Currency Notes - Dated Prior To 2005

Reserve Bank of India issued a guideline saying that pre-2005 notes will be withdrawn from circulation. The last date was to be 31st March 2014. The deadline has now been extended to 1st January 2015.

The Good Old Fixed Deposit!

We all love the good old fixed deposit. A fixed deposit also known as a term deposit is a simple product which offers safety and security. It is valued amongst people and has stood the test of time. So what should we look at before investing in a fixed deposit? Let us have a closer look.

What Is An Emergency Fund?

I have received a few emails asking me about an emergency fund. What is an emergency and why do we need it?
I have mentioned an emergency fund in two of my articles.
http://financesunplugged.blogspot.in/2014/03/how-do-i-plan-my-finances.html
http://financesunplugged.blogspot.in/2014/02/how-do-i-save.html
This article is dedicated to a friend who is saving a percentage of his salary every month in a sincere and dedicated manner.

What is an emergency fund?

How Do I Plan My Finances?

People ask this question in various forms. The words may be different but the meaning is the same. How do I start investing? How do I secure my child's future? How do I save? Is this a good fund to invest in? These questions sound different but ultimately mean the same. This post is dedicated to friend who is about to be a parent and requested an article on sound financial planning for a child. All of us should plan our financial life. Here is how to do it.

Aadhar Card and LPG Subsidy

Aadhar Card - Aam Aadmi Ka Adhikar. Aadhar card was released by the government as a unique identification card. The government has opened various centers so that one can apply for an Aadhar card. Till recently, it was also said that LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) subsidy would be given to people who link their Aadhar card to their bank account and their LPG provider.

Money Addiction

This post is inspired by the recent article in the New York Times on money addiction - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/19/opinion/sunday/for-the-love-of-money.html

On this blog, I have written several articles on saving, being careful with money, investing wisely and on taking charge of your finances. After reading the above article, I wondered about money addiction. Are some of us addicted to money? Do we always wonder how to make and save the extra buck?

Do I Need A Life Insurance Policy?

For a lot of us the answer is yes.  However, there are some people who do not need a life insurance policy. If a policy is needed, one must get the right kind of policy. There are options between term insurance and ULIPs. Which one should you get?

How Do I Save?

This is a question I get asked often.  I posted an article where I mentioned that we should all set aside an emergency fund. This fund should consist of six to eight months of living expenses and is for emergencies like loss of a job, car and house repairs or any sudden need for income in the family. My friends asked me how to save. The answer is simple. Savings are an ongoing process. We have to be at  it for a while and then it becomes the normal way to live

I sat and thought about how anyone saves money and here is what I could come up with :

Should I Invest In A Public Provident Fund ?

YES ! The answer is short, sweet and simple. Public Provident Fund also known as a PPF account can be opened by any resident in India. It is a safe and sound investment which does not get much media attention since it is boring (read secure) and does not have the adventure and excitement that trading in shares or equity has.

The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada - a famous movie about a strict and demanding boss in the fashion industry. It is believed that the movie is based on a real life character. We get to see a lot of big brand names and the top fashion releases in this movie. Prada, of course is a big and expensive brand name which sells clothes, bags, shoes among other things.

A question that has puzzled me often -  why do we love buying expensive branded products ?