Financial sovereignty is one of the most important goals people wish to achieve in life. Both young and old hope to remain financially independent throughout their lives and strive to this end. To ensure this financial freedom, you need to have a proper financial plan for your personal finance. Though personal finance is all about managing your finances by saving and investing wisely, merely saving is not enough. The biggest threat that looms around your financial freedom is the inflation that spreads throughout the globe.
- HOW TO OUTSMART INFLATION?
To save your finances, it is imperative to outsmart inflation. Inflation devalues our savings. The price of commodities and services increases with every passing year. The real value of money saved using traditional methods would have fallen by the time we withdrew the money. So what do we do? How do we tackle this? Well, there are several methods to save us from trouble. One of the best methods is diversifying our savings portfolio. Instead of putting all our eggs in one basket, we can divide them into different baskets.
SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED METHODS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
- STOCKS
Stocks are a significant investment vehicle against inflation. Over the past century, stocks have consistently outperformed other assets in price appreciation. This appreciation is because companies grow and generate profits over time, which leads to higher stock prices. Of course, there might be occasional fluctuations and depreciation, but companies with substantial capital tend to witness a rise in stock prices in the long run. Apart from rising prices, stocks offer dividends which can help protect your portfolio from inflation.
- GOLD
Gold is an excellent hedge against inflation as a long-term investment. The price of gold has historically increased at a rate more significant than the rate of inflation, meaning that over time your investment in gold will be worth more. Gold also offers portfolio diversification- meaning that it can help to reduce overall risk in your financial portfolio. As a bonus, gold is a physical asset that you can hold, which may be reassuring during times of economic turbulence. If you are looking for a long-term investment vehicle to protect your personal finance from inflation, then maybe gold is an option you can consider.
- REAL ESTATE
Real estate investment is an intelligent way to protect your personal finances from inflation. A physical asset means that it may have some intrinsic value even in times of economic turmoil. Furthermore, the price of real estate has historically increased at a rate more significant than the rate of inflation. One thing to note is that real estate investment is a long-term commitment— it may take several years before you see any return on your investment. However, if you are looking for a way to protect your personal finance from inflation in the long run, real estate should undoubtedly be a part of your list of investments against inflation.
- MUTUAL FUNDS
If diversification is one of the best methods against inflation, then a mutual fund is an instrument known for it. Mutual funds offer investors the ability to invest in various assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. This diversification can help to reduce overall risk in your financial portfolio and may be an attractive option for investors looking to protect their personal finance from inflation. Furthermore, mutual funds offer regular dividends, which can help offset the effects of inflation on your savings.
- TIPS
TIPS is one of the most beneficial investment instruments during inflation. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are a type of government bond that is designed to protect investors from the effects of inflation. U.S Treasury issues these bonds, which have a fixed interest rate. The principal value of TIPS security will increase with inflation and decrease with deflation, making it an excellent option for long-term savings.
No matter what route you choose, it is essential to remember that inflation can seriously impact your personal finance, but you can definitely reduce the impact. As you can see, there are various methods available to investors looking to protect their personal finance from inflation. In addition, by diversifying your savings portfolio, you can help to ensure that your hard-earned money does not lose its value over time. Consult a professional for details about the instrument you want to invest in and invest wisely to secure your future.
