Ever feel like everyone’s talking about stocks, mutual funds, and market trends—but you have no idea where to start investment? You’re not alone. The world of investing might seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a solid understanding of the basics, the confidence to take your first step, and the tools to make your money work for you—not the other way around.
Why Not to Choose Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs)?
Every year, the prices of things we buy—like food, clothes, and services—go up a little. This is called inflation, and it usually stays between 3% to 6% in India.
Now, let’s say you put ₹100 in a bank FD and the bank gives you 6% interest. After one year, you’ll have ₹106. But at the same time, if inflation also goes up by 6%, then something that cost ₹100 last year will now cost ₹106.
So even though your money increased, its buying power stayed the same. And on top of that, you’ll pay tax on the FD interest, which means you actually get less than 6% in your hand.
In short, Bank FDs don’t really grow your money—they just try to keep up with rising prices. That’s why it’s important to invest your money wisely, so it grows faster than inflation and increases in value over time.
Now, you might be thinking, “Sure, FDs are safe, but the stock market is risky.” That’s true—but not entirely. With just a little knowledge and smart decision-making, you can easily
earn returns that are significantly better than bank FDs.
Where to invest? What is Investment Mantra?
Your investment plan will depend upon factors such as the reason for savings, investment time, risk appetite, investment amount and market conditions. Now, let’s look at the investment options.
1. Index Funds
We can call it the perfect retirement fund. With an average compound interest of 12-15 percent over the past 30yrs (11.5 over the past 22 yrs). It’s expected that it’ll keep following the same pattern and keep rising at this rate. But it’s to be noted that unlike bank the 12-15 percent is not assured here. If you invest when the market is red, then you’ll generate much more returns than the average and vice versa if you invest in it when the market is already at its peak then you may have to suffer losses in short term. But in the longer run, if you’re investing every month some amount then you’ll have a massive corpus in the longer run.
For example, if you save ₹10,000 now then with 12 percent of average return over 30yrs, it’ll become 3 lakh rupees. That’s the power of compounding. You can play with numbers on a compound interest calculator over internet.
So, index funds are great for the people who don’t want to take much risk with their money and are planning to stay invested for a longer period of time. This way they can beat inflation and also generate decent amount of returns which majority of well managed mutual funds are not able to beat in the longer run.
UTI NIFTY 50 INDEX FUND is one of the best index funds available in the market. Nifty 50 represents the biggest 50 companies of India listed on the National Stock Exchange. It’s called Index Funds because these big companies tell us the overall condition of the market, if they’re doing good then we can rightfully assume that other companies are also doing great, and nation’s economy is growing. When your money is always invested in only the top 50 companies of the nation, you must be assured that your money will grow and give you massive returns overtime as India is still developing.
2. Sovereign Gold Bond
Gold has been the most trusted asset over the centuries. The trust people have on gold is still unmatched. Gold prices have been growing crazily over the decades with an average compounded growth of 8-12 percent (11.2 percent in the last 20 yrs).
Gold as an ornament and gold as an investment are two completely different things. Many of our parents still see the physical gold as a good investment option. Considering the making charges and GST, the physical gold is not a good investment option.
Instead, there is a better way to invest in gold i.e. Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB).
3. Mutual Funds vs SmallCase
Mutual Funds:
A mutual fund is like a group investment where many people put their money together. A professional fund manager uses this money to buy stocks, bonds, or other assets. You don’t need to worry about what to buy—they manage everything for you.
SmallCase:
Smallcase is a modern way to invest in the stock market. It’s a ready-made basket of stocks or ETFs built around a theme like “Top 100 Companies” or “Green Energy.” You get to see exactly what you’re buying and can make changes if you want.
Our recommended Smallcase – TM Flagship Fundamental by Teji Mandi (Motilal Oswal).
I understand, but I can’t wait for 30 years or even 5 years— I have less time and want higher returns. We get that, but if we’re looking for returns greater than that, we’ll need to invest in a market that’s more volatile.
