How this biker is riding on the road to financial freedom

livemint.com:

Achieving financial freedom is a dream for many, but it requires discipline, planning, and guidance to make that dream a reality. Mint recently spoke with Venkatesh Swaminathan, an IT professional based in Bengaluru, who has successfully navigated his way to financial independence—from starting his career with a strong savings habit to meeting a financial advisor who transformed his outlook on financial planning.

Growing up in a middle-class family in Bengaluru, Swaminathan was always acutely aware of the importance of financial independence. His father, a banker, instilled in him the value of saving and prudent financial management from an early age. “I was determined to build a secure financial future for myself," he says, reflecting on his mindset when he first began working.

As a young IT professional, Swaminathan was determined to create a solid financial foundation for himself. From the very start of his career, he adopted a disciplined approach to saving, setting aside 30% of his income each month. “I didn’t want to rely on my parents for financial support. I wanted to make sure I could stand on my own two feet," he explains. In the early years, Swaminathan primarily parked his savings in fixed deposits (FDs), which offered the safety and stability he craved.

As his career progressed, Swaminathan began to question whether FDs alone would be sufficient to meet his long-term financial goals. The returns, while safe, were modest, and he started to explore alternative investment options. In 2009, he took his first steps into mutual funds for the higher potential returns they offered. However, it was far from smooth, especially during market corrections in 2012-2013, which left him confused and unsure of how to