are suitable for retirement or capital preservation. Investments in them can generate regular interest income.
    • Gold ETFs : Gold ETFs track gold prices and give investors an opportunity to invest in gold without buying physical gold. They are suitable for inflation protection and portfolio diversification.
    • International ETFs : International ETFs track stocks or indexes from foreign markets such as the US, China, etc. They offer global diversification and the opportunity to invest in foreign markets but also carry certain risks.
    • Smart Beta ETFs : Smart Beta ETFs move away from traditional index tracking and focus on tracking smart beta indices focused on value, growth, etc. They provide investors with an opportunity to earn better risk-adjusted returns.

    Investors should consider their investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon when choosing among these different types of ETFs. Choosing the right ETF can improve portfolio performance and help achieve financial goals.

    What are the pros of investing in ETF?

    Investing in ETF has several benefits, some of which are listed below.

    1. Diversification:

    ETFs enable the investor to diversify their portfolio without the hassle of individually picking out each stock. Investors seeking to invest in a specific type of sector or industry. ETFs are a go-to option for people who do not want to spend their time researching each company individually. They cover most of the asset classes and sectors for the most part.

    2. Low expense ratio:

    The expense ratio is the operating expense of the Security, divided by the value of that security. In other words, it is the expense that the investor has to bear for the Security. An expense ratio below 1 is good. And ETFs offer an expense ratio below 1.

    3. Easily tradeable:

    Investors can trade ETFs just like individual stocks, which makes them highly liquid, meaning you can sell and buy them anytime during market hours.

    4. Tax-efficiency:

    Due to its low turnover, ETF offers tax relief to investors. The investors are charged 15% on short-term equity gains. And 10% on long-term equity hains after the exemption of the first 1 lakh rupees.

    5. Transparency:

    ETFs typically have the same securities as the index or the benchmark they track. Some ETFs disclose their holdings regularly, while others disclose them on a monthly, or quarterly basis.

    What are the cons of investing in ETFs?

    Investing in ETF has several disadvantages, some of which are listed below.

    1. Low trading volumes:

    Even though ETFs have become popular lately, their trading volume is considerably low compared to the other securities listed. Volume is the total buying and selling of a specific security over the trading exchange.

    2. Lack of liquidity:

    Due to low trading volume, sometimes it becomes hard to sell the ETFs because there is no one willing in the market to buy them at the price you are offering at that time. Therefore, ETFs are not the most liquid asset to hold.

    3. Composition risk:

    Since ETFs are already tailored-made investment options. Sometimes, they may have some securities in the group that you do not want to hold. Therefore, you do not have a choice for customisation.

    4. Issue of control:

    ETFs offer less control as the investor does not choose the securities in the ETF by his own will. Also, the portfolio manager swaps or churns the portfolio depending on his expertise.

    ETFs vs. Stocks vs. Mutual Funds: Which is Better?

    Before starting to invest, it’s important to understand the difference between ETFs, stocks, and mutual funds and which option is suitable for whom.

    FeatureETF (Exchange Traded Fund)StocksMutual Funds
    RiskModerate (Diversified portfolio)High (Investment in a single company)Low to High (Depends on type of fund)
    ReturnsIndex-based, relatively stableCan be very high or very lowDepends on fund manager’s performance
    CostLow (Lower expense ratio)Brokerage chargesSlightly higher (Includes fund management fee)
    LiquidityHigh (Traded throughout the day)HighLower (Redeemed at NAV, once daily)
    DiversificationYes (Index-based spread across many stocks)No (Single stock exposure)Yes (Diversified portfolio by fund manager)
    ManagementPassive (Tracks an index, no active manager)Self-managed (Investor makes decisions)Actively managed (By professional managers)
    OwnershipIndirect (Holds a basket of underlying assets)Direct (Ownership of shares in a company)Indirect (Units of pooled fund investments)
    • ETFs are a better choice for those who want low costs and good diversification and are comfortable trading on their own.
    • Stocks are suitable for active traders and high risk takers. 
    • Mutual funds are for investors who like the convenience of professional management and prefer regular SIPs.

    Read Also: Mutual Fund vs ETF. Are They Same Or Different?

    Points to keep in mind before investing in ETFs

    • First, determine the assets, in which you want to invest. Choose the best possible ETF according to your risk appetite and availability of funds.
    • Go for those ETFs that offer a low expense ratio. So, you can save on your operating costs.
    • Invest in ETFs with high liquidity so you can sell them without any hassle whenever you want. Otherwise, it would be a hectic task.
    • Check the ETF disclosure reports to ensure that your financial goals align with the objectives of that particular ETF.
    • Lastly, regularly check the performance of the ETFs and take the required measures according.

    Read Also: What is Nifty BeES ETF? Features, Benefits & How to Invest?

    Conclusion

    From the above article, we can conclude that, as a beginner investor, ETFs could be an adequate option to start your investing journey. Keep in mind that everything has pros and cons & the same applies to ETFs. Keeping a check on a few things and investing with patience and discipline can yield lofty returns for investors.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. What are ETFs in the stock market?

