Tag Archives: finance

Students often apply to more than one college because admission is not guaranteed in any of the institutions. Even if someone has good marks, there is no certainty that it’s enough to reach your dream university. Hence it becomes difficult to know where one might ultimately end up.  Let us first understand what is a college application fee and why colleges levy an application fee before answering the question - Are college application fees refundable? What are college application fees? College application fees refer to the money students must pay when they apply for admission to a college. It is considered negligible compared to the cost of studying in a college, which will include tuition fees and other related expenses.  Why does the college charge an application fee? The application fees help colleges to recover the cost of reviewing the applications. Colleges generally receive a fair number of application forms and it takes time, money, and effort to review each one of them. They have to hire specialists to go through the application forms and assess which of them are eligible for admission. Colleges levy application fees so that only the students who are serious about attending apply. If there were no application fees, every student would be applying to every college, and the overwhelming number of applications would increase the burden on the colleges. What is the average cost of application fees? The average cost of an application fee is between $44 to $50 in most parts of the world. Some of the prestigious colleges charge as high as $105 and $100. The average application fee in these prestigious colleges is $78.  In India, the cost of the application fee is between INR 0 - and INR 3,000. Some of the colleges charge as low as INR 100, whereas some of the prestigious colleges for specific courses have an application fee range between INR 2000 - and INR 3,000.  As students often apply to several colleges as backup, the total cost of application fees can cost them hundreds of dollars.  Why are students worried about application fees if it is such a small amount? Students have to apply to several colleges to increase their chances of acceptance and thus pay the application fees every time. This amount adds up and becomes quite a lot, especially for someone short on funds. Are college application fees refundable? College application fees are non-refundable regardless of whether a student has been accepted into the college or not.  A student can sometimes avoid the application fee by taking the help of fee waivers.  What are fee waivers? Application fee waivers refer to the process where the student does not have to pay the application fees because of special circumstances.  Who is eligible for college application fee waivers? Are college application fees refundable? Well, the answer is no, but students can take the help of fee waivers to avoid the application fee. The applicants must check with a recognized authority or high school counselor to find out if they are eligible for the fee waiver and under which category.  Some of the eligibility criteria for a college application fee waiver are Applicants who are eligible for the Pell Grant. Students who are eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program. Applicants in financial aid programs. Member of a family whose annual income is very low. Students living in foster homes. Applicants who are a ward of the state or are homeless or orphans. Members of a family who live in subsidized public housing or on public assistance. Colleges also accept NACAC, ACT, or SAT fee waivers. Additional read: Why India needs a Higher Education Savings Fund? Ways to lower the overall cost of college application fees Application fees can range from $25 to $60 and, the total cost of the application becomes quite high if the applicant is applying to several colleges. Follow the below tips to lower the overall cost of college application fees. 1. Narrow down the list of colleges Students are often tempted to apply to almost all the colleges they prefer, but it is not feasible. Narrow down your choices by shortlisting the colleges that you consider a good fit. Make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria of the college because it will increase your chances of admission.  2. Apply for SAT, ACT, or NACAC fee waiver If the applicant is eligible for any of these waivers, they will not have to pay the application fees. 3. Ask the college Call the admission office and explain your circumstances if you are unable to pay the application fees. If they consider your reasons justified, then the application fees might be waived.  4. Look for colleges without application fees Apply to some of the colleges without any application fees, as it will reduce the overall costs.  FAQs What are college application fees? College application fees refer to the money students must pay when they apply for admission to a college. It is considered negligible compared to the cost of studying in a college, which will include tuition fees and other related expenses. Are college application fees refundable? College application fees are non-refundable regardless of whether a student has been accepted into the college or not. What are fee waivers? Application fee waivers refer to the process where the student does not have to pay the application fees because of special circumstances. Conclusion The most important thing to do before applying to college is to talk to educational counselors to find out the best-fit college for your child. Talking to counselors will also clear all your doubts about college application fees. Download the EduFund app now to talk to the best education counselors in the country.

For individuals just starting to explore the money markets, understanding the difference between capital and investment, profit and interest, mutual fund, and SIP can be challenging. In this article, we will help you understand the difference between capital vs investment. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/l8Hyb77tkM8 Capital = Productivity While there are several definitions of this, one that makes the concept easy to understand is: Capital is anything tangible or intangible that increases productivity. Tangible capital comprises computers, manufacturing machines, factory space, etc. Intangible capital comprises elements like human resources, training, knowledge, etc. Investment = Higher Returns On the other hand, investment is when money is put into any instrument with the objective of getting higher returns. So you invest in stocks and equities to get better returns than just keeping your funds in the savings account. There are different views of what accounts for capital. Some experts say loans can also be considered capital as they can be used to purchase a TV from which people can learn skills and make themselves more productive, but that is stretching the analogy too far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_LIbnYDFQ&t=2s What are you expecting your money to do? From the perspective where you have funds and you wish to put them to good use, you need to first and foremost define what you wish to achieve in the long term. Are you a salaried person earning a salary and looking to get good returns on your savings? Then you should be making investments in various financial instruments such as equities and mutual funds. On the other hand, if you are an entrepreneur or would like to be one, you may be keener on purchasing goods/items that will help you further your business. It is important to understand that when you purchase capital goods, they depreciate over time, that is their value goes down in the market over time, and you have to put further money into the purchase to maintain it and keep it running at optimum capacity and get the best levels of productivity from it. 1. Returns on capital Your capital can bring you direct financial gains only when you sell it. Hence there is a concept of capital gains tax: short term and long term. When you purchase an asset like residential property and sell it in less than a year, you will have to pay short-term capital gains tax on it equivalent to your existing income tax slab. If you sell the asset after one year of purchase, you have to pay a long-term capital gains tax of 15% on the asset’s appreciation since purchase. 