Two of my close family members had health scares in the last couple of months. One of them realised (by chance) there that communication between the heart and brain was faulty. The other had a cardiac arrest and was revived. In both situations, there was mention of a pacemaker – a device that sends electrical…

When it comes to money management, success can be measured in many ways. If it is personal finance, then it makes sense that the milestones be personal. Here are a few personal finance milestones that can help you gauge “where you stand today”. Before we begin, my book with PV Subramanyam, You Can Be Rich Too…

The official inflation numbers, be it the consumer price index or the wholesale price index have little or no relation to how much our expenses increase each year. The main reason for this is because the cost of labour/services is not regulated or calibrated.  Here is a personal inflation calculator that can help you understand how…

Each week I try and answer generic questions from readers. Here is this weeks edition. If you have a question, you can use the form below and I will address it next week (if I can). Abhi: Hello Mr. Pattabhiraman, Trust you are doing good! In the first chapter of your book “You can be rich…

Each week, I try and answer generic questions from readers. Here is part one of this week’s edition.  If you have a question, please use the form below. Please note that I will not provide specific investment advice and/or product suggestions. Pattu Sir, can any MF CAGR could be 24%? How can i get returns…

Each week I try to answer generic reader questions on money management.  Here is this weeks edition. Hi Sir, I follow your blog regularly – you helped in a great deal choosing the right funds as per goals. Now, my question is – when is a good time for a retail investor to consider portfolio…

In this weeks freefincal Q/A, we discuss matters ranging from last year’s star ELSS fund to portfolio rebalancing. Before we get to the questions, a quick mention that the Q/A is a feature in which I address generic questions from readers. You can use the form below to ask your questions. I will address them next week….

Many investors worry that they would lose the benefit of compounding or growth if they switch mutual funds. A discussion on why is not true as part of the freefincal Q/A. As mentioned last week, I will respond to reader queries each Saturday. I was supposed to make a video response, but I don’t quite feel…

As 2016 draws to a close, a look at some of the personal finance developments that made a difference and the lessons from them. Before we begin, allow me to wish you a happy new year and pray for the ability to make informed decisions. If we get that right, the rest should take care of…

Each December, I conduct a personal financial audit. I take stock of my financial goals and other aspects of personal finance relevant to me. For the last three years, I have been sharing the gist of such audits at freefincal. The idea behind doing is this to put some context into the several goal based…

A look at different ways in which couples – live-in or married, single income, or double income – manage money. Often, the need to list out financial goals, the need to systematically invest for them and the need to invest enough is highlighted here. What I never bother to state explicitly is, money management or…

Here are simple ways to check if you are spending too much. Money is meant to be spent .. sooner or later. Sometimes we spend because we want to and sometimes because we need to. Money spent sooner will affect our ability to spend as we much need to or want to later. It might help…

When Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams could not find a publisher for a one-page book on “Everything you need to know about financial planning”, he was forced to write a 368-page book – Dilbert and the Way of the Weasels. (Ref: MyMoneyBlog) You don’t even need a page to hold all the advice that Adams gives. All…