Page 9 - Guide To Personal Finance

Avoid withdrawing more from National Pension Scheme than you need

When the subscriber reaches superannuation or the age of 60, 60 per cent of the total corpus accumulated in NPS can be withdrawn as a lump sum

Prioritise paying off high-cost debt with Diwali bonus you receive

It would also be prudent to channel some of it into replenishing emergency corpus

Dynamic bond funds: Trust manager who has navigated rate cycles properly

Fund managers of dynamic bond funds, too, hold divergent views currently

Small-cap funds: Existing investors should rebalance, continue SIPs

New investors planning large lump-sum investments should stagger them over 6-12 months

Seek refund if alterations in realty project plan affect you adversely

Refund can be sought from the developer even if you had earlier consented to alterations

Received intimation notice from I-T dept? Rectify or clarify discrepancies

If you agree with the notice, file updated return and pay tax dues; if you disagree, send explanation

Managing rent, setting up investment strategy: Top personal finance stories

What tenants should ask from landlords in rent agreements; how to bring discipline in your market play. Our newsletter explains

Planning to buy a premium property? The location holds key to value

Buy property in a much sought-after area where potential for supply expansion is limited

Unable to get a loan? Build a proper credit history with secured card

First-time borrowers should start a fixed deposit and get a credit card against it

Explained: How to structure your salary to reduce your tax burden

When an employer when employees a person, he specifies his cost to the company (C.T.C). It means that the organization is going to spend that much amount per year to employ that person

Limit exposure to pharma and healthcare funds to 5% of equity portfolio

Improving US generic market outlook is driving the current rebound, but brace for periodic drawdowns

Don't dodge lender if default is imminent; request for loan recast instead

Also explore options such as swapping higher-cost debt with lower-cost alternatives, and debt consolidation

Want immediate insurance coverage for diabetes? Apply for a customised plan

Though costlier, they offer coverage for both type I and II diabetes, and to those with high levels of HbA1C

Monsoon-proof your vehicle with engine protection insurance cover

If you own an EV, buying a battery-protection add-on would be prudent

Want to hedge against risky bets? Invest in the current SGB tranche

However, you must have a five-year horizon; choose gold ETFs if you wish to exit sooner

An innovative approach to domestic staff loans

This system could convert 15 crore households into social venture capitalists, offering Rs. 75,000 crore worth of microloans to staff, and integrating the latter into formal lending

Mitigate prolonged hospitalisation with reasonably priced accident cover

Frequent travellers and those engaged in risky occupations must buy this inexpensive cover

Nascent recovery in IT funds: Invest systematically, hold for long term

Experts suggest holding them for long term, say tech stocks may take a hit if economic conditions in US or Europe worsen

Did you know? Bank's liability is 100 times annual rent of a locker

Bank branch that has run out of lockers must put you on a waiting list

Opportune time to diversify internationally as US benchmarks recover

Enter for the long haul as the US economy and market could witness turbulence in the months ahead