Page 2 - Personal Finance

Rs 18.34 lakh stipend: When can students claim income-tax exemption?

Order draws a line between educational support and employment income, with implications for students receiving scholarships and stipend

Senior citizen FD rates in mid-September up to 8.5%: Top rates compared

Small finance banks offer the highest rates, while select lenders provide extra interest for super senior citizens aged 80 or more

Make sure you know what the rates are before taking a personal loan

A personal loan can come in handy when you need quick liquidity, but tends to carry higher interest rates

Quit your job? Your EPF may still earn interest for years | Personal Finance

Taking a career break at 40? What happens to your EPF money? Find out how long your existing PF balance can continue earning interest, when an account becomes inoperative

The Tax-Saving Trap: Why Deductions Should Never Dictate Your Portfolio

Investment choices should be based on financial goals, risk and liquidity, with tax efficiency considered only after the portfolio's core structure is determined.

₹1 crore retirement benchmark loses ground as Indians reassess needs

Only 51 per cent of households earning more than Rs 15 lakh consider Rs 1 crore sufficient, as Indians report accumulating just 28 per cent of their target corpus

How to Match Investment Products with Your Time Horizon

Aligning investments with goal deadlines can balance liquidity, market risk and inflation while preventing costly timeline mismatches.

What ongoing costs should first-time renters remember

First-time renters should budget beyond rent for setup costs, monthly bills and replacements, while prioritising essentials and avoiding debt-led overspending.

Rera or consumer commission: Why forum should be chosen with care

Avoid duplicate claims, and enforce an existing order in the same forum

Check returns and exit costs before buying non-par insurance plans

Calculate the internal rate of return, assess surrender costs and make sure the long-term premium commitment fits your goal before opting for guaranteed-benefit insurance products

Drive less, pay less: Is pay-as-you-drive insurance cover right for you?

Estimate annual mileage carefully, choose the right slab and check top-up terms

Check term insurance premium rates for plans that extend beyond retirement

Here is a selected list of the best term insurance rates from various insurers for young professionals living in a metro, with coverage of up to Rs 1 crore

International schools expand in India, but is the premium worth paying?

Global school brands and international curricula have widened choices in terms of curriculum, teaching quality, and global exposure. Here's what parents need to weigh before paying the premium.

Moving out of a rented home? Know when landlord can keep your deposit

Repainting, routine upkeep and unexplained charges are among deductions tenants can dispute, say legal experts

Pharma funds rally: How to pick right one based on portfolio, risk, costs

Compare portfolio mix, risk and costs; keep exposure small and invest with a long horizon

Women's SIP investment rises nearly four-fold in five years

Earlier, traditional options such as gold, fixed deposits and property were preferred for savings. Women are now allocating a part of their savings to equity markets through SIPs

Home affordability: How to assess your true purchasing capacity?

Work backwards from an affordable EMI, make a bigger down payment than banks require, and stress-test loans against rising interest rates

Used-car loan traps: How to reduce borrowing risks, keep EMIs manageable

Compare rates, choose a short tenure, make a larger down payment, and keep EMI within manageable limits

Redeveloping your housing society? 5 checks before choosing a builder

Ageing housing societies can unlock significant value through redevelopment, but title, approvals, member rights, costs and delays need careful scrutiny first

Buying pet insurance? Check sub-limits, exclusions before choosing a policy

India's pet population rose from 28.5 million in financial year 2019-20 (FY20) to 39.2 million in FY25 and is projected to reach 60.5 million by FY30, according to industry estimates