Handsome actor Siddharth Arora, who is currently seen as Beera in Colors’ Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha Season 2, is a qualified Investment Manager who worked with ICICI Mutual Fund. Naturally, he understands the process of investment pretty well. So let’s talk to him about finances and how he handles them. Excerpts: How important is money to you? Money, for me, is a need. Undoubtedly, it’s important for survival but I would choose other things I value over money. Are you an impulsive buyer? I am strictly not an impulsive buyer; I weigh the pros and cons before buying anything. What are the investments that you have made so far? I have my investments in mutual funds both in equity and debt. What has been your most expensive purchase till date? My most expensive and dear thing that is yet to come will be a home in Mumbai, whenever I buy one. Do you feel financially secured? In a city like Mumbai and profession like acting, one can never feel financially secured. Who handles your expenses? I handle my own expenses since I am a qualified MBA and have two years of experience working as an investment manager. What was your first salary? My first salary was a stipend of Rs 2000 when I was working in a call centre in Delhi. How much money do you carry every day? I hardly carry cash and most of the time I am cashless. I prefer carrying my debit card instead though I don’t like credit cards. Any advice for new investors? Yes, everyone should invest in mutual funds; it’s the best form of investment over a period of time. But unfortunately people don’t take an initiative to understand its mechanism.