Choose investment assets that match future money goals else encashing them at time of need can be a problem
He had bought his first house when he was 35 years old. Twenty years on, he and his wife live in a much bigger flat in Mumbai. He had also restructured and modernised the house in which his retired parents lived in Pune. He had a farm in Karjat, where he had a small farmhouse. His plan is to retire to this house in another 5-10 years. “It all worked out well,” he told me. With the new airport coming up, he is considering booking a flat at one of the new developments in Panvel as well.
“This will not be like Lavasa,” he offered. He had been an early investor in the dream project that failed to take off as planned. His money had been stuck there for quite a few years and he finally sold it at a loss. “I am confident the new one will be a winner,” he reassured me.
“Equity markets are not my favourite place to invest,” he explained. He had tried his hand at a few stocks and the outcome had been uneven; he gained some, lost some, and was not sure he could grasp its working. “I cannot bet and take risks with my money,” he told me. I did not bring up Lavasa again as I had to let him speak his mind.
Did he invest in mutual funds? “Yes, a few monthly SIPs of small amounts are running just to keep some savings going on a regular basis,” he confirmed. The usual PF, PPF and bank deposits completed the picture. He told me that he kept the surplus in bank deposits while finalising any upcoming purchase of flats as it was easier to take a home loan when needed. “I feel quite comfortable with the assets I have built and the
