Archive for January, 2008

Good life insurance starts with a good life insurance agent

The key to quality insurance is in choosing a good quality Agent.  The word agent comes from the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and it is the Christian name for the guy who brings insurance / mutual fund product to your door step. Nowadays they have various names like Consultant, advisor, and the like, but I [...]

Do not change jobs just for a higher salary!

Most of us earn a living, and we work to earn a living. So salary is also a big help in the process. However creating wealth is not just a function of our salary. It is a function of mindset. In case we decide that in the long term we want to create wealth we [...]

Are you insured like a millionaire, or a pauper?

An open letter to all who love their lives

Hi Ramesh,

It was a great trip to Pune. I always thought the drive would be great but really it was scary, to say the least. It actually set me thinking about you and your risk taking abilities. To summarize, you and your three brothers are the [...]

Rags to riches, in 18 minutes!

 As a financial planner I do spend a lot of time with 16 year olds working in call centers, media companies, banks and so on. When I am with them and discussing their problems, the one question that often comes to my mind is, “If these guys cannot make their monthly salary stretch one month, [...]

Investor’s responsibilities and duties

Just too many people whom I meet crib about the distributor! Poor guy! Call him an agent, advisor, consultant, …or what have you, but he is representing the manufacturer and has a role to play. Let me tell you what I like my client to do or know. Clients should expect good quality feedback on [...]

Retirement Mistakes to avoid!

Retirement Mistakes.
Retirement, purportedly is the most important goal for most of the readers of this column. At least that is what most of the mails that I get say. Yet, looking at the numbers, it is clear that many investors are undermining their good intentions with unfortunate actions. Or inactions should I say? All their [...]

When selling accept a lower price

In falling markets the reason people are not able to sell is because of a disease known as “Anchoring”. It is necessary to note that the price as of today is a reality. If you get stuck to some old price which is in your head, you will end up not selling fast enough. Think [...]

Falling markets strategy…What to do in a falling market?

I have been inundated with calls from friends and students on what an investor should do when he or she is staring at blood in their portfolios.It reminds me of the saying — ‘this too shall pass’. I do not know its origin, but am convinced that in investing, as in life, you should keep your [...]

Falling Markets? Ignore the media? Switch off TV

If there were 22 business channels would you be depressed 22 times because the market fell yesterday? That is the question you have to ask yourself. The same bit of news played again and again can cause more panic for you than help you. Television ensures market volatility. A lot of buying and selling ensures [...]

Falling markets! what to buy?

Buy Morgan Stanley growth fund. Yes the same close ended mutual fund that people choose to hate. Let us look at the logic. MSGF a fund by Morgan stanley fund house is a good well rounded large cap fund. Whenever a fund house launches itself it starts with a large cap fund. So this close ended fund [...]