What Apps Don’t Teach You About Mutual Fund Investing — Insights from a CFP
41 Questions Answered: An Interview With Taresh Bhatia
Why I Wrote This Article
Every January, my inbox lights up with the same question:
“Taresh, which are the best mutual funds to invest in this year?”
It’s a fair question in today’s app-driven world. You open an app, see top funds, five-star ratings, and one-click SIP options. But as a CFP, MBA, and NLP Coach with 37+ years of experience helping Indian families, I can tell you: investing is not just about picking funds, it’s about building a plan and staying the course.
That’s why I wrote this article. To show you — through 31 real questions and my answers — what apps won’t tell you about investing in 2025.
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An Interview with Taresh Bhatia, CFP® — 31 Questions Answered
Q1. Taresh, why should someone listen to you about mutual funds?
Because I’ve walked this path with thousands of clients. My credentials — CFP, MBA, NLP Coach — aren’t just alphabets. They reflect rigorous training in money and mindset. Apps execute transactions; I help transform financial lives.
Q2. Are you against using apps?
Not at all. Technology is wonderful. In fact, I have my own branded real-time app with 15 features, including two weekly and two monthly reports, as well as quarterly and annual reviews. My 99% retention rate demonstrates that clients appreciate my tech and my approach.
Q3. Then what’s the gap apps can’t fill?
Context, coaching, and consistency. Apps give data; I give meaning. When markets crash, algorithms don’t call you — I do.
Q4. Why write “Best Mutual Funds” if you’re against fund-chasing?
Because it’s what people search for. But “best” means “best for your goals,” not “top returns last year.” I teach clients how to use ratios and review cycles to pick funds scientifically.
Q5. How do your ratios work?
Over the years, I’ve developed my Money Triangle and Progress Ratios — benchmarks that measure allocation, risk, and progress toward goals. These provide a live health check of your plan, much like a fitness tracker for your wealth.
Q6. Can you share an anecdote of why process beats products?
In 2016, two friends invested in the same fund. One with me, one direct. When the 2020 crash occurred, my client remained invested due to our quarterly review call. The other exited in panic and re-entered late. Four years later, my client is up 35% more — same fund, different behaviour.
Q7. Why does NLP coaching matter for finance?
Money decisions are emotional. One client, a senior IT executive, was paralysed by fear of losing “hard-earned money” in equities. Through NLP reframing, we unpacked his belief system, reframed his understanding of risk, and helped him get back on track. Today, he’s a confident investor, thanking me for “saving” his retirement plan.
Q8. Isn’t the best fund obvious from rankings?
I show clients a simple table: the #1 fund five years ago is now #9, the #3 fund is now #1. Without context, you’re chasing yesterday’s winner. Apps can’t do rolling returns analysis like this for you.
Q9. How do you approach 2025 specifically?
By matching each client’s horizon to fund mandates, tax rules, and macro cycles. 2025 brings new opportunities, but also new risks. My ratios and reviews adapt more quickly than static star ratings.
Q10. Does your method also work for young investors?
Absolutely. In fact, younger clients like my quarterly webinars, dashboards and coaching. A 29-year-old client recently told me, “This feels like a fitness coach for my money.”
Q11. What’s your retention rate?
99% over five years. In a churn-heavy industry, that’s because my clients get clarity, not just transactions.
Q12. Do you only do mutual funds?
No. I take a holistic view, encompassing insurance adequacy, tax, debt optimisation, and estate planning. Mutual funds are one tool, not the goal.
Q13. What’s your favourite analogy for investors?
Arjun had the best bow but still needed Krishna. Likewise, an investor may have the slickest app but still needs a guide to overcome bias and fear.
Q14. What about cost?
Cheap advice isn’t always wise advice. You can save a small commission but lose lakhs through mistakes, tax inefficiency, or goal drift. My role is to prevent those losses.
Q15. How often do you review portfolios?
Two weekly and two monthly updates, quarterly reviews, and one annual deep dive. This rhythm builds trust and discipline.
Q16. Do you push products for commission?
No. My process is documented and goal-based. Fees and commissions are disclosed. Integrity is non-negotiable.
Q17. Why is “behavioural guidance” priceless?
Because no one calls you in a crisis to stop you from panicking — except a real advisor — in March 2020, I personally phoned over 180over 180 families to offer support. Not one of them bailed at the bottom.
Q18. Can you share a SIP success story?
A couple started with ₹20,000/month in 2010. Through step-ups and disciplined reviews, they’ve built over ₹2 crore by 2025 — not because we found magic funds, but because we built a habit and stuck to it.
Q19. What’s your take on past returns?
They’re the rear-view mirror. Useful to glance at, dangerous to steer by.
Q20. How do you handle changes in fund managers?
I proactively track mandates and manager movements. When a high-profile manager left a flagship fund in 2023, we exited before the fund’s performance began to dip.
Q21. Do you also teach clients?
Yes. Through my blog, webinars and my “Couple Finance Formula” workshops. I want clients to understand the why behind every move.
Q22. What’s the biggest mistake DIY investors make?
They overestimate knowledge and underestimate discipline. Knowing is not the same as doing.
