Abhishek Kumar on Money management in the Media

Abhishek Kumar suggested a 50-30-20 split of income, a family floater health cover and a medical emergency fund. He also advised automatic monthly transfers, one inventory of all accounts and policies, and registering an HUF where it applies.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that art earns nothing while it is held and carries heavy transaction costs. He said a budget must cover fees, insurance and upkeep, and suggested keeping art to about 2 to 5 per cent of net worth.

Abhishek Kumar said a high, inflation-indexed exemption threshold and relief for primary homes would be needed to protect middle-class families, and cautioned about risks to small businesses, capital flight and long-term saving.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that if a new venture does not earn steadily early on, people may have to sell long-term investments early or borrow at high rates, and said health and term insurance premiums should not be cut.

Abhishek Kumar said a high exemption threshold linked to inflation would be needed to protect middle-class families, and cautioned that a steep rate could force heirs to sell business assets and discourage long-term saving.

Abhishek Kumar explained that comprehensive health policies often reimburse pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, and that an emergency fund helps pay costs insurance does not cover, such as co-pays, deductibles and some rehabilitation.

Abhishek Kumar explained why F&O losses grow: borrowed exposure, time decay, trading on expiry days, costs and trading habits. He also covered using derivatives to hedge, who should stay cautious, and basic rules for managing risk.

Abhishek Kumar suggested taking bundled offers only when every item was already planned, reading the fine print on no-cost EMIs for fees and penalties, and checking that a seller is an authorised retailer.

Abhishek Kumar said a postgraduate degree should not be judged only by opportunity cost or the first few years' pay. He described upskilling as a long-term investment whose value lies in career durability and the ability to adapt over a lifetime.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the 30% standard deduction applies to let-out residential and commercial property, but may not apply if a commercial property is run as a serviced business centre and the rent is treated as business income.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned against borrowing to apply for IPOs, since allotment and listing gains are uncertain while interest must still be paid, and against using emergency funds for an IPO.

Abhishek Kumar said setting a festival budget for gifts, travel and celebrations helps avoid impulse buys, and suggested practical or financial gifts and spending within one's means rather than following social media trends.

Abhishek Kumar explained that financial freedom for a salaried person means having enough assets and cash flow to meet expenses and goals without needing a monthly salary. He said investing with discipline, as per risk appetite, can slowly build passive income.

Abhishek Kumar said long-term wealth comes from consistent behaviour: automating savings, keeping an emergency reserve of six to twelve months of expenses, avoiding lifestyle creep and high-interest loans, and reviewing income, expenses and net worth regularly.

Abhishek Kumar said consistent investing and periodic rebalancing help build long-term wealth, and that financial independence starts with an emergency fund, health and term cover, and avoiding high-interest debt.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that someone retiring at 40 must plan for about 50 years, accounting for inflation, rising healthcare costs and sequence-of-returns risk, and said early retirees need a larger corpus with a lower withdrawal rate.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this guest post on contentment and money, arguing that wealth is a tool for freedom and that knowing when you have enough matters more than any checklist.

Abhishek Kumar explained that an education loan from a recognised lender can support a visa application as verified proof of funds, and said families should start arranging funds 12 to 18 months before the intake.

Abhishek Kumar, in a LinkedIn post cited by Mint, shared the story and argued that health is the base on which wealth rests, urging people to audit their time the way they audit their portfolios.

Abhishek Kumar explained that in India, caring for ageing parents is often not handed over to paid help, and that children raised on their parents' sacrifices commonly want to be present for them in old age.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this article on handling family and social pressure around money decisions, suggesting ways to explain choices calmly and decide without being rushed.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the structure is a leveraged dollar carry trade, not a conventional fixed deposit, and pointed out that costs, rising loan rates, early exit charges and foreign tax rules can reduce what investors actually earn.

Abhishek Kumar described, in a LinkedIn post quoted by Mint, a couple pressured to buy a flat and pointed out its low rental yield, adding that buying is not the mistake but buying under social pressure can be.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned investors against getting carried away by market narratives and suggested checking the incentives of those making predictions. He said most people are better off keeping 5–10% of their portfolio in gold, through ETFs or mutual funds unless physical metal is needed.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this guest article for freefincal, arguing that a steady, automated SIP removes the need to time the market, and that putting a windfall to work during a real correction should be a side strategy, not the core plan.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that a young woman's income can end up funding family assets she may not inherit. He suggested a separate account for her own savings, a fixed family contribution and automatic investing on payday.

Abhishek Kumar, in a LinkedIn post cited by Mint, said the couple lacked a savings structure rather than income, and suggested moving savings out on payday, keeping a separate fund for trips home and setting a fixed budget for leisure spending.

Abhishek Kumar said each endowment policy should be assessed on its own rather than surrendered together, weighing its return, time to maturity, surrender value and tax conditions, with the aim of stopping future premiums and moving savings to term cover and other investments.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this guest post for freefincal, drawing on a review of a 75-year-old's finances to describe what he calls a switch failure, and how families can help parents spend on their own comfort.

