Practical guides for India
Opinionated, real-numbers content on personal finance, taxes, and the tools that actually help. No fluff, no SEO filler.
14 guides · updated regularly · written for Indian readers
Sep 29, 2026 · 6 min read · James
Best Credit Cards in India 2026: Which to Actually Pick
Forget the points-obsessed review sites. Here's a framework for picking a credit card based on what you actually spend on.
Read the guideSep 29, 2026 · 4 min read
EMI vs Prepayment: The Math Most People Get Wrong
Should you prepay your home loan or invest? The math is rarely what people assume. Here's the actual calculation with real numbers.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
FD vs Debt Fund: Where to Park Your Emergency Fund
Fixed deposits and debt mutual funds both promise safety, but they aren't equivalent. Here's how to choose based on when you'll need the money.
Sep 29, 2026 · 6 min read
GST for Freelancers: A 5-Minute Practical Guide
Most Indian freelancers don't need to register for GST until they cross ₹20 lakh turnover. Here's the exception, the rates, the returns, and the 4 mistakes that trigger notices.
Sep 29, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Actually Read Your Payslip (India)
Your monthly payslip has 20+ line items most people ignore. Here's what every one of them means, what's taxed, and what you can claim.
Sep 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Index Funds vs Direct Stocks: What Indians Actually Buy (And Should You)
Index funds give you 12% with zero effort. Direct stocks give you 15% if you pick right, -10% if you pick wrong. Here's the actual framework.
Sep 29, 2026 · 8 min read
The 7 Money Moves Every 25-Year-Old Indian Should Make
What to do with your first salary. The actual sequence — not the Instagram version.
Sep 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Mutual Fund Capital Gains Tax in India: The Actual Rules (2026 Update)
The new LTCG rules, STCG rules, what changed in 2024, and 3 strategies that actually save tax. Most MF investors overpay because they don't know the holding period logic.
Sep 29, 2026 · 6 min read
How to Actually Pick a Health Insurance Plan in India (2026)
The Indian health insurance market is confusing on purpose. Here's how to read the policy document, compare plans, and avoid the 5 traps most people fall into.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Actually Read Your CIBIL Report (and What to Fix First)
Your CIBIL report has 4 sections, 30+ fields, and a 3-digit score that decides your loan rates. Most Indians never look at it. Here's the 5-minute breakdown.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Your Salary In-Hand is 40% Less Than Your CTC
You got a '₹12 LPA' offer. Your in-hand is ₹76,000/month. Here's where the other ₹24,000 goes — and the deductions that hurt most.
Sep 29, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Negotiate Your Salary in India (Scripts That Actually Work)
Most Indians accept the first offer without negotiating. They leave ₹2-8 lakh/year on the table. Here's the actual framework — with scripts for offer calls, counter-offers, and promotion conversations.
Sep 29, 2026 · 4 min read
SIP vs Lump Sum: Which Actually Wins Over 10 Years?
The eternal mutual fund debate. Both win. The data is more nuanced than fund marketers admit.
Sep 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Term Insurance vs Health Insurance: Which to Buy First (and How Much)
Most Indians buy insurance in the wrong order, in the wrong amounts. Here's the actual framework based on your age and family situation.
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