2. Returns on investment Investments in the markets are done with the exclusive purpose of obtaining higher returns. Accordingly, you can get returns on investment in the form of interest, dividends, stock options or bonus shares, etc. These are usually declared annually, and you do not need to sell your investment to claim your benefits. Further, purchasing capital assets usually requires large monies, whereas investments can be done in small sums via SIPs and other regular investment methods. Of course, you can make a capital asset purchase with a loan and EMI as well. 3. Money for the future Now if you are looking to save money and build a corpus for your future, say for your child’s education overseas; you may be wondering what to do: build capital or make investments. You must seriously consider how many years you will need the funds. If you are looking at long-term returns, building a capital asset and then selling it when the value appreciates adequately is a good idea. But if your horizon is a short one, you are better off with investments in financial instruments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog&t=4s How you will be able to redeem it? Capital assets are usually difficult to liquidate but can work as collateral if you want to take a loan. Alternatively, when you make investments, these are more liquid in nature. You can disinvest in parts and the process is as easy as getting money out of your FDs.  So when you are planning to build your corpus, keep all of these points in mind. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The intense education inflation and extremely higher fee structure leave little room for pursuing a higher degree course abroad at one’s expense. Students with genius brains cannot put their intellect to use due to the lack of appropriate funds.  At such times the Commonwealth Scholarship sponsored by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is a blessing in disguise for brilliant minds as it provides a much-deserved opportunity to boost their academic brilliance and skills. Apply for EduFund's Scholarships and make your dreams a reality! What is a Commonwealth scholarship? The Commonwealth Scholarship is a program initiated by the British government that provides fully-funded scholarships to deserving students residing within the Commonwealth countries. The scholarship program is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to attract talented individuals to UK universities and support sustainable development.   The Commonwealth Scholarship program is open to 800 students each year. The number keeps on increasing every year so that the CSC can make constructive changes on the global stage. Additional read: Questions to ask before sending a child to UK? Who can apply for a Commonwealth scholarship? A permanent resident or a citizen of a Commonwealth country. A refugee or a British-protected person. Students with an undergraduate honors degree of at least upper second class. Students applying for the Ph.D. program must have a Master’s degree. There is no minimum age for applying but the maximum age limit is 40 years.  For the academic year 2023, the CSC is accepting online applications from students of all majors. It has launched varied programs for both the Master's degree and Ph.D. levels for the students to choose from. How can you apply for the Commonwealth scholarship in the UK? The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not accept a direct application hence students can apply through the nominating bodies. These include government, non-governmental bodies, and charitable institutions.  Students have to visit the MHRD website and then the ECAS portal and apply to both before the stipulated deadlines. Additional read: Can your child do an MBA within 25 lakhs? List of documents required for the Commonwealth Scholarship in the UK Proof of citizenship. If the applicant is a refugee then the document that proves the refugee status. A full transcript with details of higher education qualifications. References of two persons should be submitted by the referee in the online application system. Supporting statement from the proposed supervisor in the UK.  Scan copy of the passport. A concise CV/resume Time to apply for Commonwealth scholarship 2024 The process for receiving applications is open between October to December and students should start checking on the official website even before the tentative dates.  Numerous programs under the Commonwealth Scholarships 2024 are open for applicants throughout the year hence interested students can log in to the website and find the timings for their preferred degree courses.   Funding by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and related benefits The Commonwealth Foundation provides grants of up to £200,000 (INR 18,464,000) to eligible students for four years as funding for the postgraduate degree courses. This is a fully-funded scholarship program by the UK government that covers all the expenses of the students. It includes Economy class airfare tickets for round trip. Transportation cost. Visa and travel fee. Medical expenses. Tuition fees. Textbook costs. Accommodation expenses. Allowance for woolen clothes during the winter season. Personal expenses - allowance of £1,133 (INR 104,599) per month and £1,190 (INR 109,860) per month for small cities and big cities respectively. The scholarship also covers family allowances if the couple stays for at least 18 months. It includes- Spouse allowance of £225 (INR 20,772) per month if the applicant and spouse are living together at the same address in the UK. Child allowance of £225 (INR 20,772) per month for the first child and £110 ( INR 10,155) per month for the second and third child under the age of 16 if the scholarship applicant is living with their spouse and children at the same address in the UK.  Child allowance of £450 (INR 41,544) per month for the first child and £110 (INR 10,155) per month for the second and third child under the age of 16 if the scholar is a single parent, divorced or widowed and is accompanied by the children and living at the same address in the UK.  Is the Commonwealth Scholarship enough to study in the UK? The Commonwealth Scholarship is enough to study in the UK as it is a fully funded program that covers both the study costs like tuition fees as well as related expenses. FAQs What is the commonwealth scholarship? The Commonwealth Scholarship is a program initiated by the British government that provides fully-funded scholarships to deserving students residing within the Commonwealth countries. The scholarship program is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office to attract talented individuals to UK universities and support sustainable development. Conclusion The Commonwealth Scholarship is a golden chance for deserving students who are unable to study abroad just because of the lack of funds. The program offers opportunities to such students so that their dreams can come true. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

