The ABCs of Health Insurance

People are prone to diseases and it is impossible to predict as to when a health crisis will manifest itself in your life. Health care also has improved leading to longer life expectancy. However, the cost of health care also has gone up, and can empty your life’s savings if you need hospitalization and special… Continue Reading

Some Thoughts on Investment

Recently there happened to be an accidental discussion with one Mr. Joshi, a retired Engineer and an acquaintance of another friend of mine. The discussion was accidental because it was not pre-planned and Mr. Joshi was telling us how wisely he had invested in a house property in his younger days and how he sold… Continue Reading

How To Do Household Financial Planning?

I have heard many a householder lament that by end of the month they do not know where their money has gone, and they are left with no savings and worse, waiting for the next salary credit. Do you fall in this category? This can happen if you do not keep household accounts. But while… Continue Reading

Is Buying Property a Good Investment?

At the outset, let me hasten to clarify that this article is not about renting vs buying a property. This article is purely an analysis on investing in real estate, its plus and minus points. i.e., treating direct investment in real estate as one of the avenues for deploying your surpluses for good returns and… Continue Reading

8 Things You Should Know Before Buying Life Insurance

Insurance is said to be the subject matter of solicitation. The insurance agent gets a commission for selling a policy. Some agents undertake to pay certain number of premiums out of their commission as an incentive for you to buy and also to incentivise to keep the policy alive. Insurance contract requires an offer, an… Continue Reading

7 Ways to Cut Down Your Household Expenses

Reducing your household expenses will result in higher savings, which if invested wisely can provide you a nest egg for unforeseen expenses, children’s education and old age. The saying, “A penny saved is a penny earned” is so true! To plug those avoidable expenses, you need to list out all the expenses during the month… Continue Reading

A Primer for First Time Apartment Buyers – Part Two

Having selected the property to buy, and after checking out the budgeting, it is time to start the process of buying the apartment in right earnest. Choosing a lender and home loan You need to book the apartment selected by paying the booking amount demanded by the seller. Booking amount may vary from 5% to… Continue Reading

A Primer for First Time Apartment Buyers – Part One

Buying a property is not like buying onions and potatoes. Firstly, the financial outgo is huge and may be a lifetime investment for many. Secondly, all properties are  not the same. All apartments in a complex with same dimensions are also not the same! Your selection of a particular apartment in the same complex has… Continue Reading

Introducing the All New Kisan Vikas Patra

The literal meaning of Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) is farmer development bond. This name is a misnomer because any individual could invest in this instrument and not only farmers. The proceeds of the bond may be utilized for the welfare of the farmers. This small savings instrument, in its earlier avatar, was quite popular because… Continue Reading

Home Improvement Loans: Dos & Don’ts

Once you have become a proud owner of an apartment, it requires to be furnished and maintained properly so that you continue to enjoy your investment. In the context of increasing cost of materials and labor, this requires a pretty large outlay of funds. Banks provide home improvement loans for renovation, buying new furniture and… Continue Reading