Importance of Financial Literacy.
One of the main concern is Financial literacy in this present situation, as it is directly affects the country’s economic development. India stands way behind in financial literacy level comparing to other countries. As per the media reports, India accounts for nearly 20% of the world’s population, but 76% of India’s adult population is not even mindful of the simple financial theories. It discloses that financial literacy is very low in India vs. the rest of the world.
Financial literacy, like other developed nations, has still not been a priority in India. The lack of basic financial knowledge contributes to deprived investment and decision-making. Thus a maximum of Indian people invest in plans which have short maturity and physical assets to achieve their personal goals, which offer fewer benefits and do not contribute to the country’s economic growth.
As per the media reports, nearly 76% of Indian adults do not grasp the fundamental financial principles and are thus financially illiterate. The studies suggest that India always had a low rate of financial literacy relative to the rest of the world. In fact, we are still far behind other countries and now is the time for developing countries like India to realize the value of financial literacy.
Why it is Important?
It is important because it will help us to know how money is to be invested and handled and how it can be used in ways that makes a person financially more secure in the future.
Justification for its importance is as follows:
Value of money:
Firstly, it is very imperative for all of us to know the value of money. This will help us to handle our finances efficiently. Financial literacy will teach us the importance of saving and appropriately budgeting the funds. We should not waste our money on unnecessary and expensive products. We can understand better, the difference between our wishes and needs and we should prioritize things in our daily lives according to our quintessence.
Keep the Debt in Control:
Being financially literate will help us to have a proper check-in our debt. Too much debt will make us profoundly troubled. If we are financially competent, we can decide how debt can be afforded and will be able to pay off timely, especially if we have mortgage and insurance bills. This will teach us to plan for the education and future needs of our children as well as medical and hospital expenses without the need to lend money.
Imparting financial Knowledge among Youngsters:
Being financially aware will enable us to protect the future of the coming generation. We should teach them how to make budgets and save for years to come. They will also understand how their parents work hard to fulfill all their needs, even at their young age. In making them understand the importance of financial literacy, responsibility and reverence for their parents will also be taught. This will also help them realize that they will be financially secure as soon as they age. Imparting financial knowledge will help them to be more responsible and street-smart.
To be ready for any kind of uncertainties and to add other income streams:
We face emergencies that need cash, or resources to sustain or overcome our financial and emotional crises. In times like these, being financially educated saves us the trouble of borrowing money, which only brings us more problems. Financial literacy will benefit us to invest in stocks and develop more income sources besides our salaries. The creation of multiple revenue streams gives us the buoyancy that financial crises can survive.
Assistance in old-age:
If you are financially literate at a young age, you will be stress-free for the rest of the life, as all the provisions to secure the future would be initiated earlier itself. An appropriate retirement and pension plan at the age to 30 will be rewarding for an entire life.
Works as a helping hand:
If we spend a certain amount of money for instance we invest in stocks, we assist the company’s business to expand. This will generate more jobs and will help the company to generate more profits. This results in improving jobs and helps to create a more progressive nation. Being financially stable gives us the opportunity to share our blessings with the poor. Helping others brings us an overwhelming feeling of fulfillment.
