Building blocks of InvestAlly

Protect, Save, and Invest: Financial Basics for Indians

Minakshi Maheshwari

Minakshi Maheshwari

Co-founder December 1, 2025
Investing 101: The 3 Non-Negotiables

Before you invest, secure your base with Term Insurance, Health Insurance, and an Emergency Fund — the 3 essentials every Indian needs for a safe financial future.

Everyone today wants to invest. But not everyone is ready to invest.

Most people jump straight into SIPs, stocks or mutual funds…
without building the safety net that protects them when life throws surprises.

And that’s the biggest mistake young earners and families make today.

Before you start investing, you must first secure the 3 essential financial products that form the foundation of a strong financial life.

These aren’t optional.
These aren’t “nice to have.”
These are must-haves for every Indian household.

Let’s break them down.

1️⃣ Term Insurance — Protect Your Family Before You Grow Wealth

Term Insurance is the first and most important financial product every Indian must buy.

Because wealth-building makes sense only when your family is protected in your absence.

Why It’s Essential

  • Covers your life risk by providing a large life cover
  • Ensures your family’s financial goals continue even if you’re not there
  • Protects dependents (spouse, children, parents) from financial shocks
  • A core pillar of responsible financial planning

Who Needs It?

  • Everyone earning an income
  • Anyone with dependents
  • Anyone with loans

Ideal Cover Amount

At least 10–15x your annual income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying expensive traditional insurance policies instead of pure term plans.

Pro Tip: Start young, lock in low premiums. Your future self will thank you.

2️⃣ Health Insurance — Beat Medical Inflation, Protect Savings

Medical emergencies don’t ask before arriving.
And in India, one hospital bill can wipe out years of savings.

This is why health insurance is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Why It’s Essential

  • Covers hospitalisation expenses
  • Protects your emergency fund
  • Shields your investments from unexpected medical costs
  • Ensures quality treatment without financial stress

Who Needs It?

  • Absolutely everyone — even if you are young and healthy
  • Families, especially those with kids or senior parents

Who should you buy it?

  • When you are young and healthy, before any health issue arises.

Ideal Cover Amount

₹10–20 lakhs coverage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Relying solely on employer-provided health insurance — it ends when you leave the job.

Pro Tip: Get insured while you're healthy. Once you need it, it's already too late — and too expensive.

3️⃣ Emergency Fund — Your Personal Financial Shock Absorber

An emergency fund is simply money kept aside to protect you from sudden expenses.

This is your first line of defence — even before insurance kicks in.

Why You Need It

  • Covers job loss, medical emergencies, home repairs, car issues
  • Prevents you from taking high-cost loans
  • Keeps your investment plan intact
  • Reduces panic during stressful situations

How Much Should You Save?

6–12 months of your monthly expenses

Where to Keep It

  • High-interest savings account
  • Liquid mutual funds
  • Sweep-in Fixed Deposits

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Keeping emergency money locked in long-term investments or risky assets.

Pro Tip: No emergency fund = instant chaos. Secure it before life surprises you.

Why You Must Secure These 3 Before Investing

Because without these pillars, your entire financial plan becomes unstable.

🔹 A medical emergency can force you to break your SIPs
🔹 Job loss can push you into debt
🔹 Absence of insurance can leave your family financially vulnerable

When these three essentials are in place, you are finally ready to:

🔹Start SIPs confidently

🔹Invest for long-term wealth

🔹Take calculated risks

🔹Build real financial freedom

Investing Starts After Protection — Not Before

At InvestAlly, we believe in a protection-first philosophy.
Because wealth grows only when your foundation is strong, stable and secure.

These 3 financial products —
Term Insurance, Health Insurance, and an Emergency Fund
are not just recommendations.

They are the non-negotiable basics every Indian must have before they invest.

With these three pillars in place, your journey to long-term wealth becomes smooth, safe and stress-free.

Want help choosing the right insurance or building your emergency fund?
Book a free 15-minute call with InvestAlly.
Your financial clarity starts here.

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