Wealth manager and economist Aarti Gupta is challenging the traditional Indian practice of passing on gold jewellery to daughters as part of their Streedhan. According to reports from The Economic Times, Gupta believes this concept requires a reset, arguing that 100% of funds given to daughters should not comprise only gold but should include other assets through diversification strategies.
As reported by The Economic Times, Gupta advocates for goal-based, multi-asset portfolios that include SIPs, index funds and ETFs. She specifically recommends that gold should comprise only 10% to 15% of a portfolio depending on individual goals, suggesting investors consider buying gold ETFs instead of physical gold. The wealth manager emphasizes that every investment product needs a clear purpose and that investors should understand why each asset is included in their portfolio.
According to Gupta's recommendations reported by The Economic Times, young female investors can begin saving by setting specific targets for goals such as houses or cars and starting systematic investment plans (SIPs) for these objectives. She believes that investing in simple products like Nifty 50 index funds for 20 years with stepped-up amounts can generate significant returns without requiring complex market knowledge.
As reported by The Economic Times, Gupta advocates for individual bank accounts for both husband and wife in Indian households, addressing the issue where women often lack personal banking independence. She recommends that couples should open joint accounts for regular expenses and shared savings, while maintaining individual accounts for personal financial independence. This approach aims to prevent women from losing control over their hard-earned money due to societal prejudices.
According to The Economic Times, Gupta launched her debut book titled 'I Am My Own Laxmi' on Thursday, which aims to encourage women's participation in financial decision-making. She currently serves as Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at Anikarth Ventures, where she backs early-stage businesses, and holds independent director positions across finance and governance. Educated at IIT Kanpur, Harvard University and Northeastern University, her work focuses on expanding women's participation in financial decision-making.
