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If you want to invest in the US stock market to benefit from US stocks, you may start by opening an international trading account in India. But before investing in US equities, here are the 5 important things to know before investing in US stocks. 1. Regulatory framework One of the oldest, most effective, transparent, and well-regulated stock markets in the world is the one in the United States. On US stock markets are listed some of the largest businesses in terms of market capitalization, sales, and profitability. The worldwide exposure and flavor that US markets offer are crucial since many of these listed firms have a significant global presence, scale, and operational structure. The regulatory body that monitors the operation of the US stock markets is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which was founded in 1934. It guarantees the strict application of laws and rules that establish the highest standards of openness and integrity—essential for stock markets as well as for the safety and trust of investors. 2. Impact of Foreign Exchange  The volatility in the value of the US and other currencies should be taken into account while investing in US equities. This is because before any gain (or loss) for an Indian investment is realized, it would be converted using the appropriate exchange rate in the Indian rupee. The gains (or losses) will fluctuate in lockstep with changes in the exchange rate. An Indian investor must be aware that the exchange rate can be unpredictable and is influenced by a wide range of political, economic, and supply and demand variables. 3. Liberalized Remittance Scheme According to the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalized Remittance Scheme, an individual may invest up to $ 250000 per year in US equities from India (LRS). The cap covers any money sent abroad for purchases, travel, education, or other international transactions during the year. The investor's brokerage account has to be filled before making any investments in US equities. Investors must complete Form A-2, which is available from RBI-authorized dealers. Any sum over the $250000 cap requires RBI approval. Additional read: US stocks for investing in child education 4. Taxation To make your efforts worthwhile, it is crucial to take into account the tax consequences of your international assets. Due to the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the US and India, the same income cannot be taxed twice on investments made in the US stock market. 5. Dividend tax The dividends from US stocks are taxed at a fixed rate of 30% for overseas investors. However, as a result of the tax agreement between the US and India, citizens of India pay a 25% tax rate (deducted before distribution). However, because of the double tax avoidance agreement between the US and India, the tax paid in the US may be claimed as a foreign tax credit in your domestic filing. 6. Capital gains tax Your assets in the US are not subject to capital gains tax. However, India requires you to pay tax on your overseas capital gains. This may be divided into two groups.: Long-term capital gain (LTCG)If you keep the equities for more than 24 months before realizing capital gains, you will be subject to indexation advantages and a 20% tax rate in addition to any relevant fees and other surcharges. Short-term capital gain (STCG)Standard income-tax regulations apply to any gains from assets held for less than 24 months, and they are added to your ordinary taxable income. You must also take into account the recently implemented Tax Credited at Source or TCS. Under the new regulations, a 5% TCS will be applied to all international transfers over INR 7 Lakhs in a fiscal year. It is not an additional expenditure to deduct this advance tax when submitting your taxes each year. Charges on US stock-broking account  Using an Indian stock brokerage account to invest in the US stock market is prohibited. You would need to create one with a US stock brokerage company instead. To provide this service, the majority of Indian stock brokers who allow you to invest in US equities typically collaborate with a US stockbroker. You would also be required to pay certain fees for a US stock broking account, just like you would for an Indian trading account. This is something you should also take into consideration when you buy US stocks because these fees can reduce your earnings. These fees include Annual Maintenance Costs, brokerage charges, bank charges, transaction charges, and more. Invest in the US stocks with EduFund  Download the EduFund app and create an account to start investing in US stocks. With zero charges and no hassle account opening process from the comfort of your home, you can start investing in FAANG stocks in your portfolio to geographically diversify your portfolio!! Thus, investing in US firms and equities may give investors access to the worldwide market, credibility, and an opportunity to increase their wealth. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Investing and saving is crucial for self-employed parents as they need to be vigilant in their efforts to provide a secure financial cushion for their children. A self-employed individual is self-dependent and thus responsible for the well-being of their business.  Whatever the economic health of self-employed parents, they need to create a continuous culture of investing in the right assets for future financial stability and growth.  There are several investment options for self-employed parents that will ensure desired wealth creation and keep their financial health safe and sound. Both short-term and long-term investments are important as the former will help in asset creation or a child’s education in the early years and the latter in post-retirement or higher education of children.  Investment options for self-employed 1. Fixed deposits Fixed deposits are good investment options offered by banks, NBFCs, and post offices at minimum risk.  A fixed sum is deposited as a one-time investment for a fixed tenure at a fixed interest rate. The banks are offering a current interest rate between 5% to 7.5%.  Investors can choose a normal FD which is taxable or a tax-saving fixed deposit, which saves taxes up to 1.5 lakhs under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961.  2. Mutual funds Mutual funds are one of the best investment options for self-employed parents as they are structured and professionally managed. The investor does not have to spend time on research. Instead, several investors pool their money, and the fund manager reinvests this amount in several instruments like debt, equity or liquid assets, etc. The investor has the option of investing a lump sum amount in mutual funds or starting a SIP (systematic investment plan) if they want to opt for periodic investments.  A trustworthy app like Edufund gives access to 4000+ direct mutual funds to investors. The associated financial experts, with the help of a SIP calculator and scientific fund tracker, suggest the best funds and ensure better returns in the safest possible environment. It is also possible to invest in international mutual funds through the app and receive returns in dollars.  