Investment

For those who aren’t aware, a mutual fund is an investment vehicle that pools financial resources from retail investors and invests the accumulated sum across money market instruments and asset classes to achieve a common investment objective which is wealth creation in most scenarios. Since the mutual fund universe is vast and comprises a wide range of schemes, sometimes first time investors find this a bit overwhelming.

Let us take a look at a few things to keep in mind while choosing mutual funds

Determine your goals and your risk appetite

What is the reason behind investing in mutual funds? Are you investing to tend to some short term goals, or do you wish to target your long term financial goals with the investment? These are some of the questions every individual must ask himself/herself before deciding which mutual fund to invest in. Also, since mutual funds are market linked schemes that do not guarantee returns, it is equally important for investors to understand their risk tolerance before investing. If you are investing for long term capital gains then equity funds may seem like a wise option. However, equity funds are market linked schemes that heavily invest in the stock market and can even generate negative returns in the short run. On the other hand, if you are looking for a safer option then debt funds may work in your favor, but debt funds do not offer returns as high as equity funds and are usually considered for liquidity. Then there is ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme), a tax saving scheme that comes with a three year lock-in and has a portfolio consisting of stocks of companies belonging to various market capitalizations. Hence, if your goals are clear and if you know how much risk you can take, then investing in mutual funds might become simpler.

Decide which style of investing suits you

Very few investors are aware of the fact that mutual funds are largely categorized as actively managed funds and passively managed funds. Active funds are those mutual funds where the fund manager is the decision maker in terms of buying and selling securities to generate returns and ensuring that the portfolio remains well-diversified throughout different market cycles. Then there are passive funds like index funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs), that are designed to generate returns similar to that of their underlying benchmark by tracking their performance with minimal tracking error. Decide which investment style suits your income needs and invest accordingly.

Decide which plan is more viable for you

Mutual fund schemes come in two plans – growth plan and dividend plan. A growth plan is where the returns generated by the scheme are reinvested back into the fund. This allows the NAV of the mutual fund to rise over time and in turn, appreciate the value of the units owned by the investors. On the other hand, if your goal is to earn regular income through mutual funds then the dividend plan might be more suitable for you. Here, the returns earned by the mutual fund scheme are declared as dividends for the investors. These dividends are deducted from the overall AUM of the mutual fund and may depreciate the NAV of that particular scheme.

Expense ratio and exit loads

Earlier, mutual fund schemes had entry load as well but now that’s been waived off the market regulator SEBI. However, mutual fund investors are subject to an expense ratio that is deducted from their overall gains. Hence, investors must make sure that they consider a scheme with a low expense ratio and one that does not have an exit load either.

If you’re looking to get money for your gold scrap or broken jewelry, then you’re in luck because many dealers specialize in this. The truth is, not all of them are the same! Some are fraudsters while others are determined to give you value for your gold items.

Before selling your gold items, you want to understand the gold market. And how to choose the ideal dealer for your needs.

In this article, we discuss how to sell gold near me. And what you should look out for in your preferred dealer.

1. Transparent rates

One of the most crucial things to look into is whether the cash for gold dealer offers transparent rates. The best dealer uses the latest methods to ensure that you get the price you deserve for all your gold items. And that could include the use of the Gold Price Maximizer model. With such an approach, it means that if the price of gold goes up within thirty days of your transaction, the dealer sends you the difference.

2. Satisfaction guarantee

When choosing a cash-for-gold dealer, you want to consider one that offers a price assurance guarantee. That is because some of these companies promise to pay the amounts you deserve, only to turn their back on you once you ship your gold items.

However, the best cash for gold dealers offers you a fourteen-day satisfaction guarantee if you want to back out from transacting with them. And has their price assurance guarantee stipulated on their site. That could include notifying them if you’re unsatisfied with your payment for any reason or returning your items free of charge.

3. Best cash prices

Gold prices have been skyrocketing at surprising rates over the past few years, making these the perfect times to sell your gold items.

The ideal cash-for-gold dealer offers the best cash rates in the market! Whether you’re looking to sell broken gold jewelry, scrap gold, gold coins, gold watches, and so on, the best dealer guarantees you of fast and the most payout among its counterparts.

They mail your check within a day of receiving your gold item and may even pay thrice as much as other competitors.

Additionally, the right cash for gold dealers eliminates the need for a go-between, meaning that you get your money in full.

4. Customer service

Before settling for a cash-for-gold dealer, you want to ensure that they offer outstanding customer service to their clients. That could include having an online chat where clients can make inquiries or have any issues addressed as fast as possible.