There is an ongoing debate on the topic of debt mutual funds vs FD to determine which is the better savings option. The normal mentality of a common person has been to invest in FDs as it is convenient and safe with fixed returns, but with time the thought process has shifted in favor of debt mutual funds as they offer good returns compared to FDs.  Let us discuss the topic in detail depending on different parameters to understand the best possible option from the investor’s viewpoint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4gmR-U_vHA Differences between debt mutual funds vs FD 1. Capital protection In terms of capital protection FDs have an advantage over debt mutual funds. According to the RBI directive, a bank depositor has a protection cover of a maximum of 5 lakh for both principal and interest in case the bank fails. If the depositor has FDs in different banks, then the protection cover will apply to all the banks separately.  Debt funds do not include capital protection as the investors are faced with credit risk and interest rate risk.  2. Safest Instruments FDs are the safest instruments for investible surplus as they are protected by RBI guidelines. In contrast, debt mutual funds are subjected to market risk as the underlying securities are exposed to market fluctuations and capital erosion.  3. Interest rates and returns The interest rates of FDs remain fixed until their maturity date, irrespective of any changes in the rate over that period. The expected return of the investment thus remains the same as before. Suppose an investor has opened an FD for two years at 6% per annum, then the rate will remain fixed throughout the whole tenure even if the bank has increased or decreased the rate in the interim period, and they will be paid the same amount of money which was calculated at the start of the investment.  In the case of debt mutual funds, the returns depend on interest income and capital gains from the underlying securities.  4. Rate of returns  In the case of debt mutual funds vs FDs, the estimated rate of returns for debt mutual funds is generally 7% - 9% and for FDs is an estimated 5% to 8%. Although FDs have a fixed return and debt, mutual funds do not come with assured returns.  5. Short-term holding period The average rate of return of FDs is considered better than that of debt funds in the short haul as the former manages to outperform the latter.  6. Long-term holding period When the holding period is long-term, then it is better to invest in debt mutual funds than FDs. Even if the interest rates do not fall within that period, the corporate bond funds would easily beat the FDs in the same period.  7. Inflation-adjusted returns In debt mutual funds vs FDs, the FDs usually have low inflation-adjusted returns, whereas the debt mutual funds show potential for high inflation-adjusted returns.  8. Dividend option There is no dividend option on FDs, whereas the answer is yes for debt mutual funds.  9. Taxation The taxation on debt mutual funds is lower than the fixed deposits. Despite the TDS deductions by the bank, the interest income from FDs is included in annual income and taxed according to a person’s tax slab.  In debt funds, the returns on investment within 3 years are treated as short-term capital gains. It is included in annual income and taxed according to the individual’s tax slab. The returns on investments after three years are treated as long-term capital gains and are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.  10. Premature withdrawal In debt mutual funds, premature withdrawal is allowed with exit load/no load, whereas in FDs, it is allowed with a penalty.  Banks generally levy a penalty of 1% on premature withdrawal of FDs, and the amount is deducted from the effective rate of interest. In debt funds, except for the fixed maturity plan, which restricts redemption, all the other funds are allowed withdrawal by paying a minimum amount of exit load.  11. Cost of investment The banks do not charge a fee for opening or maintaining an FD account. On the other hand, mutual fund houses charge multiple fees like commissions, management fees, legal fees, etc., for operating the debt funds.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hXeSyWLiZ4 Conclusion If you want to know who is the winner in debt mutual funds vs FDs, then both have advantages and disadvantages. FDs have the upper hand in terms of capital protection, safe investments, income certainty, and investment cost compared to debt mutual funds. In comparison, debt mutual funds are better options in terms of premature withdrawal, dividend options, long-term investments, taxation, and rate of return. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Parents now need to plan their children's higher education far in advance due to the rise in education costs in India as well as abroad. It would be a risk to rely solely on student loans to obtain the necessary money for your child's higher education. In this blog, we will discuss everything about higher education savings funds and why India needs a higher education savings fund. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog&t=1s What is a higher education savings Fund? A higher education savings fund is an investment vehicle that aids in building up funds for educational costs and offers tax-free withdrawals for certain higher education expenses. Tuition, books, equipment, and other significant costs are all permitted. Why does India need a higher education savings fund? There are numerous benefits for Indians who are planning to invest in a higher education savings fund. Mentioned below are a few of them: Parents have the convenience of saving for their child's education in one place with a higher education savings fund. Parents or investors don't need to consider how much of the fund should be allocated to debt or equity because the fund will do it on its own. Because it is an automatic investment, the specified sum is invested responsibly. The account is entirely in the parent's control. Subject to some limitations, close relatives may also contribute to the account in the form of gifts Problems faced while investing in education savings funds The parents do face some common problems while investing in their kid's education, as it is difficult to figure out how much to save for a child's higher education. The following are some of the challenges Indian parents have while setting up a higher education savings fund: Most parents are not aware of higher education savings funds, so they end up making unorganized plans for their investments and savings, which usually don't work out. You can always get in touch with our experts at EduFund to know how to invest your money and fulfill the dreams of your kids. Some parents fail to keep track or are not aware of the inflation rates. Thus they end up estimating a lower amount of money their child would need to spend on their higher education. It can be challenging for many parents to establish and keep track of investments over a lengthy period, making it tough to save enough money for children's higher education How to invest in higher education savings fund in India The Sukanya Samraddhi Scheme, mutual funds, and children's insurance policies from insurance firms are the most popular investment options in India for your child's higher education. The government's Save the Girl Child, Teach the Girl Child (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao) campaign included the introduction of the Sukanya Samraddhi Scheme, a deposit scheme for young girls. A Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account can be opened as soon as a girl is born, up till the age of 10. Any post office or authorized commercial bank branch may open one. It remains operational until the girl decides to get married or until 21 years have passed since the account was first created. When she reaches maturity, you can withdraw half of the balance to use for her higher education. Because the majority of the policies have risk elements attached to them, it can be challenging for investors to select the optimal type of investment. Below we have mentioned the top mutual fund schemes in India for education savings. Top mutual fund schemes in India for education savings NameIdeal forTata Young Citizens' FundInvestors seeking a balanced strategy to saving while thinking ahead for their children's requirements.SBI Magnum Children's Benefit FundPeople who want to meet their children's future financial demands by finding long-term capital growth as well as steady employmentHDFC Children's Gift FundInvestors who desire long-term financial growth in addition to a stable income to provide for their children's needsAxis Children's Gift FundLong-term capital growth is what investors need in order to meet their children's financial demands in the future. In addition, when it comes to educational costs, investors should not consider factors like growing inflation rates. India is in desperate need of an investment vehicle like the National Pension Scheme NPS to garner funds for meeting Higher Education Expenses.  