      ETFs or exchange-traded funds are financial securities that resemble the characteristics of both Mutual Funds and Stocks. In simpler words, a collection of different stocks to track the performance of a specified index.

    2. How do ETFs work?

      ETFs are like common stocks on the stock exchanges. They track the movement of the underlying asset and perform accordingly.

    3. What are the types of ETFs?

      Different types of ETFs are present in the market like index ETFs, sector ETFs, and commodity ETFs.

    4. Which are the best-performing ETFs in India?

      Kotak PSU Bank ETF, CPSE Exchange Traded Fund, UTI S&P BSE Sensex ETFETF are the top-performing ETF funds for the past year.

    5. What are CPSE ETFs?

      CPSE ETF (Central Public Sector Enterprises Exchange-Traded Fund). An investment instrument that allows you to invest in Central Government public sector enterprise.

  • 5 points to be considered before buying or selling any stocks

    5 points to be considered before buying or selling any stocks

    Choosing the right stock to invest in is a very grinding task and selecting the right Stock at the time is even more gruelling. So many Investors find it hard to decide when to Buy and Sell a stock. Even after doing a thorough analysis of a company or an industry if you fail to enter the investment at the right time, all the research goes in vain. Similarly, not exiting from the Stock at the right time can also result in losses. So, what to do in that case?

    5 Points to Consider Before Buying and Selling

    Below We have mentioned five such points that could help you to make Buying and Selling decisions timely. So that you could invest in the stock market with ease.

    QUICK SUMMARY of 5 Points to Consider Before Buying and Selling

    1. Invest in the industry of your interest:

    • The first step for anybody, when they start investing in the stock market, is choosing the right industry. Choosing the right industry, sector or business is the core foundation for building a strong portfolio.
    • Legends like Warren Buffet always suggest investing in companies in which you have an interest or you are familiar with their business. It encourages you to regularly update yourself on the company’s performance. 
    • To make an appropriate Buy or Sell decision it is very important to be updated with the company’s performance. When you are familiar with a company, or industry and know how the price reacts to market dynamics, it becomes simple to ignore unnecessary news and stick to your target.
      Therefore, it is always suggested to invest in companies that you know well. Who’s business model excites you and you are willing to hold the stock for a longer period?

    2. Understanding the Market sentiment:


    For example,

    We have seen that during COVID-19 the markets were affected badly because of fear among the people. At that time the market had a bearish sentiment, the stocks of so many companies were at a price lower than their actual value. Which was a very good buying opportunity in certain specific sectors like FMCG, Healthcare, etc. 


    3. Evaluating the financial reports:

    Understanding and interpreting the company’s financial reports helps you to have a clear viewpoint on Buying and Selling decisions. The financial reports of the company consist of the balance sheet, profit and loss statement and the cash flow statement.

    • A Balance Sheet is a concise summary of the company’s current market standing. Showing what all the company’s assets and liabilities are and how are they financing their operations.
    • The Profit and Loss Statement depicts the performance of the company during a financial year. It shows how effectively the company is using their resources to generate revenue and how much expense they are incurring.
    • Cash is considered to be the lifeline of any business. Having a positive cash flow is a big green flag for any company. The Cash Flow Statement shows the net flow of cash in the business during a financial year, from the operating, financing and investing activities of the business.
      Being able to read and understand the financial reports of the company helps the individual to make optimum buying and selling decisions.

      Financial reports provide you with insight into the sales growth, gross and net margins, and profitability of the company which helps you to determine whether the company is making any progress or not.

    4. Determining the fair value of the stock:

    Evaluating the fair price of the share is very important before buying or selling it. Many financial ratios help you assess that if the share is fairly valued or not, on the stock exchange.

    Three Important ratios that you can look at

    • P/E Ratio
    • Debt to Equity Ratio
    • Intrinsic value

    Let’s briefly understand each one of them-

    • P/E Ratio:
      The P/E ratio shows the relation between the stock price and the company’s earnings. It is calculated by dividing the current market price of the stock by the earnings per share.
    • Debt to Equity Ratio:
      The debt-to-equity ratio is a financial ratio that is used to assess how much proportion of debt to equity a company is using to finance its assets.
      Debt is the creditor or debt holders’ money that is invested in the company against which they receive a payment in the form of interest regularly. 
    • Intrinsic value:
      Intrinsic value is the anticipated value of any stock. Based on specific parameters the IV of any stock is calculated. Taking into consideration both tangible and intangible factors. 

    Intrinsic value = Future cash flows(1+ discount rate)#of periods

    5. Investment goal

    While investing in the stock market or building your portfolio it is very important to set your financial investment goals. Some Goals are short-term, and some are long-term. It is very important for an individual to correctly pre-define them to make the buy and sell decision at the right time.
    Various factors determine one’s investment goals like the need for money in the coming years. A person who might not need his money for a decade can invest in more riskier assets. On the other hand, a person who might need his money in the coming years will invest in more liquid assets. 

