Financial Health Tips

If cybercrime were its own country, it would be a $8 trillion economy, larger than almost all countries on earth. That is why job #1 for me and everyone at Visa is cyber & payment security. 24x7x365 days a year we are focused on protecting cardholders, merchants and our infrastructure. We are at the very front lines in protecting payment flows and use the most sophisticated technologies, many of which we have invented ourselves – from finger printing typing/mouse movements to deep inspection of every transaction in near real time. We have thousands of the best engineers in the world working on this across every major time zone, and our multiple operations command centers monitor every aspect of the payment flow and our global infrastructure. On a normal day we collect and analyze billions of data points and use the most sophisticated AI techniques to assist us in ensuring the security of the ecosystem we are so privileged to serve. On Cyber Monday this year, we blocked 85% more suspected fraud globally compared to last year. Our newest tools like Visa Account Attack Intelligence Score, which launched earlier this year, leverages gen AI to stop enumeration attacks even before they commence. Last year we proactively blocked $40B of suspected fraudulent transactions, and our focus on continued investment is relentless and reflected in the $11B we have spent on this over the last 5 years. With that said, the hackers are not resting. They are using cutting edge tools, AI and other social engineering techniques to try and scam you directly. The best way to stay protected is to be aware of these methods, remain vigilant and ensure you are practicing good cybersecurity habits: - Always activate every alert on all your accounts – bank, cards, emails, social media, etc. - Always have strong passwords, change them regularly and don’t use the same credentials on different sites. Ideally use a good password manager. - Activate multi-factor authentication (MFA), and better still, use authenticators from reputable companies like Microsoft, Google, or Symantec. Passkeys are another form of MFA and are supported by many organizations including Visa. Passkeys eliminate passwords and are phishing-resistant. - Lock down money transfers in your bank/brokerage accounts when you are not planning to transact. - Establish SIM PINs with your telecom providers. - Do not click on hyperlinks in emails and text messages from anyone unknown - Use a good antivirus/anti malware on your devices - Keep your applications and operating system always up to date and patched - Always confirm legitimacy of the site you are on and it is a secure ‘s’ connection (ensure the url begins with https://) As we approach peak shopping season, I encourage everyone to be aware of the latest threats and read the recent report published by Visa (link in the comments). Please stay safe and enjoy the holidays. Rest assured we will be working behind the scenes to do our part to protect you 24x7.

𝗜 𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸. 𝗜 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 When I got my first job, I was all set to reward myself — new clothes, weekend café plans, and of course, Swiggy on speed dial. But my mom said one thing that completely changed how I looked at money: “Write down every rupee you spend. You’ll thank yourself later.” And I did. For the last 1.5 years, I’ve tracked every single expense — from major bills to ₹99 impulse buys. Here’s what that simple habit taught me (and why I think every young professional should start early): ✅ 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙙 The first month I tracked my spending, I realized 30% went to things I didn’t even remember buying. Tracking created awareness, and awareness led to control. ✅ 𝘽𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 — 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 Once I knew my fixed costs, I started setting non-negotiables (savings) and guilt-free spends (fun). 📌 I didn’t stop eating out — I just planned for it. ✅ 𝙄 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 I set a standing instruction to save 20% of my salary the day it hits my account. What’s left is what I live on. And trust me, when you see your savings grow month-on-month, it feels better than any impulse shopping spree. ✅ 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖 “𝙉𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙” Not an emergency fund. A fund for learning, travel, upskilling — things I won’t regret spending on. Even allocating ₹1,000/month made it real. 📌 It’s not about how much you earn. It’s about how early you learn to respect your money. If you’re just starting out, here’s my simple suggestion: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 → 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 → 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 → 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 It’s not boring. It’s empowering. LinkedIn LinkedIn News India LinkedIn for Marketing #FinancialPlanning #MoneyHabits #YoungProfessionals #BudgetBetter #PersonalFinanceBasics #CareerTips

