Hello Investors

We believe that our first email in this chain would have given you direction on how you should go about investing in current times.

Some of you were asking us if they should invest more money in Equity right now?  Is this the Big Sale we were all waiting for and should we start investing? Will the market fall more so should we wait or invest now?

No one can tell you with certainty whether we have reached hit rock-bottom. Every time one is thinking it cannot go further down, the markets are reaching another lower circuit.

'You can never predict what is going to happen with the markets as that is not in our control. What is in our control is how we react to the market and take actions accordingly.'

You must keep a note of the below mentioned before you start investing all your money into Equity:

1.Always have an Emergency Fund (at least 4 times your monthly expenses) invested in risk-free investment options.

I cannot emphasize enough on how important it is to have that emergency fund in place, especially in times like these. I do not intend to scare you but I am sure everyone is an expert in their fields and are aware of how the near future looks like. Hence, even before you start investing ensure that your emergency fund is enough to help you sail through the worst-case scenarios in the coming months.

Keep some surplus money with you before you go all investing in Equity right now.

2.Have your Health Insurance and Life insurance in place.

With the current pandemic situation, it important to prioritize our life and health. You must have these insurances to ensure your family has something to fall back on. Also, where there is no security about the future, it is not the smartest decision to just rely on your company's health insurance. It is advisable to have one for yourself and your family members. You can read more about it on our blog.

3.Do not forget the goals and reasons for whichyoustarted Investing in the first place.

Remember our entire discussion from the workshop on how to Invest.

For short term goals - less than 3 years - Invest in Debt (Risk-free Investment options)

For long term goals - more than 3 years and beyond - Invest proportionately in Debt and Equity based on your Asset Allocation.

Debt Investments acts as a cushion when the Equity markets are volatile.

Note: Once your long term goal (more than 3 years) becomes a short term goal (you reach closer to that goal), redeemed/ sell off the equity investments and shift the same to secured debt investments so that any change in the equity market while attaining your long-term goal does not impact your investments.

Now do your Asset Allocation that shall determine how much money you should invest in Debt & Equity in the current market scenarios. Your asset allocation will help you invest based on your risk profile and sleep peacefully even where the markets are being volatile.

First-time investors should also invest based on their Asset Allocation and not invest 100% in Equity.

Remember that it is not the stock that determines your exact return from portfolio but your asset allocation which determines over 90% of the return.

This is probably a good time to open your goal- working sheets (shared during the workshop) and review your portfolio.