    Read Also: What is a good rule for investing in stocks?

    Conclusion

    Summarising the above article We can conclude that while making a Buying and Selling decision we should always consider the market dynamics at the given point. Always try to invest in the industry or sector you are familiar with or are interested in. We have also seen that even at Rs.1000 a stock could be undervalued. Whereas, a stock trading at Rs.50 could be overpriced for what the company is offering.  

    And remember at the end of the day, investing in the stock market is a very whelming experience and you should always have control over your emotions. Often people get carried away with their emotions and end up making rash decisions and having to bear the consequences over the years. 

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. How to start buying and selling stocks?

      To start buying and selling stocks, you first need to have a Demat account. There are several brokers present online, so it becomes complicated to choose the right one. Now. you can open a Demat account using Pocketful’s app within a few seconds.

    2. Which are the best apps for buying and selling stocks?

      There are many applications present online which facilitate the buying and selling of stocks. It depends on the use case and preference of the customer. Pocketful offers a trading platform for both your investing and trading needs. Simple interface combined with modern technology to make your finance journey smooth.

    3. What are the buying and selling of stocks?

      When you buy a stock you are not buying it with the company but the shareholder. Similarly, when you sell a stock the company is not buying it but some other investor.

    4. What points should one consider before buying and selling stocks?

      In the above article, five key points are mentioned that you should consider before buying and selling stocks. Never buy a stock in a company or industry, you do not know about. Analyze what the market dynamics are and how other investors are reacting.

  • Top 10 personal finance lessons for self-learning

    Top 10 personal finance lessons for self-learning

    In a world where money navigates the flow of your life, it is very important to learn about Personal Finance. This article is not only for young individuals who have just started earning but for every person who wants to take charge of their financial decisions and future. We all know that our traditional education system does not teach us about the real financial world. For example, how to file your taxes, how to do retirement planning, what is a credit score, how credit cards work, and more. Once you enter the real world you have to decide on the things that you were never taught about. 

    Here are 10 personal finance lessons for self-learning –

    quick summary of top 10 personal finance rules.

    Read Also: P2P Lending: Definition, Benefits, And Limitations

    1. Setting up financial goals:

    Having clarity about your financial aspiration Lays a strong foundation for your financial future setting up short-term and long-term goals helps to form a road map to achieve them. The financial goal varies from person to person depending on their situation. Setting up financial goals that are realistic, attainable, and measurable is very important.

    Some financial goals could be:

    • Buying a house in the next 10 years
    • Buying a car in the next two years

    2. Have a budget:

    Pen down all your income and expenses on a piece of paper, and see where your money is going. Analyze how could you allocate your income in a better way, so that the utility derived from your income could be maximized. Try to eliminate necessary expenses, fix the budget for every expense and try to stick with it.

    3. Pay yourself first:

    The first thing you should do when you get your paycheck is to pay yourself first. It means that you should keep a fixed amount aside every month for your future depending upon your financial aspirations. It is important to save for your future because we live in a world full of uncertainties, and believe it or not money may not be the most important thing in life but it affects everything that is.

    4. Start investing early:

    Investing work on the principle of compounding. Interesting fact that Albert Einstein famously referred to compound interest as the 8th wonder of the world. Compounding is accumulating wealth by allowing returns to generate more returns amplifying the benefits of saving and investing. 

    Let’s try to understand the benefit of early investing through an example:

    Suppose Mr Sam is 30 years old and starts investing 25000 rupees Every month at the rate of 12% p.a. for the next 25 years.
    At the age of 55 years, the value of his investment would be 4,70,000 rupees.
    But, if Mr Sam had started investing just 5 years ago, i.e. when he was 25 years old then.
    At the same age of 55 years, the value of his investment would be roughly around 8,80,000 rupees.

     5. Automate your saving:

    Saving your money is very important, if you save money in your good time your money will save you in your bad times. Set up automatic Transfer from your paycheck account to a separate savings account. Then slowly and gradually increase the amount you will be stunned to see how rapidly your savings will compound. Automating your savings gives you peace of mind because you know that you are building and saving your funds.

    6. Learn about credit cards:

    Credit cards can be both a boon and a bane. It just depends on the person and how they use them. If you are someone who can pay their bills on time then believe it, credit cards are a blessing for you. 

    There are various advantages of using a credit card such as

    •  Helps in building credit history.
    •  Helps you in tracking your expenses.
    •  Used as an emergency fund.
    •  Comes with a lot of rewards.
    •  Convenient pay method.

    7. Retirement planning

    It is never too early to plan for your retirement since who doesn’t want a comfortable and hassle-free life in their Golden years? so it’s better to start planning for your retirement as soon as possible. First, create a retirement budget and figure out an amount that you think will be enough for you to have your desired lifestyle in your retirement age. Then look for retirement accounts like IRAs or retirement pension plans to start your savings, Apart from this you can also figure out different sources of generating passive sources of income.
    For example, invest in real estate by taking a loan from a Bank in your working year and then enjoy the rental income and capital appreciation in the following years.

