The first crore is the hardest. Start here.
Tax, investing, salary, insurance and credit — in plain English, for young Indians who earn well but haven't had time to figure out where it all goes.
India Finance News: 4–10 May 2026
EPFO 3.0 lets you withdraw PF via UPI by end of May. ITR filing is open with a key change to ITR-1. The rupee hit ₹95.43 — what it means for your fuel bill and investments. Plus: SEBI regulates Nifty, 93% of F&O traders lose money.
Recent articles
All articles →Index funds vs actively managed funds in India: which gives better returns over 10 years?
Over 10 years, 60-70% of large-cap active mutual funds in India underperform their benchmark index. The math behind why — and what it means for how you invest.
Why your basic salary percentage affects your EPF, HRA, and gratuity more than the number itself
A higher basic looks better on paper, but it means more EPF deduction, more gratuity obligation, and a bigger HRA calculation base. Here is the complete trade-off.
New Tax Regime Deductions You Can Still Claim
The new regime removes most deductions but not all. Here are the deductions you can still claim — including standard deduction, employer NPS, and family pension relief.
EPF vs PPF vs NPS: which retirement savings option is better for salaried Indians in FY 2025-26?
EPF is mandatory, PPF is safe and guaranteed, NPS gives the extra ₹50,000 deduction. Here's how all three work, what they return, and how a salaried Indian should think about using all three together.
New Tax Regime vs Old Tax Regime: Which Is Better for You?
A direct comparison of new and old tax regimes for FY 2025-26. The answer depends entirely on your deductions — here is how to find out which saves you more.
If my CTC is ₹20 LPA, how much will I get in hand?
A CTC of ₹20 LPA does not mean ₹1,66,667 a month. Here is the exact breakdown of what gets deducted — PF, gratuity, income tax — and what lands in your account.
New Tax Regime: How It Works
The new tax regime offers lower, simplified slabs but strips out most deductions. Here is exactly how it works, what changed in Budget 2025, and who it suits.
How much term life insurance do you need in India? A salary-based calculation guide
Term insurance gives pure life cover — no investment component. For a ₹15L salary, you need ₹1.5–2.25 Cr in cover. Here's the calculation, what affects premiums, and what to check before buying.
Read the series
Calculators
All calculators →Sundays. The week's money, in plain English.
Free · unsubscribe in one click · no financial advice