Dollar Cost Averaging a Better Strategy ?

What is Dollar Cost Averaging ?

Strategy in which you invest in a fixed amount of money at a regular basis/ intervals regardless of the market price of an investment .

The Question is , Not Why but HOW can this strategy BENEFITS you and me as a whole?

Lets take an example here, Let's assume we have two different investors here. One with a lump sum investment and one with a monthly investment of $100 per month for 6 months. 

                                         Investor A                         

                        Price $                          No. of
                                                            Units /
                                                            Shares

Month 1           5              $600               120                                
Month 2           5                                      
Month 3           2                                      
Month 4           4                                         

Month 5           3                                    
Month 6           5                                        

What we can see here is that , investor A invested $600 with the no of units / shares of 120 at the price or $5

                                      Investor B                         

                        Price $                         No. of
                                                           Units
                                                           / Shares

Month 1           5                  $100          20                              
Month 2           5                  $100          20                                    
Month 3           2                  $100          50                     

Month 4           4                  $100          25                   

Month 5           3                  $100          33.33                    

Month 6           5                  $100          20                       

               3.56¹ $600   168.33²

¹[( $5 + $5+$2+$4+$3+$2) divided by 6 months.]

²[ (20+20+50+25+33.33+20) divided by 6 months ]

If you can see , there's two differences in using the Dollar Cost Averaging :

1. The price are lower / cost are lower  , instead of $5 is now $3.56 

2. The no of units / shares are higher , instead of 120 is 168.33.

There by using Dollar Cost Averaging its helps us as an investor to create a better opportunity increasing profits and minimizing cost in a longer run. 

Besides  it also helps us to take advantage of the market as we can never time the market. By investing in this strategy we are always in the market whether the market is up or down and hence , we are taking the opportunity each time the market reacts. We all know the beauty of buy low but the fact is how low is low ?

Dollar Cost Averaging also promotes force savings where it creates a good habit for us to set aside our income for investment to add value in our future so that we can achieve our financial goals at a given time frame.

By doing Dollar Cost Averaging , we are less burden in our finances as we could put a comfortable level on our monthly savings / investments instead of a huge amount of lump sum to be saved / invested at a given time. This means , we could save / invest to achieve our financial goals at the same time we do not need to compensate on our lifestyle. That/s a pretty good news for you and me. 

Last but not least,  however this strategy is best to be used for a longer term of investment objectives.

If you have any questions on Dollar Cost Averaging or any other questions on financial goals planning / investment options do not hesitate to leave a comment 

  charissim.ristyle@gmail.com

Compounding Interest

There is investor of mine once asked me , "Charis , what is this term compounding interest ? ", "How does it benefits me ?". So then , hence today my topic will be Compound Interest. 

What is Compound Interest? 

Basically compound interest is your initial principal + accumulated interest over the periods.

In other words it is  basically interest on interest.

So like I mentioned earlier on the questions my investor asked, I replied that when you opt for reinvestment you are already benefiting the value of compounding interest. I will show you the reason behind below :-

Let say you invested RM10,000 with the rate of return of 5% on a compounding interest basis. 

Year 1 :  RM 10,000 * 5% =  RM 500     = RM 10,500

Year 2 :  RM 10,500 * 5% = RM 525      =RM 11,025

Year 3 :   RM 11,025 *5% = RM 551.25 =RM 11,576.25  

Therefore the total interest received  = RM 1576.25
( RM 500 + RM 525 + RM 551.25)

As compare to simple interest / without compound interest :-

Year 1 : RM 10,000 * 5% = RM 500 = RM 10,500

Year 2 : RM 10,000 * 5% = RM 500 = RM 10,500

Year 3 : RM 10,000 * 5% = RM 500 = RM 10,500

Total interest received = RM 1500

As you can see , obviously with compounding interest it is more worth while if you understand the basis of Time Value of Money, which simply means that money available today is worth more than the future unless money itself an generate interest themselves. Hence, we are need to invest our money in different platform in order to make our money value more value in near future. 

Therefore, the higher the number of compound periods the greater the compound interest value. Compounding interest also aids in boosting up the investment value over the long term periods.

PM me for more info on how to have a better returns for your financial goals. 

charissim.ristyle@gmail.com

What is Mutual Funds / Unit Trust

A few days ago , a few people came up to me and asked me what is Mutual Funds /  Unit Trust ( MF/ UT), hence my topic of the day. 



So what is MF/ UT to you ? 

To some of us, it is a form of investment / another option to place you funds in to earn a better return. 
Then comes the next question. What is investment to you ? When we say we are investing into anything we are actually putting in some cash / time into something in order for us to earn a certain return. The return could be in terms of better interest / skills set / knowledge / etc... for our own future benefits. 

Yes, you got it right, MF / UT does gives a better return in general as to compare to fixed deposits and other instruments. The key here is we need to know our objectives on investment and the duration we need to achieve it. Why do we need a duration or a time frame ? Because that's only make it more meaningful. Investing is not an overnight thing its a medium to long term thing. 

* take a look at my older post for more insights*

Sp MF/ UT is basically a pool of funds collected from different individuals / corporate which is known by investors. Yes that's include me and you . If you are investing or plan to invest in MF/ UT then you are an investor or potential investor. 

Thereafter the pool of funds will be entrusted and managed by professionals which are known as fund managers. These fund managers will then select the company stocks that is suitable based on the risk tolerance of the funds and objectives of the funds as well as the types of the funds.
( equities , money markets, bonds, balance , mixed assets, index )

At the end of the day what we all are looking for is the return as i mentioned above. So how does the returns earns. Well in MF/ UT our returns are based on :-

1. Capital Appreciation 
Increase in the fund price 

2. Income Distribution 
Dividends.

3. Combination of (1) & (2)



Benefits of MF / UT :-

1. Well Diversified - Different Asset Classes

2. Managed by Fund Managers

3. Lower Risk - Stocks Selections and Types of Funds

4. Liquidation - Redemption is able to be credited to your account in 5-7 working days

5. Flexible - Invest at your own pace ( monthly, quarterly , semi annually, yearly, additional investment, lump sum)

6.Legacy - Nomination to transfer the wealth accumulated to your love ones.

7. Affortable - as low as RM 1000 and monthly investment of RM100

8. Hedge against inflation and low interest risk.

9. Peace of Mind - Rest assure that it is well managed by the professionals

10. Better Funds Accumulations for the future.



So here is some simple basic information you need to know about MF / UT . I hope it helps you in more understanding. If you would like to know more on the How to get started do not hesitate to contact me or email me at charissim.ristyle@mail.com