Navigating through their site should be effortless. And any forms that require filling should be brief and to the point. The best gold company will also insure your package so you can rest assured your products are safe.

The company should offer their clients discounts. And ensure that their telephone and other communication lines are open all the time.

As seen above, finding the best cash for gold dealers does not have to be that challenging. By doing your due diligence and following the steps discussed above, the process should be seamless.

When you want some money at short notice, borrowing may be the only alternative but you cannot get the required amounts fast through the traditional loaning method.

Do not let this put you in a fix as payday loans are there to rescue you from such financial problems. Such online advances are small amount, short term personal loans and you can pay them back on the subsequent payday. Other names for such arrangements include cash advance, same-day, or single-pay loans.

Things to know about the payday loan arrangement

Even when you have bad credit, it is possible to apply for a payday loan and this is the main attraction of such an arrangement. Here too, just fill out the application online to get approval. The flexibility offered in such arrangements is not available with traditional loans.

This makes them more desirable and ideal when you are looking for ready cash at a short notice. It is necessary to pay back on the next payday but if you are unable they may extend the date for you. Sometimes they may charge some additional fee when a scheduled payment is not forthcoming.

The presence of a predetermined payment plan for paying off saves you from the need to avoid this extra fee. Financial emergencies may occur in the life of every person so the availability of payday loans is a saver for such situations. Some examples of this include an emergency radiator or car tire replacement, replacement of leaky pipes, and critical home fixes.

The requirements for getting the payday loans 

The popularity of instant cash loans stems from the fact that getting these is easy. Just make your demand for the loan and the money reaches your account. While the requirements for getting the amounts needed are lender specific, most need an active account, the borrower should be of legal age, and should give income proof to qualify. Even people with bad credit may get the instant cash desired to tide over a financial emergency. Some lenders specify that they do not have any credit check requirements. This is a good arrangement even if the fee and interest rates are higher than the regular payday loan situations.

The lenders sometimes ask for collateral for a quick cash loan like the title of the borrower’s car to get approval.

The borrowed amounts from the payday lender 

The amounts you can borrow from the lender depending on the financial situation and the loan giver. The lenders abide by the maximum terms and lend amounts accordingly. Even when the lender is capable to give, the actual amount lent depends on the financial history of the borrower, income, and major expenses. The loan approval depends on such factors.

People often ask, ‘where can I borrow money from ASAP? And the answer to this is simple. Just contact a payday lender to know about the loan process and they will send the required amounts to your bank account. This simple process can meet your immediate financial woes.

The current generation is more inclined towards acquiring a home early in their lives. Once you ensure that you can get a loan using any home loan eligibility calculator, you are just one step away from turning your dream of a new house into reality.

When you have a lump sum amount, you want to tweak your home loan. It leaves you contemplating whether to use it to reduce your existing burden or create additional income opportunities.

If we go by the book, it is always recommended to clear your debt first and then look for additional income. Is the choice that simple? Let us find out.

• Higher credit utilisation can impact your credit score

It is advisable to restrict your EMIs to a maximum of 40% of your in-hand salary in most cases. Most finance experts suggest a ceiling of 30%. It would help you achieve your other plans conveniently. Also, it would not affect your credit score, and ultimately your future borrowing ability.

If you are unsure, you can utilise a home loan EMI calculator to ascertain if you should invest or prepay in such a situation.

• There is tax saving involved

Any home loan above ₹ 40 lakh would mean you pay well over ₹ 2 lakh per annum as interest. You may ask why ₹ 2 lakh? As per taxation norms, the government allows a maximum deduction of ₹ 2 lakh per annum towards interest repayment. In such a case, you are better off paying a part of your home loan and bringing it down to ₹ 30 lakh or below.

• Investment yields higher returns

Home loans generally cost around 7-9 percent per annum. In the hindsight, an FD may pay the same return, but what you see is a nominal return. The real return is post-tax, i.e., around 5.4%. If you have investments that fetch a return of at least 8 percent post-tax, it may well be the more feasible option for you.

• Be prepared for emergencies

According to Pankaj Mathpal, the founder of Optima Money Managers, though no debt is a great situation to be in, one must have proper emergency fund and health insurance to take care of any emergencies.

Being able to achieve the right balance would suit you the best. With markets being highly volatile, any additional sum should first go into an emergency fund to take care of your family for the next six months or more. The amount that remains can be used to curtail your debt. Utilising an efficient home loan EMI calculator can clear most of the doubts you have around this topic.

