An investor in an SDI (securitised debt instrument) recently shared with us his experience following a default on interest payments. Before we get to the story, a quick (simplified) primer on SDIs (it will remind you of The Big Short if you have seen it; if you have not, you should!). Suppose A, B and C…
Continue reading →In this edition of the reader story, we encounter a 12-year transformative personal finance journey. About this series: I am grateful to readers for sharing intimate details about their financial lives, which benefits us all. Some of the previous editions are linked at the bottom of this article. You can also access the full reader story…
Continue reading →After the mandatory NPS annuity was reduced to 20% in Dec 2025, I discussed two additional changes I would like to see in the NPS. (1) The inclusion of the RBI Retail Direct Portal as an annuity provider and (2) A short-term debt fund option for retirees. See: My NPS Wishlist: two changes to make it…
Continue reading →SEBI RIA Ajay Pruthi continues his discussion on the education loan. This is part 1: Education Loan for Higher Studies – Who Pays for the Borrowed Dream? The convocation ceremony is the peak of the mountain. The black gown is worn. The degree is held high. But as the applause fades, the real story begins. The…
Continue reading →This article compares my stock portfolio with an equivalent investment in a Nifty index fund and the Nifty 100 Low Volatility 30 TR index. We post this comparison each month. Before we begin, new readers need to understand the context of these investments. Update: We recently added a new tool to the freefincal investor circle…
Continue reading →After each budget, many money managers get confused, raise all sorts of doubts, and blame the government for using confusing language. Here are simple steps to handle budget announcements without confusion! 1. The ideal approach: Ignore all pre- and post-budget noise and enjoy your life! This is because the budget is an event for content…
Continue reading →“You will have to quit your corporate job and become an entrepreneur to understand the tax benefits, – my friend said a while ago. He was spot on. Before we begin, I would like to point out that I am a layman. I strongly believe in paying taxes for the good of the country. This…
Continue reading →This new year, let us be the fund managers of our goals and dreams. To do this, we must do better than these common beliefs and questions we ask on money management or the issues we worry about: We naively believe that because the Indian economy is expected to grow, our portfolio returns will always grow,…
Continue reading →Many friends have shown interest in becoming SEBI-registered investment advisors (RIAs), offering unbiased advice to clients and earning a decent income from it. Several DIY investors are keen on helping others manage their finances. For them, it can be a second career. About the author: Melvin Joseph is one of the first RIAs in the…
Continue reading →When the NPS regulator PFRDA announced on 12th Dec 2025 that the mandatory annuity requirement for non-government subscribers had been reduced from 40% to 20%, I also assumed that the minimum 15-year lock-in period applied to all such subscribers. Since our article – NPS reduces annuity requirement to 20% – should you open an NPS account?…
Continue reading →In this edition of the reader story, we meet a 30-something tech consultant who often ignored logic and followed his heart, but still landed on his feet. About this series: I am grateful to readers for sharing intimate details about their financial lives, which benefits us all. Some of the previous editions are linked at the…
Continue reading →In the great Indian middle-class living room, a high-stakes poker game is being played. The chips on the table aren’t plastic; they are retirement savings, ancestral homes, and the future happiness of the next generation. The central question is always the same: Who pays for the dream? About the author: Ajay Pruthi is a fee-only SEBI-registered…
Continue reading →This is a debt mutual fund screener for portfolio selection, tracking, and learning. It also includes hybrid funds that invest in bonds. It will satisfy investors who wish to invest in money market funds, banking PSU funds, etc. The credit quality of the portfolio’s bonds and the bond maturity profile can be tracked. Instead of…
Continue reading →In this edition of the reader story, we meet a 39-year-old who has transformed his life from negative net worth to six times his annual expenses with discipline. About this series: I am grateful to readers for sharing intimate details about their financial lives, which benefits us all. Some of the previous editions are linked at…
Continue reading →Here is a quick-start list of action items for young earners to start their investment journey in 2026. Older earners can also use it as relevant. The action plan Get life insurance (15-20 times annual income) Get health insurance for parents (if not present). Get a separate health cover for yourself. Build an emergency buffer:…
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