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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 6:07:15 pm

Five Action Points for July

With the first half of 2026 now behind us, July becomes an important checkpoint in the financial calendar. The beginning of July is the right time to move from reflection to action. Here are five important financial action points to focus on. 1. Inflation-Beating Assets One of the most important principles of long-term investing is to ensure that your portfolio is designed to beat inflation. Inflation silently reduces the real value of your money over time. This is why your long-term...

Five Action Points for July

With the first half of 2026 now behind us, July becomes an important checkpoint in the financial calendar. The beginning of July is the right time to move from reflection to action. Here are five important financial action points to focus on. 1. Inflation-Beating Assets One of the most important principles of long-term investing is to ensure that your portfolio is designed to beat inflation. Inflation silently reduces the real value of your money over time. This is why your long-term investments must be in assets that have the potential to deliver inflation-adjusted returns. For long-term financial goals, investors should consider assets such as equity mutual funds, direct stocks and gold. For short-term financial goals, especially those required within the next three years, options such as bank fixed deposits, recurring deposits or suitable debt mutual funds can be considered. If a large portion of your money is lying in low-return instruments, July is a good time to review and reshuffle your portfolio. 2. Increase Your SIPs Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) remain one of the most disciplined ways to build wealth. SIPs help you invest regularly, avoid timing the market and benefit from long-term compounding. However, simply having SIPs is not enough. Your SIP amount must also be sufficient. Ideally, investors should aim to invest at least 30 percent of their in-hand monthly income. A common mistake is not increasing SIPs even when income goes up. Whenever your income goes up, your SIPs should also increase. An annual SIP increase can make a significant difference to your long-term wealth creation. 3. Make Lumpsum Investments While SIPs provide discipline, they should not be your only investment strategy. Besides SIPs, it is important to do extra lumpsum investments voluntarily, every few months. Also, if you have received a bonus, incentive or any unexpected inflow, consider investing it as a lumpsum. The idea is simple: do not let surplus money remain idle for too long. Staying invested gives your money the opportunity to grow. 4. Secure Insurance Cover Health insurance and term life insurance are essential pillars of financial planning. A single hospitalization can disturb your finances if you are not adequately covered. Do not depend only on your employer’s health insurance. Buy a sufficient personal health insurance policy with the right features. Similarly, term life insurance protects your family’s financial security in case of an unfortunate event. Your cover should be based on your income, loans, dependents and future responsibilities. 5. Consult a Financial Advisor If you have not yet made a proper financial plan, July is a good time to do so. Even if you already have a plan, it should ideally be reviewed every year. Consult a well-educated, full-time financial advisor for your financial goal planning and execution. It takes years of education, experience, expertise and wisdom to write a prescription. Please do not self-medicate when it comes to your wealth. The first half of 2026 is over, but the second half still gives you the opportunity to realign your finances. Take action, stay disciplined and move steadily towards your financial goals. (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

BJP Boost

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

As the dust settles over the recent Assembly elections, the BJP, defying anti-incumbency prediction of political Cassandras and exit polls, is set for a historic third term in Haryana. This will buoy the party after its underwhelming performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The Haryana outcome not only reinforces the BJP’s foothold in national politics but also presents a counter-narrative to the INDIA bloc’s post-election fervour.

Despite the bogey stoked by lingering farmer protests and discontent surrounding the controversial Agniveer scheme, the BJP strategically diversified its approach, relying not solely on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s star power—evidenced by his reduced number of rallies—but also on a ground-level consolidation of anti-Jat votes. The Congress’s over-reliance on the Jat community backfired, rallying other groups against it. Interestingly, the Dalit vote, which the Congress anticipated would tilt in its favour, has not completely abandoned the BJP.


At the forefront of the BJP's campaign was Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, whose relatively short tenure allowed him to distance himself from the decade-long rule of the previous administration. By introducing measures to benefit the backward classes, including a significant income limit increase for OBC employment from Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, the BJP effectively shifted the narrative in its favour. Their mantra of ‘bina parchi, bina kharchi Naukri (promising jobs without bribes) resonated with voters.


The BJP’s rejuvenated team, led by key figures such as Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state leaders, has seemingly addressed concerns that arose following its poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections. The incorporation of new candidates in place of established leaders provided a fresh face that contrasted sharply with the Congress’s decision to recycle incumbents.


In contrast, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference, in alliance with the Congress, having crossed the majority threshold, reclaimed its historic dominance and is set to form the government. Here, the BJP’s performance in the first Assembly election held after the abrogation of Article 370, fell short despite its strenuous attempt to position itself as a proponent of development.


The electorate’s apparent rejection of hardline factions like the PDP reflects a nuanced response and win for democracy. Notably, the results have shown a significant rejection of separatist candidates, including those from Engineer Rashid-led Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, who failed to make a meaningful impact in the polls.


The BJP’s emphatic victory in Haryana redeems its Lok Sabha misstep but also signals a broader political resurgence, giving the party renewed vigour to march into future contests like the crucial Maharashtra Assembly election.

 
 
 

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