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Tata Capital > Blog > Wealth Services > Thumb rule of investment: Key SIP rules & 7-5-3-1

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Thumb rule of investment: Key SIP rules & 7-5-3-1

Thumb rule of investment: Key SIP rules & 7-5-3-1

Investing in Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) has long been popular among investors looking to build wealth over the long term. With a disciplined approach to investing, SIP is an automated investment plan that allows individuals to invest small amounts in their chosen mutual funds regularly.

While SIP investment is a simple means to grow your funds over time, market volatility can affect your investment returns. At such a time, being steady with your investment strategies can help you maximize your SIP returns. One such effective strategy is the 7-5-3-1 rule in SIP.

Read on to know all about the right way of investing in SIP with the 7-5-3-1 rule.

What is the thumb rule of investment?

The thumb rule of investment refers to simple guidelines that help investors make quick and basic investment decisions. It does not give direct strategies, but provides an easy starting point. Beginners, in particular, can benefit greatly from the thumb rules of investing.

A common thumb rule is “Don’t put all your money in one place.” This means you should spread your money across different investments like savings, fixed deposits, stocks, or mutual funds to reduce risk.

You can also try the 100 minus age rule. It suggests subtracting your age from 100 to determine how much money should be invested in risky options. Risky options include shares, equity mutual funds, options, derivatives, etc. The remaining amount should go into safer options. Thumb rules are helpful, but they should not replace proper planning and advice.

Also, read – Venture capital market in India

7-5-3-1 rule in SIP: The ultimate investment guide

7-5-3-1 is a thumb rule of investing in SIPs that focuses on four critical factors:

  1. Have a 7+ year investment horizon

When it comes to equity investing, time holds immense value. Historically, equity investments are known to perform better in the long run, and having a minimum investment period of seven years allows your investment to grow by capitalizing on the power of compounding.

In the short-term, the stock market can be highly volatile, which might not allow your investment to sustain the fluctuations and generate decent returns. So, being patient with your investment with a seven-year horizon gives your funds the time to grow and turn the regular SIP payments into a substantial corpus over time.

  1. Diversify portfolio with the 5-finger framework

A critical aspect of investing in equity funds is diversification, which allows you to build a stable portfolio over time. The 5-finger framework aims to deliver superior returns and minimize risk with a diversified portfolio across various asset classes and investment strategies.

This includes spreading your investment based on 5 areas:

  1. Quality: Invest in the stocks of well-established companies that have a history of strong, favorable performance. Such high-quality stocks help stabilize your investment during volatile times.
  2. Value: Value stocks are the undervalued stocks in the market with a high potential for great returns. These stocks typically trade at a price lower than the inherent value of their company, but offer good value for money.
  3. Growth at a reasonable price: These stocks offer high growth potential at low market volatility.
  4. Mid/Small cap: Mid and small cap companies hold immense growth potential and can generate substantial returns for the investors. They diversify your portfolio by adding a different market cap segment.
  5. Global: Investing in global stocks can offer untapped opportunities for growth and provide a hedge against domestic risks.5
  6. The 3-phase investment cycle for SIPs

While SIP investments in equity funds tend to yield decent returns in the long term, you must be prepared to survive the three inevitable phases of failure at the beginning of your investment journey.

  1. Disappointment phase: During this phase, you might encounter subpar returns (7-10%).
  2. Irritation phase: In the next phase, your investment returns might drop even lower than expected (0-7%).
  3. Panic phase: This is the phase where your investment returns become negative.

These phases can occur due to volatility in the market. However, they are only temporary, and the market tends to recover over the next few years.

  1. Increase SIP amount annually – The ‘1’ in 7-5-3-1

What makes SIP an attractive investment strategy is the ability to start small. However, gradually increasing your investment amount – specifically after every 1 year can make a big difference to your portfolio value in the long run.

Also, read – Union Budget of India

Core formulas every SIP investor should know

If you’re an SIP investor, you have been investing in mutual funds regularly. To understand SIP better, you must learn a few basic formulas. These formulas help in planning investments, estimating returns, and setting financial goals. They are simple and useful, especially for beginners.

The most important formula is the future value of SIP, which shows how much your regular investments can grow over time.

  • Future value of SIP:

FV = P × [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) / r] × (1 + r)

Another useful formula helps you calculate how much you need to invest every month to reach a target amount.

  • Monthly SIP amount for target value:

P = FV / { [((1 + r)ⁿ − 1) / r] × (1 + r) }

Knowing the power of compounding is also important, as it explains how returns grow faster when you stay invested for a longer time.

