CATEGORIES

MANY-IN-ONE: WHICH COMBINATION OF ASSETS SUITS YOU?

Six multi-asset allocation funds have been launched this year and more are in the pipeline. Are they right for you?

SPREADING JOY BY WAY OF GIVING

Want to donate for a cause this festive season? You can make the usual donations in cash, kind or by way of volunteering to the cause that you care for

BUYING A HOUSE? ASSESS THE FREEBIES

Freebies from property developers may look attractive, but they should not be the only factors to settle for a real estate deal. Apart from evaluating the offers, assess the builder, too

TREADING THE FINE BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVING

It's easy to go overboard with your expenses during festival time. Take stock of your spending and saving accounts to strike the right balance

Digital Fraud: What Puts Seniors At Risk And What They Can Do?

The elderly are more susceptible to digital frauds, but a little awareness and carefulness can keep them safe. Read on to know what can help them

INCREMENTAL CASH RESERVE RATIO

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its bimonthly policy in August announced that banks will need to maintain 10 per cent incremental cash reserve ratio (ICRR) starting from August 12.

TIE PRODUCTS TO YOUR NEEDS

If you don't invest in products suitable to your needs, your retirement goals will remain a dream, regardless of the fancy assets that you acquire

MF RECIPE TO HEALTHY RETIREMENT

The average life expectancy in India has doubled since 1950s, and with the rising cost of living, mutual funds could be the medicine to ensure our funds outlive us

Taxation

It was in the financial year 1997-98 that the government first brought in income tax slabs of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent in what was dubbed the \"dream budget\" presented by the then Union Minister of Finance P. Chidamabaram. At that time, the highest tax slab applied to incomes above ₹1.5 lakh, while income up to ₹40,000 had no tax liability. There was a big tax incentive for investors in Provident Fund too.

Financial Planning

Investment advisory in India was fragmented for a long period of time. In the 1990s and early 2000s, most people relied on brokers, mutual fund distributors and insurance agents, but more for making investments rather than for seeking advice. The other set of advisors by default were chartered accountants, who while helping individuals file their tax returns also informed them about investments that could reduce the tax liability. Until then, the most sold products were insurance policies and bank fixed deposits.

Banking

From teaching children the concept of saving small amounts and seeing it grow to inspiring trust among the vast majority of individuals, especially senior citizens, with guaranteed returns from deposits, to holding borrowers' hands in their times of need, banking has had a major role to play in the financial lives of individuals.

Insurance

Insurance has been part of the financial lexicon for years now. What has changed to some extent though is how it perceives insurance.

Investment

In India, the practice of saving has been passed down through generations. However, the modes of saving have undergone a sea change. While earlier, parents guided their newly-employed children to open recurring deposits in banks or buy life insurance, now many are emphasising on systematic investment plans (SIPs) of mutual funds.

The Financial Sherpa You Need

Getting the right advice can play a major role in achieving financial freedom, but whose advice are you taking? We sift through the financial advisory landscape in India to look at the options investors have and where they should go

Read Between The Storylines

Regardless of the narrative being pushed or the magic bullet being offered for your investing goals, evaluate investments for their merits and suitability

HOW TO SURVIVE A LAYOFF?

Surviving a layoff requires both resilience and a foolproof financial plan. Here's how to create one and navigate the turbulence in one's career

LADDER YOUR FDs TO CREATE A CUSHION AGAINST RATE CHANGES

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) paused policy rates in the last two monetary policy announcements in April and June 2023, but it’s not clear if it is the end of the interest rate hike cycle.

Taking Advantage Of Arbitrage Funds

You can get a significant tax advantage in arbitrage funds if the holding period is over a year, but remember that it is not a substitute for liquid funds

GOOD TIME TO BOW OUT OF YOUR ENDOWMENT POLICY?

Endowment policies, typically, offer low coverage and returns compared to other insurance and investment products. If you have one, should you surrender it? If so, when is the right time?

SMALL TOWNS, BIG WEALTH

Old-school trusted advice combined with curiosity about new-age investments defines HNIs of smaller cities. The investment decisions they make now can have far-reaching impact on the financialisation of the country's economy in the long run

Did You Sign Up For That Debt Recovery Call?

If you opt to be a loan guarantor, lenders can recover the dues from you if the primary borrower defaults. But if you didn’t sign up and still got that call, here’s what may have gone wrong and what to do about it

STATE DEVELOPMENT LOANS

States raise funds from the market up to a prescribed limit through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for various social developmental projects. One of the ways is by issuing bonds called state development loans (SDLs), which usually come with a tenure of 10 years or more.

Best Of The Lot In 2023

Outlook Money’s India’s Best Funds 2023 issue aims to empower you with valuable insights and analysis, to enable you to take well-informed decisions on the funds you already own or the ones you plan to invest into

Will MARS Mean The Moon To Retirees?

The pension regulator’s MARS, which envisages delivering minimum assured returns, could give a new fi llip to NPS by drawing more conservative investors into the scheme

HERE'S HOW TO FILE YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN

The last date of filing income tax return (ITR) is round the corner. It's important to file your ITR within the due date to avoid penalties and make the most of the tax benefits available to you.

Credit Score Tales Of Hits 'N' Misses

Maintaining a good credit score is important. Here are eight tales of credit scores, late payments, and a near-perfect 894 as we observed the Credit Score Awareness Week

New Interlocking Paradigms: Productivity and Green Growth for Sustainability

With Governments working to address and reverse the real and imminent challenge of climate change, the Asian Productivity Organisation takes a leadership role in helping the green transition with the participation of its members

Travel Now Pay Later: Could Your Dream Holiday Become A Debt Trap?

Go for a travel now pay later loan option if you have considered all the pros and cons as it can turn into a debt trap after the interest-free phase and jeopardise your monthly cash flow

When Buying A Used Car May Be The Better Choice

You may buy a used car if that's what you need, provided you can spot the fake from the genuine parts and possible issues waiting to ruin your trip

When, Why, How Of Portfolio Review

The most important thing to consider while reviewing your portfolio is whether it is still serving your financial goals, and whether the goals themselves require any revision