Benefits Of Mutual Funds For Self-Employed Professionals‍

1. Flexibility

You can invest a lump sum in mutual funds if you have a large chunk of capital ready. But you can even start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in case you want to periodically invest small chunks of money to build wealth for the future.  

A trustworthy app like Cube Wealth can make it easier for you to invest a lump sum or start a mutual fund SIP. Cube gives you access to:

• QuickSIP
  

The QuickSIP option helps you determine your risk level and get mutual fund recommendations based on your goals. All you need to do is take a simple risk analysis quiz. 

Here’s a snapshot of QuickSIP in action on Cube Wealth:

• SuperSIP   
  

The SuperSIP option is unique to Cube Wealth. In simple terms, SuperSIP helps you prepone or postpone your SIP date and allows you to increase or decrease your SIP amount.  

SuperSIP on Cube Wealth also allows you to snooze or skip a SIP payment entirely. Here’s a snapshot of SuperSIP on Cube Wealth:

2. High Liquidity

Mutual fund investments can be withdrawn conveniently. However, some funds charge an exit load or an exit fee before a minimum period. Also, while mutual funds are liquid, it does take some time before the redemption amount gets credited to your bank account. 

Liquid funds are the only kind of mutual funds that can be redeemed quickly. In fact, liquid fund withdrawals can be processed in as less as 24 hours. 

Read all about liquid funds here

3. Better Returns

Mutual funds can potentially generate higher returns than traditional instruments like Fixed Deposit, Public Provident Fund and Gold. Unlike other investments, they offer compounding interest, i.e. interest earned for a year is added to the principal for the next year. 

Moreover, there are risk-based investment options available based on your investment goals. For example, equity-linked schemes are subject to market risks but generate substantially higher returns. 

4. Comparatively Safe

Mutual funds invest in a diverse range of stocks or debt instruments. Thus, mutual funds are known to be safer than traditional stock investments. 

However, it can get a little tricky to invest in mutual funds because there are a large number of mutual funds available to investors. Selecting one has to be based on a range of parameters and not just star ratings and past performance. 

Furthermore, mutual funds are of various types, such as equity, debt, hybrid, etc. An investor must be well-versed with the mutual fund jargons to be able to differentiate between different mutual funds. 

The easiest way is to download Cube Wealth and go through the top mutual funds in each category. These funds are shortlisted and recommended by our advisory partner WealthFirst - an investment advisory with a solid track record. 

Read this blog to know how to choose a good mutual fund

Benefits Of Investing In Indian Stocks For Self-Employed Professionals

1. Better Returns

Indian stock investments have the potential to generate better returns than fixed deposits and government securities. They also have the potential to earn significant returns if sold at the right market opportunity. 

2. Better Liquidity

Indian stocks have high liquidity. They can be sold easily in the stock market for quick cash. This is true for most stocks but a number of factors, together, decide how quickly a stock can be sold. 

For example, if the stock being sold is of a known and well-performing company, it can be sold in no time. Stocks of a lesser-known or an unstable company might take a bit longer to be sold.

3. Long-term Investments

Indian stock investments have the potential to generate lucrative returns in the long run. But the important aspect lies in investing in companies with credible leadership and proven capabilities that can generate value in the long term.  

If you are a beginner, read this blog on how to invest in stocks

On the downside, stocks are high-risk investments subject to market risks. Also, the sheer number of companies listed on the stock-exchange can be overwhelming for new and seasoned investors.

However, the Cube Wealth app helps you invest in the best Indian stocks with advice from industry experts, Purnartha, who simplify the investment process.

Read this blog to know how Purnartha and Cube help you invest in Indian stocks. 

Benefits Of Investing In US Stocks From India For Self-Employed Professionals

1.Rising Value Of The Dollar

One American dollar is currently valued at approximately ₹72.85 as of 29-01-2021. Even small earnings in the international market could mean big profits for Indian investors. However, it's important to get reliable advice using a trustworthy platform like Cube Wealth to invest in the right US stocks.

2. Diversification

Adding US stocks to the portfolio helps diversify risk based on geography, industry, and magnitude.

3. Market Capitalization

The US markets have the largest market capitalization in the world, which is almost ten times of the Indian market.

While investing in US stocks from India, investors must take into account the international transaction charges as well as currency conversion charges. 

These charges usually eat up a significant chunk of the earnings. Also, it is important to keep an eye on taxation as per both in India and the US.

Cube Wealth makes investing in US stocks from India easy with its easy-to-use app. Download the Cube Wealth App to buy stocks yourself or under advisory with RIA, Rick Holbrook. 

To try, start with as little as $1!