The fund for higher education savings should be of low cost to many pension fund managers  and offer different investment plans. In order to encourage parents to save for their children's higher education, the Indian government should offer certain tax incentives on withdrawals. You may speak with financial experts at EduFund if you're unsure about where or how to invest. By using EduFund to invest your money, you can support the dreams of your kids. Install the EduFund app on your device to book a free consultation call with the experts. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Equity-linked savings schemes are the best options for parents whose investment objective is securing money for their child’s higher education. The best ELSS funds offer both stable and good returns and are preferred over other schemes due to their ability to beat education inflation and achieve higher returns in the long-term period.  Higher education has become very expensive and adding to it is the high rate of education inflation, which currently stands at 10% - 11%.  It is a painful situation for parents who want to give their children the best possible education for meeting their desired goals.  The solution is a tax-saving mutual fund also known as ELSS funds, which primarily invests in only equity and related instruments to generate the highest possible returns. These are extremely beneficial as they offer a unique combination of tax benefits and equity-linked market returns. What is an ELSS Fund? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yFM2b8-Zd60 ELSS funds in the market for 2022 Some of the best ELSS funds based on their upside potential are Features of ELSS funds for a child’s higher education Lock-in period of 3 years. Can make 100% investment in equity instruments. Tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.  The expense ratio is a maximum of 2.5% which can be further reduced via direct investment from the fund house.  The ELSS fund provides capital appreciation. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3-JVg9rhDbM Benefits of investing in ELSS funds for a child’s higher education 1. High returns ELSS funds generally offer a return of 13% - 15% if it is held for 12 – 15 years. The high returns are a boon for parents who have started investing for the primary purpose of their child’s higher education.  2. Tax Saving Parents who are looking at the best ELSS funds for investing in their child’s higher education find it beneficial as it serves the two-fold purpose of saving taxes and creating wealth. INR 1.5 lakh in such schemes is eligible for tax exemption. 3. Disciplined investment The ELSS funds have a minimum lock-in period of 3 years and this helps the fund managers to avoid the pressure of a bear market.  4. Uniformed investment As the cash for the ELSS funds is received from a large number of salaried professionals via SIP, it creates a uniform pattern of investment.  5. Professional management The ELSS funds are managed by experienced professionals who are dedicated to staying relevant even during changing economic and market conditions.  The investment counselors and wealth coach at the Edufund App offer professional services to interested parents in creating and managing a personalized financial plan through tax-saving ELSS funds that will pay effectively for their child’s higher education. The scientific fund tracker at their disposal is a key tool that can screen more than 1 lakh data points and 400+ financial scenarios to recommend the best ELSS fund that will prove beneficial for a child’s higher education.  6. Low investment The best part of investing in an ELSS fund is that parents can invest as low as INR 500 in SIP and INR 5000 as a lumpsum investment. This gives them the flexibility to adjust according to their pockets.   7. SIP option ELSS funds allow parents to invest via SIP and reap the benefits of investing small amounts at regular intervals.  8. The power of compounding ELSS funds are the best investment opportunity as they help parents to earn via their principal amount and also on the returns generated from that investment through the power of compounding.  9. Diversified portfolio Best ELSS funds are spread across several industries and market capitalizations. An investment in such schemes gives access to a diversified portfolio at a nominal expense.  10. Distribution of market risks A diversified portfolio of ELSS funds distributes the market risk and helps parents earn high returns for their child’s higher education. Conclusion The reason for choosing the best ELSS funds for a child’s higher education is to meet the financial objectives of an education plan. The schemes provide capital appreciation and tax benefits so that the money can be used to fulfill the purpose of giving a child the higher education he deserves. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Wondering what is the cost of sending your child to Ireland? You are in the right place, here is a breakdown of what it costs to send your child to one of the most affordable destinations in Europe! Get a loan for your higher education in Ireland at 9.85% https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fufyFB9aMQI Average tuition fees of universities  The students of Ireland get completely free bachelor’s degrees according to the scheme put forward by the government. All the costs are covered by the Higher Education Authority. All international students (both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens) have to pay a student contribution fee of a maximum of 3,000 EUR/year for student services, like examination entries and support for clubs and societies. The fee varies from one university to another, and it can change every year. Let’s see some of the tuition fees of different universities in Ireland.  Trinity College Dublin: Rs 6,00,000 per annum  University College Dublin: Rs 5,35,000 per annum  Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland: Rs 6,39,000 per annum  National University of Ireland, Galway: Rs 4,79,000 per annum The most affordable universities in Ireland are as follows:  University College Cork  Cork Institute of Technology  St. Patrick’s College  Dublin Business School  University College Dublin  University of Limerick  Maynooth University  Additional read: Cost of education in Singapore Cost of living in Ireland  The costs of living in Ireland are a bit higher than the average for the European area; you should expect to spend anywhere between 550 - 1,000 EUR/month.  Average costs of living in Irish cities (including accommodation costs):  Dublin: Rs. 87,881 to Rs. 1,43,827  Cork: Rs. 68,717 to Rs. 1,11,860  Galway: Rs. 72,000 approximately  This is a monthly cost of living expense which may differ based on your child’s budget, city, and spending habits.      Higher education institutions offer accommodation in student residence halls, which usually costs above the European average of 200 - 300 EUR. It is often difficult to find a place because the number of places is limited, and the demand is high. Apart from residence halls, you can rent/share an apartment or choose to live with an Irish family.  The average accommodation prices for students in Ireland are:  Students Living Alone: Rs 71,990 per month  Students Living with Flatmates: Rs 43,936 per month  Students Living on Campus: Rs 51,927 per month  Find out the current and future cost of studying in Ireland using the College cost calculator Studying abroad can be an expensive affair, but thankfully, Ireland is one destination where quality education is available at tuition rates lower than many other countries. The duration of graduation courses is mostly 12 months unlike the 16-24 months duration of programs in other countries. So, as a student from India, it makes for a very desirable place to study, with innumerable growth opportunities.    If your child is planning to study abroad, then ensure that you consider expenses like accommodation, food, health coverage, and travel along with their tuition fee when calculating the estimated cost of studying in Ireland. This will help you plan your budget more effectively and create a good education corpus when the time comes Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

