Page 18 - Your Money

Planning to buy a car? Minimise tenure, maximise down payment on loan

Selling the old car independently, rather than going for an exchange offer, may fetch better value

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When the subscriber reaches superannuation or the age of 60, 60 per cent of the total corpus accumulated in NPS can be withdrawn as a lump sum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

Want regular income sans credit risk? Invest after exhausting SCSS limit

Younger investors in wealth accumulation stage and those unwilling to lock in for seven years may steer clear

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

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

Caution investors: Excess supply of properties could erode returns

The COVID pandemic sparked the desire among people to upgrade their homes both in terms of size and facilities

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

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

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

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

Mitigate prolonged hospitalisation with reasonably priced accident cover

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

Navigating 20% TCS: Smart tips for your overseas holiday this summer

Reduce trip duration if necessary, use prepaid forex card to nullify currency fluctuation, buy adequate insurance

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

Utilise enhanced SCSS limit, but diversify your retirement corpus

Money should also be invested in instruments that offer growth, longer lock-in, and liquidity

Invest severance package in debt funds, use SWP to create cash flows

Part of this money should also go into creating an emergency corpus equal to 12 months of expenses

Gold loan: Low-cost option and credit score no bar, say experts

If the price of gold plunges, a borrower can be asked to put up additional collateral

Covid-19 second wave: Should you avail of RBI's relief on loan repayment?

If you opt for restructuring, your interest cost will rise and there could be other charges

Is Covid-19 home treatment covered? Check the fine print to find out

While many policies cover it for the entire sum insured, others have sub-limits