Be Your Own Santa This Christmas With These Financial Gifts
Christmas is upon us, and it is that time of the year when we eagerly look forward to giving and receiving secret Santa gifts. However, what if this Christmas is a little different from the rest, and instead of expecting gifts, you present yourself some. And, what if they are financial ones that can help you going forward?
Read on to know the multiple financial Christmas gift ideas to help you secure your future and augment your riches. Let’s get started.
Mutual Fund Investment
Mutual funds need no introduction. They are one of the most potent financial tools to help you accumulate a corpus for different life goals – short and long term. Thanks to rising financial literacy and innovative campaigns such as Mutual Funds Sahi Hain, they have become quite popular among investors.
This Christmas, you can contemplate investing in mutual funds to achieve your goals.
If you are investing in mutual funds for the first time, you need to be KYC-compliant, post which you can invest in your chosen fund. You can invest through a systematic investment plan (SIP) or lump sum. In the former, a certain amount of money is deducted and invested in your chosen fund on a specific date. On the other hand, in the latter, you invest a chunk of money at one go.
Long-term Stock Investment
Long-term stock investment can help you gain inflation-beating returns. Investment in fundamentally strong stocks can help you nullify the effects inflation has on your wealth. Note that stocks are volatile in the short term. Only if you remain committed to them for the long haul can you make real gains.
When markets crashed in March 2020, many investors panicked and took the exit route. However, those who remained committed to their investments enjoyed meaty gains. So, if you are investing in stocks, adopt a long-term strategy and stay committed to your investment, come what may.
Building Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is an absolute must, and Covid-19 has further accentuated its importance. While earlier it was advisable to have an emergency fund equivalent to six months’ expenses, given the recent experience, it’s recommended to have a fund close to a year’s expense. You can build it by investing in instruments such as liquid funds that invest in debt instruments maturing in 91 days.
For that matter, you can also contemplate investing in a bank fixed deposit to build an emergency corpus. Make sure the corpus is easily accessible. Don’t chase returns, and capital safety should be your prime concern.
Buying Health Insurance
Health insurance prevents out-of-pocket expenses during a medical emergency and prevents drying up of savings. This Christmas, you can gift yourself a health insurance policy to ensure funds are not a paucity in receiving the best possible treatment. You can either buy an individual plan or a floater policy that will cover all the members of your family.
Compare different plans and choose the one that best fits your needs. Also, while filling up the proposal form, provide accurate information as any wrong information could result in claim denial. If you live in a metro, it’s wise to have a policy with a sum insured of a minimum of Rs. 5 lakhs. On the other hand, if you already have a health plan, review it to ensure that the sum insured is adequate.
Conclusion
Buying yourself these Christmas gifts can hold you in good stead in the years to come. They will help you accomplish your goals and ensure a smooth ride amid turbulence. Merry Christmas!
