Studying abroad can be daunting, financially. It can turn out to be an expensive affair. What's more, arrival in a foreign land poses new challenges for students. These could be in the form of regulations, to which adjustments have to be made.

Exploring foreign education? Make a 'creditable' history

Business Standard

The National Housing Bank (NHB) will set up a loan guarantee fund of Rs 1,200 crore for the urban poor. The broad contours of this proposal announced during the Budget 2011-12 guarantees housing loans up to Rs 5 lakh for the urban poor in metros and other cities.

NHB to set up Rs 1,200-cr default guarantee fund for urban poor

Doing so on group health cover to include parents has its pluses, but not always. For long term, individual covers should be preferred.

Taking a top-up for higher health cover

In a development that will benefit millions of small savers and possibly help the government raise small funds, the Centre has decided to increase the interest rates on post office savings deposits to 4 per cent from the present 3.5 per cent. The move comes close to the RBI deregulating interest rates on savings accounts.

Post office savings deposit interest to rise to 4%

New pension guidelines will be applicable to both linked and non-linked plans.

Pension products to come with assured benefits: Irda

Positive return guarantee but with conservative bias; rider to check insurer hopping by customers.

Annuity now mandatory in pension products

Equity market volatility has resulted in a number of innovative products being offered to investors. The prepaid systematic investment plan (SIP) from Edelweiss Mutual Fund is one.

Innovative but complicated 

Investors traditionally seek fixed-income investments. They like the idea of receiving a fixed rate of interest and the safety of the principal invested. The lacklustre performance of equity markets and the persistent increase in interest rates offered on deposits, bonds and debentures has attracted several investors to the debt markets.

Know the costs of switching 

Dividend payout is different for stocks and mutual funds. In the former&rsquo;s case, the company gives back the investors a part of its profit but a fund is simply returning you part of your investment.

Dividend is not same as return on capital

Rates may be lower than personal loans; loan-to-value may also be less.

Don't be dazzled by gold loans

Just bought a new Mercedes Benz or BMW? Remember, the first thing you might have to replace is the logo, or the side mirror. Insurance companies said claims are the most for these two accessories.

Premium cars see most claims on logos

Experts feel interest rates may reverse soon. So, borrowers are better off with floating-rate home loans.

Shut the door on fixed-rate loan option

Good for tax saving, but long holding tenures and low liquidity may leave you weary.

Should you invest in tax-free infra bonds?

A couple of days back, my shop was gutted in a fire. All the books of accounts and computer records were destroyed. My shop has been insured for the last 10 years, but there has been no claim.

General Insurance: Gaurav Garg

The revised rate for NRE term deposits for periods from 1 year to less than 2 years will be 2.61 per cent, for 2 years to less than 3 years it is 2.31 per cent and for 3 years and above up to 5 years it would be 2.47 per cent.

SBT hikes NRE deposit rates

New taxes and charges have led to a rise in restaurant bills by 25-30 per cent.

Eating out? An expense sheet

My parents want to gift me shares of some companies they hold.

Taxation: Homi Mistry

Such shares often outperform their benchmarks and should form the core of long-term investors&rsquo; portfolio.

Stock up on scrips that pay high dividends

As an investor, you must have faced the dilemma of how to invest effectively. Adding to this, the anxieties arising out of uncertainties surrounding the financial markets might have affected your decision making process.

How to invest effectively?

A double-accident benefit pays an additional amount equal to the sum assured of the base policy in case of death of the policyholder due to an accident. It is provided by life insurance companies either as a rider or as an in-built feature. If a policyholder opts for it as a rider, he will have to pay an additional premium.

Life insurance: V Philip

Brokers with national presence offer the best rates, but do shop around, online and off.

Explore all options before buying car insurance

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 889 - Personal Finance