• There is no right or wrong decision here

The decision of whether to invest or prepay would depend on a plethora of factors. So you must practice due diligence and take a call after weighing both options.

With some diligent paperwork a home loan can be availed easily, but you have to remember that it is a commitment of minimum twenty years or more. So weigh all the available loan options using a home loan calculator and make an informed decision. With the home loan EMI calculator of CRED you can find out what suits your pocket the best.

ANGEL INVESTING this is the first complete, up-to-date guide to this topic, including what entry fees are, how to get started, find deal flow, evaluate opportunities, negotiate terms, join an angel group and work with venture capital funds. Angel Investing is an investment strategy for visionary investors who want to capitalize on the possibility that the startups of today will become the superstars of tomorrow. This article will explain what angel investing is and how to find angel investors and how to get started. 

An angel investor is a person or company that provides financial support to a start-up, such as a venture capital fund or an angel investment fund. Angel investors are typically wealthy individuals looking for some cash to invest in alternative investments. Simply put, an angel investor is someone who invests capital in start-ups and entrepreneurs. What exactly defines what an “angel investor” is and how does it work? 

An angel investor is often a retired entrepreneur or manager who might be interested in angel investments for reasons that go beyond mere returns on money. Angel investors offer a wealth of valuable knowledge to those seeking advice and advice in addition to financing. You may be curious to tell us how you can find angel investors and what to look out for?

If you are looking for an investment in an angel, it is important to reach out to those who know the process, guidance, and mentoring well and are an advocate for your group. A qualified wealth manager can help you find out what angel investing is, and at the same time help you to consider whether it suits you. If you have family or friends who can invest with you, you can always tell them that you are looking for an angel investor. Never forget, however, that the funds received from angels are primarily investments, investors need to see returns and remain investors for a long time. 

An angel investment may be exactly what a company needs to establish itself properly, but everything has advantages and disadvantages, including investment. Although individual start-up investment could have a positive impact on the long-term financial health and growth of the company, those who have developed angel investments should always approach them with caution and caution. 

First, you should know five things about angel investors before you think about approaching them. To find out if you need a pitch, check out the Engels investor list on this page and, if so, how to find it. Below are some ways to start your search. 

Talk to your network of advisers to see if you have connections to members of the Angel Investor Forum. If you are just starting to think about how to find angel investors, your own network is a great place to start. Contact them to find out if your business is seeking the right type of financing and if not, what it is. 

Angel groups are groups of angel investors who come together to invent capital and invest in deals they see as promising. They are often easy for entrepreneurs to find and often responsible for the success or failure of a start-up. These groups, made up of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, financial advisors, and other investors, have become a leading indicator of angel investors “activities. In addition to providing finance to some of the world’s leading technology companies, Broadway Angels also help businesses grow and pairs with other investment groups to provide the greatest possible help to start-ups that are just starting to grow. For more information on how Angel Investment Group provides finance to top technology companies around the world, how they operate, and how you can help your start-up grow, click here. 

Angel investors are individuals or groups who want to invest in companies early on to provide resources to stimulate growth. Equity crowdfunding has created a new type of angel crowdfunding, where investors can take advantage of the benefits of angel investment. 

Angel investors are all those who have the money to finance a young company, but they are investors in the sense that they usually invest in high-risk, high-return businesses. 

You can find out which investors have invested in your project by looking at angel investors, VCs, and bank loans, for example. 

If your start-up is looking for angel investors, it makes sense to present your plan to a flock of angels and assume that at least one will step in and suck you up. If you want to fund your business with an angel investor, you should look at investors who want to improve their chances of success. Some companies get really far just because of the angels “investments, but then you have to have your company at the top of the list. 

At this point, one of the greatest things you can do if you want to be an angel is to tell people that you are ready to write a check. It is interesting that when we first invested with angels or even advised startups, we always wanted to be helpful. We were responsive and wanted it to be implemented in the way angel investors are, not only in terms of money but in other aspects of your business. 

