I plan to invest Rs 1,000 every month through systematic investment plans (SIPs) for three years. I have selected Reliance Banking, Reliance Pharma and Magnum FMCG funds.

Sector funds are risky

Business Standard

Do the groundwork before the due date and keep the papers ready to avert from the double tax trap.

Avoid last minute confusion

Achieve this goal by borrowing, investing and spending smartly.

Resolution for 2011: Get rich

Though they may suit your future plans, inflation and expenses will eat into your corpus.

Looking beyond annuity products

Helps save premium but maturity benefits lower than individual policies.

Opt for joint life policy to secure future

Age, many believe, is crucial to investing. Logically, the younger you are, the greater must be the equity exposure. One&rsquo;s goals,investment horizon and risk tolerance should also be the determining factors. So there is no blanket rule.

Portfolio for every investor

Gujarat-based C Mahendra Exports, which is engaged in sourcing, trading, processing and manufacturing of diamonds and diamond jewellery, is raising Rs 165 crore to fund its expansion plans.

These diamonds may not be your best friend

A new year starts with a whole lot of promises. When it comes to financial resolutions, &ldquo;I will save more, invest wisely and borrow sparingly&rdquo; is common. But the earnestness to stick to your resolution in the beginning often gets gradually replaced by laxity.

Promises to keep this year

Until recently, software professional Ruchir Tiwari was patting his own back for making wise stock market decisions. In October 2008, when the Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index, or Sensex, tumbled to 8,000 levels, he decided to enter the market by buying select blue chips.

High churning to attract tax

With deposit rates at a two-year high, it could be a good time to invest.

Get a fix on your returns

I got a health insurance policy of Rs 8 lakh from my employer, covering myself (33-year old), my wife (31-year old) and my two-year-old daughter . I have not made any claim against the policy.

GENERAL INSURANCE: Ajay Bimbhet

Buying a new car makes sense as a tempting discount on an old car may cost you dear later.

Old is not always gold

Our children learn the complexities of science and mathematics in their early years of school. But they do not study finance &mdash; a subject they would use all their lives. Several attempts have been made to correct this anomaly. I recently had the opportunity to review a lot of these materials, which seek to teach the basics of finance to older children, from class nine onwards. I believe there is a need to seriously consider financial literacy for children.

Teach your children about money, not stock markets

Your legal heir will spend both time and money if you fail to name the nominee.

No blank spaces, please

People are looking for new and exciting investment options besides the same old fixed deposits, mutual funds and shares to invest their hard-earned money. Though the few existing options could be sufficient yet sometimes there are specific products that could suit some investors. Portfolio Management Service (PMS) is one such option.

Diversify with real estate PMS

Sanjay Bakshi wanted to withdraw his accumulated provident fund (PF) as he was moving to a new job. But he recently learnt that the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has planned to ban such withdrawals. He is worried if withdrawing his PF amount was a wrong move.

Shifting jobs? Take your PF a/c along

Most asset classes, whether equity, real estate or gold had a great going in 2010. However, a closer look will show that all these asset classes did go through ups and downs during the year.

Investment options in the new year

Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) is a significant employer-granted benefit, subject to the perquisite-based taxation system. Employee benefits used to be subject to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) earlier. But, now that FBT no longer exists, the earlier perquisite-based taxation has been brought in. So, in a way, this is not a new move but a reversion to the earlier system of taxation.

Is ESOP a sop?

SBI&rsquo;s new formula to calculate home loan rates can be confusing. Here&rsquo;s some help.

Floating rate, fixed concession

I retired last year. However, I am working as a consultant with the same company. If I gift a part of the gratuity money that I received to my wife (a homemaker) and she deposits it in a bank&rsquo;s fixed deposit, will the tax liability reduce? She earns an annual income from the house rent that I pay her (as we are staying in a house owned by her). Another option is to gift the money to my son (major) who is a student. He is not likely to work for the next two-three years.

Taxation: Homi Mistry

Last August, the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) pulled up Hiranandani Constructions for alleged non-payment of the Employees&rsquo; Provident Fund (PF). It was despite the fact that the company had deducted the employees&rsquo; share from their salaries.

Why it is important to track the money trail

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.

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