Wealth and ghee…..

This story was told to me in the Indigo flight from Delhi to Mumbai by one of India’s good trainers – and a super story teller. Surprising that he has not thought of ‘Story telling as a therapy’ as a career. His name is Samir Parekh.
If you are wondering what is the connection, here is [...]

Retirement needs! A reminder about retirement plan

Are you in Denial mode regarding your retirement financial needs?
I cannot comment for every one, but too many people I meet are in denial about their financial needs for retirement. Most of us do not want to accept that we will buy 3-4 washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, maybe about 2-5 cars, at least one [...]

Happy teachers’ day!

Gurur Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwara Guru Sakshat Parah Brahma Tasmai Shree Guruveh Namah!
Most Indians (sorry this may be homogenising all other religions!) know this prayer. Today is Teachers’ day. It is one profession for whom my fascination will never end. I recently met a Pediatrician with 35 years ex experience – she teaches [...]

Learn investments from Media?

If you wanted to make a career in a sport would you just watch that sport on television and hope to be a world beater? No, I guess.
Similarly if you want to be a good investor watching television or the pink papers or the personal finance magazines and websites may be not the best way [...]

Conflict of interest…

Some amusing incidents…
A friend who heads wealth in a big branded organisation was sitting in his office…and I was one of the persons in the room when this happened. We were having coffee when his immediate assisstant came asking him to come along for a meet. My friend said all the right words..You must learn [...]

When Markets collide – a book review

this book review of “When markets collide” appeared in the Feb issue of Money Today…
Signals for survival
P.V. Subramanyam
February 17, 2009
You have heard about the clash of civilisations; now read about the collision of markets. Mohamed El-Erian, argues that the global financial crisis is only the effect. The cause is the process in which “the markets [...]

How to select a mutual fund?

Whenever I meet clients who are new to investing I can make out who has been their adviser for their earlier investments. It could be a cousin, neighbor, or a banker. They leave a lot of trail. The greatest thing that they do is emphasize on recent history. Though we all know that today was [...]

Aid for wealth managers…

The US government is pouring out AID this week to a number of financial companies under several of its recently instituted ’support’ programs.
Citigroup, Goldman Sachs Group, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo, and GE Capital are now in various stages of selling bonds backed by the government, thus lowering the rates they [...]

Be a contrarian…if you have the guts!

Some of the great classic advice that you will hear in an economy that slows down are the following:
1. Shift to cash – it is safe, at least it will not go down!
2. If you must invest, be safe get into gilts – it is almost capital protected, interest rates can only go down, so [...]

Wealth Management : what is it?

If you are a reasonably well off individual living in India’s metros, at some stage a “relationship manager” or a “wealth manager” would have approached you with an offer to “manage” your wealth.
You may have recoiled in horror, or been pleased that somebody thinks you are now in the “wealth” category.
However, do [...]