Individuals often wonder what’s the best way of retirement planning and how can it be achieved. You might already know the importance of retirement planning. This article will provide an insight on 1- golden rules of financial planning and investments for your retirement:

1. Plan for more than you might need during retirement
   At the cusp of retirement, an individual must have a general idea of their income needs after retirement. As a general rule, it’s better to be cautious and plan for more. It is important to start with an estimate of all the expenses.
2. The 4 per cent rule
   An investor must know how much income he can withdraw from their mutual fund investments. According to this rule, a retiree with a portfolio of 50% equity and 50% debt should be able to survive the funds if he/she withdraws only 4% of the investment each year, adjusted for inflation.
3. Start retirement planning as soon as possible
   As with any investment plan, the earlier you start with your investments, the better the yields earned on them. As a general rule, you should start retirement planning and creating a retirement corpus as early as in our 20s.
4. Consider investing in real estate
   One of the best ways to generate a guaranteed source of income is to own property and lease it to earn a rental yield. In the case of multiple assets, the rental income is also higher. As rents tend to increase every year, the rental income also helps to stay ahead of inflation.
5. Reverse mortgage
   Another way of creating a regular income stream from a property is to opt for a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage is not that popular in India. However, it is a good solution for creating an income stream.
6. Senior Citizens Saving Scheme (SCSS)
   Banks offer an investment scheme for senior citizens who are above the age of 60 years. SCSS falls under Section 80C of the IT Act, 1961 wherein an investor receives tax benefits up to Rs1.5 lakhs.
7. Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)
   POMIS offers fixed monthly, guaranteed returns at 6.6% per annum keeping the initial capital intact and yielding better results than most fixed-income instruments. The maturity period for POMIS is 5 years.
8. Mutual funds
   It is also wise to invest in mutual funds. Mutual fund investments have higher liquidity and have the potential to offer significantly higher inflation-adjusted returns. They carry lesser risks than direct investments in stocks and yet offer good returns on investment. There are different types of mutual funds available for your needs.
9. Pension Funds
   Senior citizens should also consider investments in pension funds and saving schemes. These investment options have a low risk-return ratio and also helps to preserve their capital.
10. Investing in a senior living community
    The cost of living increases as we grow old, especially during retirement. The increased costs may include hiring caregivers, physiotherapy, higher healthcare costs, lifestyle services, etc. Hence, it’s prudent to invest in a senior living community. Over here, the community shares the resources and its costs giving access to a better lifestyle.

Remember it’s never too late for building your retirement corpus. It’s better late than never. Happy investing!

Choosing the right investment is vital to reduce tax liability. Read on to know more about short-term investments that you can choose to get tax benefits.

Every year, you may get reminders from the employers and the tax professionals about the tax payments. It is the time when you gather information about the various short-term investment options to reduce your tax liability. Before you invest in any short-term investment plan, you must understand what it is.

What are the short-term investment plans?

As the name suggests, short-term investment plans are liquid investments where investors can park their savings for a shorter duration and get valuable returns on the same. Typically, such investment plans have a fixed tenure and are an ideal investment for tax saving purposes.

If you are looking for the best short-term investment plan that provides tax benefits, consider investing in any of the following schemes:

ULIP

Unit Linked Investment Plans are an excellent short-term investment scheme that gives you the dual benefits of insurance protection and investment under a single roof. A part of the premium you pay for ULIP is invested in the money market based on your risk appetite. Also, the premium is eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. You can avail of the tax benefit if you stay invested in the scheme for two years continuously from the time of policy purchase.

NSC

NSC or National Saving Certificate is another popular short-investment plan that is backed by the Government of India. It is an ideal investment plan for people with small to mid-income looking for a risk-free investment opportunity while getting tax benefits. You can invest in NSC through the post-office, and it usually comes with two fixed maturity terms – five years and ten years.

The investments in NSC are subject to tax benefit under Section 80C to a maximum limit of Rs. 1,50,000 in a financial year.

Tax Saver Fixed Deposits

The investments in tax-saving fixed deposit schemes are eligible for tax benefit under Section 80C of the IT Act. As an investor, you can get a deduction up to Rs. 1,50,000 in a year by investing in these short-term plans that have a lock-in period of five years.

However, you must know that the interest you earn from these investments is considered an income, and it is taxed as per the income tax bracket you fall. The tax-saving fixed deposits provide better returns than the bank savings account, and it is an ideal investment option for all risk-averse investors.

SCSS

The Senior Citizen Saving Scheme is a short-term investment plan specially meant for people aged over 60 years. You can invest in SCSS through banks and post offices. The SCSS has a fixed maturity period of five years, making an ideal choice of investment for older people.

The investments in SCSS are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C up to a maximum limit of Rs. 1,50,000 per year.

RGESS

Another popular short-term investment scheme backed by the Government of India, Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme, was launched to encourage small investors to invest in the domestic capital market. Initially, the scheme was only limited to people with an income limit up to Rs. 10 lakhs per annum, but now the income ceiling is extended to Rs. 12 lakhs.

