Rita (worried investor): Ricky, did you see today’s headlines? Tensions between Iran and Israel, gold prices shooting up, crude oil becoming so expensive overnight. And then suddenly they say “ceasefire” and everything cools down. The market feels like a rollercoaster! Honestly, I feel like selling my investments and just keeping cash. What if things get worse tomorrow?
Ricky (financial planner): Rita, I understand your worry. But let me ask — is this the first time you’ve seen such news?
Rita: Well… no. I remember tariff wars, elections, oil price shocks, even Covid times. But each time it feels different, scarier.
Ricky: Exactly. Global events are like movie plot twists — they keep coming. Today it’s war news, tomorrow it’s elections, next month it’ll be interest rates. But here’s the thing: your financial life shouldn’t behave like a WhatsApp forward — reacting to every little piece of noise.
Rita (half-smiling): You’re right… but when I see petrol prices rising or my gold jeweller friend looking extra happy, I panic.
Ricky (laughing): That’s like deciding your entire diet based on what’s on sale at the grocery store today. Just because mangoes are expensive doesn’t mean you stop eating fruits altogether!
Rita: Hmm. Fair point. So what should I do? Just sit and watch?
Ricky: Not sit and watch — but plan and act smartly. Let me give you five simple rules.
1. Have a Goal, Not Just an Investment
Ricky: Tell me Rita, why did you buy mutual funds in the first place?
Rita: Umm… everyone was saying SIP is good, so I started.
Ricky: That’s like going on a road trip without deciding the destination. You don’t just drive because the road is smooth — you drive because you want to reach Shimla or Jaipur, right?
Your investments should have the same purpose. Maybe your daughter’s college in 10 years, or your retirement. That’s your “destination.”
2. Diversify Intelligently
Rita: But if markets fall, everything falls, na?
Ricky: Not really. Think of your portfolio like a thali. Rice, dal, sabzi, papad. If one item is a bit too salty, the others balance the taste. Similarly, when equity is down, gold or debt may balance things out. You’ll never love every item on the thali, but together it makes a satisfying meal.
3. Don’t Time the Market — Trust Time in the Market
Rita: But sometimes I feel like selling when the market is high and buying when it’s low.
Ricky (smiling): That’s like trying to predict whether the next raindrop will fall on your nose or your shoulder. Even experts can’t do it consistently.
Instead, just carry your umbrella (your long-term investments) and keep walking. Over 10–15 years, the rain and sunshine balance out.
4. Review, Don’t React
Rita: So when there’s war news or oil price spikes, I should do nothing?
Ricky: Not “nothing.” Review. Ask yourself — does this affect my child’s college fee goal? Does it affect your retirement? If not, stay the course.
If something changes in your life — like you got a new job, or your expenses doubled — then yes, we adjust. The Middle East doesn’t decide your retirement, but your decisions do.
5. Work With a Financial Planner
Rita: And that’s where you come in, right?
Ricky (laughing): Exactly. Think of me as your Google Maps. You’re driving the car, but I’ll reroute when there’s traffic, I’ll warn you when there’s a wrong turn. Headlines may shout “accident ahead!” but I’ll tell you whether you actually need a detour or just patience.
Rita (sighing in relief): So basically, don’t panic every time the world sneezes. Stick to the plan.
Ricky: Perfectly said. Global events are turbulence. But when you’re flying, do you ever see the pilot opening the door and saying, “Too much turbulence, I’m jumping off”? No! The pilot stays on course, follows the flight plan, and trusts the control tower.
You are the pilot of your money. And I’ll be your control tower. Together, we’ll ensure your journey is smooth — no matter how noisy the world gets.
Rita (smiling now): Thanks, Ricky. Guess I’ll finish my chai and delete those WhatsApp panic messages.
Ricky: Good idea. And maybe forward this instead: Patience pays, panic doesn’t.
Simplified Money Talks 