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A Step-by-Step Guide to Personal Financial Planning

Some individuals follow a return-centric approach to investing. They chase returns by selecting mutual funds based on the last one and three-year returns. However, that is not the right approach. The appropriate approach is to identify your financial goals and invest towards fulfilling them. It keeps you focused on your investments for the long term till the goals are achieved. The personal financial planning journey can help you map all your financial goals, invest towards them, and review them till they are achieved. In this article, we will understand what is personal financial planning and how to go about it.

Sectoral/Thematic Funds Have Seen Inflows of Rs. 55,000 Crores in the Last 6 Months: Should You Invest?

As of July 2024, sectoral and thematic mutual funds have seen more than Rs. 55,000 crore inflows in the last six months. The AMCs are on a NFO launching spree and mutual fund investors are lapping these funds. So, what are these sectoral/thematic funds, why are investors pouring so much money into these, and should you invest? Let us discuss.

Emergency Fund: What Is It, Why and How Much of It Should You Have?

In 2023-24, many IT companies and start-ups laid off many employees. The IT companies had to lay off people as the demand or discretionary spending pickup in their major market, i.e. the US, was not as strong as expected. The start-ups had to lay off people as they were not able to raise subsequent round(s) of funding due to the funding winter. In both scenarios, people who lost jobs were left in the lurch. As the IT and start-up sectors were going through a soft patch, it was difficult for these people to either get new jobs or at the same/better pay package.

Succession Planning: What Is a Will, Terms Related to It, and How to Make It?

As per Indian succession laws, on the death of an individual, their assets are distributed among the legal heirs. The legal heirs are categorised into various classes and are listed in the sequence in which they can claim the assets. However, what if you want to distribute your assets to other people along with your legal heirs?

How can credit card rewards help you book flight tickets for your vacation?

Family vacations are one of the best ways to take a break from your busy work schedule, rejuvenate yourself, and return to work with a fresh start. Many people realise the importance of vacations and have included 1-2 vacations in a year as part of their goal list.

Ways of Saving Money on a Home Loan

Purchasing a house with a home loan is one of the biggest financial commitments an individual makes during their lifetime. Usually, a home loan tenure ranges from five to thirty years. The longer the tenure, the higher the interest amount an individual pays.

Budget 2024: Change in LTCG Taxation on International Funds – Should You Consider Investing?

In the July 2024 Budget, the Finance Minister announced changes in the Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) taxation for some asset classes. These include equity fund of funds (FoFs), international equity FoFs, gold mutual funds, etc. Earlier, these were subject to taxation at the individual’s slab rate due to a change in the taxation of debt mutual funds in the previous budget. After the recent LTCG changes, the appeal of these asset classes has increased. In this article, we will understand what international equity mutual funds are, their features, how they are taxed, and whether you should invest in them.

Why Should You Plan for Your Child’s Higher Education?

It is August 2024, and by now, you must have paid the annual school fees for your child for the academic year 2024-25. You must have noticed that the school may have increased the fees compared to last year to counter the impact of inflation. The same holds true for your child's higher education. The cost of education will increase with every passing year, and by the time it is time for your child to take admission to college, the education cost will have increased substantially.

Importance of an Investment Expert in the Financial Planning Process

Have you ever seen any sportsperson without a coach? The sports person may be the best in their game and way ahead of others. Yet, they always train with a coach, who may also be their guide, mentor, etc. In the world of investments, an investment expert can play the same role as that of a coach in sports. An investment expert can be your advisor, coach, guide, mentor, etc. In this article, we will understand the importance of an investment expert in the financial planning process.

Financial Planning: Basic Things to Get in Place Before You Start Your Financial Planning Journey

Comprehensive financial planning is the gateway to achieving your financial goals and achieving financial freedom. However, before starting the financial planning process, you must get certain basic things in place. In this article, we will understand these basic things to get in place before you embark on your financial planning journey.

Debt Repayment: Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche Methods

Debt can be a double-edged sword. It can be a boon or a bane, depending on the purpose for which it is used and how it repaid. It is a boon when debt is taken for meeting important financial goals like buying a house and regularly paying the EMIs.

Ways of Improving Your Credit Score

When you apply for a loan/credit card, the bank considers various factors. Based on these factors, the bank decides whether to accept or reject the application, the loan amount/credit limit, the interest rate, and other factors. Some of these factors include your age, income, credit score, profession, repayment capacity, city of residence, etc. The credit score is an important factor, and having a good score is the key to getting the loan/credit card approved. In this article, we will understand some ways on how to increase credit score.