EduFund Blogs

“We don’t have to be smarter than the rest. We have to be more disciplined than the rest”. Warren Buffett. In a volatile market, many investors see their portfolios as sometimes positive and sometimes negative. So, there are some investors who asked if should we book short-term profits on our investments or if should we hold them. Read on to know what you should ideally do. Why did you start SIP? First, answer yourself why you have started a SIP. With what objective you have started your investments? Generally, people save and invest their money with long-term objectives like saving for a child’s higher education, retirement, buying a house, buying a car, etc. Mostly we make investments to achieve our financial goals. The volatility in the market will always remain there, but we need to stick with our goals and investments. When should you book profits? Investments in mutual funds should be based on financial goals. If you have achieved your financial goal, then you can book profits or redeem your units to utilize the amount for that specific goal, or you can book profits when you are near your goals, and you have achieved your financial target, or if your fund is underperforming. In such scenarios, you can book profits. Majorly investments in mutual funds are for long-term financial goals. You should avoid booking short-term profits on your SIP. Additional read: What are alternate investment funds? What if the market crashes or falls? In case, if the market crashes or falls, then should either consider it as an opportunity to buy at a lower level or remain invested with your SIP. Don’t get fear out with the fall in the market. In the short-term, the funds or market may not perform, but in the long-term market has generated positive returns. Nifty 50 Performance in 6 months and 5 years’ time frame Power of Compounding Compounding is basically earning profits on capital invested and profits as well. It’s like getting interested in interest and principal amount. The longer you remain invested the better compounding will work. Let’s understand this with an example, suppose there are two-person A & B and both are planning for their child’s higher education, but A has 10 years to save and B has 20 years to save and both have invested in equity mutual funds. Let’s see the difference in their savings amount. In the above table, we can see that person A’s invested money has just got doubled but person B’s money has grown to 5x because he has more time to save for his goal. The more you remain invested, the more benefit you will get out of compounding. Conclusion The wealth is created over a long-term period, not in the short-term. Consider investing with a financial objective and stick with your investments, don’t let the market volatility impact your decision. Only redeem or switch your investment if your funds are not performing, else remain invested and let it grow. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Comparing the expense of raising a kid with the joy of doing so can be emotionally upsetting, but it is wise to be aware of and plan for such costs. The saying "bacche do hi acche" (just two kids are good) makes economic sense given the high cost of rearing a child nowadays. The government has also embraced the proverb. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2020, contains a proposed amendment that will encourage the two-child policy to control population growth. Despite the uncomfortably high levels of inflation, these figures do not accurately reflect the hardship brought on by rising education costs because such costs are not included in the composition used to calculate price change over time. Here are a few of the costs and expenses incurred on children throughout their lives. The costs are based on average estimations based on current trends. Expenses at various life stages of your child 1. Up to pre-school In the first year following the child's birth, approximately Rs. 1 lakh is spent on baby care items, immunizations, and medications, all of which are fairly pricey in metropolitan and semi-urban areas. The first significant cost of a child's education appears when they become two years old in the form of a playgroup or daycare center. Depending on the amenities offered, this expenditure might be in the region of ₹50,000 to 1 lakh. Early in a child's life, spending on toys and clothing is significant because the child frequently outgrows them. 2. School expenses Up to 65% of parents spend at least 50% of their annual income on their children's schooling and extracurricular activities. Every parent wants the greatest education for their child, but growing school costs can often make that difficult. A respectable school collects annual tuition of ₹50,000 to 2 lakh. Assuming a 10% yearly education inflation rate, the 12 years from Grades 1 to 12 would result in an outflow of between ₹11 and 43 lakh. These expenses are separate from the child's tuition and extracurricular activities that they will be enrolled in. 3. Higher education The cost of a college education, which has been steadily rising, is the main expense causing concern for Indian parents. If studying engineering today costs, on average, ₹10 lakh, it will cost, on average, ₹40 lakh to 50 lakh in around 15 years. In the same way, it is reasonable to predict that a medical degree, which currently costs roughly ₹25 lakh, will exceed ₹1 crore in 15 years. Even after tax exemptions, parents can choose to finance their children's higher education with student loans, although the interest rates are still exorbitant. 4. Voluntary costs In addition to paying for education, a family may decide to upgrade their home to meet the privacy needs of their grown children. The expense of entertainment has also dramatically increased, particularly in urban areas. Birthday celebrations must be planned, gifts must be purchased, school-related cultural activities must be attended, devices must be handled, and so on. Additional read: What is the moratorium period in education loan? Financial planning and investments Financial planning is essential in light of the previous outflows to prevent parents from spending more on their kids than is necessary and from being unprepared for their upcoming retirement. There are also safety nets that need to be established, including getting enough insurance and setting up an emergency fund. Planning for their children's higher education is very important for parents. You should set aside roughly ₹13,000 every month for that purpose. O Over the next 20 years, if returns are on average 10%, you should be able to collect about ₹1 crore. Get a term insurance policy with a coverage amount of about ₹38 lakh to make sure that the ambition of pursuing higher education is not jeopardized by the premature death of the earning parent. If such an unfortunate event were to occur, the nominee may put the insurance payout of ₹38 lakh in a fixed deposit, generating an average post-tax return of 5% annually, to cover the ₹1 crore cost of higher education over 20 years. Conclusion In conclusion, careful planning and ongoing investment discipline will make sure a family is better equipped to handle all of the expenses without stress. Hence, other than the basic school fees, many expenses are required to be done while raising your child. This is not something to get scared of, rather with proper planning, it is not as difficult as it sounds. Nobody said raising a child would be easy, but with adequate help, it will be the most beautiful thing you ever do. Furthermore, if there is any confusion or concern about these financial issues, our team of financial advisors at EduFund is fully equipped to help you out and guide you wherever you need it. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

