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May 31, 2007

Beware of 'lifestyle inflation'
The most important thing to do is to recognize lifestyle inflation and then account for the same when you make your financial plan.

Where investors go wrong...
Equity investment ought to be treated as a long-term call

May 30, 2007

Some golden investment tips
Do not delay implementing the investment plan because your time already started yesterday.

Reverse mortgage: All you want to know
One typical feature with most senior citizens is that their residential property accounts for a significant portion of their total asset pie

May 29, 2007

Of MFs, exit load and safe investment
Exit loads must be used strictly for only one purpose and that is not to pay for the AMC's advertisements

How to earn, post retirement
An annuity product gives you a steady income for as long as you live.

May 28, 2007

Salary: How to avoid getting 'CTCed'
The simplest way for individuals while negotiating salaries is to clearly ask what the take home salary at the end of the month is going to be.

Good asset allocation = BIG money
The odd super performer does not increase your wealth, great asset allocation does.

May 26, 2007

A beginner's guide to online trading
All you need is a computer, net connection and a subscription to a 3-in-1 online investing account

What does Jeevan Anand offer?
There is little doubt that the policy offers some interesting features, but these do not come for free, policy holders have to pay for the same by way of higher premiums.

May 25, 2007

NFOs: New monkeys, old tricks!
With regards to NFOs, we have a clear action plan for investors -- avoid NFOs, instead opt for well-managed, existing funds from that category (of the NFO) with well-established track records over the long-term, especially during a market downturn.

Invest in FMPs or FDs? Read on
Invest with a fund house with pedigree and reputation.

AIG India Equity Fund: How good is it?
The fund has opened for subscription on May 3, 2007 and will close on May 31, 2007.

Tools for the right investment decision
Diversification is a strategy to reduce the risk (downside) whereas concentration is a strategy to enhance returns (upside).

May 24, 2007

Why being financially fit is a must
Now, the circumstances to get financially fit are easier than ever before, given that you are educated and earning fairly well.

May 23, 2007

Is your mutual fund sitting on your cash?
If your fund unjustifiably holds a large amount of cash, stop investing and take a relook at its capability to spot opportunities.

Answered! Your queries on tax, ESOPs
Your wait for the calculation of the benefits of ESOPs is over, as the government will soon come up with a detailed guideline, says tax expert Subhash Lakhotia.

May 22, 2007

The RBI's gift to home buyers
The Reserve Bank of India's recent move will make home loans up to Rs 20 lakh cheaper. But that would be just good enough to buy you a house in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

May 21, 2007

Pros can be conned too. Beware!
If you buy a mutual fund, unit linked life insurance or direct equities, you have some rights. But you also have some obligations.

A list of good, bad & ugly loans
While almost every thing is available on loan, you should only take the ones that are important.

Don't sell your car after 3 years for tax benefits
Do not sell your car after three years for tax benefits.

May 19, 2007

Do you invest with conviction?
With so many existing mutual funds and many more being launched every month, the challenge for investors is to ensure that they are invested in the right fund.

A 10-step guide to evaluating mutual funds
Mutual funds are a convenient way to invest in the stock markets

May 17, 2007

I-T department taxes you in 8 new ways!
8 new I-T returns now replace the old Saral forms. Of these, 4 are for individuals and HUFs, and the rest for companies, charitable, religious, political and non-profit bodies.

How to fund your goals, smartly!
You have saved and invested wisely towards your financial goals. As you move closer to a particular goal, you need money to fund the same and it is imperative that you have chalked out a strategy of withdrawal or payout.

How much risk can you take?
The advisor must know your risk preference.

How to evaluate real estate stocks
It is important to focus on the 'affordability factor'

May 16, 2007

5 steps to select an insurance advisor
Insurance has a vital role to play in each individual's portfolio from the perspective of indemnifying against risks in case of an eventuality

May 15, 2007

Investing? Ask these 5 questions
If investors are aware of all the necessary information, they would certainly make an informed investment decision.

Dreaming big can make you rich! Here's how
First step to realize any dream is to crystallize it

Mutual funds: What's hot, what not
Mutual funds continued to buy into oil and gas, banking and finance, telecom, and media stocks in April

May 14, 2007

Tips to preparing a contingency fund
And, while preparing this kitty, one often forgets to include payments, which happen infrequently

K.I.S.S.: Secret to strong portfolio
Restraint and focus could help build a strong portfolio

May 12, 2007

All about AIG India Equity Fund
The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation from a diversified portfolio of predominantly equity and equity-related securities including equity derivatives.

When tax forms get taxing
One has to mention the acknowledgement number and the date of filing of four quarterly returns.

May 11, 2007

Why it makes sense to invest in property
Property qualifies for a presence in an investment portfolio.

Investing: How to do it the right way
An investor would be better off concentrating on the job on hand than to spend a lot of time towards investments

Smart ways to fund your child's education
It is important to plan for your children's education well in advance

May 10, 2007

Avoid debt trap when taking a loan
Prudent selection of debt will go a long way in building a financially secure and peaceful future.

How to build a mutual fund portfolio
It is important to engage the services of a competent and experienced financial planner who can help you build a mutual fund portfolio

May 09, 2007

Low on risk? Here's how to earn better returns
All investments should be backed up with a solid plan.

May 08, 2007

How much property must you own?
Assets have varying cycles; put simply, these are the ups and downs in the assets' fortunes.

How to fund your child's education
The different options that will finance your child's education.

May 07, 2007

Why financial planning is MUST
It especially helps if you are nervous about how to achieve your goals or want a reality check on your current plan.

MFs: 5 questions you always wanted to ask
For a new investor the right way to begin is consider well diversified funds that invest predominantly in large cap stock

Rent or buy a house? Be realistic!
Our article Should you buy a house or stay on rent? has generated a lot of response. While some visitors have agreed with our stand, others have differed. In this note, we respond to some of the points of disagreement.

Dividend payouts: What you need to know
Choose the growth option in equity funds and dividend option in debt funds

Free health insurance from office? No more!
The days of free group healthcare could be over, it's time to fund your own medical policies.

How NOT to fall into a debt trap
It would be great if you do not find yourself in a situation where loans exceed your ability to repay.

Single parent? Tips to manage work & money
It is tough for single parents to cope with children, work and finances. A few tips...

May 04, 2007

Should you surrender your insurance policy?
If insurance was a good investment product, I am sure this question would not have come up. But the answer, I am afraid, will not be a plain 'yes' or 'no.'

May 03, 2007

Why the year may not be good for IT
But if you, as an investor, still want to invest in the IT sector, take the mutual fund route.

Want to make money in stocks? Be patient
If India sustains long-term growth, you could make good money off the stock market.

May 01, 2007

Does your mutual fund walk the line?
Our advice for investors � give the fund a miss for now; evaluate the fund's performance over the 3-Yr period and based on the same, consider making an investment in the fund, when in turns open-ended. Our rationale is fairly simple.