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By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 6:07:15 pm

Five Action Points for July

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 long-term...

Five Action Points for July

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 long-term investments must be in assets that have the potential to deliver inflation-adjusted returns. For long-term financial goals, investors should consider assets such as equity mutual funds, direct stocks and gold. For short-term financial goals, especially those required within the next three years, options such as bank fixed deposits, recurring deposits or suitable debt mutual funds can be considered. If a large portion of your money is lying in low-return instruments, July is a good time to review and reshuffle your portfolio. 2. Increase Your SIPs Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) remain one of the most disciplined ways to build wealth. SIPs help you invest regularly, avoid timing the market and benefit from long-term compounding. However, simply having SIPs is not enough. Your SIP amount must also be sufficient. Ideally, investors should aim to invest at least 30 percent of their in-hand monthly income. A common mistake is not increasing SIPs even when income goes up. Whenever your income goes up, your SIPs should also increase. An annual SIP increase can make a significant difference to your long-term wealth creation. 3. Make Lumpsum Investments While SIPs provide discipline, they should not be your only investment strategy. Besides SIPs, it is important to do extra lumpsum investments voluntarily, every few months. Also, if you have received a bonus, incentive or any unexpected inflow, consider investing it as a lumpsum. The idea is simple: do not let surplus money remain idle for too long. Staying invested gives your money the opportunity to grow. 4. Secure Insurance Cover Health insurance and term life insurance are essential pillars of financial planning. A single hospitalization can disturb your finances if you are not adequately covered. Do not depend only on your employer’s health insurance. Buy a sufficient personal health insurance policy with the right features. Similarly, term life insurance protects your family’s financial security in case of an unfortunate event. Your cover should be based on your income, loans, dependents and future responsibilities. 5. Consult a Financial Advisor If you have not yet made a proper financial plan, July is a good time to do so. Even if you already have a plan, it should ideally be reviewed every year. Consult a well-educated, full-time financial advisor for your financial goal planning and execution. It takes years of education, experience, expertise and wisdom to write a prescription. Please do not self-medicate when it comes to your wealth. The first half of 2026 is over, but the second half still gives you the opportunity to realign your finances. Take action, stay disciplined and move steadily towards your financial goals. (The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

US Vice President JD Vance, his family arrive in Delhi

  • PTI
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 2 min read


NEW DELHI: US Vice President J D Vance arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to India against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel and a delegation of senior US government officials.


The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.


The American leader was also accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for the Vances after holding wide-ranging talks with the US Vice President.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team to be led by PM Modi at the talks.


The focus of the meeting is likely to be on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.


Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.

Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.


New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance and his family are scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Monday night.

In Delhi, the US Vice President and his family are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel.


On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.


In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.


Vance is expected to delved into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Donald Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.


The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.


In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram which is an open air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.


After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.


The US Vice President and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.

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