I grew up in Jamshedpur, a small industrial town built by the Tatas. Life was simple there. School, family routines, and evenings spent on quiet streets. Among my closest friends was someone who, like me, lived within modest means.
Her story is not about extraordinary circumstances. It’s about what ordinary women in small towns can achieve with determination, discipline, and time. And perhaps that is why it deserves to be told, because the next decade of India’s investment story may well be written in homes like hers.
Years later, as married women discussing our finances over tea, she surprised me with something I hadn’t expected: she had quietly built a ₹10 lakh corpus. Not through inheritance, or aggressive business ventures, but through the most ordinary tool available to investors today – a systematic investment plan (SIP).
The Quiet Discipline Behind Her Investment
Her journey began almost a decade ago when she started setting aside ₹5,000 every month from her household budget. For many women, this is the money that disappears into school fees, groceries, or a sudden expense. For her, it became a step towards wealth creation.
It wasn’t easy. There were times when she chose to skip a festival purchase or delay buying a new appliance, just so her SIP debit could go through on time. “If I let one month slide, it would never become a habit,” she told me. That quiet discipline became her superpower.
What stood out was how she defined her financial goals. Unlike seasoned investors chasing returns, her goals were ordinary. Funding her children’s education, preparing for medical emergencies, and building a buffer for the future. These are not speculative goals; they are what most women in Indian households worry about every single day.
When Markets Crashed
Markets don’t move in straight lines. During COVID-19, when stock markets crashed, she faced pressure from relatives to “withdraw before it’s too late.” For a moment, she doubted herself. But she stayed put, continuing her ₹5,000 monthly contribution.
Today as I reflect on her decision, I realise it made all the difference. The recovery not only revived her investments but also grew manifold. But for me, it’s more than just a lesson on how to grow your money. It’s a reason to broaden your mindset. To look beyond investments as a fluke to fortune, but as an act of consistency.
Her story is proof that resilience matters more than timing. For every woman that is second-guessing her investments during the lows, her ₹10 lakh corpus is proof that time in the market beats timing the market.
The Bigger Picture: Women and India’s Investment Story
Stories like my friend’s rarely make headlines. And yet her story of growth, like many others, sways India’s financial landscape. Many of these women are first-time investors from small towns, but their personal journeys show a transformative shift backed by data.
A latest survey proved what generations of women quietly did with spare change – save for their children. Now many years later ‘child education’ tops the list of saving goals for women, followed by ‘medical emergencies’ and ‘household items.’ More than half women say they save between ₹750–₹1000 a month. It’s not a lot, but even consistent modest contributions can compound into meaningful wealth.
What’s more, women now account for 18% of ULIP investments, with one-third directing funds towards retirement planning and their children’s future. Insurance trends also tell a similar story. Women aged 35-49 now make up 27.29% of total female policyholders, while the under-25 segment is close behind at 26.73%. Many are also opting for higher coverage with super top-ups to build a haven during emergencies.
In a society where women’s financial roles are often limited to managing expenses, my friend’s ₹10 lakh is proof of what steady investing can achieve. But more importantly, it is proof of how financial independence can empower a mindset. Today India’s growth story is not written just in boardrooms, but also in the living rooms where women quietly turn budgets into investments.
Disclaimer
Note: The purpose of this article is to share insights, data points, and thought-provoking perspectives on investing. It is not investment advice. If you wish to act on any investment idea, you are strongly advised to consult a qualified advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of my current or past employers.
Sneha Virmani is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience. She is an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University (Economics & Psychology). Sneha specialises in storytelling-led content strategies and consumer education campaigns. Her work brings context and clarity, with a no-jargon approach designed to engage everyday readers.
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