Beginner's Guide
Expert tips, guides, and insights to help you manage your salary and build wealth.
Learn about tax planning, retirement, investments, and more.
Featured Articles
Understanding Your Salary Structure: CTC vs In-Hand Salary
CTC ≠ in-hand. Expect 25–35% gap. Break down components, decode payslip, compare offers. Tax, PF, employer contributions explained.
Tax Planning Strategies for Salaried Employees
Regime choice, 80C, 80D, HRA optimisation, salary structure, timing. Legal tax planning to maximise take-home. Use calculator.
Maximizing Your Take-Home Salary: A Complete Guide
Regime, 80C, 80D, HRA, structure, declaration. ₹20K–1L higher take-home with legal optimisation.
Filter by Category
All Articles
Old vs New Tax Regime 2024: Which One Should You Choose?
Slabs, deductions, rebate. When Old wins vs when New wins. How to opt. Use Tax Regime Calculator.
How In-Hand Salary Is Calculated in India (With Example)
Gross to in-hand: PF, tax, professional tax. Step-by-step with ₹10 LPA example. Two scenarios compared.
Gross Salary vs In-Hand Salary: What's the Difference?
Gross = before deductions. In-hand = after PF, tax, professional tax. Step-by-step breakdown, example, and why the gap matters for budgeting.
Why Your In-Hand Salary Is Lower Than Expected
CTC vs in-hand. 7 reasons: tax, PF, CTC structure, variable pay, professional tax, declaration, regime.
Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One Is Better for You?
No universal better. Depends on income, 80C, 80D, HRA, home loan. Break-even, scenarios, how to opt.
How to Choose the Right Tax Regime Based on Your Salary
Gather numbers. Salary-based heuristics. Step-by-step selection. Impact of 80C, 80D, HRA, home loan.
Common Mistakes While Selecting Tax Regime
7 mistakes that cost ₹20K–1L: lower slabs myth, ignoring deductions, no re-eval, wrong declaration.
How Much Term Insurance Cover Do You Really Need?
10–12× annual income rule. Add debts, future goals, inflation. Term insurance calculator: coverage, premium, tenure. Avoid underinsuring.
Term Insurance vs Whole Life Insurance: What's Better?
Term = pure protection, low premium. Whole life = savings + coverage, higher cost. For most: term + invest rest. When whole life makes sense.
Best Age to Buy Term Insurance in India
Earlier = lower premium, longer coverage. 25–35 ideal. Post-40 cost rises. Don't delay; lock in rate. Compare by age.
How Much Health Insurance Is Enough for a Family?
₹5–15L base in metros. Add room rent, copay, sub-limits. Family floater vs individual. Cover gaps, not excess.
Individual vs Family Floater Health Insurance
While buying health insurance, families often struggle to choose between individual plans and family floater plans. Understanding the difference helps you select the option that best suits your family's healthcare needs.
Common Health Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
7 mistakes: low coverage, waiting periods, network hospitals, employer-only, sub-limits, non-disclosure. Avoid claim rejection.
How EPF Contribution Is Calculated on Salary
12% of Basic + DA from you, 12% from employer (3.67% to EPF, 8.33% to EPS). Formula, example, VPF option. Know your PF balance.
EPF vs PPF vs NPS: Which Is Better for Retirement?
EPF: employer-matched, tax-free. PPF: self, 15-year lock-in. NPS: market-linked, tax benefits. Compare returns, liquidity, tax.
How EPF Grows Over Time With Salary Increments
EPF is a long-term savings tool, and its real strength lies in compounding over time. Salary increments play a major role in increasing EPF contributions and final retirement corpus.
How EPS Pension Is Calculated After Retirement
EPS formula: pensionable salary × years / 70. Max ₹7,500/month (old) or higher (new). Calculate your pension.
EPS Pension Eligibility Rules Explained
10 years minimum, age 58 (or 50 reduced). Before 10 yr = lump sum. Family pension, documentation.
EPF vs EPS: Key Differences You Must Know
EPF = lump sum. EPS = monthly pension. Contribution split 3.67% vs 8.33%. Formula, withdrawal, use both.
How Gratuity Is Calculated in India
Formula: 15 days' salary × years of service. 5 years minimum. Tax-exempt up to ₹20L. Calculate your gratuity at exit.
Gratuity Eligibility Rules for Employees
5 years minimum (same employer). Resignation, retirement, death, disablement. Part-time, contract rules.
