Simple. Honest. Actionable.
A few years ago, e-commerce orders used to take 10 days to arrive. Now it takes just 10 minutes.
That’s impressive, but it has made us so used to instant results that we expect everything in life to happen immediately.
Nowadays, we’re not even ready to watch a full ten-minute YouTube video. We watch ten YouTube shorts instead.
Most things don’t happen in minutes. They take months, years, even decades.
Can you expect your business to succeed from day one?
Can you expect to see changes in your body after the first day at the gym?
Can you expect to master a skill overnight?
You can’t.
The secret to delaying instant gratification is to delay it.
If you want to check your phone, wait five minutes.
If you want to eat that chocolate, wait an hour.
If you want to binge-watch a series, watch one episode today and save the rest for tomorrow.
The longer you wait, the stronger your self-control becomes.
A SIP means investing a fixed amount systematically daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even half-yearly depending on the fund house or platform. SIPs are one of the most common ways to invest in mutual funds.
Now, many brokers also allow SIPs directly in stocks.
It sounds exciting, yet SIPs in stocks are generally less effective than in mutual funds.
In mutual funds, SIPs work because you invest across many companies for the long term. The cost averages out since you buy some units at higher prices and some at lower prices, which helps balance the overall return.
But stocks are different. With a SIP in a single stock, you keep buying regardless of whether it is overvalued or undervalued. Valuation is really important because it directly impacts both your returns and the risk you take.
For example, imagine starting a SIP in a company when it is trading at a reasonable P/E of 15, but continuing even when the same stock is trading at a P/E of 150. Averaging here may not help because you are simply overpaying and dragging down your future returns. And remember, P/E is just one metric. Valuation cannot be judged on that alone.
That is why SIPs generally work well in mutual funds, but in individual stocks, it is smarter to study the business, analyse its valuation, and invest only when the price is right.
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Disclaimer: I am not a SEBI-registered investment advisor or analyst; please conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
It’s easy to get tempted by headlines like ‘Bitcoin crosses $121,000 for the first time,’ or ‘Donald Trump launches his own crypto coin.’ That hype makes many jump into crypto without fully understanding the risks.
In India, cryptocurrency is still not fully regulated. This lack of regulation has caused serious problems like the WazirX hack, the FTX collapse, and other incidents that wiped out crores of investors’ money.
On top of that, crypto prices are extremely volatile, making it even riskier.
People often say “this coin or that coin will become the next Bitcoin.” But how many coins have actually done that? Not many.
Just because I haven’t invested doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. However, if you’re new to investing, it’s better to start with mutual funds, ETFs, or stocks, which are highly regulated.
Build a solid foundation first. If you want to try crypto later, invest only what you can afford to lose.
Every student wants to make some money while studying.
But most of us end up wasting time on cheap ways instead of building something valuable.
Watching ads, filling surveys, entering CAPTCHAs, downloading random apps for cashback, and doing data entry… it feels easy and gives you quick money.
I have tried most of these myself.
But you won’t learn anything from it.
You can’t scale it.
And it adds nothing to your future.
It only gives you a few rupees, and that’s it.
If you actually want to make money in a way that lasts, put your time into things that really build you up:
Doing gigs or part-time jobs like tutoring or delivering food.
Taking internships that match your interests.
Freelancing on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
Creating content and monetizing it with paid promotions or affiliate marketing.
Selling digital products on marketplaces like Gumroad.
These take time to show results.
But when they do, the skills and income you gain stay with you for life.
1. Asset Management Company (AMC) and Fund’s Objective
Every AMC has its own philosophy and strategy. Some are aggressive, some play it safe. Choose the one that aligns with how you think about money. Also, check the fund’s objective. Is it focused on long-term growth, capital preservation, or income generation? Your choice should match your goal. Larger AMCs are generally more reliable because they usually have stronger risk management, better systems, and a solid track record.
2. Expense Ratio
When you invest in a mutual fund, your money is handled by the fund manager through the AMC. He is responsible for making buy and sell decisions, managing risk, and sticking to the fund’s objective. To cover this and other costs of running the fund, the AMC charges a fee called the expense ratio. This isn’t charged to you separately like a bill or extra payment. It is deducted daily from your fund’s NAV. Generally, below 1% is good for active funds, and below 0.5% is ideal for index funds.
3. Tracking Error (for Index Funds)
An index is a simple benchmark that shows how a group of stocks is performing overall. For example, Nifty 50 tracks the top 50 companies listed on the NSE, and Sensex tracks the top 30 on the BSE. Index funds try to copy such benchmarks. But since they can’t replicate them perfectly, there’s always a small difference between the index return and your fund return. That’s called tracking error. The lower it is, the better the fund is at doing its job.
