Investment is increasingly becoming an integral part of public financial planning. Easy access through technology has made investment activities more accessible to various groups, no longer limited to those with large capital or extensive financial experience. Amid dynamic market conditions, the public still needs to manage their finances carefully, including setting aside a measured budget for investment.
Certified Financial Planner Lolita Setyawati revealed that public interest in investment has undergone a significant shift in recent years. While investors previously focused on quick-profit products, more people are now considering alignment with their risk profile, financial goals, and the transparency of investment management.
Amid a growing variety of instruments, investors have also begun paying attention to how their investments are allocated. For some investors, this serves as an additional consideration, as investment is viewed not only for its return potential, but also to understand whether the managed investment is connected to the real sector. One such area is MSME productive financing, which plays a crucial role in driving the grassroots economy.
To ensure investments provide optimal benefits, the public needs to understand their financial goals, risk profile, and financial condition before choosing an investment instrument. Lolita shared several tips for investing safely.
First, ensure basic finances are secure. Before starting to invest, it is important to understand one’s personal financial situation. “Investing should ideally be done when basic needs are well-managed, including having a healthy cash flow, controlled debt payments, and an established emergency fund. Ideally, an emergency fund should cover six times monthly expenses. However, if that is not yet possible, start with at least two to three times monthly expenses,” Lolita said in a press release on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Lolita reminded the public not to use emergency funds or borrowed money to invest. Investments should ideally use ‘idle money’—funds not intended for primary needs in the near future.
Second, understand your goals and risk profile. “Do not invest simply because you see others making profits or out of fear of missing out on trends. Feeling anxious about investing is normal,” she noted.
Third, choose products that are legal and logical. Fourth, consider the added value of the investment allocation. For some investors, this is important as it helps them know how their funds are managed and which sectors receive the capital. One way to do this is through investments that connect public capital with the productive financing needs of MSMEs in Indonesia.
Productive Financing
“Investments connected to MSME productive financing can be a viable option, provided investors continue to understand the legality, mechanism, risks, and potential returns,” Lolita explained.
Chief Funding Officer at Amartha, Julie Fauzie, stated that investing in MSME productive financing serves as a medium- to long-term investment option aligned with the financing needs of MSMEs across various business cycles.
By investing, the public not only plans their financial future but also helps expand financing access for the real sector, driving economic growth.
“Amid uncertain market conditions, people need to be increasingly prudent in selecting investment products. When capital is directed toward MSMEs, the economic impact can be far-reaching. Through productive financing, MSMEs can gain access to capital to expand their businesses, increase family income, and create jobs,” Julie said.
