Should You Use The Same Investment Strategy As Your Best Friend?

Jul 22, 2019

Like most childhood best friends, Mitt and Jeet do most things together. Jeet being the more aggressive one, in terms of taking risk, among the two would encourage Mitt, a moderate risk-taker, to follow suit.

Something similar happened even when they started investing in equity mutual funds. Since Jeet's ability to take risks was higher, he decided to invest heavily in small-cap funds. And he urged Mitt to adopt his investment strategy.

After a few months, the equity markets experienced high volatility. The portfolio of both friends showed poor performance. It didn't bother Jeet at all, but Mitt suffered anxiety attacks and had sleepless nights. This took a toll on his health.

Doctor questioned Mitt, about his sleepless nights, as despite the medications his health wasn't improving.

When he informed the doctor about his investment decision.

The doctor advised him to consult an ethical, unbiased, certified, and well experienced financial planner from a reputed company.

On meeting the financial planner, Mitt got quite a shock!

The financial planner explained to him the fundamental aspect of investment.

Investing is an individualistic exercise, since each person is different, has different life goals, wants, and needs. So, it should never be done as per your friend, family (parents or siblings), colleague, investment guru, or your neighbour.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all type of investment solution when you are investing in mutual funds.

Investing in mutual funds requires a personalised asset allocation strategy based on a financial plan of financial goals, financial positioning, risk appetite, and investment time horizon. Mutual Fund investment allows you to invest in various asset classes as per the risk profile because each asset has risk-related returns and depending on your age, the asset allocation strategy differs.

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Investing in mutual funds will be helpful when you fully grasp the benefits it offers.

Mutual fund investment must be done sensibly if you want to build wealth and sleep peacefully. As mentioned earlier, it allows you to invest in multiple assets so that the risk is balanced out and provides better inflation-adjusted returns.

[Read: Why Comparing Returns to Risk Is More Meaningful!]

Using an asset allocation strategy guides you in creating a robust portfolio that suits you best for your long term financial and physical wellbeing.

Asset allocation is the proportion in which you hold various assets such as equity, debt and gold in your mutual fund portfolio.

Table 1: Various assets and their attributes

However, it is important to note that risk-taking ability deteriorates with advancing age and less number of years pending to achieve a goal. Hence, accordingly one must reduce the exposure to equity funds and invest more in debt funds and gold funds.

In true sense, risk profile and time horizon are the foundation pillars of personalised asset allocation when you create an investment strategy.

[Read: How to evaluate your risk appetite and risk tolerance level?]

But before creating your personalised optimum asset allocation strategy, consider:

• Your financial goals (specific, measurable, adjustable, realistic and time-bound (SMART))
• Classifying the goals (short-term, medium-term and long-term) by adding time horizon
• The future amount required to achieve each goal
• Current financial situation and the number of years you have in hand to earn before the goals befall
• Your risk profile

Once you figure out the above points, charting out a customised asset allocation will be a cakewalk. You can choose an appropriate mix of various equity mutual funds that will help you achieve your financial goals faster.

Table 2: Indicative Equity Portfolio Allocation as per one's risk-taking ability

And then you can start a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) in each shortlisted scheme diligently. Mutual funds offer a variety of schemes under various categories. Majority of investors won't need any fancy products if they choose not only the mutual fund schemes wisely while investing, but also the most suitable mutual fund categories.

Mitt realised his mistake and decided to formulate a personalised investment strategy and not follow Jeet's investment approach.

Did you just realise that you too have been investing by mirroring someone else's investment decisions, and have ignored your personalised asset allocation and financial planning to accomplish your life goals?

It's never too late to take corrective actions.

Reach out to Financial Planner today!

Want PersonalFN to help you define your asset allocation and draw a viable financial plan?

Yes?

Do not hesitate to call us on 022-61361200.

You can also Schedule a Call with our investment consultant, or even drop a mail at info@personalfn.com and we will be happy to help you.

PersonalFN, a SEBI registered investment advisor having almost two decades of experience in providing customised sound financial advice. We will handhold you in the journey of financial freedom and help you accomplish your envisioned financial goals.

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Author: Aditi Murkute

This article first appeared on PersonalFN here.

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