Unlocking Financial Success: A Beginner’s Guide to Goal Based Investing

Investing is one of the most critical financial activities we undertake in life.  It is a way to grow our wealth and secure our future.  However,  investing can be complicated and overwhelming,  especially for those who are new to the game.  That is why goal based investing is an excellent strategy for beginners and seasoned investors alike. 

In this blog,  we will explain goal based investing,  how you can plan for financial goals,  and how it helps in wealth creation. 

What Is Goal Based Investing?

We all have so many things we want to achieve in the future.  This can be buying a car,  a home,  going for a trip,  planning for a peaceful retirement,  etc.  So it is easy to feel overwhelmed and sometimes worry about how you will achieve all your goals. 

This is where goal-based investing helps.  Goal-based investing is all about identifying your financial goals,  setting a timeline for each one of them,  and investing for them regularly to be able to reach them.  So essentially,  you give all your dreams and financial goals a structure. 

Why Should We Consider Goal Based Investing?

Here are some of the key benefits that can be availed through goal based investing:

Disciplined investment: Goal based investing encourages disciplined investment through monthly SIPs,  periodic portfolio rebalances,  etc.  

Limit debt usage: As you plan for your financial goals in advance,  you can limit your debt usage which you would have used for annual vacations,  purchasing a vehicle,  home investment,  etc. 

Tax planning: Holistic tax planning is one of the outcomes of goal-based investments.  As you plan for 80C deductions in advance,  you can avoid making random and hasty investments just to save tax. 

Planning & saving: With goal-based investing,  you can keep a close watch on every small and big expense which helps in increasing your savings as you continue to reduce non-discretionary spending. 

Financial Safety: Through goal-based investing,  you can plan and attain financial security for your future. 

Why Is Goal Based Investing Effective?

The goal-based investing approach is effective for several reasons. 

First,  it provides a clear and tangible target to work towards,  which helps investors stay motivated and focused on their investment strategy. 

Secondly,  it helps investors prioritize their investments,  as different goals require different investment strategies.  

For example,  an investor planning for retirement may prioritize investing in equities,  commodities,  bonds,  and real estate investment trusts (REITs) and mutual funds while an investor saving for a down payment on a house may prioritize investing in lower-risk assets like treasury bills,  commercial papers,  money market funds and bonds. 

However,  it is very instructive that you know your risk profile before making any investments. 

Furthermore,  goal-based investing helps investors avoid making emotional investment decisions.  When individuals invest without a clear goal in mind,  they may make decisions based on short-term market fluctuations or headlines,  which can lead to impulsive and often unwise decisions.  

However,  with a goal-based investing strategy,  investors are more likely to make rational investment decisions that align with their long-term goals. 

Things to Consider Before Starting Goal Based Investing

To get your goal-based investing right,  you must consider some rules and follow them as far as possible.  Here,  we have provided some of the top rules to keep in mind:

Be clear with your goals

Identifying your goals and the corresponding time horizon is essential to begin with.  You must be sure about your goals and should not keep switching goals to get the most out of goal-based investing.  

Accuracy is key

Having approximate estimates,  or unclear numbers can cause digression from your goals.  For instance,  if you are considering foreign education for your child,  try to talk to peers about their experiences,  specific capital requirements,  etc.  As per the time horizon chosen,  always incorporate the rate of inflation while calculating an investment goal. 

Have a clear figure for investing

Always be clear about your capability to save and invest depending on your income,  monthly expenses,  existing loans,  other commitments,  etc.  

Check the rate of return on investments

While calculating the rate of return on a mutual fund,  always check for the weighted average of returns.  The rate of return of most investments is based on the estimated compounded annualized growth rate (CAGR). 

Select equity exposure

You can consider investment exposure in both equity and debt instruments to achieve your investment goal.  For longer-term goals,  equity exposure bodes well.  Calculate your equity exposure as per your investment horizon. 

Check your risk appetite

Your risk-taking ability can have a heavy influence on the selection of investment instruments and portfolio structuring.  While investing in ULIPs,  for instance,  you can invest more in equity funds if you have a high-risk appetite and a long-term horizon.  For short-term goals,  you can focus more on debt-oriented funds. 

Periodic review

Try to review your investment portfolio frequently to ensure that it is on track to achieve the set goals.  At any time,  you can switch funds and also use top-up investment options for higher returns,  in case your portfolio performance has been good. 

Advantages Of Goal-Based Investment

These are the benefits of goal-based investment:

Clarity of purpose:

Having a clear goal in mind helps to focus on the investment strategy and make more informed decisions. 

Long-term focus:

By setting specific goals,  investors are more likely to adopt a long-term investment horizon,  which can help reduce short-term market fluctuations’ impact. 

Increased likelihood of success:

By creating a specific plan to achieve a goal,  investors increase the likelihood of achieving that goal. 

Better alignment of investments with personal values and priorities:

By setting goals that align with personal values and priorities,  investors can create portfolios that align with their beliefs and preferences. 

Helps to avoid impulsive decision-making:

It guides the investor to make informed and calculated decisions,  avoiding impulsive or emotional decisions that may lead to detrimental results. 

FAQ: Goal Based Investing

What are goal-based investment strategies?

Goal-based investing (GBI) involves a wealth manager or investment firm’s clients measuring their progress towards specific life goals,  such as saving for children’s education or building a  retirement nest egg,  rather than focusing on generating the highest possible portfolio return or beating the market. 

What is a goal-based financial plan?

Goal based financial planning is a approach that involves identifying specific financial objectives or goals and developing a plan to achieve them.  This approach focuses on creating a roadmap for achieving specific financial outcomes rather than simply accumulating wealth. 

Why goal based investing?

There are certain other advantages of goal-driven investing.  It instils financial discipline in investors and helps them to identify,  prioritize and focus on important personal finance goals,  rather than attempting to time their earnings with the market forces. 

Conclusion

Goal-based investing is a smart approach to managing your finances and achieving your long-term objectives. 

By clearly defining your goals and aligning your investment strategy with them,  you can increase the likelihood of success and make more informed financial decisions.  This approach offers several benefits,  including a clearer focus,  increased discipline,  and the ability to measure progress along the way.  

Before diving into goal-based investing,  it’s important to consider factors such as risk tolerance,  time horizon,  and liquidity needs.  By taking these considerations into account,  you can tailor your investment plan to suit your specific goals and circumstances.  

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