I have come to realise, over a period of time, the importance of simplicity in workouts and investments.
After lot of trial and error, I have realised that for me, when it comes to working out in a gym the following works out the best:
Squats, Benchpress, Deadlifts, Power cleans, Shoulder presses and chin ups.
I just basically rotate the above set of exercises on the days I visit the gym. No Smiths, assists or Nautilus. Just the heavy bar and weights. 3 sets of three of the above and I am done. Squats are the mainstay and the workhorse to keep the core strong and posture correct. It doesn't take more than 45 minutes for me to wind up my workout once I am warmed up. Keeps me in shape, and improves my strength, when I am regular. Gets me back into shape in the fastest way if I am out of workout due to some reason.
A similar approach goes with my investments too.
I have a workhorse in an exchange traded index fund of NIFTY. I put a major chunk of my equity investments in NIFTYBEES. A second part of my investment in equity goes into tax saving long term fund. I have zeroed in on Axis long term equity growth fund where a 3 year lock in period gives me tax savings. Over a period of time I have realized that there are very few mutual funds that beat benchmark returns. The probability of me ending up with such a fund is an additional factor adding to risk. Therefore, I have given up on that search and have settled for index fund as workhorse. For retirement savings, I contribute to New Pension Scheme (NPS). Tier I is mandatory due to my employers choice. I have an additional Tier II NPS account where I pour in some more money from time to time as it gives me a higher equity mix and thus relatively better returns. NPS, by default, goes into bond heavy equity light mode in Tier I for me. The investment is usually into sovereign backed instruments providing heavier protection.
And NPS Tier II also acts as a parking place for any short term funds. Rather than paying management fee to mutual fund houses, I part my short term funds at NPS Tier II. It charges almost no management fee and withdrawal doesn't attract any exit load. It beats any hybrid mutual fund out there in this aspect.
With the above, I seldom tweak them during the year. I have a look at the them from time to time, and every time I do, I realize that the simplicity of things still holds the key to better performance.
And NPS Tier II also acts as a parking place for any short term funds. Rather than paying management fee to mutual fund houses, I part my short term funds at NPS Tier II. It charges almost no management fee and withdrawal doesn't attract any exit load. It beats any hybrid mutual fund out there in this aspect.
With the above, I seldom tweak them during the year. I have a look at the them from time to time, and every time I do, I realize that the simplicity of things still holds the key to better performance.
I have gained the above knowledge after a lot of burning fingers in hot stocks and tips. And various injuries that took months to recover. It might help someone. Advise is free, risk is yours.