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A Father-child relationship is one of the most beautiful relationships in the world. However, it is often felt that a father may not even express their emotions and feelings with their children yet silently work towards fulfilling all the dreams and aspirations of their child. Traditionally, financial matters often flow from top to bottom, with your Father taking care of your savings, etc., during the early stages of your lives. 

<p>To simplify tax calculations and compliances, the government of India introduced an optional tax rate structure for individuals and HUFs from the financial year 2020-21 onwards. Even the old tax rate structure continues to be in place, and the taxpayers can choose the tax rate structure they want to adopt.&nbsp;</p>

Often ‘the more the merrier’, but sometimes ‘the lesser the better’. This holds true while investing in Mutual Funds too. Although Mutual Funds are popular for offering diversification, there is a type of scheme that adopts a focused and concentrated approach too.

Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) are a special category of equity mutual fund schemes that provide tax benefits to the investors and are commonly known as tax-saving mutual funds. As of 30 June 2021, such funds manage around Rs. 1.36 lakh crores of AUM (Assets Under Management). ELSS funds are reasonably popular amongst retail investors, with 1.28 crore investor folios in such schemes as on that date 

Source: AMFI – Association of Mutual Funds in India

Independence Day opens up a flood of emotions in every Indian. While the Indian freedom struggle teaches patriotism, grit and sacrifice, you can also learn valuable investment lessons. Following are some valuable lessons that we Indians can learn from the country's freedom struggle and its leaders.

Determination and Perseverance Pays

"Swaraj is my birth right, and I shall have it."

While the Covid 19 pandemic took the world by storm, one of the lessons of this crisis is the realization that we must all prepare for any such eventuality in the future. It is imperative to properly plan and manage one’s finances for building a financially secured future. Here is a beginner’s guide to financial planning in 2021 and for the future years: 

Raksha Bandhan signifies the strong bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie Rakhi and wish for the wellbeing of their brothers, and in return, brothers promise to keep their sisters protected throughout their life under every circumstance. Brothers also present a gift as a token of their love for the sister. 

The investment horizon plays a vital role in investing. Talking specifically about mutual fund schemes, equity mutual funds may be more suitable for long-term financial goals. Equities may be volatile over the short term but carry the potential of wealth creation over the long term.

Not all asset classes have been winners consistently in the investing world since different asset classes may react differently to macroeconomic events. As such, asset classes like equities, debt, gold, real estate etc., tend to perform in their respective economic cycles.

While equities may perform better during periods of high economic growth, debt may perform better during periods of decreasing interest rate scenario. Similarly, gold may be a better performer when asset classes like equity and debt seem volatile and uncertain, as gold is considered a safer investment option.

When investing in mutual funds, one must choose the mutual fund schemes that best suit their financial goals and risk appetite. In addition, selecting the equity investments basis their market capitalisation is one of the selection criteria, as different market cap segments carry different risk-reward trade-offs.