Investors encountering underperformance must be patient.
While EPF rewards patience and compounds your money, inflation decides how far your money really goes.
Filing a belated return is far better than not filing at all.
Investors seeking higher returns at relatively higher risk should consider allocation to smallcap equity funds.
'Exiting during corrections tends to lock in losses. Patient investors have benefited from holding through similar drawdowns in past cycles.'
rediffGURUS and CAT experts -- Aashish Sood, an alumnus of IIM Lucknow and Patrick Dsouza, founder of Patrick 100, that trains aspirants for management exams -- have been counselling students about their CAT 2025 preparation.
'Stopping now would defeat the core purpose of an SIP, which is to average out the purchase cost over market cycles.'
Largecap equities are less volatile than mid- and smallcap stocks, making them suitable for risk-averse investors.
New investors or those with lower-than-planned exposure should add US-oriented funds through SIPs.
How do you stay calm, relaxed and focus on the important things that matter in the countdown to your special day? Get expert advice from rediffGURUS.
Don't skip the test. Do sectional tests instead. Or give half, advises CAT expert Aashish Sood.
Before booking a flat, buyers should confirm that the project is registered with the state's Rera portal.
'First-time or conservative investors should avoid narrow sectoral funds.'
Lawful possession means having both actual control over a property and a valid legal right to keep it, usually based on a registered sale deed, lease agreement, or lawful allotment.
Algo trading should be segregated in a separate account with only risk capital deployed.
EPF doesn't just build your retirement fund -- it also provides free life insurance up to Rs 7 lakh under the EDLI scheme.
In the final part of Rediff's MBA series, CAT expert Aashish Sood shares a list of crucial dos and don'ts to follow ahead of the big day.
In Week 10 of Rediff's MBA preparation series, CAT expert Aashish Sood explains how to solve mocks, revise and optimise your time for better results.
Those who have binged on credit must spend less, cut discretionary expenses, and focus on repayment.
Young earners with high incomes and few responsibilities can save more than 30 per cent, while those with low salaries and high expenses may save less.
Before signing up for a BNPL plan, read the fine print carefully and watch for red flags like unclear repayment terms, vague information on interest or late fees, and marketing that downplays the cost of default.
For homebuyers, the OC is not just an administrative formality but the very basis of lawful possession. Without it, the property is deemed unauthorised, exposing buyers to risks such as eviction, denial of utilities, or even demolition.
Quoting an incorrect PAN during property registration can invite penalties and prosecution.
The income tax department will allow people to file 'belated return' until December 31.
Investors having a moderate-risk profile can use these funds in their retirement portfolios.
Have income tax-related questions? Ask rediffGURUS Mihir Tanna, Vipul Bhavsar, T S Khurana, Vivek Lala and Anil Rego.
EPF nominations decide inheritance -- here's what happens if you don't file.
Loan against fixed deposit is cheaper and comes with fewer charges.
Every 1 per cent per annum of investment costs is a matter of life or death, points out Avinash Luthria.
Medical negligence arises when a medical professional deviates from reasonable standards of care, causing injury to the patient.
'Some buyers get carried away by festival offers and purchase higher variants or larger vehicles than they truly need, which impacts running cost and long-term affordability.'
EPFO has simplified PF withdrawals -- fewer rules, faster access, and more flexibility -- while introducing safeguards that make it harder to drain your retirement savings too early.
'Investing in these funds makes sense if their net yield over better-quality funds -- corporate bond funds or banking and PSU funds -- is meaningful.'
Your EPF isn't just a retirement pot. It's a financial safety net you can dip into for life's biggest needs. Here's how these one-time advances work and when to use them wisely.
Ask tax gurus Mihir Tanna, Samkit Maniar, Vivek Lala, Anil Rego and Mahesh Padmanabhan your I-T related questions.
New investors should avoid short-term, tactical entries and instead go for staggered buying via ETFs to manage volatility.
'Always keep accurate and transparent records of the source of the investment or property's funding: Loan agreements, transfer records of the property, and bank statements of co-owners if available.'
Retirement-focused products that promise certainty can look attractive. The returns are guaranteed, and locking into a fixed rate feels reassuring at a time when deposit rates are declining.
Who pays what into EPF, EPS, and EDLI -- the 12% math explained.
'Such stocks may be useful for aggressive portfolios, but should not be part of the core holdings.'