4. Exit Load
Exit load is a fee charged by the AMC when you sell your mutual fund units within a specific period. Most funds charge around 1% if you exit within one year. If you plan to invest for the short term, check this carefully because it can reduce your overall return.
5. Fund Returns
This might sound surprising, but the return is the last thing you should look at, not the first. The returns shown are based on past performance, and that doesn’t guarantee how the fund will perform in the future. Choosing a fund just because it performed well in the past can be misleading. What really drives long-term returns is the fund’s objective and the AMC’s philosophy and strategy.
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Disclaimer: I am not a SEBI-registered investment advisor or analyst; please conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
Every week there is an IPO grabbing headlines. Some are listing significantly higher than their issue price, others getting oversubscribed hundreds of times.
That’s enough for many people to jump in without thinking.
Everyone is trying their luck, hoping for quick gains.
Even SEBI’s own study says more than half of IPO shares allotted to individual investors are sold within one week of listing.
But are IPOs really worth it?
Before applying, here’s what you should know:
You have to apply for a fixed lot size, usually requiring a minimum investment between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000.
Most IPOs, especially hyped ones, are priced at high valuations, often leaving little room for upside.
There’s often limited information available compared to already listed companies.
If you’re truly confident about the company and the valuation makes sense, go for it.
But only if you’re ready to hold it for the long term, not for quick flips or listing gains.
Don’t bet on the price.
Bet on the company.
Why do you want that latest iPhone, those branded shoes, or that fancy watch?
Is it really because the iPhone has a great camera? Or the shoes are super comfortable? Or maybe the watch actually helps you track your health better?
If yes, go ahead. It’s your money. And if something adds real value to your life, it’s worth it.
But let’s be honest.
Most people in their 20s don’t buy these things because they truly need them.
They buy them to look cool. To fit in. To stand out.
And that’s how we fall into the trap.
We chase validation through stuff that doesn’t really matter.
And the worst part? Many don’t even pay upfront. They get it on EMIs just to flex.
In fact, over 70% of iPhones in India are bought on EMI.
Even I’ve been there.
I used to run behind big brands thinking they made me look better. But over time, I realised most of them just charge for their logo.
Now I wear brands like Highlander. They’re well-made, affordable, and look just as good without burning my pocket.
Here’s something to think about:
If a girl is impressed by what you wear or own, she’ll be impressed by any guy who has the same stuff. It’s not about you. It never was.
So before you buy anything, pause and ask yourself:
Do I really need this?
Does it add any real value to my life?
Or am I just buying it to impress others?
I have been a customer of IDFC First Bank for a while now.
And the one thing that sets it apart from other top banks is its customer-first approach.
From zero-fee banking
to never-expiring reward points
to an IVR that quickly connects you to a real person
to banking that doesn’t require unnecessary branch visits
to friendly staff.
Their slogan says it all: “Always You First.”
It feels like a bank that actually values its customers.
Because in banking, relationships are everything.
That’s what made IDFC First Bank different.
So I dug deeper into its fundamentals.
It made me realize I wanted to be more than just a customer.
I wanted to be part of its growth story.
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Disclaimer: This is not stock advice. The views shared are based on my personal experience as a customer and investor. I’m not a SEBI-registered investment advisor, and IDFC First Bank hasn’t paid me in any form to write this.
Being ordinary is comfortable.
Being ordinary is safe.
Being ordinary is easy.
But what does it lead to?
An ordinary life.
A 45-year-old guy…
Doing a job he never loved.
Hanging out with boring people.
Living for weekends.
Stuck in the same loop for years.
No spark. No excitement. No impact.
That’s not what I want.
That’s not how I’m going to live.
What’s the point of being alive if you’re not doing something that actually excites you?
Do what feels right even when it’s hard.
Do the things that actually scare you.
Don’t be afraid to take the rare path even if no one else chooses it.
This is more than just a quote to me.
This is my life motto.
And I remind myself every single day…
👉 Never. Settle. For. Ordinary.
You’re just one hospitalization away from wiping out everything you’ve saved if you don’t have health insurance right now.
I’ve seen it happen in real life. A close relative of mine had to drain all their savings because one family member was hospitalized. And it didn’t stop there. They ended up in debt too.
Buying health insurance is not optional. It’s necessary.
In fact, it should be the first thing you do, even before you start investing.
Because no matter how much you invest, if you don’t have health insurance, one emergency can force you to sell everything you’ve built. And that hurts more than you think.
If you’re in your 20s, don’t think you’re exempt. At least buy it for your parents.
Now, which health insurance should you buy?
