# Five steps for Gen Z to build wealth from first paycheck

2026-08-07T06:00:52+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Two financial experts have laid out simple roadmaps for young first-time earners to build wealth. Feroze Azeez, joint CEO of Anand Rathi Wealth, advises Gen Z to first build an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses in a liquid fund or fixed deposit before starting SIPs in equity mutual funds. Once the buffer is ready, redirect monthly savings into goal-based long-term investments and increase SIPs as income grows. Separately, SEBI-registered analyst Shashank Udupa recommends keeping 12 months of expenses as a cushion, buying term and health insurance with cancer riders, and allocating investments by goal timelines, not product names. He urges tracking real returns after tax and inflation to avoid owning products that only feel safe.

## Coverage

- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/how-genzs-can-build-wealth-starting-from-first-paycheck-expert-lists-5-steps-on-financial-planning-11785998014888.html>
- livemint.com <https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/starting-to-invest-at-25-4-simple-steps-to-build-your-financial-roadmap-11786186310080.html>

Tags: emergency fund, Gen Z, mutual funds, personal finance, SIPs
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-should-build-emergency-funds-before-chasing-wealth/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-should-build-emergency-funds-before-chasing-wealth/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.