From a modest start to 10x SIP growth: A 32-year-old’s financial journey

livemint.com:

Starting a career often means limited savings or investments. Many prefer to enjoy the present rather than planning for the future. But 32-year-old Pratibha Jadhav from Navi Mumbai is an exception.

Jadhav started her investment journey in 2015 when she was only 23. She lost her father while still in college. Her mother was a homemaker. She and her brother had to take care of household expenses. Despite financial constraints, Jadhav managed to spare a few thousand to invest in the initial days. Nine years on, she increased her monthly investment ten times.

One of her relatives introduced her to NS Wealth Solution, a Sebi-registered investment advisor (RIA). “They charged me ₹7,000-8,000 a year for advisory services," she said. After analysing her income and expenses, the advisor suggested mutual fund schemes for investments. «I did that with just a couple of thousands initially. I also had my father's life insurance amount parked in fixed deposits. On their suggestion, I deployed it in mutual funds for better returns,» said Jadhav.

As far as returns are concerned, her portfolio, which includes equity and debt instruments, has given a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% since inception. The debt portion has earned a CAGR of 18%, while the equity portion stood at 16%.

Jadhav's family could have faced a tough time had it not been for her father's saving habit. «We could manage it on our own, thanks to my father's investments. He inculcated a savings habit in us. I was determined to save and invest from the day I started earning,» she said.

Many of her friends spend half of their salary on EMIs. «I cannot do it. I need financial security. They are not thinking about retirement. They have no idea about direct or regular