Financial blunders made by people in their 30s and how to avoid them
Many people believe that they have a lot of time in their 30s, but due to the current world situation and ever-changing scenarios, whether financial or geographical, one must be much more active in investing.
Amit Gupta, MD, SAG Infotech
After understanding the significance of investing and the financial steps everyone should take, we have come up with a list of a few financial mistakes that one should avoid in their 30s for a more relaxed retirement and, more importantly, a peaceful life.
A list of financial steps one should take is given below:
#1 - Not starting SIPs
SIPs, or systematic investment plans, are the most effective way to see your investment double or triple in a short period of time. It is such an investment that it should begin at the age of 25 when a person begins earning. SIPs, when started early and maintained over time, can result in significant savings that would otherwise be difficult to achieve manually.
For example, if you invest directly in the stock market, you can remove or sell your equities whenever you want, which means you may not give your assets enough time to grow. SIP (mutual funds) allow you to invest for an extended period of time, giving your funds enough time to grow. SIPs allow you to be more disciplined with your investments and remove emotion from the equation.
If you want to start a SIP, you should know that there are various types of funds to choose from, such as small-cap, large-cap, mid-cap, debt funds, money market funds, and so on. You can build your SIP portfolio with a calculated mix of different funds based on your age and risk tolerance.
#2 Not Having a PPF Account
A PPF account is a Public Provident Fund account that pays you fixed interest over time with little risk and tax advantages. The PPF account's interest rate ranges between 7 and 8 percent and is adjusted annually. Furthermore, you receive full tax benefits on your PPF account, which means that your investment, interest, and lump sum received at maturity are all tax-free. This is one of the most significant advantages of PPF, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money on taxes.
Any Indian person may open a PPF account at any bank or post office. No tax benefits are available above the annual contribution cap of Rs 1.5 lakh. Although a PPF account has a 15-year maturity time, you can choose to extend it for five-year intervals while still receiving interest on your deposits.
#3 Not Having Term Insurance
Term insurance is a type of life insurance that protects you against death. Pure life insurance, which pays your nominee only when you die, is what you should be looking for. The advantage of purchasing term insurance at a young age is that you can obtain a large amount of coverage for a low premium. The longer you wait to purchase term insurance, the higher the premium will be based on your age and health status.
#4 Not Having Health Insurance
Health insurance will help you while you are still alive and in need of financial support in the event of a medical ailment, whereas term insurance is a product for after you pass away. Hospital expenses in the event of a severe medical condition can deplete your savings faster than you might think. Having medical insurance in your early 30s is one of the best financial decisions you can make.
Medical insurance premiums, like term insurance, will be higher if purchased later in life, which is why it should be bought early in life. Even if your employer provides medical coverage, you should consider purchasing additional medical insurance in case your employer's coverage is insufficient.
#5 Making Impulsive Investments
Many young people invest in products or assets they do not fully comprehend. They frequently don't ask their agent the correct questions, which results in them having to spend more for a product that they might have bought for less. Buying direct mutual funds, for example, can help you save 1-2 percent per year in agent commission.
#6 Saving and not Investing
Many young people mix up investing and saving. These are not synonymous. If you only save in a bank account, the maximum you can make per year is 4%, which is not even enough to beat inflation, so the value of your savings will only decrease over time. Investing in the market will help you beat inflation and increase the value of your money.
Authored by Mr Amit Gupta, MD, SAG Infotech