    8. How taxes work:

    Learn and have a fair understanding of how taxes work. Learn about Income Tax, wealth tax, rebates, deductions, and credit scores. Identify your tax slabs and understand how to file taxes. ITR is very important if you are looking forward to taking a loan. When you approach the bank for the same they ask you for your tax return filing. Apart from this the government also give various types of relief if you fulfil certain financial obligations. These reliefs can sometimes help you to save a lot of money while making big purchases.

    9. Lifestyle inflation:

    Lifestyle inflation is a situation when a person starts spending more on their lifestyle than average because their income has increased. As your income grows it is normal to upgrade your lifestyle. But you should be mindful of where your money is going. It is important to distinguish between your needs and wants. However, being mindful of lifestyle inflation and saving a significant portion of increased income can accelerate your progress towards your financial goals.

    10. Kept learning:

    Understand that learning is a continuous and never-ending process. Everyone at some point in their lives has taken wrong financial decisions. But it is okay because everybody makes mistakes. What matters is how much you have learned from those mistakes. Financial missteps are a part of the learning journey. Cherish your mistakes as learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and accordingly adjust your strategy.

    Conclusion

    Remember that learning about financial independence is a lifelong endeavour. Which takes time. Being disciplined and having patience over the longer term makes achieving your financial goals more easy. 
    So educate yourself, set your goals, and take productive steps to make your future financially secure. By doing so, you are not just saving your money but investing in a more fulfilling and secure future. 

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    3Explainer On Geopolitical Tensions
    4Intrinsic Value vs Book Value
    5What are Treasury Bills: Meaning, Benefits and How to Buy?

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. What is personal finance?

      Personal finance is the management of monetary resources in such a way that you can maximize its utility. And planning to spend your money in such a way that you can fulfil your present needs and also save for your future.

    2. How to save money wisely?

      To save your money wisely first identify where your money is going or where you are spending your money. Then distinguish between your needs and wants and accordingly cut your unnecessary expenses.

    3. What is the PYF rule?

      According to the PYF pay yourself first rule you first pay yourself out of your paycheck i.e. you keep an amount aside to invest or save for your future. By following this rule you are creating a safety cushion on which you can rely in your hard times.

  • How to invest in dividend stocks in India?

    How to invest in dividend stocks in India?

    We all desire to earn passive income, and investing in dividend stocks provides an excellent opportunity to achieve it. As the Indian markets outpace the returns of other stock exchanges, it becomes crucial to be part of this growth story and reap its benefits. Investing in dividend stocks in India offers a steady income stream & holds the potential for long-term growth. These stocks, often called “cash cows,” allocate a portion of their earnings as dividends to shareholders. 

    Investing in dividend stocks is as simple as your usual stock investments –

    quick summary of how to invest in dividend stocks.

    1. Select a Reliable Brokerage: Choose a reputable brokerage firm with the necessary tools and resources for stock trading.

    2. Open a Demat AccountSign up for a trading and Demat account with the chosen brokerage. Provide the required documents and complete the account setup process.

    3. Research Dividend: Paying Companies: Identify companies listed on Indian stock exchanges that have a history of paying dividends consistently. Look for stable companies with good financial standing. We’ll be discussing this point in detail.

    4. Evaluate Dividend Yield: Review the dividend yield of potential stocks. It can be calculated by dividing the annual dividend per share by the current stock price. This helps gauge the potential income.

    5. Consider Qualified Dividends: Understand the concept of qualified dividends and their tax implications. Qualified dividends are usually subject to lower tax rates, making them a tax-efficient choice for investors.

    Read Also: What is a Dividend? 

    6. Place an Order: Once you’ve identified a suitable dividend stock, place an order through your brokerage’s trading platform. Choose between market orders (immediate execution) and limit orders (set a specific price).

    7. Monitor Dividend Payment Schedule: Keep track of the company’s dividend payment schedule. Dividends are often paid out quarterly, but the timing can vary. Stay informed to ensure you receive your dividend income.

    8. Reinvestment or Payout: Decide whether you want to reinvest your income or receive them as cash payouts. Reinvestment can lead to compounding returns over time.

    9. Stay Informed: Continuously monitor the performance and news related to the companies you’ve invested in. Stay informed about any changes in the company’s financial health or dividend policies.

    10. Long-Term Perspective: Approach dividend stock investing with a long-term perspective. The goal is to build a portfolio that generates a steady stream of income over time, while potentially benefiting from capital appreciation.

    11. Tax Considerations: Be aware of the tax implications of dividend income in India. Understand the applicable tax rates and reporting requirements for dividends received.

    12. Diversification: With any investment strategy, diversification is the key. Avoid putting all your funds into a single dividend stock; consider building a diversified portfolio across different sectors.

    Now, you’ll be all set to start your journey of investing in dividend stocks in India. The goal is to create a steady income stream and see your investments grow over the long haul.

