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When should you redeem SIP Investments?

SIP meaning full form is a systematic investment plan (SIP). The meaning of SIP in investment is the most convenient mode of investing in mutual funds and has potential to generate long-term wealth. The investor develops the habit of disciplined investing and reaps the benefits of rupee-cost averaging. However, are subject to losses on account of market conditions and associated risks involved. What should an investor do? Should investor stop a loss-making SIP or continue with the SIP?

The following factors should be considered while redeeming SIP investments.

Asset allocation

This is a very important to meaning of SIP investments. Returns from equity-linked mutual funds are related to the performance of the stock market. So, if the market is not performing well, then your fund is also likely to follow the trend and provide low returns. Also, in equity funds, investing one’s funds in small or mid-cap funds or large cap because previous year returns were very good is not a good idea. Allocate your assets in a diversified manner. It should mostly be a mix of long-term, mid-term and short-term funds. Asset allocation varies from person to person. Investing in only one type of fund is not advisable.

When to withdraw

This is a dilemma faced by al investors. The answer lies in your fund performance. Follow the performance of the fund you have invested in. If the fund is not performing satisfactorily for less than a year, it could be the market fluctuation affecting it but if the performance is unsatisfactory for more long period than, you should consider looking for a better fund.

Apart from the performance parameter, you should also check the portfolio of companies in which the fund has invested and their prospective performance. Another good strategy is to compare your mutual fund’s performance with similar mutual funds. So be careful when you decide to redeem your SIPs investments and identify alternative funds.

Investment horizon

The longer one invests through SIPs in mutual fund has potential for long term risk adjusted returns. Generally, consider investing in SIPs for a period of five years or so. It has been observed that generally it takes at least five years to average out the losses and market risks and the power of compounding. A market correction phase does not mean one should redeem those funds. Rather, view it as an opportunity to purchase more funds at a lower price.

To conclude, one can suffer losses while investing in mutual funds but there is no need to panic and make a hasty decision. There could be many reasons such as elections and geo-political tensions, recessions, pandemics, etc. The economy has seen it all and still flourishes and thus investing is a long-term game and should be treated accordingly.

So finally, to answer the main question as to when is the right time to redeem SIP investments, ideally one should look at redeeming SIP investments only when the financial goals are achieved. If an investor wishes to take advantage of changing market dynamics, satellite portfolio could be used to switch to funds depending on market behaviour.

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Mutual Fund investments: 5 ways to invest in the bull market

A mutual fund means a fund established in the form of a trust to raise monies through the sale of units to the public or a section of the pubic under one or more schemes for investing in securities, money market instruments, gold or gold related instruments, real estate assets and such other assets. In case of a first-time investor in mutual funds, you need to formulate an investment strategy to diversify your investment which may help to generate long term risk adjusted return. A stock market on the bull run seems an exciting moment to invest, but one needs to be patient while investing in the market.

You can follow the following strategies while investing in mutual funds when the market is high.

1. Review your portfolio: When you initially constructed a portfolio, the markets must have been quite different. Currently, you may be cautious of market behaviour. This is a good time to assess your mutual fund investments and make a comparison of the mutual funds. If you have been investing in equity funds, you can transfer some of your mutual fund investments to debt funds to protect mutual fund investments from volatility.

2. Goal evaluation: It is essential to revaluate one’s goals at regular intervals. Newer goals will help you to invest your money efficiently. If you were an aggressive investor in the past, now you can follow a slightly conservative policy. Your mutual fund investments should be in line with your financial goals. Make a comparison of various mutual funds and choose a mutual fund based on the terms and risk profile of the goal.

3. Stick to SIPs during market high: Investors who are not aware of the market dynamics should go in for systematic investment plan(SIP) in mutual funds. When one invests a certain amount in a fund at regular intervals, one buys more units when the price is lower and lesser units when the price is higher. This is called the ‘rupee cost averaging’ method.

You can use a mutual fund calculator which is a financial tool that helps you calculate the returns from the mutual fund investments. You can thus determine the maturity value of an investment if you invest a lump sum amount or use the SIP route.

