Financial Guides
In-depth articles to help you make smarter financial decisions.
Best RD Interest Rates: Bank-wise Comparison (2024)
Compare RD interest rates across major banks in India. Find the best recurring deposit rates from SBI, HDFC, ICICI, small finance banks, and post offices.
Best SIP Amount Based on Your Salary
Learn how much to invest in SIP based on your monthly salary using practical frameworks like the 50-30-20 rule. Includes salary-wise SIP recommendations and goal-based calculations.
Best SIP Duration for Different Goals
Learn the optimal SIP duration for various financial goals like retirement, child education, home down payment, and emergency fund. Match your investment horizon to the right strategy.
How to Build a ₹1 Crore Retirement Corpus
A practical roadmap to building ₹1 crore for retirement using SIP, NPS, PPF and other investment vehicles. Includes age-wise strategies and calculations.
CAGR vs Absolute Returns: What to Look for in Mutual Funds
Understand the difference between CAGR and absolute returns when evaluating mutual fund performance. Learn which metric to use and how to avoid common mistakes in comparing fund returns.
Car Loan vs Personal Loan: EMI Comparison
Should you take a car loan or personal loan to buy a vehicle? Compare interest rates, EMI, total cost, and flexibility to make the right borrowing decision.
How to Choose the Best NPS Fund Manager
Compare NPS pension fund managers based on returns, fund size, and consistency. Learn how to select and switch fund managers for optimal retirement corpus.
Corporate FDs: Higher Returns, Higher Risk
Learn about corporate fixed deposits, their higher returns, associated risks, credit ratings, and how to evaluate if they're right for your portfolio.
5 Years vs 10 Years: The True Cost of Starting Late
See exactly how much wealth you lose by delaying investments. Real numbers showing why starting a SIP at 25 vs 30 can mean crores in difference.
How to Create a Monthly Pension Using SWP
Learn how to create a regular monthly income from your mutual fund investments using Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). Includes tax-efficient strategies and calculator guidance.
Cumulative vs Non-Cumulative FD: Which is Better for You?
Understand the difference between cumulative and non-cumulative FDs. Learn which type suits your financial goals, tax implications, and when to choose each option.
Debt vs Equity: Asset Allocation for Indian Investors
Learn how to balance debt and equity investments based on age, goals, and risk tolerance. Includes practical allocation frameworks and rebalancing strategies.
Emergency Fund: Where to Park 6 Months' Expenses
Learn where to keep your emergency fund for optimal safety, liquidity, and returns. Compare savings accounts, FDs, liquid funds, and other options for your rainy day money.
Prepayment vs Higher EMI: Which Saves More Interest?
Should you make lump sum prepayments or increase your EMI? A detailed comparison of both strategies to minimize home loan interest and become debt-free faster.
EPF Interest Rate History: 1952 to 2026 & Future Outlook
Complete history of EPF interest rates from 1952 to 2026. Understand how rates have changed, compare with other investments, and what to expect going forward.
EPF vs VPF vs PPF: Which Provident Fund is Best for You?
Compare EPF, VPF, and PPF on interest rates, tax benefits, withdrawal rules, and returns. Learn which provident fund combination works best for your savings goals.
EPF Withdrawal Rules 2026: When & How to Withdraw Your PF
Complete guide to EPF withdrawal rules in India. Learn about partial withdrawal conditions, full withdrawal after resignation, online process, tax implications, and new EPFO rules for 2026.
How to Evaluate Mutual Fund Performance Using CAGR
Learn to properly evaluate mutual fund returns using CAGR. Understand rolling returns, benchmark comparison, risk-adjusted returns, and common mistakes in fund evaluation.
FD Laddering Strategy: Maximize Liquidity & Returns
Learn how the FD ladder strategy helps you balance liquidity with higher returns. Get step-by-step instructions to build your own FD ladder for optimal fixed deposit investing.
Tax on FD Interest: How TDS Works & Form 15G/15H
Understand TDS on fixed deposit interest, when banks deduct tax, how to submit Form 15G/15H to avoid TDS, and how to claim refund if excess TDS is deducted.
FD vs Debt Mutual Funds: Tax-Efficient Comparison
Compare Fixed Deposits and Debt Mutual Funds across returns, taxation, liquidity, and safety. Learn which option is better for your investment goals and tax situation.
Financial Planning for Salaried Employees in India
Complete guide to financial planning for Indian salaried professionals. Learn about budgeting, saving, investing, insurance, and tax planning with practical salary-based frameworks.
FIRE Number India: How Much Money You Need to Retire Early
Calculate your FIRE number for early retirement in India. Learn the 25x rule, adjust for Indian inflation, and find out how much corpus you really need to retire at 40 or 45.