Abhishek Kumar said AI tools are not regulated and cannot read emotions, may get tax and investment rules wrong, and that sensitive personal data shared with them could be stored and leaked.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this guest article for freefincal on the slow early phase of wealth building, drawing on client conversations to explain the behavioural habits that help investors stay the course.

Abhishek Kumar suggested households work out a payback period by dividing the upfront cost of switching by the expected monthly saving, cautioning that small savings could take years to recover the purchase cost.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the shift of household savings into financial assets has reduced the market's dependence on foreign money, with SIP, insurance and pension flows making domestic institutions a strong counterweight. He added that FPIs still matter in large index stocks.

Abhishek Kumar said a home loan EMI should ideally stay within a third of gross monthly income, and cautioned that many buyers confuse loan eligibility with affordability and drain liquid savings for down payments.

Abhishek Kumar explained that FDI is long-term capital tied to businesses and hard to withdraw, while FPI can exit within a trading session, and said FPI selling reflects shifts in global risk appetite rather than a verdict on India's long-term prospects.

Abhishek Kumar said a strategy's data should be tested across bull, bear and sideways markets, and advised traders to verify exchange registration and, for black-box algos, the provider's Sebi research analyst licence.

Abhishek Kumar estimated education inflation at 10-12% a year and said a course costing ₹40 lakh today could cost around ₹1.8-2.2 crore in 15 years. He noted that NPS Vatsalya is built more for retirement than for education.

Abhishek Kumar said the EMI goes towards building an asset rather than pure spending, and that if the couple found the budget hard to balance, eating out and food delivery of about ₹18,000 a month was the place to cut.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that the choice of financiers may be limited and billing disputes can arise from telematics data. He suggested an RBI-regulated financier and said the model may not suit high-mileage, long-term owners.

Abhishek Kumar said buyers often confuse loan eligibility with true affordability and overlook upkeep, taxes and rate rises. He suggested keeping the EMI to 30 to 35 per cent of take-home pay and cautioned against loans running into retirement.

Abhishek Kumar explained that mall REITs let individuals invest in retail property without large capital or upkeep, and pointed out risks from e-commerce, economic cycles and rising interest rates.

Abhishek Kumar said property prices in Tier 1 cities are outpacing salary growth. He cautioned that many buyers stretch EMIs well beyond 30-40% of take-home pay, and advised counting the full cost of buying and protecting retirement and emergency savings.

Abhishek Kumar said a home budget should stay within four to five times annual income, with EMIs kept within a safe share of income. He noted that low rental yields in NCR make renting viable for many, and that a ₹20–25 lakh household income is needed for a mid-segment home.

Abhishek Kumar said job insecurity has become a key trigger for seeking financial advice. He noted many clients are asset-rich but cash-poor, and said his firm advises keeping six to 12 months of expenses in liquid cash and diversifying.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that people who take delivery still need a jeweller to turn the gold into jewellery, which brings back trust concerns over purity and quality.

Abhishek Kumar said silver's industrial demand also makes its returns very volatile and riskier than gold for small investors, who should treat it as a tactical addition rather than a substitute for gold.

Abhishek Kumar said families should start with the death certificate and an audit of assets and liabilities, inform insurers within the claim window, check for a will, and review spending and reinvest claim proceeds to bridge lost income.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the family unit covers an employee and dependants and underpins the minimum wage calculation. He said the formula is dated, and that revising it could raise the fitment factor and basic pay, with effects on allowances and PSUs.

Abhishek Kumar said buying makes more sense when the owner plans to live in the home for at least a decade and can use home loan tax deductions, and suggested treating a primary residence as a lifestyle choice rather than an investment.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that long-short strategies can lose on both sides, that aggressive ones carry more unhedged short exposure, and that many allow only periodic withdrawals. He suggested limiting them to about 10 to 15 per cent of a portfolio.

Abhishek Kumar said economic instability has pushed Gen Z towards a survival-first approach to money, and pointed to the gap between productivity and pay. He urged steady skill-building and an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of basic expenses.

Abhishek Kumar explained that these schemes exist for long-term family protection, so a lender recovering a home loan can sell the house but cannot reach protected savings such as EPF or PPF. He added that the law aims to protect families, not to help defraud creditors.

Abhishek Kumar said it is wrong to assume that every person going abroad from April 2026 has to file these forms on each trip.

Abhishek Kumar explained, in comments drawn from his LinkedIn post, how a car lease still works under the new regime and cautioned that it suits people who stay with one employer for the full lease, citing a client who paid ₹6 lakh after switching jobs.

Abhishek Kumar said diamonds are not a core portfolio holding because of poor liquidity and uncertain returns, and are better seen as lifestyle purchases. He pointed out that the lack of a transparent price and high markups weaken their use as a hedge.

Abhishek Kumar explained that many sovereign gold bond tranches trade below spot gold because of thin liquidity and recent tax changes, and said secondary market bonds can still make sense if the discount covers the tax impact.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that maintenance costs in such projects often rise sharply, noted that transfer fees or profit-sharing clauses can hurt heirs, and suggested checking billing transparency and keeping separate contingency funds.

