In Mumbai, July is the month when the monsoon is no longer a possibility, but a full-blown reality. Over the last week or so, the city has seen heavy rains. One minute the rain slows down, the next - the skies open up again without warning. And yet, most of us carry an umbrella. Not because it is raining every single minute, but because we know it can start again anytime. The Umbrella Mindset We don’t wait for the first drop to go shopping for umbrellas. We keep them ready in

With the first half of 2026 now behind us, July becomes an important checkpoint in the financial calendar. The beginning of July is the right time to move from reflection to action. Here are five important financial action points to focus on. 1. Inflation-Beating Assets One of the most important principles of long-term investing is to ensure that your portfolio is designed to beat inflation. Inflation silently reduces the real value of your money over time. This is why your l

Every year, 21 June is celebrated as International Yoga Day. Yoga is associated with flexibility, fitness and physical well-being, while meditation helps us remain calm, focused and emotionally balanced. Interestingly, the same qualities are equally important when it comes to managing money and building wealth. Simple, But Not Always Easy Investing, much like yoga and meditation, is simple to understand but not always easy to practise. Most people already know the basics: spe

AI generated image Bengaluru: Imagine a young professional walking into a coffee shop every morning. He orders a cappuccino for Rs.120. It is a harmless indulgence, repeated almost without thought. Now imagine another young professional who skips that coffee and instead invests Rs.100 every day into an equity mutual fund through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). Twenty-five years later, the difference between the two decisions is transformational. The first professional has

As Adhik Maas comes to a close, it is the right time to reflect on the deeper meaning of this sacred month. Adhik Maas, also known as Purushottam Maas, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the most auspicious periods in the Hindu calendar. It is a month associated with prayer, discipline, reflection, charity and positive action. Why Adhik Maas Is Added Adhik Maas occurs roughly once every three years. The traditional Hindu calendar is lunisolar, which means it

In mutual funds, investors often hear three important terms - SIP, STP and SWP. These may sound technical, but they are actually simple and powerful facilities provided by mutual funds. They help investors invest, transfer and withdraw money in a disciplined and automated manner. Systematic Investment Plan This is the most commonly known concept. In an SIP, a fixed amount is automatically debited from your bank account on a fixed date and invested into selected mutual fund sc

Most people work hard to create wealth. They invest in bank deposits, mutual funds, stocks, insurance policies, real estate, gold, bonds and other assets. But one important question is often ignored: does your family know about all this? This question has become even more important today. Recently, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that Indian banks are holding around Rs. 78,000 crore of unclaimed deposits, insurance companies have nearly Rs. 14,000 crore lying unc

When investors evaluate any investment, the first number they usually think of is the “profit”. What extra have we earned? Naturally, this feels exciting. But the important question is: does this number truly reflect how well your money has worked for you? This is where investors must understand the difference between absolute returns and XIRR. This difference is important across asset classes - whether it is a stocks portfolio, mutual funds portfolio, insurance product, LIC

For many families, a home loan is the biggest financial commitment of their lives. So, it is natural to think that the faster you repay it, the better it is. After all, becoming debt-free sounds emotionally satisfying and financially responsible. But personal finance is not only about emotions. It is also about opportunity cost. Cheap Money A home loan is usually among the cheapest forms of borrowing available to an individual. In many cases, especially for younger borrowers

While I definitely love my work, April always makes me nostalgic about a concept we all loved as children - summer vacations. Summer vacations meant freedom. They meant slower mornings, afternoon naps, mangoes, learning a hobby, family trips, cricket with friends, and the simple joy of not having to look at the clock every hour. It was a time filled with excitement, relaxation, and the feeling that life could be enjoyed at your own pace. As adults, however, that feeling becom

As the new financial year 2026-2027 begins, it is the perfect time to reassess your financial goals and make smart decisions to build a strong foundation for the year ahead. The following five strategies can help you take better control of your financial future. Whenever I talk about investments below, I mean a combination of mutual funds, direct stocks, and gold. These are essential for beating inflation and achieving your long-term goals, especially those beyond three years

Every summer, as crates of golden mangoes make their way into our homes and hearts, they remind us of a simple truth - good things take time. The sweetness of a mango is earned, not rushed. And in that lies one of the most underrated lessons of investing. The Mango Tree Lesson Imagine planting a mango tree. You water it regularly, protect it from pests, and make sure it gets enough sunlight. But no matter how eager you are, you cannot force it to bear fruit immediately. The t