In today's age, we as Indian consumers, use Google, Microsoft, Starbucks, Netflix, and Spotify in our day-to-day lives. Some of the world's largest companies are based out of the US. These are high-growth companies listed on the US stock exchange. Why should you invest in US stocks?  Here is why you should invest in US stocks:   Exposure to global companies: By investing in US stocks, you get exposure from Tech Giants like Google and Apple to the most prominent brands like Nike, Starbucks, etc. These companies have a global presence and are known worldwide. Investing in such companies helps you expand your portfolio.  Fractional shares: Currently, the cost of one Netflix share is $224, roughly ₹18,216.95. This makes investing in US stocks very expensive if one buys whole shares. But fear not! US stock offers the concept of investing in fractional shares. In case you have ₹10,000, you can invest the whole amount across different shares fractionally instead of buying whole shares.  Portfolio diversification: Many global factors, like geo-political tensions, budgets, oil price changes, etc., have a significant impact on any country's economy and market. By having optimized diversification, your portfolio can absorb market volatility efficiently.  Currency hedging: The US Dollar has been on the rise for the past five years. By investing solely in the Indian market, you are missing out on the opportunity of a USD rise. While investing in US stocks, you are purchasing US Dollars. When these investments are held for long investment horizons, your investment value increases in terms of currency with an increase in the USD rates.  Steps to create your US Account on the EduFund App  Open the EduFund App or the EduFund website.  Click on the top left corner where your initial is mentioned.   Then select the US Account set up option. You'll be able to view the charges and pricing page, where we do not charge you anything for the US ETF account creation. Kindly go through the other charges carefully.   Click on Continue. It will ask you to fill in your personal details, attach your ID (PAN) and address proof (Aadhar), Bank details, etc.  Agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers after reading it, and attest that the information provided by you is correct.  Then click on Create Investment Account.  Once the verification process is completed, your US account will be created Steps to add funds to your US ETF account  All residents can transmit up to $250,000 per financial year (April – March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction, or a combination of both, under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS).  ICICI, HDFC, IDFC, and Kotak bank account customers can complete the LRS process online by logging in and following the fund transfer instructions.  You can choose one of two alternatives when transferring funds using LRS on our platform.  Online transfer – via your net banking  Offline transfer – Visit the bank and submit the A2 form How to add funds?  Log in to the app and click on Add Money for detailed instructions to add funds from your domestic bank account to your US ETF account.  Online mode: -  Proceed to your bank's Net banking and log in with your credentials.  Go to Fund Transfer Tab and select Add a Beneficiary. Select the Remit Now option.   Add the beneficiary details (you will find this on the app itself).  Click on Continue and select Confirm to add the Beneficiary.  Complete the OTP Verification to complete the addition of the Beneficiary.  Depending on the bank, the Beneficiary takes around 30-45 mins to be added.  Once the Beneficiary is added, select the Fund Transfer tab and click on Go in Remit Now.  Then choose your account and select the Beneficiary name entered above.  Scroll down and enter the Transfer Amount in USD and other details.  Then enter the account ID (starts with 6BE) (find it in EduFund’s profile section under US Account Set up) in the Sender to Receiver’s Info.   After reading it through, check the Terms and Conditions box to agree.  Complete the OTP Verification to initiate the transfer.  The fund transfer takes around 3-4 business days to reflect under the available cash balance on the app.  7 steps to invest in US stocks   Open the EduFund app.  Select the Invest option from the icons in the horizontal bar present at the bottom.  Select US Market on the top. (On this screen, you'll see the top US Stocks and the US ETF Baskets.)  Select the stock you want to invest in and tap on buy. If the stock you want to invest in is not on the screen, click View All and use the Search bar to search for your desired stock.  You’ll be able to see the Price and Available cash balance in your US Account.  Now under this, you’ll be able to see Market Order and Limit Order.  In limit order – it'll ask you Share to buy, Limit price, Duration and Estimated amount.  The market order will ask you Share to buy and Dollar to buy (amount of dollars you want to invest).  You can click on Place order after entering the above details.  Always choose an investment instrument suitable for your portfolio and aligned with your investment goal and risk appetite. Before taking exposure to US stocks, fundamentally analyze the companies so that investments are safe. Nevertheless, consult an expert to know the right investment option for you.  You can reach out to us on EduFund Customer Support for further queries, doubts, or guidance.  TALK TO AN EXPERT

Your 20s are the time to make mistakes, take risks and throw caution to the wind. While the 20s is a time to learn from your mistakes and enter adulthood, it is also time to avoid making substantial money mistakes that may follow you later in life. Accumulating debt, living carelessly without saving or investing, and making impulse financial decisions are just some money mistakes to avoid in your 20s, no matter how tempting they seem.    Not saving or investing money  Contrary to popular belief, enjoying your 20s does not mean you have to live on the edge and party daily. Most people in their 20s make the mistake of living paycheck to paycheck. They avoid saving and investing their money for the future. Rather than saving and investing for short-term goals like buying a laptop or phone, the go-to option is to buy on EMI and pay for it in installments. Neither do they create contingency plans in case of job loss or medical emergency that can lead to significant financial distress?   Not saving and investing is a huge money mistake to avoid in your 20s. The 20s is the best time to invest money and reap the benefits of compounding. Suppose you earn Rs. 40,000 monthly salaries and decide to invest Rs. 10,000 monthly towards mutual funds (assuming a 10% interest rate for the next 20 years). You can amass nearly Rs. 77 to 76 lakhs by doing so consistently. If you keep increasing this amount as your salary increases and decide to diversify your investment, your corpus could be large enough to support your long-term plans.    