Saturday, January 5, 2013

Fastest way to loose your Money !


Most of the people in their life always wonder where really their hard earned money was gone. Why their savings not come to their rescue when most needed? Actually answers lies in their problems itself. Today we try to find out answers on above questions.
In today’s time every individual wants that their investment should give highest returns. Ironically whenever asked what they mean the highest returns their response is either pure blank face or some unimaginable figures, which they also don’t know from where these figures arise.  I have met so many people who curse their advisors, insurance agents. The reason they feel their investments not giving desired yield but when asked, why they invest without doing proper analysis. Answer is prolonged silence. As my colleague Mr. Ashish Bhave (Chief Financial Planner, ARB Financial Consultant) often says “If you sign without acknowledge for what you are signing then you deserve to be cheated.”

                                               Today I will share some brilliant ideas to become poorer in your life. And this also gives satisfaction that most of us are working very sincerely in that direction.

Investment in Insurance:  In today’s time insurance has become sure shot remedy for every financial need. Whether it’s Child education or retirement, daughter’s marriage or pension, wealth creation or market investment one plan is always ready to satisfy ones need. Expert always recommend that insurance is not for investing. But still people happily chose to invest in insurance. I also recommend if you want to fell short in your financials goals then keep taking insurance plans for every financial goal.

Investing without Financial Goals: “Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination”. - Fitzhugh Dodson .Most people don’t know why they are working so hard? What exactly they want from their life? As we all know without goal life has no meaning, then why we can’t apply same rule with our finances? Most of the people invest like dogs chasing cars without knowing what is the purpose of such investment? Investing in any instrument without proper backing of financial goals can lead it to catastrophic consequence. Objective should be clear while investing. Have we ever seen any archer training without target boards/decoys or football match without goal post? Then whenever investment is concern we always intend to chase wild goose. So if you are seriously looking for losing your money than it’s really recommended to invest without prioritizing your financial goals.

Underestimating Financial Risks“Risk is like fire: If controlled it will help you; if uncontrolled it will rise up and destroy you.” – Theodore Roosevelt. This is very common habit we come across that people always think they don’t required Life/Medical cover or undervaluation of financial risk. The reason I am healthy as a young horse! It’s really wastage of money and time! I really can’t see the requirement in near future etc. etc.  I think Lord almighty ask their permission or prior approval before creating problem/difficulties in their Life. 90% of financial problem in life arises due to such unconcerned deeds. Also many people purchase Life/Medical insurance without understanding the basic concept of insurance; the need means purchasing insurance without Need based analysis. Proper protection plan is like foundation of the house and house future is depending on the fact that how much stronger the foundation is. Under insurance is more dangerous than no insurance. So if you like to see your family’s future in deep financial turbulence/complications then keep following above idea.

Inappropriate habit of Credit/Loans
“Debt, An ingenious substitute for the chain and whip of the slavedriver.” -Ambrose Bierce. In today’s world nothing is out of one’s hand. Every bank or NBFC have something to offer one’s credit need. Now a day using Credit card has transformed to need then luxury. Most of people do not hesitate to use such facility beyond their capacity of Payment. Then start the infinite cycle of repayment. But ignoring the fact that credit card interest is highest in all lending instrument and fall anywhere between 32% to 38% apart from late payment charges. Some people feel there is no big deal in defaulting the payments and settle in later years when lenders offer them settlement in lesser amount then outstanding. Such blunder work against their personal credit score or CIBIL score. Such acts sometime cost dearer when they required loan for medical emergencies or at the time of purchasing home. As good CIBIL score help to get loans easily and probability to get lower interest rate.  So the person who really want to relish future financial suffering and lose mental peace then my recommendation to preserve  above sprit and start spending like you are not going to see next day of your life.

