Money Guides for India
Plain-English guides on tax, loans, investing and saving. Each one includes a worked example and links to the calculators so you can try your own numbers.
Old vs New Tax Regime for FY 2026-27: How to Choose
Compare the old and new income tax regimes for FY 2026-27: slabs, deductions, rebate and a worked example to help you decide which suits you.
Read the guide → SalaryCTC to In-Hand Salary: Why Your Take-Home Is Lower
See how CTC becomes in-hand salary: basic, HRA, employer PF, deductions and tax, with a worked example of a ₹12 lakh CTC.
Read the guide → TaxHRA Exemption Explained: How Much of Your HRA Is Tax-Free
Understand the HRA exemption: the lowest-of-three test, metro cities at 50%, rent receipts, landlord PAN and why it applies only in the old tax regime.
Read the guide → TaxTax Saving for Senior Citizens in India
A plain-English guide to senior citizen tax: higher exemption, 80TTB, 80D, standard deduction on pension, Form 15H, TDS and old vs new regime.
Read the guide → TaxGST Explained: CGST, SGST and IGST in Simple Terms
What CGST, SGST and IGST mean, when each applies, how to add or remove GST from a price, and the GST slabs in force since 22 September 2025.
Read the guide → SalaryHow Gratuity Is Calculated: Formula, Eligibility and Tax
Learn the gratuity formula (last basic + DA x 15/26 x years), who is eligible, the ₹20 lakh tax-free limit and what the new Labour Codes changed.
Read the guide → LoansHow to Lower Your Home Loan EMI and Total Interest
Practical ways to cut home loan EMI and total interest in India: prepayment, tenure choice, rate negotiation, balance transfer and credit score tips.
Read the guide → LoansWhat Decides How Much Home Loan You Get
Income, FOIR, existing EMIs, age, tenure, credit score and property value all shape your home loan limit. See how each works, with a worked example.
Read the guide → LoansHow to Choose a Car Loan
Compare car loan offers by total cost, not just EMI. Learn how down payment, tenure, rate and fees work, and use the 20/4/10 rule as a guide.
Read the guide → LoansShould You Prepay a Loan or Invest the Money?
Got spare money? Compare your loan rate with a realistic after-tax return, check your emergency fund and risk, and use a simple checklist to decide.
Read the guide → InvestingSIP vs Lumpsum: Which Way Should You Invest?
SIP or lumpsum? Learn how rupee-cost averaging works, when step-up SIPs help, and why time in the market matters, with a simple worked example.
Read the guide → InvestingWhat Is CAGR and XIRR? Which One Should You Use?
Understand absolute return, CAGR and XIRR in plain English, when to use each for lump sum or SIP investments, and the common mistakes to avoid.
Read the guide → SavingsFD vs RD vs PPF vs SSY vs NPS: Which One Suits You?
Compare fixed deposits, recurring deposits, PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi and NPS on lock-in, tax treatment, safety and who each one suits in India.
Read the guide → SavingsEPF and VPF Explained: Contributions, Interest and Withdrawal
How EPF works: 12% employee and employer shares, the EPS split, yearly interest, tax rules, withdrawal basics and how VPF lets you save more.
Read the guide → RetirementRetirement Planning Basics: How Much Do You Need?
Learn how to estimate your retirement corpus in India, how inflation changes the number, and why starting early and asset mix matter. Planning basics.
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