Many believe the worst financial error is choosing an investment that eventually performs poorly, but the truth is far more surprising. The biggest setback is often the decision to not invest at all. Chartered accountant Nitin Kaushik recently highlighted this idea online, emphasizing how delaying the start of investing quietly harms long-term wealth far more than temporary market losses ever could.
How Time Shapes Wealth Growth
To illustrate his point, he compared two hypothetical scenarios. Imagine someone begins putting aside ₹25,000 every month at the age of 25 and earns an average yearly return of 12 percent. By the time this person turns 45, the total amount accumulated would be roughly ₹2.7 crore. Now consider another person who contributes the same monthly amount but starts five years later, at age 30. Even with identical returns, this individual would gather only around ₹1.4 crore by age 45. Those missing five years cost nearly ₹1.3 crore in potential growth.Why Waiting Costs More Than Losing
This difference highlights a powerful truth: postponing investment decisions feels safe, but it gradually diminishes the future value of money. Choosing to wait allows compound interest to slip away. Markets may fluctuate, but time consistently amplifies returns when it is allowed to work uninterrupted. In the world of personal finance, time outperforms perfect timing, and the biggest advantage anyone has is an early start.The Compounding Effect at Work
Investment growth accelerates as the years pass because returns begin generating their own returns. This snowball effect becomes stronger the longer money stays invested. Even small early contributions can create significant wealth when given enough time. Conversely, even large contributions made later in life struggle to catch up.A Simple Rule for Building Wealth
The message is clear: beginning early matters far more than beginning perfectly. You do not need a large initial amount, special market knowledge, or flawless timing. What truly shapes financial outcomes is consistency and patience over long stretches of time. Taking the first step is the only requirement.Start Whenever You Can — But Don’t Delay
Whether you begin with a modest amount or a larger sum, the most important action is getting started. Every month of hesitation reduces long-term gains. Even if the road feels uncertain, starting now allows your money to quietly work for you—even while you sleep.For more news like this visit The Economic Times.
# CA Shares an Investment Mistake Most of Us Make—We Lose More Than Rs 1 Crore
*By Priya Desai, Certified Financial Planner with 15+ Years Guiding Wealth-Building Journeys in India*
Namaste, future crorepatis and savvy savers. Imagine this: You're in your 20s, salary hitting your account like clockwork, but that "I'll start investing next month" voice keeps you sidelined. Fast-forward two decades, and you're staring at a retirement corpus that's a shadow of what it could've been—all because of one sneaky habit. Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik just dropped a truth bomb on social media, calling out the silent killer in our financial lives: **delaying investments**. It's not flashy bad picks like meme stocks; it's the procrastination that robs us of compounding's magic, costing over Rs 1 crore in potential wealth for many. As a CFP who's helped hundreds dodge this trap, I see it everywhere—from fresh grads to mid-career pros. On November 18, 2025, with markets at all-time highs and SIP inflows hitting Rs 25,000 crore monthly, this is your wake-up call. Let's unpack why this mistake stings so hard and how to flip the script.
## 1. The Sneaky Saboteur: Why Delaying Feels Safe But Isn't
We all do it: "Market's too volatile," "I need to research more," or the classic "Bonuses first." But as Kaushik puts it, "Not investing is one of the biggest financial mistakes you can make." Delaying isn't neutral—it's active erosion. Time is the ultimate multiplier in investing; skip it, and you're handing opportunity to inertia.
The psychology? Loss aversion makes us freeze during dips, but the real loss is the years of growth foregone. Studies show 70% of Indians start investing only after 30, missing prime compounding windows. It's like skipping gym sessions—small delays compound into a fitness (or fortune) gap you can't bridge later.
## 2. The Compounding Crunch: Math That Hits Like a Freight Train
Here's where it gets brutal: Kaushik crunched numbers on a simple Rs 25,000 monthly SIP at a conservative 12% annual return (realistic for equity mutual funds over 20 years).
- **Start at 25**: By age 45 (20 years in), your corpus balloons to Rs 2.7 crore.
- **Start at 30**: Just 15 years? Only Rs 1.4 crore.
The gap? A staggering Rs 1.3 crore lost—not from bad choices, but from those five "wait-and-see" years. That's enough for a dream home down payment or your kid's Ivy League fees, vanished into thin air. And it's not isolated: Delay by 10 years (start at 35), and you're down to Rs 70 lakh—over Rs 2 crore short.
Why? Compounding is exponential: Early rupees earn returns that then earn more returns, snowballing wealth. Late starters play catch-up on a shorter track.
## 3. Real-Life Ripples: Stories from the Trenches
Kaushik's post lit up LinkedIn with confessions: A 35-year-old engineer who "waited for stability" now regrets missing the 2010s bull run. Or the 28-year-old marketer whose Rs 10k monthly delay since 23 has already cost Rs 50 lakh in projected growth.
Broader stats? India's household savings rate is 30%, but only 15% channel into equities—rest in low-yield FDs eroding at 6-7% inflation. For a Rs 1 crore goal by 50, starting at 25 needs Rs 8,000/month; at 35, it's Rs 25,000. That lifestyle creep? It turns "affordable" delays into crore-level heartaches.
Even high-earners fall: Tech pros earning Rs 50 lakh+ annually delay for "FOMO-proof" plans, only to face 40% tax brackets later on rushed lump sums.
## 4. The Hidden Costs: Beyond the Corpus, It's Opportunity Lost
It's not just numbers—delaying amps stress. Late starters chase riskier returns (hello, unlisted stocks), inflating volatility. Plus, inflation's thief: Rs 25k today buys less in 2035, widening the real loss.
Kaushik nails it: "Those missing five years cost nearly Rs 1.3 crore in potential growth." And in a nation where 90% lack pensions, this mistake isn't personal—it's generational, shortchanging family security.
## 5. Your Escape Hatch: Start Small, Start Now—Kaushik's Playbook
The good news? It's fixable. Kaushik's mantra: "Time outperforms perfect timing." Here's the antidote:
- **Audit Today**: Calculate your "delay penalty" using online SIP calculators (try Groww or Zerodha tools).
- **Modest Entry**: Rs 5,000/month in index funds—better than zero. Aim for 50% equities if under 35.
- **Automate It**: Set SIPs on payday; behavioral nudge to bypass procrastination.
- **Seek Guidance**: Consult a SEBI-registered advisor for a 70:30 equity-debt mix tailored to you.
- **Mindset Shift**: View investing as "paying future you"—not a gamble.
Even imperfect starts beat paralysis: A 12% return isn't magic; it's historical Nifty average minus fees.
Delaying isn't destiny—it's a choice you can unmake today. As Kaushik urges, "Even a modest amount is sufficient to begin; taking the first step allows money to work quietly." With India's markets eyeing 15% CAGR amid 7% GDP growth, your window's wide open.
What's holding you back from that first SIP? Share in the comments—let's crowdsource solutions. Subscribe for more myth-busting money moves. Remember: Wealth isn't built in bursts; it's brewed over breakfasts you invest instead of skipping.
*Priya Desai has turned "I'll start tomorrow" into "I started today" for 500+ clients. Her creed: Compound interest is the eighth wonder—don't let delay be its thief.*
