Karthik Jerome

Direct plans made default option: Why costs matter for MF investors

Sebi's move to make direct mutual fund plans the default on fund houses' digital platforms puts the spotlight on costs, but investors must weigh lower fees against the value of ongoing advice.

Check funding limits and net returns before buying property overseas

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

Gold loan stress rising: How to avoid a debt trap and manage repayments

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

Don't let erroneous hospital records hold up your claim: Know your rights

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.

How should spouse secure family's finances after husband's demise

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

IPO offer document: What to read, what to skip when assessing fundamentals

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

Unlimited health insurance: Check claim limits before buying a policy

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

How to pick a car loan this festive season: EMI, tenure and prepayment tips

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

Check costs, overlap with existing portfolio before buying a total mkt fund

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

Repo rate hike: How to manage home loans, FDs and debt investments

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

NPS Swasthya: Should retirement savings be bundled with health cover?

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

Check authenticity and costs before buying art; keep allocation small

Commit only money you can leave invested for years

Avoid paying a steep premium for foreign ETFs; explore other options

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

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.