My daughter, Troi, is 26. She doesn’t make millions (yet). But she’s quietly building wealth — one smart habit at a time. As her dad and a financial planner for 30+ years, I see her doing things most people don’t figure out until their 40s. Here are the 5 habits she’s building that could make her a millionaire (and more importantly — financially free): 💡 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟭: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. Every time she gets paid, she moves a chunk straight into savings or investments. Even before paying any bills, brunches, or travel plans. Then jokes about being “broke” for the next two weeks. 😂 But that’s not broke, that’s discipline. 💡 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟮: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆. Same day. Same amount. Every month. Whether the market’s up, down, or sideways. The secret isn’t timing the market, It’s time in the market. 💡 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟯: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. Last year, she wrote down three: 🎯 Build a $25K emergency fund. 🎯 Save for her first home. 🎯 Start investing toward early retirement. Every financial decision she makes ladders up to one of these. You're not just "saving" when you have clear written goals — short-term, mid-term, and long-term. Clarity turns wishes into strategy. 💡 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟰: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘁. Troi knows not all debt is bad. She avoids high-interest credit card debt but isn’t afraid of good debt that builds assets or future income. Like financing certifications, investing in herself, or someday buying property. Debt doesn’t have to drown you, it can be a tool if used wisely. 💡 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟱: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. She enjoys her life. But she spends on experiences, not flexes. Every dollar has a job — either to grow, give, or bring joy. ✨ 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁: 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆. As she grows in her corporate career, she’s learned that money isn’t just about what you earn now. Wealth comes from building assets. She’s already asking smart questions about equity, ESOPs, and long-term benefits. Because ownership > income. — If she keeps these habits up… She’s not just on track to be wealthy, She’s on track to be free. 💪🏾 Wealth isn't luck, it’s consistent, intentional habits — done early and done often. — And if you’re helping your daughter or niece (or yourself!) build wealth from the ground up with the right habits: 📘 My book “The Journey” is for you. It’s a practical, approachable guide to building wealth and financial independence for women. Comment below if you'd like a copy! 👋🏾 #Investing101 #FinancialPlanning

The Student Who Took a ₹60 Lakh Loan for a Foreign Degree and Regretted It In 2022, a middle-class student from India took an education loan of ₹60 lakhs to pursue a master’s degree in the US… Everyone around him said it was a great investment. “Once you graduate, you’ll earn in dollars,” they said… Two years later, reality hit hard. The job market had slowed down, and visa restrictions made it tough to find high-paying employment. The only jobs available paid just enough to cover rent and food. His monthly loan EMI in India was ₹80,000, but he was barely saving ₹20,000 a month abroad… Now, he’s stuck - returning to India means lower salaries, making loan repayment even harder. Staying in the US means living paycheck to paycheck for years… The lesson? A number of students blindly assume that any foreign degree guarantees high earnings. But the reality is that job markets fluctuate, visa rules change, and not every degree has an equal return on investment. That’s why I recommend the following: 1/ Carefully calculate the ROI (Return on Investment) of your degree before taking a massive loan. A high-cost degree doesn’t always mean high earnings. 2/ Consider alternative paths - scholarships, assistantships, or even lower-cost universities with strong placement records. 3/ Don’t fall for the “foreign degree = automatic success” myth. Research job prospects, industry demand, and visa policies before making a decision. A degree is an investment - make sure it’s one that actually pays off

Financial Awareness Isn’t Just About Watching Your Bank Balance… It’s like thinking a single dollar tells the whole story of your wealth. Sure, every dollar matters, but there’s much more to your financial well-being. Here’s what really weaves together solid financial planning: ☑️ Clear goals and objectives. ☑️ A realistic budgeting process. ☑️ Investments that match your risk tolerance. ☑️ Strategies for reducing taxes. ☑️ Insurance to protect your assets. ☑️ Regular financial check-ups. ☑️ Adaptable plans that evolve with your life changes. ☑️ Consistent monitoring and rebalancing of your investments. ☑️ Plans for estate management and inheritance. ☑️ Transparent communication about your financial status. ☑️ Simplified financial language that you can understand. Remember, it’s not just about gathering financial tools and resources; it’s about integrating them effectively to create a financial strategy that is understandable and actionable, rather than one that is as overwhelming and complicated as a maze. P.S. Have a question about simplifying your financial plan? Drop it in the comments. #FinancialAwarenessDay

