"Investing in stocks is like gambling"

Money. That's what drives everyone in the final analysis, whether in the glamour world of acting or the hard grind of scripting and producing. Cashin' In sits down with TV celebs to know well they handle their financial matters, and tracks their spending patterns. Telly vamps are forever loaded with loud, embroidered sarees and even louder make up, but Mansi Verma is an exception. Her svelte figure and hep attire broke the myth that a negative character should always dress evil. Though, on- screen Mansi throws a care-a-damn attitude, in real life she does care about one thing, that is, her finances. Sameera Kapoor chats up with this sensible lass who knows where to draw the line. "Diamonds aren't safe investments" How do you ensure that your hard earned money is well managed? My CA keeps a tab on my accounts. I have invested in various insurance plans and schemes like Public Provident Funds (PPF) and Fixed Deposits (FD). I also consider gold and gold coins as a sound investment, because when you sell them you benefit from it, which is not the same in case of diamonds. So diamonds are'nt safe investments. What about real estate? Certainly, I would like to invest in properties when I do set aside appropriate funds. With the boom in real estate, investing in it is a safe bet. And stocks? No way. It's like gambling and my earnings are not meant to be risked. There's not guarantee of the returns. "I used to be a frivolous shopper..." Don't you indulge yourself? Ya, I do shop a lot, freak out and pamper myself with massages and beauty treatments. That's quite some amount to splurge! Are you an impulsive buyer? I used to be a frivolous shopper. But now I'm quite careful with my money and try to maintain a balance. I have become a conscious buyer and spend only when necessary. Approximately, by the end of a month, how much do you end up spending on yourself? As I have learnt to restraint myself, I don't spend a great deal. It could be somewhere between Rs.3000 to Rs.5000. So how much money do you carry on an every day basis? Anything between Rs.1000 to Rs.1500. Do you own a car? Is it on loan? Yes, it's a Hyundai Accent. It holds dear to me as it was my first buy when I started earning.