Being aware and informed helps. As happened with Navi Mumbai-based Kaushal Dongre. He became aware of investing in mutual funds through systematic investment plans (SIPs) from reading personal finance related news. Eventually he started investing in regular mutual fund plans through an agent. However, Kaushal and his wife Sayali, felt a strong need to consult a planner to align their long-term goals when they were expecting their child in 2013.