Financial planning is crucial when discussing the ideal investment to secure your child’s future. Parents strive to provide their children with the best financial stability. Rightly planning out costs and selecting suitable investment options is one of the most effective techniques for achieving this goal.
The cost of education in India has been rising significantly. Studies suggest that the inflation in the education sector has been between 11-12 % annually over the last decade. These figures indicate that the costs of school can double every six to seven years. Creating a robust financial cushion is the best approach to beat this growing education inflation. Several options in India are designed specially to cater to the needs of children.
Investing in your child’s future is a significant responsibility of a parent. It is crucial to make informed decisions while selecting any option. Here are the investment options available.
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This Yojana is a government supported initiative and it was launched as a part of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign. Here, the investment value is a Minimum of 250 and a Maximum of 1.5 lakh per annum. The current interest rate is 8.2% per annum. The maturity duration is 21 years from the account opening or upon the daughter’s marriage. Investors get tax benefits under Section 80C, and also the interest and maturity values are tax-free.
- Real Estate: Apart from investing only in property, one can now invest in REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) and Real Estate Funds. Investing in REITs provides substantial dividend income and delivers steady capital appreciation over the long term.
- Gold: Indian households are famous for investing in physical gold. Alternatively, parents can also choose between gold ETFs and sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) as a promising avenue for long-term investment. These avenues can be more profitable than physical gold as one saves costs on making charges and misses out on the 2.5% annual interest received on SGBs (2023-24 series IV SGBs).
- Bank deposits: Historic tools of investment available in the market to earn regular and steady returns. Parents can invest for a more extended period; however, the return on it will not beat the rising inflation with the nominal return it delivers.
- Mutual Funds: In mutual funds, we have options based on individual financial position, time horizon and risk tolerance. Equity mutual fund investments rank high among children’s investment plans. As we know, mutual funds deliver better returns than other investment options available in the market. Historically, it has provided 12%-15% annualized returns.
We’d like to point out that mutual fund investments offer distinct advantages over real estate, gold, and fixed deposits. They provide diversification, liquidity, and professional management, reducing risk while potentially offering higher returns. Unlike real estate, mutual funds require a lower initial investment and entail no maintenance costs. Compared to gold, they tend to offer greater returns and accessibility. Additionally, mutual funds typically outperform fixed deposits, offering the potential for inflation-beating returns over the long term.
With proper planning and strategies as an investor, one can make decisions that accurately reflect investing goals. An investor can set a step-up SIP to get better returns. With mutual funds, the longer you stay invested, the better you will get.
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Benefits of investing in a mutual fund
- Mutual funds are managed by fund managers who have professional expertise. A fund manager continuously monitors the investors’ investment and rebalances the portfolio to meet the objectives.
- Mutual fund investments offer an easy way to diversify your investment portfolio. With the benefit of diversification, the risk associated with one security is countered by others. By investing here, investors will ensure they are not putting all their eggs in one basket.
- For many investors, investing directly in an asset class requiring large amounts can be daunting. A mutual fund provides the benefit of investing in small amounts. An investor can start investing with as little as 100 rupees investment in a mutual fund.
- Mutual funds are also on the liquid end of the spectrum; an investor can redeem the amount quickly if required. Redemptions are settled on a T+3 basis. Mutual funds also provide tax benefits under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, if you choose to invest in ELSS funds. Mutual fund investments are tax-efficient when held for a longer period.
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If you read this, you would have understood that there is no single definition of ‘best investment for kids’; instead, it is based on your future financial requirements, time horizon, and risk appetite.
As a parent, remember to diversify, rebalance, and reallocate your investments periodically. Doing this will significantly reduce the effect of market volatility on your portfolio. If you are a young parent and starting the investment journey for your kids, consider investing in equity as an early investor to get relatively higher returns. Remember to bring discipline to savings and stay invested for the longer term.
If you are a parent looking for the best investment options for your kid’s future, you are at the right place. Please book your meeting and connect with our wealth advisor.
