a. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) of Rs 15,000/month for two years.

Negative returns from debt funds

Business Standard

But experts say sales momentum to continue.

Auto loans set to be dearer, further price hikes expected

Every year, in the last quarter of the financial year, a series of fixed maturity plans (FMP) are launched by asset management companies. These are essentially close-ended income schemes, with a fixed maturity date, that is , they run for a fixed period. This period could range from 15 days to two years or more.

FMPs have more to offer

The new method of interest calculation will earn higher returns.

Daily dose of interest for acccount holders

But look at business models and pricing before investing.

Stellar economy supports steel

Currency futures require little margin money, but it is not meant for retail investors.

Not everybody's cup of tea

Last week, the Union Cabinet provided relief to over five million central government employees by increasing the dearness allowance (DA) from 27 per cent to 35 per cent. It also increased the dearness relief (DR) for pensioners by 8 per cent.

Use it wisely

Is there any cover for pre-existing diseases other than diabetes and hypertension? I want to buy a policy for my mother (56) and father (61). What would you recommend? Both have spondylitis and had slip disc. My mother also had osteoporosis and a bone growth in her ankle.

NON-LIFE INSURANCE: Bhargav Dasgupta

Go for short-term debt funds and fixed deposits, delay home or auto loans.

Teasing is over, brace for higher rates

In the absence of a regular income and meagre pension, senior citizens may find themselves in a tight cash position. In the absence of a regular income, bank and financial institutions are also not willing to lend.

Income for a lifetime

Actual HRA received Excess of the rent paid over 10 per cent of the salary, or 40 per cent of the salary (50 per cent of the salary if the house is situated in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata).

TAX: Kuldip Kumar

Debt fund investors get double indexation benefits.

One year, two benefits

The mutual fund space has seen new developments on a regular basis, now. One of these is asset management companies (AMCs) launching new types of funds. Investors need to make sure that they take maximum advantage of the changes in the mutual fund industry and construct a portfolio to reflect their specific requirements. Recently, several fund houses filed offer documents for a new kind of scheme - a Gold Fund of Funds.

Innovative, but not convincing

Summer vacations are fast approaching and tour operators are leaving no stones unturned to advertise attractive tour packages for various domestic and foreign destinations. There are packages for every pocket. Many must have already planned their vacation.

Going on a summer holiday?

Recently, there were a series of advertisements by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) - the first of its kind by any regulator - promoting unit-linked insurance plans (Ulip) and term plans.

'Ulip wise' means high price

Advance tax numbers do give an indicative feel about a company&rsquo;s performance. However, they are not enough for an investor to reach a conclusion. There is usually some difference between a company&rsquo;s reported income and its assessed income due to tax incentives, allowances/ disallowances, rebates, prior year adjustments, etc.

INVESTMENT: Paras Adenwala

With the financial year coming to an end, one needs to start proper planning for the new one.

Start early...from tomorrow itself

...there are lenient rules for delay up to two years, but then the bite gets deep.

In case you haven't filed your tax return...

Banks have expressed concern over the Competition Commission&rsquo;s intervention on home loan pre-payment penalty, as they fear this would put pressure on costs, increase risk and even lead to higher lending rates.

Prepayment penalty not monopolistic: Banks

Press Trust of India

The Insurance Regulatory &amp; Development Authority (Irda) will meet the heads of life insurance companies tomorrow to discuss the show-cause notices issued by the market regulator, the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi), on the sale of unit-linked insurance plans (Ulips).

Irda to meet life insurers today

Yesterday, Housing Development Finance Corporation introduced a first in the deposit market &mdash; a floating rate recurring deposit.

Floating rate good for risk-wary, not so for HNIs

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 920 - Personal Finance