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Being a single mother in India is one of the most demanding roles a person can carry. You are the emotional anchor, the primary caregiver, the decision-maker, and in most cases the sole financial provider — all at once, every single day. The weight of that responsibility is real. And while there is no shortage […]

The wedding festivities have concluded, the mehendi is fading, and the relatives have returned home. As the house grows quieter between the wedding gifts and leftover sweets, reality gently knocks on the door, signaling that it is time to begin financial planning for newlyweds. Two lives. Two incomes (possibly). Two sets of habits, dreams, and […]

Most Indians who invest do so with a vague sense of purpose. They invest because they know they should. Because a colleague mentioned a good mutual fund. Because their bank relationship manager suggested something. Because the market was rising and it felt like the right time. What’s often missing is Goal-based investing, where every investment […]

Each year, thousands of Non-Resident Indians make the deeply personal decision to return home. Whether drawn by the pull of aging parents and cultural roots or prompted by career shifts and health concerns, the transition is a significant milestone. However, the emotional journey is only half the story; proactive financial planning for NRIs is essential […]

Retirement is not the end of financial responsibility — it is the beginning of a completely new financial chapter. For millions of Indians who have spent decades earning, saving, and investing, the post-retirement years bring a fresh set of challenges that demand careful thought and deliberate planning. Financial Planning for senior citizens in India is […]

Financial recovery after major illness is about more than bills—it’s about regaining control with care and clarity. In the first weeks after treatment, money decisions carry emotional weight: income may dip, insurance feels complex, and debt can press hard. This guide offers practical, compassionate steps for financial recovery after major illness so you can stabilise […]

For those who have just hung up their boots after decades of service, retirement is supposed to be a reward. It’s a time for leisure, family, and personal pursuits. Yet, for many, this new chapter is fraught with a set of unique and acute financial anxieties. Retirement planning in India is crossing the bridge from […]

Life can turn on a dime. A raise today, a setback the next — life keeps the score dynamic. That’s why your Financial Plan should be prepared for all possible scenarios. An adaptive financial planning process empowers you to stay on track, no matter what life throws your way. What Is Adaptive Financial Planning? Adaptive […]

In an era where financial decisions can shape an individual’s life for decades, financial education is no longer optional—it’s essential. Financial Literacy for Teens is a vital component of preparing young people for adulthood, yet it is often overlooked in both school curricula and household conversations. As a SEBI Registered Investment Adviser in Kolkata, this […]

Have you ever felt worried about money? Are your bills piling up? You’re not able to keep track of your family expenses? Are you not sure how to save and invest for your future commitments? This feeling of worry is common to many. Financial stress has become a persistent challenge, especially with economic fluctuations, rising […]

Financial stress worsens when ignored. Realising the stress is crucial. For one family, the debt burden, unpredictable expenses, and a lack of clear financial direction seemed overwhelming. However, their journey from financial anxiety to empowerment highlights the transformative power of a structured financial planning process. The Beginning: Financial Chaos and Stress in Absence of Financial […]

When you start investing, one of the fundamental decisions you need to make is whether to choose active vs passive investing. This decision can affect your portfolio growth, the time and money you spend towards your investments, and achievement of all your time-bound financial goals. Let me clear up this at the outset. It was […]

Financial independence for women is more than just earning money—it’s about having control over financial decisions, securing a stable future, and living life on one’s terms. In India, while more women are joining the workforce and starting businesses, the concept of financial planning for women is still at a nascent stage. Many women even after […]

Investment planning for children is one of any parent’s most significant financial goals. Whether it’s funding their education, supporting their passions, or securing their future, a well-thought-out investment plan can make all the difference. As a Certified Financial Planner in Kolkata, I work with families with unique needs. Their emotions around their children’s future are, […]

Do you ever wonder where your money disappears at the end of the month? Whether it’s saving for a trip, paying bills, or planning for the future, financial decisions can feel overwhelming. But, what if you had the right knowledge to handle them with confidence? Personal financial education is the key to making smart financial […]

