Authors: Shivanjali Dagdu Fulwade, Tejashri Santosh Gade
Abstract: In today’s dynamic economic environment, analyzed in recent studies, managing income effectively has become essential for salaried employees due to rising inflation and changing lifestyle requirements. Research indicates that while many salaried individuals possess moderate awareness of investment options, they predominantly exhibit a conservative investment behavior, heavily prioritizing safe and secure avenues to ensure capital protection and regular returns, say studies on and. Traditional options such as bank deposits, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and insurance schemes remain highly favored, followed closely by gold, especially among those with lower risk tolerance. The key factors shaping these investment choices include income level, age, family obligations, and the need for tax- saving, particularly focusing on Section 80C instruments. Although a shift toward market-linked products like mutual funds and Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) is visible among younger, higher-income, and urban employees, significant gaps in financial literacy still exist, with many relying on informal advice from friends or colleagues. The study highlights that improving financial knowledge and encouraging disciplined, goal-based savings are critical to achieving long-term financial stability in 2026. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for increased financial education to assist employees in navigating a wider range of investment opportunities that can better combat inflation.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20271018