  • Simple compounding formula:

A = P × (1 + r)ⁿ

In each of these formulas, P is the monthly investment, r is the periodic return rate, and n is the number of periods. SIP formulas help investors compare options, stay disciplined, and avoid guesswork. You can use them to make smarter and more confident decisions.

The rule of 72, 114, and 144: Doubling, tripling, and quadrupling money

The rule of 72, 114, and 144 helps you easily estimate how long your money will take to grow. The rule of 72 shows how many years it takes to double your money. It divides 72 by the annual return rate. The rule of 114 helps estimate the time needed for tripling money, and the rule of 144 shows how long it takes to quadruple money.

Minimum 10% rule: Consistent SIP contributions

The minimum 10% rule suggests increasing your SIP investment by at least 10% every year. This helps match rising income and inflation over time. While increasing SIP contributions regularly, you can easily build a larger corpus. The rule of SIP investment encourages discipline, consistency, and long-term wealth creation through gradual and manageable increases in investment.

100 minus age rule: SIP asset allocation

The 100 minus age thumb rule of investment helps investors decide how to divide SIP investments between risky and safe options. According to this rule, subtract your age from 100. The result shows the percentage to invest in equity or growth funds. The remaining percentage should be invested in safer options like debt funds. This rule helps balance risk and returns as you grow older.

4% Withdrawal rule: SIP and retirement

The 4% Withdrawal Rule helps plan retirement income from SIP investments. Retirees are suggested to withdraw 4% of their total retirement savings annually. They can use these funds to cover expenses. As a result, the amount is expected to last for many years without running out. The rule helps investors plan SIP goals and build a stable retirement fund.

Also, read – Top NRI Investment Options in India

Realistic return expectations: 10-5-3 rule in SIP and investments

The 10-5-3 rule helps investors set realistic return expectations in SIP and other investments. It reminds people that returns are not always high and fixed. According to this rule, 10% is a reasonable long-term return expectation from equity investments, 5% from debt instruments like bonds or fixed income funds, and 3% from savings accounts or liquid funds.

With this rule, investors can avoid unrealistic hopes and risky decisions. When people expect very high returns, they may invest without understanding risk. The 10-5-3 rule encourages balanced planning and smart asset allocation. It also helps in setting achievable SIP goals and staying invested during market ups and downs. By following this rule, investors can plan better, remain patient, and focus on long-term wealth creation rather than short-term gains.

Also, read – FD vs. Mutual Funds

Benefits of applying SIP thumb rules for long-term wealth

Applying the SIP thumb rules of investment helps investors build long-term wealth in a simple and disciplined way. These rules make investing easier and more practical for beginners and regular investors.

  • SIP thumb rules help investors start investing without overthinking complex calculations.
  • They encourage regular and consistent investing, which builds financial discipline.
  • These rules promote long-term thinking and reduce emotional decisions during market ups and downs.
  • SIP thumb rules help balance risk by guiding proper asset allocation.
  • They make financial goals clearer and more achievable with realistic expectations.
  • Investors can track progress better and stay motivated to continue investing.
  • SIP thumb rules support steady wealth creation through the power of compounding over time.

Start your SIP journey

The 7-5-3-1 is a powerful and effective thumb rule to start your SIP journey toward wealth creation. With this strategic approach, you can strike a good balance of risk and reward, diversify your investments, and ensure great returns.

Invest in top-performing SIPs and seek professional advice from the experts at Tata Capital Wealth.

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FAQs

What is the main thumb rule of investment for SIPs?

The main thumb rule of investment for SIPs is the 7-5-3-1 rule. It suggests staying invested for at least seven years, expecting 5% inflation, 3% real returns, and 1% discipline through regular investing.

How does the rule of 72 help SIP investors?

The rule of 72 helps SIP investors estimate how long their investment may take to double. By dividing 72 by the expected return rate, investors get a quick idea of growth over time.

What is the 100 minus age rule for SIP investments?

The 100 minus age rule helps decide asset allocation for SIPs. Subtract your age from 100 to find the percentage to invest in equity funds, and invest the remaining amount in safer options.

Is the 10-5-3 rule reliable for SIP returns in India?

The 10-5-3 rule gives a simple and realistic return expectation for Indian investors. It is useful for planning, but actual SIP returns may vary based on market conditions and time horizon.

How often should I increase my SIP amount as per the thumb rule?

As per the thumb rule, SIP amounts should be increased once every year. A 10% annual increase helps match income growth and inflation while building a larger investment corpus over time.

Should thumb rules replace investment advice from a financial planner?

No. Thumb rules should not replace advice from a financial planner. They are basic guidelines and work best as a starting point, while professional advice helps with personalized and detailed financial planning.

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