One of the significant features that makes it a popular investment choice among the investors is the tax benefit it offers under Section 80CCG. When you invest in RGESS, you can get up to 50% tax benefit on the investment amount to a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000 in a financial year.

Thus, there are several short-investment plans for you to choose from for reducing your tax liability. Ensure that you read the terms and conditions of the schemes carefully and select the one that best suits your investment goals.

Mutual fund investments offer excellent flexibility to investors in terms of a variety of asset classes and modes of investments. That being said, you’ll realise that the former isn’t that stimulating if you carefully gauge your financial goals and needs. However, a little overlooked yet equally important aspect is choosing the appropriate mode of investment. There are two distinct ways to invest in mutual funds – SIP or Systematic Investment Plan and Lumpsum. Mind that SIPs and lumpsums are just different ways to invest in mutual funds and not an investment product in itself. So, let’s understand these two investment routes to know which is suited for your needs.

What is SIP?

SIP is an investment vehicle wherein you invest a fixed amount in periodic intervals for a specific period of time in your desire mutual fund schemes. The investment amount, duration, and the periodcity is pre determined before you decide to invest in SIP. The money is automatically deducted from your bank account and used to buy units of the mentioned mutual funds. SIP instils a sense of financial discipline among investors as the inevstments are automatically debited from your bank account.SIP investments also help to average the cost of mutual funds as the units are bought irrespective of the market condition. This mode of investment does not require to time the market.

What is Lumpsum?

Lumpsum investment is another way of investing in mutual funds. Under this method, the investor invests the entire amount in one go. Investors who have a substantial investment amount at disposal might consider investing in mutual funds via lumpsum mode.

SIP investment vs Lumpsum investment

Choosing a SIP investment or a lump-sum investment should depend on your personal requirements. Factors such as financial stability, income, risk capacity, and investment goals play a significant role to determine the route of your investment. You can also use an SIP calculator or a lumpsum calculator to understand the returns on your investments.

That being said, experts believe that SIPs are superior to lumpsum investments on two counts: they can help you ride the market fluctuations and be a good option even for new investors as they do not require frequent monitoring of financial markets. Happy investing!

Lots of people think that you’ll require lots of money to begin purchasing the stock exchange. On the other hand, you will get began investing for less than $25. Because of the internet, stock investing is obtainable to the people of walks of existence. All you will need to get began is a web connection along with a banking account.

One factor that you need to understand when you’re just getting began investing is this fact isn’t a get wealthy quick plan. You shouldn’t be prepared to make $1000 from your energy production of $25 per week. You have to notice that purchasing the stock exchange is really a lengthy term process. Obviously, you will find experienced stock traders available which make a lot of money day buying and selling, however if you simply are a new comer to this kind of investment, then you need to spend some time and discover.

If you don’t know anything about stock exchange investing, then you need to really consider investing some time and a couple of dollars to understand. The cash that you simply spend now to learn stock investing pays off over time. A primary reason why people generate losses purchasing stock is as they do not comprehend the basics. Stock exchange investing is among the riskiest investment vehicles available. Consequently, if you’re unaware about how exactly the stock exchange works, your risk exposure is magnified.

Here is what you ought to do in order to get began investing with little money:

Look for a stock broker that doesn’t need a large minimum investment to spread out a free account. You’re searching for any broker that needs no less than $1000 or fewer to spread out a free account. A few of the car loan brokers that suit this criteria are E-trade, Sharebuilder, and Firstrade. You should also take a look at just how much the broker bills you per trade or transaction. If they’re charging over $10 per transaction, then it might not be worthwhile to spread out a free account together.

After you have found an agent that you’d like to make use of, you will want to spread out the account. Be ready to need to verify your identity and banking account information. Opening a free account is straightforward but it may be tiresome. You may even be needed to finance your bank account prior to it being opened up.

After you have opened up your brokerage account, you will want to understand the account. Most online brokerages possess a suite of tools which you can use for tracking your trades or researching your potential investments.

Before you begin really purchasing stocks, you have to make certain you realize the fundamentals of stock exchange investing. There are many sources open to you offline an internet-based. A few of the sources are compensated and a few of the sources have the freedom. You may also sign up for some online for free investing newsletters to obtain tips about investing.

When you understand how the stock exchange works, then you definitely will be able to make educated investment decisions. Obviously, despite the very best education, you still possess some bad investments. Nonetheless, with some form of investment understanding, you’ll have a better possibility of making good investment decisions.