Learn finance
Short, India-relevant guides — no paywall, no fluff. Pick a category or browse everything.
- Tax
Know taxation in India — slabs, interest, and ITR basics
Old vs new regime slabs, 87A, surcharge/cess, interest under 234A/234B/234C, and which ITR is usually applicable.
11 min read
- Basics
What is compound interest and why it changes everything
How small, early contributions snowball — and why delaying costs more than you think.
6 min read
- Tax
Old vs new tax regime — complete guide for India
Slabs, standard deduction, rebates, when old wins, when new wins, and how to choose without regret.
14 min read
- Insurance
Term insurance vs endowment — why most Indians buy wrong
Pure protection and investment are different jobs — mixing them often means too little cover and weak returns.
7 min read
- Investment
What is an index fund and why it beats most mutual funds
Owning the market cheaply is a surprisingly strong strategy — most active managers underperform after fees.
6 min read
- Loans
How your CIBIL credit score is calculated
Payment history and unsecured debt behaviour weigh heavily — small slips can linger on your report.
6 min read
- Basics
Emergency fund — how much, where to keep it
Survival money should be boring, liquid, and separate from your long-term investments.
6 min read
- Investment
SIP vs lumpsum — when to use which
Time in the market beats timing — but psychology and windfalls matter too.
6 min read
- Tax
How home loan tax benefits work (80C, 24B)
Principal and interest belong to different sections — know caps, conditions, and construction timelines.
7 min read
- Basics
What is the 50-30-20 budgeting rule
A simple frame: needs, wants, and future-you — tweak percentages for Indian city realities.
5 min read
- Tax
PPF vs ELSS — which is better for tax saving
Lock-in length, risk, and flexibility differ — match the tool to the goal behind the tax saving.
7 min read
- Basics
Understanding inflation and your real returns
Nominal gains feel good until you subtract the silent tax of rising prices.
5 min read
- Tax
Section 80C limits and beyond
The ₹1.5 lakh box fills quickly — map alternate sections early in the year.
5 min read
- Insurance
What is health insurance floater?
One shared sum insured can cover the whole family — understand the trade-offs.
4 min read
- Loans
Fixed vs floating home loan
Rate certainty has a hidden price — benchmark regimes changed after 2019.
5 min read
- Property
RERA basics for homebuyers
State regulators enforce disclosures, escrow norms, and penalty frameworks.
5 min read
- Investment
What is asset allocation?
How you split equity, debt, and cash matters more than picking one hot fund.
5 min read
- Basics
The credit card minimum-payment trap
Revolving balances turn small purchases into multi-year loans.
4 min read
- Tax
NPS vs EPF for retirement
Both are long-horizon wrappers with different liquidity and equity exposure rules.
5 min read
- Investment
Gold as investment — myths to shed
Jewellery is consumption; ETFs and SGBs are closer to allocation tools.
5 min read
- Loans
Prepayment vs tenure reduction on home loans
Both save interest — the better hinge is cash-flow comfort.
4 min read
- Property
Capital gains when you sell property
Holding period, improvements, and exemptions decide the final bill.
5 min read
- Tax
STCG vs LTCG on equity in India
Holding clocks start on dates that changed across Finance Acts — track your grandfathering.
5 min read
- Investment
Diversification vs diworsification
Owning everything is not the same as understanding anything.
4 min read
- Basics
Nominee vs legal heir — know the difference
Nomination is temporary custody, not inheritance by itself.
4 min read
- Loans
Top-up home loan — when it makes sense
Cheaper than personal loans if discipline exists — disastrous if treated as pocket money.
4 min read
- Property
Under-construction vs ready property
GST stages, funding risk, and yield trade-offs differ.
5 min read
- Insurance
OPD cover in health insurance
Out-patient benefits are tempting but watch sub-limits and utilization friction.
4 min read
- Investment
Liquid and overnight mutual funds
Near-cash sleeves for treasuries — not replacements for multi-year goals.
4 min read
- Tax
Form 16 — what to verify before filing ITR
Employer summaries still go wrong — cross-check with salary slips.
4 min read
- Tax
Section 80C — complete guide to tax-saving investments
ELSS, PPF, EPF, LIC, tuition fees, and home-loan principal share one ₹1.5 lakh basket — allocate wisely.
10 min read
- Tax
HRA exemption — metro rules, rent proofs, and pitfalls
Least-of-three math, PAN quoting, and why Form 16 rarely matches back-of-envelope rent guesses.
9 min read
- Tax
NPS tax benefits — 80CCD layers employers rarely explain
Employee voluntary, employer contribution, and extra ₹50k window — three different stories.
8 min read
- Tax
RSU & ESOP taxation in India — vesting vs selling
Perquisite tax at vest, capital gains at sale, and why cash flow shocks ignore your spreadsheet.
10 min read
- Tax
Hidden tax savings on your salary slip
Professional tax, employer NPS, gadget allowances, and LTA hygiene most spreadsheets skip.
8 min read
- Tax
Tax planning calendar — month-by-month for Indian FY
April proofs, September ELSS, January AIS hygiene, March madness avoided.
7 min read
- Property
Rent agreement registration basics
Stamp duty and term clauses differ by state — HRA claims need consistency.
4 min read