1. Having an emergency fund

Most people who lost their jobs or their monthly income was impacted because of Covid-19, have realized the importance of having an emergency fund.  These would be anywhere ranging from 3 months of living expenses to 12 months of living expenses depending on the number of earning members and type of source of income.

2. We can save more than we think

We realized that we can save more than before due to a tremendous drop in online and offline expenses. As avenues for spending money were limited to grocery shopping and on essentials, luxury items purchases were kept at bay. The shopping was confined to needs and wants only, resulting in a higher savings rate.

3. Goal-based investment

Hence the most important lesson we all learned that do not invest without a goal in mind. People who exited the stock market in the month of March 2020, have lost a significant amount of money and people who started their investment journey during Covid-19 have made huge profits. However, the new investor needs to realize that the stock market doesn’t go in one direction, and a correction is due sometime in the future. No one can predict that with precision, and hence invest the surpluses with a goal in mind for the exit. The money which you require for your short term needs must be kept in liquid assets. 

4. Investing in learning new skills

As most people had time in their hands, they spent it on learning new skills. People have attended webinars, paid for new courses, listened to podcasts, have taken exams for getting certifications to enhance their knowledge. Even the world-famous investor Warren Buffet mentioned once in an interview with Forbes  ” Nobody can take away what you’ve got in yourself, and everybody has potential they haven’t used yet.”  Many people have started their investment journey in direct equities, without understanding their risk appetite. One must use this opportunity to get rid of junk stocks otherwise a big loss awaits around the corner, without appropriate knowledge.

5. Portfolio diversification

Those who are heavily invested in equities and real estate had faced a lot of liquidity issues during the onset of the Covid-19 crises. Though the equity market has recovered and is hitting fresh highs every day, there is a lot of uncertainty involved. Gold which was supposed to be a dead investment has given historical returns. Portfolio diversification across various asset classes gives a lot of comfort during such stressful times. Investments go through their own cycle – highs and lows, we must be focussed on staying afloat and do not get carried away when the tide has turned.

6. Budget and track expenses

Budgeting and tracking one’s expenses has gained importance, as people had time in hand and have experienced a higher savings rate, they realized that budgeting would help them to keep their finances on track and be better prepared for such uncertainties in the future. People have also gone away with unnecessary expenses that they weren’t mindful of earlier such as unused subscriptions, excessive eating out and parties, entertainments, etc.

Do you agree, would like to know what money lesson you learned during the Covid-19 pandemic

Warren Buffet needs no introduction. Warren Edward Buffett, aged 90, is an American investor, business tycoon, philanthropist, and the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire Hathaway’s fundamental strategy has been to identify valuable companies and then acquire increasingly large portions of them. Warren Buffett’s Letters to Berkshire Shareholders are read over the last 40 years, across the investing world since they assist in providing insights of Warren Buffet and his team for the investment strategies, stock ownership, value investing, company culture, etc. Warren Buffett is also known as “Oracle of Omaha”. He is one of the most successful and wealthy investors in the world. Let’s explore these 30 popular Warren Buffet’s quotes about investing, life, success, and much more. These will definitely assist you to gain loads of information and help you to devise your investment strategies which would help you to create wealth without taking a high risk.

“Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No 2: Never forget Rule No. 1.”

The first and the foremost rule for investing according to Warren Buffet is that you should never lose your money in investing and that we should never forget this, is the rule no. 2. Most people enter stock market and lose money for various reasons. It could be not knowing the businesses, expensive valuation, buying without research, penny stocks, etc. According to him, one can invest in low-cost index funds without taking the risk and still get good returns from that passive investing.

“I will tell you the secret of getting rich on Wall Street. You try to be greedy when others are fearful, and try to be fearful when others are greedy.”

The fundamental investment principle is to buy low and sell high. But people generally do the opposite and hence they lose money. If we follow this rule and invest when others are fearful and de-invest when others are entering the market at high valuations, then we can make huge profits.

