Health Insurance: Becoming a Necessary Evil

Some time back I came across the news that insurance companies are planning to raise the premium of health insurance products to neutralise the rising cost of healthcare…the medical inflation was pegged at 15-20 per cent per year.

Photo by seiuhealthcare775nw

Now the moot question is whether inflationary healthcare costs are driving the demand for health insurance or increasing health insurance is driving the inflation in healthcare costs? Which is the cause and which is the effect?

If we say that

GOLD ETFs: FAQs #2

Since I wrote Gold ETFs FAQs around two years back, the gold prices have almost doubled ( Rs 28,960 per tola as on 9th Dec 2011)and every investor is trying to include gold in his portfolio.

While deciding about investing in paper gold, one comes across questions such as

1. Why should we invest in Gold ETFs or Gold Saving Funds (also called
Gold Funds) instead of Physical gold?

2. Is it right time to invest in Gold ETFs or Gold Funds?

3. How do we invest in Gold ETFs or Gold Saving Funds?

4. What is the difference between Gold ETFs and Gold Saving Funds?

5. Which is a better among the two: Gold ETFs or Gold Funds?

6. Which are currently available Gold ETFs & Gold Funds in the market and what is their performance track record?

7. Which is the best Gold ETF? How to choose among the so many available Gold ETFs available in the market? Similarly, which is the best Gold Fund?

See, I have already answered many questions in Gold ETFs FAQs and remaining ones are answered here:

Q-1:- Is it right time to invest in gold?
Ans: Indeed, a very difficult question to answer.

Money Teaser # 7 Stock Markets

Photo by candlecharts’ photostream

Hi Friends!

It’s been a long time since I stopped blogging…was too busy looking for the fodder…now onwards, I’ll try to spare a few moments to remain in touch with you guys. To start with here is yet another Money Teaser; this riddle is meant especially for those who missed a chance to appear in KBC and are now in a hurry to become a CROREPATI by directly investing in stocks. Here we go:

Q-1: What’s the top-most benefit of day-trading?
Ans: You may win or you may lose but it’s almost sure that

Koffee with Fisher: CEO of a Life Insurance Company

Photo by mpieracci

I got worried after hearing the recent news about the intentions of Indian Government following in the footsteps of China and curtailing our freedom of speech by covering blogging under IT Amendment Act 2008; so before government goes ahead with the proposed online censorship of blogging and restrain bloggers from voicing their opinion, I thought I should not delay publishing this uncensored interview.

First, let me tell you that it took many unsuccessful attempts, before I finally got permission to meet and interview a CEO of a leading life insurance company… after a lot of persuasion, he agreed for a discussion on Indian life insurance scenario over a cup of coffee. So here

MQ Awards for FINANCIAL STUPIDITY 2010 (MQ-FSA 2010)

Photo by JeanM1

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid"__Benjamin Franklin

When every publication and media outlet under the sun is instituting awards for recognizing excellence in one area or the other, I also thought of starting the awards but with a difference…the prestigious awards are meant for individuals and institutions contributing significantly to the cause of financial stupidity rather than excellence. The Awards theme is ‘Great Indian Scam Bazaar’.

Warning: The Awards have received ‘A’ Certificate from the Censor Board of India, so if you’re younger than 18, please don’t waste your time here…you can find plenty of other stupid stuff on the net.

The winners are selected by an eminent jury comprising of financial wizards: Mr. Rajesharma, the SMD of Money Tree Financial Services Ltd (MTFSL), who succeeded in raising around Rs 400 crore via QIP issue by fooling FIIs—Who’s Who of Wall Street—including Goldwoman Sachaa Soda and Moorgi Stanley; Mr. Rama Rajoo—ban na paaya gentlemen— of Satyam Shivam Sundaram, world famous for riding a tiger; and the late Shri Shri Harsh Mahatma ji—the Big Bull—who was back to earth on a few days holiday to enjoy the scam season.

So, dear friends, hold your breath! I’m just going to announce the first time winners of ‘MQ Awards for FINANCIAL STUPIDITY 2010’ (MQ-FSA 2010):

How to Claim LTC / LTA Tax Exemption

Photo by KayVee INC

Enough of jokes about LTA, it is time to write some serious stuff and sincerely answer and resolve your various doubts regarding this mysterious LTA / LTC tax provisions. Here I go:

Income tax allows you tax benefit called leave travel concession (LTC) or leave travel allowance (LTA) for touring and holidaying in India. Section 10(5) of IT Act 1961 read with rule 2B of Income Tax Rules grants you tax exemption for proceeding on leave to any place in India. So what exactly is LTA / LTC and what kind of journey is allowed? What kinds of expenses are allowed for tax purpose? Who can accompany you during the trip? How frequently you can

Money Teaser #6: Funny thoughts about LTA

Photo by NASA

Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky, and I thought to myself, "where the heck is the ceiling?"

—Scott Adams (Dilbert)


The MQ Money Teaser #6 is about the various questions you think about while trying to understand and navigate your way through the complex maze of tax provisions concerning the claiming of LTA / LTC from your employer. There are too many misgivings about the mysterious tax regulations regarding filing a claim for Leave Travel Concession / Allowance. So this money teaser should resolve all your LTA / LTC tax exemptions queries:

LTA / LTC: FAQs

1. Why only travel expenses are allowed for LTA tax exemption? Why hotel stay expenses are not covered?
By implication, there is no need to stay; come back the same day. Anyway, if you would really like to stay and tour the place, there areDharamshalas