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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HRA Exemption on Rent Paid to Parents: The Tax-Saving Move Most Indians Miss
If you live with your parents and pay them rent, you can legally claim HRA exemption — saving up to ₹1–2 lakh in taxes annually. Here's exactly how to do it, with all paperwork covered.
How to Invest in US Stocks from India: LRS, Tax Rules, and the ₹7 Lakh Cap Explained
Global tech giants, S&P 500 index funds, and international ETFs — all accessible from India under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme. Here's everything you need to know before investing.
Step-Up SIP: Why Increasing Your SIP by 10% Every Year Is a Game-Changer
A regular ₹10,000 SIP over 20 years builds ₹76 lakh. The same SIP stepped up 10% annually builds ₹1.9 crore. Here's the maths — and how to set it up.
Retirement Planning in Your 30s: The Complete Blueprint for Indian Professionals
Your 30s are the most critical decade for retirement planning. You have enough income to save meaningfully, enough time for compounding to work, and enough life experience to plan realistically. Here's exactly what to do.
How to Pay Off Personal Loan and Credit Card Debt Faster: The Indian Playbook
Personal loans at 12–24% and credit card debt at 36–42% are the two most destructive forces in Indian household finances. Here is a battle-tested strategy to eliminate them systematically.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana vs Mutual Funds: Best Investment for Your Daughter
SSY offers guaranteed, tax-free returns with government backing. Equity mutual funds offer potentially higher growth over 15+ years. Which one should parents choose for their daughter's future?
How Much Health Insurance Does Your Family Really Need in India?
Medical costs in India are rising at 10–14% per year. Most families are dramatically underinsured. Here is how to calculate the right sum insured for your family and avoid catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.
Lumpsum vs SIP: When to Use Which Investment Strategy
Should you invest a windfall as a lumpsum or spread it over months via SIP? The answer depends on market conditions, your risk comfort, and investment horizon — not a one-size-fits-all rule.
How to Improve Your CIBIL Score Fast: A Step-by-Step Guide for Indians
A low CIBIL score means higher interest rates or rejected loan applications. The good news: with the right actions, you can meaningfully improve your score in 6–12 months.
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.