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.

More Articles

A
· 9 min

Aggressive Hybrid Funds — The First-Time Equity Investor's Compromise

Aggressive hybrid funds hold 65-80% equity and 20-35% debt — equity exposure with built-in shock absorber. Here's why they're often the right first equity investment for cautious Indians and when to graduate beyond.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
B
· 9 min

Best Silver ETFs in India 2026 — How to Choose (Not What to Buy)

India has 9+ silver ETFs in 2026. The 'best' one depends on tracking error, expense ratio, AUM, and your existing portfolio — not just past returns. Here is the framework most articles skip.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
B
· 8 min

Business Cycle Funds in India — Should You Invest in This New Strategy?

Business cycle funds claim to rotate between sectors based on economic cycles — invest in defensives during slowdowns, cyclicals during recoveries. Here's whether this is a genuine strategy or a sophisticated-sounding thematic wrapper.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
B
· 8 min

Best Dividend Yield Mutual Funds in India 2026 — Income + Growth Combination

Dividend yield funds focus on Indian companies with consistent dividend payouts — typically mature businesses generating strong cash flow. Here are the top dividend yield funds for 2026 and when income-tilted equity works.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
B
· 8 min

Best Focused Funds in India 2026 — Max 30 Stocks, Higher Conviction

Focused funds concentrate bets on 20–30 stocks instead of spreading across 100. Higher conviction, higher volatility, higher potential returns. SEBI's Feb 2026 rule tightened the 80% equity floor. Here are the best of the category.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
R
· 9 min

REITs for Indian Retail Investors — Returns, Risks, Tax, and Portfolio Weight

REITs let you own institutional-grade real estate with as little as one unit. They distribute 90% of cash flows and offer steady yields. But the tax structure is complex and returns are not guaranteed. Here's the full picture.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
S
· 8 min

Should You Sell an Underperforming Mutual Fund Just to Avoid Tax?

You hold a fund that has underperformed for 4 years. Selling triggers LTCG tax. So you hold on. Is this smart or expensive? Here's how to run the math and decide — without letting tax anxiety dictate your portfolio.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
B
· 8 min

Best Value Funds in India 2026 — The Post-SEBI 80% Equity Category

Value funds seek undervalued stocks and avoid the crowded growth names. SEBI's 2026 rule raised the equity floor to 80%, making them purer equity bets. Here are the top value funds and when they outperform growth.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read

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.