Investing ₹2,000 every month in equity funds is a simple and smart way to grow your money over time. Equity funds are like a basket of shares from different companies (like Reliance, Tata, or Infosys) managed by experts. They collect money from many people and invest it in businesses to earn profits. If you’re new to investing or don’t understand financial terms, don’t worry! This article explains everything in step-by-step.
What Are Equity Funds?
Equity funds are a type of mutual fund where your money is used to buy shares of companies. It’s like owning tiny pieces of many. When these companies make money, your investment grows.
- Why choose equity funds? Experts manage your money, so you don’t need to pick companies yourself.
- Is it safe? There’s some risk because the stock market can go up or down. However, over many years, equity funds usually grow more than a savings account or fixed deposit.
Why Invest ₹2,000 Every Month?
Investing a fixed amount, like ₹2,000 monthly, is called a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). It’s like saving regularly, but instead of keeping money in a bank, you make it grow.
Benefits of monthly investing:
- You don’t need a big amount to start.
- It lowers risk because you buy units at different prices (sometimes high, sometimes low).
- Over time, your money grows due to compounding where your profits make more profits by reinvesting.
Example: If you invest ₹2,000 monthly for 10 years at a 12% return, you could have around ₹4,64,213.47.
How to Start Investing in Equity Funds
Starting is easier than you think. Here’s what to do:
- Open a bank account if you don’t have one. Your ₹2,000 will come from this account.
- Complete KYC (Know Your Customer): This is a quick process where you show your ID (like Aadhaar, voter ID, or passport) to a bank or investment app.
- Choose a platform: Use apps like Groww, Zerodha, Paytm Money, or mutual fund websites (like SBI Mutual Fund or ICICI Prudential) or Mutual Fund Distributor Flatforms like “BLACK” by Cleartax. These are like online shops for investments.
- Pick an equity fund: pick the fund which suits your risk profile. If you are not sure, take help from an advisor or choose a popular one.
Types of Equity Funds to Choose From
There are different types of equity funds. Here’s what they mean in simple terms:
- Large-Cap Funds: Invest in big companies like Reliance, TCS, or Hindustan Unilever. These are safer but grow slowly.
- Mid-Cap Funds: Invest in medium-sized companies like Crompton or Apollo Hospitals. These are riskier but can grow faster.
- Small-cap funds: Invest in small or new companies. These are the riskiest but can yield big returns.
- Multi-Cap Funds: These funds invest in a mix of big, medium, and small companies. They are great for beginners.
- Sector Funds: Focus on one industry, like IT or pharma. Risky if that industry struggles.
For beginners: Start with a multi-cap or large-cap fund for safety and simplicity.
How to Pick the Right Equity Fund
Choosing a fund can be confusing, but here’s what you need to check before investing.
- Past Performance: analyse how much the fund has grown over 5–10 years. A good fund grows steadily and maintains returns consistency.
- Fund Manager: The person running the fund should have a good history of success.
- Expense Ratio: This is the fee you pay to the fund house for expenses incurred while managing the fund. Choose funds with low fees.
- Risk Level: If you’re nervous about losing money, choose a less risky fund, such as a large-cap fund.
- Star Ratings: Mutual funds have ratings of 1–5 stars given by rating agencies. Pick four or 5-star funds. The same you can fund in “BLACK” by Cleartax.
Risks of Equity Funds and How to Handle Them
Equity funds are not like fixed deposits or savings accounts. Their value can go up or down due to market volatility. Here’s what to know:
- Market Risk: If the stock market falls, your fund value may drop. Don’t worry; if you stay invested for the long term, you can expect good returns, as our Indian markets are rapidly growing.
- Company Risk: If some companies in the fund do poorly, it affects your returns. Multi-cap funds reduce this risk by spreading money across many companies.
- How to stay safe:
- Invest ₹2,000 every month to average out price changes.
- Don’t withdraw money if the market drops. Wait for it to recover.
- Spread your money across 2–3 funds to lower risk.
Things To Remember For Long-Term Success
To make the most of your ₹2,000 monthly investment, follow these tips:
- Be Patient: Equity funds grow best over 5–10 years. Don’t expect quick money.
- Keep Investing: Continue your ₹2,000 SIP every month, even if the market dips.
- Increase Your SIP: If you get a salary hike, try investing more (e.g., ₹2,500 monthly).
- Learn Slowly: Reading simple blogs about mutual funds helps to understand better about the markets.
- Set Goals: Are you saving for a house, marriage, or retirement? Having a goal keeps you motivated.
Conclusion
Investing ₹2,000 a month in equity funds is like planting a seed today that grows into a big tree later. It’s easy to start, and with a little care, your money can grow into lakhs over time. Pick a good fund, invest regularly, and don’t panic about short-term market drops. If you’re unsure, talk to a financial advisor stay patient, and watch your wealth grow over the period.