No/Unplanned Retirement Planning:  “Retirement planning in India means having 3 kids and praying one of them supports u after 60.”Recently I came across above excellent quote by known financial planner. This will give crystal clear picture of current opinion on retirement planning. Some people think Retirement planning should be done after completing 45 yrs. of age. Above opinion will lead them to horrifying path of poverty.  As I feel Retirement age is real age when you live for yourself. Very recently I came across update on Facebook where a 65-70 year old man selling face shape puppet gloves and ironically peoples like this update and praising the spirit of that man. But nobody bothered to understand why he has to work on that age? Who want to sacrifice enjoyment and peace of mind of their golden days, to earn more money? Such situations arise due to ill/no planning of retirement. This fact is also drawing our attention on the other most important matter that one cannot trust or fully dependent on coming generation. As quoted by George Foreman The question isn't at what age I want to retire, it's at what income.”
  So those who are working and still feel that there is much time for retirement planning then my recommendation keep up the good work and pray every day religiously that your coming generation will take care of you.
 This is the first part of my blog I will come up with some more Ideas /concept to become poorer in your life in next blog. Till then stay tune……
About the author : Hitesh Paliwal is a Financial Risk management consultant with ARB financial consultants, Helps corporate and individuals to access and mitigate the financial risks. Can be reached at info.arbfin@gmail.com or Cell : 08551905999

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Financial Planning - Manish and Juhi

Manish is a leading professional with good reputation in the society ,apart from being a professional he is also involved in social activities, a member of Rotary group.

Manish is having a very strong cash flow coming every day from the practice, having a house located in the posh area of town, going very regularly on domestic tours and enjoying his life. Juhi is also a professional however not in practice as she choose to give more importance to the upbringing of their children but surely will start practice as her younger child goes to graduation. 

One day while reading the news paper she come across an article about financial planing and got interested however Manish is not keen on same as he believes that he had managed his finance in good way and may not need any consultation on same but she successfully convinced him.

During the first meeting with there was a clear signal from Manish that he is not in need but only because of Juhi he is doing that but in the second meeting when the cash flow presented to him, was a eyeopener and shaken his belief system.


The data which was collected during the initial meeting process reveals the following :

Manish stays with Juhi and 2 children Manasi ( Daughter ), Samir ( Son),
The ages are Manish : 40, Juhi : 40, Manasi :10, Samir : 7.

Existing financial data
Net asset  :
Residential house ( Personal property ) : 6500000/-
Office space : 5500000/-
Gold : 942000/-
Mutual funds : Nil
Equity : Nil
FD's : 300000/-
PPF ( both ) : 328000/-
Savings a/c : 785000/-

Net asset  Approx. : 7855000/-

Allocation of the investment ( Residential house is not considered as investment )
Equity :            0%
Debt :               8%
Commodity :    12%
Cash :               10%
Real estate :     70%


The asset allocation clearly shows the tilt towards real estate, this is majorly because the need of office space and the appreciation in the real estate over few last year.

For acquisition for this new property as there is a regular income Manish decided to liquidate all investments in MF and Equity as these investments were not performing since from the investment i.e. over last 3 years in 2010.

Real estate is not a bad investment however tilting your investment portfolio to any asset class is dangerous.

The family has following financial goals :

1. Manasi's education 8 years from now. Today's cost Rs.3500000/-
2. Samir's education 10 years from now. Today's cost Rs. 3500000/-
3. Manish's and Juhi's retirement 20 years from now and they choose to maintain the standard of living after retirement.
5. Creation of medical corpus in tune of Rs.1000000/- today's value.
6. Want to go on World tour every alternate years from now which expenses are measured to be rs.400000/- in today's term.
7. Want to buy a car next year costs Rs.1200000/-.



The Suggested allocation is to be achieved over a period of time and support for same is provided by us.

Monthly cash inflows :
Manish : 200000/-

Monthly cash outflows :
Household exp :           60,000/-
Life style exp. :            15,000/-
Loan EMI :                  0/-
Insurance premiums :   12,000/-
PPF :                             20,000/-
Savings :                       93,000/-

The incomes are very strong and expenses are in limit which reflects in strong savings on monthly basis

As it was shown Mr. Manish from the cash flow that if there is no proper optimization of cash flows ( financial plan) he may fail to complete his all financial goals. 
After the proper cash flow optimization he not only in position to complete all financial goals but also could plan for his dream, farm house at the time of retirement.


The couple also given the idea to have a proper protection plan to take care of financial risk and suggested with Term plan , Accidental death and disability and Medical insurance. In medical insurance medical benefit and critical illness plan is also suggested on the basis of family history.
The major differentiator is a rate of inflation which was completely ignored by Juhi and Manish.

Now they were suggested to build equity investment and sufficient balance in savings a/c for emergencies.

We observed in this case, even having a handsome income and strong capacity to invest individuals may fail to their financial goals without proper financial planning.

