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Showing posts from February, 2026

A new fund category aims to take timing decisions out of investors’ hands

Life cycle funds will automatically shift asset allocation as investors move closer to financial goals, replacing existing retirement and children’s mutual fund categories. from mint - money

Sebi unveils life-cycle mutual funds; solution-oriented schemes scrapped — what it means for your portfolio

Mutual funds will now be permitted to offer both value and contra mutual funds as long as the scheme portfolio overlap between the two schemes is not more than 50%. from mint - money

From youth dividend to credit ready: How India’s Yuva Shakti Budget impacts first-time borrowers

India's Union Budget emphasizes youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, recognizing the potential of its young population as a key driver of economic growth. It focuses on skill development, credit access, and financial literacy to transform demographic advantages into productive economic capacity. from mint - money

Why your retirement target isn’t as impossible as it looks

A simple retirement formula may tell you the target. Step-up investing shows you how to reach it, without feeling crushed by multi-crore numbers. from mint - money

US shares, undisclosed dividend: is BMA penalty inevitable?

An Indian investor disclosed foreign shares but not the associated dividend income, assuming it was taxed in the US. The ₹20 lakh threshold for penalty under the Black Money Act pertains to foreign assets, not income. What can be done to mitigate penalties? from mint - money

Radhika Gupta's advice on which investment strategy to avoid: ‘The most expensive fund is…’

Radhika Gupta is popular among Indian investors for her easily understood investment tips and advice, stock market fundas, and investment explainers. She has now shared another simple rule of thumb — consistency is key. from mint - money

Chasing 12% equity returns? It may be the wrong goal

Historical averages may suggest 12% equity returns, but investor behaviour, time horizon and savings discipline play a far bigger role in real-world outcomes. from mint - money

How to fund a career break the right way

Planning a career pause? These strategies can help create a dedicated corpus and ensure financial stability.  from mint - money

How Bharat Taxi can turn your ₹500 investment into profits within three years? Amit Shah explains

Amit Shah said that while it will be a fixed rent for the time being, being an owner would fetch profits for drivers from Bharat Taxi. He urged drivers to wait for three years for the money to come in. from mint - money

8th Pay Commission salary calculator scam alert: What is it? Dos and Don'ts to avoid getting duped by fraudsters

Any news about salary hike and implementation of the 8th Pay Commission naturally grabs the attention of government employees and pensioners, and this is why it is important to check for red flags before you trust anyone. from mint - money

Claiming HRA on rent paid to parents and relatives will be harder from 1 April

New disclosure mandates and stricter documentation will require taxpayers to prove that rent paid to family members is a genuine transaction rather than a tax-saving tactic. from mint - money

The thali that never changes

Nearly a century ago, experts were serving up the same buffet of market explanations. Nothing has changed. from mint - money

Dividend-yield funds have beaten flexi caps over the past decade. Should you invest in them?

Even though these defensive funds typically lag during aggressive bull runs, they have beaten flexi-cap funds, an investor favourite, over the past three, five, and 10 years. Tempted to dive in headlong? Read this first. from mint - money

PPF, SSY, other small savings schemes are not only about tax saving - Here's what you are missing

Small savings schemes like PPF, SSY, and NSC are relevant even for the taxpayers who have opted for the new tax regime. These schemes are being changed and recast as tools for long-term, tax-resistant, purposeful saving. They are not out of date; their role in Indian household finance is changing. from mint - money

Account aggregator 2.0: The inflection point India has been waiting for

The Account Aggregator framework, introduced by RBI, enables secure, consent-based sharing of financial data. It allows individuals to control their data while facilitating faster credit decisions and reducing reliance on manual document uploads, thus enhancing the financial ecosystem in India. from mint - money

Owning India’s real estate one square foot at a time with ease: Alt DRX's Avinash Rao

You can sit where you are right now, use that mobile phone, and own a square foot anywhere in the country, said Avinash Rao, founder of Alt DRX, a blockchain-powered digital real estate marketplace from mint - money

Why mutual funds are emerging as the default investment choice

At Mint Money Festival in Mumbai, top mutual fund CEOs explain why India’s MF boom reflects a structural savings shift—and why asset allocation and discipline matter more than chasing returns. from mint - money

Are Reits the right way to own top commercial real estate?

Pratik Dantara, EPC member of the Indian REITs Association and chief investor relations officer and head of strategy at Nexus Select Trust, weighed in on the question at the Mint Money Festival. from mint - money

Emergency fund vs health insurance: What should you really rely on?

