Tuesday, 8 June 2021

Riding on waves

 

First Wave…Second Wave…Third?

Fear comes true for some…Opportunity of lifetime for some. Was wondering ethics or money, what is more important? I think ethics…till question of big money arises. Saw lot of hate worthy acts, lot of lovable people. Ultimately people win because they become role model and are remembered. But for sure, an experience for generations to come. Two generations down, may be they will wonder why we behave and practice in a certain way. We also are not realizing how much has transformed – neighborhood behavior, social interaction, work culture, risk/ safe playing equations in business and life, education/ evaluation, minimum needs, use of home ….

Use of home has drastically changed. Minimum space need has changed definition. House Space and location need has become more crisp and divided in to age groups and profession. Profession and money making efforts have become focused on less and less risk taking. This will reduce disposable income and change savings pattern. Ultimately will directly impact house Buy / Rent and, size of the house.

Technology has superseded every other skill in Demand. Huge increase in online working, trading, education, business and social interaction. This phase of one and half years, so far, has made a sea change in requirement of “online” services. Practically made it very clear to everyone – either you are internet savvy or, you are outdated. May be scrapped/ erased very soon. It has not remained matter of keeping pace, it has become matter of survival.

Housing Industry and the players – developers, designers and suppliers of services/ goods must Upgrade themselves AT ONCE. This time not for Luxury or cheaper. It is for being relevant and meeting customer need. Architects need to pay attention to the changed perspective of using home. Furniture guys need to think of work station every time they design a house interior. Question of Buy/ Rent has become more like planning/ foreseeing your life, occupation and relevant risk. Requirement of Safe Money has become burning portion of disposable income. Similarly, as the debt investments/ costs have become very poor return providers, thinking real estate is more interesting. One last thing – There has emerged a big segment that need not stay near their work place. Work From Home. Many companies are planning to reduce cost of work place and continue practice of Work from Home for a segment of their work force. TCS is one of them. Such many are there. Hence, these guys may be willing to travel long distance (as it won’t be daily basis) and hence, little far off location may target this segment.

Let us look at a middle income group man’s old age life as, a huge population (largest portion) of India will be 60+ soon. One thing for sure – Retirement financial plan or, financial planning beyond good health life has become practically – NO WAY. Look at this – if you are in service, you will become out of market for sure by 65-70. If you are not in luck, may be 55. If you are in profession/ business, you will have to make sure you are not outdated and forgotten. Very difficult for a Person. The way forward for professionals/ business guys are – royalty, dividends and, long lasting clients’ i.e. corporate way. But again, the money sufficient to reach 80 – 85, considering inflation, is serious. Again, real estate may come to rescue. For all above, planning has to be done when you are in late thirties. At the most early forties. One more thing – no matter what, you have to remain in Good Health. So, efforts have to be made in precise division of time, money and other resources. Crazy. If you are 60 or around, you have no planning time and your savings are not going to last long enough if, your money is not working for you. So don’t rest on rocking chair thinking about retirement. This is the Golden Rule of life – You will live only till you are healthy and somehow make some money.

Start wishing in the morning that the day will be healthy and productive. I wish you all for days ahead.

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