Sidharth Biswas, currently a senior manager at ICICI Home Finance Company Limited in Mumbai, didn’t always have a clear path to financial security. His family members were into stock investing so he understood the importance of investing in his early 20s. “If I don’t start investing now, I’ll never retire early i.e. in my 40s,” he reflected during an interview with 1% Club.
After a few months in his first job, he started saving aggressively — putting away 60% of his income — and investing in mutual funds and equity shares. Sidharth quickly learned valuable lessons that shaped his financial journey. “Today, I have a monthly SIP of ₹17,000 and my portfolio is near to Rs 9 lakh,” Sidharth said proudly.
He did make some mistakes but made sure to learn from them. “I had invested Rs 60,000 each in Franklin’s Blue Chip Fund and Aditya Birla Sun Life Advantage Fund. When they underperformed, I sold them off. Looking back, I know that was not a good decision. There was also a time when I held shares of Tata Elxsi at Rs 924 but sold too early.” he says.
“Diversifying across various types of mutual funds, direct equity, gold, and an emergency fund has been crucial,” he said, highlighting a diversified approach that yielded impressive returns, with mutual funds alone generating a substantial 26% return last year.
Sidharth credits his growth to continuous learning and mentorship, particularly from Sharan Hegde and Shashank Udupa, who helped refine his investment strategy. “Their insights have been invaluable in achieving my financial goals,” he acknowledged. Joining Sharan’s masterclass helped improve his skills and 1% Club provided him with financial tools and networking opportunities. “It’s not just about investing; it’s about planning and execution,” Sidharth noted and this was the main lesson he gained after joining the club.
Also Read: How This Chartered Accountant Achieved Financial Independence
Reflecting on his journey, Sidharth encourages newcomers to start investing without overthinking. “Invest for the long term and let your money fulfill your dreams,” he said, sharing a simple yet powerful philosophy. His decision to join 1% Club in September 2023 was transformative, leading to a strategic overhaul of his portfolio and reaffirming his confidence in financial decision-making.
“Back then I had heard about the 1% Club and also saw some ads but was not pretty sure about it. During that time I was a bit low and my financial decisions were not paying off. Just then I got a discount coupon to join the club and that was the turning point of my life. Within 3 months, I stopped all my SIPs and restructured my portfolio. The insights provided were really useful and I got better clarity about financial decisions. Overall, my choice to join the club was right!!”
Sidharth concludes by saying, “It’s been a journey of growth — from learning the basics to executing sound financial strategies.” His story clearly highlights the importance of early planning and continuous education in achieving financial independence.
Disclaimer: The above content is based on the information provided by Sidharth Biswas. The 1% News doesn’t independently verify non-public data reported by interviewees.