    Read Also: 5 Highest Dividend Paying Stocks in India

    Factors to see for identifying dividend-paying companies –

    1. Financial Performance: Examine the company’s financial statements, including revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow. A strong financial foundation is essential for consistent dividend payments.

    2. Dividend History: Check the company’s track record of dividend payments. Look for a history of regular and stable dividends over several years.

    3. Dividend Yield: Evaluate the dividend yield, which is the ratio of annual dividends to the current stock price. Compare this yield with industry averages to gauge competitiveness.

    4. Payout Ratio: Calculate the payout ratio by dividing dividends per share by earnings. A sustainable payout ratio indicates the company can comfortably afford its dividend commitments.

    5. Earnings Growth: Assess the company’s earnings growth trajectory. Companies with steady and increasing earnings are more likely to maintain dividend payments.

    6. Debt Levels: Analyze the company’s debt levels and debt-to-equity ratio. Excessive debt could impact its ability to sustain dividend payments during economic downturns.

    7. Industry Trends: Consider the industry the company operates. Research industry trends and forecasts to ensure the company’s position is strong and its market share is sustainable.

    8. Management and Governance– Evaluate the quality of the company’s management team. Transparent governance practices and a history of shareholder-friendly policies are positive indicators.

    9. Competitive Landscape: Compare the company’s performance, dividends, and strategies with its competitors. A company that outperforms its peers is more likely to provide stable dividends.

    10. Market Capitalization: Consider the company’s market capitalization. Larger, well-established companies often have the resources to maintain consistent dividends.

    11. Future Prospects: Research the company’s growth potential and expansion plans. A company with a clear roadmap for growth is more likely to continue rewarding shareholders.

    12. Dividend Growth: Assess the company’s history of increasing dividends over time. Consistent dividend growth demonstrates management’s commitment to shareholders.

    13. Analyst Recommendations: Review recommendations from financial analysts and experts. While not definitive, these insights can offer valuable perspectives on the company’s prospects.

    14. Industry Regulations: Be aware of any industry-specific regulations that could impact the company’s ability to maintain dividends.

    15. News and Developments: Stay updated on recent news, events, and developments related to the company. Changes in leadership, acquisitions, or strategic shifts can influence dividend sustainability.

    By following these steps, you can navigate the world of dividend stocks with confidence and make informed investment decisions.

    Investment principles to swear by –

    1. Focus on Regular Payouts: Look for companies that give out dividends often. They’re like your paycheck but from your investments!

    2. Don’t Chase Just High Yields: Sure, big payouts are tempting, but make sure they’re sustainable. Sometimes a struggling company offers high yields, but that might not last.

    3. Stability Matters: Pick companies that are strong and steady. You want them to keep making money so they can keep giving you dividends.

    4. Diversify: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Invest in different companies and industries. If one isn’t doing well, others might make up for it.

    5. Long-Term Thinking: Dividend stocks are like slow-cooking investments. Think long-term. Over time, your money can grow nicely.

    6. Reinvest or Enjoy: Set your goals beforehand in terms of the yield you are targeting. Decide if you want to buy more shares with your dividends (like planting seeds) or just enjoy the extra cash.

    7. Keep Learning: Keep an eye on the news about the companies you invested in. If there are big changes, it could affect your dividends.

    8. Know the Tax Rules: Remember, dividends are taxed. Know how much you might need to give back to the government.

    9. Look at Dividend Growth: Companies that increase their dividends over time are a good sign. It means they’re getting better at making money.

    10. Stay Calm: Don’t freak out if the stock price goes up and down. Focus on the dividends and the company’s overall health.

    11. Patience Pays: Think of it like growing a garden. It takes time, but the rewards can be worth it. Hold on for the long haul.

    12. Expert Help: If you’re unsure, get advice from experts or professionals. They can guide you based on their experience.

    Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy. Your approach depends on your goals, risk tolerance, and how much you want to be involved. With the right strategy, dividend stocks can be a tasty addition to your investment plate!

    Read Also: Highest Dividend Paying Penny Stocks List

    How to research dividend-paying Companies?

    First off, identifying stocks that pay a good dividend yield is important. This means looking at how much dividend you’d get compared to the stock’s price. Companies that keep their dividend yield high are usually seen as pretty stable investments. The screener can be used for this purpose. When you’re picking these dividend-paying stocks, it’s smart to know about “qualified dividends.” These are dividends that meet certain tax criteria and are usually taxed at a lower rate, which is a good thing for your pocket.

    Now, when it comes to actually investing in these stocks, proper research needs to be undertaken. Look for companies that have a track record of sharing profits with their shareholders. They usually pay out dividends regularly, like every quarter. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on when they announce their dividend payouts.

    Here’s the deal though: this kind of investing is like the slow-cooking of investing strategies. You’ve got to be in it for the long haul. Even big shots like Warren Buffett say they like to hold onto stocks “forever.” It’s all about being patient and letting your money grow over time.

