Page 629 - Personal Finance

Case study

Track record of fund manager most relevant

AIFs give wider choice, diversification and could offer unique investment options. But the amount of research required from investors is a lot more

Readers' Corner: Taxation

Kuldip Kumar, partner and leader, personal tax, PwC India, answers your questions

Undri-Pisoli, Pune: Spillover demand from nearby areas, good connectivity to drive prices

In the past three to four years, this area has become one of the most preferred residential markets for people working in the Camp areas

Slowdown in hiring?

Outlook seems weaker in the east and the south and has marginally improved in the north

RBI's Sachet can help curb ponzi schemes

As all regulators are part of it, individuals don't need to worry about approaching the right authority

Beware the risks of buying a house in an auction

While you can land a very good bargain in an auction at times, you might need to deal with illegal occupants and dues on the property

Stick with your insurer even if medical policy is withdrawn

Moving to a new company means losing out on continuity benefits

Flexi-cap funds mimic large-cap schemes

Fund managers justify change in strategy due to altered growth prospects and higher valuations

Individual versus family floater policy

Move to shorter-duration debt funds

Frequency, magnitude of rate cuts will be slow, going forward. Investors should be happy with lower returns

Higher equity share can boost EPF's returns

Rather than one-year returns, look at benefits of long-term investment in equity

Taxi apps Uber, Ola are useful for short distances

If you travel up to 25 km daily, it makes sense to use app-based taxi services. If over 75 km, owning a vehicle is cheaper

HITEC City, Hyderabad: An investment option that offers great deal value

IT houses Microsoft, IBM, Metamor, Toshiba, Oracle and Wipro, beside other leading names

Consumer forums can fight only for consumers

Those who are not consumers cannot get a back-door entry into consumer courts

Ensure smooth transfer of wealth through a trust

While wills are easy to challenge, trusts are more foolproof. But the latter are more expensive

Mixed view on infrastructure

Data indicate the number of stalled projects has climbed in the recent past but there has been some progress in road building

Retail investors can trade in G-Secs directly

If you have a demat account, request your bank for access to RBI's bond trading platform

Innovative health insurance products on the anvil

Final sector regulations will lead to disease-specific covers and lower premium for the healthy

Case study

Business Standard analyses one family's finances and suggests a way forward