Sensex, Nifty have hit record highs but the best time to invest has already gone

Traditionally, you have been taught that your income minus your expense is your savings, but think about it. The only thing you cannot control once your income is credited is your expense.

Investors need to change the way they think, and then believe that the income minus savings are their expense. Having said that, investors need to curb their expenses by prioritizing their needs and start thinking from brain rather than just going by what heart says.

As kids, our parents have taught us quite a few things but they never taught us how to save and invest, as a result of this we go through a dilemma when we get our first pay cheque.

The reality hits most of us only after 5 – 10 years that if we would have saved or planned for our retirement from the 1st pay cheque onwards, we would all actually retire rich. The key to investing is “Start Early”

Investing in the stock market, which is the barometer of the nation’s economy is the most effective way to be wealthier in the long term. Mutual funds work as an oasis in the desert for newcomers in the investment arena.

The best way to invest into mutual funds is SIP (Systematic Investment Plan). Let’s take a look at a scenario wherein if you save Rs. 5000 every month from the month of your 1st salary to your month of the last salary 5000x420 months (35yrs) you would have invested Rs 21 lakh.

Assuming the MF in which you are investing gave a meager return of let’s say 12 percent per annum, then your investment of Rs 21 lakh would have become Rs 2.75 crore.

And, if you delay this investment by just 2 years you would save Rs. 1.2 lakh by not investing but would lose Rs 7.41 lakh from your returns as well.

Now, this example is how the delay in investments would cost you.

Let me tweak the returns from 12 percent to 15 percent then your returns will soar up to Rs 5.70 crore with the same amount of capital investment that is Rs 21 lakh and the amount you would lose on the delay of investments would be Rs 18.24 lakh.

The above scenario helps you understand that you need to start investing early. Invest regularly and plan your future in advance.

Go ahead have confidence in your financial advisor, understand the risks and learn how return are calculated and once you convince yourself then start investing.

As the learned say the best time to invest was yesterday.

Disclaimer: The author is Associate Director, at Geojit. The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.