Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are one of the most popular ways to invest in mutual funds. They allow people to invest a fixed amount every month helping them build wealth slowly and steadily. Many investors use SIP calculators to see how much wealth they can create over time. While these tools are useful one stock market expert says they leave out an important part of the journey human emotions and discipline.
What SIP Calculators Don’t Show
SIP calculators are great at showing numbers. You type in how much you want to invest for how long and at what expected return. The calculator then shows how much your investment can grow. For example ₹5000 a month for 20 years at 12% return can become over ₹50 lakhs.
However as the expert points out these tools don’t show:
- What happens when the market crashes
- What if you lose your job?
- What if you panic and stop your SIP?
- What if you get greedy and withdraw money early?
In real life these emotional ups and downs happen more often than we think.
The Real Key: Discipline and Consistency
The expert says the most important thing you can do every month is continue your SIP without fail—no matter what the market is doing or how you are feeling.
Let’s say you are investing ₹10000 every month in a mutual fund. The market may go up or down. But if you keep investing without stopping you benefit from rupee-cost averaging. That means you buy more units when the market is low and fewer units when it is high. Over time this helps lower the average cost and improves returns.
What You Should Do Every Month
Here’s what the expert recommends every SIP investor should do each month to stay on track:
1. Treat SIP Like a Monthly Bill
Just like you pay your electricity or internet bill every month treat your SIP the same way. It’s not optional. Make it a non negotiable part of your budget.
2. Automate Your Investment
Set up an auto-debit from your bank account so that the SIP amount is deducted automatically. This helps you stay disciplined and ensures you don’t forget or delay the payment.
3. Avoid Checking NAV Daily
Don’t watch your mutual fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) every day. Markets are volatile and will always move up and down. Checking too often creates stress and may tempt you to stop investing or withdraw early.
4. Increase SIP When Income Increases
Whenever your salary goes up, increase your SIP amount too. Even a small increase of ₹500 or ₹1000 every year can make a big difference over time. This is called the SIP step-up strategy.
5. Have an Emergency Fund
One of the main reasons people stop their SIPs is due to emergencies like job loss, health problems, or sudden expenses. Keep 3–6 months of your expenses in an emergency fund so you don’t have to stop your SIP when life gets tough.
6. Ignore Market Noise
You will often hear news like “Recession is coming” or “Market crash expected.” Don’t let fear control your actions. SIPs work best when you invest regularly without reacting to short-term news.
Why People Fail at SIPs
Despite knowing all this many people still fail to continue their SIPs. Here are the most common reasons:
- They expect quick results
- They panic during market dips
- They compare returns with friends or other investments
- They withdraw money early to buy gadgets or go on holidays
This is why the expert stresses the importance of mental discipline. SIP calculators show beautiful charts, but real growth comes from long-term commitment.
Real-Life Example: Power of Staying Invested
Let’s say two friends, Asha and Ravi start SIPs of ₹5000 per month at age 25.
- Asha continues her SIP for 30 years without stopping.
- Ravi stops after 10 years thinking he will invest in something “better.”
Assuming 12% annual returns:
- Asha ends up with around ₹1.76 crore.
- Ravi ends up with around ₹11.6 lakhs.
That’s the power of staying invested and not stopping your SIP!
Tips to Stay Motivated
- Track your goals not just your returns. For example saving for a house child’s education or retirement.
- Reward yourself each year you complete without stopping your SIP.
- Read success stories of people who stayed invested for 15–20 years.
- Talk to a financial advisor when in doubt. They can help you stay on course.
Final Thoughts
SIP calculators show you the numbers but they can’t control your emotions. That’s your job.
Every month all you need to do is:
✅ Stick to your SIP
✅ Avoid reacting emotionally
✅ Increase it when possible
✅ Ignore short-term market news
✅ Focus on your long-term goal
The expert’s advice is clear—discipline beats timing and consistency beats luck.
If you follow this every month your SIP will not just succeed it will help you achieve financial freedom.