‘My Gpay account is linked to hers, my OTPs come on her phone': Sara Ali Khan reveals how she manages finances
'I've learnt about the pie — basically, small things distributed in many instruments. My mom handles my money entirely, even my Gpay account is linked to her, my OTPs come on her phone,' said the Simba actor at the Times Now Summit 2025. When prodded about whether she receives pocket money, like all used to back in school, she shared, 'Forget pocket money, I can't book a ticket without asking her,' she said, adding that she generally invests in 'real estate, stock market, gold bonds, the usual.'
Sara's revelation that her mother handles her investments brings us to a critical discussion that necessitates conversations surrounding financial literacy.
Mukesh Pandey, Director of Rupyaa Paisa, told indianexpress.com that in this day and age, it is no longer a matter of choice — the essential foundation of understanding financial instruments is a must now.
'Having even a basic understanding of key financial instruments like Fixed Deposits, Mutual Funds, Public Provident Fund (PPF), Health & Life Insurance, National Pension Scheme (NPS), Share Investment Plans (SIP) will allow you to keep some control of your financial journey and decisions,jh' he said.
According to Panday, India is still far behind in financial literacy. 'A SEBI survey found that only 27% of Indians are financially literate. This suggests that almost three-fourths of our population may be investing without fully understanding where their money is going and what risk issues a particular instrument is associated with,' he shared.
Giving an example of mutual funds, Pandey said that various people have invested in them with their focus on returns, but are unaware of where mutual funds fit in the investment risk spectrum. 'They also won't know about exit loads, and of course, they probably do not know that there is a difference between equity mutual funds and debt mutual funds,' he explained.
When it comes to fixed deposits, which are a relatively safe option, understanding the impact of inflation on real returns becomes crucial. Someone may over-allocate to Fixed Deposits, thereby harming long-term wealth. With even basic knowledge, many of these mistakes can be avoided.
Today, digital accessibility has already made financial products a click away, but with that ease of access comes responsibility. 'Understanding how to benefit from compounding through SIPs, tax-saving opportunities through ELSS or PPF, or even knowing the difference between term insurance and an investment-linked policy can change your financial journey,' stressedPandey.
Instead of just letting someone else manage your money, he believes it is crucial to create awareness around your money; ultimately, awareness is the biggest asset you could have. 'Consider that simply making a habit of 15 minutes a week to inform yourself about a financial concept will change the game of financial understanding and ultimately planning,' she said, adding that 'financial awareness is not about knowing all – it is about knowing enough and protecting your future'.
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