Your Money

Education loans: Myths that can derail applications, hurt credit score

From credit scores and co-borrowers to collateral, margin money and tax benefits, understanding these education loan misconceptions can help borrowers avoid costly mistakes

Immediate annuities: Multiple options available, weigh trade-offs carefully

Annuitise only essential expenses, retain liquidity and compare payout options and rates before purchase

Momentum factor funds: Invest only with 5-yr horizon, high risk tolerance

Use them as part of a portfolio containing multiple factor strategies

Passive hybrid funds: Understand index mix, tax treatment before investing

Those who do not understand the underlying equity and debt indices should stay away

Credit cards & Gen Z: Spending should not exceed 20-30% of take-home income

Credit utilisation ratio should remain below 30%

File full and accurate details in tax return forms to claim deductions

Providing incomplete or inaccurate information can have penal consequences

How cryptocurrency investors can avoid tax and regulatory trouble

Use registered platforms, report every trade and maintain a complete audit trail

Avoid a costly early exit: Steps before surrendering an insurance policy

Assess the policy's returns, risks and liquidity restrictions, and ensure that you can sustain the premiums throughout its term

Use short-term insurance to cover time-bound financial liabilities

They should be used as top-ups, not as the base cover for providing long-term protection to the family

RBI Ombudsman Scheme: Know complaint timelines, compensation, appeal rules

The RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026, introduces higher compensation, shorter complaint timelines and a streamlined grievance process for customers of regulated entities

Aggressive hybrid funds offer equity exposure with lower volatility

Check both equity and debt portfolios before investing

Map spending pattern, pick credit cards that align with it to boost savings

Relying on generic cards that offer flat, low reward rates can reduce your savings

Long-duration bonds: Match investment horizon with the bond's tenure

Check post-tax returns, and preferably hold till maturity to reduce interest-rate risk

Use slowdown in housing sales to negotiate a better property deal

Compare nearby projects, negotiate the overall deal and not just the base price, and choose developers with strong delivery records to secure better value

Delayed home handover? Don't waive your right to seek compensation

If you must sign to get possession from the developer, record in writing that you are accepting possession without prejudice to your right to seek compensation

Outlook for debt funds improves, but avoid chasing long-duration gains

Keep the core allocation in short- to medium-duration funds; match fund maturity with financial goals

Multi-year health insurance: Lock in premiums, but check exit rules first

Multi-year health insurance plans offer premium stability and upfront discounts, but buyers should weigh flexibility, portability and future healthcare needs

Smallcap funds are rising: Should investors raise the exposure now?

After a sharp rebound in recent months, smallcap funds are back in favour. Experts weigh the opportunities, risks and suitability for different investors

What Sebi's new framework for securities transfer means for heirs

Succession-related issues can add to the difficulty. Legal heirs often need multiple documents. Coordinating several heirs can be difficult

Life cycle funds: A new category, but do they fit your portfolio needs?

Check the maturity date, glide path, costs, tax treatment and exit load before investing