Page 6 - Your Money

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

Months and years: How to match investment choices with your time horizon

Tip: Keeping excess funds in fixed deposits may not be beneficial for the long term due to inflation and other factors

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

How NRIs should navigate changes in tax status when returning to India

As their status changes from NRI to RNOR and then to ROR, both their tax and disclosure obligations change

Block cards, call 1930: What to do if you lost money in digital scam

Acting immediately and securing your accounts are effective ways to limit losses

Voice cloning, phishing, impersonation: How to spot personal finance scams

Don't respond to phone messages from unknown numbers, even if they appear to be from your bank

Wrong form, undisclosed income: Tax-filing mistakes that delay refunds

Refunds are typically processed within 4-5 weeks but delays can occur due to scrutiny, high filing volumes.

Check deviations, audit tax leakage to rebalance your investment portfolio

Tip: Ensure your growth fund hasn't quietly changed its strategy to something even riskier

Block cards, call 1930: Steps to take after suffering financial fraud

Text messages that demand you transfer money quickly or links with slightly misspelt URLs are signs of scam

Insurance, credit line: How to be financially set for medical emergencies

A contingency fund ensures that sudden healthcare expenses do not derail long-term financial stability