4. Choose funds as per your investment profile: Financial goals and risk tolerance should be the priority of every investor. It is essential to invest as per your risk profile and market levels should not hinder your financial goals.

For example: if you invest in mutual funds aiming to finance your retirement years after around 25 years, a sudden spike in market levels should not stop you from investing. You should keep investing in whatever funds you have invested in.

A mutual fund calculator is important because you can calculate the returns based on assumed rate of returns on investments.

5. Do not try to time the market: Every investor has done this at some point. Not only does it result in missed opportunities, but can also lead to wrong choices that hamper the growth of your portfolio.

Finally, be lion-hearted and invest in the market. The rise and fall in stocks is fundamental to market behaviour. A good financial advisor can come up with a good investment plan that can help you to create wealth in the long term.

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6 Fun Activities for Seniors with Limited Mobility

Old age is an inevitable part of life and as we grow older, we experience at least some loss of mobility. This occurs for a variety of reasons, including chronic medical conditions, diminished balance and even certain medications. When that happens, activities and hobbies they used to enjoy might now be too difficult.

When ageing brings physical challenges for a senior loved one, creative activities can brighten his or her life. As caregivers, we aim to provide the best elderly care possible to our senior loved ones; and loss of mobility doesn’t mean that we can’t help them have a good time.

Unfortunately, loss or lack of mobility can also have mental and psychological consequences, so this makes it even more important that we – as elderly caregivers – encourage them and help them indulge in activities that are suitable for them.

Despite reduced mobility, your loved one can capitalize on the intact faculties. Some hobbies boost cognitive function, dexterity, flexibility, and muscle tone. Here are ways to keep your loved one delightfully engaged.

Reading
Reading is a fantastic activity for older adults. It’s a fun way to spend time and keep the brain engaged. It can also improve memory, reduce stress, improve sleep, and delay cognitive decline. Whether your older adult likes reading physical books, magazines, using an e-reader, or listening to audiobooks, they can immerse themselves in a well-told story, look at photographs, or learn about an interesting new topic. Organizing a book club among their friends is another way for seniors to enjoy reading and socializing.

Enjoy Some Brain Games
Books of riddles, quizzes, word searches, sudoku and arithmetic logic are available at many bookstores. They provide endless hours of entertainment and fun; they are also inexpensive. Sit with your senior loved one and work on a riddle or word search together to inspire them. These kind of games also boost mental health and sharpen the mind, thereby making older adults more alert and aware.

Exercise Regularly
Even if your older adult isn’t very mobile, there may still be exercises they can do to get their bodies moving. Whether they’re sitting or standing, they can still get the health and mood benefits, especially from chair exercises or chair yoga routines. There are also exercise routines that can be done using a walker for stability or just focused on the feet and ankles to reduce swelling.

Get Creative
There’s at least a small spark of creativity in all of us and this doesn’t change as we get older. All things artistic are ideal for those with restricted mobility and deliver plenty of health-boosting benefits. From crocheting and colouring to knitting and whittling, making and creating is a positive and productive way to while away some hours. Getting in touch with your artistic side and learning to do something new can help boost self-esteem, create a sense of accomplishment, reduce stress and stimulate cognitive function.

Visitors
Companionship is one of the most important things for an elderly person. Ask family members and friends to drop by and spend some time together with them. You can even ask their friends to come and visit from time to time or take your senior loved one to visit them. Doing this, helps eliminate feelings of loneliness and isolation and makes them happy.

Herb Gardening
While it may be difficult for your loved one to tend an outdoor garden, who says they can’t do it indoors? Herbs are a great thing to grow indoors, especially if your loved one has a sunny windowsill for them to sit on. Pick up a few of your loved one’s favourite herbs at a garden store along with a pot or window box and some soil to replant them in. Together you and your loved one can get your hands dirty replanting the herbs. What’s also great about herbs is that they need to be watered and tended to very regularly, which will give your loved one something to do every day!

Senior citizen care doesn’t always have to be about medications and doctor/hospital visits. There are things that are sometimes way more important and that is keeping your elderly loved ones happy and mentally and emotionally well. Elderly caregivers need to encourage their loved ones who have reduced mobility to indulge in these activities and can even give them company by joining in!

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