“Good thoughts are no better than good dreams unless they be executed”, so wrote Emerson. In the world of Money Management what Emerson wrote decades ago nothing holds more true. Most Money Managers start their profession with good thoughts to help out clients grappling with the ever-evolving complexities that surround the world of money and investing. Many others remain forever trapped in between ideologies frozen in time and a business objective to scale up. Only the chosen few have a purpose and desire to do worthwhile work. Rajesh Emani belongs to that rare breed of Money Managers.
Our paths crossed briefly in HDFC Bank at a time when both of us were not in the Money Management Profession. But since then, as our paths diverged, I have keenly followed Emani’s career in India and the MiddleEast and admired his plunge into becoming Independent Money Manager just after the Great Financial Crisis of 2008. Rajesh had at that time, a flourishing career in Citibank, a decent bank balance and a loving family. It was no time to take silly risks, let alone rock the boat in trying to do something different and meaningful for clients lost in the maze of money matters. But Rajesh did it – and he never looked back since. Over the years, what differentiated his approach to money and life – which is now recognized as the essence of “Life Centered Planning” – is a deeply-thought Core Life Investing philosophy of staying true to Life Needs, Asset-Allocation, Goal-based Investment Portfolio with principles of Sound Money Management at the core.
Over the years, I have seen his core thoughts on money, life and happiness – as he calls it- evolve and mature with great insights that continue to stay relevant in a world going weird. Doing this periodically is one thing but doing this frequently, almost every day has become second nature to Rajesh amidst the daily grind of a tough Money Manager’s life. Over the past decade, I have also been at the happy receiving end of Emani’s observations and commentaries on everything connected with life, money and happiness- which in it’s sweep has left nothing untouched in the world of Savings and Investments. On days, when there’s nothing to comment on markets or policies, he gives nuggets of wisdom taking potshots at the worlds converging into even films, politics and business. It is a daily feed that has become something to look forward to in a world of digital nonsense and noise. What is at the root of Rajesh Emani’s writings and musings is a desire to help the clients out of the money maze, cut through the noise and simplify things, and above all, the earnestness to tell the truth to the clients. Above all, reading his thoughts gives us ways to deal the money and life chaos with more resilience, optimism and simplicity – which is the ultimate sophistication. Most of it is also essential learning and timeless wisdom to navigate our lives through the many bear markets that we are yet to encounter, the many life mishaps that can be avoided, and the decisive ways we can take control of our money destiny.
Emani’s Investment Philosophy and his approach to Money and Life deserves a wider audience far beyond his outreach with clients who are in the Noah’s Ark (steered by him). I have had few disagreements with him over the years with some of his rich pickings on days but mostly realise we could be the same sailors shipping at different speeds. I am happy to recommend Rajesh Emani’s new blog www.themoneythought.com to all the readers. For Emani loyalists, it is going to be a treat and a portable treasure chest to turn up for help for any riddle in money or as a short course in achieving solid money and life literacy. For the uninitiated, it is a world of possibilities and happy money-life endings. Either ways, I am looking forward to reading it as eagerly as each of you. Hope TheMoneyThought becomes an important stepping stone in India’s financial education movement because everyone needs to pay heed to Rajesh Emani’s blueprint for Simple but Inevitable Life Wealth.
Warm Regards,
Sridhar Sattiraju
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