Last Updated on June 4, 2016 at 7:49 am
This post is meant for young earners’ who would like to begin mutual fund investments at the start of their career. I write this following a reader’s suggestion (unable to locate the comment -apologies).
The contents of this post is subject to the following assumptions:
- The investment would be used for financial independence later in life and that no other goal is in the horizon.
- Basic fortifications like emergency fund, life insurance (if there are dependents), health insurance (for parents and self) are in place.
- The young earner understands the importance of equity exposure
There are several articles on what a mutual fund is, different types of mutual funds, how to invest in direct mutual funds etc. So I choose not to reinvent the wheel here.
Part 1: How to select an equity mutual fund -preamble
Join 32,000+ readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email! (Link takes you to our email sign-up form)
🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our robo-advisory tool & courses! 🔥
Part 2: How to select an equity mutual fund – Creating a shortlist
Part 3: How to select an equity mutual fund – Making a Choice!
Direct Equity vs. Equity Mutual Funds
I think there is absolutely no need for an individual ( young or old) to invest in direct equity. Equity mutual funds if held onto for a long enough period of time, is more than likely to beat inflation and even give you a little extra after expenses.
Perhaps one can hasten financial independence with direct equity exposure but such a path is fraught with peril.
That said, in my uninformed opinion, gradually accumulating and holding solid large cap companies instead of chasing multi-baggers is a decent way to ‘create wealth’. See this for more details: Backtesting a three stock portfolio
Naturally one must learn how to choose a solid business before taking the plunge. Since this would take a while, I suggest the following:
1) Start a SIP in a single large cap fund or a large and mid-cap fund: you can consider consulting this three-part series:
Part 1: How to select an equity mutual fund -preamble
Part 2: How to select an equity mutual fund – Creating a shortlist
Part 3: How to select an equity mutual fund – Making a Choice!
2) If you need to save tax, use an ELSS fund. You don’t really need a PPF account. Just use ELSS + EPF + Term insurance premium (if applicable) for tax savings. That can be your first and only fund if your investment is small.
Personally, I hate SIPs in ELSS funds (because getting rid of a poor performer would seem like forever). If you are okay with it, go for it. Just be sure to discontinue the SIP (and switch to another fund) after your EPF exceeds the 80C limit.
3) If you don’t care for direct equity, then that is all that you need to do!
- As and when you get extra cash, buy more units Either in the ELSS fund (if you have not exhausted 80C limits) or in the large and mid-cap fund.
- Do not monitor the value of your investment for 5 years! Monitor only how much you invest (try this monthly tracker).
4) If you wish to get into direct equity, then obviously you must learn. There are many useful resources. I prefer:
tyroinvestor.com , stableinvestor.com cognicrafting and the resources mentioned in them.
These are written by passionate youngsters who are learning on the fly and do not hold anything back. I would prefer to learn from them any day compared to an ‘expert’ who runs a business.
You can consider learning from the master: R. Balakrishnan Video: R. Balakrishnan on “investing for keeps: in equities I trust”
His recent post will also help: How to select shares
We have a lifetime to learn and invest in equities. So there is no flaming hurry. Get the mutual fund investment going, learn in leisure and invest when you feel comfortable and ready.
Mr. Raghu Ramamurthy a patron of freefincal is 87 years young an active stock investor!
Stock investing requires capital. Perhaps a few years of mutual fund investing could provide the necessary seed capital for the stock investor …. perhaps. Do understand the risks in doing so.
DIY vs. Professional Help
While a young earner is best suited for DIY (do it yourself), taking professional help and then learning in one owns pace is also a fantastic idea.
Young earners are often under a lot of stress. So professional help could help calm nerves and enable them to focus on their career better.
I would recommend starting a relationship with aSEBI registered fee-only planner who would provide advice free from conflict of interest. They are the only people who can legally provide investment advice. SEBI has cautioned investors not to deal with people who are not registered.
Either way, the learning cannot be skipped!
Regular plans vs. Direct plans
There is no debate here.