3. Real estate Real estate is a good investment option as the value is bound to increase and yield a good return with time. Purchase the factory or office space that you are using instead of renting because it is feasible to pay EMI rather than the rent. The self-employed individual can use the property to raise capital or for mortgages when needed. The aim of investing in real estate should not just be buying property instead getting a resale value if required. Additional read: Investment strategies in Volatile market 4. Government schemes The Government of India offers safe investment options with fixed returns under some of the government schemes.  PPF – PPF or the Personal Provident Fund, is a saving scheme where the investor invests annually or monthly for 15 years. It offers fixed returns and tax benefits to the investor. PMJJBY –Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana is a life insurance scheme available to investors at a low cost. NPS – The National Pension Scheme is a safe and secure post-office scheme where investors deposit a fixed amount for a fixed interval.  Sovereign gold bond schemes – This government scheme is both a safe and high earner where the investor can invest in gold without owning the gold personally.  5. Shares and equities Shares and equities are investment options for self-employed parents who are ready to take a substantial risk with their investments. It is advisable to be careful in investments and take risks only on a predetermined permissible amount. Choose the shares and equities that will yield safe and highest possible returns.  6. US stocks and ETFs Self-employed parents can invest in US stocks and ETFs from India to create wealth. The Edufund App is a reliable means to create wealth because it allows investors to choose from 1400+ US ETFs and become a part of global companies like Google, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon. The simple and transparent app also helps in fractional investing, where investors can buy top shares that will yield a higher percentage of returns in dollars at zero brokerage.  7. Commodities Commodities in financial terms refer to oil, gas, silver, gold, grains, etc. investors interested in commodities have to invest in a futuristic price of the product. As the commodity market is inversely related to the stock market, it is often used by investors as a hedge against inflation and also against stock market risk.  Conclusion Choosing the right investment options for self-employed parents at the right age is a necessity as they do not have the luxury of a pension to manage expenses during later years. A well-defined financial plan and a diversified portfolio will prove a blessing as it provides significant accessibility and flexibility to tap into the savings when needed. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

“What is goal-based savings” is a common query of an investor exploring different ways of creating a well-planned financial strategy. Goal-based savings refer to a savings plan that is exclusively created to fulfill a specific goal. These goals can have either long-term, mid-term, or short-term tenure.  Developing the habit of goal-based savings will help the investor focus on setting and fulfilling financial targets successfully. It is an effective way of being smart about a target, pushing yourself towards that end goal through saving and investing, and ultimately making your financial dreams come true.  Goal-based savings can be anything from buying a house to purchasing a laptop or as simple as investing in an SIP every month through systematic and concentrated efforts.  With the Edufund App, you can set up goal-based savings for almost anything you desire because ours is a safe and secure investing platform that provides hassle-free and transparent savings options to fulfill the dream of every single investor. Types of goals in goal-based savings The goals in goal-based savings are based on their savings tenure and their value. The strategies involved in fulfilling them are quite different. 1. Long-Term Goals Long-term goal-based savings refer to a savings plan that lasts for at least five or more years. These are the end goals of an investment and savings journey. If an investor starts early, they can accumulate a substantial amount for their future with small savings. Investment vehicles to achieve long-term goals are real estate, mutual funds, and equity/shares.  Examples are retirement plans and saving for a child’s higher education. 2. Mid-Term Goals Mid-term goals are savings plan that lasts for more than two years and less than five years. Investors find it expensive and difficult to save for these goals because the results hover between immediate and long-term.  Mid-term goals can be achieved by proper planning. Investment vehicles to achieve mid-term goals are debt funds, fixed deposits, and gold investments.  Examples are car loans and down payments for buying a house. 3. Short-Term Goals Short-term goals are savings plan that lasts for less than two years. These are repetitive, require disciplined efforts, and are meant for the immediate future. Investment vehicles to achieve short-term goals are savings accounts, FDs, and debt mutual funds.   Examples – Vacation, jewelry, school fees, a new laptop.  With the Edufund app, you can choose any of these goal-based savings as the app has 4000+ mutual funds, digital gold investments, ELSS, ETFs, and US stocks. You can choose the appropriate investment vehicle to achieve your goal. It is a one-stop app to fulfill your aspirations for goal-based savings.  Additional read: Education inflation rate in India How do achieve goal-based savings? Step 1: Set SMART goals The first step towards investing, saving, or wealth creation is identifying and setting up a need-based specific goal that will help the investor to move forward and work towards achieving it.  Set SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.  Step 2: Break it into achievable goals Be specific while making your financial goals and ask yourself what goal-based savings is and fit them in one of these categories- long-term, mid-term, or short-term. Remember, every goal has its own time horizon and demands discipline from the investor. When the goals are vague, then it becomes difficult to focus on your approach; hence break down the bigger picture and convert it into small, measurable, and achievable goals. Step 3: Make a budget The investor has to know about their spending so that they can create a financial plan accordingly. Calculate your monthly payments and expenses to get a picture of how much money is left with you. Determine the portion you want to use for savings. Create a budget and put aside the amount regularly, which will help you start investing.  Step 4: Invest wisely Decide on an investment plan and vehicle according to your investment capability, and invest wisely if you want to continue with it for the whole tenure. There are numerous investment schemes in the market, and it might create confusion. Take the help of reputed financial advisors like the ones at the Edufund app to know about investment opportunities in detail.  Step 5: Review and make periodic adjustments Review and readjust the investments periodically to realign them with the current goals. Keep asking yourself if you have invested and saved as per your specific needs. Goals change with time, and it is vital to make corrections along the way for a better financial future.   Conclusion The desire for goal-based savings and investing helps an investor create a solid financial foundation that will lead to stability and financial wealth. EduFund app offers numerous options through its different investment vehicles to achieve goal-based savings effectively. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Studying in Germany is not very expensive as tuition fees charged by public universities are relatively low; however, it might be difficult for international students to pay the monthly living expenses in Germany, which can be close to EUR 1200(INR 1.5 lakhs). Here are some German scholarships that can help you and your child shoulder the increasing cost of living and tuition. Top German scholarships to fund your child's college Germany is one of the few nations that offer free higher education to students from all over the world in its universities. In order to help students cover their living expenses while studying in Germany, the nation offers a variety of scholarships. Following is the list of scholarships for international students planning to study in Germany. German scholarships for bachelor courses  Following is the list of German undergraduate scholarships that you shouldn't pass up if you are planning to study in Germany after the 12th: Jacobs University Scholarship Bayer Foundation Scholarships  Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships Heinrich Boll Scholarships Master Scholarships at the University of Stuttgart Deutschland Stipendium German scholarships for master's courses  Students choose to enroll in master's programs abroad as opposed to undergraduate programs. Master's degrees let students reach their full potential. Below is the list of German scholarships for masters that you should be aware of: Jacobs University Scholarship Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ)- German Cancer Research Centre PhD Scholarship  Bayer Foundation Scholarships  Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Masters Scholarship Kurt Hansen Science Scholarships  Goethe Goes Global Scholarships  WHU- Otto Beisheim School of Management, International Scholarships Masters Scholarship at the University of Stuttgart  DLD Executive MBA Scholarship  Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship Heinrich Boll Scholarships Deutschland Stipendium Are scholarships enough to cover the cost of education in Germany? Some scholarships normally only pay a portion of the course fee; the student is responsible for the remaining expenses. As a result, there are several expenses to consider when a student decides to travel to Germany to attend college. These include tuition fees, registration fees for higher education institutions, security deposits, travel-related projects, accommodation, meals, and even trip-related travel expenditures. You can use our College Cost Calculator to determine the precise cost of studying in Germany and help you acquire the funds you need to save for your future education. Cost of studying in Germany Students enrolled at German institutions, regardless of whether they have scholarships, must pay a semester fee or administrative charge, which typically ranges from €250 (INR 22,148) to €500 (INR 44,297), as well as other miscellaneous expenses like living expenses, which you may not be aware of and which are typically not covered by scholarships and student loans, are unavoidable.  Additionally, a lot will rely on the place you have selected to attend school in. For example, Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg are more costly than other, smaller cities. Here are the typical costs (indicative) you might anticipate incurring each month while attending a German university: As a parent, you must budget far in advance for all of these fees because they are not covered by scholarships or education loans. You can consider long-term stock funds, such as mutual funds. Additionally, there are specific programs for children that dynamically allocate assets between debt and equity. Because stock investments are made, returns usually outperform inflation rates and also have advantages in terms of liquidity. Starting out in financial planning can be challenging. With so many options for saving and investing, it's crucial to know which ones will enable you to reach your objectives more quickly. So don't be afraid to ask for assistance and create a reliable savings plan from an expert financial planner! We hope this blog helped you learn about scholarships in Germany to fund your child’s study-abroad dream! You can boost your chances of receiving a scholarship by raising your grades and getting involved in extracurricular activities, community service projects, and outreach initiatives. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Purchasing a mutual fund is fairly simple; you can even do it quickly online! It does, however, have paperwork, just like any other financial transaction. Here is a list of documents required for mutual fund investments in India. Documents you need  The list of documents needed to invest in a mutual fund is as follows: 1. Application form For a mutual fund, you might need to submit more than one application. A mutual fund account must first be opened, a SIP plan within the fund must be chosen, and an  Electronic Clearing System (ECS) form must be completed if you want to make an electronic transfer from your bank account. Other forms, such as a Risk Profile form, may be requested by some asset management firms. 2. KYC compliance To invest in mutual funds, your PAN must be validated by the Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations of the Government of India. Through the CDSL Ventures Limited website, you may assess your KYC compliance or sign up for it (CVL). The KYC acknowledgment letter or a copy of the KYC-compliance page must be sent if you are currently KYC-compliant. If not, keep the necessary paperwork on hand: KYC individual form Passport-sized photograph 3. Proof of identity As identification documentation, any of the following is acceptable: PAN with photograph Aadhaar Passport Voter's ID card Driving license 4. Proof of address  You can provide any of the following documentation as evidence of address: Aadhaar Driving license Passport Voter's ID card Ration card Registered lease/sale agreement of residence Flat maintenance bill Insurance copy Utility bills that are less than three months old, such as a landline phone bill, an electricity bill, or a gas bill It is also appropriate to provide proof of address in the spouse's name. 5. Third-party declaration for minors  Parents may invest on their child's behalf if they are a minor. For this, a third-party declaration form must be completed. For non-individuals, such as businesses, trusts, partnership firms, Hindu United Families (HUF), etc. The following documents must also be prepared in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. Once you have the necessary paperwork on hand, you can open a mutual fund account and select a fund that matches your risk tolerance and financial objectives. 