1 YEAR DELAY = POTENTIAL LOSS OF RS 12 LAKHS: IS IT TRUE?

Introduction
Let’s play out two simple stories.
Riya starts investing at 25. She sets aside Rs. 10,000 a month into a good equity mutual fund. She doesn’t chase the hottest stock or time the market, she just invests regularly. Fast-forward 20 years and at 45, her portfolio is worth about Rs. 96 lakhs.
Amit, on the other hand, decides to “wait one more year.” At 26, he finally starts with the same Rs. 10,000 a month, same fund, same discipline. By 45, his corpus is Rs. 84 lakhs.
Both invested smartly, but Amit ends up with Rs. 12 lakhs less – simply because he started one year late. That’s the real cost of waiting.

The psychology of delay
When you’re in your 20s, money feels like it’s for spending. Salaries go into gadgets, trips, cafes, lifestyle upgrades. And when someone suggests investing, it’s tempting to say:
I’ll start when I earn more.
Markets are risky right now.
What’s the harm in waiting a year?
Here’s the harm: that one year could cost you Rs. 12 lakhs.

To put that in perspective:
Rs. 12 lakhs could be the down payment for your first home.
It could fund a year of your child’s higher education abroad.
It could let you take a career break without stress.
When you delay investing, you’re not just postponing wealth creation. You’re postponing dreams.

What the trends say
Google Trends shows a sharp rise in searches like “best SIP plans 2025” and “how to start investing”. Young India wants to invest, but many stop at curiosity. They watch markets, read blogs, maybe even attend webinars, but hesitate to take the first step.
The irony? Waiting for the “right moment” often costs far more than a short-term market dip ever would.

How to beat the cost of waiting
Start small. Even Rs. 5,000 a month is enough to begin. You can increase it as your income grows.
Automate it. Set up a SIP so investing happens before you spend.
Stop chasing perfect timing. Consistency beats timing the market.
Visualize your future. Use a SIP calculator to see how today’s Rs. 10,000 becomes lakhs over time.

Conclusion
Riya and Amit invested in the same fund, with the same discipline. But because Riya started at 25 and Amit at 26, her portfolio at 45 is Rs. 96 lakhs, while his is Rs. 84 lakhs.
That Rs. 12 lakh difference isn’t about skill, luck or market timing. It’s simply the price Amit paid for waiting one year.
So remember: the real cost of waiting isn’t time, it’s wealth you’ll never get back.
If you’re reading this at 25, 26 or even 30, the best day to start was yesterday. The second-best day is today.