Financial Clarity: What & Why

What is Financial Clarity and Why should you care? Sanjib Saha 31 October 2025 If you’re wondering what “Financial Clarity” means, think of it as having a clear, long-term view of your future life, not just for a few years, but for as long as you live. It includes understanding what kind of lifestyles you want at different stages of life, what financial responsibilities you’ll fulfil for others, when and how you’ll handle retirement and post-retirement life, and how everything fits into one big picture. Financial Clarity means knowing how much money is coming in, where it’s going, the state…

Continue ReadingFinancial Clarity: What & Why

International Investment Choices from India

Beyond Borders: Building a Truly Global Portfolio as an Indian Investor Souvik Dey, Sid Roy & Sanjib Saha 19 August 2025 For Indian investors, retirement planning starts at home — but it shouldn’t stop there.Government-backed retirement schemes and domestic equity SIPs can build a solid foundation, yet limiting yourself to the Indian market leaves your wealth exposed to concentrated risks and missing out on global growth opportunities. This article draws on a recent Dollar Mentor Ask, Learn, Share session, distilling the core advice: Make use of the conventional, domestic investment and retirement-saving tools in India, but expand your horizon with strategic investments…

Continue ReadingInternational Investment Choices from India

Investor Mistake 7: Misplaced Trust

Entrusting our financial future to any financial advisor without doing our own due diligence can leave us worse off with a complex portfolio, hidden fees and a costly exit.   Sid Roy & Sanjib Saha 14 June 2025 All of us are busy trying to keep things afloat be it at work or at home. Often, we do not make the time to learn the basics of investing and look to outsource the problem. Many people turn to financial advisors hoping for peace of mind — a professional to simplify the complexities of investing and money management. But what happens…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 7: Misplaced Trust

Investor Mistake 6: The Affordability Illusion

Overspending on Big Purchases You Think You Can Afford? Don't let one major purchase quietly mess up your journey to financial freedom. Sanjib Saha 20 May 2025 Even if we’re pretty smart about money, almost everyone overspends now and then — only to realize later that what we got wasn’t really worth it. For some, it's a $500 designer bag. For others, it's a fancy meal at a top restaurant, or maybe a slick new car. If you can afford it, no big deal — as long as it’s not happening all the time and you're still keeping your long-term…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 6: The Affordability Illusion

Investor Mistake 5: Chasing High Returns

Boring Beats Flashy in Investing Sanjib Saha 17 May 2025 Trying to get rich quickly by jumping into the latest “hot” stocks or risky trends might seem exciting — but it’s rarely a winning strategy. In fact, research shows it usually backfires. The tried-and-true path to building wealth is much less glamorous: spend less than you earn, and invest steadily in a low-cost, diversified portfolio. It’s not flashy, but it works — because time and compounding are on your side. Still, it’s easy to get impatient. You hear about someone doubling their money in a biotech stock or tech sector,…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 5: Chasing High Returns

Investor Mistake 4: Overlooking Portfolio Risk

Has your portfolio become too risky without you realizing it? Sanjib Saha 15 May 2025 Most people start their financial journey without much formal education in investing or risk management. They set out with good intentions, but little strategic understanding. As they earn and build wealth, they often pay little attention to hidden risks quietly creeping into their portfolios. This isn’t usually a problem for those who follow basic investment guidelines from the start — but many don’t, and over time, the hidden risks can become costly. One common risk is the unintentional concentration of investments — when too much…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 4: Overlooking Portfolio Risk

Investor Mistake 3: Avoiding Investment Risk

Risk avoidance quietly sabotages long-term wealth building Sanjib Saha 7 May 2025 It’s ironic how essential investment knowledge is to long-term financial success, and yet most of us never learn even the basics in school or afterwards. The result? When it’s time to make important investment decisions, many act based on misconceptions. One of the most misunderstood — and costly — mistakes is avoiding stock market investments out of fear of risk. Instead, many people lean entirely on “safe” options like savings accounts, CDs, or bonds, unknowingly sacrificing future financial growth. Why Avoiding Stock Investments May Hurt Your Finances Being…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 3: Avoiding Investment Risk

Investor Mistake 2: Saving, But Not Investing

... and thereby missing out on the power of compounding Sanjib Saha 27 April 2025 Many of us work hard, live within our means, and make a conscious effort to save money. That’s an admirable habit—and an essential first step toward financial security. Sadly, there’s a common mistake that even the most disciplined savers often make: they stop at saving and never make the leap to investing. Wealth building is a three-legged stool – Earn, Save and Invest. Without the third leg these diligent savers fail to benefit from the tremendous power of compounding growth. At first glance, this doesn’t…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 2: Saving, But Not Investing

Investor Mistake 1: No Life Vision

Going on a Road Trip in a New Country Without a Map? Sanjib Saha 18 April 2025 Many of us go through life without a clear vision of what a fulfilling life looks like. I'm not referring to a detailed 50-page document outlining our future, but rather, having a broad perspective on life that helps guide us. As we step into adulthood and get busy with careers and day-to-day activities, having a “50,000-foot view” of where we’re headed can be incredibly helpful. Start with envisioning big life milestones. For a young worker starting out afresh, the milestones might include living…

Continue ReadingInvestor Mistake 1: No Life Vision

Big Mistakes

What Can Derail Your Journey to Financial Security? Sanjib Saha 1 April 2025 I have a kitchen towel that reads: "It’s almost impossible to get rich overnight, but it’s surprisingly easy to build wealth over time." I couldn’t agree more. The formula for long-term wealth is simple—just three fundamental steps: 1. Earn a Reliable Income. Your future earning potential—also known as Human Capital—is your greatest asset when starting out. It doesn’t have to be a massive paycheck, but it should be dependable. Needless to mention, staying employable by keeping up with your field is crucial. 2. Live Below Your Means.…

Continue ReadingBig Mistakes