Financial planning is all about living in the present and also planning for the future. Retirement planning is as much a psychological aspect as it is a financial one. When you are planning for retirement, you need to look beyond the retirement corpus you would need for a relaxed life going forward. This life-phase will […]

Life is full of surprises, some good and some not-so-good. The not-so-good ones can really shake up your finances if you’re not prepared. That’s where an emergency fund comes into picture. It’s a stash of money you save up and park in suitable instruments so that you get through any unexpected bumps in your financial […]

With rising inflation, longer life expectancies, increasing education costs, and shooting healthcare needs, financial planning, and adequate investments have never been more important. This is especially true for Indians, as India lacks a robust social security system. Thus, individuals need to be self-reliant when planning for major life events like retirement, children’s education, buying a […]

Investing is one of the critical components of financial planning. It plays a crucial role in achieving short-term, medium-term, and long-term financial goals. However, investing is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as each individual has a unique risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial objectives. This is where risk profiling and asset allocation come into play, helping […]

10 signs you need a Financial Adviser Finance and investing can be confusing subjects, with many different options and strategies to choose from. While some people have the knowledge and confidence to manage their money independently, most people can benefit from the expertise of a Financial Adviser in Kolkata. As we move further into 2024, […]

Just as you go to a doctor when you fall ill or you go to a lawyer when you need legal guidance, you may engage a Financial Advisor if you need financial advice. Before you start working with a Financial Advisor, you need to know what questions you need to ask a Financial Advisor. This […]

The plethora of information on personal finance available is great. But the information comes with so many challenges. It’s a fact that we’re bombarded with misleading figures, half-truths, and fabricated details from various sources. This leads to the development of several misconceptions about financial planning. Buying insurance and investment products does not refer to financial […]

The Supreme Court took a decision on 4th November 2022 to allow higher pensions to eligible employees under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 (EPS-95). Following this decision, many are concerned about the eligibility criteria to opt for a higher pension. Before trying to understand whether you are eligible for a higher pension or not, let’s […]

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are an investment fund that tracks the performance of a specific index. Just like stocks, one can trade ETFs on a stock exchange.  An ETF is structured in the same manner as the unit creation of a Mutual Fund scheme. The units can be bought and sold very conveniently and directly […]

Just as the Covid-rattled world economy is setting out towards recovery and growth, Russia-Ukraine crisis is a dampener on us. This article is a general opinion on Mid 2022 investment outlook to better your investing journey! Inflation has become a major concern now. Most of the things in our consumption list are becoming costlier. Globally, […]

All of us save some part of our earnings and invest to achieve our time-bound financial goals. So, where do you invest your surplus? Broadly speaking, it depends upon your risk profile, investment objective, investment time horizon, personal aspects and macroeconomic factors. There are various asset classes to invest in. Exposure in suitable asset classes […]

Have you thought of retirement as a phase of your life? You must have got a sense of your ideal retirement age. You should have made certain plans based on that timeline. Do you have a retirement plan in place? If yes, that’s great! Now, imagine a situation which compels you to retire early from […]

If you are planning to retire early, please accept that you’re not the only one. Are you inspired to retire early or is it just a vague desire? If you are influenced by the FIRE movement – Financially Independent Retire Early, please do not get too carried away. Retirement is not just about having sizeable […]

Your friends and colleagues are supposedly enjoying their lives to the fullest – tripping frequently, buying expensive gadgets, booking properties, buying high-end cars, and what not! So many things are happening around, enough to distract us. Thanks to social media as well for fueling instant gratification every other second. On the contrary, we are guiding […]

We have come across many who are skeptical about when is the optimum time to formally start financial planning. The need to properly manage your personal finances is invariably imperative. But, unfortunately, skills to manage personal finances are not taught in schools. Thus, many end up taking unsuitable financial decisions in their lives. Each time […]

People are always searching for better career opportunities. Often, people get the opportunity to move abroad for career advancement. If you have found a suitable scope for yourself outside India, then a whole new world is waiting for you. You’ll start arranging a lot of things since you’re going to leave India. As you are […]

Debt has become a huge component in family’s finances. Spending more money than you make is basically spending money you don’t have or money you are yet to earn. Borrowing irresponsibly and thereafter trying to come out of a debt trap is never easy. It’s never too late to realize that paying off debt is also one of your financial goals. When […]

