5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals for A Secure Future

Published on: 04 September 2018 Last Updated on: 12 November 2021

Most of us would agree that it’s vital to set goals and make plans to achieve them. People do it all the time. For instance:

Goal: ‘Lose 5kg’

Plan: ‘Eat less and exercise more’

But financial goals, which are the life-changing goals of all, are often put on the back burner. Retiring early, setting up a business, or building an investment portfolio worth millions can all seem a bit too hard. You should prepare long-term goals that can help you to achieve your objectives. However, it’s not! With a bit of understanding and help, financial goals can be set, plans can be put into place, and the desired nest egg can be achieved. Here are a few long-term goals worth setting:

1. Having an Emergency Fund for The Rainy Days :

Life can bring economic uncertainty to many, and even for the financially secure, life happens, in the form of domestic catastrophes, medical bills, and other unplanned expenses. Therefore, it’s vital to have an emergency fund that can offer peace of mind and financial relief in such untoward situations. As a general rule, it’s good to have an emergency fund that would cover three to six months of your living expenses. So, calculate and know how much you need and set aside a certain amount from your paycheck every month. Over the years, this fund will grow, which you can use in case of an unexpected event, or when you are in financial strain.

2. Ditching Debts and Dues for Good :

Being in debt can be a stressful experience for anyone, and no matter what your circumstance is, if you have a loan, you are obligated to pay it back. Even if you have life-altering experiences like getting into an accident, losing your job, or increased expenses due to having a child.

Hence, repaying the outstanding debt and clearing of all dues is important, especially to know where you stand with respect to money matters. A simple way to clear your debts is to develop a budget that tracks your income and expenses. This will help know whether you have money left over, called the surplus. The goal is to increase the surplus and use it to pay down your debt.

3. Building Your Retirement Fund :

Although retirement may feel like a million years away, it doesn’t matter – now is the time to plan for your retirement. Investing and saving is a critical part of leading a financially independent life post-retirement. The good news is, investing even a small amount each month will pay off later in life.

Along these lines, decide what you will need during your golden years – expenses like healthcare, household costs, and additional leisure expenses. Once you know your needs, find a suitable retirement plan which can cater to those. Put simply, save, invest, and ensure yourself as a fallback option for your future.

4. Funding Your Child’s Higher Education :

Your child’s dreams can become a reality when you support him or her, emotionally and financially. Quality education should be on your and your child’s wish list. Setting up an investment plan that can help with the higher education of your child is a good idea. To do so, find a reliable child education plan that can help you create a substantial corpus for your child’s education and future needs.

5. Expanding Assets for Your Family :

Other than making arrangements for expenses, it is essential to create a secure base of wealth for your loved ones so that you can support them and maintain the lifestyle you have now. Investment in unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs)is a good way to achieve financial growth as well as protect your family’s future in your absence. ULIPs enable you to make significant returns with a relatively low investment every month, while also offering insurance protection to you. Other benefits of unit-linked insurance plans are:

Flexibility to choose your fund option- equity, debt or balanced
Encourages goal-based saving for child education, retirement etc.
The top-up facility gives the flexibility to change your premium amount
You can opt for riders like Critical Illness and Accidental Death benefit
You get ULIP tax benefits under Section 80C and Section 80D

It’s never too late to get started. Pick one or all the financial goals listed above and start setting yourself up for your secure future.

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Which Health Insurance Plan Offers The Best Coverage For A 23-Year-Old In India

