Page 12 - Your Money

Debt funds: Keep bulk of portfolio in short to medium-duration funds

India's 10-year benchmark bond yield, which fell to 6.13 per cent on June 6, closed at 6.31 per cent on July 15

Flexicap funds: Freedom to shift across market caps helps mitigate risks

Flexicap funds suit investors who prefer to delegate market-cap allocation decisions to a professional

Understand the legal and financial implications before gifting property

A registered gift deed transfers property ownership permanently and cannot be revoked unilaterally, unless specifically stated-donors and donees must plan with caution

Motor insurance claims: Report theft quickly to aid investigation, recovery

Excessive delay in reporting can trigger suspicions of fraud or evidence tampering, experts say. Timely notification to both the police and the insurer is critical for smooth recovery

How to fix credit report errors: Dispute on bureau site, alert lender

Having documents like no-dues certificates and records of repayment will strengthen your case

Flat booking cancellation and refund: Evaluate finances, do due diligence

Homebuyers should understand RERA-based cancellation and refund rules before entering into a builder agreement, especially regarding earnest money and default timelines

Buying a home? Consider co-ownership, check well-connected suburbs

Prepay other loans and get a co-applicant to improve loan amount eligibility

Beware pressure tactics: Limited-time deals and fear-based appeals

This National Insurance Day, let us look at the various types of fraud that are taking place and how you can avoid falling prey to them

Bank's group coverage: Affordable, easier to acquire; but check for limits

Group insurance from banks may be affordable and easy to onboard but customers must watch for coverage limits, exclusions, and renewal risks before signing up

SDL-based STRIPS: Use for duration matching, not for tactical gains

Invest for more than 12 months to enjoy favourable tax treatment

Assess true cost: Add up expense ratio of FoF and underlying funds

Understand the risks of the underlying funds and whether their strategies match your objectives

Suitable bets for cost-sensitive investors seeking market returns

Passive midcap and smallcap funds offer simplicity and low cost, but investors must weigh the risks including tracking error, volatility, and lack of downside protection

Shield your vehicle from monsoon damage with key insurance add-ons

With rains already flooding major cities, insurers advise critical add-ons like engine and battery protection to avoid costly vehicle repairs and ease claim settlement

Defence funds: Enter via SIP with 10-year view to manage valuation risk

Jefferies estimates India's defence sector opportunity at US$100-120 billion over the next five-six years

Cover for natural death begins after the initial waiting period ends

The initial waiting period is meant to safeguard against moral hazard

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

Coping with rising rentals: Research areas, opt for longer leases

A recent Reuters poll of housing experts also indicated that both house prices and rentals are likely to outpace consumer inflation this year

Buying forex: Compare exchange price offered by seller with interbank rate

One way to assess how much you paid is to compare the amount sent with the amount received

Avoid inoperative bank locker status with rent payments, periodic visits

Banks must follow standard operating procedures when accessing lockers in specific scenarios