“Money is not everything. Make sure you earn a lot before speaking such nonsense.”

Money isn’t important is the statement which you hear from people who don’t have it. Rich people always value money. When people love is more important than money, then its the wrong comparison they are making. Can you choose between your two kids? No right, so money and love do not stand at opposite sides. You can have both in your life, in abundance.

“I always knew I was going to be rich. I don’t think I ever doubted it for a minute.”

The law of attraction and manifestation works. The beliefs which you hold, become part of your sub-conscience mind and they lead to making the choices. That’s why no matter how much financial knowledge you get, if your money blueprints or beliefs are limited, then you might end making wrong choices. Hence along with the financial knowledge, the belief that you would achieve success and prosperity would play a bigger role in making you rich.

“If you don’t find a way to earn money while you sleep, then you will work until you die.”

Passive income is necessary to reduce dependency on one primary of income like salary income or business income. The money saved, must bWell e invested appropriately to create passive investment income to begin with and then explore options to hustle based on your skillset.

“If you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control your money.”

Well, this statement however daunting is true, most of the time it matters of the heart that rules the head. We end up making investment decisions which we regret later. Having a high emotional quotient is very important to make sound financial decisions.

“Price is what you pay, value is what you get.”

When one is investing in the blue-chip company then the pricing factor should not be the primary aspect of decision making. If the company is providing value to the shareholders even if the price is expensive it doesn’t matter.

“In the business world, the rear view mirror is always clearer that the windshield.”

With hindsight, we would all do things differently.With hindsight, we would all do things differently. Experience is the best teacher, it teaches us valuable lessons through mistakes.

“Never depend on single income, make investment to create second income.”

This is so true in today’s times when jobs are uncertain and businesses are hit due to the Covid-19 lockdown situation. Some say the worst is yet to come. Let’s gear up to the challenges ahead by creating sufficient liquid funds and alternate sources of income to support our families in these tough times.

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”

Pay yourself first and then to others. That’s called financial discipline. This step helps you to create huge investment corpus and helps to keep the lifestyle creeps at bay. It also helps to give frugally and mindfully which is the important trait of most of the self made billionaires in the world.

“Rich comes from not knowing what you’re doing.”

When you know things, there is comfort. When you don’t know things, then there is anxiety. Always know where your money goes. Whether it gets lost to make you broke or grows to make your life rich and comfortable. You must take steps to align your finances to help you get that peace of mind

“The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to patient.”

Wealth accumulation takes time. Time demands patience. Patience demands perseverance and perseverance demands commitment. Commitment demands will power and will power demands focus. Focus demands determination and determination demands goal setting. So if your goal is wealth accumulation then practice the above traits.

“Our favorite period for holding is forever.”

Long term investment must be made with the money which you don’t require for decades. This is sure shot way to build capital and reduce taxes, as you do not churn your portfolio.

“Diversification is a protection against ignorance. It makes little sense for those who know what they’re doing.”

When you know the businesses and the investments are made in your circle of influence then it makes little sense to diversify. You can make huge bets on it nad take advantage of the growing company and heap the benefits.

“Sound investing can make you very wealthy, if you’re not in too big a hurry.”

Do not invest in penny stocks if you haven’t done your research well and it is within the circle of competence. There is euphoria in the market, as we just witnessed the best investing quarter (Apr-Jun 20) in the last 11 years for both Sensex and Nifty and due to which even penny stocks are running at 52 weeks high. But not all penny stocks are here to stay, only the brokers get rich from your trading. You lose on the transaction costs, brokerage, and taxes too which many don’t calculate. This could be very detrimental to your finances. Think twice about it.

“The best investment you can make, is an investment in yourself. The more you learn, the more you’ll earn.”

Invest in self, because who else would have best interests other than you yourself. Strive for excellence and success would be yours.
Successful people are exceptionally wealthy.

“Only invest in simple businesses’ that you understand.”