    Conclusion

    But hey, remember that dividends in India are taxed. The rate depends on how much you earn, so it’s good to know what you’re in for tax-wise. If you’re not super into picking stocks yourself, no worries. There are mutual funds that focus on these dividend-paying stocks. That way, the experts handle the hard work and you still get the benefits.
    The main goal here is to create a source of passive income. By choosing stocks that keep growing their dividends, you could have more cash coming in over the years. So there you go! Investing in dividend stocks in India is a smart way to get some cash flow going and let your investment bloom. Just remember to pick wisely, be patient, and let the magic of compounding do its thing.

    Calculate Dividend Yield – Dividend Yield Calculator

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. What are dividend-paying stocks?

      The stocks of companies that pay a portion of their profits to their shareholders are called dividend-paying stocks. Investing in dividend-paying stocks acts as a passive source of income.

    2. Which are the best dividend-paying stocks in India?

      You can check out this link to find the top fundamentally strong stocks that dividend-paying in 2022 India. click here

    3. Is investing in dividend-paying stocks good?

      Yes, investing in dividend-paying stocks is good. Because it not only pays out dividends to its shareholders but the investor also benefits from capital appreciation.

  • How to find and identify undervalued stocks

    How to find and identify undervalued stocks

    Undervalued stocks are stocks that are trading at a lower price than their actual fair price. At times the stock price does not fairly represent the true worth of the company. Sometimes small companies get ignored by analysts who are experiencing increased sales and better profit margins and have undervalued share prices. Investors look forward to investing in undervalued stocks because the possibilities are very high that the price of these stocks will increase in future. But, the question that arises here is how to identify these undervalued stocks.

    10 parameters that one should consider to decide whether the stock is fairly priced or not –

    quick summary of 10 paramters that one should consider to decide whether the stock is fairly priced or not

    Read Also: Semiconductor Industry in India

    1. P/E ratio

    The P/E ratio shows the relation between the stock price and the company’s earnings. It is calculated by dividing the current market price of the stock by the earnings per share.


    The ratio can be used to determine whether the stock is undervalued, overvalued or fairly valued.

    • If the stock P/E is more than the industry P/E we can say that the stock is overvalued.
    • If the stock P/E is less than the industry P/E we can say that the stock is undervalued.

    And lastly, if the stock P/E is nearly equal to the industry P/E then the stock is fairly priced. The P/E ratio is important when determining the true worth of the company.

    2. P/B ratio

    The P/B ratio shows the relationship between the current stock price and its book value.

    There are 3 main steps for computing the P/B ratio of any company.

    • Step 1- Calculate the book value(company assets minus liabilities ) = assets – liability = book value.
    • Step 2- Calculate the book value per share = book value. of outstanding shares.
    • Step 3- Calculate the P/B ratio = current market of the share book value per share.

    Any value below 1 is considered desirable by value investors indicating that the stock is undervalued. And a value above 3 is considered that the share is overvalued.

    3. P/S Ratio

    The P/S ratio or price-to-sales ratio is a financial ratio that shows the relationship between the price of the share and the sales of the company.

    P/S ratio = market capitalisationnet annual sales


    • An ideal P/S ratio can vary from industry to industry or sector to sector. But still, a P/S ratio between 1-2 is considered a good ratio for value investors.
    • A high P/S ratio may indicate the inefficiency of the management in using the shareholder’s funds to drive more revenue.

    Whereas a lower P/S ratio as compared to the industry standards may indicate that the stock is undervalued.

    4. Debt-to-equity ratio

    The debt-to-equity ratio is a financial ratio that is used to assess how much proportion of debt to equity a company is using to finance its assets. Debt is the creditor or debt holders’ money that is invested in the company against which they receive a payment in the form of interest regularly. Whereas equity funds are the money of the shareholders that is invested in the business.

    Having a high debt-to-equity ratio can be a big red flag for any company if the free cash flow of the company is not good. Because then the company will not be able to meet its short debt financing obligations which is not good. This does not mean that having a high debt-to-equity ratio is a bad thing. It generally depends from sector to sector. A sector that requires heavy fixed assets (like automobile or construction) might have a high debt-to-equity ratio as compared to a company that does not require so many fixed assets (like the IT sector).

    5. The PEG ratio

    The PEG ratio is a financial ratio that shows the relationship between the price and the earnings to the growth of the company. It can be defined as an advanced version of the P/E ratio. Since the P/E ratio does not tell about the price of the stock being fairly valued taking into account only the current earnings of the company and not the forecasted future earnings.

    That’s where the PEG ratio comes to the rescue it tells whether the share is being fairly valued or not at the stock exchange taking into consideration the growth rate of the company.

    PEG ratio = price/EPS growth


    • A PEG ratio of more than 1 is considered that the stock may be overvalued and not considered for investing by value investors.
    • A PEG ratio of less than 1 indicates that the stock is undervalued than its true worth and might be a good option to invest in by value investors.

    6. Free cash flow 

    Free cash flow is the cash left with the company after paying for its operating expenses and capital expenditures. The formula for finding the free cash flow for any company is given below.

