Akshaya Tritiya is almost here with the festival falling on 18th April this year. This festival is considered, a very auspicious one. The name itself suggests that it is the third lunar day (Tritiya) of the Hindu calendar, indicating unending prosperity (Akshaya). Tradition has it that this very auspicious day is for auspicious beginnings like marriages, housewarmings, and purchase of property or gold. In fact, the purchase of gold is what Akshaya Tritiya has become synonymous with over the last few years thanks to smart marketing by gold merchants and jewellery brands.
Indians, especially women, are traditionally attracted to gold and invest in it. It is actually not necessary to buy gold only on Akshaya Tritiya. You could choose to buy anything new as a good symbolic start. An interesting aspect though, is that while women seem to have the knack of putting money away when it comes to investment, they mostly, only think of picking up gold ornaments. This probably could be a mindset issue that has been handed down across generations.
Gold As An Investment
While investment in gold is seen as a good bet by many, it is not so. Unless the gold is purchased for occasions like marriage, it is an unproductive asset. The gold is for consumption and not investment. Yes, there is the possibility that in times of crisis, you could turn to your gold assets. But, this is true with Mutual Funds (MF) too, which many people do not know. The money invested in gold is unproductive as it does not really help in any economic growth, unlike equity shares or Mutual Fundss. The purpose of gold in the Indian context is as a safety measure, a social necessity and for personal use.
If you invest a certain amount in gold, the gold remains the same, even after many years. Yes, the gold value may appreciate quite a bit, but it does not multiply like money can; especially if you make some informed, wise investments. A real investment should be one that generates wealth and aids in economic activity and keeps creating more wealth. So, in effect, if people are willing to give it serious thought, there indeed are better options to invest in, than gold. No doubt, there are social occasions when you need to purchase gold, and those are exempted.
What Are Your Options
So, this Akshaya Tritiya, what are the options available to make an auspicious start that generates wealth for a few years to come? Look at investments in MFs, for one. It is quite possible to build a carefully chosen investment portfolio with the help of a trusted and reliable investment advisor. When people who have an in-depth understanding of the whole ecosystem use their insight to help you figure out which MFs to invest in, you can succeed in generating wealth.
It is not always necessary to start big in Mutual Fundss, you could always choose to go with small amounts per month, known as systematic investment plans (SIP). Across a period, you may find that you are getting good returns and there is no fear of lock-in. A few may even provide good short-term returns. Most mutual funds can also be liquidated quickly.
So, perhaps, this Akshaya Tritiya is the right time to ring in the change and think beyond gold!
Think Mutual Funds!
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