Karthik Jerome

Overseas property now accounts for 13 per cent of surveyed buyers' wealth, up from about 5 per cent a decade ago. Experts explain the remittance limits, tax obligations and risks investors must assess

Rising repayment delays and tighter renewal rules underline the risks of using gold loans to manage existing debt

A Delhi consumer court ruling highlights why insurers cannot reject claims over unreasonable document demands and why policyholders must ensure their medical records are accurate.

Prioritise money for immediate expenses, trace assets, check nomination and inheritance rights

Do targeted reading of the prospectus to assess an IPO on fundamentals

Check policy conditions for co-payments, exclusions, waiting periods and claim restrictions before opting for unlimited health cover; compare premiums and super top-up alternatives

Cap total equated monthly instalments at 40 per cent of take-home income, choose a manageable tenure, and check prepayment terms

The decision to invest in these funds should depend on how much control you want over market cap allocations

Higher rates could lift deposit returns while raising borrowing costs and affecting debt fund returns

Investors should compare the premiums under NPS Swasthya with those of the standalone super top-ups offered by insurance companies

Commit only money you can leave invested for years

Consider investing through platforms with access to foreign markets or via MFs in GIFT City

Compare the higher premium with pure term cover, factor in inflation, and examine lapse and surrender terms

Use time-based buckets, limit withdrawals and retain growth assets

Compare the annual percentage rates across players, and also compare the total cost of cash and EMI options to understand the actual cost

Only 51 per cent of households earning more than Rs 15 lakh consider Rs 1 crore sufficient, as Indians report accumulating just 28 per cent of their target corpus

Calculate the internal rate of return, assess surrender costs and make sure the long-term premium commitment fits your goal before opting for guaranteed-benefit insurance products

Work backwards from an affordable EMI, make a bigger down payment than banks require, and stress-test loans against rising interest rates

Read the RHP, compare valuations and do not chase grey market premiums or listing gains. Investors should check whether the fundraise is for business purposes or for existing shareholders.

High-yield bonds can offer double-digit returns, but investors must weigh default, credit, liquidity and concentration risks before chasing higher yields