Valuations are cheap, but there&rsquo;s no reason why one can&rsquo;t get them cheaper in these times.

Avoid the roller coaster

Business Standard

Some banks may agree to a particular interest rate during negotiation, but increase it at the time of sanction. The Reserve Bank of India does not bother to regulate such practices, but the national commission has given a landmark ruling that will help those in similar situations.

Banks can't arbitrate  

I have taken a home loan for buying my father's house. I am paying the interest on the loan regularly and claiming it under Section 24. My father passed away recently and the loan is now, in the natural course, due to my mother. Can I draw cheques in her favour and continue to claim the interest paid? If not, what should I do? Also, the income from gifts to the spouse is clubbed with the income of the donor.

Taxation: Homi Mistry

With insurers now listing old ailments as permanent exclusions, it may be better to stay with existing insurers; group insurance plans could also be looked at.

Pre-existing pains for new policyholders

Ajayan T, a resident of Bangalore, was shocked when he was asked to produce a tax-clearance certificate by a prospective buyer, when he was trying to sell his flat a year ago. The buyer, Ajayan recalls, was sure he would consider another property in case of any tax dues.

Clear your tax dues for seamless transfers

These should be considered for a year as interest rates may start coming down after that.

Don't get locked in fixed-rate loans for long tenures

Go for cash discounts if you can make lump sum payment.

Festive discount schemes are no free lunches

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) wants all pension products to do exactly what they are expected to do &mdash; provide pension to policyholders.

Irda wants annuity a must with all pension plans

Invest the rest in mutual funds or debt instruments to create corpus.

Pure term plans save money

In bad times, it will act as an emergency fund to tackle serious problems.

Keep six months' salary in liquid assets

Besides issues like transaction and maintenance cost, real estate suffers from lack of returns, unless booked.

Equity scores over real estate

Due to lower transaction costs and tax benefits, net returns are better.

Gold ETFs: The best bet for investors

I hold 100 shares of Idea Cellular. Recently, Goldman Sachs lowered its estimates for the company.

Investing: Paras Adenwala

Discontinued plans could face caveats, higher premium from companies.

Road to revival for Ulips

Until portability was allowed for health insurance, customers were wary of shifting to a new insurer, even if they were unsatisfied with the existing one. The fear was the loss of accumulated loyalty benefits or having to begin the waiting period for existing diseases afresh. But now, with the option of health portability in place, they can right their wrongs. However, it would be wise to keep a few factors in mind before shifting to another insurer.

Get the right health insurance cover under portability

Every month I, 40, am left with a surplus of Rs 25, 000. I want to invest this for my daughter's higher education (10 years away). Which instrument will give the best returns? Should I consider unit-linked children's plans? Or, are mutual funds (MFs) preferable? I have investments only in bank deposits.

Financial Planning: Gaurav Mashruwala

Insurers are particular about a few criteria when providing a cover.

Check before insuring your house

I, 65, want to buy a life insurance policy because I have a six year-old grandson to look after. My son and daughter-in-law are no more and I don't have any policy.

Life Insurance: V Philip

National Housing Bank (NHB) has asked the housing finance companies (HFCs) not to levy penalty on pre-closure of floating rate home loans even if the pre-payment is made through funds borrowed from other banks and finance companies.

Housing finance cos barred from levying pre-payment penalty

Opt for products with lower tax outgo, as income earned by your child or unemployed spouse will be clubbed with yours.

This Diwali, consider debt as a gift

When friends introduce me as someone in the market for the last two decades, I often wonder: Does mere tenure imply proficiency? In the initial years, I oscillated between trading in stocks based on technical and fundamental analysis, before giving it up in 2002 &mdash; after losing a lot of money.

Investing: Experience versus temperament

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 891 - Personal Finance