Investing is akin to gardening. Just like art and science are involved in gardening, investing requires decision-making and timely monitoring. You are sacrificing present consumption and investing your savings to meet your future requirements. Whether you are investing on your own or you are taking investment advisory services from a Fee Only Financial Advisor in […]

Recognising your goals, assigning target amounts to them and specifying the time periods to achieve your goals can have amazing results. Setting your goals, get you moving towards fulfilling them on time. Time plays a crucial role, among many other factors, when you are investing to fulfil your financial goals. Some goals are to be […]

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) is a facility offered by Mutual Funds which allows the investors to specify withdrawal amount, withdrawal frequency and the number of withdrawals subject to availability of money in the invested scheme. For example, if an investor has invested Rs. 50,000 in a scheme and procured 500 units, he/she can set up a […]

We all talk about various aspects of personal finance. But, personal finance can get a little confusing and overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner. Since we are not specifically taught about personal finance in schools and colleges, beginner’s guide to personal finance is necessary. You may be busy with your work, but you need […]

It is common in Indian culture to examine personal horoscopes of the girl and the boy before finalizing the marriage. Isn’t it also constructive to see what money values (behavior around money) both of them have? Financial compatibility is cardinal nowadays. The decision to get married is one of the most major and exciting decisions […]

To relate with investment portfolio diversification, we may draw the example of a fruit seller. Usually, a fruit seller is selling variety of fruits. The reasons are quite simple. Consumer preferences vary. If a natural calamity like a hurricane wipes out the orange groves of a particular location, he can still earn his living by […]

Our death is certain, but the time is uncertain. With death of bread earner, family’s income ceases but family expense doesn’t. The chief purpose of taking life insurance is to ensure family’s financial security in case of bread earner’s untimely death. Term Life Insurance fits well at every life stage. It may be considered as […]

Financial planning for salaried employees are always unique. No salaried employee can be fully prepared for job loss without having a comprehensive Financial Plan in place. The problem is most people do not think of this likelihood till they are actually sacked. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the fear of being fired by your organization just […]

Situations in life can change at the drop of a hat. Unforeseen circumstances often put us under pressure. Negative events not only challenge our mental well-being but also our financial situation is put on the line. If cash flow and contingency fund are limited, they can create trauma. A Contingency Plan is a course of […]

Where will we be in six months, a year and 10 years from now? Were we moving too fast by taking things for granted? With the onset of the pandemic, we are being necessitated to change our way of living. The awful phase is adversely affecting the economy. Majorly across all sectors, organizations are not […]

Any choice is difficult because it also means sacrifice. Choosing something inherently means giving up something else. While taking any decision you have to be rational. But, do you know how to behave rationally while taking major decisions in life? During the decision-making process, primarily, you need to consider two aspects. One is technical side […]

Macro-economic factors and/or geopolitical matters influence financial markets. Common macroeconomic factors include gross domestic product (GDP), the rate of employment, the phases of the business cycle, the rate of inflation, the money supply, the level of government debt, etc. So, rise and fall of financial markets due to rising crude oil prices, weak rupee, political uncertainty ahead […]

The primary job of a licensed Financial Advisor is to professionally guide you in your personal financial aspects. Preferably, a licensed Financial Advisor is competent to write Financial Plan for you and your family in detail and also provide proficient financial advice in a fiduciary capacity. Commonly, financial planning and investment advice are major reasons […]

We invest some part of our hard-earned money with the objective to grow our money over time and help us achieve our financial goals – be it buying a house, owning a car, making provision for retirement, provision for children’s future,  going on our dream vacation, etc. In our practice, we have come across people […]

Medical profession was, is and will prevail to be a noble profession. It is a matter of immense pride and honor for anyone to be a successful doctor. As medical practitioners, you are accustomed to long hours, including weekends and night shifts. The magnitude of change you, as a doctor, can give rise to through […]

Personal finance and personal financial goal setting are intertwined when it comes to financial planning. Personal financial goals in life are always unique; it depends on person to person. There may be a big wish list but unless you identify your financial goals, it may look impossible to achieve all your wishes with the limited […]