Is Gratuity Taxable? Rules Explained Simply
Exempt up to ₹20L (lifetime). Formula: 15/26 × salary × years. Govt employees full exempt. Excess taxable.
What Is NPS and How It Works for Salaried Employees
Tier I (80C, 80CCD) and Tier II. Equity vs debt allocation. Tax benefits, partial withdrawal, annuity at 60.
NPS vs EPF: Which Is Better for Long-Term Wealth?
EPF fixed ~8%. NPS market-linked 9-12%. Use both. Returns comparison, when to add NPS, liquidity.
How Much Should You Invest in NPS Every Month?
₹4,000-5,000/month for 80CCD(1B) ₹50K. 5-10% of salary. Step-up with salary. Use NPS Calculator.
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably?
25× annual expense or 70% of last salary. Factor inflation, life expectancy, healthcare. Use retirement calculator.
How to Plan Retirement Based on Current Salary
20% savings rule, 25× corpus, allocate EPF+NPS+SIP. Step-up with salary. Use Retirement Planner.
Common Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Delay, inflation ignore, single product, no emergency fund. 7 mistakes that cost crores. Plan early.
How SIP Works and How Returns Are Calculated
SIP formula, XIRR vs CAGR, rupee-cost averaging, worked example, tax, and common misconceptions. Complete guide to how SIP returns are calculated.
SIP vs Lump Sum Investment: Which Is Better?
When SIP wins vs lump sum. Rupee-cost averaging, historical data, hybrid approach, decision framework. Match choice to cash flow and risk.
How Small SIPs Can Build Big Wealth Over Time
Power of compounding, rupee-cost averaging, discipline. ₹5,000/month for 20 years: example and why long tenure matters. Step-up SIP, fund selection, mistakes to avoid.
What Is RD and How RD Interest Is Calculated
RD formula, quarterly compounding, worked example, tax, TDS, premature withdrawal. When RD beats FD and when it doesn't.
RD vs FD: Which Is Better for Monthly Savings?
Monthly savers: RD fits salary cash flow. No lump sum needed. FD for bonuses. Same rate, RD slightly lower maturity. When each wins.
Best RD Tenure to Maximize Returns
How tenure affects returns, rate curve by tenure, short vs long-term RD, laddering, goal-based selection. Maximize returns without sacrificing liquidity.
How FD Interest Is Calculated in India
Cumulative vs non-cumulative FD, compound interest formula, quarterly compounding, worked example, senior citizen rates, tax and TDS.
FD vs RD vs SIP: Where Should You Invest?
FD for safety and lump sum. RD for monthly discipline. SIP for long-term wealth. Side-by-side comparison, decision framework, balanced portfolio example.
Is FD Safe? Risks and Returns Explained
DICGC cover, inflation risk, interest rate risk, bank tiers. When FD is right and when to add equity. Safety vs growth.
EPF vs NPS: Which Retirement Scheme is Better for You?
EPF mandatory, fixed. NPS voluntary, market-linked. Both complement. When each wins, 80CCD(1B), use both.
How to Calculate Your In-Hand Salary: Complete Guide
Step-by-step: gross, PF, professional tax, taxable income, TDS. Worked example. Common mistakes.
How Much Term Insurance Do You Really Need?
Calculate the right term insurance coverage for your family. Understand factors like income replacement, debts, and dependents.
Health Insurance Planning: How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Learn how to choose the right health insurance coverage for yourself and your family. Understand factors like city, medical costs, and family size.
EPF Calculator: Understanding Your Provident Fund Contributions
Learn how EPF contributions work, calculate your retirement corpus, and understand the benefits of EPF for your financial future.
Retirement Planning in India: How Much Do You Need?
Plan your retirement corpus with our comprehensive guide. Understand inflation, calculate required savings, and start planning today.
RD vs FD: Which Fixed Deposit Option is Better?
Choose FD if you have lump sum; RD if you save monthly. Returns comparison, tax, liquidity. When each makes sense.
Insurance Planning: Complete Guide to Life and Health Insurance
Understand which insurance you need, how much coverage is enough, and common mistakes to avoid when buying insurance policies.
Credit Score in India: Complete Guide
What is credit score, CIBIL, how to improve it, and why it matters for loans. Complete guide for salaried employees.
SIP Investment Guide 2024: Start Your Wealth Journey
What SIP is, how it works, types (equity, debt, hybrid, ELSS), step-by-step start, fund selection, tax, mistakes to avoid. Updated for 2024/2025.