Citibank fraud: An eye-opener for HNIs
For high net worth individuals (HNIs), who hire wealth managers to take investment decisions on their behalf, the alleged Rs 400 crore-fraud by Citibank's wealth management team employee should come as a wake-up call. Fixed income investors spoilt for choice in 2011
While, bank fixed deposit rates underperformed inflation, debt mutual funds schemes also could not generate positive inflation-adjusted returns. Investing in stocks? 4 GOLDEN tips
Avoid these mistakes, and your money will be safe. How momentum helps you trade profitably
Momentum indicators are the building blocks of a trading system as they help us firm up trading strategies and entry and exit points from a trade. Mutual Funds: High returns, low risk
Choose schemes correctly, and with a historical record. The rest is easy... How tax saving bonds can help you
Section 54EC bonds give positive returns, despite a lock-in and tax on interest income. Looking for an ideal portfolio? Read this
Stick to asset allocation, use tax-efficient instruments and invest in line with risk profile. Now, no big home loans over 80% of property value!
Concerned over excessive flow of banking funds to the real estate sector, the Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said lenders will provide loans only up to 80 per cent of the cost of property. Here are some options in tax-saving investments
PPF fits all portfolios, except those earning basic pay of over Rs 8.3 lakh yearly. The secrets of loss-proof investing
During a stock market top, everyone thinks they can tolerate huge allocations to stocks and see no problem being invested 100 per cent in equity. When personal loans outshine loans against gold
A personal loan can score over a loan against gold in some cases, if you compare the interest rate, tenure and charges for the two products. Tips to plan for your child's graduate studies
If you can, invest in property to insulate your investments from inflation. Plan for your tomorrow, today!
The average fund at the time of retirement is just Rs 52,000 per individual, people are still keen on contributing to a retirement fund, because traditional structures, such as the joint family, or children supporting parents, are changing. Protect your money with diverse investments
A 75:25 debt-equity investment strategy ensures no loss of principal, plus returns as well. How to learn to live with inflation
The value of money will continue to be hit by inflation. The only way to counter it is by having investments that give better returns. How to decide when to sell a share
When trouble strikes a company, it's best to sell its shares and reassess the situation. How to use market volatility to your advantage
Retail investors should park only a small portion of money in arbitrage funds. Now, insurance agents can't mis-sell to you
A look at some terms used in these policies and what they mean. Get richer by curbing expenses!
Unless watched, rising expenses could undermine your wealth creation. It pays to understand investing!
Investing is thought to be a job for a highly qualified, trained and veteran professional who has seen the ups and downs of markets, and has come out of the downs in green. Complex valuations, insider news, contacts with large investors, high value trading, etc. are some thought-to-be pre-requisites for one to make money in the markets. If you are the one who has links to the latest buzz in the market before anyone else, then you are gifted with profitability and success. HRA deduction and how to calculate it
It depends on the city and the rental being paid. Top 7 things to do with your credit report
You will be able to access your credit scores in December 2010. The score will range from 300 to 900, indicating the levels of default. It will be available to consumers for a sum not exceeding Rs.100 as prescribed by the RBI. CIBIL, which already has a huge database of credit reports - which are currently consulted by banks before sanctioning a loan is putting up the infrastructure to be ready to service consumers who wish to access their credit reports. Why you must take a joint home loan
The most significant advantage of a joint home loan is the increase in your loan eligibility. Incomes of the individuals taking a joint home loan are combined to determine the eligibility and it results in a higher loan amount. Special: What investors can learn from gamblers
Here is some sparkling advice from the Red Joker, the gambler par excellence, to the investor. Not using your bank account? You will be fined
If you fail to carry out any transaction for 24 months through your bank account, it can be frozen. How to make your own financial plan
Embarking on a do-it-yourself strategy requires initiative, discipline and knowledge. Why it makes sense to invest more in your PF
EPFO's suggestion to hike interest on EPF is with Finance Ministry. What it means for you... Stock basics: All you want to know about PE ratio
investors sometimes fail to understand the factors that determine it. Investing in stocks? How to get richer
Use a range of investment options to get an assured return even as you shelter your principal. Don't worry about Sensex
Risk appetite should be the prime concern. Why wait for refund? Avoid tax at source
Use forms 15G and 15H to avoid tax at source. How to stay RICH all your life
Life cycle investing theory proposes different portfolios for different stages of one's life in order to stay rich all life long. How to get the BEST car loan
Here's what you need to look at to get the best deal from the zillions in the market. 5 ways working couples can save income tax
The provisions of deduction of tax at source apply to both but in some cases it is possible to save tax through proper tax planning. Selling your house? How to get the best deal
Earn a premium by making your property presentable. Should you prepay your home loan?
