On July 23, 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Parliament, announcing modifications to direct taxes. One notable highlight of the Union Budget 2024-25 is the 50% rise in the standard deduction, now up to ₹75,000. This is a beneficial move for salaried taxpayers, particularly those choosing the new tax … Read more
One of the government’s objectives is to provide social security benefits to citizens. In Budget 2024, the Finance Minister made two announcements towards this objective. These include proposals to raise the limit for employer contribution towards employee’s NPS to 14% from the earlier 10%, and the introduction of NPS Vatsalya for minors. Let us understand … Read more
Recently, I was talking to a relative who has a 3-year-old daughter. Being an investment advisor, many of the general conversations with extended families tend to steer towards investments. This relative of mine told me that he is investing ₹1.5 lakh yearly in the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account for his daughter’s future. I asked him … Read more
India’s 48 per cent of households expect a reduction in their household annual earnings and savings for the financial year 2024-2025 in comparison to the previous year, according to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, a research agency. The survey was conducted with a sample size of 21,000 respondents from 327 districts in India. The cluster … Read more
Financial security is a cornerstone of independence and peace of mind, especially for single women in India. Building a robust emergency fund is crucial, providing a safety net against unexpected expenses and economic uncertainties. Single women in India face unique financial challenges, including lower average incomes, limited access to financial resources, and societal pressures that … Read more
Famed English actor Michael Caine once said, “Save your money. You are going to need twice as much money in your old age as you think.” Given that the thespian is now 91 years old, he likely has valuable insights into retirement and old age. Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial … Read more
The other day, I took my little one to play in a nearby garden. Kids being naturally curious, he bombarded me with questions about the trees, plants, flowers, and the variety of flora we encountered. As we wandered among the blooms, his questions sparked a chain of thought in my mind. Reflecting on his inquiries, … Read more
A joint home loan is a type of housing loan in which multiple individuals share the financial responsibility. It allows immediate family members, such as spouses, parents, and siblings, to apply for the loan together. Let’s examine the numerous advantages of opting for a joint home loan and why it could be the perfect option … Read more
Studying finance books can significantly enhance your financial understanding and help you achieve your objectives. Introductory texts provide fundamental principles, whereas more advanced ones explore detailed investment tactics. The books you choose depend largely on your goals. Reflect on why you’re reading a personal finance book: whether it’s to eliminate debt, plan for retirement, or … Read more
A lot of millennials and Gen Zs take loans to fund their weddings. What’s your view on that? What are some of the things that they should keep in mind before taking a loan to fund their wedding and how should they go about it? Spending large sums of money on weddings is one trend … Read more