DIY and choose direct mutual fund plans because they would provide you anywhere between 0.5% – 1% return more return for each year you stay invested
or
Seek a SEBI registered fee-only planner and invest in direct mutual funds as per their guidance.
There is absolutely no need to choose an investment portal that offers regular funds in exchange for ‘convenience’. Mutual funds are for investing and not for trading. If convenience is a ‘must’ then I suggest you wait for the direct mutual fund portals that are ‘coming soon’.
Trust the planner. Do not post their recommendations in forums for ‘double-checking’. A second opinion with an individual is okay but do think twice before messaging Ashal Jauhari for help!
Ashal: I think you should insist that people who ask your extensive help should donate to a charity and show you the receipt before you advice them.
Finally,
- Never ever buy mutual funds from a bank.
- Do not buy an NFO because it is an NFO.
- Do not buy/sell a fund because others are talking highly/lowly about it.
- Do not clutter your portfolio. Choose a minimalist portfolio.
To sum it up, choose ONE fund, invest with discipline. Do not look the folio value for at least 5 years. In the meanwhile learn about stock investing, if you must. Seek professional advice and not free lunch if you lack confidence.
🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our courses, robo-advisory tool and exclusive investor circle! 🔥& join our community of 7000+ users!
Use our Robo-advisory Tool for a start-to-finish financial plan! ⇐ More than 2,500 investors and advisors use this!
Track your mutual funds and stock investments with this Google Sheet!
We also publish monthly equity mutual funds, debt and hybrid mutual funds, index funds and ETF screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
- Do you have a comment about the above article? Reach out to us on Twitter: @freefincal or @pattufreefincal
- Have a question? Subscribe to our newsletter using the form below.
- Hit 'reply' to any email from us! We do not offer personalized investment advice. We can write a detailed article without mentioning your name if you have a generic question.
Join 32,000+ readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email! (Link takes you to our email sign-up form)
About The Author
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 ten years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development. Connect with him via Twitter(X), Linkedin, or YouTube. Pattabiraman has co-authored three print books: (1) You can be rich too with goal-based investing (CNBC TV18) for DIY investors. (2) Gamechanger for young earners. (3) Chinchu Gets a Superpower! for kids. He has also written seven other free e-books on various money management topics. He is a patron and co-founder of “Fee-only India,” an organisation promoting unbiased, commission-free investment advice.Our flagship course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! ⇐ More than 3,000 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 condition is!! Watch the first lecture for free! One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.
Our new course! Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! ⇐ More than 700 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 who wants more clients via online visibility or a salaried person wanting a side income or passive income, we will show you how to achieve this by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you! (watch 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos!
Our new book for kids: “Chinchu Gets a Superpower!” is now available!
Must-read book even for adults! This is something that every parent should teach their kids right from their young age. The importance of money management and decision making based on their wants and needs. Very nicely written in simple terms. - Arun.Buy the book: Chinchu gets a superpower for your child!
How to profit from content writing: Our new ebook is for those interested in getting side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!
Do you want to check if the market is overvalued or undervalued? Use our market valuation tool (it will work with any index!), or get the Tactical Buy/Sell timing tool!
We publish monthly mutual fund screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
About freefincal & its content policy. Freefincal is a News Media Organization 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: letters {at} freefincal {dot} com (sponsored posts or paid collaborations will not be entertained)
Connect with us on social media
- Twitter @freefincal
- Subscribe to our YouTube Videos
- Posts feed via Feedburner.
Our publications
You Can Be Rich Too with Goal-Based Investing
Published by CNBC TV18, this book is meant to help you ask the right questions and seek the correct answers, and since it comes with nine online calculators, you can also create custom solutions for your lifestyle! Get it now.Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want
This book is meant for young earners to get their basics right from day one! It will also help you travel to exotic places at a low cost! Get it or gift it to a young earner.Your Ultimate Guide to Travel
This is an in-depth dive into vacation planning, finding cheap flights, budget accommodation, what to do when travelling, and how travelling slowly is better financially and psychologically, with links to the web pages and hand-holding at every step. Get the pdf for Rs 300 (instant download)