While most households take a long-term loan, they are keen to de-leverage and pay off the loan before the completion of the term. Profit booking in Esops can be taxing
With the stock market nearing its all-time high, the best way out is to sell them in tranches. 5 tips for taking an apartment on rent
For whatever reason you are looking to move to an accommodation, do make a note of all your requirements before you make your final choice. Should you pay for financial advice?
A good financial advisor costs money. But he takes the responsibility of ensuring your financial stability. Understanding EMI and your income
In the current scenario of rising interest rates it is vital that you understand important elements in the loan taking process, helping you make an informed decision when it comes to balancing your monthly budget and your loan repayment. Planning to buy a house? Read this first!
The asset also has emotional value and therefore families should perform meticulous research before buying the same. The following is a set of must-dos before buying a house. Booked profits? Be careful about re-entering
In the last six months, investors have consistently booked profits and taken out money from both the secondary market and mutual funds. Since April, Rs 14,624 crore has been redeemed from mutual funds and another Rs 4,838.92 crore from the equity market. How to make your child money clever
Just like we inculcate good habits in a child, shouldn't we make our children money clever from a young age? How good is your financial health?
Your financial health, for instance, can be diagnosed by looking at a few ratios. Why KYC is mandatory now
There is no escaping the paperwork while investing in financial products. Be it, opening a new bank account, demat account or buying insurance, filling the Know Your Client (KYC) documents is a mandatory procedure today. Don't confuse life insurance with wealth-building
Life insurance protects the income generator, and only when income generation is secured can one build wealth. Yes, you can withdraw from your PF, PPF account
While it is suggested that withdrawals and loans against long-term instruments are not the wisest steps, if you really need to do so, here are a few options. . . How to select a profitable sector to invest in
To find the right stocks to invest in, it's not enough to simply start looking for specific companies that are doing well. Loans? New agencies to ensure speedy approval
More credit bureaus to ensure faster dispute resolution. Mutual funds are still the best bet
The Indian mutual fund industry has evolved greatly in the last few years and the regulator has pushed it to become more transparent and investor-friendly. Investing? How a SIP can help
When an investor opts for a systematic investment plan (SIP) in mutual funds, the purpose is to average the cost of buying a bouquet of stocks, inculcate discipline and not having to worry about daily market fluctuations. Are pension products good for retirement?
Financial services and products are rarely evaluated rationally and thoroughly before a decision is taken MFs: Why 5-star rating won't work always
If you thought high ranking was enough to invest in mutual funds, it's not. Policy lapse? Check out the revival options
More than nine million policies with a combined risk cover of over Rs 1,00,000 crore lapsed in 2008-09, reveals the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda). 6 financial tools to secure your child's future
The following is a list of six financial instruments which parents can consider for building enough financial resources to take care of their child's future. How to master stock market investments
Some tips to become a master of stock market investing 10 smart tips to use your credit card!
Your credit card can be the single most important factor in improving and increasing your credit score. On the other hand it can also plummet your score to dark depths if you are not careful. Think smart and use your credit cards to your advantage. Financial planning: Some useful tips
It is good you have invested in the equity market with a long-term horizon of 10 years. Investing? Consumer durables stocks bullish
While demand for consumer durables has been growing fast, investors need to be selective as stock valuations have risen even faster. Bad investments? Curse your strategy, not luck
Avoid timing the market: A smart investor should follow a regular and disciplined investment approach. Some smart ways to save and still have fun
Recession is an ugly word. And one of the fallouts of globalisation is the ripple effect that the state of one economy has on multiple others, whether they are directly or indirectly connected. With the economy of the US currently in a tailspin, the effects are far-reaching, so it's especially wise, at this point, to take a good look at how you spend, and where your hard-earned money is going. Gold: An all-season asset
Gold is considered as a sign of prosperity in India. This yellow metal is an important part of any occasion among the Indian families. Investing in gold? Read this first
India is crazy about gold jewellery. With the World Gold Council aggressively marketing social and religious functions as gold buying events, the demand has shot up in the recent years to record levels. ETF strategies to protect your investments
Experts say the worst is over for the global economic markets but the markets don't seem to fully agree as they still fluctuate and remain unpredictable. Cashless mediclaim: Pvt insurers to adopt PSU rate
By packaging rates and stabilising costs, insurers expect to cut expenses. Are you a habitual defaulter? A MUST read
Look out for the telltale signs... Know more about these tax deductions
Would you like to save some tax money? Have you made use of all the tax deductions that the law provides? There may be eligible deductions in many of the expenses that you incur. Which is the best credit card for you?