Abhishek Kumar said fragmentation is the core problem, as separate regulators mean there is no single registry of holdings, and that the trail usually breaks at life events such as an address change or a death, when KYC records are outdated.

Abhishek Kumar said the delay stems from the transition to the 8th Pay Commission and related administrative work rather than a policy change, and pointed out that the economy is not under the kind of stress that led to the pandemic-era freeze.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned buyers against overleveraging, saying that borrowing a modest share of the property's value keeps debt manageable if interest rates rise or income changes. He also suggested an emergency fund covering six to twelve months of expenses, including EMIs.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the large upfront cost and ongoing expenses of insurance, storage and authentication make such art suitable for wealthy investors, while retail investors usually need more liquid investments.

Abhishek Kumar explained that demand has outpaced supply because lockers earn banks little, and that lockers are often tied to buying other products. He compared private vaults with bank lockers and advised insuring the contents of a private locker.

Abhishek Kumar explained that bank employees fall outside the pay commission because their pay is set through industry-level bipartite settlements, usually every five years. He said the commission's findings still serve as a benchmark in those talks.

Abhishek Kumar, quoted from an India Today report, said lockers protect against theft at home but banks are not absolute insurers of contents. He explained that safety is shared: the bank secures the vault, and the customer is responsible for contents and keys.

Abhishek Kumar explained the 2022 RBI locker rules, including the limit on what a bank pays for its own negligence, set at 100 times the yearly locker rent. He advised keeping an inventory with photos, registering a nominee, visiting the locker regularly and considering separate insurance.

Abhishek Kumar advised staying calm and holding positions unless cash is needed, continuing SIPs, investing lump sums gradually through a systematic transfer plan, spreading money across equity, debt and gold by risk appetite, and named sectors exposed to oil prices.

Abhishek Kumar said SEBI is trying to separate opinion from unsolicited investment advice without curbing free expression. He suggested the regulator strengthen and promote safeguards in the advisory space so that investor protection reaches investors.

Abhishek Kumar said the attacks could hurt sentiment among wealthy Indian buyers, noted that property is hit harder by such events than financial assets, and advised weighing geopolitics before putting much of one's net worth there.

Abhishek Kumar said a hawkish pick for US Federal Reserve chair pointed to tighter liquidity, cautioned that continued macro volatility could weigh on Bitcoin, and said investors should limit exposure to an amount they could bear to lose.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the gift to the wife is not taxed, but under the clubbing rules any rent or later capital gains from the property count as the husband's income for tax.

Abhishek Kumar said a hybrid set-up of joint and separate accounts often balances shared goals with personal freedom. He suggested funding major goals from joint accounts, agreeing a no-questions limit for small personal spends, and making a structured plan to repay debt.

Abhishek Kumar suggested keeping EMIs within 30-35% of gross income and using no more than 40% of net worth for a down payment. He also advised building a six-month emergency fund and a good credit score first.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that buying at record highs carries timing risk. He suggested allocation ranges by risk appetite, partial profit-booking in rallies and rebalancing, and for new investors, using gold as the main defensive holding with silver as a smaller addition.

Abhishek Kumar said investment flows through digital channels have become a main driver of recent price moves. He explained how physically backed products absorb metal from the market, and suggested checking that a fund is physically backed and audited.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the old rules often left retail investors with a capital loss they could not use, and said long-term holders will generally pay less tax and can treat buybacks much like market sales.

Abhishek Kumar explained that dropping the TAN requirement eases compliance for buyers of property from NRIs, since they no longer need a one-time registration and quarterly filings for what is usually a single deal.

Abhishek Kumar explained that investors who bought sovereign gold bonds on exchanges or through transfers will lose the maturity tax exemption, and said they should be ready to pay capital gains tax.

Abhishek Kumar explained that property returns depend heavily on location while commodity returns move with demand and sentiment. He said REITs can offer real estate exposure, with an allocation of around 10 per cent.

Abhishek Kumar suggested setting aside at least 5% to 10% as a liquid emergency buffer before discretionary spending, and automating savings once high-interest debt is under control.

Abhishek Kumar said Gen Z is taking a middle path between older generations' caution and global peers' risk-taking, and noted many lack an emergency fund. He suggested building a six-month emergency corpus and clearing costly debt before investing, and putting money in equity only with a horizon of five to seven years.

Abhishek Kumar said the first step is an emergency fund of six to twelve months of essential expenses, kept easily accessible. He suggested a 50-30-20 budget, SIPs in two or three index or flexicap funds, and avoiding direct stocks without market knowledge.

Abhishek Kumar said the commodity cycle may still be at an early stage but cautioned about timing risk, and suggested a small tactical allocation of up to 5% across commodities while adding equity at lower valuations.

Abhishek Kumar said the confusion centres on property, gold, debt funds and bonds, and that many clients are delaying sales for fear of a costly error. He pointed to common mistakes such as wrongly applying indexation, and called for one uniform LTCG framework.

