The traditional 9-to-5 routine is fading, and the gig economy is booming. A Niti Aayog study 2020- 21 has estimated that 77 lakh workers were engaged in the gig economy. This number is expected to expand to 2.35 crore workers by 2029-30.
Individuals are increasingly choosing the flexibility and freedom of freelance, contractor, or independent work. Whether hitting the road with rideshare passengers, delivering delicious meals to hungry doorsteps, sharing your knowledge through online tutoring, or showcasing your talents in countless other ways, the gig economy offers diverse opportunities for building your career path.
But while gig work can offer flexibility, variety, and income opportunities, it also comes with some challenges. One of them is how to invest in your future. Unlike traditional employees, gig workers cannot access employer-sponsored retirement plans, health insurance, or other benefits. They also have to deal with irregular income, tax issues, and lack of financial security.
So, how can you make the most of your gig income and grow your wealth over time? Here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Set up an emergency fund
Before investing, you need a safety net for unexpected expenses or income drops. An emergency fund is money that you can use in times of urgency. It can help cover car repairs, medical bills, or rent if you lose a gig or face a slow season.
A good rule of thumb is to have at least three to six months’ living expenses in your emergency fund. To build it, set aside a portion of your monthly income until you reach your goal. You can use a high-yield savings account, a money market account, or a short-term Fixed Deposit (FD) to keep your money safe and earn some interest.
2. Choose the proper retirement account
Just because you don’t have a pension plan doesn’t mean you can’t save for retirement. Several types of retirement accounts are designed for self-employed or gig workers. Some of the most popular ones are:
- Public Provident Fund (PPF): A government-backed scheme that lets you contribute up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year and earn a fixed interest rate. Your contributions are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C, and your interest and withdrawals are tax-free. Your money is locked in for 15 years, but you can extend it for another five years or make partial withdrawals after seven years.
- National Pension System (NPS): This is a voluntary pension scheme that allows you to invest in a mix of equity, debt, and government securities, depending on your risk profile. You can claim tax deductions under Section 80C and Section 80CCD(1B) up to Rs 1.5 lakhs. Your money is locked in until you turn 60, after which you can withdraw 60% of the corpus tax-free and use the remaining 40% to buy an annuity that will provide you with a regular income for life.
- Atal Pension Yojana (APY): This social security scheme provides you a guaranteed monthly pension of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000, depending on your contribution amount and age. The government will also co-contribute 50% of your contribution or Rs. 1,000 per year, whichever is lower, for the first five years.
3. Diversify your portfolio
Once you have a retirement account, you must decide how to invest your money. The key to successful investing is diversifying your portfolio, which means spreading your money across different types of assets, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, gold, or real estate. This way, you can reduce risk and increase potential returns over time.
The best way to diversify your portfolio is to use index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are collections of securities that track a specific market, sector, or theme. For example, you can invest in a Nifty 50 index fund, which holds the 50 largest Indian companies over the last five years. Nifty 50 has grown by 15.6% annually, so if you would have invested Rs 10,000 in a Nifty 50 index fund five years ago. It would have grown up to Rs 20,644.
4. Automate your contributions
One of the challenges of investing as a gig worker is that your income may vary monthly, making it hard to stick to a regular savings plan. To overcome this, you can automate your contributions to your retirement account so that you don’t have to think about them or be tempted to skip or reduce them.
5. Review and rebalance your portfolio
Investing is not a set-it-and-forget-it activity. You need to monitor your portfolio regularly and make adjustments as needed. This can help you stay on track with your goals, avoid unnecessary risks, and take advantage of new opportunities.
You need to rebalance your portfolio, sell out things that will make you more losses, and buy assets that are most likely to grow. You can rebalance your portfolio once a year, once a quarter, or whenever your asset allocation deviates from your target.
Conclusion
Investing as a gig worker can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. By following these tips, you can take control of your financial future and achieve your retirement dreams. Remember, the sooner you start, the more time you have to grow your money and benefit from compound interest. So don’t wait; start investing today!
FAQ
What is a gig worker?
A gig worker earns income from short-term contracts or tasks rather than from a regular employment relationship.
Why should gig workers invest for their future?
Gig workers face several challenges, such as irregular income, lack of benefits, and financial insecurity. Investing can help them build a safety net, save for retirement, and achieve their financial goals. Investing can also help them take advantage of the power of compounding, which means earning interest on interest over time.
What are the benefits of investing as a gig worker?
Investing as a gig worker can offer several benefits, such as:
Flexibility to choose when, where, and how much to invest, depending on their income and goals.
Control over their financial future, as they are not dependent on an employer or a pension plan.
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.