A salaried employee gets a fixed and regular income/compensation for the services he/she renders to an employer/organization. Financial planning for salaried employee is critical because the future and present requirements of the family are to be met from the pre-defined and fixed income source. Major part of the income meets the present family requirements (expenditure) […]

You may raise one question, “Why financial planning for women in India is exclusively necessary?” or, “Are there any distinct aspects in financial planning for women in India?” Arguably, women in India had been considered less important than men since early days and they have been facing various problems during their life time. Gender discrepancy […]

We are nearing end of April, 2020 and India is under complete nationwide lock-down due to coronavirus pandemic. As per experts, social distancing is the only way to arrest the cycle of infection. The Govt. of India has strictly told all citizens to stay at home and work from home. Self-isolation is really a problem […]

The basic purpose of life insurance is to create cash in case of sudden demise of a bread earner.  Unfortunately, planning of death benefit for potential dependents is often ignored. In India, life insurance policies are sold as savings, tax sheltering schemes. As a result, the insured (bread earner) is misled. Being Financial Advisor in […]

Our apprehension of personal finance began with our piggy banks. Whenever our close relatives gave us money, we gingerly put it in the piggy banks with the wish to buy something later. The concept of budgeting seeped in when we had to wisely spend our pocket money trying not to exhaust it before one month. […]

Financial Plan for single parent is an essential guide in life’s journey. Divorce is calamitous on the person’s personal finances, especially living with dependent children. Emotional struggle during the divorce is undoubtedly miserable. The situation demands the single parent to regain control of his/her life. This involves becoming more responsible in taking personal and financial […]

In India due to lack of Social Security System, people need to take special care for retirement kitty to meet expenses after retirement. Immediately after retirement, a retiree (salaried/professional) will stop getting the regular income check which was certain during the working phase. This is the chapter where a retiree may get huge shock. The […]

When you want to construct a house, you approach an architect to create a plan before you start construction on the purchased land. Mostly, homeowners prefer to hire both architect and a home designer. Buying a house or a flat is one of the vital decisions of one’s life. All you need is a blueprint, […]

As a teenager you might have thought that life after retirement would be like a calm sea and there would be no struggle. Life is not fairly so simple. In reality, we have too many commitments. Retirement means you’re not retiring from life but you’re retiring from your workplace. You’ll not have your active income; […]

You may recognize how much you earn but you don’t count how you spend. This is the root cause of money mistakes Expense management sheet may sound good for you. But how to go about the same? “Money isn’t everything…but it ranks right up there with oxygen.”― Rita Davenport Not having a family budget is […]

Both peace and happiness have been tagged as the most un-understood phenomenon in the world. Rather, everybody hopes to achieve happiness and chases the horizon. Happiness is a state of mind. It doesn’t lie in any tangible object(s). Happiness is an emotional feeling which depends on expectations, may be own or of others. Happiness sometimes […]

Judicious Financial Plan implementation processes and review at regular intervals makes your journey towards financial freedom less disruptive. It’s the tendency of any human being to stick to one’s own comfort zone. It’s really difficult to leave your comfort zone. To you, comfort zone is safe and comfortable. Although, from your experience you may have […]

Being Certified Financial Planner in Kolkata, we have been seeing that family members experience intolerable pain during contingencies because of casual approach of family’s bread earner. Quite often, the bread earner does not share personal financial matters with potential family members. Common excuses are, “My spouse isn’t interested in taking control of investments, insurance, etc.”or […]

Hybrid Mutual Fund is a category of Mutual Fund that is represented by diversification among two or more asset classes. It can be a mixture of debt, equity, gold, real estate, etc. in different proportions based on the investment objective. A Mutual Fund is a type of financial vehicle made up of a pool of […]

A Mutual Fund is a type of financial vehicle made up of a pool of money collected from large number of investors to invest in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. Each Mutual Fund scheme is managed by professional Fund Manager(s). Debt Mutual Funds are a category of Mutual Funds that invest […]