Floating vs Fixed Rate Home Loans in India
Compare floating and fixed rate home loans. Understand how interest rates affect your EMI, total cost, and which option suits different market conditions.
Goal-Based Investing: Calculator Guide for Every Life Stage
Learn how to invest for specific goals like education, house, marriage, and retirement. Includes calculator recommendations, timelines, and investment strategies for each goal.
Goal Planning by Life Stage: 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s
Financial goals change with age. Learn what to prioritize in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s with specific investment strategies and calculator recommendations for each stage.
Gratuity Complete Guide: Rules, Calculation & Tax for 2026
Everything about gratuity in India - eligibility, calculation formula, tax exemption limits, new Labour Code changes, and what happens if you leave before 5 years.
Gratuity vs Notice Period: What Happens If You Leave Early?
Understand how gratuity works with notice periods, what happens if you don't serve full notice, and whether buyout affects your gratuity eligibility.
Home Loan EMI: How Much Can You Afford?
Learn how to calculate your home loan affordability using the 40% EMI rule, understand bank eligibility criteria, and find the right loan amount for your income level.
How Employers Calculate Gratuity: CTC vs Basic Salary Explained
Understand how companies calculate gratuity using Basic salary vs CTC. Learn why your gratuity might be lower than expected and how salary restructuring affects your payout.
How Much Gratuity Will You Get? Quick Calculation Guide
Calculate your exact gratuity amount in 2 minutes. Simple formula, worked examples for different salary levels, and what affects your final payout.
How to Calculate SIP Returns: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn the exact formulas and methods to calculate SIP returns including absolute returns, CAGR, and XIRR. Understand which metric to use for your SIP investments.
Inflation-Adjusted Returns: Why Nominal Returns Mislead
Understand why nominal returns don't tell the full story. Learn to calculate real returns, compare investments after inflation, and protect your purchasing power.
How to Invest Bonus or Windfall Money Wisely
Got a bonus, inheritance, or unexpected windfall? Learn how to invest it wisely based on amount, timeline, and goals. Avoid common mistakes that cost you lakhs.
Lean FIRE vs Fat FIRE vs Coast FIRE: Which Path Suits You?
Compare different FIRE strategies for India. Understand Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, Coast FIRE, and Barista FIRE with specific corpus numbers and lifestyle trade-offs.
Lumpsum Investment After Market Crash: Is It Worth the Risk?
Should you invest a lumpsum after a market crash? Learn historical recovery patterns, risk assessment, and strategies to capitalize on market downturns.
How to Maximize PPF Returns: Deposit Before 5th of Month
Learn the strategic timing of PPF deposits to earn maximum interest. Understand why depositing before the 5th matters and other PPF optimization techniques.
CAGR of Nifty 50: Historical Returns Analysis
Analyze Nifty 50's historical CAGR over different time periods. Understand long-term equity returns, volatility patterns, and what returns to expect from index investing.
NPS Asset Allocation: Equity vs Corporate Bonds vs Government Securities
Learn how to choose the right NPS asset allocation between equity (E), corporate bonds (C), and government securities (G) based on your age, risk tolerance, and retirement goals.
NPS Exit Rules at 60: Annuity & Lumpsum Options Explained
Understand NPS withdrawal rules at retirement. Learn about the 60-40 split, annuity options, tax implications, and how to maximize your retirement income from NPS.
NPS for Self-Employed: How to Open & Maximize Returns
Complete guide to opening and managing NPS as a self-employed professional. Learn about tax benefits, contribution strategies, and how to maximize your retirement corpus.
NPS Tax Benefits: Section 80CCD(1), 80CCD(1B) & 80CCD(2)
Complete guide to NPS tax deductions under Sections 80CCD(1), 80CCD(1B), and 80CCD(2). Learn how to claim up to ₹2 lakh+ in tax benefits through the National Pension System.
NPS Tier 1 vs Tier 2: Complete Comparison Guide
Understand the key differences between NPS Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts - lock-in periods, tax benefits, withdrawal rules, and which one is right for your investment goals.
NPS vs EPF vs PPF: Retirement Planning Comparison
Compare NPS, EPF, and PPF for retirement planning. Understand returns, taxation, liquidity, and which combination works best for your retirement corpus.
Post Office RD vs Bank RD: Interest & Safety Compared
Compare Post Office RD and Bank RD on interest rates, safety, flexibility, and features. Learn which option is better for your savings goals.
Power of Compounding: How ₹5,000 SIP Becomes ₹1 Crore
Discover how a simple ₹5,000 monthly SIP can grow to ₹1 crore through the magic of compounding. Learn the math, timelines, and strategies to build wealth systematically.
