From Scientist to Stock Market Maven: One Woman's Journey of Financial Discovery!

In the second part of our 10-part series, we spoke to Vani, a 31 year old scientist at a Government funded research institute in Chennai. Please note, the name has been changed to protect privacy, and the conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. If you would like to speak to us about your investing experience, please reply in the comments below.??

What do you do? What role did money play in your career choice?

I am a scientist at a government funded research lab in Chennai. My father was a science teacher and I used to spend time with him in his lab after school. I was also a good student. So I guess I was meant to be a scientist!?

I never thought about money. I now realise that as a scientist I make less money than most of my friends but I have a 9-5 job that is not very stressful. I also have a pension, though I don't know how much is in it right now.?

What percentage of your income do you save every year?

About 20-25%, give or take. I live with my mother so I help her with household expenses, some utility bills and her trip every year back to Jodhpur (my home town). We own our home here in Chennai and I expect to inherit it eventually.?

What do you want to splurge on, save for, and invest in 2023???

"I would love to save for a trip, maybe to Thailand, with friends"        

I love eating out, especially street food. I spent a lot on Zomato and Swiggy last two years but I am trying to cut down on takeout now. I like having friends over for dinner, cooking different types of dishes.

I would like to save for a foreign trip with my childhood friends (maybe Thailand?) but I don't know how much it would cost or how much I should save.?

Who do you bank and/or invest with? What do you like/dislike about the relationship? ?

"I became serious about investing during the pandemic"        

I have an account with a cooperative bank that my father opened for me when I was in school. That is where my salary goes.?I became serious about investing during the pandemic and now invest with platform X. The app is very intuitive. I also follow some youtube finance and investing accounts for research/tips.??

How would you categorise your relationship with money? Do you worry about it?

"The pandemic taught me that you have to spend money on things that 
make you happy. I take singing and driving lessons these days"        

I have to live my life so I don't think too much about money. Covid taught me that you also have to spend money on things that make you happy. I am taking singing and driving lessons now. I have never travelled out of India so really I want to save for that.?

Initially, I lost a lot of money (~50k) trading in gold, commodities and FX. For a few weeks it seemed like I was losing money everyday. I consider it a learning experience now. I think money doubles and triples in value when you invest in the right shares or property.?

Do you invest in mutual funds, stocks or gold? If not, what has stopped you from exploring mutual funds and stocks till date, what stops you from doing it now?

I have very little money in mutual funds (~10,000) and ~3 lacs in shares.?I don't really care about gold jewellery. My mother bought some (jewellery) for me when gold and silver prices were lower. It is just sitting there now. I bought some gold bonds in 2021.?

If you could time travel, what is the one message you would tell your 21 year old self about money, investing and finance?

When I started working in 2012, I used to think you could save a maximum of Rs 1.5lacs for an entire lifetime in PPF (Public Provident Fund). Now I understand that it is Rs 1.5lacs per year. But it has a 15 year lock-in so not a good product for me. I wish I had done my research back then and started investing earlier.?