Abhishek Kumar explained the IRDAI rules on where the insurer invests policyholder funds, said charges for mortality cover and agent commissions lower policy returns, and said life insurance should be bought for protection rather than wealth creation.

Abhishek Kumar, in a LinkedIn post the outlet cited, said net income rather than gross salary should guide home buying, and that property prices outpacing salaries make this a systemic issue rather than a personal finance failure.

Abhishek Kumar said the law bars changes that harm option holders and that shortening the window could fall in that category. He explained the tax due on exercise and suggested employees read option agreements with scepticism.

Abhishek Kumar explained that taxpayers now first choose between the simpler new regime and the old one and then plan around it, and said couples and families should coordinate income, deductions and regime choice together.

Abhishek Kumar explained that space limits, compliance costs and low margins are pushing banks to restrict lockers, and pointed out that RBI rules bar linking allotment to financial products beyond a deposit covering three years' rent and charges.

Abhishek Kumar suggested starting with low-cost international ETFs that track major global indices, rebalancing at least twice a year, and explained the TCS on LRS remittances above ₹10 lakh and the annual $250,000 limit.

Abhishek Kumar said such transfers cut tax only when properly structured, as clubbing rules can apply. He explained how returns are taxed for adult and minor children and spouses, cautioned against transfers meant to hide income, and listed the documents to keep.

Abhishek Kumar said couples can either pool their incomes or agree on each partner's share of savings and expenses, and suggested that couples who delay investing set up automatic investments first and refine them later.

Abhishek Kumar said worries over inflation, interest rates and market mood would weigh on Bitcoin, noted that a recovery depends on regulatory progress, and suggested that those uneasy with high volatility consider exiting gradually.

Abhishek Kumar said his firm was asking clients to stay away from digital gold and to move any small holdings into a SEBI-regulated gold product through a registered broker.

Abhishek Kumar shared examples on LinkedIn, cited by India Today, of users losing money to gaming apps. He wrote that these apps are designed to keep players hooked and that recovery needs counselling, family support and firm financial limits.

Abhishek Kumar said misconduct by trading call providers erodes trust in the whole advisory profession and leaves the regulator little choice but to raise the compliance burden on registered advisers.

Abhishek Kumar explained that SEBI was warning users that digital gold platforms are outside its regulation, leaving no investor protection if one defaults. He pointed to counterparty and operational risks and suggested investors consider shifting holdings to SEBI-regulated gold ETFs or electronic gold receipts.

Abhishek Kumar said SEBI wants users to know these platforms are unregulated and lack investor protection, pointed out counterparty and storage risks, and suggested moving to exchange-traded gold ETFs or electronic gold receipts.

Abhishek Kumar said people should make a will once they own significant assets or have dependents, include digital assets through a digital executor, and review it every three to five years or after major life events.

Abhishek Kumar shared on LinkedIn, as cited by the outlet, his experience with an auctioned flat caught in a family dispute. He cautioned buyers to do thorough legal checks, study auction documents and be ready to walk away.

Abhishek Kumar suggested setting target allocations by country and rebalancing periodically instead of making frequent tactical shifts. He cautioned against relying on past performance, concentrating on one sector or theme, and overlap across funds.

Abhishek Kumar said it is wrong to see real money games as a side income or an investment, as they act as psychological traps with poor odds for players, and contrasted them with long-term stock investing backed by value creation.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this article on share buybacks, showing that shareholders in higher tax slabs may end up worse off by tendering, and that each investor now needs to compare the after-tax outcome.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that couples of any family type put retirement saving ahead of an early home purchase and buy only if they expect to stay at least five years. He added that buying can help families who need stability or face sharply rising rents.

Abhishek Kumar said building wealth in a short time needs high equity exposure, more than one income source and SIPs that rise as earnings grow. He was reported as favouring a large equity allocation with regular SIP step-ups and strict discipline.

Abhishek Kumar suggested organising financial papers, reviewing insurance and setting spending priorities, and using the festival to start an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses and to align investments with goals.

Abhishek Kumar shared an analysis of gold's long-term price history, pointing to steep annual falls and long periods of muted gains. He said gold belongs in a portfolio as a hedge, not as a growth engine, and suggested a modest 5-10% allocation.

Abhishek Kumar said there is no single approach for everyone and the choice should rest on risk tolerance, time horizon and finances, with gold suiting short-term liquidity and property long-term wealth, and a mix helping balance risk.

Abhishek Kumar explained that an existing home loan carries over to the new flat after redevelopment, so a fresh loan agreement is not required.

Abhishek Kumar explained that gold offers better liquidity and lower volatility than silver. He described silver as riskier, with its short-term price tied to industrial demand and speculative interest.

Abhishek Kumar suggested comparing full on-road prices rather than ex-showroom prices, checking that the GST cut is passed on, being ready to walk away from a poor deal, and avoiding overpriced dealer accessories and insurance.

