Large cap, Mid cap, Small cap, Flexi cap, Multi cap, Value, Hybrid, Low duration, Gilt, Thematic, Passive, ETF, Smart beta, Commodity, Multi-asset, International…etc etc. The list just doesn’t end! With 50+ asset management companies and hundreds of schemes to choose from, every investor is bombarded with these investment options.

And naturally, questions follow:

• Which fund should I invest in?

• Which one suits my needs?

• Should I pick the one with the highest one-year return?

Someone once said,

“Mutual funds were created to make investing simple.”

Looking at the choices today, one can’t help but smile and ask — really?

The Way Out: Start With Yourself

The good news is that simplicity is still possible — but it begins with you, the investor.

Before choosing a fund, pause and understand three things:

1. Your financial goals – What are you investing for? Retirement? A house? Children’s education?

2. Your risk-taking ability – How much volatility can you handle without losing sleep?

3. Your time horizon – How long can you stay invested before you need the money?

Once you’re clear about these, choosing the right fund becomes far easier.

A Simple Example

Let’s say you have two goals: Retirement in 10 years, and a contingency (emergency) fund.

• For your retirement goal, depending on your risk profile, you may opt for equity-oriented funds — they can be volatile in the short term but have higher potential to deliver inflation-beating returns over the long run.

• For your contingency fund, you might prefer liquid or ultra-short-term funds, which are relatively stable, safe, and easily accessible when you need them.

That’s all there is to it — matching the right fund to the right goal.

Still Feels Complicated?

If this still sounds overwhelming, that’s completely normal. The financial world has its jargon and complexities. But remember — it’s your hard-earned money, and professional guidance can help you make confident, informed decisions.

That’s where a qualified financial planner comes in — to simplify, not complicate.

In the End…

Mutual Funds sahi hain… lekin Adviser zaroori hain.

Happy Financial Planning!

Naveen Julian Rego – CFP®

MD & Principal Officer

Date: 12-11-2025

Disclaimers:

1. Investment in the securities market is subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.

2. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BSE and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

3. Financial products recommended by us which are under the jurisdiction of other regulators are beyond the scope of SEBI’s grievance mechanism.