Financial Literacy for GEN-Z
Most Gen Z Indians didn't grow up watching their parents talk stocks at the dinner table. We grew up watching UPI notifications, EMI reminders, and "buy now, pay later" pop-ups instead. So, when someone says, "start investing early," it often lands as vague advice with no map attached. Here's that map. 1. Fix the Foundation Before You Touch the Market Before any SIP or stock pick, three things need to be in place: An emergency fund - 3 to 6 months of expenses, sitting in something boring and liquid (a savings account or a liquid mutual fund). Not glamorous, but it's what stops a job loss or medical bill from forcing you to sell your investments at the worst possible time. High-interest debt cleared first - if you're paying 30-40% APR on a credit card, no equity fund is beating that return. Kill that debt before you invest a rupee elsewhere. A real budget - not a New Year's resolution, an ac...