We began with two couples, Anjali and Uday and Nikhil and Arpita, who shared their financial plans and objectives with us. Financial expert Gaurav Mashruwala analysed and advised them on their strategy.
Then we looked at Prashant who is single.
Today, we look at Anita.
Anita Menon is a smart 25-year-old. She has an engineering degree and an MBA and currently works for a software firm in Hyderabad.
Her parents live in Bangalore, but she decided to take up residence in Hyderabad.
Though smart at work, she confesses to being rather naive and slack where her money is concerned. "All that I have done is buy a home recently," she says.
This, of course, came with a lot of pushing from her parents. They figured that a home is a smart investment since it can always be sold at a higher rate. Besides, the loan payments are a sort of a forced savings. You get a tax benefit too.
Moreover, why waste money renting out a place, is her logic. "That money is just money down the drain," she explains. "Five years down the road, all I can say is that I spent thousands on rent with nothing in return."
Single with no dependents, she is truly foot loose and fancy free.
Hailing from a middle class family, her father works in a bank. Her younger brother is studying medicine. "Their house will go to the son," she says with a smile. "That is why my parents wanted me to have a roof over my head too."
She does not know where her parents invest their money. In fact, money was never discussed at home. Hence, she is clueless. She has no Public Provident Fund account and no investments in mutual funds or bank fixed deposits either.
While she never lived an extravagant lifestyle, she never lacked anything. At the same time, her parents instilled a sense of saving in her.
She works hard during the week and parties every weekend. Either she goes for a movie, visits the pub or has friends over.
Would you like to be financially appraised? Then do write to us with these details and Gaurav Mashruwala will comment on your investments.
1. Name
2. Age
3. City you live in
4. Phone number
5. Take-home salary/ earnings
6. List of your current investments and the amount invested in each
7. Number of loans you are servicing with details of tenure and EMI
8. Monthly expenses
9. Details of insurance cover (medical and life)
10. Number of dependents
11. Goals towards which you would like to save
12. Tax bracket you fall under
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