    Free cash flow cash flow from operations – (operating expenses + capital expenditure).

    Having a positive FCF is a major green flag for the company because a positive FCF indicates that earnings are expected to increase in future. Which is a good sign for any value investor. Showing that either the company is experiencing sales growth or better net profit margins and that the company is effectively using their resources.

    7. Dividend yield

    The dividend yield is a financial ratio that shows what percentage of the share price the company is giving out as dividends to its shareholders.

    Dividend yield =annual dividend paid/market price

    If a company is giving out high dividends it is a green flag for any value investor and might indicate that the company is undervalued. Because generally in a company with a high dividend payout the shareholders are not only benefited from the capital appreciation but also the dividend payments give them a good annual return on their investment.

    8. ROE

    Return on equity is a financial ratio expressed in percentage terms indicating a relationship between the company’s net earnings and the shareholder’s equity.

    ROE=(Net earnings/ shareholders equity)*100


    • A 15-20% ROE is considered very good for any company as it shows how effectively the company is using the shareholder’s funds to make more money. 
    • An ROE higher than 20% might indicate that the management is taking a high risk on shareholders’ money to get more business. 

    9. Intrinsic value 

    Intrinsic value is the anticipated value of any stock. Based on certain parameters the IV of any stock is calculated. Taking into consideration both tangible and intangible factors. 

    Intrinsic value = Future cash flows(1+ discount rate)^no. of periods

    It is very complicated to calculate the intrinsic value of any stock manually, and individuals can use the stock screeners available online to get the correct IV for any stock.


    • If IV>current market price then the share is considered to be undervalued.
    • If IV<current market price then the share is considered to be overvalued.
    • If IV is almost equal to the market price then we can say that the stock is fairly valued.

    10. Pitroski score

    Pitroski f- score is a no. between 0-9 which is used to assess the strength of the company’s financials. It is taken into account to decide whether the stock is suitable for investing or not with 9 being the best and 0 being the worst.

    The calculation of the Pitroski score is quite complicated if done by hand, there are many stock screeners available online that automatically calculate the Pitroski score for you.


    • A Pitroski score below 3 is not considered good.
    • A score between 3-6 is considered good.
    • And a score above 6 is excellent for investing.

    Conclusion

    Thus we can conclude that identifying undervalued stocks is not even that hard. You just need to keep a few points in mind before starting your research. 

    Investing in stocks that you can hold for the long term is a good way to build a strong portfolio. Also, it is important to regularly churn your portfolio on a regular basis so that you can maximize the returns and minimise the risk in your overall portfolio.

    S.NO.Check Out These Interesting Posts You Might Enjoy!
    1LTP in Stock Market: Meaning, Full Form, Strategy and Calculation
    2How to find and identify undervalued stocks
    3Types of ITR: Which One Should You Choose?
    4What is FIRE in Finance? Full Form, Features, Types, and Formula Explained
    5Best Places To Park Your Short Term Money

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. What are undervalued stocks?

      Stocks are trading at a lower price in the stock exchanges as compared to their actual fair price. There are various accounting financial ratios that you can use to assess the true value of the stock.

    2. How to find undervalued stocks?

      There are different financial ratios you can consider to decide whether the stock is undervalued, overvalued or fairly valued.

    3. Fundamentally strong stocks that are undervalued in 2022 India.

      You can check out any stock screener to find the top fundamentally strong stocks that are undervalued in 2022 India.

  • How to achieve financial freedom before retirement

    How to achieve financial freedom before retirement

    As financial guru Warren Buffett once said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving”.Have you ever wondered how some people retire early at a young age? Because they have achieved financial freedom before retirement.
    So let us understand what is financial freedom. Financial freedom can be defined as a state where your monthly income from passive sources exceeds your monthly expenditure. Also, you do have an emergency fund for any type of contingent liability that may arise in future. Okay, let’s try to understand the few technical terms that were used above in the definition of financial freedom.

    quick summary of  financial freedom before retirement
    • Passive income- Passive income is the source of income where you are not actively working but your money is working for you. E.g. rental income, dividend income, interest from debt fund investments, etc.
    • Emergency fund– A fixed amount of money set aside in liquid form for unforeseen future circumstances.
    • Contingent liability– A contingent liability is a potential obligation that may arise from an event that has not yet occurred. 

    Now that we have understood what financial freedom is, the question arises how to achieve it?

    Read Also: 10 Essential Financial Planning Tips for Military Members

    Here are 10 easy rules that you could opt for to achieve financial freedom before retirement :

    financial freedom

    1. Understand where you are at present- 

    The first and foremost step in the journey of financial freedom is understanding your present financial situation. Your expenses, income, assets, liabilities, debt and savings. 
    Sat down take a pen and paper and write down your expenses, income, assets, liabilities, debt and savings. So that you have your financial statement. 

