Hiral Thanawala

Yes, in some cases. But couples need to keep a close watch on wedding planners’ fee structures. The costs vary as per location, guest count, seasonality, customisation, and a planner’s expertise. Planners’ fees are dynamic. From fixed, percentage-based to hourly consultation rates are on offer.

Experts recommend that conservative senior citizens can secure a stable income stream by investing in FDs for a longer tenure to fetch a higher rate of interest. A delay may lead to a potential decrease in the rate, they warn.

The share of loans to fund smartphone and home appliance purchases has shot up from 1 percent in 2020 to 37 percent in 2024.

Lendbox's flexible withdrawal option was discontinued after RBI’s revised guidelines came into effect from August 16. Co-founder Bhuvan Rustagi sought to reassure investors, saying their funds were safe and merely subject to a changed withdrawal dynamic.

Buying gold coins from banks may not be a prudent decision because of inflated prices. The RBI rule stipulates that banks cannot buy back gold coins purchased from them.

November has several rules coming into force — SEBI has broadened the scope of insider trading norms and RBI has tightened regulations on escrow accounts for NBFC-P2P lending platforms, among others.

Two NRIs share their experiences with managing Indian bank accounts while living abroad. Key challenges include limited branch presence of Indian banks abroad, technical issues with online banking services and requirement for physical branch visits.

RBI’s UDGAM portal launched last year helps individuals access their unclaimed bank deposits.

The challenges NRIs, among others, face in managing their affairs in India can be addressed by granting a PoA but there are precautions one must take

Children’s Day Special: Parents and financial experts emphasise the importance of imparting money management skills to children early on. Interactive tools, workshops, and open conversations help kids develop financial literacy and responsible habits.