Borrowing money from parents, friends, and family Another money mistake to avoid in your 20s is to borrow money from your parents, friends, or family. Try to budget your expenses and spending so that you don't have to borrow money from your family members. The 20s is the time to take charge of your life financially; relying on your friends or relatives can create rifts and make you more dependent.    The best way to avoid this mistake is to keep your expenses less than your income and actively reduce any debt!    Additional read: Money mistakes to avoid in your 30s Taking on too many EMIs and Loans   In your 20s, getting a new phone or taking a spontaneous trip abroad is tempting to shake off the week's stress. These luxuries are guilty pleasures you should enjoy when you have the money to spare; taking a loan to finance your foreign trip or buying a new phone on EMI can be problematic and a huge money mistake.    Budget your expenses, take trips without your budget, and destress through activities that do not cause you financial stress later in life. Try to be practical and save for your luxuries rather than take loans to satisfy them.    Living to the fullest    The 20s is the time to live life to the fullest! It is true, but the 20s are not the end of your life; you don't have to disturb your future financial goals or take on debt to keep up with an unrealistic lifestyle. Live your life, think about the future pragmatically, and invest cash towards your retirement. Try to be careful and responsible with your money early on so you don't have to regret it later!    Spending more than your income    Spending more than your income is a money mistake to avoid in your 20s! Most young adults make the mistake of not budgeting and overspending. This can easily be avoided by creating a budget and following it properly. Try to be conscious of where your money is going, and avoid eating out too much or ordering in. If possible, place a daily limit on your credit card to avoid the urge to overspend.    Young adults often end up overspending out of peer pressure and to fit in. Whether it's buying trendy clothes you don't need or partying every day, it's essential to embrace your limits and not follow others blindly!   Not investing in yourself  Not investing in yourself is crucial to avoiding money mistakes in your 20s. While learning to budget, save and invest money, you might forget to invest in yourself. Like the late Rajesh Jhunjhunwala said in a conference that his worst investment had been his health, you too need to find time to invest in yourself. Whether it's exercising, learning new skills, or indulging in a recreational activity. Take some time out for yourself and prioritize your physical and mental well-being to stay happy and healthy!    Live in the present but invest for the future. Make sure you make the most of your 20s and avoid money mistakes that can cost you or your family a bright future. The 20s is the time to cultivate futuristic habits like financial planning and budgeting that can change your life for the better!  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

A bull market can be caused by a variety of variables, but economic expansion is the most frequent. Businesses often make more money when the economy is strong, and stock market investors have more faith in the market. Let’s explore if a bull market is a good time to invest or not! What is a bull market? When prices are rising or are expected to rise, a market is considered to be a bull market. Although everything that is traded, including bonds, real estate, currencies, and commodities, can be described as being in a "bull market," the stock market is the one to which the term is most usually applied. Bull markets are often defined as extended periods during which a sizable portion of asset values are rising. This is because the prices of securities rise and fall almost continually during trading. Bull markets sometimes linger for several months, if not years. Is a bull market a good time to invest? In a bull market, when there is more possibility for larger returns, it is ideal to have a bigger equity allocation. Buy equities early and sell them before they reach their peak to benefit from a bull market's growing values. Growth companies often do well in bull markets, whilst value stocks are frequently a superior investment in down markets.  Your time horizon will largely determine how you invest in equities throughout bull and downturn markets. It doesn't matter if the market is now bullish or negative if you won't need the money for decades. If you are a buy-and-hold investor, you shouldn't typically change your investing strategy in reaction to the state of the market. The stock market may be negative even when other asset classes are going through bull cycles, and vice versa. If the stock market is increasing and you are concerned about price inflation, you could make a prudent choice to allocate a portion of your portfolio to gold or real estate. If the stock market is down, you can consider increasing the proportion of bonds in your portfolio or even converting some of it into cash. To benefit from bull markets that occur throughout the world, you should also consider regionally diversifying your holdings. How to invest in a bull market Following is the detailed guide to investing in a bull market. You can also download the EduFund app and create an account to start investing in a bull market. With zero charges and no hassle account opening process is from the comfort of your home. Evaluate personal goals – Making educated selections begins with evaluating your objectives. Your age and other aspects that affect your investments will be considered in a personal examination. For instance, a 30-year-old's risk-taking will differ from that of a 60-year-old. Therefore, their selection of equity will also differ. Long positions – When you take long positions with your stock, you buy it at a lower price and sell it at a higher one. The stock is bought with the expectation that its value will rise. Buy companies with strong fundamentals – Invest in businesses that have a history of expansion. Check the company's sales, profitability, and demand for the product it produces. Buy fallen stocks – The bear market before the bull run allows investors to purchase equities at a discount to their book value. In this stage, shares of firms with strong growth are available for less money. Choose various industries – When the economy is strong and people start spending again, certain industries will recover. Economic expansion is projected to benefit cyclical companies including those in the housing, automotive, technology, and industrial equipment industries. Adopt a phased approach to selling too – In the same way that investing must be done in stages, selling out of stock must also be done in stages. Indeed, even more so! The better it is when you sell a stock, the higher the price you receive. If you decide to sell a stock in stages during a bull market, you'll probably get a lot higher price. That indicates that while you might not always exit at the peak, each subsequent departure will occur at a higher price. Additionally, you don't need to stress perfectly timing your escapes! What makes stock prices increase during a bull market? Bull markets frequently coexist with a powerful, healthy, and expanding economy. Both expected future profits and a company's ability to generate cash flow have an impact on stock prices. Rising stock prices show the expectation that earnings will expand going forward, which is supported by a growing GDP, high employment, and a strong production sector. Corporation profitability benefits from both low interest rates and corporate tax rates. There are several tools to generate money in both bull and downturn markets. Choosing the finest investment for each market and utilizing them wisely are the keys to success. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

