Empowering Financial Growth: Best Investment Options for Housewives in India

The contribution of housewives is often underestimated as it cannot be measured in terms of money. However, their impact on the smooth running of the household is significant. They are given the responsibility of managing the income earned from external sources. 

Indian housewives have a natural talent for effective financial planning using limited resources and can save some money, regardless of how much they may spend extravagantly in a given month. These savings can be transformed into valuable assets.

This blog is dedicated to the incredible homemakers who tirelessly shape our lives every day, without taking any breaks or expressing any grievances.

While writing this blog, we came across a beautiful quote that would be perfect here: 

 

“A woman’s best protection is a little money of her own.” – Clare Boothe Luce

Financial independence serves as a crucial source of security. While you may currently experience happiness and contentment, it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, adopting a sound financial planning process is imperative for your benefit. 

We are talking so much about investing but what is it all about? Let’s see.

What is Investing All About?

Investing refers to growing your wealth over time. With the Compound Interest Calculator, investing allows you to generate good returns on your capital and ultimately increase your wealth. There are various investment instruments that you can consider based on your risk appetite, time horizon, and future needs. 

The Gender Investment Gap: Why It Matters

Investing is not just a man’s game. Women must participate in investment opportunities to secure their financial future actively. However, a gender investment gap exists that needs to be addressed. According to research, women tend to invest less than men, leading to missed opportunities for wealth creation and financial independence. So, ladies, break the stereotype and take charge of your financial well-being. 

How important is investing for women?

As per a survey conducted by an Indian financial firm, DSP Winvestor Pulse, in 2019, only one-third of women make investment decisions by themselves. This speaks volumes about how little women are exposed to the world of investing. 

Surprisingly, even as many women are becoming financially independent, the idea of investing in stocks, bonds, or even real estate is still often linked to the men of the family. The concept of aggressive investing continues to be
absent in the lives of many working women. They prefer saving for their future in bank accounts or investing in jewellery like gold.

In these times of sky-rocketing inflation and unexpected economic downturns, the need for a well-planned and calculated investment strategy is crucial for everyone. With the right investments, you can secure not just your future, but that of your loved ones as well. 

Investment options, such as owning real estate, stocks, bonds, ULIPs, and more, can offer you more economic flexibility. This ensures that you do not have to depend on others for your financial needs. 

 

Benefits of Investment for Women

The percentage of working women is rapidly growing, and with time it is even more convenient for women to invest and secure their future. Some of the major benefits of saving schemes for ladies are as follows:

Supporting Family Goals

Long-term goals require long-term investment, a house, raising children, etc., and a huge corpus. Sometimes, salary and savings are not enough to fulfil all the dreams. Hence, properly planned investment is essential to achieve all the long-term goals.

Financial Security

Regular investment helps maintain a substantial corpus and provides financial stability to the family. Thus, investment helps achieve short-term or long-term goals without burning the pocket.

Planning For Children’s Future

All parents want to give their children a top-notch education; with investment, one can put aside a lump sum amount for the child’s education which can later be utilized to fund the child’s higher education. 

What are the types of investment plans? How do you choose the right investment plan?

A well-chalked-out investment plan offers several benefits such as – long sustainable returns, capital appreciation as well tax benefits. But to maximise the benefits derived from an investment plan, one needs to gauge his or her risk appetite. The categorization of different investment plans based on one’s risk appetite is as follows –

Low-risk investment – these portfolio investments are generally low-risk and have low volatility. There is a reliable and stable growth of capital, but the returns received are not very high. This might seem like a fair trade-off in light of the minimal risk involved. Some investments that fall under this category are the National Pension Scheme, Public Provident Fund etc.

Medium risk investment – these portfolios offer diversified and balanced investments providing opportunities for growth, moderate risk and acceptable levels of market volatility. Some examples of medium-risk investments are monthly income plans, arbitrage funds and hybrid debt-oriented funds.

High-risk investment – these portfolios experience a high degree of volatility and the returns promised in the long term are high. Some examples of investments under this category are direct equity, mutual funds, ULIPs etc. 

While choosing a plan for oneself, it is important to keep in mind the following things – 

• Determine your financial goals.
• Evaluate the various means that can be used to achieve these goals. 
• Identify the tenure available to achieve these goals.
• Analyse the pros and cons of each of the investment plans and how they are placed in light of the investment goals set.
• Create a diversified portfolio and allocate your corpus among each of the investment plans with care. 
• Periodically monitor the progress toward your investment goals.
• Review and reorient the plan in case of deviation or failure to move toward a specific goal. 

What are the Investments that a Housewife Can opt in for?

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme

As a housewife who is constantly thinking about her children’s future, it is a prudent decision to invest in the Prime Minister’s Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Scheme which was launched with the sole purpose of encouraging parents to secure the future of their daughters. 

The SSY account is to be opened before the minor girl child turns 10 years old with a minimum investment of Rs. 1,000 a year and a maximum of Rs. 1,50,000. The account will be valid and running for 21 years so long as payments are made annually.

Child Education Plan

A child education plan is an investment cum insurance plan created with the sole objective of securing funds for the education of one’s child. Housewives can invest in this to secure the future of their children. There are four main types of child education plans, namely, single premium child plan, regular premium child plan, child unit linked plan and traditional child endowment plan.

National Savings Certificate

For those who have very little savings at their disposal, but wish to invest nevertheless, the National Savings Certificate is an excellent option. The minimum amount that is to be invested is Rs. 100 and there is no upper limit for investment. The interest rates change annually, and the interest received is covered under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Gold Mutual Funds

While it is a popular belief that investing in gold is a good investment, there is a better, more viable option that is available in the market than the purchase of physical gold. These are known as Gold Mutual Funds. These instruments are a mix of stock and gold investments and are passive investments meant for conservative investors. These are market-linked and offer higher amounts of returns.

Real estate

Investing in real estate is a good option for those who are looking for a regular rental income. Investors have the option to invest in commercial properties such as offices or shops or Residential properties such as apartments, individual houses, or villas or invest in Real Estate 

Mutual Funds to get high returns. 

The risk involved is comparatively lower and the returns are respectable and steady. The most important advantage of investing in real estate is that it will help in the diversification of investment assets.

Mutual funds

A market-linked investment that promises returns high enough to overcome inflation, mutual funds are ideal investment plans for diversification of risks. There are various types of mutual funds that one can invest in such as equity mutual funds, debt mutual funds, hybrid funds, balanced funds etc. These diversified investment portfolios help one achieve their investment goals through informed decisions. 

FAQ: Best Investment Options For Housewives Of India

Is there a right time to start investing?

There is no such fixed time that one must start investing in, though most financial experts use the mantra “the earlier, the better”. This is strongly endorsed as in this day and age, with rising prices, inflation, consumerism, and pressure to achieve in lesser periods, there is a need to create a strong financial backing to support it.

Is purchasing gold a good investment choice?

It is preferable to not invest in gold only. It can be bought as one component of the investment portfolio and not in the jewellery form. 

What is an investment style? How do you identify it?

An investment style is a product of one’s investment goals, risk tolerance power, and attitude toward investing. For instance, if one is an aggressive investor, then he or she would like to invest in equities that are subject to high market volatility yet yield high returns. A conservative investor, on the other hand, would like to play it safe and is happy with lesser returns. 

Conclusion

Long-term wealth accumulation requires financial discipline and there is no better embodiment of this discipline, perseverance and agility. The most important factor is to understand the risks and the workings of various financial instruments before investing. Opting in for either of the options given above, over a considerable time can guarantee a steady flow of money that would contribute to the financial security of the housewife and her household.