Ashna Tolkar

You can invest in these instead of Gold.


Buying gold during the festive season is a tradition for many, especially for Diwali.

But if you’re thinking of investing, you can explore alternatives to physical gold that could save you from storage and security hassles and even offer better returns.

Here are 3 smart ways to add gold to your portfolio without the usual challenges:

→ Gold ETFs are like buying shares of gold on the stock market. It means 1 unit = 1 gram of gold, without any challenge of physical storage. You can easily buy and sell on the stock exchange.

→ With digital gold, you can buy and hold gold online, starting with as little as ₹1. You can even convert your digital holdings to physical gold later. Flexible amounts and instant purchases make it super accessible.

→ Issued by the RBI, SGBs have a 2.5% fixed interest per annum and the potential for price appreciation. This is a government-backed, low-risk option with interest payments, ideal for long-term gold investors.

So this festive season, instead of sticking to the yearly routine, try some new options and see how they benefit your portfolio.

Are you considering any of these alternatives this year?

#investment #festivepurhcase

Shark Tank has made entrepreneurship fun, but,


Most people are still not aware about basic terms around business!

Finance can feel like a different language, filled with complex terms and calculations.

Here are some terms you must know whether you're an investor, entrepreneur or just someone who wants to manage money better.

→ EBITDA – A company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It’s a great way to measure profitability by focusing on core operations without external costs clouding the picture. 

→ Net Income – The final profit after deducting all expenses, including taxes and operational costs. It’s the ultimate indicator of whether a business is making money. 

→ Liquidity – How quickly a company can convert assets into cash to meet short-term obligations. A business with high liquidity can handle financial shocks better. 

→ Solvency – While liquidity is about the short term, solvency is about the long run. It shows whether a company can meet its long-term financial commitments. 

→ ROI (Return on Investment) – Measures how much profit you make relative to what you’ve invested. Whether it’s stocks, real estate, or business expenses, knowing your ROI helps you make better financial decisions. 

→ Market Cape – The total value of a company’s shares. It categorizes companies as small-cap, mid-cap, or large-cap, helping investors study stability and growth potential. 

→ Depreciation – Assets lose value over time ( machinery, vehicles, or equipment). Depreciation spreads this cost over the asset’s life, impacting financial statements and tax deductions. 

Understanding these terms isn’t just for professionals but anyone who wants to make smarter financial choices.

Which of these terms do you find the trickiest?

#finances #moneymanagement #terms

Working with brands is not at all easy!


When I started, being a creator required not just skills but access, connections and an insane amount of effort.

At the time, being a creator wasn’t seen as a career, but more like a hobby with a slim chance of making it big. 

Then came the short-form content revolution. Platforms like Instagram Reels, Moj, and YouTube Shorts changed everything. Suddenly, a smartphone and creativity were enough.

From small-town creators to 9-5 employees making their side hustle their main hustle, content creation became accessible and profitable. 

For me, this was a chance to build. But it also made me realise that - Brand deals are great, but they’re not enough. 

Even the best creators face slow months. Campaigns get canceled. Payments take 90+ days to clear. So if you only rely on brand deals, you’re playing too risky. 

This is why every creator should start focusing on becoming a brand:

→ Stop thinking of yourself as just a creator. Start branding yourself as a business. What do you want to be known for beyond content? 

→ Followers aren’t enough. Build an email list, community, or Discord group. The platform can change, but your audience should always be yours. 

→ What questions do people ask you repeatedly? What content has the most engagement? That’s your clue. Package it into a product, service, or offer. 

The creator economy is growing, but we need to stop treating brand deals as the goal. The real success is when you have “ownership”

Are you diversifying your income beyond brand deals?

#contentcreation #creatoreconomy

I am hiring!


We are looking for video editors who can turn raw footage into crazy videos.

Here's your chance to join a team and work on exciting projects that push creative boundaries! 

If you can: 
→ Bring fresh ideas and creativity to every project  
→ Work with tight deadlines and deliver high-quality outputs  
→ Understand the needs of different platforms and audiences 

If this sounds like you (or someone you know), the link below provides all the details, including the application.

