In very simple terms, Personal Finance is nothing but managing our monetary affairs in a manner that helps us achieve our financial goals, desires and aspirations in the most optimal manner.
Till a few years ago, one didn’t really feel the necessity of a comprehensive and detailed money management. Since then, however, financial planning is increasingly becoming critical. There are many reasons for this development.
In view of the foregoing, it may not be wise to remain ignorant about our financial affairs and not plan our money matters.
Of course, before you get worried and concerned, let it be explicitly understood that it is a myth that managing money is difficult.
On the contrary, it is so simple that even a school child can understand it. It is definitely simpler than trigonometry and calculus; chemical reactions, equations and formulas; Newton’s and Einstein’s laws; and all the commerce, history, geography, etc. taught in the schools.
I repeat — managing money is simple.
Secondly, you must appreciate that managing money is a lifetime affair; till the very last day of our lives we have to deal with money. Therefore, even if you have to spend a few months (or even a few years) to learn about personal finance, the effort would be a worthy investment.
Lastly, you must also appreciate that you don’t have to become an expert. All you need is to have sufficient understanding of the basics so as to:
Till a few years ago, one didn’t really feel the necessity of a comprehensive and detailed money management. Since then, however, financial planning is increasingly becoming critical. There are many reasons for this development.
- Our earnings are significantly higher than our parents/grandparents. This — even after liberally spending on our day-to-day requirements — leaves many of us with high disposable income.
- There has been an equally significant increase in the spending options. Consumerism has boomed and the plethora of products and services available in the markets today is simply mind-boggling.
- Investment options, that were simple, limited and quite often offering assured and guaranteed returns, are today relatively complicated, numerous and the returns usually market-linked.
- Borrowing, once frowned upon, is now quite common.
- Education and medical treatment are becoming dreadfully expensive day-by-day requiring huge sums of money.
- Financial frauds, product mis-selling and debt crisis have multiplied.
- Life expectancy has increased; we are living longer. Job spans have, however, reduced; every company desires a younger workforce. End result — longer retirement periods.
Of course, before you get worried and concerned, let it be explicitly understood that it is a myth that managing money is difficult.
On the contrary, it is so simple that even a school child can understand it. It is definitely simpler than trigonometry and calculus; chemical reactions, equations and formulas; Newton’s and Einstein’s laws; and all the commerce, history, geography, etc. taught in the schools.
I repeat — managing money is simple.
Secondly, you must appreciate that managing money is a lifetime affair; till the very last day of our lives we have to deal with money. Therefore, even if you have to spend a few months (or even a few years) to learn about personal finance, the effort would be a worthy investment.
Lastly, you must also appreciate that you don’t have to become an expert. All you need is to have sufficient understanding of the basics so as to:
- suitably take care of the day-to-day money matters;
- understand your agent’s/others recommendations and suggestions to be able to take judicious decisions; and
- not become a victim of any financial fraud or scam.
Managing money essentially involves managing two things
- Assets - Things that result in money Inflows
- Liabilities – Things that result in money Outflows
A Simple and Practical course on Personal Finance, an online 4-month programme teaches you to about various types of Assets and Liabilities that are available in the market. However, just as we must first learn the alphabets and grammar to understand any language; we have to have prior understanding of the alphabets and grammar relevant to the world of personal finance. And this is what the course first addresses.