If you have asked yourself how to find a financial advisor for financial planning then you are on the right path! Managing your finances is tough; there are taxes to consider, investments to make, and assets to maintain. And, a financial advisor can help you plan a sustainable financial map for your future and unique goals.   Investing and maximizing the value of your wealth is the ultimate goal. Every individual must take care of his or her finances to have a safe and comfortable retirement. Financial advisors can help you with a retirement plan and on how to achieve financial goals like buying a house, or car, financing your child’s education, and the best asset classes to invest in. Things to know before finding financial advisor for financial planning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog&t=1s Services offered by advisors and planners  According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Financial Planners, it has been estimated that only 30% of investors have a paid financial advisor. Moreover, 57% of the total number of people prefer managing their own money. Also, 95% of people who have opted for financial advisors believe that it was a good decision to invest in them.   While evaluating a financial advisor, make sure that you got through the kinds of services and plans that they offer. It will be extremely helpful to manage all of your finances and financial habits about it. Reasons to seek financial advice  A financial advisor can help you manage your money better. For example, perhaps you just received a considerable sum of money from a relative who died or a windfall from the state lottery. Financial advisors can help you manage this money, and suggest some tax-saving investments to secure your funds and grow your wealth.   Financial advisors can help you meet different goals. For example, if you are blessed with a baby and you want to ensure that his or her future is completely secured, you would want to start saving and investing for him or her. Whether it’s buying a bigger house for your child or building an education corpus, financial advisors can create a feasible plan to help you meet those needs.   The approach to investing at or during retirement is different from that of a young worker. As you near retirement, your risk tolerance level will change, and your investing style should change as well. Discuss what you want to do in your retirement, where you want to settle, and the future costs of living with your advisor Additional read: Importance of an optimistic mindset in mutual funds investments Investment management  Financial planners or advisors are those people who help individuals and businesses to create a proper investment plan that helps them meet their agenda and goals. For example, if you are looking for help in creating a savings plan for yourself, preparing investment strategies for your portfolio, paying off debts, and so on, a financial advisor could be of great help. You can go for reputed or startup firms with professionals who have the proper knowledge and understanding of finance. These firms have individuals and teams who can be extremely helpful.  Additional read: Investment strategies in a volatile market Understand the compensation of financial advisors  There are multiple ways that financial advisors can choose to charge for their services. Financial advisors focus on the most objective and unbiased thing which is their fee. To hire a financial advisor who suits your needs, you should be knowing all the ways through which you can pay the financial advisor.   There are broadly two ways of compensation which are fee-only and non-fee only. As we can understand from the term, the fee-only advisor sticks to charging a fee for their work whereas the non-fee advisors go for other kickbacks and incentives for their services.   Financial advisors can help you understand your goals better and align your expenses to achieve them. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

HDFC Asset Management Company Ltd. (HDFC AMC) is one of India's largest mutual fund companies. It is among one of the most profitable asset management companies (AMC) in the country. The company manages assets of over Rs. 4.8 Lakh crores (excluding domestic fund of funds) as of 30th June 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_EsYNTJU4 HDFC Multi-Asset Fund Investment Objective The objective of the Scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation/income by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity & equity-related instruments, debt & money market instruments, and gold-related instruments. Investment Strategy Equity - The Fund follows a model whereby equity allocation is decided by factors such as TTM P/E, 1 Year Forward P/E, TTM PB, Earnings Yield/ G-Sec Yield, etc., with monthly rebalancing. Arbitrage - The Fund seeks to generate income through arbitrage opportunities. The arbitrage allocation ensures the fund is equity-oriented. Arbitrage allocation reduces the impact of equity drawdown. Debt - The Fund seeks to generate income by investing in debt securities based on credit quality, liquidity, interest rate, and outlook. Portfolio Composition The fund holds 54.07% equity, 13.29% debt, 13% commodities, 3.31% real estate, and 16.8% in Cash and cash equivalents. The significant sectoral exposure is to Financials, which account for over 16.68% of the equity portfolio. The top five sectors hold more than 34% of the equity portfolio. Date: 31st July 2023 Source: Value Research HDFC SIP Calculator Top 5 Holdings for HDFC Multi-Asset Fund NameWeightage %HDFC Gold ETF12.76%HDFC Bank6.26%ICICI Bank4.29%Axis Bank4.2%Bharti Airtel2.26%Date: 31st July 2023 Source: Value Research Invest in HDFC Mutual Fund Fund Managers for HDFC Multi-Asset Fund Currently, the HDFC Multi-Asset Fund is managed by the following fund managers. Mr Bhagyesh Kagalkar (Since 2nd February 2022): Collectively over 28 years of experience in Equity Research, investments, and Finance. Mr Srinivasan Ramamurthy (Since 13th January 2022): Collectively over 15 years of experience in equity research and fund management. Mr Anil Bamboli (Since 17th August 2005): Collectively over 28 years of experience in Equity Research, investments, and Finance Mr Arun Agarwal (Since 24 August 2020): Collectively over 23 years of experience in equity, debt, and derivative dealing, fund management, internal audit, and treasury operations. Mr Nirman Morakhia (Since 15th February 2023): Fund Manager and Dealer – Equities. Mr Priya Ranjan (Since 15th February 2023): Collectively, over 15 years of experience. Senior Equity Analyst and Fund Manager for Overseas Investments. Who Should Invest in HDFC Multi-Asset Fund? Investors looking to diversify their portfolio by gaining exposure to an actively managed portfolio across a variety of asset classes (like equity, gold, debt, etc.) under a single unified scheme may consider multi-asset allocation funds as a good option. However, investors should remain invested long-term to witness wealth creation. Past Performance of Regular Plan as of 31st July 2023. Full Name1Y3Y5Y10YSince InceptionHDFC Multi-Asset Fund (%)1416.0911.2911.179.89Benchmark Returns (%)14.1116.3812.4412.66NAAdditional Benchmark Returns (%)16.1822.7113.0214.5113.83 Conclusion The HDFC Multi-Asset Fund has been in existence for nearly two decades. It provides an opportunity to invest across various asset classes with the benefit of true diversification. So, investors looking to diversify their investments across various asset classes can consider this fund. DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only.

