Finance educator Rachana Ranade has urged women to move beyond traditional savings and explore financial market investments, while emphasising the importance of monitoring portfolios, building emergency funds and planning for long-term financial independence.

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Speaking at the Business Standard Smart Investor Arena in Mumbai, Ranade cautioned investors against treating long-term investing as a reason to stop tracking their investments. She said the popular buy-and-hold approach can sometimes turn into “buy and forget”, leaving investors unaware of changes in a company’s performance.

Ranade advised investors to read quarterly results and monitor key indicators such as revenue and profit growth. Comparing a company’s actual performance with the targets and guidance provided by its management can help investors assess whether the business is meeting expectations. Those who find financial statements difficult to understand can use AI tools to simplify the process.

Addressing women’s financial habits, she highlighted how generations of women have saved money at home and encouraged them to learn about investment options, market risks and demat accounts. She also pointed to growing interest in financial education, noting that women account for around 30 per cent of the viewership on her main and Marathi-language channels.

Ranade stressed that women should maintain an emergency fund covering up to 12 months of expenses, compared with the commonly suggested six-month reserve. This can provide a financial cushion during maternity leave, career breaks or other major life changes.

She also encouraged mothers who leave full-time employment to explore freelancing where possible, helping them maintain an independent income. If earning independently is not feasible, she said women should discuss finances openly with their partners and plan for both personal and shared financial goals.