Debunking a few myths around wealth creation

For many of us, much of our knowledge about wealth creation comes from discussions with friends and family. Unfortunately, these conversations often perpetuate myths that have been around for ages. Not many people engage with these popular myths enough to challenge their validity. However, it is important for investors to separate the facts from the myths, because making the wrong investment decisions can greatly impact our wealth creation journey.

Therefore, to ensure a secure financial future and build a legacy, debunking the common myths around wealth creation is the first step.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common myths about wealth creation:

• Table of contents

1. Saving money is all you need for wealth creation
2. It’s okay to start investing late, because you can always catch up
3. It’s best to invest in assets that offer guaranteed returns
4. Invest and forget is a good approach to building wealth
5. Good returns are the only important aspect of wealth creation
6. To make money, you should know how to time the stock market
7. Your pension and provident fund are adequate for retirement
8. Diversifying your investments is the only way to minimise risk
9. FAQ

Saving money is all you need for wealth creation:

Saving money is a good and important habit. Without savings, there can be no growth. However, this is only the first step in the journey of wealth creation. The money saved needs to be invested wisely to beat inflation. For instance, investing in a mutual fund can give you a relatively reasonable return potential than letting your money sit idle in a traditional savings account.

It’s okay to start investing late, because you can always catch up:

When we make this claim, we are essentially living in denial of the power of compounding. The phenomenon of compounding can transform even small investments made early into significant amounts over time. The more time your money has to grow, the larger will be your eventual corpus. Starting late often means you must invest a lot more capital to achieve the same results as early investors. By waiting until you’re older, you miss out on years of potential returns and growth.

It’s best to invest in assets that offer guaranteed returns:

While guaranteed returns from traditional investment options may be a stable option, they often don’t offer as good return potential as other assets. The world of investment offers various avenues, each with its risk and reward profile. Balancing between guaranteed return assets and those with variable returns, like equities or mutual funds, can provide both relative stability and growth.

Invest and forget is a good approach to building wealth:

Markets, economies, and financial instruments are constantly evolving, as are your financial situations, needs and goals. An asset class performing well today might not do so in the future. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your investments ensures that they align with your financial goals and current market conditions. It's not enough to invest and forget; staying informed and alert are the keys to ensuring wealth creation.

Good returns are the only important aspect of wealth creation:

While good returns can speed up wealth creation, consistency and risk management are equally important. It's preferable to have consistent moderate returns over time than erratic high returns, which could potentially lead to significant losses depending on the changing market conditions.

To make money, you should know how to time the stock market:

Timing the market is a near myth. It's almost impossible even for seasoned professionals to predict market movements consistently. Instead of trying to time the market, a disciplined approach of regular investments, like Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds, can average out the buying cost over time, reducing the impact of market volatility.

Your pension and provident fund are adequate for retirement:

Given the rising costs of living and healthcare, as well as increasing life expectancy, depending only on traditional retirement options like pension and PPF might not be enough. Diversifying your investments into various asset classes can provide multiple income streams during retirement, ensuring a comfortable life in your golden years.

Diversifying your investments is the only way to minimise risk:

While diversification is an essential risk management technique, over-diversification is not a good idea. It can lead to mediocre returns, as potential gains from high-performing assets get diluted. A well-researched and balanced portfolio, tailored to your risk appetite and goals, should be the objective.

Understanding these common wealth creation myths is the first step toward building a secure financial future.

Conclusion

Wealth creation is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and proactive management. Debunking the myths associated with wealth creation is the first step towards a secure and prosperous financial future. Remember, it’s not just about following what everyone else is doing, but about understanding what works for your unique financial situation and goals. Mutual funds and other investment avenues are tools at our disposal, but they work well when we are clear about the myths and realities surrounding them. Don't let the myths of wealth creation hold you back; arm yourself with knowledge and take charge of your financial destiny.

FAQs:

Is it true that investing in risky assets is the only way to create wealth?
No, wealth can be built through various strategies, including diversification, disciplined saving, and smart financial planning.

Do I need a large initial sum of money to start building wealth?
No, you can start with small amounts and gradually increase your investments over time. Consistency matters more than the initial sum.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
This document should not be treated as endorsement of the views/opinions or as investment advice. This document should not be construed as a research report or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. This document is for information purpose only and should not be construed as a promise on minimum returns or safeguard of capital. This document alone is not sufficient and should not be used for the development or implementation of an investment strategy. The recipient should note and understand that the information provided above may not contain all the material aspects relevant for making an investment decision. Investors are advised to consult their own investment advisor before making any investment decision in light of their risk appetite, investment goals, and horizon. This information is subject to change without any prior notice.