You are probably a little concerned about the recent increase in tuition costs if your child plans to attend college in a city like London. With the rupee falling against foreign curries like dollars and euros, your child’s living expenses in London will be directly impacted. Going to university is an essential step on the career ladder and you can’t delay it no matter how high the cost may be. But you can budget and invest so that your child has enough funds to sail through economic upheavals. Living expenses in London If your child wants to maintain the life they had with you in your native country, it will most likely be quite expensive, so they may have to make sacrifices! Student Accommodation When your child enters the UK, there are various places for him or her to live, and the prices vary. For example, the Halls of Residence option typically costs around ₹4,000 to Rs 7,000 per week. They might also look for rooms in houses or apartments. Rents might start at ₹3,000 per week and go up depending on the quality of the accommodation. Here is an estimate of how much you or your child would pay for basic things while in the UK: Food - ₹2,000 -3,000 weekly on food supplies. Telephone (landline) - roughly ₹1,700 - 3,000 Monthly Telephone (mobile) - starting at ₹400 weekly. DSL / Internet - about ₹400 weekly for standard DSL. Bills - starting from ₹840 per week for bills including heating, water, and electricity. Travel - starting from ₹800 per week. Study Materials - about ₹600 per week. Fun - A movie ticket costs about ₹700, a beer pint around ₹260, and a DVD rental of roughly ₹260. Of course, this is not a complete list, but it will help you figure out how much everything will cost in the UK. Whether it's studying today or in 10 years, you can use the College Cost Calculator to find out the cost of studying in London. This calculator not only takes into account the future tuition fees but also calculates the cost of living expenses to provide an accurate estimate to parents sending their children to a foreign country. These are inflation-adjusted so that you do not end up saving and investing less for tomorrow! Additional read: How to Fund your Child’s Masters in Ireland? How to cover these costs? Saving money in advance is essential for any prospective student and their parents. Even if your child is starting university within a few months, it is not too late to start saving, especially since the first few months might be the most expensive. Here are some options for student financing in the UK because sending your child to school abroad will undoubtedly strain your finances: 1. Students Loans Education loans and maintenance loans are two forms of student loans available in the UK. All of these loans are expected to be returned to the university to which your child is applying once they have completed their program. Some universities may provide a partial loan to pay some of the university fees, while others may grant a full loan to fund university studies. The living expenses in the UK are covered by a maintenance student loan. 2. Grants and Scholarships International students can apply for a variety of scholarships in the United Kingdom. Scholarships can be need-based or merit-based. Scholarships are available through certain universities, as well as through government or non-governmental organizations. Some of the leading universities in the UK, such as Oxford University, University of Cambridge, and University College London, are known to provide grants and scholarships worth up to ₹26.5 lakhs per year to international students. Some popular international student scholarships in the UK are listed below: Inlaks Scholarships Cardiff India Scholarships Chevening Fellowships GREAT Scholarships Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM 3. Part-Time Jobs Because of the easing of regulations governing the UK work visa, it is now simpler for international students, particularly Indian students, to obtain a part-time job. Your child can work up to 20 hours per week at the degree level if they have a full-term visa during the study time. Part-time work in fields such as marketing, accounting, healthcare, and education is usually more rewarding. 4. Teaching and Research Assistantships Your child may even be able to finance their studies in the UK using research assistantships. This type of student finance is available to students seeking higher education in the form of a Ph.D. or any other related PG degree in the United Kingdom. Students are typically compensated based on a specific number of hours worked, a fixed pay, or a fee exemption through scholarships. 5. Alternative Funding Sources Other student finance possibilities in the UK include travel grants for specified periods, awards for specific disciplines such as healthcare, nursing, and others, NHS support for dental or medical studies, and funding from outside organizations. Sending your child to study in the UK is not easy, especially due to the exorbitant cost, but there are ways to ease these up and make it possible to fund their studies. Always go through all the funding options available before choosing one from multiple sources to be clear. If there is still any confusion or concern, the team of financial advisors at EduFund is just a call away to clarify any doubt or even gain information about these aspects. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Budgeting is the cornerstone of financial planning; building this habit as a student can help your child in the long run. If you are planning to send your child abroad or to a different city to pursue their higher education, then here is an article you must share on how to save money every month as a student with your child and your friends! 8 tips to save money as a student  The public image of a student is always of a broke kid struggling to make ends meet. Most kids fail to save every month without budgeting, poor planning, and making impulse decisions. To avoid falling into this trap, all you and your child needs is a monthly budget. Let's look at some easy tips that your child can use to save money every month. Monthly Budget: Having a budget and sticking to it is extremely important as a student. If you give Rs. 20,000 to your child for monthly expenses, then make sure they prioritize their bills and needs above everything else. The amount left can go towards luxuries, outings, savings, or investing. This will not only help them learn the importance of spending but also build a great habit of keeping track of their expenditures.    Crisis Funds: We live in unstable times where an emergency can consume all your family savings. You should create a crisis fund for your child to prepare for these emergencies. Please encourage them to put some money towards this fund every month. This will keep them secure for a few days or months, depending on the amount they have saved.    