A credit card offers convenience and safety along with well packaged privileges and benefits. Here is an overview of various credit card types offered by banks. What the new tax code unfolds for the taxpayers
The revised draft of DTC has proposed some major changes for the taxpayers. However, the changes in the revised draft are far from being the bold changes envisaged in the earlier draft. Irregular income? Here's what you should do
Professionals with erratic incomes need to make lump sum decisions in terms of buying insurance and investing. 11 IPOs to hit market in Sept; some dos and don'ts
People planning to invest money in primary market would have a number of choices to park their savings this month, as about a dozen of companies are expected to bring out their IPOs in September. 7 common investing mistakes you MUST avoid
Here's a list of the seven common investing mistakes that you should avoid at any cost. How to save tax when selling property
You can invest the proceeds in capital gains bond or reinvest in another residential property. New tax code: Penalty for evasion lightens!
While the tax burden for an average taxpayer will lighten marginally, for tax evaders the Direct Taxes Code proposes to reduce penalties substantially. Low-cost housing? Here come new lenders!
A new crop of lending agencies like Dewan Housing Finance, Gruh Finance, Micro House Finance Corporation, SEWA and Mahindra Rural Housing Finance have entered the market. Tax code: Why you must opt for higher basic salary
If the Direct Taxes Code Bill does not undergo further changes, employees in the lower tax bracket will get more retirement benefits, provided they opt for a higher basic salary. Income tax deductions that you must not miss
Knowledge of the income tax laws is indispensable. There may be tax deductions available that you may not be aware of. New tax code: Hardly any savings for the salaried
Let's take a quick look at how the salaried class will be affected post the implementation of the New Direct Taxes Code in its latest avatar. Get desi education with NRI loan!
Educational institutions in India have a quota system for non resident Indians (NRIs). But the catch is that the fees are higher than what resident students pay. How to protect your investments from asset bubbles
An asset bubble occurs when the prices of assets are over-inflated due to an excess of demand. Gift your sister a good financial habit
As individuals get smarter about financial planning, financial services companies have started promoting and packaging products to address the demand. How your credit card affects your credit rating
Reckless spending on credit cards will lead you into a maze of spiralling debt before you realise what hit you! How new banking licences could benefit consumers
The apex bank has come out with a discussion paper on entry of new private banks to broaden the reach of banking in the country. 7 rules to become a great investor
Generally, savvy investors have certain traits in common and have learned how to handle markets in all their variety. Check out what it takes to be a great investor... How to deal with debt carefully
Avoid long-term debt funds for the next couple of months and track the direction of interest rates till October. Planning finance for disabled family members
Invest in the right instruments to ensure that disabled family members do not face any financial crunch. Understand key words before investing
Intricate trading strategies, lots of jargon and arcane pricing formulae are what make derivatives' trading difficult to understand. Home buyers, pay attention to paperwork!
A home is on everyone's wishlist. Obtaining home finance is however not an easy task and involves several steps to be completed in tandem. One such step is gathering all the critical documentation needs without which a bank or lender may not sanction a loan. This article attempts to provide a detailed account of the different documents that need to be in place before you can avail a loan. Evading taxes? Here's how you could get caught
Tax evasion is an illegal activity which entails not filing income tax returns altogether or misrepresenting the tax payable amount. Where should you get your gold? Here's help
Gold is a 'must have' in your investment portfolio. Frankly, there is no need to advocate investment in gold amongst Indian audiences. Traditionally it is a popular avenue of investment for Indians. However buying jewellery is not as good an investment as buying pure 24 karat gold. Hence, when we talk of gold as an investment, we mean gold coins, gold biscuits or gold bars – any piece of 24 karat gold. ` 6 GOLDEN tips to help you create wealth
Investing in the stock market and deciding to buy a particular stock are two different decisions. The latter requires proper analysis. Cashless health cover: What you must do
When faced with a medical emergency, you pay cash or use your credit card, instead of asking why the hospital is not accepting your cashless medical insurance. 7 big investment risks and how to tackle them
Investment risk implies the possibility of receiving lower than expected return, or not receiving any return at all, or even not getting your principal amount back. Investment options for NRIs in India
ADRs are traded just like stocks. A dummy's guide to G-Secs investment
The RBI issues these securities via an auction mechanism through out the year on a calendar schedule. April - July 2010 | February -March 2010