lol..
Of course, there is no sense in reasoning with those who do not want to be convinced.
These can continue to draw pension and other doles and think of kovil and kolam.
Better join bhajan classes.
Share market is not for them
.9. Playing stock market for better returns is a risk that not many enjoy. Following Dharma would mean not investing in company that has adharmic practices. For example, the tobacco company 'serves' a population that wants to indulge in smoking. However when they go after children with subliminal advertisement to get young customers for life that is adharmic because it is a product that kills. These companies have rather limited power in USA and therefore they have extended their adharmic activities in other countries to increase their profit year over year. One can invest in stock market and mutual funds that do not include Tobacco stocks for example
.
I try not to invest in Tobacco, alcohol, Meat, gambling, sex trade.
But the bank I put my money funds industries involved in the same trade. So indirectly we are investing in the same trade.
Thumbsup.Some thoughts on this thread
1. We all take risks because we always operate out of limited information (we are not omniscient). Calculated and educated risk taking is smart but it does not guarantee the best outcome always. Not taking a risk knowingly is also a risk
2. Risk taking has nothing to do with following Dharma
3. Being pious or following a cultural tradition does not have anything to do with Dharmic living. You can find an atheist who is dharmic as well as a crook who is steeped in religion (and it can be any religion)
4. Not everyone cares about playing the stock market or want to chase the money all the time
5. Playing stock market or gambling need not make one adharmic (In Mahabharata, Yudhishtra is portrayed as a gambler and yet he is also described as 'son of Dharma'
6. One who follows Dharma is actually smart and strong - Arjuna is portrayed as the one who is steadfast in doing his Dharmic duties throughout the war
7. Just because one follows Dharma does not make them great. A person who follows Dharma for a long-term conflict free existence need not be praised
8. Without clarity of what the word Dharma means it is not possible to follow it
9. Playing stock market for better returns is a risk that not many enjoy. Following Dharma would mean not investing in company that has adharmic practices. For example, the tobacco company 'serves' a population that wants to indulge in smoking. However when they go after children with subliminal advertisement to get young customers for life that is adharmic because it is a product that kills. These companies have rather limited power in USA and therefore they have extended their adharmic activities in other countries to increase their profit year over year. One can invest in stock market and mutual funds that do not include Tobacco stocks for example
10. In the end, following dharma is about an attitude and purpose in life to lead a conflict free existence. If one knows that the diamond industry exploits young children to go into mines and caves they will stay away from buying diamonds. If one knows that carpets are made using slave labor of young children they will not buy such item. If one knows how silk is made by killing billions of silk worm en masse , they will not buy silk because it is possible to live without silk clothing.
Just because someone invests in stock market and loves money does not make that person smart or great. If however, someone needs money for a good cause and are risk averse (staying away from investment) they are not being smart
Very interesting post.Over the years, I've come across a lot of people who have never invested. For many people, it's due to lack of knowledge or a feeling of intimidation, and those are usually things they learn to overcome. But I've also heard some rather silly reasons for choosing not to get started, and many of them have made me cringe.
Here are some actual reasons people have cited for choosing not to invest their money.
1. "I Have Very Little Money to Invest"
If you are truly living below the poverty line or have large quantities of debt, investing may not be for you right now. But it's easy to get started investing even with just a few bucks. Most discount brokerages will let you trade for less than $10, and you can purchase even just a single share of a mutual fund or company. In most cases, there are no account minimums.
If you have a 401(k) plan from your employer, consider contributing just 1% of your gross income. Over time, look to increase that to take advantage of your full company match, if one is offered.
It's also important to take a hard look at your finances and spending. You may think you have no cash to invest, but chances are you can find some just by making a few lifestyle changes.
2. "I Don't Want to Lose Money"
This is not to suggest that no one has ever lost money in the stock market. Of course, it's possible to lose a lot of money in a short amount of time. But over the long term you will almost always recoup any losses and go on experience significant gains. The average return of the S&P 500 since the early 20th Century is more than 9%. If you are patient, you'll be fine.
3. "I Don't Plan to Stay With This Company for Very Long"
I had a co-worker at an old job who refused to sign up for the company's 401(k) plan because he didn't feel like he'd be working at the company for a long time. This is extremely flawed thinking, because it fails to acknowledge the major advantage of 401(k) plans, which is that you get to take your money with you even if you leave. These plans are unlike pension plans, which do require you to stay with the company a certain number of years.
By failing to contribute to a company retirement plan, you may be giving up a company match, which is free money.
Now, it's important to note that many companies have vesting requirements, which means you may have to give the company's contributions back if you leave prior to a certain amount of time. But even then, employers are required to be 100% vested within six years.
