Why kannadigas will not have anyother party except the BJP... what the congress could not do for the nation, Bangalore`s Yedi has done for its citizens Rain Water Harvesting Mandatory for New building From November 1 rain water harvesting will be mandatory for new buildings.The recent amendment of the BWSSB Act that’s made rain water harvesting mandatory for new and bigger old buildings could bring about a change. Provided, citizens understand the law, get the system installed and also trained in handling it. People need professional help to design a system complying with the law. They also need trained plumbers and masons as well as money to invest in the structure. Some plumbers and masons well versed in this are listed on the BWSSB website. Rain water if captured can generate water equivalent to 3000 MLD, almost double the current demand. It can also reduce the massive problem of flooding in Bangalore to a great extent, say experts.Depending on design, orientation and catchment area of the house, you could pay between Rs 8,000 and Rs 75,000 to set up the system. If you don’t have an RWH unit, your water and sanitary connections could be cut. However, there are rewards for installing one. After an assessment by the BWSSB in January 2010, five houses will be selected and rewarded Rs 10,000 each. ...

No. Started the SIP before the VIP scheme opened. After that there is inertia to stop the SIP and start a VIP. May do it after the current SIP runs thru....

1) SBI Contra 2) Reliance Growth fund 3) HDFC top 200 4) Birla Sun life equity fund 5) Sundaram SMILE fund 6) Sundaram tax saver may I know whats the insure option you are using for Reliance RSF?...

1. Reliance Growth. 2. FT Bluechip. 3. HDFC Equity. 4. DSP BR Equity, DSPBR Opportunities, DSPBR Tiger. 5. Kotak Opportunities. 6. Sundaram Select Midcap. 7. Benchmark S&P CNX 500 Index fund....

The following are my SIPS 1. Birla Sunlife Frontline Equity (Century SIP) 2. Reliance RSF (SIP + Insure) 3. DSPBR Equity 4. HDFC Equity 5. Sundaram SMILE 6. FT India Dynamic PE Ratio FoF 7. Franklin Taxshield...

Hi there, I would like information on accident insurance that covers hospitalization in case of an accident (including surgery charges, room charges, lab charges). Not interested in sum assured in case of death. Is there such an insurance that would cover hospitalization charges for self and family in case of an accident? Will the normal health insurance policies cover hospitalization from accidents? Kindly tell me, its urgent....

Dear Experts, Kindly give me your view on Jeevan Nischay. Last year I missed investing in Jeevan Aastha. Shall I invest in jeevan Aastha???...

If you have not applied for STAR KID then you will not get free insurance....

My advise would be to invest in mutual funds through SIP for accumulating funds for your child`s future.

You might want to check out the following SIPs which provide free insurance.

Reliance (SIP + Insure)
Kotak (Star Kid)



...

Check the following link for more information on the insure option.

blog dot costaverager dot com /2008/08/get-upto-35-lakhs-of-free-insurance.html...

Ashok,

Just curious, have you opted for the VIP option in S&P CNX 500 index fund.

-Raj...

The following are my SIPS

1. Birla Sunlife Frontline Equity (Century SIP)
2. Reliance RSF (SIP + Insure)
3. DSPBR Equity
4. HDFC Equity
5. Sundaram SMILE
6. FT India Dynamic PE Ratio FoF
7. Franklin Taxshield...

Since many of us here invest in mfs through SIP, I was wondering what are the current on-going SIP`s that you have.

Please feel free to reply to this thread if you wish to share your current SIPs....

Dear Sharmaji,

I am absolutely fine with 15-20% being invested in equity. There is nothing wrong with having such exposure to equity.

What I do not feel comfortable about is excessive exposure to equity. For instance in the plan that Vivek came up with, he has

equity exposure more than 60% for 3 years
equity exposure more than 80% for 2 years
100% equity exposure for 1 year

For a retired person who is relying on his accumulated saving for getting monthly income, such high exposure in equity is very risky and dangerous.

-Raj ...

Dear Chief,

This might sound philosphical but bear with me.

From what I can notice, you are unable to digest/let go of your anger on Sandeep Shabarwal for what ever losses he caused you. There is a lot of pain within you because of Sandeep Shabarwal.
He did whatever he did and is gone but now who is suffering?? It is you who is suffering. You have to let go before your pain and suffering does more damage to you.

Please remember a universal law of nature. WHAT YOU GIVE IS WHAT YOU GET. So for what ever pain Sandeep Shabarwal has caused you, I am sure he will experience the same in the future. Similarly, you might want to introspect if someone else had a similar experience because of your suggestions which is returning back to you in the form of this experience.

I request you to try the following exercise. Write down the following on a piece of paper. You can add in anything else you want to convey, like anger pain, etc, to him.

- Mr. Sandeep Shabarwal, I forgive you for the losses I have incurred due to your incompetence.
- Mr. Sandeep Shabarwal, I have been through a lot of pain due to your stupid stock selection because of which my portfolio is still 40% down.
- Mr. Sandeep Shabarwal, I forgive you for all the hurt and pain you have caused me. I forgive you.

