In 2021, there is the risk of interest rates spiking. Investors should tackle duration risk with a longer investment horizon, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Sanjay Kumar Singh suggests key factors investors need to keep an eye on while choosing the direct investment route.

Many investors, who have made money in the rising market of the recent past, are pulling out of equity funds, believing that they can earn more by investing directly.

Tax planning should not be left for March. If you do so, you could face a severe cash crunch in that month, warns Sanjay Kumar Singh.

With a 'yes' vote, there is a more foreseeable outcome, while a 'no' could result in greater uncertainty, for which retail investors may not have the appetite.

Bear in mind that the amount you get paid depends on the stage at which cancer is detected, reveals Sanjay Kumar Singh.

When looking for alternatives, consider several parameters -- your investment horizon and liquidity requirement, post-tax returns, and risk.

The accumulated interest will increase the principal and you will have to pay a higher rate. Borrowers should take the restructuring plan only after they are convinced they have exhausted all other options.

Buying a used vehicle is a lot more complicated. Not only do you have to worry about its condition, you also have to think about whether the price you are offering is anywhere close to its true value, reveals Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Such an economic environment tends to be positive for gold, the ultimate safe-haven asset. Since gold cannot be debased by central banks, it naturally gains in value.

You need to revamp both your work practices and technology tools to maintain your efficiency and effectiveness

The Budget has changed the rules for Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin visiting India. Instead of 182 days, the number of days has been reduced to 120. You will be treated as a resident of India for tax purposes if you stay in the country for more than 120 days in a financial year and 365 days in the past four years. One consequence of the change will be that people of Indian origin who reside outside India will be able to spend a smaller number of days in the country if they wish to keep their non-resident status intact, points out Sanjay Kumar Singh.

The projected increase for 2020 is lower than the average salary hike that graduates of top business schools have managed - at around 12 per cent.

'A 25 year old buying a high-value policy now will be well covered even in his 40s.'

If someone does reduce his contribution, he should scale it back to the 12% level as soon as he can, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

The worst may perhaps be over for these stocks, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

These ETFs will also carry interest-rate risk, especially the 10-year ETF. The investor can overcome this risk by holding them till maturity, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Two factors play a predominant role in fetching good returns -- stock selection and allocation, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

By evaluating their loan rate against the best available every year, borrowers can achieve considerable savings over the entire tenor, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

In case of any grievance, file a complaint with Sebi on its SCORES (Sebi Complaints Redress System) web site, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.