Category: Personal Finance

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

Planning in an Unpredictable World

Ronald Reagan once joked about Soviet life, where a man had to wait 10 years to collect a car. When asked whether he should come in the morning or afternoon, he replied, “The plumber is scheduled that morning.” The absurdity highlights a harsh truth: life under unpredictable systems isn’t about waiting—it’s about the impossibility of planning rationally.

Today, we see similar challenges globally. Take the recent H-1B visa fee hike in the U.S.—a 2,000% increase overnight. Indian professionals abroad suddenly face life-altering decisions: move now or later, manage careers, children’s education, and family health—all under uncertainty. Businesses are no different. Erratic trade policies and shifting tariffs make long-term investment decisions nearly impossible. A company cannot plan factory builds or supplier contracts when trade rules can flip in months.

The bigger cost isn’t the policy itself—it’s the behavioural change it triggers. Companies become ultra-conservative, delay expansion, diversify excessively, and hoard cash. Families rethink careers, travel, and education. Even when policies stabilize, the caution lingers, slowing growth and efficiency.

For investors and entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: unpredictability is as much an economic drag as any tax or tariff. The winners will be those who adapt quickly, stay flexible, and plan for multiple scenarios. Like the man waiting ten years for his car, success comes not from controlling the world, but from learning to navigate it intelligently.

In an unpredictable world, the smartest move isn’t rushing blindly—it’s planning wisely, adapting continuously, and staying prepared for whatever comes next.

Personal Finance

• Starting young with insurance: How much cover do you really need? Should you buy life cover in your 20s, and can freelancers get health insurance that covers therapy? An expert explains how to secure affordable protection without overcommitting. Read here
  
  
• RBI issues directions for digital payment transaction authentication mechanism: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new guidelines for digital payment authentication, effective April 1, 2026, mandating two-factor authentication for all transactions. These guidelines emphasize dynamic authentication factors, risk-based checks, and validation of cross-border transactions. Issuers must implement mechanisms for handling cross-border CNP transactions by October 1, 2026, and register their BINs with card networks. Read here
  
  
• Credit cards vs BNPL in India: Which is better for you in 2025? In 2025, smart spending is all about choosing between Credit Cards and BNPL. Cards give rewards and global perks, while BNPL offers quick, interest-free instalments. Discover which one fits your lifestyle—and how combining both could boost your finances! Read here

Investing

• Why the 5% Rule is the New 4% Rule: Think the 4% Rule limits your retirement? Bill Bengen’s new book reveals you could safely spend more—maybe even retire sooner—and finally enjoy your golden years worry-free! Read here
  
  
• China’s Rising Yuan: How De-Dollarization Is Reshaping Global Trade: In just 15 years, China has shifted nearly half of its cross-border trade to the yuan. De-dollarization is accelerating, global trade is evolving, and the world’s financial order may never look the same. Read here
  
  
• The Rise and Fall of Options Trading by Indian Retail Investors: Retail options trading in India surged eight-fold from 50M to 375M contracts in just a few years—but volumes have now tumbled back to 80M. Market frenzies are temporary; skill, discipline, and caution remain key. Read here

Economy & Sector

• ​Consumption conundrum: On the Indian economy’s predicament: With private investment sluggish and exports under pressure, the government is re-prioritizing household consumption to drive growth. GST reforms and income-tax cuts help but boosting spending also requires higher wages and targeted fiscal support. Consumption is now the engine India must rely on. Read here

• India, US make ‘progress’ for joint trade-oil deal as talks move forward: Amid U.S. tariffs pressuring India over Russian oil purchases, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says progress was made in recent trade discussions. Negotiations continue, covering tariffs, skilled worker access, and market reforms. Read here
  
  
• India pegs its logistics cost lower than China in terms of percentage of GDP: India’s logistics cost stands at 7.97% of GDP, lower than China, driven by rail efficiency and reforms. Initiatives like freight corridors and Gati Shakti are gradually reducing costs and improving multimodal connectivity. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

Knowledge Grows by Subtraction

Nassim Nicholas Taleb once said, “Knowledge grows by subtraction much more than by addition – what we know today might turn out to be wrong, but what we know to be wrong cannot turn out to be right, at least not easily.” This insight perfectly captures the challenge facing today’s investors, particularly in India.

