COVID-19’s breakout has wrecked havoc on the finances of many in a variety of sectors. People are being pushed to reconsider their personal finances as a result of job losses, salary cuts, and business closures. While families battled with economic losses, the health crisis cast a lengthy shadow over their life savings. COVID-19’s influence necessitates a fresh way to dealing with an ever-changing environment.
Personal finance skills learnt during the epidemic can be applied regardless of the economic future. While things may not always be awful, it is critical to maintain an emergency fund and many income streams. It is not easy for individuals to repay health loans or emergency loans that were required due to poor financial preparation.
Maintain a well-diversified portfolio
Following the purchase of insurance and the establishment of an emergency fund, the next stage is to make an investment. It is critical to maintain a single portfolio comprised of a variety of investments. The goal is to diversify your investments in order to maximise your returns while minimising your risk. It serves as a rallying cry for financial advisors, fund managers, and individual investors. Diversification’s core tenet is to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.
Consider assets with low or negative correlations while constructing a diversified portfolio. Additionally, while assets such as mutual funds or exchange-traded funds provide sufficient diversification, investors must be careful of hidden fees and trading commissions. Additionally, stocks are not the only investment option; you may always explore gold or gold bonds. Investing may be a pleasurable, informative, and lucrative experience. All that is required is a disciplined approach and diversification to be rewarded even during the most trying circumstances.
Additionally, the details of your financial products must be accessible to your family members
Health and life insurance is a MUST
Insurance is a necessary component of any solid financial plan. If the epidemic has taught us anything, it is to be prepared for the unexpected. While insurance prevents you from having to dip into your emergency fund, it also protects your family.
As a result, health and life insurance are critical components of any financial strategy. Hospital expenditures are the most difficult to pay without insurance, so purchase a policy that covers your needs. Additionally, you would want to protect your family member, which would require a life insurance policy.
Putting together an emergency fund
While insurance will protect you in the event of a medical emergency, you will require an emergency fund in the event of an unforeseen event such as job loss or wage decrease. An emergency fund is a necessary component of a healthy financial plan. Consider it as a shock absorber. At the very least, an emergency fund should cover three to six months of household needs. Building an emergency savings takes patience.
You must assess your monthly expenses and begin saving a set amount of money each month. Once you’ve established a predetermined sum, do not deposit it in a savings account. Maintain around 50% of the money in savings and the remainder in liquid bonds. It will not only assist in earning interest on the balance, but will also ensure that it is risk-free.
Investments for the long term
Stocks, bonds, real estate, and cash are all examples of these. Long-term investments carry inherent risks, and investors must be patient for an extended length of time in order to gain better returns. This also implies that you must have sufficient funds to sustain such lengthy waiting periods.
Apart from making educated choices, develop and adhere to a strategy. It is critical to have a laser-like concentration on your financial goals and to trust in your plan.
The final word on personal finance is to be specific about your objectives and to take little actions toward them. It takes time to develop an impenetrable financial plan, but you cannot give up if it does not happen fast. However, whatever tiny efforts you take will add up to a significant amount of progress on your financial journey.
Bhoi Smrutirekha Dharanidhar