The decision of selecting the right health insurance policy at 23 is a turning point. It sets one up for a lifetime of financial security and medical coverage. The young adults are thinking in terms of affordability, comprehensive benefits, and flexibility to shift as medical requirements change. When a plethora of products are available in the market, it is essential to stay updated with the terms of a health insurance policy to make informed decisions. This piece considers the crucial factors, the policy options, and advice on how to choose the best options for a 23-year-old Indian. Why Health Insurance Matters for Young Adults? Health insurance is usually taken to be something that the family or the elderly might need, but its importance during the young age cannot be exaggerated. Medical insurance plans offer more than just coverage for hospital bills, but they are not just that; they serve as a safety net economically in times of urgency and help infuse preventive habits towards health. The Rising Cost Of Healthcare Indian medical bills are rising steadily, and even a minor medical problem can lead to handsome bills. For a younger person who has less money saved, it can be a financially crushing experience. A well-chosen health insurance policy makes a person feel less anxious by paying for unforeseen medical bills. Early Entry Benefits Buying health insurance at an early age has its advantages. The premiums are low, and the policyholder remains healthy and is less likely to pay additional premiums for pre-existing conditions. Waiting times for certain conditions or treatments are also evenly spread among one's 20s. Tax Advantages The health insurance qualifies for tax deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act and therefore provides a further push to young professionals to invest in a plan for life. Factors To Consider While Selecting A Health Insurance Policy While buying a policy, ensure that the insurance company is stable and sound. The best health insurance providers in India are the ones with extensive networks, high claim settlement ratios, and service-oriented offerings. They generally provide innovative policies that can fit young adult requirements, including a cashless facility, well-being programs, and e-tools for simple policy management. Selecting a suitable health insurance policy entails a proper evaluation of your own requirements and policy information. Here's what to look for: 1. Comprehensive Coverage A hospitalization plan, outpatient surgeries, diagnostic tests, and even psychiatric treatment are ideal for a 23-year-old. Preventive health check-ups and vaccine protection are a bonus. 2. Network Hospitals See that the insurer has a comprehensive network of empanelled hospitals with emergency cashless options. Connectivity is a nice plus point, especially for young adults who travel and reside out of station. 3. Room Rent Capping Every plan has a room rent cap, and that is the out-of-pocket costs when hospitalized. Select those plans in which there is no capping or flexibility in selecting the room. 4. Premium Affordability Affordability first, but do not compromise on the cover at the cost of the expense. Compare the plans and select one with the best cover that does not make a hole in your pockets. 5. Add-On Benefits Look for optional riders or add-ons to the policy, such as maternity cover, critical illness, or personal accident cover. These are tailor-made according to your life stage and requirements. Types Of Health Insurance Plans For Young Adults The Indian market for healthcare insurance has many plans for different needs. Convenience and overall benefit are of paramount value for an individual who is 23 years old. A. Individual Health Insurance A personal health policy provides individualized coverage to the individual. It is best for young singles who do not desire an individualized plan but one that accommodates their individual medical needs. B. Family Floater Plans If you have parents and siblings to provide for under a single policy or if you economically keep your family together, then opt for a family floater policy. Under this policy, various members bear the insured amount collectively, thus turning out to be cost-effective. C. Critical Illness Plans Though not the first thing on everyone's mind, a critical illness policy can be a worthwhile add-on. It pays a lump sum on a pre-defined life-threatening illness diagnosis, keeping money flowing in when times get difficult. D. Top-Up And Super Top-Up Plans Top-up and super top-up plans are best suited to young adults for additional cover at a reasonable premium. They provide cover on your existing policy, especially for high mediclaim expenditure. E. Preventive Health Plans These plans are to promote wellness by subsidizing yearly health check-ups, consultations, and diagnostic tests. A suitable choice for those who are health-conscious and would like to remain healthy. How To Compare And Choose The Best Plan? With so many options available, it becomes difficult while making a choice. Don't worry, the process is given below in order to make it easier for you: 1. Research And Shortlist Start with research in the market. Compare the health plans provided by the top health insurance providers in India. Read customer reviews, claim settlement ratio, and policy terms to shortlist. 2. Evaluate Coverage And Benefits Check the exclusion and inclusion of each plan. Ensure that the policy applies to your medical history and anticipated healthcare needs. For instance, in case you engage in outdoor activities or sports on a frequent basis, choose a policy on accidents. 3. Check For No-Claim Bonuses A few insurers have the benefit of a no-claim bonus, increasing the sum insured for each claim-free year. This feature is more appropriate for healthy and young policyholders who do not make claims at all. 4. Read The Fine Print Read policy conditions such as waiting periods, sub-limits, and co-payment terms. Avoids surprises at the time of claim settlement. 5. Take Professional Advice If you’re unsure which plan best suits you, consult an insurance advisor or use online comparison tools to make an informed decision. The Reason Why Health Insurance Matters For a 23-year-old Indian, spending money on a good health insurance policy is a wise step towards a healthy and secure future. With rising medical costs and an insecure environment, investing in medical insurance schemes at the right time brings peace of mind and advantages in the long term in terms of lower premiums and complete cover. Niva Bupa is the best Health Insurance company in India. It offers a wide range of policies tailored to young individuals. With an emphasis on affordability, comprehensive benefits, and seamless customer service, Niva Bupa ensures you’re prepared for any medical eventuality. Choose Niva Bupa to start your health insurance journey on a high note and enjoy a future that appreciates your well-being at every step of life. Read Also: Insure Your Health, Ensure Your Wealth: How To Dodge Common Insurance Blunders Self-employed Health Insurance: Best Types for Every Freelancer The Comprehensive Guide To Property Insurance Toronto

