Page 4 - Himali Patel

How to fix credit report errors: Dispute on bureau site, alert lender

Having documents like no-dues certificates and records of repayment will strengthen your case

Only seasoned investors should venture into corporate bonds rated below AA

Diversify and ladder the bonds in your portfolio to further mitigate risks

Beware pressure tactics: Limited-time deals and fear-based appeals

This National Insurance Day, let us look at the various types of fraud that are taking place and how you can avoid falling prey to them

Bank's group coverage: Affordable, easier to acquire; but check for limits

Group insurance from banks may be affordable and easy to onboard but customers must watch for coverage limits, exclusions, and renewal risks before signing up

Balanced Advantage Funds: Ensure fund's strategy matches your risk appetite

Conservative investors should prefer a valuation-based approach, while those with a higher risk appetite should go for a fund focused on momentum

Keep 2 months' expense in savings account, move rest to liquid funds

Instead of chasing past returns, choose a fund with papers of high credit quality

Undisclosed crypto income: Respond to taxman's notice, file revised return

Underreporting or misreporting crypto income can lead to penalties ranging from 50 to 200%, even imprisonment of up to seven years

Pharma and health care funds hold promise but demand long-term view

Watch out for policy risks - tariff-related in US market and price control related in domestic market

Deferred annuity plans: Ensure retirement income with guaranteed return

Inflation will reduce value of payout, so invest part of retirement corpus in growth instruments

Tackling low savings rate: Automate with SIPs, retirement accounts

Control lifestyle inflation and avoid excessive reliance on debt by automating savings, budgeting better, aligning investments to goals and tracking progress regularly

Suitable bets for cost-sensitive investors seeking market returns

Passive midcap and smallcap funds offer simplicity and low cost, but investors must weigh the risks including tracking error, volatility, and lack of downside protection

Travel insurance: Choose sum insured based on health, age and trip type

Longer trips, adventure activities and remote destinations require higher coverage; policy sub-limits, pre-existing conditions and travel risks must be factored in

Choose loan-against-property for higher amount, low rates, flexible end-use

Avoid taking out such a loan if you have irregular income, are retired, or approaching retirement

Compare Form 16 and 26AS carefully, alert employer promptly on errors

Deductions missed in Form 16 due to late or non-submission of proofs can still be claimed while filing return

Unlimited health cover is helpful, but ensure your plan has these features

A cumulative bonus rider can increase the sum insured without an increase in premium

Old vs new tax regime: Consider income and deductions before you pick

If you declared one regime to your employer for TDS but later find the other more beneficial, you can still switch when filing your income-tax return

Home insurance must: Loss of rent for landlord, liability cover for tenant

Insuring contents is critical if a property being rented is furnished; declare valuable items to insurance company

Quality theme fund: Invest for long-term steady compounding, lower downside

Quality funds tend to be less volatile and offer downside protection and often perform better in a bear market due to the stable earnings

Risk-tolerant, long-term investors may hold these in satellite portfolio

EW index-based funds can be more volatile due to exposure to smaller companies

Gold ETFs gain favour; choose ones with low cost, minimal tracking error

More investors now adhere to the principle of asset allocation. "Increasingly, they treat gold as a financial asset in their portfolio rather than just as jewellery," says Vikram Dhawan