Page 3 - Your Money

Occupancy certificate delay: Buyers entitled to refund with interest

Buyers should turn to RERA or consumer forum to seek redress

Co-branded credit cards: Make sure your annual spend justifies the fee

Check whether reward points are easy to redeem, their expiry conditions, and brand-specific limits

Buy gold ETF with low tracking error and expense ratio, high liquidity

Bulk of gold investment for investment purpose should be through ETFs; limit jewellery purchase to personal use

Value funds help balance growth portfolios; invest with 5-year view

Those unable to withstand periods of underperformance may avoid these funds

Building healthcare corpus: Balance growth and liquidity, avoid lock-ins

Health insurance policies often exclude several expenses. Sometimes claims get rejected. Standoffs between hospitals and insurers sometimes lead to cashless facility not being available

Bull run in silver: Avoid large lump-sum bets after massive rally

In particular, one-time investments in silver ETFs, which are trading at high premiums, must be avoided

Property deals: Mismatch in sale value, TDS, returns may invite scrutiny

Quoting false PAN can lead to a penalty of ₹10,000 per default; wilful concealment can even result in imprisonment

Investors should book partial profits if gold allocation is over 10%

Instead of falling prey to FOMO and diving in headlong, new investors should enter gradually and with a long horizon

Indian investors remain risk-averse, Sebi urges diversified portfolios

Sebi's 2025 survey finds most Indians prioritise capital preservation; experts say align risk with time horizon and personal comfort level

Asset split in divorce: Courts presume equal ownership of joint assets

They increasingly recognise the wife's non-monetary contributions such as homemaking and childcare when dividing assets

Fixed-income investments: Look beyond returns, weigh credit risk, lock-ins

Ladder investments across tenures to manage reinvestment risk, maintain liquidity, and balance returns amid falling interest rates and limited fixed-income options

Rupee weakens vs US dollar: Diversify into global funds, gold to hedge risk

Doing so is crucial for those who have dollar-denominated goals, like a child's education abroad

Hike in IPO financing limit: Maintain quality amid easier funding access

This short-term loan enhances the probability of allotment in oversubscribed issues, but also magnifies losses

Aggressive hybrid funds suit moderate-risk investors with long-term goals

Such funds are not entirely immune to volatility due to their considerable equity allocation

Loan against shares: Have emergency funds ready to handle margin calls

Borrow 20-30% below maximum eligibility to avoid frequent margin calls

Cashless facility suspension at hospitals: Keep cash, credit access ready

Submit claims promptly with invoices and receipts to reduce risk of delays, rejection

Unclaimed deposits: Heirs must produce succession certificate or probate

For modest balances, banks may accept a legal heirship certificate with indemnity bond

Festival home-loan offers: Prioritise long-term savings, avoid teaser rates

Compare the full cost of the loan rather than focusing solely on interest rates

Medical negligence: Documentation, expert opinion key to court success

The complaint must be filed in the right forum and within the limitation period

Invest in Conglomerate Funds for full cycle, limit to 5% allocation

Conglomerate firms are resilient, but risks in one unit can spill across the group