Looks like the month of November is personal finance blogger friendly in India. After JagoInvestor.com’s third anniversary, it is now the turn of RaagVamdaat.com to celebrate three successful years in the same month. That is true.
RaagVamdatt.com turned three this November – for those who do not know, Raag is a financial planner who provides financial planning services and writes about personal finance at www.raagvamdatt.com. He left his plush 9 to 5 job to do something which he loved.
On this occasion here is a small interview that I had with Raag.
How would you describe your journey over the last 3 years ?
The journey has been very, very exciting, to say the least!
When I started, it was just a hobby… I started writing about personal finance because I saw many of my colleagues taking unwise financial decisions – they earned a lot, they saved a lot, but invested very poorly (mostly in March for tax saving purpose!). So, I thought why not write about personal finance publicly, so that a large number of people can benefit.
That’s how it started. And the response that I got was nothing short of amazing – I got loads of emails, and tons of questions through queries! (Just check out the comments section of the articles “Saving Income Tax – Understanding Section 80C Deductions” and “Provident Fund (PF) and Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)” for example, and you would understand!)
This prompted me to write more and more, and write better. And the journey continues even today, with almost 13,000 registered members of RaagVamdatt.com! On the way, I also started offering financial planning service, and also started a personal finance website in Hindi – www.PaisaPlanner.com
You know it is said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating? Well, my journey has been so exciting that I decided to quit my well paying MNC job to focus full time on my websites. That says something, right? 🙂
Top 3 things you think you would like to do better or do new if 3 years were given back to you today
I think I have progressed quite well in the last 3 years, and I have been fortunate to have helped so many people…
But looking back, I do feel that I could have written more than what I have done. Also, I could have offered things in a more structured way so that its easier for people who don’t have too much time.
And I would be rectifying these mistakes going forward. I would definitely be writing more, and am in the process of designing some e-courses (a combination of articles, audio and video guides) which would offer step-by-step guidance on specific topics like income tax, insurance, etc. I would be making the announcement soon – readers can subscribe to my newsletter to get the latest updates (plus some freebies!)
One more thing – for the past year or so, I have not been able to reply regularly to readers’ comments. That is something that has been bothering me, and I am going to start replying to readers’ comments right away. Thats my 3rd birthday resolution :-).
Your idol in the finance world and why
I believe in long term investment – basically, the “buy and hold” strategy. If done with good stocks, it can lead to fabulous results.
And who else to practice this better than Warren Buffet?
The ONE best article which you wrote
If I have to choose only ONE article, it would be “Goal Based Investing”. I think it is very well written, and is very detailed. However, the best thing about it is that it is very, very useful for small investors like you and me.
It tells you why and how you should be approaching your investments in a structured way instead of making random investments.
Top 3 advises for investors
First and foremost, start investing NOW. Doesn’t matter what your age is, or what your income is. I would also go a step forward and say that even the market level doesn’t matter (if you are making systematic investments – my next point). Do not postpone your investments – it’s already too late!
Second, invest systematically and not in a random way. Also, try to avoid lump sum investments. Use systematic investment plans offered by mutual funds, and benefit from cost averaging.
And thirdly, invest for the long term. Choose good companies to invest in, make the investment, and forget about it for at least a year. Don’t listed to the so called “experts” on TV channels the whole day. And don’t worry about the short term movements of the market.
Your best (personal) finance book and why ?
I haven’t come across any book that comprehensively deals with personal finance in India. There are lots of books that deal with stocks, and some that deal with other topics like insurance, but nothing that covers the whole gamut of topics in the PF space.
So, I am still looking 🙂
What is your vision for RaagVamdatt.com
Well, the sky is the limit! But whatever I do, the guiding principle would be to be helpful to people. I want to help people secure a healthy financial future, and whatever I do would be geared towards this.
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(As told to TheWealthWisher)
