Your Money

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

Estimate annual mileage carefully, choose the right slab and check top-up terms

With demat account openings rising, investors should choose brokers based on trading style, platform reliability, costs, margin rules and safety record

Keep a document inventory, complain in writing and seek compensation for delays or loss

Compare portfolio mix, risk and costs; keep exposure small and invest with a long horizon

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

Match fund duration with your horizon, stagger fresh investments, and avoid panic exits

Compare rates, choose a short tenure, make a larger down payment, and keep EMI within manageable limits

Benefit-based plans offer a fixed payout on diagnosis but have a narrow scope; buyers with regular health insurance should assess whether they need supplementary protection

Balanced advantage funds are raising equity exposure, but investors must assess allocation models, portfolio risks and downside protection-not just past returns

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

September has key tax compliance dates for TDS, advance tax and audit reports. Here are the deadlines taxpayers should track

Avoid chasing the rally; stagger fresh investments and rebalance if gold exceeds your target allocation

India's pet population rose from 28.5 million in financial year 2019-20 (FY20) to 39.2 million in FY25 and is projected to reach 60.5 million by FY30, according to industry estimates

Nearly 88% of individual F&O traders lost money in FY26. High leverage, frequent trading and behavioural mistakes can amplify losses, making disciplined risk management essential

A higher amount can be taken to provide a cushion to those who are likely to become financially dependent on the student in the future

Small, tactical shifts will help you save money without a radical change in lifestyle

Separate your money by intent to protect essential funds from impulse spending

International exposure is usually meant diversification or a targeted goal, such as foreign education

A step-by-step guide on how to recover systematically from overspending and regain long-term financial discipline