MMFs invest in fixed-income instruments maturing in less than one year, minimising interest-rate risk.

'Lack of self-control over spending leads to a credit card debt trap.' 'People think they have money and spend using a credit card, but when it's time to pay, they realise they don't have the money.'

'An equity-based index fund should be held for more than five years to average out market volatility and achieve financial goals.'

'Investors should not go for lump-sum investments in infrastructure funds at this point.' 'The SIP route is the best to avoid any major disappointment.'

These funds at times invest in companies going through corporate restructuring, such as mergers, demergers, or buybacks.

A retirement fund can be helpful for all age groups, but ideally one should start investing early to beat market swings and gain from compounding.

'Liquid ETFs help in cash management by enabling a smooth transition between equity and cash within the same settlement cycle, as they trade in the same segment as equity.'

Do not shop around for loans immediately after getting a secured credit card. Such loan enquiries can also pull down credit score, as they are treated as a sign of credit-hungry behaviour.

An allocation to ESG theme funds can bring down the overall risk of an equity portfolio. Investors with long-term financial goals, such as retirement, should not ignore sustainable investing.

'Your decisions should not be driven by your view on the market, but by your objectives, risk appetite, and time horizon.'

Regardless of market levels, invest in stocks and equity mutual funds in a staggered manner.

These schemes are a good choice for investors contemplating a large investment in equity funds. Instead of investing all the money in one go, they can do so in a staggered manner by parking it in these schemes and then transferring it to equity mutual funds through a systematic transfer plan.

While selecting a smallcap scheme, go with one that has a good track record and a stable fund manager.

Investors may take a 5 to 10 per cent exposure to silver. 'Have a long-term investment horizon when investing in silver ETFs to ride out short-term market fluctuations.'

'It is the best avenue for investors who would like to take long-term exposure to gold.'

'Building a credit history is a gradual process that requires at least 6-12 months of consistent credit activity.'

Fund managers often find themselves selling bonds at prices below their fair value to meet redemption demands. Investors are the ultimate losers in this. CDMDF aims to remedy this by stepping in and purchasing securities at their fair value in such times.

'They can transition from short to long-duration funds when the yield curve normalises.'

Prospective buyers must make a well-considered decision regarding whether this is the right time to buy a house, particularly with home loan rates at near-peak levels, and the risk of job losses looming in many sectors.

High dividend yield stocks usually perform well in a rising interest rate environment when investors value cash flows more.