Investing Insights

Creative planning diagram with notes and colored pencils illustrating the importance of planning for a child’s higher education

Why Should You Plan for Your Child’s Higher Education?

It is August 2024, and by now, you must have paid the annual school fees for your child for the academic year 2024-25. You must have noticed that the school may have increased the fees compared to last year to counter the impact of inflation. The same holds true for your child's higher education. The cost of education will increase with every passing year, and by the time it is time for your child to take admission to college, the education cost will have increased substantially.

Woman checking wallet and bills to identify financial leakages and improve savings for investment goals

Plugging Financial Leakages to Save Money for Investing Towards Financial Goals

Ajay had a salary account with a bank. He had to open another salary account with another bank after changing his job. As the earlier bank account was a zero-balance account, Ajay maintained some balance and forgot about it. With no salary credit for a few months, the bank changed the account status to a regular savings account. The minimum average balance (MAB) non-maintenance charges were levied as the balance maintained was lower than the required minimum balance.

Document labeled Investment Strategies on a desk, representing growth and value investing approaches

Investment Strategies: Growth and Value Investing

The stock markets go through various business/economic cycles of ups and downs from time to time. During these phases, various stocks do well based on certain criteria. For example, growth/momentum stocks usually do well during bull markets, and value stocks do well during bear markets. The investment strategy that you follow influences your returns. In this article, we will understand the various investment strategies and which one you should follow to maximise your portfolio returns.

Financial expert discussing investment charts with a client, highlighting the role of expert guidance in financial planning

Importance of an Investment Expert in the Financial Planning Process

Have you ever seen any sportsperson without a coach? The sports person may be the best in their game and way ahead of others. Yet, they always train with a coach, who may also be their guide, mentor, etc. In the world of investments, an investment expert can play the same role as that of a coach in sports. An investment expert can be your advisor, coach, guide, mentor, etc. In this article, we will understand the importance of an investment expert in the financial planning process.

Notebook labeled Financial Planning on a desk with coffee and glasses, symbolizing the start of a personal finance journey

Financial Planning: Basic Things to Get in Place Before You Start Your Financial Planning Journey

Comprehensive financial planning is the gateway to achieving your financial goals and achieving financial freedom. However, before starting the financial planning process, you must get certain basic things in place. In this article, we will understand these basic things to get in place before you embark on your financial planning journey.

Eraser removing the word debt, symbolizing debt repayment through snowball and avalanche methods

Debt Repayment: Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche Methods

Debt can be a double-edged sword. It can be a boon or a bane, depending on the purpose for which it is used and how it repaid. It is a boon when debt is taken for meeting important financial goals like buying a house and regularly paying the EMIs.

A professional financial advisor using a laptop and calculator at a well-lit desk, symbolizing goal-based financial planning, investment expertise, and personalized wealth management with a focus on trust and client-centricity.

Accelerated Trends of Women Investing in India

It is truly inspiring to see a significant increase in women's participation in the wealth creation process. As India transforms as a nation with more equitable opportunities for everyone, women are taking the pole position in many spheres of life.

Person checking their credit score of 751 on a laptop, with a credit health dashboard highlighting payment history, amounts owed, and credit history—reinforcing the importance of responsible financial behavior and informed investment decisions.

Ways of Improving Your Credit Score

When you apply for a loan/credit card, the bank considers various factors. Based on these factors, the bank decides whether to accept or reject the application, the loan amount/credit limit, the interest rate, and other factors. Some of these factors include your age, income, credit score, profession, repayment capacity, city of residence, etc. The credit score is an important factor, and having a good score is the key to getting the loan/credit card approved. In this article, we will understand some ways on how to increase credit score.

Stack of colorful sticky notes with the top note reading

Pay Yourself First Budgeting: Can It Help You Achieve Financial Goals Faster?

In today's world, with most things available at the click of a button, some people prefer instant gratification for most things. If you earn enough income to fulfill all your desires and invest towards your financial goals, you may continue to enjoy instant gratification.

How to Create a Fund for Your Child’s Marriage Goal

Recently, in July 2024, Jefferies released a report on the Indian wedding industry. As per the report, the Indian wedding industry is valued at USD 130 billion, making it the second largest in the world after China at USD 170 billion.

Text-based graphic asking “What is NFO in Mutual Fund?” with a large question mark, designed to introduce and explain the concept of New Fund Offers (NFOs) in mutual funds to investors.

Fund Houses Are Launching NFOs: Are They Different From IPOs? Should Investors Invest in NFOs?

When stock markets are near or at all-time highs, along with IPOs from companies, you see a rush of NFOs from mutual fund houses. In May 2024, the HDFC Manufacturing Fund NFO raised a huge Rs. 9,563 crores.

Magnifying glass highlighting rising FD interest rates on a bar chart, symbolizing the scrutiny of fixed deposit returns and the importance of evaluating investment alternatives based on long-term financial goals.

Banks Have Raised FD Rates in June: Should You Invest or Stick to Mutual Funds?

Many banks have raised interest rates on fixed deposits in May and June 2024. Some small finance banks (SFBs) are offering up to 9% p.a. on their fixed deposits. In this article, we will discuss the net return on your fixed deposits after tax and inflation and whether you should consider investing in fixed deposits or mutual funds.