FINguide Buddy

  📱 iPhone vs SIP – The Compounding Benefit Back in 2008 , when both were 20 years old, Aman and Rohan got their first jobs. Both earned similar salaries, but their choices were very different. Rohan – The Spender Every time a new iPhone or car was launched, Rohan bought it—sometimes even on EMI. From the first iPhone in 2008 to iPhone 17 in 2025, he never missed an upgrade. His money went into gadgets that lost value the moment they came out of the box. Aman – The Investor Aman had the same temptations but thought differently. Instead of paying EMI for gadgets, he decided: 👉 “I’ll invest ₹20,000 every month into a mutual fund SIP.” And he stuck to it, month after month, year after year. Even during tough times like the 2008 market crash or COVID, Aman never stopped his SIP. Fast Forward: 2025 (Age 37) Seventeen years passed. iPhone 17 has just launched. Rohan proudly bought it again, but his savings were close to zero. He had great photos, flashy gadgets, and cars—b...

SIP – The Story of Compounding Magic Once upon a time, in a quiet little village, there were two friends – Aman and Rohit . Both of them started working at the same time and earned similar salaries. Aman believed in enjoying the present. “Why save?” he said, “There’s plenty of time to think about the future.” Every month, he spent all his money on gadgets, outings, and shopping. Rohit, on the other hand, remembered a simple lesson: “A small drop of water every day can fill a big pot over time.” He decided to start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) of just ₹5,000 a month. At first, Aman laughed at him. “What difference will such a small amount make?” But Rohit smiled. He knew something Aman didn’t – the power of compounding . The Magic of Compounding Just like a tiny seed grows into a huge tree when watered regularly, Rohit’s monthly SIP kept growing silently in the background. His money was not just earning returns – those returns were also earning returns. Year after yea...

 

The Ultimate SIP FAQ Guide: 105+ Questions Answered Table of Contents SIP Basics Starting a SIP SIP Benefits SIP Risks SIP and Taxation Advanced SIP Strategies SIP Monitoring and Management SIP Comparisons and Alternatives SIP Planning and Goal Achievement SIP Troubleshooting and Miscellaneous Queries Comprehensive SIP FAQ (Systematic Investment Plan) Section 1: SIP Basics What is a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)? A SIP is a facility offered by mutual funds to invest a fixed amount regularly in a mutual fund scheme, helping investors build wealth over time through disciplined investing. How does SIP work? In SIP, a fixed amount is invested at regular intervals, purchasing units of the chosen mutual fund. The number of units depends on the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) at the time of purchase. What are the types of SIP? Common types include regular SIP (fixed amount), flexible SIP (adjustable amount), top-up SIP (increase investment over t...

Investment Strategies under Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) are a new category introduced by SEBI to bridge the gap between mutual funds and AIFs/PMS. They combine the regulatory and taxation benefits of mutual funds with the strategic flexibility of alternative funds. SIFs allow fund houses to launch strategies across equity, debt, and hybrid categories , with controlled use of derivatives and limited short exposure. Equity-Oriented Strategies Equity Long-Short Fund Open-ended or interval strategy. Minimum 80% investment in equity and equity-related instruments. Can take short positions through unhedged derivatives up to 25%. Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund Focuses on companies outside the top 100 by market capitalization. Minimum 65% allocation to equity in this segment. Short exposure allowed up to 25%. Sector Rotation Long-Short Fund Concentrated strategy investing in a maximum of four sectors. At ...

Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) – A New Era in Indian Investing Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) have officially entered India, creating a middle ground between mutual funds and portfolio management services. They combine the governance and tax benefits of mutual funds with the strategic flexibility of alternative investment funds (AIFs). 1. qSIF Equity Long-Short Fund Launch: September 17, 2025 NFO closes: October 1, 2025 Category: Flexi-cap equity long-short strategy Objective: To benefit from both rising and falling markets. Asset Allocation: 65–100% in all-cap cash equity/equity arbitrage 0–35% in all-cap unhedged derivative strategies (long) 0–25% in all-cap unhedged derivative strategies (short) 0–100% in hedging 0–15% in margins (cash, T-bills, G-secs) Minimum equity exposure (Long + Short): 80% Benchmark: Nifty 500 TRI Fund Managers: Sandeep Tandon, Lokesh Garg, Sameer Kate, Ankit Pande, Sanjeev Sharma 2. Altiva Hyb...

Asset Management Company (AMC): Meaning, Functions & Role in Investments What is an AMC? An Asset Management Company (AMC) pools money from investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities like gold and silver , with the goal of generating returns while managing risk. AMCs provide professional portfolio management, in-depth research, and robust risk assessment , all under regulatory oversight from SEBI to ensure transparency and protect investor interests. While managing money is the core objective, the AMC also creates a variety of products such as active funds, passive funds, Alternative Investment Funds, and pension funds . There are a variety of funds created by the AMC so that investors get an opportunity to invest in ready-made portfolios of different risk profiles. Role and Functions of an AMC The role of an Asset Management Company (AMC) is multifaceted . It plays a crucial role in mobilizing savings, channeling them in...

  Procedure to Claim Units / Proceeds upon Death of a Unitholder When a mutual fund unitholder passes away, the units held in their account need to be transferred (transmission) to the rightful claimant — either the surviving joint holder(s), the registered nominee(s), or the legal heirs, as applicable. Below are the detailed procedures and documents required under different scenarios: 1. Deletion of Name of Deceased Joint Holder (2nd and/or 3rd Holder) If one of the joint holders (other than the first holder) passes away: Form Required : Form T1 – Request by surviving holder(s) for deletion of the deceased holder’s name. Documents Needed : Death Certificate (original OR self-attested copy, notarized/gazetted officer attestation). Fresh Bank Mandate Form + cancelled cheque (if bank details are changing). Fresh Nomination Form (if no nomination exists or if surviving holders wish to update/change nomination). KYC compliance of surviving holders (process compl...

All About SIP – Systematic Investment Plan Explained Simply A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is one of the most popular and convenient ways to invest in mutual funds . Instead of investing a big amount in one go, SIP allows you to invest a small fixed sum regularly – it could be monthly, quarterly, or even weekly. You can start a SIP with as little as ₹500 , making it affordable for everyone. Think of SIP like planting a tree – you water it regularly, and over time, it grows into something big. Similarly, SIP helps you create wealth step by step without worrying about market ups and downs. Why Should You Start a SIP? ✅ Rupee Cost Averaging – When markets are low, you automatically buy more units. When markets are high, you buy fewer units. Over time, this averages out the cost of your investments. ✅ Power of Compounding – SIP allows your money to earn returns, and those returns start earning more returns. The earlier you start, the more powerful compounding works in your fa...

  Mutual Fund Jargons Simplified For many investors, financial jargon often becomes a roadblock to understanding mutual funds. Let’s break down some commonly used terms so that you can navigate your investments with confidence. Core Terms You Must Know 1. Assets Under Management (AUM) AUM refers to the total market value of all the investments a mutual fund or investment firm manages on behalf of its investors. 2. Asset Management Company (AMC) An AMC is the professional manager of a mutual fund. It invests the pooled money in stocks, bonds, or other securities and takes care of all buy/sell decisions. 3. Net Asset Value (NAV) NAV is the per-unit value of a mutual fund, calculated after accounting for expenses. It is updated daily and determines the price at which investors buy or sell units of a scheme. 4. Units When you invest in a mutual fund, you receive units that represent your share in the scheme. For example, if you invest ₹10,000 in a fund with an NAV of ₹100, y...