Blue-chip stocks are considered the safest equity investment because of their operations and market dominance. Give it a read if you want to know more about some blue-chip stocks. What are blue chip companies? Companies with more than Rs 50,000 crore in market capitalization possess solid fundamentals and excellent track records. These companies are the market leaders in their operations. Blue-chip companies are considered the most stable companies in India and have delivered consistent returns to their investors over a long period. Let's discuss some blue-chip stocks for long-term investment. S.No.Company NameSectorCurrent Market Price1Reliance Industries Ltd.Oil & Gas₹ 2,6322Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.Information Technology₹ 3,2183Avenue Supermarts Ltd. (DMART)FMCG₹ 4,3414Hindustan Uniliver Ltd.FMCG₹ 2,5745Asian Paints Ltd.Chemical – Paint₹ 3,363Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 1. Reliance Industries Ltd Market Capitalization (in Crores)₹ 17,74,233Current Market Price₹2,632.05Price to Earning (P/E)27.652-Week High/Low₹ 2,856/2,130Stock Price CAGR (10 Years)21%Earnings Per Share (EPS)₹ 99.49Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 Reliance Industries Limited comes under the list of Fortune 500 companies, and it is the largest private sector corporation in India. It has evolved from a textile and polyester company to an integrated player across energy, materials, retail, entertainment, and digital services. Reliance's portfolio of products and services touches almost every Indian on a daily basis, across the economic and social spectrum. Reliance was founded by Dhirubhai Ambani and is now supported and managed by his elder son Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani. The Ambani family has about a 50% stake in the conglomerate. 2. Tata Consultancy Services Ltd Market Capitalization (in Crores)₹ 11,80,044Current Market Price₹ 3,218Price to Earning (P/E)30.452-Week High/Low₹ 4,046/2,953Stock Price CAGR (10 Years)17%Earnings Per Share (EPS)₹ 105.46Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 Tata Consultancy Services is a flagship company and part of the Tata Group. It is an IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization that has worked with many of the world's largest enterprises on their transformation journeys for more than 50 years. TCS offers a consultative, cognitive-integrated portfolio of business, technology, and engineering services and solutions. The company operates in 5 key verticals, based on industry classification,  i.e. Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI), which accounts for 39% of revenue, followed by Retail & Consumer Business (17%), Communications, Media & Technology (16%), Manufacturing (11%) and other platforms that account for the remaining 17% of revenue. Additional read: What are blue-chip stocks 3. Avenue Supermarts Ltd. (DMart) Market Capitalization (in Crores)₹ 2,85,410Current Market Price₹ 4,341Price to Earning (P/E)14052-Week High/Low₹ 5,900/3,185Stock Price CAGR (5 Years)34%Earnings Per Share (EPS)₹ 31.50Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 Avenue Supermarts is primarily engaged in organized retail and operates supermarkets under the D-Mart brand. The company derives 57% of its revenue from the Food segment, 20% from the FMCG segment, and the remaining 23% is contributed by the General Merchandise and Apparel segment. The company's Sales revenue per retail business per square ft is Rs 30,353 cr for FY22. 4. Hindustan Unilever Ltd Market Capitalization (in Crores)₹ 6,04,080Current Market Price₹ 2,574Price to Earning (P/E)65.852-Week High/Low₹ 2,859/1,902Stock Price CAGR (10 Years)17%Earnings Per Share (EPS)₹ 39.00Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 Hindustan Unilever operates in the FMCG sector, which mainly includes home care, beauty & personal care, and foods & refreshment segments. The company has a presence and manufacturing facilities across the country and sells primarily in India. Beauty & Personal Care segment (42% of sales), In this segment, the company has a broad portfolio of over 900 SKUs spread across one or more categories that are created for 14 consumer clusters identified in India. The company earns ~29% margin from this segment, the highest among its divisions. 5. Asian Paints Ltd Market Capitalization (in Crores)₹ 3,18,775Current Market Price₹ 3,363Price to Earning (P/E)89.152-Week High/Low₹ 3,590/2,560Stock Price CAGR (10 Years)25%Earnings Per Share (EPS)₹ 36.27Note: Data as of 25th Aug 2022 Founded in 1942, the Asian Paints Group is India's largest paint manufacturer and is also involved in the manufacture of varnishes, enamels or lacquers, surface preparation, organic composite solvents, and thinners. It operates in 15 countries and has 26 paint manufacturing plants worldwide, serving consumers in more than 60 countries. Apart from Asian Paints, the group operates globally through its various brands, which are Asian Paints Berger, Apco Coatings, SCIB Paints, Taubmans, Causeway Paints, and Kadisco Asian Paints. It also manufactures metal sanitary ware such as bathtubs, sinks, basins, and similar products. Recently introduced lighting fixtures, furniture, and furnishings, adding more products in the Home Decor and Interior Design category. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog How can you take exposure to these companies? If any investor wants to invest in blue-chip companies once at a time at a low cost. Then, they can consider investing through the Navi Nifty 50 Index Fund. One can consider investing in this fund as this possesses the lowest expense ratio in the industry and offers diversification at a low cost. Conclusion Blue-chip stocks may not seem like a successful short-term investment, but they generate high value over the long term due to their consistent growth and returns. Blue-chip stocks should be a staple of your portfolio, but should not be your only investment. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT DisclaimerIt is not a recommendation and investors should read the offer documents and understand the risk involved before investing