I’m not here to promote or recommend any plans. But here are some important things to look for when choosing a health insurance plan:
A good sum insured – Start with ₹5–10 lakh in non-metro cities. In metro cities, where medical costs are higher, ₹10–15 lakh is a safer starting point. Go higher if it’s a family plan.
Cashless network hospitals – So you don’t have to run around arranging money in an emergency.
No room rent limit – Room rent caps can reduce your claim significantly.
Short waiting period – Preferably 2 years or less for pre-existing conditions.
No claim bonus – Some insurers increase your coverage for every claim-free year.
Lifetime renewability – Make sure the policy lets you renew it for your entire life. You’ll need it even more as you grow older.
Health emergencies don’t come with a warning.
One decision today can protect everything you’re working so hard for.
Yes Bank. DHFL. Gensol Engineering.
Different businesses. Same ending.
What do they all have in common?
Corporate governance failure.
These were once market favourites.
Today, they represent the darker side of the Indian stock market.
Yet many investors continue buying them, mostly beginners chasing quick profits without understanding the risks.
But how do you identify poor corporate governance?
That’s the hard part.
Unlike valuations, corporate governance can't be assessed through numbers.
Ratios like Price-to-Earnings or Price-to-Book won’t help here.
This is where investing goes beyond numbers.
It takes common sense and close observation.
Watch interviews of the founders or top executives on YouTube.
Read their annual reports, especially the letter to shareholders.
Listen to their concalls.
Keep an eye on everything from social media to stock exchange filings.
Then ask yourself:
Are they being transparent?
Are they ethical?
Are they thinking long-term?
Can you genuinely trust them?
If not, no matter how good the product or how attractive the stock looks, it is not worth it.
Because when the stock falls, you won’t have the conviction to hold.
A business can recover from poor performance.
But not from poor management.
And if it ever does, it is not the same management.
1. ChatGPT
This is my go-to AI app. I use it for almost all kinds of tasks, from writing content to even things that might sound silly. What I like the most is the memory feature, which remembers everything I’ve shared in the chat. I have also used Gemini, Grok, and Meta AI before, but none of them feel as personal and clever as ChatGPT. It feels more like a thinking partner than just another AI.
2. Perplexity
This has completely replaced Google for me. I have even disabled the Google app on my phone. I use Perplexity for all the searches I used to do on Google. It gives answers with sources, no clutter, and no need to click multiple links to find what I am looking for. It is clean, fast, and saves a lot of time.
3. NotebookLM
I started using this recently after it launched on mobile. It is built by Google and is super useful for students. I can upload long notes, websites, or even YouTube video links as sources, and it gives me a simple and clear summary. The feature I love the most is the audio overview. I can listen to the summary and ask follow-up questions based on the source, almost like I am talking to a tutor.
A few months ago, I bought the domain irakash.com and started building my personal brand by consistently writing blog posts and posting on social media.
I didn’t do it because I have decades of experience, nor am I an excellent writer.
I did it to share my thoughts, experiences, and mistakes honestly.
Not to chase followers. Not with the intention of making money. Just to document my journey as it is.
But why should anyone build a personal brand?
Because the truth is, everyone already has one.
Some people realise it and build it with intention. Others ignore it and let it fade.
There is only one person with your mindset, experiences, and background.
And that person is you.
You are unique. No one else can be you.
You have ideas and lessons that can help many.
So share them.
Write a blog. Post on social media. Record a podcast. Whatever feels right for you.
Just be yourself and stay consistent.
If you don’t know what to share, start by sharing about yourself.
Your wins. Your failures. What you're learning.
Don’t do it for attention.
Do it with the intention to help others, even if it impacts just one person.
Because that’s what builds real value.
And one day, you will realise how personal branding has opened doors to new opportunities in your life.
Everyone has a story to tell.
So tell yours.
It’s not the lack of money that’s stopping you from learning new skills. It’s the lack of desire to learn.
It’s not the lack of money that’s stopping you from going to the gym. It’s the lack of discipline.
It’s not the lack of money that’s stopping you from investing. It’s the lack of patience.
It’s not the lack of money that’s stopping you from starting a business. It’s the lack of courage to start.
It’s not always about money.
It’s about your mindset.
If you're in your first year of college, it might feel like you’ve finally broken free and it's time to enjoy life.
If you're in your second year, you might suddenly realize that a whole year has flown by, and thoughts about the future quietly start to creep in.
If you're in your third year, reality hits. For some, it’s exciting. For others, it’s overwhelming. Questions like “Will I get a job?” or “What’s next?” start to take over.
But no matter which year you're in, pause and ask yourself:
“If college ended tomorrow, what would I do next?”
