Guides · India
Money explainers — cautious, calculator-backed
Short articles on how tax, inflation, and tenure shape outcomes. Each guide links to a SmartFinance tool so you can stress-test your own numbers.
Disclaimer: This content is for general education only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Rules change; verify with a qualified professional before acting.
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PPF vs ELSS for Section 80C — liquidity, risk, and tax treatment
Compare a 15-year government wrapper with a market-linked ELSS lock-in — what “tax saved” does and does not guarantee.
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Why the headline FD rate is not your real return
Interest is taxed as income; inflation erodes purchasing power. See why the number in the brochure rarely matches spendable wealth.
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Home loan prepayment vs shorter tenure vs investing the surplus
A framework for comparing guaranteed interest saved with uncertain post-tax investment returns — without pretending certainty.
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SIP: nominal vs real CAGR, and LTCG in plain language
What CAGR labels hide, how long-term capital gains tax on equity funds bites, and why “real” return matters for goals.
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RD interest, TDS thresholds, and your real yield
Recurring deposit interest is fully taxable; TDS is not the same as final tax. Why post-slab yield can be far below the quoted rate.
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SSY: 15 years of deposits vs 21 years to maturity
The “silent” growth phase after contributions stop — why the calendar has two different horizons and how compounding uses both.
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Floating vs fixed home loans when rates rise
What a +1% rate move can do to EMI vs tenure under a floating loan, and how fixed-rate trade-offs differ (fees, reset clauses).
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PPF extension in 5-year blocks without fresh contributions
Why extending without new deposits still grows wealth, how it differs from continuing 80C claims, and liquidity caveats.