Investing Insights

A school child studying in class, representing education and future planning.

5 Popular Child Education Planning Options – Compared

For most Indian parents, very few financial goals outrank planning for their child’s education. Over the years, this has led to the proliferation of numerous investment, savings and protection products aimed specifically at fulfilling this goal. However, not all of them are as efficient as they may come across, prima facie. Here’s a comparison between some popular child education goal planning options.

Why Mutual Fund SIP’s Work Best For Goal Planning

More and more people are beginning to make use of Mutual Fund SIP’s as a tool for saving for their Financial Goals. Retail investors in the year 2017 pumped in a record Rs 1.3 lakh crore in equity mutual funds. As of December 2017, the industry SIP book is close to Rs. 6,000 crores, with the industry adding over 9 lakh SIP accounts each month on an average, as compared to an SIP book value of Rs. 4,100 crores in January 2017. Here are three good reasons why Mutual Fund SIP’s work best when it comes to Goal Planning.

Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) Tax – Simplified

If you’ve made a mutual fund investment recently, you may be confused about the recent Union Budget announcement that brought back long-term capital gains taxes on equity oriented mutual funds. Until the budget, any profits booked in equity oriented mutual funds after a year of holding the units, were deemed tax free. If you’re confused about how the new rules will impact the future post-tax profits from your mutual fund investments – read on.

A close-up of a hand dropping a coin into a pink piggy bank against a white background, symbolising saving or investing money in short-term liquid funds.

Liquid Funds 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Short Term Debt Funds

Liquid Funds are debt mutual funds that invest into debt securities with very short maturities. The residual maturities if bonds held by liquid funds cannot exceed 90 days, as per the rules defined by the regulator. In fact, most liquid mutual funds hold securities that are due to mature in the next 30 days or so. Bonds maturing within two months need not be ‘marked to market’ – only their interest component needs to be factored in while calculating NAV’s (net asset values). Hence, the NAVs of Liquid Funds remain relatively steady compared to other debt funds.

Visual representing mutual fund investment myths and misconceptions that investors should avoid.

6 Mutual Fund Investment Myths You Should Watch Out For

The AMFI has done some great work of late to promote awareness about Mutual Fund Investments among the masses, with their catchy “Mutual Funds Sahi Hai” campaign. And yet, with the Mutual Fund industry’s assets zooming past the 23-lakh crore mark across nearly six and a half crore folios, it’s a surprise that so many investors steadfastly continue to harbor these misconceptions about Mutual Fund investments!

A financial advisor guiding a client through investment details on a tablet.

5 Clues That you Need a Financial Advisor

When to Seek a Financial Advisor: If you're unsure about your portfolio performance, have too many life insurance policies, or lack clear financial goals, it's time to consult a professional. (Financial Planning & Guidance) Investment Pitfalls & Expert Help: Relying on low-return assets, avoiding diversification, or making impulsive investment decisions can harm long-term wealth—an advisor can help you avoid these mistakes. (Smart Investing & Risk Management)

A hand dropping a coin into a glass retirement savings jar next to an alarm clock, illustrating strategies for generating post-retirement income through mutual funds.

How To Use Mutual Funds to Generate Post-Retirement Income

Mutual Funds can be a stable post-retirement income source, but retirees should avoid dividend options and MIPs, opting instead for tax-efficient Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs) with expert guidance.

Two young children studying at a desk with books, stationery, and a globe, illustrating early planning for a child’s higher education.

3 Rules For Planning Your Child’s Higher Studies

To afford a world-class education for your child, factor in inflation, protect your goal with term insurance, and save aggressively through high-return Mutual Fund SIPs instead of low-yield fixed-return schemes.

A magnifying glass highlighting a puzzle piece with the text financial advisor illustrating the importance of professional guidance for successful mutual fund investing.

With The Right Financial Advisor, Mutual Funds Sahi Hai!

A Financial Advisor helps investors avoid behavioral pitfalls, stay informed about market trends, and maintain a well-structured, high-performing Mutual Fund portfolio, making investing hassle-free and effective.

A hand adding a coin to stacked investments with rising arrows, representing short-term mutual fund returns.

Planning your Short-Term Investments using Mutual Funds

Short-Term Mutual Fund Strategies: Mutual funds aren’t just for long-term wealth creation; they can be used effectively for short-term investments based on tax bracket and time horizon. (Investment Flexibility) Debt vs. Arbitrage Funds: Short-term debt funds suit most investors, but if your horizon exceeds one year and you're in the highest tax bracket, arbitrage funds may offer better post-tax returns. (Tax Efficiency & Fund Choice)

A conceptual image for Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) featuring bright letter blocks that spell tax spelling to highlight tax-saving investment benefits.

Top Advantages of ELSS Mutual Funds

With the AMFI creating widespread awareness about Mutual Funds through its ubiquitous “Mutual Funds Sahi Hai” campaign, ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Funds) have gained in popularity in the past few months. Many investors made the smart move of starting a Mutual Fund SIP in an ELSS at the start of the Financial Year itself, thereby having achieved their Section 80 C targets with relative ease.

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A Quick Look At The Different Types of Mutual Fund Investments

Understanding the different types of Mutual Funds—Equity, Debt, Hybrid, ETFs, and International Funds—helps investors choose the right investment strategy based on risk appetite, financial goals, and market conditions.