Try not to leave cash dozing in your reserve funds financial balance

Seeing all the money readily accessible also gives a false sense of security, almost like you don’t need to hold on to it for your financial future.

A major public sector bank now pays 2.75% a year on money lying in your savings bank account; till last year they were paying 4% a year. If you were to open a fixed deposit with them, you would earn 4.4% a year on which you’ll pay some tax. This is a reality in the low-interest rate regime of today and there isn’t anything you can do to change it.

A bigger worry is that the money lying in your savings bank account is always available for spending. You are not earning much on it, so you might as well spend.  Seeing all the money readily accessible also gives a false sense of security, almost like you don’t need to hold on to it for your financial future.

The truth is that not only do you need the money for your future but also that you need to grow the value of that money, rather than letting it deplete in the bank. I say deplete because, at close to 6% inflation or price rise in the economy, it’s clear that if you let your money sleep off in the bank, it’s real value is falling not growing.

What can you do to change this? Choose smarter investing options.

1. Short term needs

Leave enough money in your bank account to cater for 3-6 months’ worth of expenses. If that too will be tempting and you think you might end up spending it all, then shift anything that you need for more than 2 months into liquid funds.

Liquid funds are the lowest risk mutual funds where you can park money, earn slightly better return than a savings bank account will give you and also withdraw at a day’s notice. This is your alternative for a savings bank account for money that you need to keep aside for 3-6 months. 

Then chalk out what you may need, say for the next 1-3 years. This is also primarily money that you will not like to risk and hence, invest in debt funds. However, pick from the choice in debt funds meant to be invested in for a slightly longer period. Short term income funds are the more accurate choice here. The returns you earn are higher than your bank account with better tax efficiency.

Make sure you put adequate thought towards arriving at this figure because for long term investments to deliver value you must leave them to compound or grow for at least 10-15 years.

2. Start regular long-term investing 

It’s unlikely that all the money in your bank account (unless you have already been investing) is what you need for consumption in the next 3-6 months or even the next 1-3 years. There is bound to be a portion which you can keep aside for the distant future, but don’t know where.

First try to ascertain what this amount is, which, you don’t need in the foreseeable future. Then break it up into smaller figures and invest every month in an investment option that can help you create long term wealth. Regular monthly investment in an equity mutual fund will help you utilize those excess funds lying in the bank judiciously towards long term wealth creation.

The important part is arriving at how much you can put aside from that pile of savings now and how much you can add to it every month. Make sure you put adequate thought towards arriving at this figure because for long term investments to deliver value you must leave them to compound or grow for at least 10-15 years.

Realizing after a year or two that you need this money and pulling it out of the investment will be counterproductive.

There is a lot you can do to allocate your money more efficiently and make it work harder. Taking the first step to understanding your needs now and in the future is paramount if you want to achieve the above. Given that your bank savings account is only eating into the value of your money, it’s definitely worth your time to do the calculation and start investing your money more gainfully.

Make the start of this festive season, a reason for your to be mindful towards your hard-earned money, don’t let it lie where it doesn’t belong.

ALSO READ: How to teach teenagers about savings easily?