PPF Complete Guide: Rules, Interest Rate & Tax Benefits
Everything you need to know about the Public Provident Fund - current interest rates, contribution rules, withdrawal options, loan facility, and tax benefits under Section 80C.
PPF for Child: How to Build ₹1 Crore by Age 18
Learn how to open a PPF account for your child and build ₹1 crore by their 18th birthday. Includes contribution strategies, tax benefits, and realistic projections.
PPF Loan & Partial Withdrawal Rules Explained
Complete guide to PPF loan facility and partial withdrawal rules. Learn when you can access your PPF money, interest rates, limits, and step-by-step process.
Is PPF Still Worth It in a Low Interest Rate Era?
With PPF rates at historic lows, should you still invest? Analyze PPF's relevance in 2024, compare alternatives, and understand when PPF remains the right choice.
PPF vs ELSS: Which is Better for Tax Saving?
A detailed comparison of PPF and ELSS for Section 80C tax saving. Understand returns, risk, lock-in periods, and taxation to choose the right option for your goals.
RD for Short-Term Goals: Is It Still Worth It?
Evaluate whether RD is still a good option for short-term goals. Compare with alternatives like liquid funds, FDs, and debt funds to make the best choice.
Tax on RD Interest: TDS Rules Explained
Understand how RD interest is taxed, TDS rules, Form 15G/15H submission, and how to report RD income in your tax return.
Recurring Deposit vs SIP: Which is Better for Monthly Savings?
A detailed comparison of Recurring Deposits and Systematic Investment Plans to help you choose the right monthly savings option based on your goals, risk appetite, and timeline.
How to Reduce Your Home Loan Tenure by 5 Years
Practical strategies to cut your home loan tenure by 5+ years and save lakhs in interest. Includes prepayment tactics, EMI optimization, and balance transfer techniques.
Safe Withdrawal Rate: How Much Can You Withdraw Monthly?
Learn the 4% rule and how to calculate a sustainable withdrawal rate for your retirement corpus. Understand how much you can safely withdraw without running out of money.
Senior Citizen FD Rates: Best Banks Compared (2024)
Compare the best FD interest rates for senior citizens across major banks. Learn about special schemes, tax benefits, and how to maximize your retirement income.
SIP Step-Up Strategy: How to Increase Returns by 50%
Learn how the step-up SIP strategy can dramatically boost your wealth by increasing SIP amounts annually. Includes calculators, examples, and implementation tips.
SIP vs Lumpsum: Which Investment Strategy is Better?
A comprehensive comparison of systematic investment plans and lumpsum investing to help Indian investors choose the right approach for mutual fund investments.
SIP vs PPF: Where Should You Invest for Long-Term Goals?
Compare SIP in mutual funds with PPF for long-term wealth creation. Understand returns, risk, taxation, and which option suits your financial goals better.
Mutual Fund Returns: Why Your SIP XIRR Differs from Fund CAGR
Understand why your SIP returns (XIRR) don't match the mutual fund's reported CAGR. Learn to calculate both correctly and evaluate your real investment performance.
SWP During Market Downturn: Should You Reduce Withdrawal?
Learn how to manage your Systematic Withdrawal Plan during market crashes. Understand sequence risk, withdrawal strategies, and when to adjust your SWP amount.
SWP for Regular Income: A Retirement Strategy
Learn how Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) from mutual funds can provide tax-efficient monthly income during retirement. Includes withdrawal strategies, safe rates, and fund selection.
SWP vs Dividend Option: Which is Tax-Efficient?
Compare Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) with dividend payout options for generating regular income from mutual funds. Learn which option saves more on taxes.
Systematic Transfer Plan (STP): The Middle Ground Between Lumpsum & SIP
Learn how STP works, when to use it over lumpsum or SIP, tax implications, and optimal STP duration for different amounts.
Complete Tax-Saving Investment Guide: 80C to 80CCD
A comprehensive guide to all tax-saving investments under Section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD, and beyond. Learn how to save up to ₹2.5 lakh in taxes while building wealth.
Understanding Amortization: Where Does Your EMI Go?
Learn how loan amortization works, why you pay more interest early on, how to read an amortization schedule, and strategies to save on total interest paid.
When Should You Invest a Lumpsum Amount?
Learn the best times to invest a lumpsum in mutual funds, how to time your entry, and when to consider Systematic Transfer Plans (STP) instead of direct investment.
Why CAGR Matters More Than YoY Returns
Understand why Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is the superior metric for evaluating investments compared to year-on-year returns that can mislead investors.
XIRR vs CAGR: Which Should You Use for SIP Returns?
Understand the difference between XIRR and CAGR for measuring investment returns. Learn when to use each metric and how they apply to SIP, lumpsum, and mixed investments.