Suggested investment includes : 

ICICI Pru focused bluechip, DSPBR top 100 fund, IDFC premier equity fund, SBI magnum emerging businesses fund, DSPBR microcap fund, UTI dividend yield fund.


Case Ashok and Anjali.

About the author : Ashish Ramesh Bhave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, focused and specialized in financial planing for individuals and families. He is a personal financial coach for more than 100 families across the globe. Can be reached at arbfinancials@gmail.com or Cell : 08793107044

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Financial planning : Ashok and Anjali

A couple staying in Pune came to me for financial planning, The first question was in their mind whether this is a right time to opt financial planing ?

Some of the individuals are really confused about whether to go for a PAID advice or keep on taking FREE advice. Then we had a good discussion and after discussion there was a self realization of requirement of FEE BASED financial planning.

The couple Ashok and Anjali age 34 and 30 respectively having a child Anuj age 3 years. 

The financial goals which come out of our discussion was
1. Anuj's Graduation 15 years from now. Today's cost Rs. 500000/-
2. Anuj's Post graduation 19 years from now. Today's cost Rs. 500000/-
3. Anuj's Marriage, 22 years from now Today's cost Rs. 500000/-
4. Ashok and Anjali's retirement 24 years from now and they choose to maintain the standard of living after retirement.
5. Creation of medical corpus in tune of Rs.500000/- today's value.
6. Want to go on World tour 6 years from now which expenses are measured to be rs.400000/- in today's term.
7. Want to buy a car immediately costs Rs.650000/- for which the funds are accumulated in FD and saving a/c.

The data which was collected during the process revels the following :

Existing data

Net asset  :
Residential house ( Personal property ) : 4500000/-
Jewellery : 750000/-
Mutual funds : 350000/-
Equity : 450000/-
FD's : 375000/-
PF Accumulation : 234000/-
PPF ( both ) : 23000/-
Savings a/c : 200000/-
Housing loan : 3400000/- 

Net asset  Approx. : 3482000/-

Allocation of the investment ( Residential house and jewellery is not considered as investment )
Total :              1632000/-
Equity :            49%
Debt :              38.75%
Commodity :    0%
Cash :              12.25%
Real estate :      0%

The Suggested allocation is to be achieved over a period of time and support for same is provided by us.

Monthly cash inflows :
Ashok : 55000/-
Anjali : 48000/-

Monthly cash outflows :
Household exp :           30000/-
Life style exp. :             5000/-
Loan EMI :                  33900/-
Insurance premiums :    10800/-
RD :                             10000/-
Savings :                       13300/-


Insurance cover :
Ashok : 800000/-
Anjali : 300000/-
No Medical reimbursement plan as covered by company , no accidental death and disability plan.


It is communicated to couple that Insurance is not an investment instrument but a protection tool, by taking it as an investment tool results in under-performance of both protection and returns.
We suggested them to go for surrendering some of insurance endowment policies depending on the basis of expected ROI.
We suggested them to go for pure online term life insurance for the following amounts,
Ashok : 5800000/- 
Anjali : 4900000/-
Medical insurance family floater plan with Sum assured Rs.500000/-
Accidental death and disability plan for Rs. 33,00,000/- for Ashok and 28,00,000/- for Anjali.

The couple suggested to keep a reserves for 6 months expenses 4,15,000/- as reserves to face any kind of contingency. These funds are to be maintained in combination of Savings A/c and FD.

The result of this suggestions results in additional savings of Rs. 82600 per year.



Ashok and Anjali were busy in their work and could not get a time to look in to financial management even they agreed it to be an important part of life.

We suggested them to invest in following funds to complete their financial goals.

We suggested Ashok to buy a car on loan, on the basis opportunity cost. 

Goldbees ( Gold ETF ), ICICI Pru focused bluechip,IDFC premier equity fund,DSPBR microcap fund,UTI divident yield fund. And continuation of Existing RD.
now Anjali and Ashok are very clear about their goals and the strategy they have to adopt for completion of financial goals.

Anjali quote that  " we were not sure about achieving all financial goals but now knowing the cash flow for the entire life we are confident and can take financial decisions in proactively ".

We know where we are and where to go !


About the author : Ashish Ramesh Bhave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, focused and specialized in financial planing for individuals and families. Can be reached at arbfinancials@gmail.com or Cell : 08793107044