A Mutual Fund is a type of financial vehicle made up of a pool of money collected from large number of investors to invest in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets. Each Mutual Fund scheme is managed by professional Fund Manager(s). Equity Mutual Funds are considered to be riskier than other categories […]

A casual investor usually has less knowledge. He doesn’t follow calculated investment strategies. During business cycles, he’s the first ones to behave oppositely. Markowitz portfolio theory attempts to nail down investment decision-making in terms of risk and return. A casual investor ignores financial goals and respective planning horizons, thereby, acts as a stuntman. His behaviour […]

One can relate business cycle with ECG (Electrocardiogram). Flat line indicates that economy is dead. No business in the world economy has a flat trajectory. Businesses have periods of economic expansion and contraction. Rather, the economic environment is dynamic than being static. Domestic as well as global economy has far-reaching effects on businesses. What is […]

Investment strategies are naturally linked to your Financial Plan. Investment covers wide range of activities (investment vehicles) like investing money in certificates of deposit, bonds, equity shares or mutual funds, tangible assets, such as gold or other precious metals, real estate etc. All investment vehicles are good but not identical. You need to choose those […]

A personal financial budget/ family budget refers to allocating your income in a planned way towards the expenses like household, lifestyle, dependents, insurance premium, debt repayment, etc. The surplus is to be kept aside to build Contingency Fund first. Thereafter, investments are to be made towards future financial goals. Your family budget will be a […]

Having a Financial Plan, reviewing and monitoring the Financial Plan are indispensable processes in prudently managing your personal finance. You can’t deny the relevance any more in current rapid socio-economic changing scenarios. Like others, it’s not an exception for retirees. Rather it’s more important. Transitioning from accumulation phase (retirement savings) to distribution phase (retirement income) […]

Accomplishment of financial goals are one of the major fundamentals towards financial wellness. It is achievable if goals are S.M.A.R.T. We can say that nothing astounding will happen to you unless you gather the necessary courage and have strong conviction to accomplish your goals. Your aspirations are achievable through implementation of your Financial Plan. As […]

Your financial freedom is disrupted once you are driven by emotions, i.e. anxiety, happiness, sadness, fear & greed. This happens when you follow your heart without allowing your mind to apply logic.  Thus, you fail to plan rationally. Relying on gut feelings, underestimating or overestimating your chances of success or failure will not let you […]

“Retirement, a time to enjoy all the things you never had time to do when you worked.” – Catherine Pulsifer ➛ Have you ever thought about your post retirement life? ➛ How would you want to enjoy your life during post retirement phase? ➛ How would you like to spend time with your family, as […]

Before you leap to any financial decision, be it major or minor, you should always evaluate your cash flow. In simple terms, cash flow signifies your income (cash in) and expenses (cash out). You may consider the below mentioned factors to understand your present as well as future cash flows.  We all know, “If you […]

The Roys started their financial planning by setting goals and then investing towards them, putting them in a comfortable spot now. There are enough reports out there showing the higher returns that equity gives in the long run. Dr Collin Roy and his wife Rituparna Roy have gained from this. Their path to seeking better […]

Dr Sujoy and Rupa Roychowdhury had to take some tough decisions to get their finances back in order. It is easy to lose track of finances, and a busy schedule doesn’t help matters. Dr Sujoy and Rupa Roychowdhury had to take some tough decisions to get their finances back in order. Along with their adviser […]

Financial decision making ability develops when you are financially literate. A genuine Certified Financial Planner will educate you and assist you in implementing action plans laid down in the Financial Plan. “We were not taught financial literacy in school. It takes a lot of work and time to change your thinking and to become financially literate.” […]

The Akhtars are ready to do what it takes to put their finances in order Difficult times helped Dr Nasim Akhtar, a neurosurgeon based in Kolkata, sharpen his financial perspective. In 2006-07, he was managing his family’s construction business as well as practising medicine. In 2012, he suffered from a heart attack and recovery took […]

While you retire it doesn’t mean that you are retiring from your life. It doesn’t mean that you don’t need regular income. The old saying is true, “Retirement is quite different from two-week vacation.” If you’re a pre-retiree, you may be too busy focusing on your current circumstances like income, expenses and various important family […]

