You do not like taking credit and avoided any loans and credit cards thus far. You would pay cash or use your debit card/net banking to make payments rather than using a credit card. Its a matter of choice. And a prudent financial habit too. Non-usage of credit cards takes away the possibility of overspending… Continue Reading
Personal loans are easily available. Many banks even claim to provide instant personal loans. You get regular email alerts that you have a pre-approved loan. And if you are planning a very expensive vacation, don’t think twice because the personal loan is yours for the taking. The picture is rosy. Your ego is bloated. Cost… Continue Reading
Whether credit cards are useful or harmful depends on the person who uses it. To a prudent spender, a credit card means discounts, cash backs, reward points, easy and interest-free credit. To an irresponsible spender or someone who is struggling with cash flows, credit card may mean high interest rates, minimum payments, penal charges and… Continue Reading
Ministry of Finance and EPFO have been on overdrive to ease partial withdrawal rules from EPF. With “Housing for All by 2022” in mind, there has been significant relaxation in EPF partial withdrawal rules if you want to withdraw to acquire a house. No Need for Multiple Claim Forms In a press release dated February… Continue Reading
Many of us have grown so fond of rewards points that we even want to make our investments through credit cards. Sounds good, right? It is like having a cake and eating it too. Many times, I hear this question (investment through credit card) at the end of the financial year when many of us… Continue Reading
I do not think there will ever be a crisp answer to this question. First, when the “right property” comes along, you will convince yourself to stretch your budget and go for a larger home loan. So, all the calculations and discussion on this topic may be futile to some extent. Well, nothing wrong in… Continue Reading
Refinancing a loan simply means availing a loan from a new lender to pay off an existing one. You approach a new lender for loan refinancing/balance transfer. The new lender sanctions the loan and settles your loan outstanding with the existing lender. Subsequently, your obligation with the existing lender terminates and a new repayment obligation… Continue Reading
You may be really excited to have negotiated a good interest rate for your loan with a bank. However, is the interest rate the only aspect in determining your cost of loan? What about the ancillary charges? Such charges also affect the cost of your loan, don’t they? [pullquote] FACTORS IMPACTING OVERALL COST OF LOAN… Continue Reading
[pullquote]A floating rate loan is offered at a spread over the benchmark. MCLR and Base Rate are benchmarks. Loan is given at MCLR (or Base Rate) + Spread.[/pullquote] I have discussed the question of whether you should switch your home loan from Base Rate to MCLR in an earlier post. Most of us focus only… Continue Reading
Most salaried employees get their annual bonuses in the first quarter of the financial year. Many of us plan to spend it way before we actually receive the bonus. You have to keep up with the commitments that you made to your kids, your spouse, your siblings or your parents. You may have an eye on… Continue Reading