Abhishek Kumar said his clients over 50 focus on whether their investments could carry them through a job loss, and advised a margin of safety in both the retirement corpus and withdrawal rate.

Abhishek Kumar said people in this age group should invest as much as they can, live within their means and limit liabilities, and suggested reviewing cash flows, keeping EPF records updated and buying base and super top-up health cover separate from employer cover.

Abhishek Kumar said the extra day would help affected filers but pointed out that it was poorly planned, as the extension was announced around midnight alongside two hours of portal downtime.

Abhishek Kumar told India Today that a one-day extension would help some filers, but said announcing it near midnight during portal downtime showed poor planning, and suggested revenue targets may have been a factor.

Abhishek Kumar said the glitches were probably caused by heavy last-day traffic and suggested that taxpayers escalate their problems through the income tax department's official escalation matrix.

Abhishek Kumar said each generation has to learn that volatility is part of equity investing. He pointed out that investing apps make it easy to start early but social media trends lead many young investors to switch often.

Abhishek Kumar said early financial struggles shape saving habits, and that social media raises Gen Z's awareness but also exposes them to unregulated advice. He suggested both groups automate saving, with millennials paying down high-interest loans.

Abhishek Kumar, in remarks to India Today that Firstpost cited, compared small treats to leaks that slowly empty a tank and said their cost builds up over time and can strain finances.

Abhishek Kumar said developers might keep the tax savings to protect their margins instead of cutting prices for buyers.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that seniors have a lawyer check title and occupancy papers, and assess on-site doctors and nurses, links with hospitals and emergency systems. He said these homes suit those needing some daily help but not specialised care, and cautioned that service charges continue until a resale.

Abhishek Kumar said Gen Z likes AI tools because they are easy and cheap, but advice given without full financial details may not fit. He cautioned that chatbot outputs lack regulatory safeguards and can be wrong, and suggested cross-checking with credible sources.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that leverage magnifies losses as much as gains and can lead to rapid sell-offs if a trade moves against the investor.

Abhishek Kumar said buyers should put immediate needs ahead of a possible tax saving, compare the expected GST cut with current offers and loan costs, and consider booking with a small token amount if they choose to wait.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned investors against opaque intermediaries that claim to act for a broker while handling client money, saying they can block trading and vanish with deposits. He said investors should pay money only into a SEBI-registered broker's own account.

Abhishek Kumar explained that a mutual fund folio in a minor's name is run by a parent as guardian until the child turns 18, and that income from gifted money is taxed in the parents' hands until then.

Abhishek Kumar said groceries, household goods and many consumer durables could become cheaper, and that lower monthly expenses might let families save more or spend on other needs.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that even if indirect taxes come down, developers may keep the savings to protect their margins instead of passing them on to homebuyers through lower prices.

Abhishek Kumar said buy-now-pay-later can help people with no credit history, but defaults hurt credit scores, so it suits only those sure of repaying on time. He also suggested sticking to planned purchases and saving for big buys in advance.

Abhishek Kumar said unregulated finfluencers sidestep rules by dressing up recommendations as education. He cautioned that some promote products that benefit them and could lead young investors into risky choices without weighing their risk tolerance or need for liquidity.

Abhishek Kumar said he respected the poster's choice but disagreed, describing parenthood as an emotional and legacy decision. He contrasted a consumption-based view of money with one built on saving for the family.

Abhishek Kumar said couples should discuss income, loans and spending habits openly before marriage, keep both shared and personal funds, and plan together for children, in views India Today drew from his LinkedIn post.

Abhishek Kumar explained that despite similar legal protections, retail investors face more practical risk in such offers, citing short timelines, a small retail quota and floor-price volatility. He suggested checking the selling shareholders section and risk factors.

Abhishek Kumar explained how the 2.88 linking factor is derived to convert CPI-IW values from the 2016 base year to the 2001 base used in the DA formula.

Abhishek Kumar said debentures carry single-issuer default and liquidity risks that diversified debt funds do not. He suggested treating them as a small satellite holding, checking ratings and issuer finances, and that risk-averse investors stick to FDs or gilt funds.

Abhishek Kumar explained which corporate actions add real value, said splits and bonuses without better fundamentals do not, and pointed out that such events can cause price swings and that investors are now more engaged.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this review of SEBI's draft categorisation rules, noting the overlap limits could curb false diversification but cautioning that allowing second schemes in a category could leave long-time investors in shrinking older funds.

Abhishek Kumar shared the story in a LinkedIn post that the article cites, noting that wealth without health feels hollow and that money goals offer only brief satisfaction.

Abhishek Kumar explained how lifestyle inflation keeps people spending more without building wealth, said avoiding all risk can itself be risky when inflation erodes money, and stressed delayed gratification and steady spending control.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the plan's annual additions do not compound and shared calculations of its effective return. He cautioned against the marketing pitch and suggested a pure term plan plus a mix of equity and debt suited to one's risk appetite.

Abhishek Kumar shared a client case, cited by Outlook Money from his LinkedIn post, in which a wife named as joint holder got a tax email over her husband's investment. He also pointed out the unclear response options on the tax portal.

