From Rs 100 to Rs 1 crore: The small SIP strategy that works if you start early

In personal finance, most people aren’t looking for a long-term solution—they’re searching for a quick remedy. It’s evident from the most commonly searched queries on the internet: “Which is the best mutual fund?”, “What are the top-performing mutual funds?”, “Which SIP gives the best return?”, or “Which calculator can help me pick the right fund?”. These questions all reflect the same mindset—how to get rich quickly. However, real wealth creation doesn’t come from chasing the best product; it comes from adopting the right strategy and sticking to it for the long haul.

It might sound unbelievable, but investing just ₹100 a month through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) can actually help you accumulate ₹1 crore. The catch? You’ll need to invest regularly & stay invested for 48 years. This is based on an assumed annualised return of 15%, which aligns with what Indian equity markets have historically delivered over the last 35 to 40 years. And given India’s growth trajectory, there’s little reason to doubt that similar returns can’t be expected in the decades to come.

But here’s the real challenge: Can you stay committed to this small contribution, year after year, for almost half a century? Can you ignore the market noise, resist the temptation to redeem early, and maintain the discipline to invest through financial highs and lows? The problem isn’t in the math—it’s in the mindset.

If 48 years seems like too long a wait, you can always compress the journey by increasing your monthly SIP. For example, if you want to reach the ₹1 crore goal in 35 years instead of 48, you’d need to invest around ₹700 a month. That’s less than what many of us spend on a single weekend outing. Want to get there even faster—in 25 years? Just ₹3,000 a month will do. These figures aren’t out of reach for most individuals with a steady income, especially when you consider how seemingly small expenses add up over time.

The magic that makes this strategy work is not some secret mutual fund or a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity—it’s the power of compounding. When you invest consistently over a long period, the returns you earn begin to generate their own returns. This compounding effect accelerates with time, making the early years of your investment journey the most crucial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow exponentially.

Unfortunately, many potential investors get stuck at the starting line. They believe their contributions are too small to matter, or they wait for the “perfect” time or the “best” fund. But the truth is, the best time to start investing was yesterday—the second-best time is today. Starting small isn’t a limitation—it’s a strategy. It builds habit, discipline, and momentum. Over time, you can always increase the amount based on your income and financial goals.What often derails investors is the noise. Market crashes, economic headlines, peer pressure, and endless advice on where to invest can cause confusion and panic. But successful investors are rarely the ones who time the market or constantly shift between schemes. They are the ones who stay consistent, stay invested, and stay patient.So, what’s the takeaway here? Don’t wait for the stars to align before you start your investment journey. Don’t get obsessed with finding the “best” fund. Begin with what you can—₹100, ₹700, or ₹3,000. The amount isn’t the key; starting early and staying the course is. Over time, this simple habit can solve some of the biggest financial problems of your life.

The real secret to turning ₹100 into ₹1 crore isn’t in chasing returns—it’s in understanding the value of time, discipline, and consistency. And once you internalize that, you’ve already taken the first step toward long-term financial freedom.

(The article is attributed to Sachin Jain, Managing Partner, Scripbox)