Shared Accommodation: Living alone can be fun, but it is also costly. A secure way to save money as a student is to opt for sharing accommodation or on-campus dorms so your child can save money and use it for other purposes.    Borrowed Books: Borrowing college books is another way to save money as a student every month. College books can be heavy on the pocket, and your child may have to buy different books for classes/courses for a short while, like 6 –7 months. So, to save money, it's better to borrow these books from your seniors or the library rather than spending thousands of rupees on a single book.    Part-time Jobs: Many countries allow students to work part-time during the semester to pay for their daily expenses. This is a brilliant way to make money as a student. If your child is studying abroad, taking a part-time job can help them become more independent and disciplined. Please encourage them to find employment in their field.    Homemade food: A sure-shot way to save money as a student is to eat out less and make homemade food. It is a cheap alternative as restaurant food can be expensive, especially in foreign countries.    Student Discounts: Brands like Adidas, Spotify, Netflix, and many more companies offer student discounts. All you need is to provide a student ID to avail the benefits and save money as a student!     Investing: The best tip for saving money every month as a student is to invest a small amount in your chosen fund. Whether it's Rs. 100 or 500, start investing this amount monthly, and watch the funds grow to new heights. Many funds have SIPs starting as low as Rs. 100 to encourage new investors to enter the market and reap its benefits in the long run.   Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT FAQ How to save money as a student in India? The best way to save money as a student in India is to create a monthly budget and follow it regularly. Another way to save is to develop skills that you can use to generate an income or get a part-time job to cover your daily expenses. Try to follow the investment rule of 50-30-20. 50% of your income should go towards your needs and paying bills, 30% towards wants and luxuries, and 20% should be used for investing and saving for the future. How can a teenager save money in India?  There are many ways to become financially independent teenagers in India. You can save money by avoiding EMIs, and impulse purchases like buying the new iPhone and taking up part-time jobs or paid internships to gain better skills. As a teenager, saving money and building your skills are better.  Is saving Rs. 1000 a month as a student good? Saving any amount is excellent for a student. Try to invest a portion of this money towards funds regularly to ensure you reap the benefits of compounding. You can start investing with as little as Rs. 100 or 500!    These tips on saving money every month as a student can help you instill a good habit of saving and investing in your child from a young age. Help them learn the value of money and encourage them to be careful with their expenses.  

Digital Gold is a great way to invest in gold without having to block large sums of capital that you need when investing in physical gold. It is easy to invest in, easy to store, and easy to sell when you want your money back.  Investing in gold as an asset class has been a key factor in traditional portfolios. But the rising gold prices have made the minimum investment in this asset class quite steep. This is one of the reasons why many young investors are unable to invest in this class. Why invest in Digital Gold?  Here are some benefits of investing in digital gold:   Invest in small amounts and quantities Kept safe in secured lockers Easy to buy, sell, monitor All investment details on one screen DigiGold investing at the click of a button Start investing small amounts today Today one gram of gold costs around Rs. 5200. Of course, with gold prices constantly rising, it becomes challenging for investors to put in huge blocks of money required today to purchase even 10 gms of gold. To help investors continue investing limited funds in this precious commodity, Digital Gold is a great alternative.  You can start by investing Rs.100 or more every month and increase the amount whenever you want.   Buy according to value or weight With the Digital Gold option, you can instantly buy DigiGold from Rs. 10 onwards. You can choose to buy DigiGold by its value in rupees or define the quantity in gms. You also get to see the live rate of gold, which refreshes every 5 minutes. Selling digital gold is also easy and hassle-free. Click here to start your digital gold investment! Why invest in Digital Gold on the EduFund App? EduFund allows you to buy and sell digital gold from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is download the App and start saving in gold at just Rs. 10!  You can also get amazing offers and rewards.   1. User- Friendly interface The EduFund DigiGold interface is extremely simple to understand and easy to manage and navigate. On a single screen, you get to see the amount invested, the current value of your investment, and the % returns on the same. You can also check the quantity of gold you hold in your locker. 2. Stored safely for you The DigiGold you purchase is kept safe in secured lockers at no extra cost to you. And you can buy and sell this gold easily from the convenience of your app, simply at the click of a button. So there are no certificates to maintain, and no worry about the purity of your gold, as all DigiGold traded on this app is 99.9% purity certified. You can check on your investments regularly and if you decide to sell your DigiGold, your physical assets will be liquidated and you will get your money in less than 48 hours. That is as quick as selling your mutual fund holdings! Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Saving for the future is critical for everyone to achieve their financial goals. Some people want to save to accumulate wealth, buy a house, buy a car or see their child settled abroad. One may not want to save just to beat inflation; some people save and invest to achieve their short-term and long-term goals. Tips to save money in the future 1. Create an emergency fund The first step towards saving is to start with creating an emergency fund so that you do not want to disturb your financial routine if any emergency arises. There are many formulas to create an emergency fund. One way is that you can create an emergency fund for six months of your expenses. So, in case of situations like job loss, your emergency fund can take care of your expenses till you find another job. You can park your emergency fund in liquid funds so that the liquidity is maintained. Start Investing in Mutual Funds 2. Make a monthly budget Making a monthly budget will help you to save money in a better way, as you will be able to identify and analyze your income and expenses in a better way. In this step, identify all your income first and then expenses, where you are spending the most of your money. Making a monthly budget will assist you in segregating income and expenses into different categories. To create a proper budget, you can follow the 50-30-20 rule. It says that 50% of your income should go towards your needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for saving and investing. By following this rule, you can manage your monthly budget. 