Abhishek Kumar said a further extension looked likely with key utilities still missing more than 100 days into the filing season, and that taxpayers ready to file should not suffer for system delays.

Abhishek Kumar wrote in a LinkedIn post, cited by India Today, that a client lost ₹18 lakh to betting apps and borrowed to keep playing. He said such apps exploit behavioural finance and urged young people to pause before using them.

Abhishek Kumar said the switch makes users more dependent on the platform, since demat units are harder to move elsewhere. He added that it could help platforms steer users towards products such as margin trading and derivatives.

Abhishek Kumar explained the arithmetic behind the Mumbai figure, using household spending, savings rates and home prices, and pointed out that affordable housing supply has shrunk across major cities.

Abhishek Kumar said the agreement lets banks act if they suspect a locker is misused, suggested updating KYC and nominee details, and advised matching locker insurance cover to the value of the contents.

Abhishek Kumar, in a LinkedIn post cited by Outlook Money, cautioned against buying gold just because prices have risen, recalling his own early mistake. He suggested focusing on asset allocation, buying in small amounts during corrections and ignoring headlines.

Abhishek Kumar explained that the clearer format should ease return filing and speed up refunds by reducing mismatches. He suggested checking Form 16 against Form 26AS, asking the employer to fix errors, and filing a revised return if needed.

Abhishek Kumar listed the interest incomes exempt under Section 10, including statutory provident funds, SSY and post office savings accounts, and explained that this exempt income must still be reported in the ITR.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this guest post on why a high metro salary can still leave little room to save, and on practical steps such as a 50-30-20 budget and an emergency fund of eight months or more.

Abhishek Kumar explained that members need an active UAN that is linked to their Aadhaar, PAN and a bank account that has been verified, with supporting documents uploaded in advance. The outlet presented its 11-step withdrawal guide as his explanation.

Abhishek Kumar said tax planning left until year-end leads to rushed, poor investments, noted that interest on EPF contributions over ₹2.5 lakh a year is taxed, and suggested regular Section 80C investing if EPF does not use up the ₹1.5 lakh limit.

Abhishek Kumar said some of these investments build discipline through lock-ins and keep investors from acting on impulse in volatile markets. He explained the role of ELSS, PPF, SSY and term cover, and the NPS employer-contribution deduction still available under the new regime.

Abhishek Kumar, a registered investment adviser, said the equity market can humble anyone, so direct stocks need proper research, money for short-term goals and emergencies should be kept aside, borrowing to invest avoided, and risk appetite assessed first.

Abhishek Kumar said delaying a sale into early April eases cash flow for transaction taxes, allows advance tax to be paid in four instalments from June, and gives an extra year to deposit proceeds in a Capital Gains Account Scheme.

Abhishek Kumar, a SEBI-registered investment adviser, said metro living can trap young earners, describing a rough 40-30-30 split of income across housing, necessities and everything else, and suggested an emergency fund of eight to 12 months of expenses in a high-cost city.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this column for Mint, arguing that temperament and patience matter more than intelligence in long-term investing, and cautioning against investing with borrowed money.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that one couple's planned EMI would take about 38% of their monthly income, above the 30% guide for housing costs, and suggested they first build an emergency fund of six to 12 months of expenses.

Abhishek Kumar explained why crypto prices swing sharply, pointed to legal and regulatory uncertainty in India, and suggested limiting crypto to 1–5% of a portfolio, using only money one can afford to lose, over at least five years.

Abhishek Kumar worked through the insurer's own illustration, said the plan's yield was low, and suggested a pure term plan plus debt investments may suit many buyers better, while noting it can fit those who want regular payouts and their premiums back.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, set out an order for using the extra money from the Budget tax cut: build an emergency fund first, then pay off high-interest loans, and then save for short-term and long-term goals.

Abhishek Kumar said people earning up to ₹12 lakh a year would keep about ₹80,000 more each year under the new tax slabs.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, was sceptical of the revamped central KYC registry, saying progress has been slow and that RBI and SEBI differ on KYC rules, and argued for a single Aadhaar-style KYC usable across all financial transactions.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out that taxpayers can find tax changes in the direct taxes part of the speech or the highlights, and suggested beginning with the highlights rather than reading every document at once.

Abhishek Kumar is the article's opening example: his registered advisory firm received a SCORES complaint actually aimed at an unrelated, unregistered person, and it took 13 days of exchanges with Sebi to close it.

Abhishek Kumar said people have long preferred gold to diamonds, which he described as having glamour but no investment value. He pointed out that a few players controlled supply and that cheap lab-grown stones are now flooding the market.

Abhishek Kumar suggested starting wealth building with a clean slate: clear high-interest loans, build an emergency fund of six months' expenses (a year's for the self-employed), and avoid products one does not understand.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said he reviews his own portfolio every six months, suggested bringing an enlarged equity share back to the planned allocation, and advised weighing tax and fees before selling.