Finally read what you have written to him and burn the paper.

Believe me, the above exercie will work. It will heal you of your pain and will help you let go.

- Raj...

Dear Chief,

Though you have a bitter story/experience, mine might be different. For instance, you have a absolute loss of 40% in JM fund, whereas mine is a success story of 33.57% (courtsey- my portfolio - value research) compunded annualized returns for investing in Magnum Taxgain - Dividend fund in 2005 which was also originally managed by the same fund manager. Hence though I sympathize with you for your losses, I might not feel the pain since my story/experience might be different.

You might hate the fund manager for your experience since you suffered losses, where as someone else might love him based on his experience. For instance Magnum Taxgain generated 73.78% compounded annualized returns between jan 2003 to jan 2008 (and in my case 33.57% compounded annualized returns between 2005 to Oct 21 2009).

Instead of trying to put all the blame on the fund manager, you will first need to come to terms with the mistakes you commited. Your timing of investment was wrong (ofcourse coupled with the fund managers poor performance in 2008). Instead of crying over spilt milk, please learn from them so you do not repeat them again.

You are a very highly respected boarder of MMB. But sometimes your sarcasam amazes me. You and I very well know what I am referring to.

-Raj...

Funds can be primarily categorized into two categories.

1. Equity Funds
2. Debt Funds

Dividend Distribution Tax
=========================
If a fund has greater than 65% equity portfolio : Then there is no dividend distribution tax. Nothing is deducted at source. This is as per the laws today.

If a fund has less than 65% equity portfolio: Then they have to pay dividend distribution tax which is deducted at source.

Currently there is no tax deducted at source on dividends for any diversified equity fund since all of them have a mandate to maintain atleast 65% equity exposure at all times.

I hope this clarifies the confusion regarding tax deducted at source for dividends.

-vvrk...

Dear Chief,
I do sympathize with you for incurring losses on JM Small and Midcap fund. So far, of all the investments I have made, I suffered the maximum losses in another JM fund. But I have booked my losses and moved on.

I think a lot of unhappiness among investors is because of not understanding the risk associated with their investments. I am not an investment expert but the following is my understanding of investment options by risk. Highest risk options have been placed on the top and the risk reduces as you move down the list.

Futures & Options
Penny Stocks
Smallcaps
Smallcap MF`s
Midcaps
Midcap MF`s
Multicap MF`s
Largecaps
Largecap MF`s
Index ETF`s and MF`s
Equity Oriented Balanced Funds
Debt Oriented Balanced Funds
MIP`s
Debt Funds
Gilt Funds
Post Office Small Savings Schemes


1. First, my advise would be to book your losses. By booking your losses, you need to come to terms with what your current value of investments are. You need to understand this is your new principal (forget about original prinicipal).

2. Second, you need to evaluate the risk that is comfortable for you. Risk not only indicates your possible returns, but is also an indicator of downside potential too.

3. Third, decide your investment horizon, ie., the time your funds can stay invested.

4. Fourth, select the investment category based on your risk and investment horizon. (Eg., Largecap MF (or) Debt MFs, etc. Sometimes though one might have the risk apetite, if there investment timeframe is short they should avoid taking risks).

5. Fifth, scout for the right investment in the investment category you have opted for. (This invloves in narrowing down the fund or stock to invest in depending on the category).

6. Sixth, periodically review the performance of your investments compared to peers in the same category. Stay invested as long as your investments are performing above average or until you need the funds you invested.

If you lost 50% of your investment, you need to make 100% to just break even. Unfortunately no one has a fool proof way to say this is where you need to invest to make 100%. All they can advise is the possibility of you making money if conditions and luck favour you and your investment calls turn up correct.

Thanks,
Raj...

I just got some online quotes for some of the insurance plans available. Most of these quotes are for 11 years except some which I had to take for 10 years since they won`t let me take for 11 years. The following are the charges assuming 10% gross return.

HDFC Endowment Plus II (3.76% charges)
HDFC Unitlinked Enhanced Life (3.92% charges)
ICICI Lifetime Gold (3.80% charges)
ICICI Pru Lifestage Assure (4.33% charges)
Bajaj Allianz Unitgain Plus Gold (4.31% charges)
Reliance Super Investassure Plus (3.93% charges)
Reliance Super Automatic Investment Plan (3.56% charges)
IDBI Wealthsurance (3.41% charges)
Future Generalli Sanjeevini (3.66% charges)
Kotak Smart Advantage (4.51% charges)
Kotak Safe Investment Plan II (3.29% charges)
Kotak Head Start Assure Wealth (3.20% charges)

The most notorious plan for charges is Kotak Smart Advantage plan. No wonder agents receive the maximum commission for this plan like 40% of first premium. No wonder it is also one of the most pushed and marketed plan.

So far I had not found even one plan whose charges fall within the range prescribed by IRDA.

-Raj...