At the Mint Money Festival, insurance experts unpack why health policies trigger so many complaints, whether an emergency fund can replace cover, and how to choose the right plan. from mint - money

Next trillion dollars of India’s mcap could create more wealth than the last: Raamdeo Agrawal

The next trillion dollars of India’s market capitalization could create more wealth than the last, Raamdeo Agrawal, co-founder of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, said at the Mint Money Festival from mint - money

We have a lot of conviction in small & mid caps, says Vaiibhavv Chugh of Abakkus Mutual Fund

The fund house's CEO speaks about a slew of topics ranging from the fund house's investing philosophy, expectations from small caps in 2026, why he believes in making contrarian bets and how should a young investor views investing. from mint - money

Why asset allocation, not prediction, drives long-term returns

Multi-asset investment offers lower volatility, better risk-adjusted returns, and built-in tax-efficient rebalancing, said Saugata Chatterjee of Nippon Life Asset Management, at the Mint Money Festival 2026 from mint - money

Vijay Kedia’s Valentine’s Day masterclass: From ‘situationships’ to stock market discipline

At Mint Money Festival 2026, Vijay Kedia used Gen Z dating slang—from “situationships” to “ghosting”—to decode stock market discipline, long-term commitment and wealth creation. from mint - money

Beyond FDs: How to build a diversified fixed-income portfolio

At the Mint Money festival on Saturday, Vineet Agrawal, co-founder of Jiraaf, explained how fixed-income instruments fit into modern portfolios. from mint - money

Your toughest investment opponent is yourself: Bajaj Finserv MF's Ganesh Mohan

At the Mint Money Festival 2026, Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund MD Ganesh Mohan explains why investor psychology, and not market timing, largely determines long-term returns. from mint - money

How investors should invest in mutual funds in today's environment

Experts urged investors to stick to disciplined asset allocation, temper equity return expectations, and avoid chasing rallies in gold or silver ETFs. from mint - money

Why you shouldn't make investment decisions based on tax incentives

Monika Halan, founder of Dhan Chakra Financial Education, explained why tax breaks shouldn't influence your investment decisions, and decoded Budget 2026 for households to explain what really matters for jobs, taxes, investments and long-term financial security. from mint - money

Tax refunds jump 22% so far, claims Scott Bessent – what should filers look for this season?

The average tax refund has increased by 22% this season, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The IRS has not released official data yet, and early figures can be misleading, says expert. from mint - money

How to earn ₹20,000 per month using SCSS while getting tax benefits? Explained

SCSS is a government-backed small savings scheme designed for senior citizens to keep their finances steady after retirement. SCSS gives Indians over the age of 60 to have a secure and safe investment avenue. from mint - money

Explained: Can you open more than one PPF account? Here's what government rules say

Individuals can invest a minimum of ₹500 and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh per year for 15 years in their PPF accounts. This amount is locked in for 15 years, after which you can get your investment back with interests without having to pay any tax. from mint - money

UPI to withdraw PF? EPFO working on new app to make money transfer easy for you, reports claim — How it will work

The labour ministry is working on a project under which a certain amount of PF money will be frozen, and members will be able to see a large chunk of their provident fund available for withdrawal through their bank using UPI. from mint - money

₹5 lakh DICGC bank deposit insurance: Is it enough or should the govt increase it?

DICGC insurance covers 97.6% of the total bank accounts, but only 41.5% of the value (amount) of deposits. The cover was last increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh in 2020. In 2025, a proposal to increase it was considered. from mint - money

Indian market is 18 months ahead of its fair value: DSP Mutual Fund's Kalpen Parekh

Despite consolidating over the past year, the market remains expensive and investors should therefore moderate their return expectations, Parekh told Mint in an interview. from mint - money

Beyond the comfort of groups: Why individual health insurance still matters

Group and affinity health insurance expand coverage, but their short-term nature, hidden risks and lack of continuity make them an unreliable substitute for individual health policies. from mint - money

Bond yields are rising. How should you reposition your debt fund portfolio?

With bond yields firming up, fund managers say debt fund investors need to strike a careful balance in their portfolios to guard against further upside risks. Here’s how they are positioning debt strategies in the current environment. from mint - money

How to ensure your retirement corpus does not run out early

With proper planning, a little bit of caution and effort, you can have a smooth retirement.  from mint - money

US Social Security Payments Schedule: Check beneficiaries, eligibility criteria —here's who will be paid on 11 February

Social Security payments in the United States for February 2026 will be distributed based on beneficiaries’ birth dates. Those born between the 1st and 10th will receive payments on 11 February, while others will be paid later in the month.  from mint - money

Why Indian households are rich in property and poor in security

India’s housing and pension markets are failing households. Fixing mortgages and retirement savings could do more for financial security than any new scheme or subsidy. from mint - money

What you should know about RBI's liberalized remittance scheme

Through RBI’s liberalised remittance scheme one can invest in listed foreign shares, and use it for expenses related to foreign travel and business trips, overseas education, medical treatment, etc. from mint - money

AMFI January 2026 data: Gold ETF pulls in 2x more inflows, at par with equities for the first time

Gold ETF alone saw inflows worth ₹24,040 crore, which is nearly double of December's ₹11,647 crore. Meanwhile, silver ETFs recorded a ₹9,463 crore inflow, highlighting the rising interest of investors in exchange-traded products that are not equities. from mint - money

