Investing
How SIP compounding actually works: the real maths, the inflection point, and why the last 5 years matter most
24 May 2026·8 min read
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एक करोड़ रुपया · रुपया एक करोड़
रुपया एक करोड़ · एक करोड़ रुपया
एक करोड़ रुपया · रुपया एक करोड़
रुपया एक करोड़ · एक करोड़ रुपया
एक करोड़ रुपया · रुपया एक करोड़
रुपया एक करोड़ · एक करोड़ रुपया
एक करोड़ रुपया · रुपया एक करोड़
रुपया एक करोड़ · एक करोड़ रुपया
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एक करोड़
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.
◆ FeaturedThis WeekTopical
India Finance News: 18–24 May 2026
EPFO 3.0 UPI withdrawal is almost ready — here’s what to set up now. SEBI proposes salary-linked SIP deductions. ITR filing is open with a July 31 deadline. Plus: RBI holds rates, markets flat.
24 May 2026 · 6 min readRead →
Recent articles
All articles →Salary
What is EPF and EPS: where does your employer's 12% go and how does the split work?
Your employer's 12% PF contribution is not all going to your EPF account. ₹1,250 every month goes to the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) for your retirement pension. This guide explains the exact split at five salary levels, what EPS pension you'll actually receive, and how EDLI insurance works.
24 May 2026·7 min read
Investing
Capital gains tax on mutual funds in India FY 2025-26: STCG, LTCG, and what changed after Budget 2024
Budget 2024 changed equity fund STCG from 15% to 20% and LTCG from 10% to 12.5%. Debt fund indexation is gone. This guide explains the rules for every fund type with worked examples, the SIP holding period trap most investors miss, and how to report it all in your ITR.
24 May 2026·9 min read
Insurance
Term insurance vs endowment vs ULIP: what they cost and what you actually get
All three give you life cover. Beyond that, the maths diverge sharply. At the same ₹1 lakh annual premium, term insurance plus an equity SIP builds approximately ₹2.59 crore over 30 years. An endowment plan at the same premium builds approximately ₹64 lakh, with 6x less life cover throughout.
24 May 2026·9 min read
Credit Cards
How credit card interest works in India: the minimum payment trap, APR, and what it costs you in rupees
At 42% APR, a ₹1 lakh credit card balance costs ₹3,500 every month — and if you only pay the minimum, you'll still owe ₹40,000 after 5 years having paid nearly ₹2 lakh. This guide shows the exact maths of the minimum payment trap and how to clear credit card debt efficiently.
24 May 2026·8 min read
Credit Cards
Best credit cards in India 2026: cashback, travel, and fuel cards compared for salaried employees
Most credit card comparisons rank by headline reward rate. That number is misleading. This guide compares cashback, travel, and fuel card archetypes by effective annual benefit at three spend levels — the number that actually determines whether a card is worth it.
24 May 2026·9 min read
Tax
What is AIS (Annual Information Statement) and how to reconcile it before filing your ITR
AIS shows every rupee of income reported in your name by banks, employers, and brokers. An ITR that doesn't match AIS triggers an automated notice. This guide explains each AIS category, the FD interest accrual trap most salaried employees miss, and how to reconcile step by step.
24 May 2026·7 min read
Tax
What is Form 16 and how to use it to file your ITR: a complete guide for FY 2025-26
Form 16 is your employer's TDS certificate — the single document that maps to almost every field in your ITR. This guide explains Part A vs Part B, how to use each field when filing, common errors to catch, and what to do if your employer hasn't issued it by June 15.
24 May 2026·7 min read
Tax
How to file ITR for salaried employees FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27): a step-by-step guide
The July 31, 2026 deadline is three weeks away. This step-by-step guide covers which form to pick (ITR-1 vs ITR-2), how to reconcile your AIS, the new two-property ITR-1 rule, and how to e-verify so your filing is actually valid.
24 May 2026·10 min read
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