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Aashish Somaiyaa’s Investment Gyaan You Can’t Afford to Miss: Simple Hai! Podcast Review
This episode of Simple Hai! with Aashish Somaiyaa dives into mutual funds, emotional investing, compounding stories, and why young India must stay invested.
Only a few talks feel this real and rooted. In one of the most insightful episodes of the Simple Hai! podcast, hosted by veteran journalist Vivek Law, Aashish Somaiyaa of WhiteOak Capital doesn’t just explain mutual funds; he narrates their journey like a personal memoir. This episode isn’t a lecture. It’s an experience that opens your eyes to the human side of investing.
Here’s why this podcast episode is unmissable and what you’ll take away from it.
Mutual Funds: Not a Transaction, But a Lifelong Journey
Aashish Somaiyaa, CEO and Executive Director at WhiteOak Capital, begins with a simple yet profound truth: Mutual funds aren’t one-time investments, but rather long-term relationships.
He compares them to long train journeys, where the destination (wealth) is reached only if you don’t jump off during the rough patches. This is especially true for schemes that have been around since the 1990s and have experienced multiple market fluctuations.
His advice? Stay on the ride. Don’t panic when the train shakes.
The Stock Market Is an Emotional Roller Coaster
Somaiyaa hits hard with this analogy. Markets are just like roller coasters, thrilling at the top, terrifying at the bottom. And like all rides, the lows don’t last.
He recalls the fear of March 2020 and the overconfidence of October 2021 to illustrate how emotions can drive poor investment decisions. “The market treats you how you treat it,” he warns, calling for calm heads and long-term thinking.
This segment teaches you something they never teach in schools: your reaction matters more than market movement.
Middle-Class India: You’re Sitting on a Goldmine
India’s youth, he believes, is the richest and luckiest generation yet.
With the country entering its “Amrit Kaal”, a 20–25-year golden era of economic opportunity. Somaiyaa says young people have every tool to build wealth: access to markets, SEBI regulation, and rising income.
All that’s missing? Patience.
Investing ≠ Gambling: Know the Difference
This one’s personal. Somaiyaa is tired of watching people confuse investing with betting. He slams the current obsession with F&O trading and speculative behaviour.
He explains how emotional mistakes lead people to sell good stocks early and hold onto bad ones. His quote sums it all up:
“People don’t decide if they’re traders or investors, the market tells them after they’ve made their mistakes.”
Power of Compounding: A Personal, Emotional Story
Here’s the real goosebump moment. Somaiyaa shares a powerful memory after his father passed away in 1989, his family lived modestly. Years later, they discovered forgotten equity investments in names like Reliance and Hero Motors.
Those old paper certificates had grown immensely in value, all thanks to the power of compounding. This wasn’t just about money. It was about legacy, trust, and the reward of patience.
If you think long-term investing is just theory, this story proves otherwise.
Scaling SIPs: The Fitness Analogy That Works
You might already be doing SIPs. But here’s what you’re probably missing: upgrading your SIP as your income grows.
Somaiyaa compares this to lifting weights at the gym. If your financial goal is growing, your SIP must too.
“Invest according to your ambition and income,” he advises.
This practical tip is one that many financial influencers often overlook.
FIRE: It’s Not All Sparkle
On the trending topic of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early), Somaiyaa shares his admiration and concern. He likes that young people today want freedom, experiences, and purpose. But he also reminds us that longer life spans and inflation can derail early retirement plans.
If you’re considering retiring at 40, this segment will prompt you to pause and reassess your plans.
Entrepreneurship Through Institutions
In a candid part of the episode, Somaiyaa opens up about his career leap from large firms to building WhiteOak Capital with Prashant Khemka. He calls himself a “professional entrepreneur”, someone who builds systems and long-term structures without always taking personal financial risks.
His goal? End the “top-performer one year, bottom-performer the next” cycle and offer steady, above-average returns.
Balance, Music, and Jagjit Singh
Even finance folks have a poetic side. Somaiyaa speaks of his love for classic Hindi music, particularly that of Jagjit Singh, Kishore Kumar, and Mukesh. It’s a refreshing reminder that money and music can coexist and that finding the right balance is the key to success.
This Episode Is a Masterclass
From emotional investing and SIP tips to personal anecdotes and national opportunity, this Simple Hai! episode with Aashish Somaiyaa is one of the most grounded financial talks you’ll hear.
It’s not just for finance nerds. It’s for anyone who earns, saves, and hopes to grow.
Don’t just add it to your playlist, listen now. Let it change the way you see money.