This morning, my mom in India got a FaceTime call—from my number. But it wasn’t me. A man she didn’t recognize appeared on video. He spoke a language she didn’t understand. He kept calling. From what looked like my house. She panicked. Thought something had happened to me. After calming her down, I got her to screen-share. The call came from a work phone number I haven’t used in years. It had been wiped before returning. But at this point, our data has been leaked so many times, it’s hard to track how or where. I saved the number as “FRAUD” in her phone. But the stress lingered. These scams are getting more personal, emotional, and AI-driven. And it’s our parents, our grandparents—who are most at risk. Here are 3 strategies we’ve started using in our family to stay safe: 🛡️ Set a family “code word” If you ever get a call from someone claiming to be your loved one — ask for your offline password. A simple phrase only the real person would know. 📷 Use the “video check” rule If something feels off during a video call, ask for a real-time gesture: “touch your nose,” “show me your coffee mug.” Deepfakes often can’t react naturally. 📵 Pause and verify Teach elders to never act immediately. Hang up and call back using a known, saved contact. Scammers rely on panic and urgency. This isn’t just a tech issue. It’s emotional manipulation — and we must protect our families from it.

There’s nothing more overwhelming than building a high-growth business… Especially when you’re completely uncertain about your finances. I see it all the time- Incredible business owners who are scaling their businesses without financial clarity. Which leads to anxiety about money. And numbers falling behind. If this is you, you’re not alone: → “I’m not sure if I can afford to hire” → “I don’t know where my money is going” → “I’ve been winging it and hoping for the best” Us business owners juggle a million plates. And so many of us were never taught how to manage money. And chances are, no one has ever taught you how to manage money. But here’s the truth: 💛You don’t need a finance degree to feel financially empowered 💛You just need simple systems that help you feel supported 💛You deserve to feel control, clarity and better equipped to grow These 5 simple changes can have a huge impact: 📊Align your budget with your goals: Focus your spend on the offers, systems and support that truly move the needle in your business. Tip: Check in monthly to make sure your money is backing your goals. 💸 Review your pricing regularly: Costs rise, and so does your value! Your pricing should reflect your expertise and support a sustainable business model. Tip: Factor in rising expenses, tax obligations, and the real cost of delivery. 💻 Track cash flow weekly: Know exactly when money’s coming in and when it’s due to go out. Tip: A 10-minute check-in every Friday is a tiny habit that can shift you from panic to peace. 📈 Create a financial buffer: A safety net reduces panic and gives you options when things feel uncertain. Tip: Set aside a % of your revenue for future growth or downturns. Even small amounts build safety over time. 🎯 Set financial KPIs: What gets measured gets managed. Track the numbers that actually matter to your growth! Tip: Focus on a few key metrics - like profit margin, revenue targets or client retention - to keep you on track. Your future self will thank you for taking control of your finances. Because that’s what gives you the mental space to breathe and build with intention. That’s when the real growth begins!  _____________ I help business owners gain the financial insights to build their dream business. If you’re ready to gain total clarity on your finances so you can make confident decisions about your business, I’d love to chat 🤍

Some paychecks make you poorer. Every job trades in 4 types of wealth: → Financial wealth (money) → Social wealth (status) → Time wealth (freedom) → Physical wealth (health) Only 2 of these show up on your payslip. But all 4 shape your life. Here’s the trap many high performers fall into: You chase roles that reward 1 and 2: → Higher salary → Impressive title → Industry recognition But you pay the price with 3 and 4: 🚫 60-hour weeks become normal (goodbye hobbies) 🚫 You trade sleep for every "urgent" project (hello burnout) 🚫 Family dinners disappear (your kids notice) 🚫 Health becomes an afterthought (until it can't be) The cruel irony? The more “successful” you become, the less wealthy you actually are. You gain money and status. But lose time and health. A smarter approach: Before saying yes to any role, ask yourself: ❓ What am I gaining in each wealth type? ❓ What am I giving up in each wealth type? ❓ Is this trade worth it right now? Remember: Not all rewards are real wealth. The most successful don’t optimise for money alone. They design their lives around all four. Jobs that pay in money and status but cost you freedom and health aren't building wealth. They're burning it. The real flex? A career that balances all four ♻️ Share to help someone stuck in this trap 👉 Follow Maryann (MJ) for more on career growth Inspired by James Clear's framework