Abhishek Kumar suggested favouring cities slated for smart city development, cautioned that property title checks need extra care where reputed developers are few, and suggested ready-to-move homes to avoid construction risk.

Abhishek Kumar said those who plan to use gold for a wedding should start building their holding, cautioned new entrants to hold for three years or more, and pointed to cost, tracking error and trading volume when choosing a gold ETF.

Abhishek Kumar said families often take on heavy debt for weddings, which forces cuts to essentials or causes long-term financial strain. He added that celebrations should spread joy without leaving families in financial distress.

Abhishek Kumar said crypto investors should ideally plan to stay invested for five years or more and put in only money they can afford to lose. He also suggested weighing risk against reward before entering, given the volatility.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this article explaining the three disclosure changes and how they help investors compare funds across fund houses on a like-for-like basis.

On Mint's Why Not Mint Money, Abhishek Kumar, SEBI Registered Investment Adviser and founder of SahajMoney, discusses why investors are buying unlisted shares such as Swiggy's, the risks involved, and what to consider before entering this asset class.

Abhishek Kumar said prepaid cards help people keep to a budget and avoid overspending when shopping. He added that they also work well as gifts, letting the recipient choose what to buy.

Abhishek Kumar pointed out how buyers, sellers and card issuers all gain from festive deals. He suggested making a list of planned purchases, keeping card EMIs within a limited share of take-home income, and using liquid savings or cheaper loans to clear card dues.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, warned that listings of pre-IPO shares can be delayed, as happened with NSE, and said investors who cannot leave their money in for the long term should stay away from such offers.

Abhishek Kumar described inflation as a hidden tax that shrinks future purchasing power, and suggested spreading money over equity, gold and bonds linked to inflation to keep pace with rising prices.

Abhishek Kumar said pocket money gives children a say in whether to spend or save, and that used well it teaches them early how money choices work, preparing them to handle money as adults.

Abhishek Kumar suggested drawing on fixed deposits first, then debt mutual funds, then partial withdrawals from EPF or PPF, with retirement money tapped after that. He also advised pausing SIPs while using emergency savings and refilling the emergency fund before restarting them.

Abhishek Kumar, SEBI RIA and founder of SahajMoney, wrote this reader Q&A for a freelancer, suggesting separate personal and business accounts, a year's expenses in liquid funds drawn as a monthly 'salary', a larger emergency fund and diversified long-term investing.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, listed gains taxed at slab rates as short term whatever the holding period: debt fund units bought after 31 March 2023, market-linked debentures, and unlisted bonds sold or redeemed from 23 July 2024. The article credits him for its gold rules.

Abhishek Kumar said intraday trading has become harder for individuals as high-frequency traders capture arbitrage gaps, and that the study confirms most individuals lose money in it.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned that commodities move in cycles, so buyers at record highs may need to wait out a downturn, and suggested keeping commodities within 10% of a portfolio, silver within 5%, with a horizon above five years.

Abhishek Kumar, SEBI RIA and founder of SahajMoney, wrote this reader Q&A, suggesting someone on a career break keep about two years of expenses in liquid funds with a monthly systematic withdrawal plan, alongside an emergency fund and health cover.

Abhishek Kumar suggested couples track expenses for a few months before setting a budget, and said they should agree on goals and on managing savings, working as a team rather than taking rigid positions.

Abhishek Kumar said some families take personal loans to fund weddings and can fall into a debt trap. He suggested first building an emergency fund, then saving a separate corpus for planned wedding costs and staying within it.

Abhishek Kumar said he had seen families take personal loans to fund weddings and cautioned about debt traps. He suggested first building an emergency corpus and then a separate corpus for planned wedding costs, without spending beyond it.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this article on SEBI's true-to-label charges rule, arguing that it moves the market towards equal treatment of brokers, even if some clients may end up paying higher brokerage.

Abhishek Kumar welcomed the proposal, saying the ratio helps compare how consistently a scheme beats its benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis and can inform the active versus passive debate.

Abhishek Kumar said sticking to basics means building an emergency fund and buying term and health insurance early, and that simplicity then comes from investing first, in line with one's risk appetite, and spending the remainder.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this op-ed calling for greater transparency from the fund house and SEBI, arguing that protecting minority unitholders' trust should come first and citing Warren Buffett's handling of the Salomon Brothers crisis.

Abhishek Kumar said yoga's calming focus carries over to money, helping people concentrate on what matters for building wealth over time and ignore the distractions that pull them away from their goals.

Abhishek Kumar suggested pairing a base health policy with a super top-up plan that carries a deductible, as a lower-cost way to build a large health cover in the face of medical inflation.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said a used car costs less upfront but brings lower mileage and higher servicing costs, and worked through a five-year cost example for a new car covering the loan, fuel, upkeep and resale value.

Abhishek Kumar, SEBI-registered investment adviser and founder of SahajMoney, said investors should not believe every claim, should ask for proof they can check independently, and should verify credentials on SEBI's website before parting with money.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, wrote this column arguing that investors should not act on election forecasts but focus on reducing risk and keeping enough liquidity for goals due in the next few years.

