http://gulfnews.com/business/opinion/have-you-done-your-stress-test-1.933108
Personal
Planner Column
by Frederic de Melker
Did
you do your stress test?
Prudent investments that offer steady returns are
every investor’s dream, and affluent individuals focus on investing their savings
efficiently. With current market uncertainty impacting confidence levels, it is
important for investors to adequately gauge long-term investment risk. And one
of the ways we do this is by evaluating the level of short-term cash reserves.
Setting aside enough cash to cope with market
turmoil is a necessity that is often overlooked by investors: if markets are
down and one needs to de-invest capital to pay the bills, one has no choice but
to take the loss. And that unmovable fact should determine longer-term
investment strategy.
Can
you stand a stress test?
What is the amount of cash you should accumulate
before you consider investing? The first place to begin would be your expenses.
Estimate the amount you need to pay your creditors, and you know how long you
can survive during difficult times. This inventory will also make you aware of
the impact of your spending behavior - a positive side-effect of your stress
test.
Expenses can be categorised as monthly or annual.
Monthly expenses include mortgage or rent, any form of personal loan, food
& beverages, utilities & communication, and hobbies & sports. Annual
expenses include insurance, holidays, school fees and replacement &
maintenance costs. Your personal expense list for both categories can be built
using your bank statement or invoice binder.
Having estimated your average monthly spend, you
can determine how many months of expenses you should set aside. The general consensus
is six months. However, it is advisable to assess your personal situation: Is
your job in a sector that is vulnerable to the impact of the financial crisis? Is
your income diversified enough? What part of your income comes from returns on
investment? What impact would a market downturn have on your total income? Are
you currently on probation? Are your long-term investments liquid enough? Answers
to these will determine the savings total you need to set aside: Perhaps a full
year of cash reserves?
So here’s the test. Multiply your total monthly
expense by the number of months you estimated. If your current cash position is
lower than your calculated outcome, you didn’t pass your stress test!
What
to do?
Cardsare not a cash reserve. Using credit cards as a monthly facility to
enjoy cash-back benefits or air-miles schemes is fine as long as the entire
bill is paid at the end of each month. Smart use of Credit and Debit Cards can
benefit customers to optimize their cash flow. Revolving, however, can make
your cash reserves virtual and trap you when you are cut from income.
Put a standing order of at least 15 per cent from
your current to your savings account, to put money aside without calculating it
in your monthly budget. A balance sweep function at the end of the month helps
you to make your savings efforts tangible.
Consult your financial advisor to choose the best
rate. As with credit cards, there are more types of saving accounts than there
are banks, and a well-informed individual will get you the best rate. Keep in
mind, too, that online savings accounts usually provide better returns.
Start maintaining your own books. It is
astonishing how much you save without noticing. A wide range of spreadsheets are
available on the Internet and many of these templates are free.
Final
thoughts
Often, fancy-looking short-term banking products appear
very attractive. Beware that associated direct and indirect costs can erode
your returns. Try to focus on inflation to keep the value of your money, and be
practical with your assets. Remember: you are not just investing but building a
buffer that will reduce future stress.