3. Spend wisely  Spending wisely is as critical as making a budget. After making a budget, you can evaluate where you can cut down your unnecessary expenses. And where you do not need to spend your hard-earned money. For example, you may have bought a monthly subscription to some adventure park, but you may not be utilizing it. So, you can cancel your subscription and save a lot of bucks. Also, don’t take quick decisions in buying things. Evaluate its cost and usage, then make a thoughtful decision. If you spend wisely, then you can make a huge difference in saving for the future. 4. Set goals  The next step is to set your goals both short-term and long-term. Categorize your short-term and long-term goals based on their priority. And start saving for them. For example, sending your child for higher education after ten years is an example of a long-term goal, but paying for the school fees in the next 11 months is an example of a short-term goal. Identifying and prioritizing your goals is very crucial. Some parents could have a short-term goal to pay for a child’s higher education. So, it is essential to prioritize your goals based on time availability to achieve them. Additional read: How to save money to buy a house? 5. Create a savings plan  After deciding on your goals, create a savings plan for each goal. Try to save a fixed amount for each specific goal. Evaluate the cost of your goals; save and invest some money to achieve your target with ease. For example, if you want to send your child for higher education in the future, and the cost of IIM Ahmedabad in 2030 may cost Rs 60 lakhs, to save Rs 60 lakhs in the next eight years, you need to save and invest Rs 34000 every month in such asset class which can generate 14% annualized returns over the period. So, it is important to create a savings plan for each of your targets, such that you know how much you need to save and for how long. Before investing your money in any of the asset classes, please do thorough research on it. 6. Review the plan  After creating the savings plan, try to do a yearly review of the same and see whether the savings and investment are on track or not. If they are not aligned with your goals review your savings plan and make the changes accordingly.  Conclusion There is no one best way to save for future goals, in fact, there are multiple routes you can take to create a financial plan for yourself and your family’s diverse needs. Saving for the future will make you financially independent and free. It will also be going to help on rainy days without impacting your finances.  Following these steps could be difficult at the beginning, but after some time, these steps will change the way you spend and save. TALK TO AN EXPERT

As per-student.org, “Blockchain Technology is the most demanding online course for students.” Furthermore, Business Insider Intelligence declares its exponential growth in the healthcare industry at a CAGR of 70.56% in the upcoming years. Online courses for school kids are fast growing in the new normal world, and most parents are curious about the expenses associated with online learning.  Let’s explore why. Growing costs of online courses for school kids Some online courses for school-aged children are a more affordable option since they provide a greater education at a far lower cost. It is important to stress that the average cost of online courses for school kids is still a sizable investment. Many parents started their search for a course under the impression that online education would be quite reasonable.  Online courses are gaining importance Online learning emerged as a safe and feasible option during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the worldwide eLearning market was seeing rapid yearly growth. The eLearning market is predicted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% from 2018 to 2026, reaching $336.98 billion by 2026.  A wide range of large-scale open online courses has emerged in response to the new employment channels and career possibilities that have already replaced traditional careers. Additional read: Does an education loan cover living expenses? Popular online courses for kids in 2022 Computer online courses related to -  coding applications data science Social and digital media management entrepreneurship and management psychology graphic designing Visual effects and film-making Foreign languages are among the courses available Costs of online courses The majority of the online courses are paid courses. When overseas universities and institutes offer these courses, they can easily cost a few thousand. Even a 10-day program may assist students in improving their overall resumes and gaining an advantage in further education in India and overseas.  Online courses for school students cost up ₹35,000 - ₹1 Lakh, depending on the popularity and course duration. The reason is the huge competition among peers. Parents aim to encourage discipline and keep children engaged in nurturing skills with online courses. These courses help children remain ahead of the learning curve. The whole advancement and competition are affecting the financial bottom line. As Statista puts it, “the average monthly income of a middle-class Indian is ₹15000 - ₹ 20,000.” Given the statistics, there is hardly any flexibility for online course fees. The parents are stuck between managing dreams and attending to necessities. Indian education industry Future valuation The Indian online education industry was valued at ₹247 crores in 2016 and is anticipated to reach ₹159 hundred crores by 2021. Simultaneously, the proportion of paid online education users is expected to reach ₹77 Crores by 2021. Because these calculations do not account for the COVID-19 pandemic, it is very feasible that the estimated estimations may fall short of reality as even more learning is brought online Trends in Online Education The drive for skill enhancement and skills training has increased the demand for online certification courses. As per weforum.org.“ The number of online learning users touched 747 crores in 2021”. This is bound to increase in the upcoming years. Almost 70% of the students have enrolled in online education to acquire a new skill or enhance their means of employment. Students gain skills without disrupting their study schedule. Top Trends in Online Education 2022: Does an education loan cover living expenses? Gamification education Reality Extension Honing communication and management skills AI-powered teaching lessons Bite-sized lessons for easy comprehension The personalized learning experience with analytics Invest, plan expenses, and hit short-term goals with Edufund Parents can categorize their short-term objectives depending on their duration and priority. Goals such as an emergency fund, school fees, and debt payments are critical. The cost of education in India will increase amid slow financial growth. Parents should be more focused when selecting an investment product for their short-term goals.  Parents can select investing strategies that last little less than a year and meet their short-term goals easily. They can choose the relevant SIP fund as per their income or business revenue. The platform highlights some important child education goals that guardians can save for. Choose and decide per month contribution and years until you wish to save. Once done, the platform reveals the total amount you could save given the expected inflation. You can reduce or increase investment accordingly and track the same.  Parents must build a good structure, plan, and set up when deciding on a short-term investment. Online courses help develop overall child personality. Planning once the child turns 10 is preferable. It helps budget early and invests according to short and long-term goals.  Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

