Karthik Jerome

Term plans with return of premiums: Count the real cost before you buy

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

Retirement corpus: How to beat inflation, avoid running out of funds

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

Consumer durable loans: Avoid hidden costs and risk of overleveraging

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

₹1 crore retirement benchmark loses ground as Indians reassess needs

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

Check returns and exit costs before buying non-par insurance plans

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

Home affordability: How to assess your true purchasing capacity?

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

Too many IPOs? How to separate quality from hype during a listing frenzy

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: Understand risks before chasing double-digit returns

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

Buying pet insurance? Check sub-limits, exclusions before choosing a policy

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

Students' term cover: Buy adequate sum insured to cover education loan

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

How to handle your finances after a job loss: Cut costs, manage debt wisely

How to pare discretionary expenses, handle investments and debt, and migrate from a group to a personal health insurance policy

Rallies and reversals since 1991: The lessons for Indian investors

Avoid leverage, respect valuations and let earnings, cash flows and balance sheet strength, not narratives, guide investment decisions

Flood-damaged home? Know what insurance policy covers and how to claim

Check sub-limits and exclusions, document damage promptly, and avoid permanent repairs before inspection

Using MTF? Keep sufficient cash for margin calls, avoid forced selling

Investors should restrict margin trading facility use to liquid stocks, maintain adequate cash buffers for margin calls, and avoid excessive leverage during periods of market stress

Reforms@35: From UTI monopoly and assured returns to SIP investment boom

How the continuing reforms in the MF space have created an over ₹82 trillion powerhouse

Build layered health cover to shield finances from critical illnesses

Combine a robust base health plan with a super top-up, critical illness cover and a dedicated medical corpus to protect household finances from soaring treatment costs

How safe is it to accept finfluencers' investment recommendations?

If you wish to stay safe, stick to the minority that has a Sebi-registered investment adviser or research analyst licence

Motor insurance: Prioritise 'engine protect' rider this monsoon season

Standard motor insurance covers many monsoon-related losses, but add-ons such as engine protect and zero-depreciation can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses

Compare forex cards on total costs and complete transparency in charges

A card with zero cross-currency conversion charge will allow you to load US dollars and then spend in any currency without incurring further charges

Equal-weight funds: Pick broader universe if risk appetite, horizon permit

Beware that funds with higher exposure to mid- and smallcaps are likely to be more volatile