Hello Sir, I am currently living in a small city, Bharuch, in Gujarat. I am 51 years old and earn Rs. 55000 PM. I have never made any investments, please let me know what investments there are for beginners like me. Thank you.

Ans: Hello Mahi! It's never too late to start investing, and it's great that you're considering it now. There are several investment instruments suitable for beginners.

Here are some for you to consider:

1. Fixed Deposits (FDs): FDs are low-risk investment options offered by banks. You deposit a lump sum for a fixed tenure, and the bank pays you interest at regular intervals. It is a safe option for preserving capital.

2. Recurring Deposits (RDs): RDs are similar to FDs, but instead of a lump sum, you deposit a fixed amount every month. This is a systematic and disciplined way to save and invest.

3. Mutual Funds: Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. They are managed by professional fund managers. Consider starting with balanced or equity-oriented mutual funds for potential growth.

4. Systematic investment Plan (SIP): SIP is a way to invest in mutual funds systematically. You invest a fixed amount regularly, allowing you to benefit from rupee-cost averaging and mitigate the impact of market volatility.

5. Public provident Fund (PPF): PPF is a long-term savings scheme with a lock-in period of 15 years. It offers tax benefits and a fixed, tax-free interest rate. You can consider investing a portion of your savings in PPF for retirement planning.

6. Stock Market: If you are comfortable with the risk, consider investing in individual stocks. However, stock market investments require thorough research and understanding. You might want to start with a small portion of your portfolio.

7. Gold: You can consider investing in gold through various channels, such as gold ETFs, sovereign gold bonds, or physical gold. Gold can act as a hedge against inflation.

Before making any investment decisions it is advisable to consult with a financial advisor to tailor your investment strategy based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Remember that diversification is key to managing risk in your investment portfolio. Hope this helps. Thank you.