Q23. How do you handle changing goals?
Life changes; plans adapt. We revisit our asset allocation annually and adjust SIPs accordingly.
Q24. What’s your unique value in one line?
I merge data, discipline and empathy. Most advisors have one or two; I bring all three.
Q25. How does your own app differ from public apps?
It’s built for my process: custom ratios, review reminders, goal trackers, and personal notes on your family plan. It’s not generic, it’s yours.
Q26. What do your clients say about your style?
That I’m like a “money coach”, not a salesman, that’s the biggest compliment.
Q27. How do you help clients during volatility?
With pre-decided rules. We agree in advance on the level of risk and allocation, and I act as an accountability partner when emotions rise.
Q28. Do you encourage stepping up SIPs?
Yes. Small, systematic increases beat one-time heroics. My step-up plan is why many of my clients cross the ₹2 crore mark early.
Q29. How do you decide fund appropriateness?
By matching time horizon, risk, goal criticality, and your unique ratios. Not by star ratings.
Q30. What’s your final message to someone torn between apps and an advisor?
Use tech for convenience. Use an advisor for clarity, discipline and human connection. It’s not either/or; it’s the best of both.
Q31. Why do you still love this work after 37 years?
Because I’ve seen what financial clarity does for people: marriages strengthened, retirements rescued, dreams fulfilled. Being part of that journey is my legacy.
10 More Questions I Often Get Asked
Q32. How much experience do you have, and how many market cycles have you managed?
I’ve been advising for over 37 years, across multiple bull and bear cycles — including the 1992 Harshad Mehta scandal, the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2016 demonetisation, and the 2020 COVID-19 crash. Each time, my experience kept me rational and helped me calm clients. In March 2020 alone, I personally called 180+ families to prevent panic withdrawals.
Q33. Do you have a minimum investment requirement, and what clients do you typically serve?
I specialise in mid-career professionals, entrepreneurs, and couples, but I don’t impose a high entry barrier. My focus is on people who are serious about building a plan, not just selecting funds. A young couple once began with ₹5,000/month SIPs — today they’re my ₹2-crore clients thanks to step-ups and discipline.
Q34. Who pays you — me or product companies?
I’m transparent about my compensation. Fees and commissions are disclosed in writing, and my process ensures that client-first decisions are made. This transparency has resulted in 99% client retention over the past five years — clients know exactly how I earn my income and why.
Q35. Are you SEBI-registered, and can I verify this online?
Yes. I hold a valid AMFI ARN for mutual funds and IRDAI registration for insurance, and I’m a CFP in good standing with FPSB India. I even show clients how to check my credentials online — trust begins with transparency.
Q36. Will you update me proactively or only at scheduled reviews?
Both. My system generates two weekly and two monthly reports, quarterly reviews, and an annual in-depth review. But if markets swing sharply, I will call personally. During the 2022 correction, I phoned key clients within 24 hours of significant drops.
Q37. How often will my portfolio be reviewed, and what will be included in the review?
We review goals, risk, assumptions, and asset allocation — not just returns. In one case, a client’s life goal changed (they moved abroad), and we realigned the plan mid-year, rather than waiting for an annual review.
Q38. What team/infrastructure supports you, and how is client confidentiality ensured?
My back-end systems run on secure servers with two-factor authentication. My team is trained and signed on NDAs to maintain strict confidentiality. Even my app is custom-built for my practice, with privacy controls.
Q39. What return assumptions do you use, and over what time horizon?
I use long-term, goal-aligned assumptions rather than short-term forecasts. For example, I plan equity at 12–14% and debt at 6–7% for long-term goals. This realistic framing prevents disappointment and panic selling.
Q40. What is your investment philosophy — active, passive, buy & hold, or tactical?
I combine strategic asset allocation with tactical nudges. Think of it as setting a flight plan, but adjusting altitude to account for turbulence. This balance helped my clients ride out 2020’s volatility without abandoning their SIPs.
Q41. What is the scope of your advice?
Beyond mutual funds, I guide on insurance adequacy, tax optimisation, retirement corpus, estate planning, and behavioural finance. For one senior executive, my estate planning advice saved his heirs months of legal wrangles — a benefit no app could offer.
Key Takeaways
• Apps provide convenience; advisors provide confidence.
• Ratios + Reviews > Ratings + Returns.
• Behavioural coaching is the secret sauce.
• Your life goals deserve more than an algorithm.
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Call to Action
If you’re serious about building wealth in 2025 and beyond, don’t just download another app. Let’s design a plan together. Explore my webinars, tools, and personal coaching sessions — and discover the human edge in investing.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are for educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult qualified professionals before making decisions. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks.
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The author of this article, Taresh Bhatia, is a Certified Financial Planner® and advocate for female empowerment. For more information and personalized financial guidance, please contact taresh@tareshbhatia.com
He has authored an Amazon best seller-“The Richness Principles”. He is the Coach and founder of The Richness Academy, an online coaching courses forum. This article serves educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consultation with a qualified financial professional is recommended before making any investment decisions. An educational purpose article only and not any advice whatsoever.
©️2025: All Rights Reserved. Taresh Bhatia. Certified Financial Planner®
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