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FinPlann Blog — Personal Finance for Indians

Guides & insights for everyday investors

Practical articles on mutual funds, tax planning, retirement, insurance, and the money decisions that shape middle-class Indian life.

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· 9 min

Contra Funds in India — The Underrated Equity Category

Contra funds bet on out-of-favour stocks and sectors — buying what others are selling. The category sounds clever but has had inconsistent execution. Here's when contrarian investing actually works in Indian markets.

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Pavan Polineni
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· 9 min

Smart Beta and Factor ETFs in India — Beyond Nifty 50 Indexing

Smart beta ETFs and factor funds blend passive index methodology with rules-based stock selection (low volatility, momentum, quality, value). Here's how they fit India's growing factor ETF market in 2026.

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Pavan Polineni
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· 9 min

Fund of Funds (FoFs) in India — When the Wrapper Is Worth the Extra Layer

A FoF invests in other mutual funds — adding a small extra expense layer for the convenience of one-fund diversification. Here's the categories (Domestic, Overseas, Multi-Manager) and when each makes sense.

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Pavan Polineni
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C
· 10 min

Children's Fund vs Separate Goal SIPs — The Math Most Parents Miss

Children's mutual funds promise a packaged "education+marriage" solution with mandatory lock-in until child turns 18. The same allocation done via separate goal SIPs costs less, is more flexible, and usually delivers more. Here's the math.

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Pavan Polineni
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M
· 9 min

Multi Asset Allocation Funds vs DIY — Is The Single Fund Worth It?

Multi asset allocation funds hold equity, debt, and gold/commodities in one product. Convenience comes at a tax and cost price. Here's whether the bundle beats DIY allocation for the average Indian investor.

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Pavan Polineni
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C
· 9 min

Conservative Hybrid Funds for Retirement Income in India

Conservative hybrid funds hold 75-90% debt and 10-25% equity. Designed for income-focused investors and retirees who want a small equity kicker on top of debt safety. Here's when they earn their place.

P
Pavan Polineni
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· 9 min

Floating Rate Funds — The Rising Rate Hedge Most Indians Don't Use

Floating rate funds invest in bonds whose coupons reset with rates. When rates rise, FD and gilt fund holders lose; floating rate fund NAV barely moves. Here's how the category works and when it earns its place.

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Pavan Polineni
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· 11 min

Retirement Mutual Funds vs NPS vs PPF — Which Wins for Indian Salaried Professionals

Retirement mutual funds vs NPS vs PPF — three very different products with overlapping use cases. Here's the comparison Indian professionals actually need before choosing where their retirement corpus goes.

P
Pavan Polineni
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Topics We Cover

Six areas, all India-first

Every article is written for Indian investors. We explain the maths, cite the rules, and give you action steps — not generic advice.

Mutual Fund Investing

SIP sizing, step-up strategies, lump sum vs SIP, fund category guides, and portfolio reviews.

Tax Planning & Saving

New vs old regime, ELSS vs PPF under 80C, HRA, F&O — updated for the current financial year.

Retirement & FIRE

The 4% rule adapted for Indian inflation, NPS vs EPF, planning timelines by age.

Loans, Debt & Credit

Prepay vs invest, personal loan payoff strategies, CIBIL improvement, rent vs buy.

Insurance & Emergency

Term vs ULIP, health cover sizing against medical inflation, and emergency fund maths.

Budgeting & Savings

50/30/20 adapted for Indian salaries, SSY vs MF, gold strategies, LRS for investing abroad.