Page 3 - Karthik Jerome

Use smart cash management to optimise returns on short-term funds

However, one should avoid keeping excessive funds in savings accounts

Minimising payout on home loan: Boost credit score, prepay, cut tenure

A home loan balance transfer can help move to a lower interest rate

Term insurance for self-employed: Besides securing family, cover biz debt

Families of the self-employed face significant financial uncertainty upon the policyholder's death

Debt fund outlook: Choice of fund class must match horizon, risk appetite

Fund managers foresee two more rate cuts of 25 bps each in the coming policies

Maharashtra RR rate hike: Choose ongoing projects, women ownership helps

The RR rate is the minimum value at which a property must be registered during a transaction

World Health Day: Conduct a thorough checkup of your health insurance

Ensure the policy offers adequate sum insured to deal with even critical illnesses, and move out of policies with sub-limits

Debt-plus-arbitrage FoFs offer tax edge for moderate-risk investors

The government took away the indexation benefit of debt funds from April 1, 2023

Pledging mutual funds? Keep extra units handy to handle margin calls

Previously, availing these loans was a cumbersome physical process that took five-seven working days

Dealing with digital arrest: Don't panic; reach out to lawyer, police

Fake arrest warrants and legal notices are sent via SMS or WhatsApp. Some use deepfake videos to replicate a police station setting

China-focused MFs: Take limited exposure, watch out for policy shifts

The stressed real estate sector, a key driver of the economy, has not yet stabilised

Gold rush: Rebalance if your allocation has risen beyond the 10% mark

New investors should avoid the tendency to chase past returns; instead, they may invest in a staggered manner provided they have a 7-10-year horizon

Smallcap fund correction: Trim exposure if it exceeds 20%, avoid full exit

Earnings-related uncertainty continues to weigh on small caps

Under-construction property: Check developer credibility before investing

Construction delays forced homebuyers to pay equated monthly instalments and rent simultaneously

Health insurance: Choose policy with guaranteed bonus, unaffected by claims

While premiums may rise over time, a good bonus-linked policy lowers the per lakh cost of sum insured

Defensive funds: Focus on consistency across cycles, not just performance

Funds that curbed their losses may not necessarily lead the rebound

US's crypto reserve plan a booster, but Indian investors must be cautious

Lack of regularity clarity in India and high volatility mean investors should take only limited exposure

Home insurance: Cover should suffice to rebuild structure, replace contents

A home insurance policy covers damage from earthquakes, fires, explosions, floods, landslides, cyclones, storms, aircraft damage, and acts of terrorism

Income-Tax Bill 2025: File tax return by due date to be eligible for refund

Deductions related to salary, including standard deduction and leave encashment, are now grouped under a single clause

New India Co-op Bank crisis: Higher returns come with greater risk

Many cooperative banks fall prey to political interference, unreliable accounting practices, loan evergreening, and frauds

Builder-buyer agreement: Better after Rera, but buyers must remain vigilant

Builder-buyer agreements tended to be one-sided. "Delivery schedules frequently stated 36-42 months but were vague about when this period began