Investors must, however, be prepared for volatility in ELSS, cautions Sanjay Kumar Singh.

The BSE Midcap and the Small-cap Index have run up 25.3 per cent and 31.3 per cent respectively over the past year. Valuations are no longer cheap, notes Sanjay Kumar Singh.

'Do some profit booking and bring your equity allocation back to its original level.'

Stick to low-cost ULIPs launched in the past few years. Go with an insurer with a good investment team and solid track record of long-term returns, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Retail investors may safely invest in shorter-duration funds, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Investing in the US market provides Indian investors a hedge against the rupee's long-term tendency to depreciate against the dollar.

Investors who cannot manage an asset-allocated portfolio or rebalance regularly, or do not have an advisor, may opt for these funds, but only after a detailed study of their strategy, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

'This market is very expensive in some pockets, dirt cheap in some, and the belly of the market is reasonably valued.'

The first and most important check you must run is to see if you have adequate life cover.

In 2021, there is the risk of interest rates spiking. Investors should tackle duration risk with a longer investment horizon, suggests Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Sanjay Kumar Singh suggests key factors investors need to keep an eye on while choosing the direct investment route.

Many investors, who have made money in the rising market of the recent past, are pulling out of equity funds, believing that they can earn more by investing directly.

Tax planning should not be left for March. If you do so, you could face a severe cash crunch in that month, warns Sanjay Kumar Singh.

With a 'yes' vote, there is a more foreseeable outcome, while a 'no' could result in greater uncertainty, for which retail investors may not have the appetite.

Bear in mind that the amount you get paid depends on the stage at which cancer is detected, reveals Sanjay Kumar Singh.

When looking for alternatives, consider several parameters -- your investment horizon and liquidity requirement, post-tax returns, and risk.

The accumulated interest will increase the principal and you will have to pay a higher rate. Borrowers should take the restructuring plan only after they are convinced they have exhausted all other options.

Buying a used vehicle is a lot more complicated. Not only do you have to worry about its condition, you also have to think about whether the price you are offering is anywhere close to its true value, reveals Sanjay Kumar Singh.

Such an economic environment tends to be positive for gold, the ultimate safe-haven asset. Since gold cannot be debased by central banks, it naturally gains in value.

You need to revamp both your work practices and technology tools to maintain your efficiency and effectiveness