    2. Frame your future goals-

    Clearly define your future goals. It could be buying your dream car, clearing up your education loan, saving up children’s marriage and anything else. Write down your 1, 5, 10, and 20-year financial goals or whatever you want you want to achieve in your life in the following years. But make sure, that your goals are specific, measurable, realistic and time-bound. 

    3. Budget like a boss-

    Make a budget and have a record so that you know where your money is going. Try to cut unnecessary expenses from your budget. Distinguish between your needs and wants. A need is something necessary to live and function. A want is something that can improve your quality of life. Using these criteria, a need includes food, clothing, shelter and medical care, while wants include everything else.
    It’s not like you have completely ignored your needs but the motive is to spend your money in such a way that you can maximize the satisfaction derived from it so that your future is also not compromised. 

    4. Pay yourself first-

    The financial rule of paying yourself first simply means that you put a certain amount aside for your savings or investment before paying for any of your bills. 
    This helps you to build a cushion, for your future on which you can rely in uncertain times. 
    This rule enables you to prioritize your savings and investments, even if that means compromising on your wants today. PYF rule helps you to achieve financial freedom early and also to accumulate wealth.

    5. Invest early- 

    ‘The earlier you start the more you earn’ is a saying that goes by. Starting your investing journey early gives you a competitive edge over others to achieve financial freedom. The earlier you start the more benefit you could get from compounding because it takes time to grow your money. 
    The compounding effect is the gathering of big rewards from a series of small and intelligent choices. Small, seemingly insignificant steps completed with discipline over a longer period can show exceptional results. An interesting fact is that Warren Buffet’s net worth graph closely resembles the graph of a compounding series. 
    To experience the power of the compounding effect yourself is to start investing early. Today with so much technological advancement anyone can start their investing journey with as little as 500 rupees per month. 

    6. Never put all your eggs in one basket-

    When we say never put all your eggs in one basket it means nerve depends on one or two sources of income. Or never put all your savings in one type of investment rather diversify your portfolio.
    During covid-19 we have seen how blue collar job people had to give up their jobs because of the situation at that time. Similarly recent mass layoffs by big companies forced us to realise the need of having multiple sources of income in such uncertain times to provide for the safety of our loved ones.
    It is very important to diversify your risk and accordingly allocate your resources and efforts over different assets so that you can create multiple passive sources of income. 

    7. Understand how taxes work

    It is very important to understand how the tax system works if you want to save your money. Rich don’t pay taxes or the CEO of XYZ company takes 0 salaries. We are sure you must have heard all those things. 

    There are so many legal ways in which rich people avoid paying taxes few are mentioned below:

    • Income shifting-
      Shifting your income from one person or entity to another to reduce taxes.
    • Charitable giving-
      Donating large sums of money to charitable organisations to reduce your gross taxable income.
    • Capital gain taxes-
      The tax rate on capital gains is less than the tax rate on personal income, so many times rich people invest their money in different asset classes.
    • Tax heavens-
      Tax heavens are those countries where taxes are low or not at all. So many rich people just transfer their wealth to such countries.

    8. Crush your debt-

    It means that first arrange your debt in descending order i.e. first try to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate following the ones with lower interest rates. This way you will pay less for the interest and more for the principal amount itself.
    Try to make extra payments when possible. Instead of paying 12 EMIs the whole month, you can simply start paying 13 EMIs a year. This year you will, be able to close your loan on time without taking extra financial burden. 

    9. Automate your savings-

    There are so many ways in which you can automate your savings. One is setting up a direct deposit, wherein you simply give instructions to your bank to transfer a certain amount every month to another account or SIP account.
    Apart from this, you could you budgeting apps that track all your daily expenditures and automatically invest the change amount to your desired asset classes. 

    10. Educate yourself-

    This is by far the most important point that you should swear by in your financial journey. The journey to achieve financial freedom is full of ups and downs. And the only way to tackle them is by educating yourself and being updated on your surroundings. 
    Understanding money, finance and investing is a long-term journey that takes time, patience and discipline to complete. 

    Read Also: What is FIRE in Finance? Full Form, Features, Types, and Formula Explained

    Conclusion

    Hope that now you will have a clear understanding of how you can achieve financial freedom before retirement by just following these simple steps. Having financial freedom is not only about having enough money in your bank account to sustain you for your golden years. But also having peace of mind and understanding that having enough money for the future is not the ultimate goal.
    But diversifying, allocating and churning your investments in such a way that it can sail you through the thick and thin market trends.

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

    1. What is financial freedom?

      Financial freedom can be defined as the state where you have enough monthly income from passive sources to cover your monthly expenditures without working. Financial freedom is not about being rich or wealthy but about having enough resources to pay your bills.

    2. How to achieve financial freedom?

      It takes discipline and patience to achieve financial freedom. Achieving financial freedom is a long-term thing that takes time. First, you have to know about your monthly income and expenditure and then accordingly create passive sources of income.

    3. How to plan early retirement in India?

      In the above article, 10 simple yet very important steps are mentioned that if you follow you can achieve early retirement as compared to others.

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