Many investors randomly invest without following any particular Investment Plan. Investment Plan is a part of your Financial Plan. Investment Plan emphasizes on processes. It helps you to achieve your financial goals or objectives in a systematized way. As per your Financial Plan, you may have short term, medium term and long term goals. The […]

Once we were asked by one of our doctor clients that his friend gets free of cost investment advice & financial plan from a distributor. We asked our client, “Being a surgeon, do you operate your patients without fee?” If you do so, how will you be compensated?” We briefed him the concept of Direct […]

Due to macroeconomic changes you’re exceptionally thinking to hire a professional for legitimate guidance. In the rapid economic changing scenario, you hardly get guaranteed rate of return on your investments. Simultaneously, interest rates are deteriorating by the day. You can hardly offset inflation & income tax if you pursue traditional investments. The financial products are […]

We know about the physical, psychological & financial effects of an addiction. What about the family? Why and how will they face the financial crisis? “Your life is in your hands, to make of it what you choose.” – John Kehoe Practical Scenario Once I got a call from Mrs. Rekha Chatterjee (36) (name changed). […]

I call this “Bare Bones Financial Strategy.” The reason behind my discussion is to emphasize the essential elements of the Financial Strategy related to own startup after quitting job. One can change the business/professional strategy over a period of time through reviews after s/he quits job. You need to prepare Financial Strategy before quitting your job.  […]

Why some of you are destined to be entrepreneurs? Why do you wish to quit job and start your own business? We come with solution through Startup Plan. The common apprehensions are:- Unexpected overload of work that drags them to frustration Income growth not at  par with inflation No/less job security Those who stay aboard […]

According to Uttam Kumar Sen, a certified financial planner, everybody should penny-pinch as it helps oneself to understand the worth of each penny and develop a sense of responsibility. “If you want to earn 8% interest to get Re. 1, you will have to invest Rs.12.50 for 1 year. However, we do not think about […]

Uncertainty is possibility of an outcome, i.e. what you expect may or may not appear.   While we say future never resembles the past, we mean our future is uncertain. As Financial Adviser in Kolkata, we make you aware of things which are uncertain. The only certain things are our past (that had happened) and present […]

Tuhin and Tandra Paul took right steps to build their retirement corpus just in time to avoid the effects of inflation. Life after retirement is often not what one expects it to be. And inflation can make things doubly difficult. Kolkata-based Tuhin and Tandra Paul took steps just in time to avoid the effects of […]

Most pensioners believe in employment benefits which sounds good. But, in practice, it’s not defined benefit pension plan. If not understood, it’ll be an illusion. Pension income or Fixed Income Plans (passive) is not enough for you after you retire from work-life. Practical example showing why only pension income is insufficient after retirement We were […]

What is Personal Finance? Personal Finance construes all financial resolutions and implementations of resolutions of an individual or household which includes budgeting, insurance planning, mortgage planning, savings and retirement planning, income tax & estate planning and so on. Hardly any individual religiously maintains his budget. Budget is basically projected cash flow statement. In parliament, we […]

Asset allocation is like a rudder to balance one’s risk and investment portfolio return. An Investment Adviser tries to understand the risk profile of an investor, his investment time horizon & investment objectives.  Through financial planning processes, an Investment Adviser understands client’s personal qualitative and quantitative factors.  He also considers macroeconomic factors along with it […]

Chasing return on investment without knowing your subtle subjective issues of life is futile for your financial health. You have responsibilities and commitments towards your family. You know your aspirations of life. You wish to fulfill all your financial commitments within your working period (earning phase). People ponder that they can work till they exit […]

All investments are good. But while you ask whether it is good for you, my opinion would be that it depends on your risk profile, investment time horizon, objective of investment, net worth, cash flow, family structure, age, health, man power, occupation and nature of job and various other subjective issues. All the above mentioned […]

Inflation and Income Tax is a matter of worry for all. You set financial goals you’re willing to reach for. Goals may be retirement, higher education & marriage, buying a house and car, international vacation, startup capital and even emergency fund etc. The best way to reach your goals is by planning, implementation of plan […]