If you already have a clear answer, that’s amazing. You’re ahead. Keep going and keep building.
But if that question leaves you confused or anxious, you're not alone. I’ve been there too.
Here’s what you can do:
Find your path. It could be a traditional one like becoming a software developer, engineer, or doctor. Or a non-traditional one like starting a business, freelancing, or exploring the creator economy.
Take courses that genuinely interest you. Don’t chase certificates. Focus on what you can actually learn and apply.
Do internships. Not for the money, but for the experience, learning, and network you build.
Start a side hustle. It could be content creation, selling digital products, or even launching a small online store.
The most important thing is to begin. This isn’t the time to just consume knowledge. It’s the time to use it.
College ending isn’t scary when you’ve already started building something.
Credit cards aren't all bad. Yes, there are risks like high interest rates, annual fees, the urge to overspend, late payment fees, and the chance of falling into debt if you're not careful. But if used with discipline, they can actually benefit students.
The biggest advantage? They help you build both your credit score and credit history at a young age, which can later help you get loans at better interest rates when you truly need them.
But who gives a credit card to a student with no income or credit history? That's where FD-backed credit cards come in. You open a fixed deposit, and the bank issues a credit card against it. It's a simple and easy way to start building your credit score and credit history.
As a student, your goal shouldn't be to chase a high credit limit. It should be to build a strong credit profile with discipline.
So, do you really need one?
If you're looking to build your credit score early and you're confident you'll use it responsibly, then yes. But if you're getting one just to feel rich while shopping or to look cool among your friends, then no. It's not for you.
I recently came across a job opening for a Content Researcher specialized in credit cards by Ankur Warikoo. At first glance, it looked simple with just 25 questions. But as I went through them, I was genuinely surprised.
These weren’t the usual "Why should we hire you?" type of questions. Instead, they asked:
Money or power? Why?
Speed or perfection? Why?
What's more important — the institute name or the course?
When was the last time you had self-doubt?
Only five questions were actually about credit cards. The rest focused on you, your mindset, and your personality.
Honestly, answering them wasn’t easy. These are the kind of questions that make you pause and reflect. But if you do it well, you stand a chance of landing a role that pays between ₹4 to ₹14 LPA, depending on your domain experience. Of course, there’s more to the process, but this initial step gives a clear glimpse of what they value most.
This approach is just one example of the broader shift in how companies assess talent today. The emphasis is shifting from degrees and academic knowledge to real-world skills, mindset, and personality.
1. Does the management think long-term?
If management prioritizes short-term profits over sustainable growth, the consequences will eventually show.
2. Does the management openly talk about things that went wrong?
No business is perfect. If management only discusses the good things and avoids the bad, they aren't being transparent.
3. Is the management pushing their own shares like a salesman?
Management’s focus should be on building products, not on promoting their shares.
1. If you want to think straight, discard all assumptions and focus only on the facts.
2. A useless thought is anything that’s outside your control and serves no useful purpose.
3. We become too dependent on something when we give it too much importance.
4. Don’t stress about being a perfectionist because there’s no such thing.
5. You won’t regret what you did in life, but you will regret what you didn’t do.
Almost every stock I own has one thing in common: I’m also a customer of those companies.
I bought Paytm shares because I use it every day. From making payments to paying bills, it’s a part of my daily routine.
I invested in IDFC First Bank shares because I use their savings account, credit card, and even have a fixed deposit with them. Honestly, I haven’t seen any other bank that puts customers first the way they do.
This is how I typically do it:
I try out a lot of new products and services → If I genuinely love what they’re offering → I dive deep into the company’s fundamentals → If everything checks out and it’s listed on the stock market → I invest in it.
This method might seem like an old-school way of finding stocks, but trust me, it’s far better than picking one randomly from the internet.
But remember, just because you love using a product doesn’t mean the company is a good investment. Some businesses may offer great products for customers but have poor fundamentals, making them a poor investment choice for investors.
1. Business: A company needs to stand out from its competitors to survive. If there’s no clear difference between its product and others, why would a customer stay loyal? That’s why I always look for businesses with a unique value proposition, something that is hard for competitors to replicate.
2. Management: Even a great ship needs the right sailor. I invest in companies whose management is passionate, ethical, purpose-driven, and focused on building for the long term, rather than chasing short-term gains.
3. Valuation: A great business isn't always a great investment if you overpay. Would you buy a ₹50,000 phone for ₹80,000? Probably not. The same logic applies to stocks. This is where valuation analysis helps to determine whether a stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued. Overpaying can turn a good investment into a bad one when the stock corrects.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in mutual funds is the easiest way to start your investment journey. But it can also be boring and requires a lot of discipline.
