FINANCIAL GUIDES
Guides
Plain-language explainers on saving, investing, and borrowing — each with worked examples and a calculator to try the numbers yourself.
Every guide pairs with a calculator so you can try the numbers yourself.
The Power of Compounding: How SIP Returns Actually Work
How a SIP compounds month after month, why starting early beats investing more, and how step-ups supercharge returns — with worked examples.SIP vs FD: Which Is Better? Returns Compared After Tax
The same money in an FD or RD versus an equity SIP, compared before and after tax, plus the return a SIP needs to come out ahead.SWP vs FD for Monthly Income: Which Is Taxed Less?
The same monthly income from an FD, a debt fund SWP and an equity fund SWP, with the tax worked out year by year.NSC vs Post Office MIS: Which Pays More Over 5 Years?
The same ₹5 lakh in a National Savings Certificate and the Monthly Income Scheme, compared before and after tax, with 80C and early closure.SCSS vs Senior Citizen FD vs Post Office MIS: Which Pays Retirees More?
SCSS, a senior citizen FD and Post Office MIS compared for retirement income, before and after tax, with the tax regimes and early closure.Fixed-Rate vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgage: How to Choose
How fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages work, the risks of an ARM, and how to choose between them — with a worked example.Refinancing Your Mortgage: When It's Actually Worth It
The break-even test, what closing costs really are, the term-reset trap, and the cases where refinancing does and doesn't pay.Biweekly Mortgage Payments: How Much You Actually Save
What biweekly payments really save, the lender trap that cancels the benefit, and the free DIY alternative that does the same job.PPF Rules: Lock-in, Partial Withdrawal, and Loans
The 15-year lock-in, when partial withdrawals are allowed, loans against your PPF, extensions, and the EEE tax benefit.Snowball vs Avalanche: Paying Off Credit Card Debt
How each debt method works, which saves more interest, which keeps you motivated, and how to choose — with a worked example.Home Loan Prepayment: Should You Prepay or Invest?
The after-tax rule for prepaying versus investing, a shorter loan versus a lower EMI, and when prepaying is the wrong move, with four worked examples.CIBIL Score and Your Home Loan: How It Affects Your Rate
How your CIBIL score affects home loan approval, your interest rate, and how much you can borrow — the score bands, what moves the score, and how to improve it.How Much House Can You Afford? By Income
What house price your income supports, worked out at five income levels — and why the standard 28/36 answer overstates it by six figures.Gratuity Act Explained: Eligibility, Formula and the ₹20 Lakh Cap
The 5-year eligibility rule, the 15/26 formula, the rounding rule, the ₹20 lakh ceiling, and how gratuity is taxed — with a worked example.Flat Rate vs Reducing Balance Interest, Explained
Why a 10% flat-rate loan costs far more than a 10% reducing-balance loan, the rough conversion between them, and where each shows up.15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Which Should You Choose?
The payment and total-interest trade-off, why 15-year rates are lower, and the "buy 30, pay like 15" strategy — with a worked example.PMI Explained: What It Costs and How to Avoid It
What private mortgage insurance is, why lenders require it under 20% down, what it costs, how to avoid it, and how to get it removed.Education Loan Moratorium Explained
How the repayment holiday works, how interest accrues, servicing vs capitalising, the rate concession worth asking for, and Section 80E.Personal Loan vs Credit Card for Emergency Expenses
When a personal loan beats a credit card for an emergency and when the card wins — rates, repayment and flexibility, with India and global notes.Home Loan vs Loan Against Property: Which Fits Your Need?
What each is for, the rate and LTV differences, tenure, tax benefits, and how to choose between buying with a home loan and borrowing against one.