6. Canceled blank cheque Contrary to the past, there is no longer a need to provide a blank canceled check. Still, it's preferable to present a canceled check if you want to simplify your SIPs. This will provide your fund house access to your account number, MICR code, and IFSC code, as well as allow you to swiftly issue an Electronic Clearing System (ECS) to your bank. If you are investing in mutual funds online, you do not need to provide a voided check. Investing in mutual funds on EduFund App Compared to offline investment, online investing will be much faster and easier. By downloading the App, you may select a mutual fund that fits your aims. You can invest in over 4000 mutual funds and personally designed EduCases to create the corpus you need for your child’s future. When the OTP is ready, enter the necessary data and wait for it to appear on your registered cellphone number. You may then input the amount and select whether you want to invest via SIP or lump sum after that. Using your UPI ID or internet banking are your two choices for completing the transaction. This is common practice for the majority of fund companies. If you wish to invest in a couple of each fund house's programs, you must register on their websites. You can invest in a variety of mutual fund plans from several asset management firms all in one place on the  EduFund App. You can make small investments like Rs. 100, 500, or 2000 in lumpsum or SIP orders. Additionally, you may consult financial professionals through the app, who can direct you toward the best investment opportunities based on your risk tolerance and investing philosophy. Factors to consider before investing in mutual funds As you start making mutual fund investments, you must strictly monitor the following: When investing in mutual funds, you must rigorously take your risk tolerance into account. For instance, it is suggested that you start with investing in debt mutual funds since they carry less risk if you cannot afford to incur much risk with your assets. On the other hand, equities mutual funds should be your pick if you have larger risk tolerance. When investing in mutual funds, it's crucial to take your acceptable investment horizon into account. Consider investing in long-term equity funds, which produce larger returns over the long run.  If your objective is to save for your retirement level of risk appetite will directly affect the results of your mutual fund investments. It has been shown that a larger risk appetite will often result in higher returns. Since its inception, the mutual fund industry has made a concerted effort to draw in more investors. It used to be a tedious procedure to finish the paperwork for mutual fund investments, and you had to visit an AMC or RTA office to do your KYC. But all of these annoyances have been eliminated owing to the development of technology. TALK TO AN EXPERT

Although nothing compares to the delight of having a child, raising a child, and giving him or her, it comes at a high cost. Parenting involves a significant financial commitment and emotional and physical investment. Raising a child in India is challenging and expensive. If you are wondering how much money does it take to raise a child in India? List of major expenses for child education plans 1. School expenses  Children's schooling and extracurricular activities take up a huge chunk of a parent’s annual income. Over 65% of parents spend at least half of their annual income on schooling. Every parent wants the best education for their child, even if it means that they occasionally struggle to make ends meet owing to escalating school costs.   A private school charges between 50,000 to 2 lakh rupees annually. In the 12 years between Classes I to XII, there would be an outlay of between 11 to 43 lakh rupees, assuming a 10% annual inflation rate for schooling. This fee is in addition to any tuition or extracurricular activities the child will enroll in.  2. College expenses  College expenses are a big part of how much money it takes to raise a child in India. Indian parents are most concerned about rising college costs, which constitute a major expense. The average cost of an engineering degree ranges from ₹12 to ₹15 lacs today; it will cost about ₹42 lacs to ₹50 lacs in around 15 years. In the same vein, it is reasonable to predict that in 15 years, a medical degree will cost more than one crore if it costs ₹30 to ₹40 lacs today. Although parents may choose to use student loans to pay for more expensive studies, the interest rate still remains high even after-tax exemptions. Top best child investment plans in India Read More 3. Miscellaneous expenses Miscellaneous expenses are important to consider when estimating exactly how much money it takes to raise a child in India. Up to the age of 18 are food, housing, and child care, but these are not the only costs to take into account. It can be expensive to purchase other basics like clothing, education, and healthcare. When calculating the costs of having and raising a kid, all of these categories should be taken into account as well.   According to a 2011 report by the Economic Times, the average cost of raising a child in India was ₹ 2.1 lacs. Healthcare costs are also increasing quite swiftly. The price of healthcare has increased steadily since that time by more than twice its previous level. Therefore, the typical health care expenses for raising a child will be between ₹ 4 to ₹ 5 lacs.  Food and other related costs, such as eating out, can range from ₹ 5000 to ₹ 6000 per person on average. Therefore, this could result in an additional ₹70,000 in expenses each year. As food prices rise, this will rise as well, therefore over the next 20 years, food may cost you ₹15 to ₹20 lacs.  Although this is changeable depending on your needs, an ordinary middle-class household that goes to the movies once a week and sometimes to a play or a weekend getaway should expect to pay roughly ₹ 4000 per person. A domestic holiday can run you roughly ₹ 30,000 per person, so your average annual entertainment price is between ₹70,000 to ₹ 80,000. All of these costs are based on current prices and do not account for inflation, so you will need to adjust your budget to account for inflation as you raise your child annually. When it comes to how much money does it take to raise a child in India? Then it can cost you from ₹65 to ₹80 lacs to raise a kid in India today. FAQ How much does a parent spend on a child in India?  Tier 1 city households may spend up to ₹43,000 on their children, but Tier 2 families spend nearly 23% less, Tier 3 families spend more than 22% less, and Tier 4 city parents spend roughly 32% less than Tier 1 city families. So, on an annual basis, Indian parents spend ₹32,000 on their children's education.  How much do you need to have a baby in India?  Given that infants are vulnerable to infections in their first few years of life, children need intensive medical care. Therefore, keeping that in mind, according to the reports of Aditya Birla Capital, the average cost of raising an infant would range from 5 to 6 lacks rupees which would include all the expenses from monthly pediatrician visits to accessories for a child. TALK TO AN EXPERT

What makes a good investment option? Many components could affect your investment decision, like liquidity, size of the investment, goal of investment, the horizon of investment, etc. Top 10 investment ideas for child education 1. Direct stock investment Passive investing may not be everyone's fit, as it is a risky type of asset with no certainty of profit. In addition, it is not only tricky to select the appropriate stock but also difficult to time your entry and exit. The only bright spot is that stocks have been able to outperform all other asset classes in terms of asset price returns for a long time. 2. Equity mutual funds Equity investors primarily invest in stocks. An equity mutual fund scheme should invest a minimum of 65% of its assets in equities and equity derivatives as per the Securities and Exchange Act of India (Sebi) Mutual Fund Rules. An investment company can be controlled directly or indirectly. 3. Debt mutual funds Debt mutual funds are suitable for low-risk or risk-averse investors. Bond/Debt funds generally invest in fixed-income asset classes such as government bonds, corporate debt, treasury bills (T-bills), as well as other alternative investments. The returns are easy to predict, and the investment does not face much volatility. 