Mutual funds offer one of the most transparent and cost effective investment options to all categories of investors, irrespective of gender or financial constraints and other considerations, Surya Kant Sharma, Senior Consultant - North India, Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) said on Thursday. "To counter COVID-19 type challenges in life, financial planning has to be an integral part of wealth creation," Sharma said while delivering the keynote address for a webinar on 'Strategy for managing personal finance including mutual funds during and after COVID-19'.