When individuals start their investment journey, they must be prepared for everything that comes with it whether the market booms or corrects significantly. Here, there is no “No Strings Attached” factor! With investments, you must nurture them with care, patience, and perseverance. However, many investors neglect these characteristics when it comes to their portfolio holdings and end up making hasty decisions. A little bit about market volatility Markets do go crazy at times, but that doesn't have to mean that you should also lose your cool during such times. Patience and calmness may seem impossible during significant market movements, mainly when the market corrects. Still, these traits help you not make impulsive decisions that may be harmful and can create a massive dent in your investment purpose or objective. Ensure proper diversification so that your portfolio can absorb market volatility as efficiently as possible and minimize overall portfolio risk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog&t=1s Additional read: How to set financial goals? Importance of an optimistic mindset in mutual funds What does being optimistic mean? An optimistic person is hopeful and has a positive perspective that things will turn out for the better. A pessimist person who thinks of all the worst-case scenarios and prepares for them. So, in short, an optimistic person believes their investments will grow and create the corpus they require. At the same time, the negativity of a pessimist person causes the investor to act in fear and make conservative decisions. Have you ever heard of this, “Where there is a risk, there is the reward”? Investors should always have faith in their investments. Whenever an individual invests, detailed analysis and research go in before the investment decision is made. In financial matters, you should not react in fear and get into the mode of panic selling. When having hope and enthusiasm for investments, investors learn a lot from their mistakes and improve their investment style over time with hands-on experience. They are not the people who will give up after a setback. Instead, they take it as a learning experience and grow. Importance of patience in mutual funds In favorable market conditions, every investor can generate steady returns and create wealth to a certain extent. But the main challenge is to stay invested even when the markets are highly volatile and unpredictable. This is where patience comes into the picture. There can be a few reasons why equity funds or equity-related investments are not held for more than two years on average like Investments may not be made with a financial objective in mind The investor may want to generate returns on his portfolio quicker or faster than what is being generated. The desired returns may be achieved, so the investor may want to book profits and not take additional risks. Or liquidity requirements that have forced the investor to cash out his investments. One thing to be kept in mind regarding equity mutual funds is that the longer you stay invested, the better you have to compound your investments and generate the targeted returns. When looking to achieve a long-term objective, an investor should opt for a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) approach, which allows the investor to invest in small amounts and simultaneously capture the best of all market movements. It also creates a disciplined system of investing in every individual. Mutual funds are a great avenue to create wealth and accomplish your financial goals. An ideal investment horizon for an equity mutual fund is a minimum of 5-7 years. When held for a longer time, the funds get compounded, especially in growth plans. Want to know how? In growth plans, the returns generated on the funds invested in the previous SIP installment get reinvested in the next period. This helps in generating returns on the returns generated previously. Conclusion In conclusion, one piece of advice is to never project your fear onto your investments. When you do this, you invest with a very conservative approach and may lose out on highly profitable opportunities. At the same time, we do not encourage you to be wholly optimistic and not plan for times of contingency. Always plan for your emergency funds requirements first and then increase your risk basket-wise. If we can be patient while squeezing out the toothpaste till the very end of the tube, why not be patient while investing in the market? Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT DisclaimerMutual funds are subjected to market risks. Always make investments based on your risk profile. Choose which fund suits your risk appetite and is perfect to meet your investment goals and objectives.

Markets are never stable. Investors know that the market is cyclical, where it booms and corrects periodically. But what to do during extreme ups or extreme downs? Taking the wrong choice can cause a significant loss or completely erase all the wealth that you have previously created in your portfolio. This article will help you with some of the best investment strategies in a volatile market. Continue reading to know more What are the basic things you can do to deal with market volatility? Some precautions you as an investor can take to reduce the impact of overall market volatility on your portfolio. How? Do a periodical review of your portfolio. This helps you know the performance of the investments that you have chosen. It indicates the efficiency and effectiveness of your portfolio. It helps you analyze whether or not your investments align with your goals and objectives. Have a rebalanced portfolio. Periodically rebalancing your portfolio will help you minimize the overall portfolio volatility. A rebalanced portfolio will efficiently capture the up-market and the down-market movements. It is capable of efficiently controlling losses during major market corrections. Have a well-diversified portfolio. When starting your investment journey, you should ensure you have a well-diversified portfolio that helps reduce portfolio volatility. The assets will compensate for each other's performance in a diversified portfolio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYlrsx9_yog&t=1s What are the best investment strategies in a volatile market? 1. Index fund An Index Fund invests in the company stocks of a benchmark index in the same proportion as the index. The fund does not intend to outperform the benchmark and move along the benchmark it is invested in. There is no active investment strategy or change in the fund’s portfolio. Therefore, the volatility is much lesser compared to other equity funds. The ideal investment horizon is 5-7 years and is best for investors with a low-risk appetite and who are okay with steady, stable returns. 2. Balanced fund Balanced funds are hybrid funds that provide investors with long-term capital appreciation with exposure to both equity and debt. There are options like aggressive hybrid and dynamic asset allocation funds (DAAF). A DAAF follows an intelligent asset allocation strategy within the fund. The debt-equity ratio is periodically balanced and changed based on market conditions and requirements. If the market is corrected and undervalued, the fund automatically increases the equity component and reduces the debt component with the growth forecast in mind. Whereas, if the market is overvalued already, the fund will reduce the equity exposure and increase the debt component to avoid the fund from facing heavy market corrections leading to a loss. 3. Debt funds The safest bet against market volatility is debt funds. You have options like corporate, municipal, short-term, etc. They are highly liquid and generate returns that beat inflation. This investment option is best for investors with a small investment horizon or in their retirement phase who depend on their savings and have a minimal risk appetite. 