6 Money Management Mantras For Women Investors

It’s a well-known fact that attitudes and beliefs are a key determinant in their investing habits. Women in India often let others take financial decisions for them, and tend to be relatively more risk averse when compared to men. This can potentially impact returns eventually. Follow these simple guidelines, and you’ll have created an edge for yourself when it comes to investing your money.

First, take control!

Quite shockingly; a recent survey of more than 4,000 women across 8 cities revealed that “only 1 in 3 women take their own investment decisions”. to empower yourself to participate equally in investment decisions at worst, and take decisions independently at best! Plenty of women executives around the world take investment decisions involving billions – there’s no reason you shouldn’t be deciding where to invest your money.

Don’t speculate

There’s a fine line separating ‘high risk investing’ and ‘speculating’. Speculative instruments include derivatives trading, commodities trading, day trading, short term trading in stocks and the likes. Eventually, you’re more likely to lose money by speculating, as your decisions will largely be driven by panic or the lure of short-term gains. Avoid speculating to the extent possible.

Be flexible

Avoid being rigid in your beliefs about investing. Try to self-educate, and don’t fall prey to risk aversion. Try to look beyond the obvious (traditional) investment avenues such as fixed deposits and life insurance, towards avenues such as mutual funds which could help you generate significantly higher returns from your investments eventually. 

Keep track

Commit to being a good record keeper. It’s a common practice to pile on investment upon investment, only to completely lose track of where your money is. Get your papers together and put things in order. You might just end up weeding out a lot of worthless investments as a side benefit.

Diversify Risks

The adage “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” applies to all investors and to women, in particular. Over the years, we’ve observed numerous women investors who’ve built an appetite for only one or two specific types of investments (such as fixed deposits, life insurance or real estate) and thus, often end up exposed to risks that are specific to one asset class. This tendency may be derived from past conditioning (from their father or any other close family members), or simply from the disinclination to consider other avenues. Break out of the mould and diversify!

Have a Financial Plan

Have you decided what you want to do with your money? Would you like to purchase an asset, plan a vacation, save for your retirement, or fulfil some other goal? Creating a clear goal plan and committing to it is key.