With the current increase in land costs, construction material prices, and labor charges, it is becoming difficult for middle-class families to fulfill their dream of living in their own homes.  Tips to save money on construction costs 1. Hire a good architect and contractor Although working with a qualified architect and builder may cost you money, overall building expenses will be reduced significantly. In reality, a competent architect may assist you in maximizing the space at hand while minimizing material expenses and ongoing maintenance expenditures. The bulk of cost overruns is the result of needless construction process delays.  Using a qualified contractor who strictly adheres to deadlines and completes the project on time is simple yet efficient cost-saving advice. For ideas on reputable architects and contractors, speak with your friends and family who have just built their homes. They can provide you with some great suggestions based on their own experiences. Once you have chosen a contractor or architect, the following step is to draught a detailed agreement. Make sure this agreement is clear about everything, including who will receive the building supplies, the exact costs, the project completion and payment dates, and the repercussions of any delays.  Contractor fees typically range from 8 to 12% of the total cost of constructing a home. Even if it would seem attractive to try to manage the building yourself to save money, bear in mind that you will need to pay subcontractors or supervisors, so you can't save the entire amount. Choose a simple house plan, nonetheless, if you do have the time to manage it yourself. 2. Hire specialists who are qualified and experienced Whether you are looking for building builders, architects, or interior designers, it is always a good idea to choose qualified and experienced experts who have been in the business long enough to be highly competent and aware of the best and most recent techniques in the market. 3. Choose the right plot for construction  The plot level is essential when it comes to building a house, first and foremost. Choose a plot of land that is both even and level with the road. If the plot is uneven, rocky, or much lower than the road level on the front, the cost of the construction as a whole might increase. This is because leveling the ground will require additional materials or equipment. 4. Purchase your building materials It might be expensive for a subcontractor to cover many projects' material costs at once. Consider offering to buy timber, wiring, or siding directly from the supplier by the specifications given by the subcontractor and paying the supplier in full as you will be charged for these items otherwise. If someone else purchases the materials, subcontractors could be prepared to slightly lower their prices. Additionally, suppliers could give a little discount for paying in advance. 5. Compare shops to get the best bargains The more effort and time you put into price comparison shopping, the more probable it is that you will find name-brand finishes and appliances at deeply discounted costs. Purchasing inexpensive floor models or scratch-and-dent appliances, buying discounted floor models or scratch-and-dent appliances, and keeping a watch on online as well as offline markets for used or reused things are some top money-saving tips. Additionally, you might be able to haggle over rates. Also, keep in mind to benefit from this, you don't need to be a skilled builder. When you research on your own you might be more inventive in the resources you locate. A little creativity, hard work, and being a shrewd online and offline materials scavenger may all help you build the house of your dreams.  6. Do not make changes after construction starts Sometimes after approving a plan before building begins, individuals decide to revise it at the last minute. This is a significant factor in the rising cost of building. Avoid doing this unless required. 7. Make use of the latest technology The advent of technology has altered the realm of real estate development in several ways. Don't be afraid to embrace contemporary technology while planning your own home or place of business because it may help you save time and money while lowering the possibility of human mistakes. Additional read: How to save money to buy a house? How to afford your dream house?  You can invest in mutual funds for the long term using SIP. You can open a SIP just to pay the down payment on your mortgage. Depending on the type of fund you choose and the length of the investment, you may easily earn a return of 10% to 18%. Get in touch with our experts at EduFund, and they will help you decide on the best course of action for investing. To get started investing, download the EduFund app and set up an account from the comfort of your home with no fees or difficulty.  If you're thinking of building a house, a little forethought, some extra work, and the use of clever alternatives might significantly reduce the cost of the home's construction. However, it must be made clear that to save some extra money, the strength and caliber of the input materials cannot be sacrificed. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

It's vital to save money if you want to fulfill your or your child’s ambitions. While some may be fortunate enough to receive a monthly paycheck that is sufficient to fulfill their needs and aspirations, many are forced to scale back their goals after barely managing to pay their bills. How can you save money from your salary every month 1. Make a monthly budget plan The key to saving money is to keep track of your spending and limit your costs. By separating your costs into important areas, create a monthly budget plan and follow it. Since the budget will help you avoid going over your spending limit, you will have extra money to save down each month from your income. 2. Avoid credit cards or personal loans Avoid utilizing credit cards and personal loans, even when they are freely accessible. These two approaches both lead to steadily increasing debt that finally prevents you from having any control over your monthly spending. Use UPI as often as you can to make payments because there are no transaction fees involved. 3. Avoid making fancy purchases Young people typically want to dine outside, watch a movie, shop online, and go to the mall. But are these costs actually necessary? It is quite possible to live without overindulging in these as they are luxury. Depending on your budget, place a limit on these pleasures. 15% of your salary is the generally advised maximum for fun and pleasure expenditure. Make careful to adhere to this cap at all costs. 