Should I…?
Real-life financial decisions, explained in plain English. No jargon, no hedging — just clear frameworks.
How much emergency fund should I have?
3–6 months of expenses. More if your job is unstable or you're self-employed.…
Should I invest or pay off debt first?
It depends on the interest rate. Above 10–12%: pay off debt first.…
How much term insurance do I need?
10–12x annual income, or use the DIME method for precision.…
What is SIP and should I do it?
A Systematic Investment Plan invests a fixed amount monthly in mutual funds. Yes…
New tax regime or old tax regime — which is better?
New regime is better for most people earning under ₹15 lakh with few deductions.…
How do I calculate my home loan EMI?
EMI = P × r × (1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n - 1). Or use a calculator.…
When should I surrender my LIC endowment policy?
Calculate the IRR first. If below 6%, compare surrender value to continuing.…
How much should I save for retirement?
15–20% of income from your 30s is a good starting point. Calculate your target c…
What is the difference between NAV and stock price?
NAV is the per-unit value of a mutual fund. Stock price is the market price of a…
What is the 50/30/20 budgeting rule?
50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. A starting framework, not a law.…
Should I take a personal loan or use a credit card?
Personal loan for larger planned expenses. Credit card only if you'll pay in ful…
What is CIBIL score and how is it calculated?
CIBIL score (300–900) measures creditworthiness. 750+ is good. Based on 5 factor…
What is the difference between FD and liquid fund?
FD: fixed rate, lock-in period. Liquid fund: market rate, instant redemption. Li…
How does home loan prepayment work?
Prepayment reduces principal, dramatically cutting total interest paid. Even sma…
What is index fund and should I invest in it?
Index fund tracks a market index. Yes, most investors should hold index funds as…
How is GST calculated on a product?
Add GST: Price × (1 + GST rate). Remove GST: Price / (1 + GST rate).…
What is rupee cost averaging?
Investing fixed amounts regularly regardless of market price, automatically buyi…
How do I calculate rent yield on a property?
Annual rent / Property value × 100. Typical India: 2–4% gross yield.…
What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?
Term: pure death benefit, low cost. Whole life: death benefit + savings, expensi…
What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
Below 36–40% total DTI. Below 28% for housing costs alone.…
What is NPV and how do I use it?
Net Present Value measures whether an investment creates value. Positive NPV = w…
How much house can I afford?
Generally 3–5x annual income, with EMI below 40% of monthly income.…
What is the safe withdrawal rate in retirement?
4% rule from US data. For India with higher inflation, 3–3.5% is more conservati…
What is break-even analysis?
Break-even is when total revenue = total costs. Below it: loss. Above it: profit…
How do I calculate FIRE number?
Multiply annual expenses by 25. That's how much you need to retire.…
What is crypto taxation in India?
Flat 30% on all crypto gains. No loss offset. 1% TDS on sales. No deductions exc…
What is a good profit margin for a business?
Gross margin 40%+, operating margin 15%+, net margin 10%+ are healthy for most s…
How does health insurance work in India?
You pay premium; insurer covers hospitalisation. Cashless at network hospitals, …
What is the difference between EPF and PPF?
EPF is employer-employee mandatory retirement fund. PPF is voluntary government …
How do I compare job offers with different salaries and benefits?
Convert to take-home, add benefits value, subtract cost-of-living differences.…