Looking forward to seeing you on the other side.

#hiring #videoeditors

Making your first 1 Crore is not easy.


It takes a lot of patience, discipline and strategy and everyone who has been through it knows that it is a different journey altogether.

This is what will become your lifestyle even before you realise:

→ In a salaried job, tax deductions will cost you even before you see your paycheck. You will have to deal with operational costs and salaries before your earnings. In India, with the income tax brackets being what they are, this cut can feel huge.

→ Financial advisors recommend saving 6-10% of your income for emergencies. In India, instruments like Fixed Deposits don’t grow fast, especially with inflation eating your returns. So keep your initial earnings safe but diversify to grow wealth.

→ With calculated risks and smart moves, you will see faster growth. India’s stock markets, with booming mid-caps and small-caps, offer immense opportunities if you can bear the volatility.

The starting phase of getting to your financial target will always be the toughest. But once you survive that, things get a lot easier.

It’s the kind of money you can take risks with. Whether it’s investing in Indian startups or small caps, your wealth begins to compound faster when you take calculated risks and make informed moves.

Focus on getting through this grind. Play it safe where you need to, but don’t shy away from calculated risks once you’ve built a strong foundation.

What would be your advice to someone trying to build wealth?

#wealth #moneymanagement

Don’t become a content creator.


Because you might have the energy and vision to create good content but that does not mean it will be easy.

One of the biggest mistakes most creators make is thinking that producing good quality content will help them reach the right audience.

In reality, it is not just about what you say but who you are saying it to. So before you start shooting, consider these as an important part of content creation:

→ Check if any new audience is consuming your content. For this, you need to focus on educating them and building curiosity. You can personalise your content or try new formats to maintain both quality and variety.

→ Don’t assume that your audience knows everything. Avoid fluff or heavy jargon because it can bore your audience. Break complex ideas into smaller chunks and over-explain if needed. Simplicity wins clarity and that wins engagement.

→ The best content pieces focus on not just the “what” but the “why” and “how”. Once you identify these, creating content becomes easy. This not only simplifies your process but satisfies your audience too.

→ Even the best content creators can miss the mark on topics. Not every topic will work the best but you can still optimize, adapt and repurpose it. So before publishing it, ask whether your audience cares about it and if not, rework the content.

→ Analyse if your content is even working in the first place. Check for clicks, shares, engagement and conversions. Consistency and data-driven changes will help you the best here to make sure that your content is giving you the ROI needed.

A good creator creates content that not only educates and entertains but also connects with the audience. It should speak to your audience’s wants, needs and struggles, as genuinely and transparently as possible.

What habit has made content creation easy for you?

#contentcreation #habits

It is not too late to plan tax savings for the end of FY 2024-25!


Most of you are looking for the best strategy possible to reduce your tax burden and grow your wealth.

Here are some options to save you time and money:

→ Equity Linked Savings Scheme - They allow exemptions of up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80C. With a 3-year lock-in period, they combine tax benefits with the potential for high financial growth just with a Rs 500 investment.

→ National Pension System - It is a dual-purpose scheme that offers tax savings and long-term retirement security. It offers a ₹1.5 lakh deduction under Section 80C and an additional ₹50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD (1B). 

→ Public Provident Fund - It is a trusted choice for conservative investors looking for safe, tax-efficient returns. It offers Section 80C deductions, interest earned and maturity proceeds that are tax-free and come with a long-term 15-year commitment.

→ Unit Linked Insurance Plans - They provide a triple benefit - life insurance, investment growth and tax savings. Premiums paid are deductible under Section 80C and returns are tax-free if the premium doesn’t exceed ₹2.5 lakh annually. 

→ Senior Citizen Savings Scheme - For individuals aged 60+, the SCSS is a secure option with an annual interest rate of 8.2%, tax deductions on investments up to ₹30 lakh under Section 80C and quarterly interest payouts for consistent income. 

These investments don’t just save you taxes but align with your broader financial goals. Whether you prioritize growth, safety, or retirement planning, there’s always an option specific to your needs. 

How are you planning your last-minute tax savings this year?

#taxsaving #moneymanagement