My Investment Journey

My Investment Journey (2025): From Novice to Aspiring Financial Independence

Welcome to My Investment Journey

Hello and welcome to my investment journey! I’m thrilled to share my story with you, hoping it inspires and educates others who are on their path to financial independence. I started my investment journey at the age of 22, and over the past 8 years, I’ve learned, grown, and built a diversified portfolio that reflects my goals, risk tolerance, and aspirations.

Today, as a 30-year-old, my total wealth across all asset classes stands at £62,000 (approximately 65 lakhs INR). Let me take you through how I got here, the lessons I’ve learned, and my plans for the future.

I am currently using Trading 212 for my UK ISA and Aviva for SIPP, however, most of investments are still via an Indian Demat / Aggregator account. Hence you will see my investments in Indian Currency (INR) instead of GBP.

The Spark: How It All Began

My investment journey began with a book that changed my perspective on money: “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel. This book taught me that managing money is less about complex formulas and more about behavior, patience, and long-term thinking.

“Financial success is not a hard science. It’s a soft skill, where how you behave is more important than what you know.”

– Morgan Housel

This sparked a curiosity in me, and I soon found myself devouring other classics like:

  • The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham
  • “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki
  • “One Up on Wall Street” by Peter Lynch

These books not only motivated me to start investing but also instilled in me the importance of financial literacy and discipline.

Early Days: Starting with Indian Equity

Being an Indian, my initial investments were focused on the Indian equity market. I started small, investing in blue-chip stocks and index funds like the Nifty 50 and Sensex ETFs. Over time, I expanded my portfolio to include mutual funds and sector-specific stocks, such as technology and healthcare, which I believed had strong growth potential and helped me with my investment journey.

“Know what you own, and know why you own it.”

– Peter Lynch

This principle guided my stock-picking strategy, ensuring I invested in companies with strong fundamentals and growth prospects.

Moving to the UK: Expanding into Global Markets

In my late 20s, I moved to the UK, which opened up new opportunities to invest in global markets. I began diversifying my portfolio by adding foreign equities, mostly global ETFs for now like the S&P 500 and All-world FTSE.

This exposure to both developed (UK, US) and emerging (India) economies has been a game-changer. It allows me to benefit from the stability of developed markets while capitalizing on the high-growth potential of emerging markets.

My Portfolio: A Diversified Approach

Diversification has been the cornerstone of my investment strategy. Here’s how I’ve allocated my £62,000 (65 lakhs INR) across various asset classes:

1. Equity (80%)

    • Indian Stocks: 14% (focused on large-cap and mid-cap companies)
    • Global Stocks: 16% (US and UK equities)
    • Mutual Funds and ETFs: 50% (diversified across sectors and geographies)

    2. Debt (8%)

      • Bonds: 5% (government and corporate bonds)
      • Fixed Income Assets: 3% (fixed deposits and debt mutual funds)

      3. Commodities (0.72%)

        • Gold: 0.72% (via ETFs and sovereign gold bonds)

        4. Emergency Fund (4%)

          • Cash: 4% (kept in Trading 212 Cash ISA)

          5. Pension Funds (7%)

            • Aviva SIPP (UK): 5%
            • NPS (India): 2%

            This diversification ensures I have a hedge against market volatility and a balanced approach to risk and return.

            My Investment Strategy: Growth-Oriented and Age-Appropriate

            My investment journey strategy is growth-oriented, with a focus on long-term wealth creation. I follow the principle of “100 minus age” to determine my equity exposure. At 30 years old, this means 70% of my portfolio is allocated to equities, with the remaining 30% in safer assets like debt and gold. However, I have a high-risk profile and have further increased my equity exposure to 80%.

            “The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists.”

            – Benjamin Graham

            This reminds me to stay disciplined, avoid emotional decisions, and stick to my strategy.

            My Financial Goals: Achieving FIRE

            My ultimate goal is to achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE) in the next 20-25 years. To reach this goal, I plan to:

            • Increase my savings rate by cutting unnecessary expenses and increasing my income.
            • Reinvest dividends and returns to benefit from compounding.
            • Regularly review and rebalance my portfolio to ensure it aligns with my goals and risk tolerance.

            “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.”

            – Robert Kiyosaki

            This quote keeps me focused on building generational wealth.

            Sharing My Journey: Paying It Forward

            One of my motivations for writing this blog is to share my journey and help others achieve financial independence. I believe that financial literacy is a superpower, and by sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to take control of their finances. Sharing my investment journey is just the beginning of a bigger picture.

            “The best investment you can make is in yourself.”

            – Warren Buffett

            This blog is my way of investing in myself and others.

            Final Thoughts on My Investment Journey

            My investment journey has been a mix of learning, discipline, and patience. From starting with Indian equity to diversifying into global markets, I’ve come a long way. My portfolio reflects my belief in diversification, long-term growth, and the power of compounding.

            As I continue on my investment journey, I’ll keep sharing my experiences, lessons, and strategies. My hope is that this blog becomes a resource for anyone looking to achieve financial independence.

            To close, here’s a quote from Charlie Munger that resonates deeply with me:

            “The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting.”

            – Charlie Munger

            Patience and persistence are the keys to success in investing, and I’m committed to staying the course.

            Thank you for joining me on my investment journey. Let’s grow and learn together!

            Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

            Enjoyed the Post on my investment journey? Share Your Thoughts and Spread the Word!

            If you found this blog post informative and helpful, I’d love it if you could share it with your friends, family, or anyone who might benefit from it. Your support helps me reach more readers and continue creating content like this!

            Also, I’d love to hear from you! What are your thoughts on the topic? Do you have any questions or insights to add? Drop a comment below - I’m here to chat and learn from your perspective too.

            Thank you for being part of this journey, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

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