HOW TO-HOW MUCH-WHERE TO- INVEST IN MUTUAL FUNDS

:Identify your investment needs.
Your financial goals will vary, based on your age,lifestyle, financial independence, family commitments, level of income and expenses among many other factors. Therefore, the first step is to assess your needs. Begin by asking yourself these questions:

1. What are my investment objectives and needs?

• Probable Answers: I need regular income or need to buy a home or finance a wedding or educatemy children or a combination of all these needs.

2.How much risk am I willing to take?

• Probable Answers: I can only take a minimum amount of risk or I am willing to accept the fact that my investment value may fluctuate or that there may be a short term loss in order to achieve a long term potential gain.

3.What aremy cash flow requirements?

• Probable Answers: I need a regular cash flow or I need a lump sum amount to meet a specific need after a certain period or I don’t require a current cash flow but I want to build my assets for the future.

By going through such an exercise, you will know what you want out of your investment and can set the foundation for a sound Mutual Fund



 - Choose the right Mutual Fund.

Once you have a clear strategy in mind, you now have to choose which Mutual Fund and scheme you want to invest in. The offer document of the scheme tells you its objectives and provides supplementary details like the track record of other schemes managed the same Fund Manager. Some factors to evaluate before choosing a particular Mutual Fund are:

• the track record of performance over the last few years in relation to the appropriate yardstick and similar funds in the same category.
• how well the Mutual Fund is organised to provide efficient, prompt and personalised service.
• degree of transparency as reflected in frequency and quality of their communications.

Select the ideal mix of Schemes.


Investing in just one Mutual Fund scheme may not meet all your investment needs. You may consider investing in a combination of schemes to achieve your specific goals. There is no thumb rule how much you should invest in equity scheme or in Debt Funds .But 100- Your age can be tried .Means if your age is 30 the you should invest (100-30) 70 % in the equities through mutual funds or otherwise .This rule is Just a Guide but there are many other factors which effects the decision of a person.The following TABLE could prove useful in selecting a combination of schemes that satisfy your needs.

PLAN-1 AGGRESSIVE PLAN
This plan may suit:

• Investors in their prime earning years and willing to take more risk.
• Investors in their prime earning years and willing to take more risk.

PLAN-2 MODERATE PLAN
This plan may suit:

• Investors seeking income and moderate growth.
• Investors looking for growth and stability with moderate risk.

PLAN -3 CONSERVATIVE 
This plan may suit:

• Retired and other investors who need to preserve capital and earn regular income.

-Invest regularly
For most of us, the approach that works best is to invest a fixed amount at specific intervals, say every month. By investing a fixed sum each month, you get fewer units when the price is high and more units when the price is low, thus bringing down your average cost per unit. This is called rupee cost averaging and is a disciplined
investment strategy followed by investors all over the world. With many open-ended schemes offering systematic investment plans, this regular investing habit is made easy for you.

-Keep your taxes in mind
As per the current tax laws, Dividend/Income Distribution made by mutual funds is exempt from Income Tax in the hands of investor.However, in case of debt schemes Dividend/Income Distribution is subject to Dividend Distribution Tax. Long Term capital gain on Equity Mutual Funds is exempted under section 10(38)



 Start early
It is desirable to start investing early and stick to a regular investment plan. If you start now, you will make more than if you wait and invest later. The power of compounding lets you earn income on income and your money multiplies at a compounded rate of return.




Step Seven-The final step
All you need to do now is to get in touch with a Mutual Fund or your advisor and start investing.Reap the rewards in the years to come. Mutual Funds are suitable for every kind of investor whether starting a career or retiring, conservative or risk taking, growth oriented or income seeking.