We study 40 ELSS funds to identify consistent performers when benchmarked with respect to the NIfty 200 Total Return Index (dividends included) using the freefincal equity mutual fund screener. Nifty 200 is a representative benchmark of the ELSS category in which funds are typically large cap oriented. Since it is market capitalization-weighted, the index returns…
Continue reading →In this article, Melvin Joseph, one of India’s first fee-only financial planners and SEBI-registered investment advisors, shares his experiences over a 12-year career. While I was trying to build a list of fee-only financial planners in 2013, it was by sheer chance that I encountered Melvin Joseph’s post on Facebook. Someone had asked him about mutual…
Continue reading →Many parents would like to know if they should include an international equity fund in their portfolio for their child’s education to account for currency depreciation against the US dollar. A discussion. The short answer to “Should I invest in an international fund for my child’s education?” is, that it is unnecessary. There is, however,…
Continue reading →The Nifty Next 50 is a strange index. Although theoretically part of the large cap universe, due to large impact costs (significant difference between buy and sell price), its volatility is comparable to that of a mid cap index, as repeatedly pointed out by us: Warning! Nifty Next 50 is NOT a large cap index!…
Continue reading →A reader asks, “I cannot decide between Nippon India Nifty 50 Bees ETF and UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund. The ETF has a total expense ratio of 0.05%, while the index fund’s TER is 0.2%. My friends tell me that ETF is bound to outperform the index fund over the long term and that choosing…
Continue reading →Dear reader, it is never too late to plan and organise your finances and plan for the future. Make use of these massive discounts to get started. Robo Advisory tool: 20% off! Goal-based portfolio management course: 25% off! How to get people to pay for your skills: A guide to winning their trust and building…
Continue reading →A reader asks, “Sir, I have read several of your articles and noticed that you always recommend 50-60% equity for long term goals. I am 31 and wish to retire by 60. However, I am extremely uncomfortable with stock market investing. So can you please let me know if I can manage with not more…
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 appreciate the context of these investments. I started direct equity investing only after achieving a comfortable level of…
Continue reading →In this article, CA Karan Batra shares seven practical and successful ways to make money through a blog based on his extensive experience. If you want to get started in this direction, check out some resources at the end of the article. About the author: Karan Batra is a chartered accountant and is regularly featured…
Continue reading →In May 2021, we carried a reader story by Mr G – My net worth doubled in the last financial year thanks to patient investing! Mr G has kindly consented to provide an update and explain how the following financial year was one in which he achieved “investing nirvana”. About this series: I am grateful to…
Continue reading →A reader asks, “Sir, I have been reading about the safe withdrawal rate in retirement planning. I am, however, surprised that you do not talk about it. Why is this so? Is there a way to calculate my safe withdrawal rate when I retire 25 years from now? I am presently 30″. What is a safe…
Continue reading →This is a debt mutual fund screener for fund selection, fund portfolio 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 and PSU funds etc. The credit quality of the bonds in the portfolio and the bond maturity profile…
Continue reading →A reader writes, “Can you please write an article on the best way to combine a normal (base) health insurance policy with a super top-up policy? That is, how much should the base insurance be and how much the super top-up policy?” First let us point out some helpful resources for those looking to understand…
Continue reading →Over the last ten years, we have witnessed a big shift in how young earners manage money. Investing is getting popular instead of saving. Many more think of future money management (a better-sounding phrase than “retirement”) earlier than ever. However, not all of them sit down and do a proper retirement planning exercise. Here is…
Continue reading →A reader asks, “I recently asked the members of a personal finance forum to review my 25 mutual fund portfolio. Everyone said that I held too many funds and that my portfolio resembled an expensive index fund. Is it wrong to hold that many funds? If so, what should I do?” They are right in…
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