Abhishek Kumar suggested keeping six to 12 months of expenses in liquid assets and a mix of growth and safer assets for the long term, and mentioned options such as POMIS, mutual fund SWPs and, for those over 60, SCSS.

Abhishek Kumar said he usually suggests the statement of account route to most clients, but described a case where he advised a client to open a demat account so that debt fund units could be gifted to his daughter.

Abhishek Kumar said T+0 settlement would lower counterparty risk for all kinds of investors, since buyers must have funds and sellers must have shares in place before an order, and that it would strengthen investor protection.

Abhishek Kumar said money can strain relationships when one partner feels the other is not saving enough or acts alone on big spending. He said a neutral third party can help couples find common ground.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that anyone buying gold after the rally should come in with an investment horizon of at least seven years.

Abhishek Kumar, a SEBI-registered investment adviser, explained that instead of insisting on OTPs, RBI-regulated entities would get flexibility to use other ways of authenticating digital payments, such as time-based passwords generated by an algorithm.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, wrote this column arguing that investors should not react to a single valuation metric at market highs, and should rebalance based on their own risk appetite and asset allocation.

Abhishek Kumar wrote this column on the market-to-GDP ratio and its limits, arguing that long-term investors should rebalance according to their own risk appetite and asset allocation rather than a single indicator or rules of thumb.

Abhishek Kumar said that, as a SEBI-registered investment adviser, he would not recommend cryptocurrencies until the rules become clear, and cautioned that, for now, investors risk breaking the law by holding them.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said sovereign gold bonds can suit those planning to gift or use gold with a horizon of at least five years, and that 5–10% of a portfolio may sit in them depending on goals.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that parents explain how they earn and spend money so children see it is limited, and that a child asking for several things be given a set budget and asked to choose.

Abhishek Kumar said annuities are one route a risk-averse investor could look at for a steady income.

Abhishek Kumar suggested keeping total EMIs below 30% of monthly income. He cautioned buyers to check loan terms that let the lender reset the interest rate, since a higher rate raises the EMI.

Abhishek Kumar said a risk-averse investor could consider annuities as one way to draw a regular income from investments.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that buyers stress test affordability, keeping the home loan EMI, worked out at the highest likely interest rate, within 30% of take-home pay.

Abhishek Kumar explained that Sebi's advertisement circular covers forms of communication, disclosures and prohibited ads, aimed at stopping misleading ads by advisers, and said the regulator wants faster grievance redressal through technology.

Abhishek Kumar suggested that investors comfortable with it could consider liquid funds, as interest rates might be close to their peak.

Abhishek Kumar said people with unsteady incomes should rely on low-risk assets to cover monthly shortfalls, and explained the lock-in and tax treatment of the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme and of rental and REIT income.

Abhishek Kumar, in comments to The Economic Times that the article cited, said pre-approved credit lines could help people without formal income documents access credit, and help small borrowers and businessmen manage working capital.

Abhishek Kumar explained that getting a credit card usually involves heavy paperwork, which keeps many people who lack formal income records out of the credit system.

Abhishek Kumar explained that sharp US rate rises draw foreign capital out of India, and that gold, priced in dollars, hedges currency moves on its own. He suggested holding 5 to 10 per cent of a portfolio in gold.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said data networks are patchy in many remote areas, so the higher UPI Lite limit would help travellers make digital payments.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said data networks are patchy in many remote areas, so the higher UPI Lite limit would help travellers make digital payments.

Mint's Sashind Ningthoukhongjam speaks with Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, about the risks of investing in alternative investment funds (AIFs).

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said AIFs and PMSes rest on client contracts while mutual funds are tightly regulated, that many clients do not grasp the risks or contract terms, and that uncapped fees could push managers into concentrated bets.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, contrasted contract-based AIFs and PMS with tightly regulated mutual funds, said many clients do not grasp their risks or contract terms, and warned that uncapped fees can push managers into concentrated bets.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said SBI appears to be courting tech-savvy millennials and called the move "bad news for new-age payment apps" as the country's largest lender moves onto their ground.

Abhishek Kumar suggested putting money needed within two to three years entirely in fixed income with no credit risk, and spreading longer-term money across asset classes in line with risk appetite.

Abhishek Kumar cautioned against relying on commodities for major goals, explaining that silver depends heavily on the commodity cycle, and suggested keeping it within 10% of liquid net worth if held for diversification.

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said the change would ease the issuing of prepaid gift vouchers, letting individuals send e-RUPI by phone, for example at festivals, with no bank details needed at redemption, and called it "a great move".

Abhishek Kumar, founder of SahajMoney, said the rollback would spare individuals compliance-related hassles.

Abhishek Kumar suggested keeping no more than a fifth of the emergency fund in a savings account, said life cover should be 10–15 times annual income, and advised clearing the full credit card bill each month.

Abhishek Kumar suggested testing a homestay while still in a job, so salary covers expenses as the business finds its feet. He also said owners should have a backup plan and an exit strategy in case it does not work out.