Benefits Of P2P Lending For Self-Employed Professionals

1. Transparent

It is a transparent model and is protected from market volatility since it is a non-market linked financial instrument.

2. Low Risk

P2P lending platforms have mitigated risk for lenders with:

• Legally binding agreements
• Collection of security cheques before disbursement
• Limiting lender investment to 20% of total borrower requirement
  

The RBI mandate further limits the maximum lending amount for an investor to a single borrower through any P2P lending channel at ₹50,000.

3. Risk Based Investment Options

Cube Wealth’s P2P partners Faircent and LiquiLoans make P2P investments extremely convenient. Cube users can pick an investment risk category and schemes based on the return percentage and minimum holding period.

One of the biggest advantages of going through Cube is that Faircent and LiquiLoans have provisions for background checks through physical verification at home and office. 

Post vetting, money is lent only to trustworthy borrowers with a high CIBIL score of 750 and above. This way, P2P lending through Cube gives lenders transparency and choice of lending to only creditworthy borrowers.

4. Higher Returns

P2P lending models provide higher returns than other traditional short term investment options such as a bank Fixed Deposit. Historical data suggests that returns may range from 9.5-12%*.

There are certain risks involved in P2P lending, the most important one being defaulting. The solution lies in having a diversified portfolio that includes borrowers with varied profiles. 

When investing in P2P via Cube Wealth, a diversified portfolio is created on behalf of the investor based on the risk category they select. For example, a ₹50,000 investment will be spread across 30–50 individual loans on behalf of the investor for the most simplified P2P experience available.

Read this blog to know more about P2P lending in India.

Download the Cube Wealth app to know more about P2P lending with Faircent and LiquiLoans.

Benefits Of Investing In Real Estate And REITs For Self-Employed Professionals

1. Passive Income

Real estate investment offers passive income in the form of rent but the downside is that you need to invest a large sum of money to own real estate.

2. Property Gains 

Whenever needed, real estate assets can be sold off for cash. More often than not, it results in profits over the investment amount.

3. Collateral

Property can be used as collateral to secure a loan

4. Lump-Sum or SIP Mode

Investing through REITs involves putting money in these trusts as a lump sum or in SIP mode. 

The primary risk with real estate investments is that there could be a depreciation in the value of a property due to multiple economic factors. Also, it needs regular maintenance and repairs.

Looking for the best long-term investment options for 2021? Read here.

Benefits Of FDs For Self-Employed Professionals

1. Assured Returns

FDs offer lower but assured returns in the form of annual interest. Currently, the rate of interest offered by most banks on FDs ranges between 4 to 6% per annum. There are debt mutual funds like arbitrage funds that can offer better returns.

2. Liquidity

FDs are less liquid compared to stocks and mutual funds as the money invested cannot be withdrawn till maturity. Premature withdrawal amount does not include the interest earned. 

Additionally, it might invite a penalty on the principal amount. Liquid funds fare better than FDs In terms of both liquidity and returns. Read this blog to know about the top liquid funds for 2021.

3. Low Risk

FDs help to diversify portfolio risk. They offer assured returns and are the best way to save for planned goals.

4. Long-term Investment

FDs are best suited for investors who are looking for a long-term investment.

For investors aiming for high returns, FDs might not be the best instruments. The amount of interest is quite low as compared to other investment options like mutual funds and stocks.

Read this blog to compare fixed deposits and mutual fund investments.

Benefits Of Investing In Commodities For Self-Employed Professionals

1. Diversification

Commodity investment offers benefits of diversification. The commodity market is inversely related to the stock market. Therefore, it can be used as a hedge against stock market risks.

2. Hedge against inflation

Commodities are considered valuable assets that do not easily lose their worth. They are therefore used as a hedge against inflation. But digital gold can also be used as a hedge against inflation.

Read this blog to know more about digital gold

3. Liquidity

Commodities can be easily sold in the commodities exchange market.

Commodities are mostly fluctuating in nature but they are not extremely volatile. They are however impacted by a number of factors such as trade relations, geopolitical stability, inflation, and so on. 

As compared to other diversification instruments, they are relatively high-risk. Gold and silver investments are a little different from other commodities. 

Investors may or may not need expert advice before investing in physical gold or silver. Digital gold investments, for example, are quite simple and hassle-free. 

Here’s how to buy digital gold online. 

Self-employed individuals should consider investing in digital gold if they are looking for a fixed income along with capital gains. Digital gold by SafeGold on Cube Wealth app comes with assured purity of 99.99%. It is safe, secure and does not involve any making charges.

Note: Always consult a Wealth Coach before investing in any of the above mentioned assets.