Sanjay Kumar

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

Immediate annuities: Multiple options available, weigh trade-offs carefully

Annuitise only essential expenses, retain liquidity and compare payout options and rates before purchase

Passive hybrid funds: Understand index mix, tax treatment before investing

Those who do not understand the underlying equity and debt indices should stay away

Credit cards & Gen Z: Spending should not exceed 20-30% of take-home income

Credit utilisation ratio should remain below 30%

What is new about the EPF 2026 Scheme and what it means for subscribers

While subscribers get greater flexibility in making partial withdrawals, they should exercise this freedom judiciously so that they don't deplete their retirement corpus drastically

Avoid a costly early exit: Steps before surrendering an insurance policy

Assess the policy's returns, risks and liquidity restrictions, and ensure that you can sustain the premiums throughout its term

Verify hospital's cashless status before admission to avoid claim hassles

If reimbursement becomes unavoidable, submit a complete file at the earliest

Verify hospital's cashless status before admission to avoid claim delays

If reimbursement becomes unavoidable, submit a complete file at the earliest

Outlook for debt funds improves, but avoid chasing long-duration gains

Keep the core allocation in short- to medium-duration funds; match fund maturity with financial goals

Multi-year health insurance: Lock in premiums, but check exit rules first

Multi-year health insurance plans offer premium stability and upfront discounts, but buyers should weigh flexibility, portability and future healthcare needs

Life cycle funds: A new category, but do they fit your portfolio needs?

Check the maturity date, glide path, costs, tax treatment and exit load before investing

How NRIs should navigate changes in tax status when returning to India

As their status changes from NRI to RNOR and then to ROR, both their tax and disclosure obligations change

Planning to use algo trading? Key checks retail investors must make

Check back-test and live-trading data, drawdowns, and net-of-cost returns before you adopt an algo

Eyeing SpaceX, OpenAI stocks? Global investment platforms offer access

While selecting one, check the safeguards and the tax-reporting support offered by it

Eyeing SpaceX, OpenAI stocks? Global investment platforms offer access

While selecting one, check the safeguards and the tax-reporting support offered by it

BaaS lowers entry cost of EV ownership, but may not always be cheaper

Battery as a Service reduces the upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle, but recurring payments, contract terms and resale concerns mean it works best for users with moderate distance driving

Started retirement planning at 40? Here's how to catch up in time

Step up savings rate, build equity-heavy portfolio, and automate investments

Forty and behind on retirement savings? Here's a catch-up plan

Step up savings rate, build equity-heavy portfolio, and automate investments

Understand risks and liquidity constraints before investing in an SME IPO

Understand why listing day gains are harder to book than might appear

How to prevent rejection of EV insurance claim: Key precautions to take

As EV adoption rises, insurers warn that improper charging, unauthorised modifications, and delayed reporting can lead to claim rejection