4. Staying invested long-term Volatility and market fluctuations are more evident in short-term horizons. Investing for an extended period and not paying attention to the short-term market movements helps your wealth creation objective. At the same time, you should have a strong strategy and a well-diversified portfolio. Again, do not blindly follow the buy-and-hold strategy. Please research before investing in any instrument and plan to hold it for an extended period. The bottom line is that a portfolio should have a mix of different investment instruments. There is a saying that "you never put all your eggs in one basket". This means that by investing all your money in one place, your entire portfolio is directly correlated to the movement of that instrument, in short, concentration risk. Different instruments give you benefits and varying returns from all the assets. Never sell your investments during extreme market volatility, even if your portfolio has significant losses unless you need liquid money. Instead, use this as an opportunity to invest more and acquire units of the instrument at discounted rates. This will help you average out your losses and generate good levels of return on your portfolio. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The phrase "metaverse" refers to a new virtual space arising as technology improves. It's an idea that traces its origins to 1992 when Neal Stephenson published his dystopian novel "Snow Crash," which featured characters who used 3D headgear to visit another reality. On the face, this appears to be nothing new, yet the Metaverse is expected to be a completely new approach for us to engage with the internet, known as Web 3.0.   The Metaverse is a mix of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and three-dimensional digital worlds. The underlying concept is to give the internet a perception of presence - imagine 3D avatars and synced virtual places that everybody can share. With augmented reality glasses, you could, for example, visit a friend's virtual residence in the Metaverse or watch digital concerts and conferences.   Several large IT corporations have jumped on the metaverse bandwagon, though their perspectives vary. Facebook and other social media corporations are among the most vocal advocates today, believing that the innovation will alter how many of us socialize by the end of this century. To symbolize its devotion to the Metaverse, Facebook changed its name to Meta. The Metaverse's ambitions aren't limited to escapism and creating communal encounters. Microsoft believes that the Metaverse can make remote work more personal through Microsoft Teams. Meanwhile, video game producers like Epic Games seek to create distinct worlds that go beyond what is conceivable in the actual world. Finally, proponents of decentralized technologies assert that they can permit digital ownership and complete virtual economies.   The Metaverse offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest. As per Bloomberg, the Metaverse's worldwide economic potential might reach $800 billion by 2024. According to Matthew Ball, CEO of Epyllion, a venture financing firm, the Metaverse is an opportunity with a lot of zeros behind it. Even if your expectations are lower, precedent from the digital economy, the internet, and mobile internet says this is a $10 [trillion] to $30 trillion opportunity that will materialize in a decade or decade and a half.   There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to investing in the Metaverse. Albeit, there are three methods for investors to get a piece of the $30 trillion pie. Additional read: How to invest in Snapchat from India 1. Going the head-on way  Using Metaverse crypto or Metaverse cryptocurrencies, one can invest in both cryptocurrencies and the Metaverse at the same time. Decentraland (MANA), Sandbox (SAND), and Enjin are some Metaverse tokens (Enj). To invest in Metaverse in India, go to any significant crypto exchange and acquire the tokens directly. To make cash, one can exchange such assets throughout the Metaverse, earn things and services, and then redeem them in the real world. On the other hand, directly purchasing NFTs and other assets entails significant risks and volatility. Purchasing virtual land or real estate in the Metaverse is another way to invest directly in the Metaverse.   2. Investing through individual stocks with metaverse exposure   Equities of publicly traded companies participating in the Metaverse domain can likewise be used to invest in the Metaverse indirectly. The majority of the prominent companies in this field are currently listed in the United States. These could be businesses that engage in Metaverse-related activities or supply products, services, technology, or technological skills. While some companies, such as Meta, are working on high-end VR headsets, others, such as Nvidia, are working on the computational power that will power the Metaverse. Cloud service companies such as Amazon and Microsoft will play a part in the Metaverse because it will be housed in the cloud.   On the other hand, individual stock purchases will necessitate greater initial and ongoing analysis.   3. Investing inconvenience  As Metaverse is still in its infancy, it's challenging to grasp the Metaverse's and enterprises' business models. As a beginner, you can invest in the Metaverse through ETFs such as the Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF, which gives you exposure to companies that develop Metaverse infrastructure (like Nvidia), gaming engines that create virtual worlds (like Roblox), and leaders in content, commerce, and social media for the Metaverse (like Tencent). Nvidia Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Meta Platforms Inc., Roblox Corporation, Tencent Holdings Limited, and Unity Software Inc. are among the fund's top holdings. The Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF had 45 holdings and seven nations in its portfolio. The median market capitalization of these 45 holdings is $68 billion.  Put another way, the typical company held by this ETF will be successful and well-established. While these equities will have metaverse connections, there's a fair probability they'll also have very profitable core operations that will support metaverse research and development. If you opt to invest in ETFs, you may rest easy.   It's crucial to realize that Metaverse investments aren't for everyone. Furthermore, having a significant concentration of assets in stocks of Metaverse-related companies can be dangerous. When investing in the Metaverse, one must consider risk tolerance and the value it will add to the portfolio! FAQs What is the Metaverse, and how can I invest in it? The Metaverse is a virtual shared space where people can interact, work, and play. To invest, consider buying Metaverse-related cryptocurrencies, investing in companies developing Metaverse technology, or acquiring virtual real estate within Metaverse platforms. Can I invest in Metaverse through NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)? Yes, NFTs are often used for buying and selling virtual assets in the Metaverse. You can invest in Metaverse-related NFTs, such as virtual land, digital art, or in-game items. Is investing in Metaverse safe? As with any investment, there are risks. Ensure you research and understand the projects and technologies you invest in. Diversify your investments and only invest what you can afford to lose.