Insurance is bought in minutes but mistakes in it can cost years. Recently came across a story that stayed with me. A man had a ₹75 lakh term insurance policy. Bought enough cover. Paid premiums on time. Named his wife as nominee. Then life happened. → His wife passed away. He never updated the nominee. Eight months later, he passed away too. Their two teenage children thought the claim process would be simple. It wasn't. No valid nominee on record. Legal heir process. Civil court. Succession certificate. 14 months of waiting. Around ₹85,000 in legal costs. And two grieving kids dealing with paperwork instead of healing. → All because of one small update that would have taken 15 minutes. We spend hours comparing policies. But almost no time maintaining them. A small reminder for everyone: Check your nominee. Update if needed. Add an alternate nominee if possible. Financial planning is not just about buying products. It is also about maintaining them.

We saved our client £12,102 in tax without reducing her £120K income. A client running a successful consultancy came to us feeling frustrated. 👉 She was taking £120K a year (£12,570 salary, the rest in dividends). 👉 Her tax bill was way too high and she couldn’t figure out why. 👉 She was losing thousands to HMRC unnecessarily. When we broke down the numbers, the problem became clear. Here's what her original income structure looked like: 💰 Total Withdrawals: £120,000 💰 Salary: £12,570 💰 Dividends: £107,430 At first glance, it looked simple. But here’s where things went wrong 👇 ❌ Loss of Personal Allowance Earning over £100K meant she was losing £1 of personal allowance for every £2 earned over £100K. She lost her full £12,570 personal allowance which cost her an extra £2,514 in tax. ❌ High Dividend Tax Since she took all dividends herself, her taxable dividend income was £106,930 (after the £500 dividend allowance). She was losing thousands just because her income wasn’t structured efficiently. Here’s what we did to fix it: ✅ Transferred Shares to Her Husband Her husband was already helping in the business, so we made him a shareholder and director. This allowed us to use both their tax-free allowances and lower tax bands. ✅ Split the Dividends Instead of her taking all £107,430 in dividends alone, we split them equally (£53,715 each). This significantly reduced the amount of dividends being taxed at 33.75%. ✅ Restored Her Personal Allowance By reducing her individual taxable income below £100K, she reclaimed her £12,570 personal allowance, saving her £2,514 in tax. Here’s how much she actually saved: 📌 Restored Personal Allowance Savings: £12,570 × 20% basic rate = £2,514 saved 📌 Dividend Tax Savings (Before vs. After): - Old Setup (Her Taking All Dividends) Taxable dividends: £106,930 Tax calculation: £37,700 × 8.75% = £3,298.75 £69,230 × 33.75% = £23,364.13 Total Dividend Tax: £26,662.88 - New Setup (Splitting Dividends Between Both Spouses) Each spouse’s dividends: £53,715 Taxable amount per person: £53,215 (after £500 allowance) Tax per person: £37,700 × 8.75% = £3,298.75 £15,515 × 33.75% = £5,238.56 Total tax per person: £8,537.31 Total tax for both spouses: £8,537.31 × 2 = £17,074.62 📌 Total Dividend Tax Savings: Old Tax: £26,662.88 New Tax: £17,074.62 Saved: £9,588.26 📌 Total Annual Tax Savings: £2,514 (personal allowance) + £9,588.26 (dividends) = £12,102.26 The Result: 💰 Same £120K income, but £12,102 less in tax. 💰 More disposable income as a couple. 💰 A tax-efficient business setup that works for them. Don’t assume your current setup is the best one. A little planning can save you thousands every single year. Think you’re overpaying tax? Drop me a DM.