How to determine the right percentage of your salary to invest each month

Many young earners ask themselves, “What percentage of my salary should I invest monthly? Would 10% suffice, or should it be 20%?” They typically seek a quick and easy way to determine if they’re on the right path and to alleviate any guilt associated with their spending habits. Regrettably, this is one of several flawed…

Continue reading →

Why the old pension scheme is unsustainable and the NPS essential

Many state and central government employees are against the national pension scheme (NPS) and want to restore the old pension scheme. Some state governments have also reverted to the old pension scheme. Unfortunately, this is financially unsustainable. Take, for instance, the DA announcement on Sept 28th 2022. “The additional financial implications on account of this…

Continue reading →

Freefincal’s Financial Health Check Tool Added To SEBI Investor Education Portal

A Financial Health Check Tool developed by M. Pattabiraman is now available at SEBI’s Investor Education Portal. A prototype was tested in Jan 2023 with members of the Facebook group Asan Ideas for Wealth, and their feedback was implemented. Later, the SEBI Investor Protection Education Fund Advisory Committee gave further feedback, and the tool has…

Continue reading →

Non-financial aspects of planning for our children’s future

In this article, we consider non-financial aspects of planning for our children’s future. We have already covered the basics of how to be financially ready for college expenses. We shall limit ourselves to “doing well” in school and college although there is ample overlap with all walks of life. Many people have the incorrect opinion…

Continue reading →

Can I hold 5X expenses in cash bucket and the rest in equity after retirement?

Recently, a reader shared his post-retirement investment strategy: Hold expenses for five years in a cash bucket (savings funds + liquid fund + money market funds + safe bank fixed deposits) at all times during retirement and invest the rest in equity! I do not share the reader’s enthusiasm and would prefer the approach adopted…

Continue reading →

Should I claim through corporate cover or personal health insurance policy?

Many clients often inquire whether to use their personal or corporate health insurance policy first. Let’s figure out whether you should use your corporate or personal health insurance in case of hospitalization, assuming there are no room rent sub-limits in both policies.  I thank Melvin Joseph Sir (Finvin Financial Planners), who provided valuable input for…

Continue reading →