Half Year Gone: Are You On Track?

As June draws to a close, it marks an important checkpoint in the financial calendar – the halfway mark of the year. The beginning of the year often brings fresh resolutions and ambitious financial goals. However, with six months already behind us, now is an appropriate time for a mid-year financial review. Are your investments on track? More importantly, are they keeping pace with inflation?

Inflation remains a silent but persistent eroder of purchasing power. While market conditions, interest rates, and economic headlines may fluctuate, one fact remains constant: your money needs to grow faster than inflation. Otherwise, your long-term financial goals may fall short, despite your best intentions.

This is a good opportunity to reflect on key financial goals that require your attention. These may include purchasing a home, buying a new vehicle, planning vacations, funding your children’s education and wedding expenses, and preparing for your own retirement. Have you assessed how much you will need for each of these goals? More importantly, are your current investment plans adequately aligned to meet them?

The mid-year mark is also a suitable time to revisit your asset allocation. Are you holding an excessive portion of your portfolio in low returns products? Have you allocated enough to growth-oriented assets such as equity mutual funds, direct equities, and gold? These asset classes have historically outpaced inflation and created long-term wealth for disciplined investors.

Risk management also deserves attention during this review. Rising healthcare costs make it important that you have a personal, comprehensive, and sufficient health insurance cover, along with adequate term life insurance. Have you covered yourself on this front? Protect your savings and protect your family’s financial goals.

Financial plan ning is not a one-time activity. It is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and timely adjustments based on changes in income, expenses, market conditions, and life goals.

Here are some key questions you may consider as part of this mid-year financial check:

• Am I investing enough to beat inflation? Inflation may be gradual, but its impact is continuous. Are my investments growing at a rate that preserves and enhances my purchasing power?

• Are equity and gold forming the core of my net worth? Historically, these assets have delivered inflation-beating returns. Am I still holding too much in low-interest fixed deposits or traditional insurance plans?

• Am I protecting my savings and financial goals with health insurance and term life insurance?

These questions are not intended to create alarm but to encourage awareness and timely action. A well-structured review at this stage of the year can help ensure that you remain on track to meet your financial objectives for 2025 and beyond. Pause. Reflect. Next Sunday, let’s talk action.

(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.

Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)