Page 16 - Personal Finance

Gold ETFs gain favour; choose ones with low cost, minimal tracking error

More investors now adhere to the principle of asset allocation. "Increasingly, they treat gold as a financial asset in their portfolio rather than just as jewellery," says Vikram Dhawan

From MCLR to repo-linked loans, pick lenders with low, stable spread

Agarwal points out that rate changes in the external benchmark are transmitted automatically, without being influenced by a bank's internal cost structure

Why competition in money matters can be damaging to your financial journey

Unnecessary competitiveness shifts our focus from our own destination to imagined races. It turns a fulfilling long-term journey into a relentless sprint that leaves us tired and anxious

EPFO makes pension claims smoother: 5 updates you should know about

IT upgrades and simpler process leads to 'less paperwork, faster processing' of claims

Need to break your fixed deposit early? Here's how to slash penalty costs

Learn how to minimize penalties on premature FD withdrawals by choosing the right bank and smart structuring strategies like laddering, sweep-in, and loans against FDs.

No I-T on new flat received exchange for old under Section 56(2)(x)

The judgment is likely to benefit prospective homeowners who are planning to exchange their old homes for upgraded accommodations in newly developed residential projects

Underinsured? 75% in India have health policies below Rs 10 lakh cover

The issue is most pronounced in South India, where 66% of policyholders have coverage of Rs 5 lakh or less.

Axis mutual fund uses ONDC to reach underserved, remote investors

This integration 'marks a significant step toward making mutual fund investments more accessible, affordable, and inclusive', says the company

Minimising payout on home loan: Boost credit score, prepay, cut tenure

A home loan balance transfer can help move to a lower interest rate

Experts divided over HC verdict on pension rights to second wife

Legal experts term it a 'progressive' order which may open Pandora's box

Is pre-closing personal loans a smart move? Know benefits & drawbacks

You save on interest costs, particularly if you make early repayments in the loan cycle when interest forms a large portion of the EMI

Why Zerodha's Nithin Kamath thinks investors must take a break from trading

'It is vital for one's survival to know when to stay out of the markets,' says Zerodha's leader

18% GST on dining at 'specified premises' hotels: How it changes your bill

Hotels with room rents under Rs 7,500 in FY25 aren't 'specified premises' unless they opt in voluntarily

Expensive but innovative: IB schools offer an alternative learning arc

In a world that's rapidly shifting from rote to reasoning, the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme stands out as a different education system, valuing questioning over memorising

Should you start investing in gold as global financial order shifts?

In India, gold is not just an investment but also a symbol of wealth and security. Its dual role as a financial asset and a cultural commodity makes it especially appealing

Maharashtra RR rate hike: Choose ongoing projects, women ownership helps

The RR rate is the minimum value at which a property must be registered during a transaction

Gift deed vs will: SC rules in woman's favour after 30-year dispute

Grounds for cancelling a gift deed have to be established before a court, says legal expert

Low-volatility index funds, ETFs show lower drawdowns and higher returns

Low-volatility indices typically consist of the least volatile stocks within a particular index

No fee for updating nominees in PPF accounts: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Previously, it had been reported that financial institutions were charging a fee for updating or modifying nominee details in PPF accounts

HC says service charges or tips are voluntary, restaurants can't levy it

Delhi High Court makes it clear that service charges are a voluntary payment at the discretion of customers