Dear Women, Here’s Why It Is A Good Idea To Invest Your Money

Until three years ago, I was a stay at home mom, whose only pay check came from a book deal, and while it was something to boast about, it wasn’t substantial. Having been completely dependent financially on my father and then my husband for many years of my adult life, I know what it feels like to have no money that you can call your own. Every time I wanted to buy something, I knew this wasn’t my money that I was spending. But the financial insecurity ran deeper than occasional shopping sprees. It just dawned on me in my early thirties, that my future was dependent on my husband financially as well. Which is why, in months of landing my work from home job, I began investing, for myself, my future and that of my loved ones.

Even if it is their hard-earned money? Despite earning well, a lot of us are scared to make investment decisions because we think we are “bad at numbers” or simply afraid of the repercussions of a bad investment.

Even today, a large number of women are dependent on male family members, for not just putting the bread on the table, but to ensure their secure future as well. Financial planning isn’t something a lot of us women are encouraged to take interest in. We see moms, daadis, naanis and maasis manage their homes and household expenses expertly. But how many of us have grown up seeing the women in our household making an investment call? Even if it is their hard-earned money?

Get Beyond The What If

Despite earning well, a lot of us are scared to make investment decisions because we think we are “bad at numbers” or simply afraid of the repercussions of a bad investment. This “what if” ends up putting added pressure on men in our lives, as they have to plan our investments as well. But we need to ask ourselves, how will we ever learn, if we do not dare to take that first step? Have our dads, brothers, husbands not made mistakes while making investments ever? No. But they see investment as a duty, it is not optional for them, and they have to take the risk.

Also Read: When It Comes To Investment Planning, Make Your First Job Count

Women need to develop such a mindset too. Take that leap. Trust your skills. Make a call as to where do you want to put your money and how much. Find an advisor. Speak to someone who knows this better. Start small if you are anxious. We have systematic investment plans available, which allow small investments as a starting point. This is important because it will help you gain confidence in your capabilities as an investor. And secondly, because it will help you shape your future as per your requirements. Every person has different priorities and goals in life. One cannot expect the other person to always understand our perspective. Then how is it fair to expect them to invest as per our vision?

Have our dads, brothers, husbands not made mistakes while making investments ever? No. But they see investment as a duty, it is not optional for them, and they have to take the risk.

Most importantly, being in control of your investments lets you have a say in your financial future and that of your loved ones. It takes care of two very important factors when it comes to financial stability- uncertainty and dependency. As a woman with a family, I feel happier to know that I have invested in my future and that of my loved ones. That the burden of providing us a financially stable future doesn’t singularly fall on the shoulders of my husband. No matter how little, I am doing my bit in securing my partner and child’s future. Perhaps it would be just enough to book a luxury trip for them in future, or to pay a semester worth of tuition fee for my daughter, or buy some new furniture. But it’ll be one less thing to worry about.

In months of landing my work from home job, I began investing, for myself, my future and that of my loved ones.

Investments bring you confidence, mental peace and clarity. And as a modern woman, these virtues are a necessity today. So ladies, take the rein of your money and invest as you please.

Article in partnership with AMFI, Mutual Funds Sahi Hai. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risk. Read all scheme related documents carefully