Draft income tax rules: PAN no more compulsory for hotel bills below ₹1 lakh, cash withdrawals & deposits below ₹10 lakh

Days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2026 announcement, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has brought forward the draft rules and forms for public comments pertaining to the new Income Tax Act, 2025. from mint - money

India’s new tax law simplifies compliance but complicates salaried tax choices

India’s new Income-tax rules promise simpler compliance through fewer forms and pre-filled returns. But by reviving Old Regime exemptions, they risk making tax choices harder for salaried taxpayers. from mint - money

India's investor numbers are soaring, but advisers can’t keep up

Millions of new investors are entering the market, but a shortage of qualified advisers threatens long-term wealth creation. from mint - money

Why this NRI couple in Norway doesn't mind paying half their income in taxes

Nearly nine years into their move, the family’s finances have taken on a distinctly Scandinavian flavour — high costs and high taxes offset by strong job security, predictable work hours, and a social safety that covers their long-term financial goals. from mint - money

How bank auctions can help you buy a 3BHK at a 2BHK price

Even as home prices surge across India, bank auction properties offer patient buyers a chance to buy larger homes at discounted prices—if they are willing to navigate the risks and process. from mint - money

The personal finance system is rigged for you to fail

A new book confirms what sensible investors have long suspected about finance. from mint - money

STT hike further stacks the odds against retail traders

Long-term investment options, such as mutual funds, can be a better option as they are far less sensitive to transaction costs and short-term market volatility. from mint - money

Can you buy term insurance for your cook or domestic help?

Buying term insurance for domestic help is thoughtful—but it must be structured correctly. Here’s how employers can ensure adequate, claim-friendly life cover for low-income workers. from mint - money

How a three-digit credit score began shaping careers, insurance and connectivity

India’s credit score has moved beyond loans, shaping insurance discounts, hiring decisions, trading limits and even mobile connections—turning a three-digit number into a marker of financial character. from mint - money

Why under-priced group health insurance hurts policyholders

Group policies dominate India’s health insurance market, but persistent under-pricing is weakening risk discipline and threatening the long-term sustainability of employee benefits. from mint - money

How multi-asset funds diversify portfolio, smoothen swings

Multi-asset funds provide portfolio diversification by investing in different asset classes. Recent have led fund managers to adjust allocations. Investors should consider funds that align with their risk tolerance. from mint - money

How Indians keep overpaying abroad even after buying ‘zero forex’ cards

Indian travellers swear by ‘zero forex’ cards, yet still overpay abroad. The real cost lies not in visible fees, but in padded exchange rates and conversion traps few travellers notice. from mint - money

Budget 2026 tax changes: TCS norms, revised return deadline extension — 5 reliefs for taxpayers from 1 April

Rather than extending broad-based tax cuts, Budget 2026 eases compliance requirements, rationalises TCS and offers relief on motor accident compensation thus benefitting middle class and salaried taxpayers as a whole. from mint - money

Quitting your job to launch a business? Prepare your personal finances first

Before you hand in your resignation to start a business, plan for life without a paycheque. Three individuals share their experiences from mint - money

UPI transactions surge to record high of ₹230 trillion till December 2025: Govt

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions till December 2025 touched a record high of ₹230 trillion, amid the government's digital payments push.  from mint - money

NRI LTCG tax relief: Clawback applies in year of share sale

Under India's taxation rules, if the new asset acquired for the purpose of claiming capital gains exemption is sold or otherwise converted into money within a period of three years from the date of its acquisition, the exemption earlier availed is required to be reversed. from mint - money

Systematic transfer plan: Wealth creation or insurance strategy?

An STP strategy is a risk management tool rather than a wealth-enhancement tool from mint - money

How will the STT hike on F&O trades affect arbitrage and other funds?

While the increase is small in absolute terms, it has material implications for arbitrage funds, which depend on cash-futures spreads to generate returns. from mint - money

Income Tax Budget 2026 Live updates: What relief did taxpayers get this year? How middle class and salaried will benefit

Income Tax Budget 2026 Live: Budget 2026 made no new changes in income tax slabs, nor did it make any tweak to the new tax regime. However, there have been major tax-related announcements that will affect your pockets. Track for LIVE updates on income tax budget announcements from mint - money

Budget 2026 makes SGBs taxable: Here are 3 investment schemes that attract zero taxes

Budget 2026: FM Nirmala Sitharaman said that only those SGBs that have been subscribed by an individual at the time of the original issue and are held continuously until redemption on maturity after eight years will be exempt from capital gains tax. from mint - money

Union Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman announces new scheme for small taxpayers - Details inside

Union Budget 2026: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces a new automated scheme for small taxpayers in the FY27 Budget, enabling lower or nil tax deduction certificates, reducing TCS on overseas spending, and extending income-tax return deadlines. from mint - money