Three decades ago, investing in mutual funds was simple – most people didn’t know they existed. The job was to explain the basics: what a mutual fund is, what NAV means, and how investments grow. It was a process of addition, building knowledge from scratch.

Today, the landscape is dramatically different. Financial information is abundant, yet much of it is misleading. Investors arrive armed with technical analysis charts, complex derivatives strategies, and market-timing opinions, often confident in knowledge that is fundamentally flawed. SEBI data shows 89% of derivatives traders lose money, highlighting how sophisticated knowledge can become a liability if built on misconceptions. Similarly, many can read charts fluently but lack understanding of the businesses behind the stocks.

The real challenge now is subtraction – helping investors unlearn dangerous ideas before teaching sound principles. Simple truths, like buying quality businesses, staying diversified, and maintaining patience, are overshadowed by the allure of complex strategies and speculation. Warren Buffett’s advice – focusing on business fundamentals rather than price predictions – remains countercultural yet timeless, surviving the subtraction test.

In today’s information-saturated world, the wisest investment strategy isn’t learning more techniques, but developing the discipline to discard appealing but harmful misconceptions. True financial wisdom comes not from accumulation but from clarity, honesty, and the courage to unlearn what doesn’t serve long-term wealth creation.

Personal Finance

• 25 personal finance hacks the rich don’t tell you: Got a bonus or tax refund? The rich don’t rush to buy the latest gadget. Instead, they invest unexpected money into SIPs, stocks, or debt funds, turning temporary cash into long-term wealth. Read here
  
  
• Why ignoring your credit score can cost more than you think: Ignoring your credit score may seem harmless, but experts warn it can lead to hidden costs, loan rejections, and even fraud risks. As India’s digital credit ecosystem grows, monitoring your report is becoming essential for financial stability.Read here
  
  
• How to save LTCG tax when selling mutual funds and property u/s 54 and 54F: If you redeem your equity mutual funds and earn long-term capital gains (LTCG), you can claim an exemption under Section 54F by investing the gains in a new residential property. But what happens when you own more than one house? Read here

Investing

• Global Bond Yields Surge: What It Means for Investors: Global 30-year bond yields are surging across major economies despite expected rate cuts, signalling market risk and potential financial stress. Could this yield spike trigger a global market shock? Read here
  
  
• Are Quality Stocks in a Bubble? Even top-quality companies may deliver poor returns as valuations hit extreme levels. Are you overpaying for safety? Find out why a strategy, not just quality, matters. Read here

Economy & Sector

• GST reforms set to reignite consumption growth, spur corporate profitability: India is set to implement new Goods and Services Tax reforms. These reforms aim to simplify tax structure and boost spending. Revised rates will take effect from September 22, 2025. Experts believe that the reforms will play a key role in addressing the demand challenges. Lower taxes on essential and processed goods will create savings for consumers and improve spending and consumption. Read here

• How is India’s economy resilient amidst global uncertainties? At a time when global uncertainties are mounting, India stands out. Real GDP growth at 7.8%, record GST collections, and stable inflation. All this resulted in India’s sovereign rating being upgraded by Fitch after 18 years. What differentiates India from rest of others is its strong domestic consumption (60% of GDP), strategic policy frameworks, a diversified economy, and an active approach to modernisation in critical sectors such as manufacturing and services. Read here
  
• How regulation is shaping a sustainable crypto assets sector in India: India’s crypto sector is on a sustainable path through robust government regulations and industry self-regulation. Could this model make India a global crypto leader? Discover how the framework works. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Source: Mike Zaccardi on X

Gyaan Ki Baat 

The Power of Missing Out

In investing, we’re often told to “never miss an opportunity.” Yet Warren Buffett himself admits that his biggest mistakes weren’t bad investments, but the ones he didn’t make—opportunities he let pass, sometimes worth billions. At first glance, this might sound alarming. But it’s deeply reassuring.