How to Become Financially Stable Before Age 30

Your twenties can be some of the most exciting years of your life. You're young and experiencing life, but you have to remember that decisions you make now will affect the rest of your life. One of the most common questions people ask in their twenties is how to plan for the future. Check out these useful tips to learn some of the best ways to start off your life and learn how to become financially stable for the long term. Make Plans: This gets the top position because it's the most important. One characteristic you'll find among the wealthy is that they plan things in advance. They set long-term goals and create short and medium-term plans to make them happen. The act of creating real plans makes it more likely that you'll become financially secure. This isn't only about your career and investing, though those are important. Set personal goals for self-improvement and growth. Learn how to keep yourself accountable to your plans so that they become reality. Start by figuring out where you see yourself in five years. You should have a real thought about what you want to happen in your career and personal life. Set shorter term goals to help you accomplish your five-year plan. These can include things like: Pay off student loans Get out of credit card debt Save up for a down payment Visit somewhere exotic Buy a car Many of the plans you need to make relate to enjoying life and your lifestyle. By figuring out the kind of life you want to lead, you learn more about the steps you have to take to achieve it. Budget: Once you have plans, you need to set a budget to make them a reality. The thought of making and keeping a budget intimidate a lot of people. Knowing where your money goes is the easiest way to start becoming financially stable. Sit down and write out how much money you make every month. Include your salary as well as any side incomes you have going. Once you know what you make, write out all your fixed expenses next to them. These will be things like your rent/mortgage, car payment, health insurance, and car insurance. Always include your savings in fixed expenses. What you have left over is the money available for food, gas, entertainment, and other things. Always try to build in some 'funny money'. This is a small amount you can spend on literally anything you want. Having a little flexibility every month makes it easier to keep your budget going. Learn How to Become Financially Stable: Being financially literate is one of the most important things you can do to build your longterm finances. It's pretty much impossible to build wealth without knowing how personal finance works. There are lots of online resources you can use to do this. Start with the basics: budgeting, investing, and finance terminology. It's important to know enough about finances to tell when something is too good to be true. If you don't spend some time to learn how finances work it's almost impossible to become financially secure. You don't have to learn advanced finance and trading techniques, just enough so that you can recognize where your money is going and how to make it work for you. Invest Early and Often: Albert Einstein once said that compounding interest is the most powerful force in the world. It doesn't matter what you invest in, only that you invest early and let your gains compound. Historically the stock market goes up on average. By putting your savings in broad basket funds you can generate consistent growth over the decades. If you don't want to spend too much time you can use a fee-based financial planner to help. Look for low fee index and exchange-traded funds to maximize your gains. Take Some Risks: Your twenties is the best time to take some risks for your future. You're young, you aren't tied down, and you've got nothing but opportunities ahead of you. Start with career risks. You can often get significant pay or benefit gains by moving to a top job. When you're young you don't have the baggage that comes with kids, houses, and rooms full of stuff. If you get a great opportunity across the country or across the world, take it. Don't forget to look for other big opportunities. Starting your own business is still one of the best ways to build real wealth. Your twenties is also the time to put your investments into high risk high potential reward mode. Look for emerging industries and markets that have great potential for large gains. You can check out industry sites and investor groups for new technologies, such as NICI for cannabis investments. You'll see some losses in many of your investments, but even one or two big winners can provide you with significant gains. Make Saving Automatic: One of the best ways to continue saving and investing is to make it completely automatic. There are lots of apps and employer programs available that will set aside part of your income every pay period. This allows you to save and built wealth without having to think about it. When you set up your budget, leave this money out to the side. If it was never something you're spending you won't even miss it. An employer-sponsored 401k is a great way to do this for retirement planning. Many employers offer a match if you invest. This is literally free money for saving. You also get significant tax benefits by investing this way. Remember to Have Fun! Your twenties are the best time to experiment and discover who you are and what you want from life. Take risks, make plans, and build the kind of life you want to live. Think about how to become financially stable, but don't obsess over it. If you liked what you read here, check out some of our other interesting and informative articles to learn ways to improve yourself. Read Also: 3 Must Know Accounting Tips To Help You Finance Correctly Everything You Need To Know About Term Insurance Plan Premium

