A few months ago, I opened a savings account with a public sector bank for my son. My purpose was that the money awarded to him for clearing a scholarship exam could be deposited in it. Recently, the bank debited Rs 160 from the account, saying it had been inoperative for six months. But according to the bank&rsquo;s website, there were no charges for an inoperative account for a year.

Banking: Prashant Joshi

Business Standard

Mutual funds provide several options but record is limited and doesn&rsquo;t give a clear picture.

Risks in riding the commodity cycle

The avenue can be profitable, but be mindful of the risks.

Investing in stocks before they hit market

Microfinance is much talked about these days. Among the umpteen issues being debated, borrowers&rsquo; debt trap is the most disturbing. The heart-wrenching subject, which came to light during the investigation of borrowers&rsquo; suicides, is not due to the high interest rate, but the perils of over-borrowing. The risk to a household arises from taking a debt that is much beyond its ability to repay. It is a trap that both urban and rural households are prone to.

Perils of over-borrowing

If you switch from dividend option to growth in a mutual fund during the year, it could attract tax.

Minimising capital gains tax

Embarking on a do-it-yourself strategy requires initiative, discipline and knowledge.

Preparing your own financial plan

Take into account current and future family expenses, inflation, investments and sum assured of existing policies.

Cover calculation

The balance wanes due to penalties. Here&rsquo;s what you can do to avoid it.

When you forget your bank account

The fund&rsquo;s first five years were a bumpy ride, but since 2003, consistency has been its trump card. Consequently, it now boasts an impressive record of steadily outperforming the category average.

For long-term consistency

I had invested Rs 40,000 in Sundaram Energy Opportunities when it was launched in 2007-2008. I have not even recovered my investment.

Don't wait for a turnaround

A comparison of hospitalisation cash and pure medical insurance plans.

Fixed cash policy: Not comprehensive enough

I approached my bank for traveller&rsquo;s cheques (TCs) as I am going abroad on a holiday. Instead, it advised that I should carry a prepaid card.

Banking: Manju Srivatsa

If you have invested in stocks or IPOs by taking a loan, the tax liability can go up substantially.

Tax trouble for aggressive investors

Advertisements in newspapers are promoting loans for the Tata Nano BS IV variant &mdash; on-road price of Rs 2.03 lakh (Nano CX, solid paint) and Rs 2.07 lakh (metallic paint) &mdash; with an equated monthly instalment (EMI) of Rs 1,892 for seven years.

Hunting for the best deal

With some lenders averse to discontinuing the controversial teaser rates offered on loans, Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu today called for setting up a regulatory authority to monitor such schemes.

'Need for a regulator to monitor teaser rates'

Press Trust of India

This is not a market for investors, Ambareesh Baliga, vice-president, Karvy Stock Broking, tells Dipta Joshi, adding stocks that have not moved so far may outperform in the longer term.

Q&A: Ambareesh Baliga, Vice-President, Karvy Stock Broking

With the number of Indians working abroad rising fast, remittances have become a part of life for many families. According to the World Bank&rsquo;s Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2011, India is set to receive the highest remittances in the world this year.

Making foreign remittances easier

If investors in debt funds take a closer look at their portfolios, they are likely to find that fund managers have begun to take a long-term call in the last couple of months.

Longer tenure, better returns

Four years ago, I bought a Rs5 lakh health plan from a life insurance company. I recently learnt that life insurers only give benefit plans and not health cover.

General Insurance: Ajay Bimbhet

Partial or full prepayment makes sense, but only in some cases.

Don't let home loan tax you

Creating assets is a goal that several investors set for themselves. The joy of investing in something that will grow in value with time is&nbsp;a source of motivation for saving. But do investors pause to ask what they expect these assets to deliver for them? Is the earning capability of the assets carefully considered? Not always.

Capital Account: Uma Shashikant

Personal Finance: Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Personal Finance: Investing, Planning, Retirement, Loans, & Insurance | Business Standard

Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Page 866 - Personal Finance