4. National pension scheme (NPS) The Pension Capital Market Development Authority administers the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and Long Term Investment Program for Pensioners (PFRDA). The annual payment required to keep the NPS Tier-1 fund active has been reduced from Rs 6,000 to Rs 1,000. It consists of a combination of stocks, certificates of deposit, debt securities, liquid money, and public money, among others. You can decide on how much risk you want to factor into your risk tolerance overall. 5. Public Provident Fund (PPF) Since PPFs have a maturity of 15 years, the effect of compounding tax-free interest is significant, especially in later years. In addition, since a state guarantee secures the returns and investing money, it is a safe investment. It is worth recalling that the government reviews the interest rate on the PPF every quarter. Additional read: Mutual funds for child education 6. Fixed Deposits with the bank (FDs) In India, a fixed deposit (FD) account is considered a better investment option than an equity or mutual fund. Effective February 4, 2020, every depositor in the bank is covered up to a total of 5 lakh rupees for both principal and interest as per the guidelines of the Bank Protection and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). 7. Senior citizens savings plan (SCSS) Senior Citizens' Saving Scheme (SCSS) is a government-backed pension scheme. Senior citizens resident in India can invest a lump sum in the scheme, individually or jointly, and access regular income along with tax benefits. Any person over 60 can apply for SCSS through a postal or commercial bank. SCSS has 5 periods which can be extended for another 3 years if the program develops. The total capital limit is Rs 15 lakh, and many accounts can be opened. SCSS money is taxed and billed on a fixed schedule. It should be mentioned that the property interest rate is subject to frequent reviews and adjustments. Additional read: Best sip plans for child education 8. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yo PMVVY is a program for older adults age 65 and over that guarantees a 7.4% annual return. The scheme provides pension contributions which can usually be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on the option chosen. The lowest pension payment is Rs 1000 per month, and the highest retirement payment is Rs 9250 every month. The plan allows a total investment of 15 lakhs. The program is valid for 10 years. The validity of program is valid until March 31, 2023. The invested amount will be returned to the elderly person when he becomes elderly. The amount will be issued to the applicant in the event of the death of the senior citizen. 9. Real Estate The place you live in is for personal use and would never be considered a business. If you don't really plan to live there, the family property you are buying can serve as an investment. The location is one of the most critical aspects in determining the value of a home, along with the rental income it can generate. Real estate investments provide profits in 2 directions: holding value and rental income. Besides, real estate investments are costly compared to other investment vehicles. Another significant risk is obtaining adequate regulatory approvals, which has largely been resolved since the arrival of the Real Estate Investment Authority. 10. Gold investment Owning gold in ornaments creates its own problems, including increased efficiency and lower costs. Then there are "production fees", which typically range from 6% to 14% of the gold price. People who want to get digital gold still have a better choice as these charges are not applicable to digital gold. Conclusion There are numerous investment options are available in the financial world. But which one suits your profile is the question. The equity mutual fund scheme as an asset class has outperformed all the other classes and if you want to invest in digital gold or mutual funds, but do not have any idea, how to choose the fund. Then, you can schedule a call with the EduFund advisory team. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Children's fund programs are a form of mutual fund with specific goals related to children. They can also be termed plans to solve the rising cost of children's education and other necessary expenses. The best mutual fund for a child's education usually invests in equity and debt-related securities.  However, investors can also choose between higher debt and higher equity investments according to their individual preferences and risk appetite. Children's funds come with a minimum 5-year lock-in period and can be extended until the child becomes an adult. These are long-term investment options, and holding investments even during market fluctuations ensures higher returns than liquidating funds during a market downturn. What is a children's gift mutual fund? Child gift funds are mutual fund plans that provide financial benefits to your children for things like wedding expenses, future school fees, etc. This leads to long-term capital growth and is classified as Hybrid Fund or Balanced Mutual Fund. Gift funds invest in equity and debt asset classes. Fixed income securities are the type of debt instrument, while stocks are the type of equity. Purpose of the children's fund The primary purpose of the children’s fund is to provide financial support for the child’s future if they want to pursue higher studies abroad or in India. A mutual fund ensures that parents do not compromise on their child’s growth due to a lack of funds. A child plan fund is a better option compared to an education loan. With them, you can get the maximum and guaranteed return on the money you invest. Parents can opt for a minimum of five years or more extended lock-in period for the funds until their child turns 18. And if an investor is considering liquidating a child plan mutual fund before the minimum lock-in period of five years, then the fund can charge a penalty of up to 4%. Who should invest in a children’s fund? A child plan fund is ideal for those looking for a long-term investment primarily to save for child-related expenses. Even those who do not want to get involved in schemes with huge risks and want good returns can invest in children's mutual funds. Most mutual funds with a child plan are customizable, which offers additional relief to investors. When a child crosses the age of 18, authorization can be given through the KYC process from the financial institution. Additional read: Dollar to rupee investing Best mutual funds for child education 1. SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund  The fund is an Aggressive Hybrid Mutual Fund Plan. It is a mid-sized fund in its category, with assets under management (AUM) of Rs 151 crore as on June 30, 2021. The fund has an expense ratio is 0.82%, which is comparable to the expense ratio charged by most other Aggressive Hybrid funds. 2. UTI CCF Investment Plan The fund has a market cap of Rs 504.40 crore. The UTI CCF investment plan is benchmarked against the flagship CRISIL Balanced Fund - Aggressive Index as well as NIFTY 50 - TRI and NIFTY 500. 3. HDFC Children's Gift Fund This is a mid-cap fund in its category with assets under management (AUM) of ₹ 4,667 crores. The fund's expense ratio is 1.04%. The fund now has a 67.10% equity allocation and a 19.07% debt allocation. 