While having tea with my uncle on a Sunday afternoon, I realised that the Indian households don’t ignore their personal finance, they save and invest diligently. My uncle boasted about how timely he’s been paying off all his loans and savings and how he has managed to save a good lump sum amount for his 10 year-old daughter’s wedding. What he doesn’t realise however, is that as his daughter grows older, so will the inflation. And his savings may not be able to catch-up. What seems like the right thing to do now, can become what drags him down later.
If he paid attention to the market’s performance throughout this year, he might understand why his ways didn’t work. 2025 has been a year that broke multiple investment myths, bringing hard lessons as well as a lot of new opportunities for Indian families.
The revised tax slabs and how they help you:
The revised tax slab has left a lot of room for savings and smart, balanced investments, preparing you for your future. The tax rebates not only help those who fall under the Rs.12 lakhs bracket, but also those who fall under the taxable slabs, bringing their tax liability to zero. Meaning, paying taxes has now become a lot less taxing.
Why investing in properties isn’t the big bull move you thought it was:
The Mumbai, Chennai floods heavily impacted the prices of the properties in flood prone areas. Some remained stagnant whereas the prices for some went down very significantly.
The heavy floods in Mumbai this year were reported to be the worst in over a century. While the monsoon waterlogging in Chennai also changed how people choose homes.
House buyers reportedly preferred higher, elevated areas as they prove to be safer during heavy rains. While low lying locations lost value, pushing prices up in safer neighbourhoods and widening the price gap between high and low-risk zones.
Gold didn’t help in volatility:
Gold did surge in 2025 due to rupee weakening, and increased buying by the central banks. But it failed to fully protect against market volatility because gold itself became highly volatile. Resulting in significant losses during the price drop.
FDs aren’t your forever friend:
When RBI cut rates in 2025, the deposit returns for FDs saw a very noticeable downfall. During this time, debt funds proved to be way more profitable.
The RBI cut interest rates several times, bringing the policy rate down to 1.25 to 5.25%. Consequently, FD interest rates fell from about 7-8% to 6-6.5%, meaning returns were barely beating the inflation, which was 3-4%, and in some cases, negative in real terms.
Debt funds however performed better. Falling interest rates pushed up the prices of bonds, bringing more stable returns of around 7-9% through bond price gains rather than just interest.
So what to do, when nothing is working out and your finances are all over the place?
Here’s where reviewing your plans comes into the picture.
Everyone plans their finances, but if 2025 has taught us anything, it’s reviewing your plans as per your requirements, goals and risks. It is very important to notice how diversity and balance helps you survive the market.
The wealth diet:
Personal finance and investment planning isn’t difficult if you change your perspective towards them, look at them as a diet for your wealth. Any nutritionist will tell you that focusing on just one nutrition will not help in the long run. And so, one needs to balance their meals according to their body goals. The same goes for investments.; you have to have a goal, be it security, preservation, desires or wealth creation. Ideally, in the longer run, you will need it all, but you can start with one step at a time. The next step is to have a balanced and diverse plan for your goals. Well, if you’re starting a diet, you will need a dietitian.
Registered investment advisor, your wealth dietitian:
A lot of influencers wearing lab coats will tell you eating chia seeds in the morning will help you lose weight. But your body and its requirements are unique to you. And only a true dietitian will help you gauge a meal plan that is personal to you. Likewise, only a registered investment adviser will help you create a plan that is personal to you and your goals.
“But an RIA could cost a lot, right?” asked my uncle.
Not if you’re on the right platform. Technology has turned your investment goals into actionable, and trackable steps. It has also made registered investment advisers accessible to all. By taking advantage of this, you can review your investment plans for 2026. Contact us for more information.
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