Skip to main content

Hierarchy of investment needs

Hierarchy of investment needs

We know how investing is different from just saving. If we put our saved money somewhere where it will grow, then that's investing. However, there are a number of possibilities available when we want to invest, and it isn't possible to make sensible choices without having a way to classify things.



However, let's not jump into classifying investments right away. Before we do that, we need to classify our need for making an investment. Investments can be made for a huge variety of needs. You could be saving for emergency medical funds which are usually required at a moment's notice. Or you could be saving for your retirement which is a few decades away, or anything in between.


We have created a useful framework for thinking about these investment needs. We divide investment needs into four levels. Each level is more fundamental than the ones that come after it. You should satisfy the need at each level before going on to the next one.


Those who know a bit about psychology may recognise this system as being based on the 'Hierarchy of Needs', a concept proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow. Maslow's hierarchy dealt with basic human needs like food, shelter, etc. Basically, human beings deal with their higher needs after the simpler ones are satisfied.


So here's Value Research's Hierarchy of Investing Needs:

LEVEL 1: Basic contingency funds
This is the money that you may need to handle a personal emergency. It should be available instantly, partly as physical cash and partly as funds that can be immediately be withdrawn from a bank. Online banking and ATMs make it relatively simple to get this organised.


LEVEL 2: Term insurance
Calculate a realistic amount which allows your dependents to finance at least short and medium-term life goals if you were to drop dead or be struck with a debilitating injury or disease. You should have an adequate term insurance before you think of any savings.


LEVEL 3: Savings for foreseeable short-term goals
This is the money needed for expenses that you plan to make within the next two to three years. Almost all of this should be in minimal risk, deposit-type savings avenues.

 

LEVEL 4: Savings for long-term foreseeable goals
Same as level 3, except the planned expenses are more than three to five years away. This level should be invested in equity and equity backed investments like equity mutual funds.


One could think of many levels beyond this and really, the details matter much less than the concept. Depending on one's circum-stances, any of the levels may have to be modified. For example, you may have enough income-producing assets to make insurance relatively less important.


However, this doesn't decide how much to invest in each need. This system aims at preventing you from going to higher level unless the lower one is fulfilled. If you haven't put emergency cash in a savings account, then don't buy term insurance. If you don't have term insurance yet, then don't start putting away money for your daughter's college education, and so on.





SIPs are Best Investments as Stock Market s are move up and down. Volatile is your best friend in making Money and creating enormous Wealth, If you have patience and long term Investing orientation. Invest in Best SIP Mutual Funds and get good returns over a period of time. Know which are the Top SIP Funds to Invest Save Tax Get Rich - Best ELSS Funds

For more information on Top SIP Mutual Funds contact Save Tax Get Rich on 94 8300 8300

OR

You can write to us at

Invest [at] SaveTaxGetRich [dot] Com

Popular posts from this blog

ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan Invest Online

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Buy Gold Mutual Funds Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan             Invest Online This fund does remarkably well during falling markets, but fails to show the same prowess during a rising market. The fund sticks to its mandate to adapt to the dynamic nature of the market by shuttling between debt and equity. It takes aggressive asset calls in equity when the market surges by investing in quality mid-cap stocks. At the same time, it adopts a defensive strategy by investing in debt and cash when markets get overvalued, making it a good long-term choice.     For further information contact Prajna Capital on 94 8300 8300 by leaving a missed call     Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   Leave your comment with mail ID and we will ...

Lump Sum or SIP?

Invest Mutual Fund Online     You have a lump sum in hand and you wish to invest in equity funds. However, you have heard a lot of talk about investing in equity funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) because they help average costs, ensure you do not ill-time the market, and help you invest in small sums, besides giving you many other advantages. So, should you invest the money you have in hand in one go, or let it remain in your bank account and then do an SIP? There is no harm in investing a lump sum amount. For all you know, compounding, over the long term, could work better with lump sum. However, make sure you fulfill all of these three criteria if you want to invest in one go. Else, SIP is the way to go. #1: You invest for the long term According to past data, ideally, if you have a time frame of 12 years or more, you can consider lump sum investing (provided you satisfy the other two conditions that follow). So, what is the sanctity behind 12 years? Is it because only...

ICICI Lombard to provide weather cover in 10 states

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company has been given the mandate to provide weather-based crop insurance for rabi season (2010-11) in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh.    The insurance company will cover 69 districts — 30 loanee districts (farmers who have taken loans) and 39 non-loanee districts. The major crops that ICICI Lombard covers for the season are winter paddy, cotton, wheat, mustard, barley, maize, onion, potato, tomato, lentil, peas, arhar, jowar, fenugreek, coriander, cumin, methi, isabgol, brinjal among other crops.    Weather-based crop insurance provides cover against weather-related risks such as excess or deficit rainfall, variations in temperature and fluctuations in humidity. This scheme facilitates immediate compensation based on certified data collected from independent third party bodies such as Indian Meteorological Department ( IMD ) and National Collateral Management Services Ltd. ( NC...

Feeder funds are the cheapest way to invest in gold

Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Mutual Funds Online Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)   There are four ways to put your money in gold — buying physical gold/jewellery , putting money in gold exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ), investing in a gold savings fund and going for the National Spot Exchange's e-gold. Now, some gold ETFs and e-gold even allow taking physical delivery of gold at the end of investment tenure. That might sound good if you wish to possess physical gold. But, given the firm price of gold today (almost ~31,000 per 10g), it is important that gold is bought through acost-effective avenue. Reason: Investing comes at a price. Add to that, India's gold buying is expected to decline in 2012 and 2013, according to the latest World Gold Council ( WGC )report. WGC Director Vipin Sharma feels gold imports may drop to 800 tonnes from 967 tonnes last year. And the mix between the jeweller...

Tax Returns: Myths and facts of filing your Tax Returns

THE fiscal year has ended and many choose to make tax-filling. Despite this being a regular, annual ritual, several tax payers have some misconceptions, some of which are listed below: Misconception No. 1 Filing tax returns is a complex and cumbersome process. I need a Chartered Accountant to help me file my tax returns. Contrary to popular belief, preparing and filing tax returns is actually quite simple. If you have a digital signature you can accomplish the entire process sitting at home on your computer thanks to the e-filing facility on www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. Alternatively, you can submit the returns online, print a one-page receipt, sign it and drop it off at the income tax office within fifteen days of submitting the returns. No documents are required to be submitted with the receipt. However, if you want help, there are several third party service providers who offer tax preparation and filing services for a fee as low as Rs 200. Misconception No. 2 The interest I p...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now