4. "I'm Self-Employed and Don't Have Access to a Company Retirement Plan"
If you work for yourself, or if your employer doesn't offer a retirement plan, there are other ways to invest and still get tax breaks and other benefits through an Individual Retirement Account (IRA.) A Roth IRA allows anyone with earned income to contribute up to $5,500 per year, and the money can be withdrawn tax free when they retire. A traditional IRA works in reverse; you pay taxes when you withdraw the money, but the contributions are deducted from your taxable income. In addition, there are other, tax-advantaged retirement options for the self-employed (SEPs and SIMPLEs), which, while more complicated than vanilla IRAs, can be set up by a financial planner pretty easily.
Even after you contribute the maximum into these accounts, it's easy to open a brokerage account and invest in almost anything you want. Start by putting money into a low-cost Index Fund or the stock of a big company you are familiar with. Eventually you'll realize that even if you don't have a pension or 401(k), you can set yourself up for a great retirement or boost your overall income.
5. "I'd Rather Use the Money to Buy… Stuff"
If you have some extra money, you're almost always best off investing it rather than spending it on stuff. Investments usually increase in value. Physical items you buy rarely do. Of course, I am not suggesting people should deprive themselves of all material possessions. (And yes, there are some things like real estate that can increase in value and can be viewed as investments.)
But in general, when on the fence between investing and purchasing something, you'll be better off in the long run if you invest. In fact, some of the most successful investors are people who earned relatively modest incomes but also lived below their means and were therefore able to invest.
6. "I'm Young. I'll Worry About It Later"
Every day you postpone investing will cost you money. The earlier you start, the better off you'll be, due to the value of compounding returns. Consider a person who is age 40 and begins investing with $10,000, adding $100 per month. Assuming an annual return of 9%, they will have about $163,000 at age 63. A person who makes the same investments but starts at age 30 will end up with $406,000. That's almost triple the money just from starting 10 years earlier.
7. "I Earn a Ton of Money Now. No Need to Think About It"
How stable is your job? How comfortable are you that you can support your lifestyle if your income takes a nose dive?
If you currently have a high income, investing aggressively can help keep your family secure even if things go bad. Stocks and other investments that aren't in retirement accounts can be sold in the event of a financial emergency. Look for dividend-yielding stocks that can offer additional income that won't go away if you're laid off. The point is: Never assume you've got it made.
8. "My Folks Are Rich. I Don't Need to Worry About It"
If you have relatives that are well-off and you're expecting an inheritance, then you are fortunate. But there are few guarantees in life. Stories abound of people who believed their parents were wealthy, only to find out they were actually neck-deep in debt. And we've all heard stories of children unexpectedly cut out of the parents' will for one reason or another. Furthermore, estate taxes and legal fees can eat up more of an inheritance than many people bargain for, and you'd be surprised how quickly the circumstances of life can deplete a nest egg. Take control of your own finances by investing as if no one has promised you anything.
9. "I'd Rather Give My Money Away"
Guess what? Even if you are that awesome type of person who would rather give away every penny they own than become rich, investing is for you. Charities absolutely love getting stocks and other investments as donations, because they often will increase in value, further helping them carry out their missions. In short, your giving power is usually higher when you donate investments instead of simply cash. (Your donation is usually tax deductible, too.) Many discount brokerage firms such as Fidelity will help you set up a special account for giving.
http://www.wisebread.com/9-silly-reasons-people-dont-invest-but-should
It hardly matters what one thinks of oneself or what others think of him.
Basically one should accept himself as one is and self acceptance is best.
What matters is irrespective of IQ level or smartness , whether you have made money by investing.
If yes , you are successful.
Morality and other issues do not enter into this game.
As long as one follows the rules laid down by law of the land for investing like paying security transaction tax and pay taxes on money earned such as capital gains it is fine.
IMHO parking about 30% of liquid assets in shares is wise.
It will compensate for the low interest on savings based on fixed deposits.
If someone collects 20% average returns from shares , then he is a good investor.
Others instead of directly investing can follow the Mutual Fund route.
But one would miss the excitement of direct buying and selling
Making money in the stock market calls for some intelligence and lot of self control.
Becoming wealthy is only a byproduct.
You will develop more spirituality in the process .
So try it some time.
Making money in the stock market calls for some intelligence and lot of self control.
.
I will tell one strategy of money management thru a mix of savings and investment options.
Buy when shares are down and hold until bulls go on rampage pushing the shares to higher level .
When it makes 20% plus , jump off and sell.
Partly recycle it back into secure PPF and collect IT reduction of at least 20% also on 80c and collecting 9% interest also ie further 29% on the same money.
In april take the same money out of PPF account again as permanent withdrawl [possible after deposits are older than five years]and go to share market again.
This is repeated and compounded will make you very rich.
Think about it sometime.
It requires brains to multiply money.
One can have all traits, and may also be lucky.
To be smart you have to know by research or listen to some smart people.
Luck may not be there all the time.