Personal Finance

India's financial landscape changes from January 2026 include tax rebates on incomes up to Rs 12 lakh, new ITR forms, 8th Pay Commission implementation, and changes in credit card benefits and banking rules.

Stuck in a debt trap? This one method helps you pay less interest and exit faster

High-interest loans keep borrowers stuck; the avalanche strategy offers a practical, interest-saving exit path.

Investment Strategy for 2026: Prioritise quality, diversify and balance assets

Financial experts advise prioritizing quality, diversification, and balance in 2026. Focus on high-quality assets, debt, and alternatives to navigate volatility and build wealth sustainably.

NPS annuity plans, without the jargon: How to pick the one that suits your life

Choosing an NPS annuity is really a choice between higher monthly income today and how much protection you want to leave for your spouse, family, or nominee tomorrow.

Changing jobs often? Here’s what happens to your EPF each time

Your money does not reset with every new employer, but UAN, KYC mismatches and exit date delays can quietly lock your EPF in limbo.

NPS exit rules get more flexible: What corporate subscribers should rethink now

The latest changes to NPS withdrawal rules give corporate subscribers far more control at retirement, but they also shift more responsibility onto the investor.

Current account or savings account: The practical choice for growing freelance income

The wrong choice can quietly increase costs, trigger compliance questions, or even lead to account freezes at the worst possible time.

Government scraps mandatory probate for wills: What it means for beneficiaries

Indian government scraps mandatory probate for wills in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, aiming to simplify asset inheritance. Beneficiaries may face increased disputes; experts advise safeguards like registering wills and voluntary probate.

The biggest claim mistakes happen before the claim: What to document from day one

Most claims get stuck not because the accident or illness was unclear, but because the paperwork trail was never built, and insurers only pay smoothly when your documents and disclosures tell one consistent story.

How to start investing in mutual funds: Account opening, KYC documents and commission explained

Invest in mutual funds with PAN, address proof, and bank account. Choose direct or regular plans, complete KYC, and start with Rs 500, considering your goals and fund type.

Lost your job? A month-by-month plan to protect your money and recover

Losing a job is both a financial shock and an emotional one. A clear, time-bound plan can help you protect cash, avoid panic decisions, and slowly rebuild confidence and income over the next year.

REITs vs a small rental flat: Which one makes more sense in 2026?

A rental flat feels tangible and familiar, but the numbers often disappoint after costs and vacancies. REITS can be easier to own and easier to exit, but they come with market volatility and less control. The better choice depends on what you want your real estate to do for you.

2025 Wrap-Up: Smart ways to rebalance your portfolio for a strong start to 2026

Rebalance your portfolio for 2026: Review allocations, revisit risk appetite, rotate to quality, use debt strategically, strengthen global diversification, and prioritize tax efficiency for long-term growth.

Who does the market reward? Five pointers for the patient investor

Successful investing is not just about finding the right stocks or mutual fund schemes. It is also about having the right mix of understanding and behaviour

When a personal loan slips out of control and turns into an NPA

It doesn’t start with “default.” It starts with missed EMIs. But once you cross the 90-day mark, things get more official, more stressful, and harder to undo.

A no-fuss budgeting formula that can bring your money back under control

It won’t make you rich overnight, but this simple rule can bring order to messy money habits without spreadsheets, guilt or extreme cutbacks.

Budget 2026: Taxpayers want inflation-proof slabs, parity

Taxpayers want the Budget to make transition to new tax law simpler, slabs to be inflation-adjusted, deductions to be restored and easing of charitable trust rules

Fire insurance in apartments: What your RWA covers, and what it doesn’t

Most societies realise they have fire insurance gaps only after something goes wrong. A little clarity now can save you ugly fights, delayed repairs and out-of-pocket bills later.

Sectoral Debt Long Short Funds: A low-risk, high-reward option for fixed-income investors

Fixed-income investors can diversify with SDLSF, which invests in sector-specific bonds and uses short selling for potentially higher returns with managed risk.

Are you in a debt trap? 5 clear signs most people ignore

Debt rarely feels dangerous at first. These five warning signs reveal when EMIs and credit cards quietly start controlling your finances.

Multi-Asset Funds: What worked in 2025 and what to do in 2026

If equity, debt, and gold all underperform together during severe market stress, diversification benefits for multi -asset funds diminish significantly

Are you actually ready for retirement, or just hoping you are?

A comfortable retirement is less about a single “magic number” and more about whether your future cash flow can survive inflation, healthcare shocks and a longer life than you’re planning for.

RBI rules made credit score updates faster in 2025: What to expect in 2026

RBI's 2025 reforms mandate bi-weekly credit reporting, reducing update lag from 30-45 days to 15 days. Weekly updates from July 2026 aim to improve credit transparency and accuracy.

Still running out of money every month? Try the 70/10/10/10 formula

A simple monthly framework that tells your money where to go before it disappears.

Should you book a fixed deposit now or wait? A smarter way to decide

With fixed deposit rates looking attractive again, the real decision is not about timing the peak, but about managing reinvestment risk and cash-flow certainty.