We were recently asked some questions on mutual fund systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs). I thought it best to prepare for the interview by writing an article answering the questions. The essentials of an SWP have already been covered in a previous FAQ. So we will dive right into the questions. What is your opinion on…

Can we build generational wealth with mutual funds? Ms Sonia Shenoy asked me this interesting question in a podcast. My answer was that it would be extremely hard. Let me expand on my answer in this article. To build generational wealth, returns from an asset class alone are not enough. Each generation must earn more…

In Aug 2026, we published a report comparing Active Mid-Cap Mutual Funds with the Nifty Midcap 150. We used 5-year, 4-year and 3-year rolling returns. What about the performance over longer time frames? Is it worth staying invested in an active mid-cap fund, paying a high management fee in the hope that it will beat…

Although the Indian Succession Act, 1925 does not prescribe a standard form or specific terminology for drafting Wills, careful drafting is essential to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes. Word choice can have significant legal consequences. For the importance of clear communication while drafting a Will, please read our previous article, “Why clear communication is extremely…

Imagine sitting at a dinner table with your close friends. The conversation turns to the future, and you honestly say, I want to build a business that makes a lot of money so I can buy a big house and leave a large inheritance for my kids. Instead of cheering you on, the room gets…

In June, we launched NaviPlan: a privacy-focused multi-asset tracker and Goal Planner. Developed by Gokul of Naviran Technologies in association with freefincal, this tool lets users track mutual funds*, stocks*, FDs, global assets, NPS, pension funds, and insurance policies! The user can tag these to financial goals and track their progress. The tool also offers options…

PPFAS Gift City announced yesterday that they have slashed the minimum investment required to invest in its outbound funds – Parag Parikh IFSC S&P 500 FOF and  Parag Parikh IFSC Nasdaq 100 FOF – from 5000 USD to 500 USD. This 500 USD minimum also applies to subsequent investments. Given how hard it is to…

We discuss the performance consistency of actively managed mid cap funds by comparing them with the Nifty Midcap 150 index. This is the Aug 2026 report. The freefincal active equity mutual fund screener, published monthly, uses the Midcap 150 to compare small cap funds. This is the link to the latest screener. If you read…

“Which mutual fund should a beginner choose?” Someone recently asked me this question after a talk. A discussion. Let us assume that the person is a young earner who has subscribed to the EPF via her employer. If she is a freelancer or entrepreneur, the PPF is a good substitute. That will be the fixed-income…

Why do content creators keep talking about Parag Parikh Flexicap? Because they know it will garner interest from both unitholders and bystanders. The best way to handle this is to avoid watching any financial content on social media or YouTube, so the algorithms think you don’t care. But that seems hard for most people. The…

This is an update on my mutual fund investing journey, which began on 19th June 2008. In the last three decades, I have gone from being a spendthrift to being in debt to financial independence. New community members can refer to these articles for an account. The Financial Arrow of Time and My Journey: Driven by the…

I have been investing for my son’s future (college and other expenses) since Dec 2009 – a month before he was born (He is 16 now). A portfolio review and lessons from this journey. When I started investing for this goal, money management basics were almost in place, except for term insurance, which I got…

This article discusses how often an actively managed mutual fund should beat its chosen or category-representative index. The answer depends on who you ask. If you ask the investor, they should say, “as often as possible, if not always.” They should say “Should” because although investors pay a high management fee for active management, they often…