4. Low-cost entertainment ideas Another area where you might be able to save money is entertainment costs. You might be able to reduce your movie expenses with the abundance of subscription options accessible, such as Amazon Prime, Cable, and Netflix. Consider indulging in outdoor activities like hiking or camping as an alternative to spending money. Additionally, having fun shouldn't be expensive. As an alternative to going out to eat, think about hosting a house party or potluck dinner. 5. Track your spending We don't stick to our budget, which is one reason why we spend too much money. You must accept responsibility for your actions if you wind up spending twice as much on everyday meals as you expected. You'll be able to see how your pay is being spent if you keep track of your expenditures. Study your expenditures over the last several months before setting aside money from your salary. We frequently observe that there are districts that we might eliminate to concentrate on conserving. 6. Take care of debts As soon as you start working, you are most likely to be subject to debt bondage. When you have fewer commitments and more access to credit card purchases, it might be difficult to resist the temptations toward uncontrolled consumption. Knowing the difference between needs wants, and greed will be helpful. There are other ways to accumulate debt besides using a credit line. Start investing with SIP and debt mutual funds This is well-liked since the returns are steady. This alternative is available to those who are hesitant to invest because of the hazards. These funds make investments in treasury bills, government securities, markets, commercial paper, and other financial instruments. Debt mutual funds do, however, carry credit and interest rate concerns. Even though there is a tonne of online advice on where to start, investing may seem scary to beginners. A crucial step would be to do research. Use a systematic investment plan (SIP), which is very simple and sensible, to start small while you decide how much work you want to put into investing and what kinds of investments you want to make. If you're not sure what you want, it's a good idea to ask a professional expert for guidance. They can walk you through your options and help you choose something that will make you happier and more involved. You may contact our professionals at EduFund, and they will assist you with the proper course of action for investing. Download the EduFund app and create an account to start investing. With zero charges and no hassle account opening process is from the comfort of your home. How much salary to invest in mutual funds? There are a lot of investing guidelines that can be used as a guide, and the 50:30:20 rule is a wonderful illustration of how someone should normally invest 20% of their monthly wage. Depending on your level of risk tolerance, there are many types of mutual funds. Index funds, debt funds, multi-cap funds, hybrid funds, and equity funds are a few of them. Building a financial safety net for you and your family when you aren't working is dependent on saving money as you go along. It might be a wise use of funds to put some of your profits into the best investment programs. Not only will it secure your future, but it will also develop your financial discipline and assist you in achieving your own objectives. TALK TO AN EXPERT

Financing an MBA is a significant worry for any MBA candidate during the GMAT prep and planning phase. For instance, MBA admission in India might cost anything from Rs 5 to 20 Lakhs - a sum large enough to make students think about and arrange their money. But money should not be a barrier to anyone getting into their ideal B-school. So, it's time to make that goal a reality through various investment choices to assist in savings for education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peDFdmed0Nw Options to finance your MBA in India PPFs - The PPF is a long-term investment savings plan with a lock-in duration of 15 years, known as the maturity period. PPF accounts are a safer way to invest and receive a greater interest rate which can help to manage MBA education costs. Mutual Funds - The benefits of investing in mutual funds include that the underlying stocks/securities are adequately diversified and managed by experienced fund managers who have skills in picking them. Life Insurance Products - A term life insurance policy is the most cost-effective approach to safeguard everything and everyone in your life, even the funds you're putting down for your child's school. A life insurance policy is an unutilized tool to pay for MBA education costs. Early Start of Savings - The earlier you begin saving money, the more time earnings have to accumulate, and the more money you will have 18 years later to manage MBA academic costs. Education Loans - An MBA education loan in India is also the simplest way to cover the high cost of your MBA program. You can choose from a range of MBA education loan options. Create Goal for Child Education Why is MBA funding an important factor to consider? It is impossible to complete your MBA degree without determining how to pay your tuition and other fees that you will incur over two years of study. Even FMS's cheapest MBA program now costs about 2 lakhs. IIMs already have exorbitant fees ranging from Rs.13 lakhs to Rs.24 lakhs.  On top of that, practically all major MBA institutions have raised their MBA tuition.  If you follow a well-planned and well-thought-out process, you will not only be able to fund your MBA education at prominent colleges but also save a lot of money during your studies. Almost 80% of MBA students in India take out MBA education loans to achieve their aspiration of earning an MBA. As a result, arranging and acquiring your Education Loan for MBA/PGDM in India is just as vital as getting accepted. Before we can look at funding choices for your MBA, we need to know the fees for top MBA institutions like IIMs and other top B-schools, and then we can determine whether you need an IIM Education loan for an MBA or another B-school. Fee structure of IIMS and top MBA colleges Let's have a look at the MBA college prices. Given their exorbitant tuition, it is evident that pursuing an MBA program at IIMS or other top B-schools in India without an MBA education loan is tough. Mba college fees vary greatly depending on the type of b-school and often rise by 5-7% yearly. There are MBA institutions with high and moderate fees; however, there are also many top MBA colleges in India with inexpensive fees and good placements, such as FMS Delhi, Pumba Pune, UBS Chandigarh, and Simsree Mumbai. The current MBA fee for IIMS is between Rs 12 lakhs and Rs 23 lakhs, while the MBA fee for top PGDM b-schools such as XLRI, MDI, and SPJIMR goes between Rs 15 lakhs and Rs 23 lakhs. An MBA from most of India's top 10-20 b-schools would cost between Rs 12 lakhs and Rs 23 lakhs. Worry not if you have a limited budget for your MBA fees. MBA tuition for top colleges  The best MBA institutions in India and their cost structure are listed below: MBA colleges with fee structure Conclusion Financing an MBA is a major worry for any MBA candidate. To guarantee that the available funds do not fall short of the needed funds to manage education costs, parents should prepare ahead of time and begin saving and investing as soon as feasible. There are also several governments and commercial lenders that provide MBA education loans. TALK TO AN EXPERT