Cover Story

Unburden your finances
Unknown to most and partly known to some, four forces are nibbling away at the finances of urban Indians. Know what these budget busters are.

Paying more for services
It is critical to systematically monitor inflation by various services categories.
Planners' prescription
Financial planning may end with sound investments, but it begins with efficient expense management. Four financial planners explain why.

2007-06-28

Digital

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New Business

Relationship rewards

Amit Agarwala quit a job, battled tragedies and yet emerged stronger with a company now growing at 30%.

Investment

Collecting wealth

Collectibles hold a place of pride in your house. Did you know they could fetch great returns too?

Colours of money

They add immense value to interiors, but in the long run they may become prized possessions fetching fancy returns.

Big fortune for a small change

These tiny pieces of metal have both historical as well as monetary value.

Collect the stamps of success

The use of snail mail may be on the decline, but the value of stamps are on an unprecedented rise.

Grape expectations

Though a relatively unknown alternative investment option in India, wines have immense possibilities for those who know their drink.

Old's gold

Forgotten family heirlooms could well be treasure troves, so take good care of them. Sometimes they can easily fetch you lakhs.

Books

What five traders teach you

The book profiles five great traders and draws lessons from the common methods they employed. Reading it can help investors maximise their gains and minimise their losses.

Brain Trust

Buy cheap, buy early

Kenneth Andrade tells you how and where to invest and things you must never forget.

Careers

Professional rebirth

People across different streams are making bold and successful career shifts. We introduce a series of instructive case studies.

Stairway to a second career

R Sridhar branches out as an innovation consultant to a host of top-notch firms.

Clever switch

Advertising industry is like a kaleidoscope, where several opportunities exist within the industry.

Travel

Frequent buying to frequent flying

When is it time to enhance your frequent flier programme card with a travel card? Read on.

Portfolio Doctor

Wise investors unwise borrowers

Pune-based Zachariah and Priyamvada Thomas are getting a grip on their finances by repaying their debts and investing systematically.

Insurance

How much insurance cover do I need?

Insurance needs are very customer-specific, simply because no two people are identical with exactly similar needs and resources.

Editor's Note

From the Managing Editor

Most people have only a vague idea of where their money goes, and in the process it doesn’t go as far as it should.

Tax

'Is PF taxed if withdrawn?'

The amount withdrawn does not attract income tax if you are a member of a recognised provident fund.

Talk Back

Letters to the editor

Better categorisation of entries in separate sections, option of e-filing, easy language and detailed explanations about how to fill each section should make filing of tax return easier.

Upfront

Talk forever pay never

In March, roaming rates were slashed by 56%. Now it’s a race to launch the “best” plans. These cuts are an attempt to lure new customers and reduce churn of existing users.

Small Fortune

Cool comfort

Carry a thermos flask filled with cold water whenever you go out with the family. This simple measure can help you save Rs 1.18 lakh over 25 years.

Expert View

The Micawber Principle

Depending on speed of reforms, life will get worse or better, depending on one’s perspective.

Exotic moneymakers

We don’t recommend clients to have more than 10-15% of their portfolio in exotic investments as it is highly illiquid.

High price can also be high value

Cheap stocks are not necessarily good. And the costly stuff often reflects future performance.

Creatively innovative

Customers like the fact that Amdale thinks ahead and always comes up with multiple solutions, not just one.

My Story

Sweet success

Here's the story of how Swati Jain, 34, is embellishing cakes and making an earning.

BASICS

Budgeting Time

Do you calculate your income and expenses in money? Is there another way, you might ask. A quick time-based calculation throws up some interesting numbers.

Real Estate

Kochi, an international tourist destination

The city's good connectivity has brought in investments not only from Indian but also international developers.

Insight

Your world

This snapshot of the rupee's performance may aid you in making overseas investment decisions.

Your Wallet

Affordable scooters

Nowadays, EMI is a better indicator of affordability than the MRP. We present a new way to compute affordability.

Stocks

Sell Bajaj stocks, but buy NIIT

Foreign institutional investors continue to be heavy buyers of Indian stocks, benefiting from a strong rupee that translates into higher returns in US dollars.

India Infoline going strong

India Infoline has seen a surge since it raided global major CLSA to create a new team.

Mutual Fund