4. US Market
Thanks to apps like INDmoney, investing in the U.S. stock market from India is now easier
than ever. You can buy shares of companies like Apple, Tesla, Microsoft, and Amazon — straight from your phone.
But instead of focusing on the usual big names, let’s talk about something a little different — and potentially more rewarding. Our pick: TQQQ.
What is TQQQ?
TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) is a leveraged ETF that aims to give you 3x the daily return of the Nasdaq 100 Index — which includes top tech stocks.
If the Nasdaq-100 goes up 1% in a day, TQQQ tries to go up 3%. But if it drops 1%, TQQQ could fall 3%.
It’s built for short-term opportunities, not long-term holding.
How It Works?
TQQQ uses advanced financial tools (like borrowing and derivatives) to magnify market movements. The key thing is: it resets daily, so it’s meant to track 3x daily returns, not long-term performance.
Why Timing Matters?
Because of the daily reset, your entry and exit points matter a lot. If you get in during a market uptrend, gains can come quickly. But if the market dips, losses come just as fast.
What Kind of Returns Are Possible?
Here’s a quick snapshot of what TQQQ can do:
In 2023, when tech stocks surged, the Nasdaq-100 went up around 55%.
And TQQQ? It soared over 170%. But in 2022, during a market crash, TQQQ dropped more than 70%.
So yes — the potential for big returns is there, but it cuts both ways.
A Simple Strategy to Use TQQQ Wisely:
If you’re considering TQQQ, here’s a beginner-friendly approach:
1. Use it in an uptrend only
Only enter when the overall market (especially tech) is clearly moving upward — avoid during uncertain or sideways periods.
2. Stick to short time frames
TQQQ works best over days or weeks, not months. It’s built for quick moves, not long-term
holds.
3. Set a clear exit plan
Have a target profit and a maximum loss in mind before entering. For example, aim for +15% gain but cut your losses at -10%.
4. Don’t go all-in
Keep TQQQ as a small part of your portfolio — it’s a tool, not the whole toolbox.
5. Avoid holding during major events
Earnings weeks, interest rate decisions, or major news can cause big swings. TQQQ reacts hard, so be cautious around these times.
The Bottom Line:
TQQQ isn’t for everyone — but if you’re comfortable with some risk, can spot market trends, and stick to a plan, it can be a powerful way to multiply gains in a rising market. Just remember it’s a race car, not a family SUV. Know when to drive, and when to park.
5. Cryptocurrency
You’ve probably heard of popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. Many people have made massive returns — sometimes thousands of percent — in a short period. But it’s also a highly volatile market, and investing in the wrong cryptocurrency can lead to losing your entire investment.
Due to restrictions imposed by the Indian government on local banks, investing in crypto has
become quite difficult. However, if you’re still interested, you might be able to do so using the Binance app.
Learn crypto trading – https://m.youtube.com/@TradeForProfit
Way forward-
1) Choose the Right Mix of Investments
Based on your risk tolerance and the purpose of your investment, pick a balanced mix of options that suit your goals.
2) Install the Necessary Apps and Create Accounts
Here are the apps you’ll need:
● Kite by Zerodha – Best stock broker in India
● Smallcase – For curated basket of stocks
● INDmoney – Use this specifically for investing in the U.S. stock market
● TradingView – For charts, analysis, and market tracking
If you’re unsure about how anything works, a quick online search will usually help.
3) Learn Before You Leap
While you can start investing right away using our recommendations, we highly recommend spending some time learning and observing the market first. Once you feel confident, you can begin investing more seriously.
Learn About Investment From Here –
1) Basics of stockmarket and finance-
warikoo Personal Finance – YouTube
2) Technical analysis using Tradingview platform-
Tradingview chart – YouTube
3) Fundamental analysis –
Basics Of Stock Market by CA Rachana Ranade – YouTube
4) Books- Learn to Earn book by Peter Lynch and Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
Disclaimer:
The content shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects my personal opinions and experiences. I am not a SEBI-registered financial advisor, and this is not investment advice. Please do your own research or consult a certified professional before making any investment decisions. I am not responsible for any financial losses you may incur by acting on the information provided here.
