Investing Is A Long Game: Harsh Gahlaut On Building Wealth That Lasts

Staying calm during market crashes, avoiding the quick-rich trap and focusing on long-term financial goals— these were some of the takeaways from a recent conversation between Harsh Gahlaut, Founder of FinEdge and veteran business journalist Vivek Law. With over 25 years of experience in finance, Gahlaut offered valuable insights on how investors—especially younger ones—can approach wealth creation with clarity, discipline and purpose.

This interview is part of Simple Hai! with Vivek Law, a podcast series that brings real, jargon-free conversations with India’s top financial minds—designed to make money matters easier to understand and act on.

From Football Fields to Finance

Before diving into finance, Gahlaut was a promising Under-19 footballer. His professional journey took him through several paths before he landed in banking, where he helped set up private banking divisions. But the experience also revealed a hard truth: the system often prioritised revenue over client welfare. That realisation led to the birth of FinEdge, rooted in the idea of a more client-focused and ethical way to plan finances. He was also an early adopter of digital solutions, building a digital foundation for FinEdge at a time when such ideas were still new in India.

On Market Volatility and Investor Behaviour

Speaking on recent market dips, Gahlaut explained that such fluctuations are a part of the natural economic cycle—just like life has its ups and downs. Panic during downturns is something he’s seen across crises, from the 2008 recession to the COVID-19 slump. His key message? Focus on why you’re investing and what your financial goals are, rather than obsessing over where to invest.

He also touched upon the surge of first-time investors during the COVID rally, many of whom expected quick gains. That mindset, driven by greed, often leads to poor decisions. Gahlaut drew a clever parallel with fitness: simply getting a gym membership doesn’t make you fit—you need consistency and a plan. The same applies to wealth building.

Golf and Investing: A Striking Analogy

One of the memorable parts of the conversation was Gahlaut comparing investing to golf. In golf, you’re focused on your own game, tuning out distractions, and improving shot by shot. Likewise, in investing, tuning out market noise and sticking to personal goals is key. According to him, personal finance is "90% personal and 10% finance," and it’s vital to align money decisions with one’s unique life circumstances.

Challenges in Reaching the Masses with Quality Advice

Gahlaut acknowledged the challenges in delivering good financial advice at scale in a country like India. While mutual fund distributors are on the rise, fee-only advisors who genuinely prioritise the client are still few. Since ethical financial products often come with lower commissions, it takes patience and commitment to build a trustworthy advisory business.

He also explained the different models in the industry—fee-based, commission-based, and influencer-driven—each with its pros and cons. His advice to investors: educate yourself and understand what truly works for you.

Advice for the Young: Safe Risks and Smart Starts

For young investors, Gahlaut recommends a balance. It’s okay to experiment and take some risks while you’re young and have fewer responsibilities. But alongside that, start a "boring SIP" (Systematic Investment Plan) to build a strong financial base. His two-pronged approach? One SIP for long-term goals like retirement, and another for short-term aspirations.

Retirement Planning and the Reality Check on FIRE

Gahlaut also stressed the importance of early retirement planning. Retirement isn’t optional, and with people living longer, your corpus might need to last 40-50 years. He advised against blindly following the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) trend, warning that many underestimate future expenses and inflation.

The Real Role of Financial Advisors

Gahlaut compared financial advisors to doctors—you share your symptoms, and they help diagnose the best path forward. A good advisor doesn’t just give you investment tips; they help manage emotions and expectations. Most people are their own worst enemies when reacting to market swings. He also made an important distinction: wealth management is for preserving money, while wealth creation is what most people need. In fact, a falling market can often be a great time to build wealth.

He wrapped up the conversation by urging people to personalise their financial plans based on goals, cash flows and risk appetite. With a consistent, disciplined approach and a "save first, spend later" mindset, financial freedom can be well within reach—without major lifestyle sacrifices.

news