Lining up for a Loan – How to Secure a Good Loan

Obtaining credit in its various forms is not a difficult feat. In fact, the online platform has laid the groundwork for many consumers to get the funding they need for any project. While online funding sources and traditional institutions have streamlined the application process, applying for a loan is a process requiring prospective borrowers organise their materials way before obtaining credit. Whether you apply for a loan online or in a traditional bank, the institution requires applicants to submit information regarding your ability to pay the loan back. While you can find lenders who require no credit check and a quick process, these lenders increase the interest rate of the loan, in addition to other surprises that lurk in the details of the contract. To obtain the best loan, prospective borrowers should plan to submit an application, prove income, and have a good credit history. Continue reading to learn more about what is involved in applying for a loan so you can secure the best loan possible. The Application Process: When applying for a loan, the first step is the application. While the easiest part of applying for a loan, the document asks you for all of the relevant information needed to determine risk. The document usually asks you for information related to your employment, assets, and debts. Furthermore, few applications ask you for a list of references. Whether applying online or in the institution itself, you essentially should be prepared to give the lending institution much of the information related to your current finances. The Credit Report: Of the documents to be submitted, your credit report is an account of all of the debts you have incurred as an adult. Before applying for any loan, the easiest way to secure funding is to make sure your credit report is in the best shape by obtaining a copy months before applying for the loan. Obtaining a copy beforehand gives you a chance to address any inaccuracies that appear on the file, and more importantly, any derogatory remarks that show up on the file. Cleaning up your credit report is important for a few reasons. For one, your credit score directly affects your interest rate, but more significantly, it can affect the type of loan you are approved for and whether you are approved at all. Furthermore, those with derogatory remarks and delinquencies are required to have some type of collateral to qualify for a loan, in this case, a secured loan. Proof Of Income And Assets: Lenders want to know how you are going to pay the loan off if you, for some unforeseeable reason, cannot fulfill the obligation. Before applying for a loan, figure out what your assets are and how much income you have to pay down the loan. Prospective borrowers with savings and other assets stand a greater chance of being approved for loans that can offer them competitive rates. Furthermore, the lender can also determine your ability to pay by figuring out your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). This figure simply is the percentage of money that you spend on debt every month. Low DTIs are favourable because it means that you have more than enough to cover the loan and high DTIs mean the opposite. Each lender has a percentage that qualifies a person for a loan, and much of the time it depends on the type of loan. For example, the percentage might be higher for a home loan than a car loan. Gaining The Advantage When Borrowing: Much of what determines whether you get a great loan is in the preparation. If you have addressed many of the common ailments that plague the credit report, you increase the chance of getting a lower rate. Ultimately, it is the entire financial picture that determines whether or not you can actually afford to carry the loan. Read Also: Title Loan Requirements: What You Do And Don’t Need How To Get A Loan On A Day With Bad Credit?

5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals for A Secure Future