If you check your portfolio daily, you will not see much growth.
SIPs are about earning consistent and decent returns every year, not about making one huge return in one year and a negative return the next.
In the first 10 to 20 years, you probably will not see much. But after 30 years, the returns will start making sense. And after 40 years, you will not believe how a small monthly investment grew into something massive.
For example, if you invest just ₹1000 every month, assuming an average annual return of 12 percent:
In 10 years: ₹1,04,036
In 20 years: ₹6,79,857
In 30 years: ₹27,20,973
In 40 years: ₹93,13,071
All this by investing just ₹4,80,000. Of course, these are just projections based on historical data. No one can predict the future. You can check estimates using any SIP calculator available online.
But you might think, what is the point of having so much money at an age when you can't even enjoy it? However, ₹1000 a month is not a huge amount. It is probably just 10 percent of a fresher’s salary.
Spend the remaining 90 percent on your needs and wants. Just set aside 10 percent for your future and stay consistent.
One day, you will be glad you did.
1. Investing without understanding the business
If you can't clearly explain why you bought a stock, you are not investing, you are gambling.
Many new investors buy stocks based on tips, hype, or just because they seem cheap. Before investing, always understand the business, management, financials, and valuation.
2. Chasing penny stocks
Many beginners think buying a ₹10 stock is better than a ₹1,000 stock because they get more shares. They assume even a small price increase will bring big profits.
However, most penny stocks were once expensive but fell for a reason. Before investing, always ask yourself why this stock is so cheap.
3. Buying a fallen stock in expectation of a rebound
Not every stock that falls will rise again. If all declining stocks recovered, there would be no bad stocks.
Always understand why the stock dropped. Was it due to a temporary market issue or a serious problem within the company?
If the company’s fundamentals are broken, waiting for a recovery could be a waste of time and money.
Why do you wear clothes?
To impress others?
To showcase your social status?
To follow trends?
Or simply because it’s a necessity?
While these may be common reasons, the true purpose of clothing is to make you feel confident in yourself.
Here’s how:
Choose the right fit—neither too tight nor too loose.
Pick colors that match your skin tone. Lighter shades often look great on darker skin. Likewise, darker shades often look great on lighter skin.
Focus on quality, not just the brand. A well-made, durable piece is always better than a flashy logo.
Wear what truly reflects your personality, and stay true to it no matter what.
And at the end of the day, it’s not about what you wear, but how you feel wearing it.
Escaping overthinking is painful, but endlessly analyzing instead of taking action is much more painful.
Building your personal brand is painful, but living like 99% of people is much more painful.
Facing fear is painful, but missing opportunities because of it is much more painful.
Starting a business is painful, but working in a job you hate is much more painful.
Overcoming an addiction is painful, but being controlled by it is much more painful.
Both paths come with pain, so choose wisely: the pain of effort or the pain of regret.
If you started investing after COVID, this market correction might feel like a reality check. Overvaluation in the Indian stock market, massive FIIs' sell-offs, and global uncertainties are shaking things up. You might be wondering whether you picked the right stocks or made a costly mistake.
But the truth is, the stock market doesn’t always go up. It moves in cycles—what rises eventually cools down. The past few years were a dream bull run, but corrections are part of the game. If stocks only went up, there would be no need for fixed-income investments.
Your confidence in this market depends on how you invested. If you analyzed stocks yourself before buying, you wouldn’t be panicking. Instead, you’d see this as a buying opportunity. But if you invested based on tips from YouTube channels, friends, or relatives, panic is inevitable. That’s the difference between investing and gambling.
If you’ve invested in quality stocks, hold your ground. Stay patient. Think long term. Stop checking your portfolio daily. And remember—if you can’t stay invested during market downturns, you don’t deserve the gains when the market recovers.
I faced this exact dilemma after finishing school.
Should I choose a prestigious college in my city, even if the course didn’t resonate with me at all? Or should I go for a lesser-known college just because it offered the course I was truly passionate about?
I chose the course.
Why? Because I knew that learning what I love would help me build the career I always dreamed of. Even if the college wasn’t the most reputed, the knowledge and skills I gained would matter more in the long run.
But what should you choose?
Choose college if you want to network, explore, and grow beyond academics. A reputed college can open doors to opportunities, connections, and experiences that go beyond the classroom. It’s about the environment, the people, and the exposure.
Choose course if you’re genuinely passionate about it and want to build a career around that field. Skills and knowledge will always outweigh a brand name when it comes to long-term success.
If you’re lucky enough to get both, it’s like hitting the jackpot—you’ll have the perfect environment and the right skills to excel.