We discuss the main risk associated with guaranteed return products that buyers must factor in before deciding to buy. This may seem obvious to regular readers, but even in 2021, there are scores of people who cannot appreciate these products’ main pitfall. It is quite common for insurance agents to present product illustrations to potential…
Continue reading →Imagine this scenario: the stock market falls by about 50% – not suddenly over a few days but over months and months, say over three years. Since there is no sudden fall, there is no sudden recovery either. The market stays underwater (below the previous all-time high) for the next five years. Can you manage…
Continue reading →There are many popular “beliefs” surrounding mutual fund investments. One of them is that the best day for monthly investment is the last Thursday of the month when the Nifty futures and options contract expires. Several “experts” have also claimed that the best day for SIP is the last Thursday of the month. Since only…
Continue reading →If there is one word in personal finance that is mostly misunderstood, it has to be frugality. After the 2008 financial crisis, it became popular online when people with uncertain or no jobs had to relearn money management. A frugal person is often misunderstood to be a miserly person who deprives themselves of worldly pleasures…
Continue reading →This is a review of two Motilal Oswal Asset Allocation Passive Fund of Funds – Aggressive & Conservative currently in the NFO period (9th Feb to 5th Mar 2021). We explain why these offerings are not “passive asset allocation” funds. What are Motilal Oswal Asset Allocation Passive FoFs?They are two open-ended mutual funds investing in…
Continue reading →ELSS mutual funds are often sold with an incorrect pitch: Since they are eligible for tax-saving under Section 80C, each fund unit is locked for three years from the date of purchase. AMCs and sales guys state ELSS mutual funds can offer better returns or lower risk because of this lock-in. This article explains why…
Continue reading →This is a review of LIC LIC Bima Jyoti, a new plan that is available from 22-Feb-2021. Let us analyse its features, merits and demerits and see if it has any value to offer and worth it. We explain why the typical returns obtained would be poor. Such launches are common during the “tax-saving season”…
Continue reading →Many of us cannot stand the thought of losing money; we cannot stand the thought of not getting regular income. This prevents us from taking career risks or investing risks. Some recognise that they are making a mistake but cannot break out of this mental barrier. The “logic” is quite simple: If you do not…
Continue reading →Many AdSense users believe that it is illegal to disclose income from Adsense earns from ads on Youtube and from sites. This is incorrect. These are the Adsense Terms of Service. Point no 11 is reproduced below. 11. Confidentiality You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without our prior written consent. “Google Confidential Information”…
Continue reading →A common question that troubles several investors, particularly newbies, is, can I get better returns from stocks instead of equity mutual funds? Many feel like they are missing out on better returns by staying away from stocks. They feel like they need to have at least “some exposure” to stocks—a discussion. A while ago, I addressed…
Continue reading →In the recently released IRDA annual report for FY 2019-2020, LIC’s claim settlement ratio (CSR, death claims) was 96.69%. Since FY 2016-2017, LIC’s CSR has been decreasing. Is this a cause for concern? We investigate. Before we proceed, the reader needs to appreciate that the Claim settlement ratio is not a probability of life insurance…
Continue reading →Most investors calculate the investment amount required for their retirement and in for a rude shock. Sleepless nights are quite common! Very few investors manage their finances right after such a shock and start investing with focus and conviction. In this episode of ‘reader audit’, we meet Mr Tinker (name withheld on request), who got…
Continue reading →Here are some financial lessons from our childhood stories! This is a guest article by Srivatsan, who would only like to be referred to as a “long-time reader” of freefincal! He has written several articles here before and is responsible for adding the Earnings power box feature to our stock analyser. His previous articles are…
Continue reading →UTI Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index Fund is an open-ended fund that will track the Nifty200 Momentum 30 index. The new fund offer is from Feb 18th to March 4th 2021. In this review, we discuss what interested investors should be aware of; who should invest in this fund and who should avoid. What is momentum…
Continue reading →When we open a PPF account, the maturity date seems far away; However time flies, and before we realise it, it is time to make a decision: should I extend my PPF account for another five years or should I open a new one? The answer always depends on one’s personal circumstances, and extension is…
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