When we invest in something which we do not understand, then we are not sure and we can make mistakes. We invest our hard-earned money to make a better fortune and not to lose it. Hence it’s important that we know and are 100% sure that we don’t put our money in businesses, stocks, financial products which we don’t understand. Have you invested in complex financial products and are wondering what when wrong. Don’t wonder be sure and invest and then sit tight.

“The happiest people do not necessarily have the best things. They simply appreciate the things they have.”

Life is making the best use of what you have. If you always keep chasing for what you want rather than taking some time to enjoy what you already have, then you might be unhappy. Choose happiness by being grateful for the things you have, then pull up the horses to follow your dreams. This is true for money also. No matter how much money you have. Enjoy it and be grateful and then aspire for more. Manage the money you already have to create the money mindset for creating more.

“Decide a business is worth investing in because it will last, not because it’s doing well right now.”

When the markets are soaring and everyone is talking about the tips to invest in stocks, do not buy on recommendations, study before investing, research well, and only invest in businesses you understand and do not get into momentum stocks.

“Much success is attributed to inactivity. Most investors cannot resist the temptation to constantly buy and sell.”

The most successful investors are ones who buy thinking long term and just forget about it. Just by buying and holding blue chip companies like Apple, Facebook, Reliance, HDFC Bank, TCS, etc. for the next 10 years has the potential to give you handsome returns or if you are risk averse just invest in the index fund and continue holding it. Do not invest in stock market for speculation.

“If a business does well, the stock market is bound to follow”

The most successful investors are ones who buy thinking long term and just forget about it. Just by buying and holding blue chip companies like Reliance, HDFC Bank, TCS, etc. for the next 10 years has the potential to give you handsome returns or if you are risk averse just invest in the index fund and continue holding it. Do not invest in stock market for speculation.

“Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken”

Chains of habits are too difficult to break, especially procrastination. It robs the time and we are left with nothing much on hand. Are you struggling to save atleast 10-15% of income per month or say to yourself that you will starting budgeting next month, or still thinking of reading a book on personal finance, then evaluate the habit of putting things to tomorrow and start today.

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago”

That’s the power of compounding, just as a seed has a potential of growing into fruit bearing tree, which csn be enjoyed for generations, similarly long term systemic investments can lead to generational wealth. Think about it.

“The difference between successful and really successful people, is that really successful people almost say no to almost everything.”

Really successful people know that the resources are limited, especially time, and hence they value their time, and say almost no to everything.

“The most important quality of an investor is temperament not intellect”

The retail psychology is that buy when the market is up and sell when the market is tanking. Actually the reverse i. e. Buy when the market is low and sell when the market is on all-time high, makes you more money, and helps you accumulate wealth. Separate yourself from the tribe mentality and get the right temperament. The best time to make an investment is now.

“The investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Invest in learning and learn to make your own investment decisions, without the help or tips of friends, relatives, sales agent, advisors, brokers, media, print, etc. Be self-reliant.

“It’s better to hang out with people who are better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”

It’s said that you are the average of the top 5 people you interact with or spend the most time. Couldn’t agree more with this quote. Up the curve. Get more from life.

““Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble.“

Opportunities once identified should be seized in. When the stock market is bleeding in red, that’s the time to put your money into good quality stocks which are fundamentally strong and in the businesses you understand and reap the profits when the tide turns its way.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, let me know in the comments what you you think about this. Hit the subscribe button to read more of such articles.

Ms Wise (financial Coach)

Ms Wise is a financial coach. She is a content writer for a personal finance blog. She is a chartered accountant with 15+ years of experience in the financial services industry. She loves to share her experiences with money management and personal finance. She shares great tips on saving, investing, and spending money wisely which would assist you in achieving financial freedom.

Download her 30-Day Effective Money Management Challenge With A Daily Planner Template Freebie to elevate your financial health.

You can reach her via email mswise@beingfinancialsavvy.com