Last Updated on February 1, 2016 at 11:19 am
Assuming that we all agree that proper money management is vital to our financial well-being, a syllabus for financial literacy might help in evaluating not only our fiscal health, but also that of our friends, relatives and contacts (if they want such help!).
Such a syllabus is surprisingly short when we have nothing to gain by stating it!
A syllabus for financial literacy
1. Recognise the importance of inflation over the long-term.
🔥Secure your future with our Robo-advisory tool trusted by over 3,500 investors and advisors. From effortless retirement planning to funding your children’s biggest dreams, turn your financial goals into reality. 🔥
Subscribe for money management solutions via email! (Link takes you to our email sign-up form) Join 32,000+ readers in our community.
👉 New Tool Alert! NaviPlan: A Privacy-Focused Multi-asset Tracker and Goal Planner 👈
2. Recognise the need for protection all through our life.That is,
- life insurance (until we work for a living)
- health insurance (all our life)
- accident insurance (at least untile we work)
3. Recognise the importance of estate planning of which writing a will is crucial.
4. Understand SEBI regulations and Recognise conflict of interest in the financial services industry (optional topic – applicable only for those who require professional advice)
That is it!
Once the importance of inflation and insurance is recognised, it is up to the individual to choose the ways and means of going about it.
S/he need not choose equity. They could beat inflation and get life insurance with a money back or endowment policy.
We are surrounded by too much propaganda instigated by product manufacturers and sellers about the importance of equity penetration in India.
As an investor or blogger, I could not care less about the equity penetration in India.
As a blogger, I could not care less about equity penetration in India.
We will have to recognise that equity investing, gold investing and fixed income investing are choices. If that is what people want, then that is what they want.
Our job as equity investors and as those who recognise the importance of inflation is only to highlight the pros and cons of equity investing.
A syllabus for conflict of interest
- what’s in it for those who talk about financial literacy, inflation and equity investing.
That is it!
When a product manufacturer or distributor talks about increasing equity penetration in India, noble as intentions are, it is conflict of interest.
When a financial planner talks about the importance of a financial plan, it is conflict of interest.
SEBI has mandated that distributors cannot provide investment advice, but at the same time wants to increase equity penetration in India. That is, it wants to eat the cake and have it too.
If equity penetration should increase in India, then it requires awareness and education about investment risk.
In my opinion, this has to be provided by an independent third-party agency commissioned by SEBI with funds from AMCs.
To me, the present model in which AMCs conduct ‘investor awareness programmes’ with a small piece of the expense ratio represents conflict of interest. What awareness would a product manufacturer provide?!
The financial services which makes fancy statements about ‘financial literacy’ at the drop of a hat, is plagued with rampant non-compliance with SEBI advisory rules.
As investors why should we trust those who do not bother to follow rules? Why should we become their clients?
It is so much easier to DIY!
We are on Google News
Use this button to add freefincal.com as a preferred personal finance source on Google News.
Explore 1,400+ videos on YouTube!
Subscribe to get posts via email!
Join 32,000+ readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! (Link takes you to our email sign-up form)Join our WhatsApp Channel
Explore our products
🔥Join our community of 9000+ users! 🔥- Use our Robo-advisory Tool to create a complete financial plan! More than 3,500 investors and advisors use this! Use the discount code robo25 for 20% off. Plan your retirement (early, normal, before, and after), plus non-recurring financial goals (such as child education) and recurring financial goals (such as holidays and appliance purchases). The tool helps anyone aged 18 to 80 plan for retirement, plus six non-recurring and four recurring financial goals, with a detailed cash flow summary.
- Our Flagship Course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! More than 3,500 investors and advisors are part of our exclusive community! Get clarity on how to plan for your goals and achieve the necessary corpus no matter the market conditions! Watch the first lecture for free! One-time payment! No recurring fees! Lifelong access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.
- Join the freefincal investor circle! An exclusive space for investors, advisors, fintech employees and students to access financial planning and insurance tools, mutual fund and stock analysis tools, coding strategies and Excel macros for data extraction. 750+ members are now part of our investor circle.
- Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! More than 900 salaried employees, entrepreneurs and financial advisors are part of our exclusive community! Learn how to get people to pay for your skills! Whether you are a professional or small business owner seeking more clients through online visibility, or a salaried individual looking for side or passive income, we will show you how to do it by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you. (Watch the 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Lifelong access to videos!
- Portfolio Tracker! Track your mutual funds and stock investments with our Google Sheet!
- We also publish monthly screeners for
Our Podcast: Let's Get Rich With Pattu
On Spotify: Let's Get RICH With PATTU! Every single Indian CAN grow their wealth! On Audible: Listen to the Let's Get Rich with Pattu Podcast
Listen to the Let's Get Rich With Pattu podcast on YouTube.
Now watch Let's Get Rich With Pattu தமிழில் (in Tamil)!About The Author
Dr M Pattabiraman giving a lecture
- Dr M. Pattabiraman (PhD) is the founder, managing editor and primary author of freefincal. He is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
- He has over 14 years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development. He has over 28 years of teaching and research experience. He is also a public speaker and keynote presenter.
- He is a patron and co-founder of “Fee-only India,” an organisation promoting unbiased, commission-free, AUM-independent investment advice.
- Connect with him via @pattufreefincal on X LinkedIn YouTube
- Pattabiraman has co-authored three print books.
This book helps you ask the right questions and find the right answers. It also includes nine online calculators to create custom solutions.
(2) Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want. 
Both the boy and girl versions of "Chinchu Gets a Superpower".
Most investor problems stem from a lack of poor decision-making. We made bad decisions and money mistakes when we started earning, and we spent years undoing them. Why should our children go through the same pain? What is this book about? As parents, what if we had to groom one ability in our children that matters not only for money management and investing but for every aspect of life? My answer: Sound decision-making. So, in this book, we meet Chinchu, who is about to turn 10. The story follows what he wants for his birthday and how his parents plan it, while also teaching him key ideas about decision-making and money management. What readers say! 
Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu Gets a Superpower!
Must-read book even for adults! This is something that every parent should teach their kids right from a young age. The importance of money management and decision-making based on their wants and needs. Very nicely written in simple terms. - Arun.
About freefincal & its content policy
Freefincal is a News Media organisation dedicated to providing original analysis, reports, reviews and insights on mutual funds, stocks, investing, retirement and personal finance developments. We do so without conflict of interest and bias. Follow us on Google News. Freefincal serves more than three million readers a year (5 million page views) with articles based only on factual information and detailed analysis by its authors. All statements made will be verified with credible and knowledgeable sources before publication. Freefincal does not publish paid articles, promotions, PR, satire or opinions without data. All opinions will be inferences backed by verifiable, reproducible evidence/data. Contact Information: To get in touch, please use our contact form. (Sponsored posts or paid collaborations will not be entertained.)Our publications
- Your Ultimate Guide to Travel. This is an in-depth exploration of vacation planning, including how to find affordable flights, budget accommodations, and practical travel tips. It also examines the benefits of travelling slowly, both financially and psychologically, with links to relevant web pages and guidance at every step. Get the PDF for Rs 300 (instant download)
- How to profit from content writing: Our ebook is for those interested in getting a side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!