4. Axis Children Gift Fund - No Lock-in This is a children's fund focused on Axis mutual fund solutions. It has a market cap of Rs 607.91 crore. Nifty 50 (TRI) index is used as the primary index, and NIFTY 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 65:35. 5. LIC MF Children Fund  The fund has an expense ratio of 1.89%, which is higher than the category average of balanced hybrid funds. The fund currently holds an equity allocation of 88.16% and a debt exposure of 10.87%. The returns of LIC MF Direct-Growth Fund Children's Gift Fund for the last year were 33.91%. Why should you consider child education mutual funds?  Choose an investment option that can beat inflation over a long-term period. Always consider investing your money as per your risk appetite to build a fund for your child's college education. If you want to save money for your child's higher education and you have a longer horizon to save, then equity mutual funds are a good choice. Investing in mutual funds over time provides much better returns than any other type of savings. Returns are better if the time horizon is longer. Conclusion Irrespective of the fund you choose, there is no alternative to starting early. In addition to several advantages, the long-term horizon enables maximum returns from equity mutual funds while mitigating the risks of market volatility. Additionally, consider increasing the SIP amount yearly for a healthy corpus to fund your child's education. Note: All funds mentioned in the article are Direct mutual funds Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Parents responsible for arranging the necessary funds to provide higher education to their children are constantly on the lookout for new investment opportunities. It is important to add some of the best US stocks to your portfolio as they are profitable and have the proficiency for higher returns.  The top US stocks can prove to be big-time winners. The companies have shown themselves as capable and adaptable entities even during disruptions like Covid-19 and adverse market and economic conditions. They boast solid track records, strong fundamentals, high potential, and great profit returns. Best US stocks for Investing in 2022 1. Amazon With annual revenues and net income of $121.234 billion and $11.607 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022, Amazon (AMZN) is one of the best US stocks in the world.  The multinational company formed by Jeff Bezos has its fingers in several industries like cloud computing, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and digital streaming.  2. Microsoft Corporation Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft (MSFT) is associated with the information technology industry. The public company traded on Nasdaq has several subsidiaries to its name like GitHub, LinkedIn, and Skype.  The $2.38 trillion market cap company boasts annual revenues and net income of $198.270 billion and $72.738 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022. The 3-month and 1-year forecast for its stocks is at 10.300% and 27.412% respectively.  3. Alphabet Inc.  The holding company Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) is a technology conglomerate with revenues and net income of $278.139 billion and $72.016 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022. Product lines include YouTube, Google Ventures, Google Search, Android Etc.  With a market capitalization in trillions, it is one of the best US stocks to buy because of sure and safe returns.  4. Apple Inc  Apple (AAPL) is a multinational tech company with innovative products (Apple Watch, Mac, iPhone) and services (Apple Music, iCloud, App Store) in its portfolio. As of June 2022, it is the biggest company in the world in terms of market capitalization which crossed $3 trillion.  Apple registered its revenues and net income of $387.542 billion and $99.633 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022. The 3-month and 1-year forecast for its stocks are at 12.907% and 32.407% respectively. 5. Nvidia Corp Nvidia (NVDA), a software and fabless company is a global leader in software, hardware, and artificial intelligence. It recorded revenues of $26.91 billion for the fiscal year 2021-22. The 3-month and 1-year forecast for its stocks are at 39.858% and 65.733% respectively.  The public company is listed in the NASDAQ 100 and pays dividends four times every year. As cloud computing is in high demand across various industries the growth potential for higher returns is extremely positive.  6. Tesla Inc.  Tesla Inc. (TSLA), a public company traded on NASDAQ is associated with the designing and manufacturing of sustainable energy ecosystems and all-electric vehicles. The company crossed the market cap of $1 trillion in October 2021 and shows a remarkable trend of higher upward movement.  Tesla registered its revenues and net income of $67.166 billion and $9.516 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022. The 3-month and 1-year forecast for its stocks are at 20.403% and 47.215% respectively. 7. Mastercard Mastercard (MA), listed in the S&P 500 Index and traded as Class A on the New York Stock Exchange, is associated with financial services. The multinational corporation registered its revenues and net income of $20.865 billion and $9.699 billion respectively for the year ending 30th June 2022. Mastercard offers its services to 210 countries all over the world (except Russia) through its debit, credit, and prepaid cards.  The company is known to process an estimated 3.6 trillion transactions every year. Mastercard is a favorite of investors as it has a dividend yield of 0.47% and distributes them consistently to loyal stockholders every quarter of every year.  If you are wondering where to buy the best US stocks then always choose a secured platform or credible investment counselors.  The wealth experts on the Edufund App offer solid recommendations to parents about the best US stocks to buy and fund their child’s higher education. They provide the opportunity for fractional investing as well as to own a piece of a global US company through transparent and secure means.  Investing across borders to create wealth for your child’s higher education is easy with no hidden charges, no commission, or brokerage fees to disrupt your equilibrium hence sign up and start earning returns in dollars! Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

International investing has become an essential part of the portfolio. Adding international funds/stock provides diversification to the portfolio and helps capture the returns from the growing stock market worldwide. Benefits of International Investing 1. Diversification One of the apparent reasons for investing globally is the diversification of the portfolio. When you invest globally, the investment correlation reduces in the portfolio. In simple words, the dependency on the returns on one market reduces.  Many US-listed companies have operations and revenues at a global level, and these companies are market leaders worldwide. Investing in these companies could provide good exposure to the portfolio. 2. Currency hedge Investing overseas will help your portfolio hedge against the depreciating currency. For example, INR against the US Dollar has depreciated by 3.5-5% over the last few years. Another reason for investing globally could be if you are planning to send your child for higher education abroad, you should always consider investing in the international market to hedge your portfolio against currency appreciation or depreciation. Investing in the global market protects the portfolio from currency depreciation. Additional read: What are international funds? 