Introduction Let’s be honest—most of us avoid talking about money unless we absolutely have to. It’s either too stressful, too confusing, or just… not today. But here’s the thing: not thinking about it doesn’t make the problems go away. That’s where financial planning comes in. It’s not a fancy word reserved for the wealthy. It’s […]

Introduction Ever tried applying for a loan or a new credit card, only to wonder what role your credit score really plays? Turns out, it matters — a lot. Whether it’s buying a home or getting access to credit on better terms, that three-digit score can open doors or close them. If questions like how […]

Introduction I’ll be honest with you – I used to be one of those people who’d panic if I couldn’t find an ATM receipt. Fast forward to today and I’m checking my portfolio updates on my phone while having morning tea. It’s wild how AI in finance has completely flipped the script on everything we […]

It’s already that time of year when conversations start turning to taxes. Some folks like to get a head start, while others (you know who you are!) tend to leave it for the last stretch of tax season. Whichever type you are, it helps to know what’s due when—so you don’t miss out on important […]

If you invest in the stock market, knowing when the markets are closed can save you both time and effort. Each year, the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) publishes a list of trading holidays well ahead of time. This gives everyone—from first-time investors to seasoned traders—a clear view of […]

Okay, so you’ve clicked “buy” or “sell” on a bond. You might think, “Great, done deal!” But hold on a second. Just like buying a house involves more than signing a contract, bond trading has a final, crucial step: trade settlement. Think of it as the official handshake, the moment when the bond and the […]

Introduction When it comes to fixed-income investments, the maturity date is an important factor investors need to be aware of. Whether you’re investing in a bond, a fixed deposit or even a recurring deposit, the maturity date marks the end of the investment period and indicates when the principal amount is due to be repaid. […]

Imagine you’re thinking about lending some money, right? Buying a bond is kind of like that. The company or government you buy the bond from is borrowing from you. Now, for lending them your cash, they give you regular interest payments. The coupon rate is simply the fixed percentage of the original amount you lent […]

When you hear the term cap in investment, think of a ceiling. Just like a physical cap keeps something from going too high, in the world of finance, it places a limit on how high the interest rate can rise. This becomes especially useful when you’re dealing with variable-rate instruments like bonds or loans. A […]