Personal loans for holidays are becoming a growing trend in India, especially among younger travellers and residents of smaller cities. According to the Paisabazaar report ‘How India Travels Using Holiday Loans (Vol. 2.0)’, 27% of personal loan borrowers in the first half of 2025 used the money for travel, a jump from 21% in 2023. This rise has pushed holiday loans ahead of home renovation loans, which have dropped from 31% in 2023 to 24% in 2025.

A Frisco resident is celebrating a $2 million Powerball win from the July 9, 2025, drawing. The lucky winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, purchased the second-tier winning ticket at Walmart Supercenter #5866, located at 8555 Preston Road in Frisco. The winning ticket matched all five white ball numbers (5-9-25-28-69), but did not match the red Powerball number (5). However, the prize was multiplied to $2 milli

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), launched under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative in January 2015, is one of India's most popular government-backed savings schemes for daughters. The scheme is designed to provide parents with an excellent way to save for their daughter's higher education and marriage, ensuring a secure financial future. By making regular contributions, parents can accumulate a significant amount by th

Many errors occur when taxpayers fail to complete all parts of the Excel utility properly. According to Mihir Tanna, Associate Director at S.K Patodia LLP, a common mistake is forgetting to fill in the last row of the Capital Gains schedule row F. It’s essential to enter the quarter-wise details and click the ‘Validate’ button at the top of the sheet. Without this step, your tax details, including capital gains and taxes, may not show up cor

If you’re wondering whether filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) early will help you get your tax refund faster, the answer is generally yes as long as your return is correct, complete, and verified on time. Filing early ensures that your return is processed smoothly, especially during the less congested period before the September 15, 2025 deadline. Why Early Filing Increases Your Chances of a Quicker R

Fremont, California, long celebrated as one of the happiest cities in America, now finds itself topping a far less cheerful list. The city has been identified as having the most significant increase in credit card delinquency among the 100 largest cities in the United States. According to recent data compiled from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, the rate of credit card delinquencies in Fremont has risen nearly 29%, putting it at the top of the national rankings for ris

In recent years, more and more individuals in India are choosing to remain child-free or find themselves without direct heirs, raising important questions about retirement planning. For those without children to lean on, preparing for the later years of life becomes about more than just saving money it’s about securing independence, comfort, and care. Financial experts, including Ajay Kumar Yadav, Group CEO and

California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

India’s ultra-rich are reshaping the way they manage wealth, transitioning from fragmented portfolios and informal advisors to the more structured approach of family offices. The number of family offices in India has surged from just 45 in 2018 to nearly 300 by 2024, reflecting a shift toward professional, globally-oriented wealth management solutions. This trend is becoming a new gold standard among India’s wealthiest families, who are now leverag

The middle class, once considered the backbone of society with steady jobs and dreams of homeownership, is now facing a critical dilemma: should they focus on looking rich or becoming rich? Shyam Achuthan, Founder and CEO, highlights the growing divide between those who focus on immediate appearances and those who prioritize long-term financial stability. According to Achuthan, many individuals today are trapped in a

Buying a home is more than just a financial decision; it's an emotional one. It’s where memories are built, and dreams take shape. However, for many families, this dream seems distant due to high property prices and financial constraints. Thankfully, in 2025, the dream of homeownership has become more achievable, particularly in Ahmedabad. According to the latest Affordability Index by Knight Frank

Gold has always held a revered place in many cultures, especially in India, where it is seen not only as a valuable asset but also as a symbol of tradition, prosperity, and security. However, when it comes to building long-term wealth, is simply owning gold jewellery the best option, or is there a more strategic way to invest in this precious metal? CA Nitin Kaushik, an expert in finance and investment strategies, recently shed light on this dilemma, highlightin

Increasingly, middle-class Indian couples are opting to invest in property in Dubai rather than India to build their retirement wealth. A notable trend among Indian buyers in the UAE reveals that many couples, after years of hard work and savings, have managed to purchase two to three properties. These properties offer attractive rental yields of 6-7%, and are financed at an interest rate of just 5%. This financial model provides sustainable assets that genera

Retiring at 40 has become an exciting goal for many young professionals seeking freedom from traditional work life. While the idea of stopping work just when others are reaching their career peaks sounds appealing, achieving this early retirement requires disciplined saving, careful investing, and thorough planning. Experts say that to comfortably retire by 40, you must save between 35 to 79 times your annual expenses depending on your current age and lifestyl

A surprising LinkedIn post by Gurugram-based investment banker Sarthak Ahuja has triggered widespread discussion across social media platforms, calling into question what it means to be “middle class” in urban India today. According to Ahuja, a ₹70 lakh annual salary a figure many would consider upper-middle class or even affluent may now fall squarely within what he terms the "new middle class." His argument is based on a simple truth:

In a move reflecting the Reserve Bank of India’s latest policy stance, the State Bank of India (SBI) has reduced interest rates on both savings accounts and fixed deposits (FDs), effective from June 15, 2025. This rate revision is expected to impact millions of depositors across the country, as banks realign with softer monetary cues from the central bank. SBI has cut its savings account interest rate by 5 basi

A Fremont-based Farmers Insurance franchise owner has raised serious allegations claiming the company has been canceling insurance policies by falsely stating the cancellations were requested by the insured clients. Jeffrey Carvalho, a 37-year veteran in the insurance industry, says this troubling practice has affected hundreds of his clients, especially senior citizens aged 65 and older across the Bay Area. Carvalho is demanding transparency and an end to these questionable cancellations.

Kerala has reached an unprecedented economic landmark as annual remittances from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), particularly those from Kerala, have surpassed ₹2 lakh crore for the first time. Alongside this, total deposits from NRIs in the state’s banking sector have crossed ₹3 lakh crore, signaling a robust and growing contribution of overseas Malayalis to the state’s financial ecosystem. This financial influx has significantly boosted Kerala’s domestic econo

If you retired from Central Government service on or before March 31, 2025, or are the legally wedded spouse of such a retiree, you may be eligible for significant financial benefits under the recently launched Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). The deadline to claim these benefits is June 30, 2025, as announced by the National Pension System (NPS) Trust. Launched on April 1, 2025, the UPS is designed to supplement the pension income of retired Central Government employees and their spou

For decades, owning a house was seen as a proud achievement in Indian households symbolic of success, stability, and adulthood. Parents often pushed their children to buy homes early, even if it meant burdening themselves with heavy EMIs. But in 2025, the mindset of India’s younger generation is shifting. With rising property prices, changing work patterns, and a desire for lifestyle freedom, more and more young Indians are opting to rent rather than buy. The traditional belie