3. Opportunity Investment opportunity at the global level is immense and can be grabbed only through investing internationally. Economics doesn't grow at the same time and at the same pace. Still, if any economy is growing at a faster rate, then investors could benefit from these growing economies by investing directly or through international funds. Investing globally opens many gates; you can choose from various themes and sectors to invest in and even choose the region for investing. As for technology, you can invest in the US market, and for Engineering, you can consider investing in the Europe market. 4. Fraction buying Unlike in India, you can buy shares in a fraction of the US market. You can buy a fraction of a company's share, trading at $2000. Fractional buying makes the investment more affordable and accessible. So, if you have only Rs 1000/- to invest, you can do that easily. For example, if you want to buy an Apple Inc. share which is currently valued at 160 USD, but you don’t have enough amount to buy one share of the company, then, in that case, you can buy a fraction of the company's share with Rs 2500 also which will USD 30 approx. 5. Lower or managed risk Investing in the international market help to reduce the risk of the portfolio. Every country has a different macro-economy and policies. Developed countries relatively have low risk than developing economies. Spreading your investments in the developed economy could help you to generate better risk-adjusted returns. Conclusion Investing in the international market will help you diversify your portfolio and capture the new investment opportunity globally, but it also comes with risk factors. Always evaluate the risk-to-reward ratio before investing. If you don’t know where to invest and how to invest, download the EduFund app for android and iOS and scheduled a call for free with the experts. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

After a severe decrease during the pandemic's second wave, education inflation has already been rising continuously. Although inflation in the industry was 0.63% in April 2021, it soared to 4.12% a year later, as academic establishments resumed across the country. Analysts claim this will rise more in the coming months due to the return to routine post-Covid and the increased reliance on tuition. The CPI index for education has been declining since June 2020, when the country was placed under severe lockdown owing to the epidemic. While it began to rise in May 2021, the increase was not particularly steep. Education Inflation is rising In India, education inflation is gradually increasing. According to National Sample Survey data, the cost of elementary and upper primary schooling increased more dramatically, rising by 30.7% and 27.5%, respectively, between June 2014 and June 2018. Higher education saw a lower percentage growth. While graduate degree prices increased by 5.8%, PG and higher course fees increased by 13.19 %. This was a period of growing CPI inflation in education. However, almost all higher education institutions were closed for over a year in 2020, immediately following the pandemic. While some universities recalled their academics and master's students after the initial wave passed, schools did not reopen fully until 2022.  Schools did not demand any additional costs aside from tuition fees from parents when online classes were being held. Some states had also asked schools to collect only a percentage of the original costs. Students did not choose any other school-related facilities at the time. Since everything has returned to normal, inflation in this industry is expected to grow. College prices soared over 4 decades Over the last four decades, college tuition has skyrocketed. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the yearly cost of attending a four-year college full-time in 1980 was $10,231 (including tuition, fees, room and board, and inflation adjustment). By 2019-20, the overall cost had risen to $28,775. Additional read: How to repay education loans faster? 180% increase College costs have risen across the board, but private non-profit universities are more expensive than public colleges. In 2019-20, a full-time student at a private non-profit institution paid $48,965, compared to $21,035 at a public college. Nevertheless, the trend has decreased since 2019. Based on the data from the college board, average tuition, fees, and room and board at private non-profit four-year schools fell 0.2% from 2019-20 to 2021-22. Prices fell another 1.7% between 2020-21 and 2021-22. During the same period, public four-year colleges' tuition followed a similar pattern. With this increase in college prices, the situation after 10 years will be higher with inflation added. The expected rise in tuition fees While food inflation increased by 9.62% between 2012 and 2020, school expenditures increased by 10%. College tuition fees in India have risen dramatically over the years. Below is some information on complete course fees for specific courses and how they are likely to grow in the next years, based on fee increases in previous years. Increased tuition fees in international universities Regardless of the coronavirus pandemic, several international colleges raised their tuition for 2022-2023. Tuition rates at the University of Pennsylvania will rise by 2.9%, while education at Arizona State University will increase by 5% for international students. Tuition costs for international students at all three University of Illinois campuses are expected to rise by 1.5 - 2.5% Education inflation after 10 years Inflation in education raises the expenses of students' basics, such as accommodation, food, and transportation, as well as tuition fees, making it even more essential for students to spend very little and earn however much further possible. With the overall cost of attending college increasing, students will most certainly have to take out more loans; also, these new loans will have higher interest rates than in previous years. For the 2022 - 2023 school year, the interest rate on a federal undergraduate loan has already climbed to 4.99%, up from 3.73% last year. As a result, education inflation after ten years will almost certainly be substantially higher than it is now. Watching unending tuition increase is discouraging parents & students and making them feel powerless in stopping it. However, as an informed consumer, you may make wise decisions to avoid paying more than you can afford. Conclusion  For many students, borrowing is the only means to pay for a college education. It can be tough to deal with these financial constraints in college. It is critical to have a financial plan in place to deal with inflation. FAQs What is education inflation? Education inflation is when the costs of education rise across the economy. The rate of education inflation in India is 10% which means that tuition fees and other education-related costs are What causes education inflation in India? There are several reasons that cause education inflation, such as government funding cuts, higher cost of living, tuition fees, administration costs, security, modern school infrastructure, and technological advancements. Why are tuition fees rising? The average cost of pursuing a degree in the US rose by 497 percent between 1986 and 2018. Tuition fees are rising due to high inflation, a growing demand for foreign education as well as a lack of governmental intervention, and the presence of private bodies in the education sector.

This Diwali, you might be receiving some bonuses. Well, let's invest and grow it. There are many categories of mutual funds, from equity to debt & hybrid. But there is one more category that invests in other funds/mutual funds schemes. These funds are known as Fund of Funds (FoFs) Important points before investing in FOF this Diwali 1. Types of FoFs Fund of Funds (FoFs) not only invest in international funds but also invest in domestic funds. Below are some categories of funds available in India for investment. International FoFs: These funds invest your money in mutual funds schemes offered by foreign companies. For example, Franklin India Feeder Franklin US Opportunities Direct-Fund Growth. This fund invests in Franklin U. S. Opportunities Fund, an overseas Franklin Templeton mutual fund that invests in securities in the United States of America. ETF FoFs: These funds invest your money in ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). An ETF invests in the Index of stocks, bonds, commodities and gold. To match the performance of the Index, subject to tracking error. For example, Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 FoF. This fund invests in units of Motilal Nasdaq 100 ETF, which invest in companies of Nasdaq 100 in the same proportion, to deliver index-like returns, subject to tracking error. Gold FoFs: These funds primarily invest in gold funds and can also invest in gold or stocks of companies involved in gold mining. For example, Axis Gold Fund and Kotak Gold Fund. Asset Allocation FoFs: These funds invest in multi-asset classes like equity, debt, gold and commodities, etc. For example, ICICI Prudential Asset Allocator Fund (FoF) Direct Plan-Growth. 2. High expense ratio These categories of funds can charge a high expense ratio as the expenditure on these funds could be high, which is charged in the form of an expense ratio from the investors. One should always look for the expense ratio charges by the fund. 3. Offers diversification These funds offer good diversification. Diversification can be in multiple funds or multiple asset classes, etc. But sometimes, investing in these funds could lead to over-diversification of the portfolio, which might hamper the portfolio's performance.  4. Moderately risky With the quality of diversification, the fund's risk falls under the moderate risk category. As these funds invest in multiple funds, the fund's risk is balanced out. Let's say, in the case of multi-asset fof, if one asset class underperformed but another asset class outperformed, then the overall portfolio balanced out. 5. Taxation FoFs are considered debt funds, irrespective of the type of funds they invest in.  If you sell FoF mutual fund units before 3 years from the date of investment, then it will be treated as Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG) and will be taxed as per your income tax slab. If you sell FoF mutual fund units after 3 years from the date of investment, then it will be treated as Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG) and will be taxed at 20% flat with the benefit of indexation. Conclusion Before investing in FoFs, always first look for the holdings in which the fund is investing and then other factors that we discussed in this blog. You can also download the EduFund app. Check your risk appetite and invest accordingly. FAQs Is investing in a fund of funds good? Fund of Funds (FoF) is a good investment choice for investors who do not need liquid funds immediately. However, the downside of investing in FoF is the expense ratio. What is the difference between FOF and MF? Mutual funds invest in different equity and debt instruments. They invest in a company's stocks and debt papers on behalf of their investors. The FoF invests in other mutual funds. What are the disadvantages of fund of funds? The biggest disadvantage of fund of funds is the management fees or the expense ratio.

Top-up loans are available for parents/students who have already taken out an education loan. Top-up loans can be obtained from the same bank where you previously obtained an educational loan.  What are Top up loans? The amount supplied to the borrower by a lending institution in addition to the current loan is referred to as a top-up education loan. When a borrower approaches a lender for financial aid to fund, say, higher education overseas, a specific amount is approved based on various parameters. If a borrower applies for a secured loan,' the lending institution will authorize the amount of the loan based on the value of the collateral, which could be land, property, or a fixed deposit, for example. This loan would receive a top-up loan based on the same/different property.  In the event of an unsecured loan, the sanctioned amount is determined by factors such as academic profile, particularly GRE Score, credit worthiness depending on the applicant's and co-credit applicant's history, sources of income, career prospects after completing higher education, and so on. Money is given to the borrower from this sanctioned amount when the borrower needs it. After reevaluating all previously analyzed elements, a top-up loan on this loan would be offered. Need for Top-up loans With life returning to normalcy post the pandemic, students who'd already put off traveling abroad for further education are now continuing their plans. Currently, the expense of such an education is out of this world. People who have children studying abroad or who want to send their children abroad for studies generally take out education loans to cover the costs of their studies. As a result, if you need extra cash, you could consider taking out a top-up loan to pay for your study abroad. With rising costs, it is common to see parents/students struggling financially. In this case, you can take out a top-up loan, over and above the loan already taken. Furthermore, because the bank already has your information, you will have an easier time getting loan approval. However, authorizing an additional top-up loan depends on the higher loan eligibility. The bank also considers the outstanding amount you may have as a borrower. The calculation for Top Up Education Loan  Let’s see this example, as a borrower when you were qualified for Rs 50 lakhs but chose a credit of only Rs 35 lakhs, you also had Rs 15 lakhs available to you. Furthermore, if you've already paid Rs 5 lakhs from the Rs 35 lakhs, your overall eligibility increases - and you are now eligible to obtain a loan of Rs 20 lakhs more. Institutions offering top-up education loan  Instead of going with your bank, you might check into other choices, including other banks, non-banking finance companies, and education financing firms, which may be able to provide you with a loan at a lower interest rate. If your current bank refuses to approve the increased money requirement, you could check into alternative banks, NBFCs, and education finance businesses. Furthermore, if your present bank declines your additional loan application, you could try to transfer your existing loan to a new loan company instead of accepting a new loan from the new bank. Remember that additional loan approval is subject to the bank's policies, and not all banks offer top-up loans. Conclusion Applying for an education loan to help pay for higher education abroad necessitates careful planning. It requires the borrower to arrive at a precise approximation of the tuition fee and a determined prediction of other expenses, such as the cost of living. However, a student may need to borrow more funds from a bank to make up the difference due to currency rate fluctuations or fee increases. FAQs What is a top-up education loan? A top-up education loan refers to the additional amount given by the lender on top of the regular lending amount. Can I get a top-up on an education loan? Yes, you can top-up your education loan with your bank. What is top-up loan eligibility? If it's a secured education loan, then the top-up is based on the value of your collateral, and if it's an unsecured education loan, then the amount is disbursed based on your relationship with the lender, your credit history, your academic profile and your repayment discipline.