Why? Because it shows us that even the world’s greatest investor doesn’t (and can’t) catch every wave. Buffett and Charlie Munger famously ignored technology stocks for decades, passing on Google and waiting until Apple became less “tech” and more a consumer brand. Many see this as a failure. In truth, it was wisdom. For every Apple or Google, there were dozens of “next big things” that ended in disaster—Pets.com, WeWork, or Quibi. By staying within their circle of competence, Buffett and Munger avoided the far more costly mistakes of commission.

This is where the real lesson lies. Missing opportunities may sting in the short term but chasing investments you don’t understand can destroy wealth permanently. As Munger put it, “I try to avoid being stupid rather than trying to be very intelligent.”

For everyday investors, this is liberating. You don’t need to invest in every hot trend. You don’t need perfect foresight. What you need is discipline, patience, and the humility to say no when something lies outside your understanding.

Remember: the road to long-term wealth isn’t paved by catching every opportunity—it’s built by avoiding costly mistakes and staying within your circle of competence. That’s the real power of missing out.

Personal Finance

• How to fix errors in your credit report and improve your credit score? Here are 6 key ways: Fixing errors in your credit report is essential for improving your credit score, ensuring accurate financial records, enhancing loan approval chances, and unlocking better credit opportunities with simple corrective steps. Read here
  
  
• How wealthy investors use ETFs to skirt capital gains taxes. The strategy is ‘like magic,’ advisor says: Wealthy investors avoid capital gains taxes by using a 351 conversion to transfer profitable assets to an exchange-traded fund. The strategy seeds ETFs before launch, and the original investor defers capital gains until selling their shares. Read here
  
  
• ‘How a car in India keeps you broke’: Middle class mistaking liabilities for assets: As economic pressures tighten, Sujith’s financial cautioning is striking a chord with a middle class caught between past optimism and present strain. Read here

Investing

• Optimizing Ourselves to Death: Optimization culture has gone from helpful to harmful—turning health, time, and productivity into obsessions. But what if chasing perfection is ruining life itself? Read here

• Why Every Bear Market Creates the Next Big Bull Run: History shows bear markets are short and painful, but bull runs last longer and deliver outsized gains. With current consolidation in India, patience matters—today’s declines could be the foundation for tomorrow’s powerful rally. Read here

• Changing Indices and Your Investments: Ever wondered why big companies that once ruled the markets are nowhere to be seen today? From Hindustan Motors to Satyam, history shows indices keep evolving—dropping the weak, adding the strong. That’s why investing in indices is like riding with tomorrow’s winners. Read here

Economy & Sector

• India’s private sector posts record growth in August: HSBC flash survey: The HSBC flash India Composite Output Index, which tracks month-to-month changes in combined output across manufacturing and services, jumped to 65.2 in August from 61.1 in July. Read here

• U.S. tariff impact: India sees Asia’s biggest earnings downgrades: Earnings growth for Indian companies has been in single-digit percentages for five consecutive quarters, below the 15%–25% growth seen between 2020–21 and 2023–24. Read here

• Centre removes cotton import duty till Sept 30 to aid textile sector: The Centre has waived the 11 per cent duty on cotton imports till September 30, providing relief to the textile industry facing higher US tariffs and intense global competition. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.

CAGR Insights is a weekly newsletter full of insights from around the world of the web.

Chart Ki Baat

Gyaan Ki Baat 

Why “Too Safe” Can Be Risky in Retirement

When it comes to retirement money, many people think the safest strategy is to avoid all market risks. “No stocks, only fixed income!” sounds comforting — but being too safe can quietly eat away at your wealth.

Here’s the catch: inflation is the silent thief. Even at 6% inflation, what costs ₹75,000 today will cost more than double in 12 years and nearly ₹2.5 lakh in 25 years. If your money isn’t growing faster than inflation, you’re losing purchasing power every single year.

Take Mr. Patil’s example. With ₹2 crore in retirement savings and only debt investments, his money would last about 23 years. That means at 83–84, he could run out of funds — and that’s without any major medical surprises.

But add some equity to the mix, and the picture changes:

• 33% Equity + 67% Debt → Lasts ~30 years
• 50% Equity + 50% Debt → Lasts ~35 years

Equity brings growth, debt brings stability — together they create a portfolio that works with you, not against you. Even in market downturns, debt can cover living expenses so you’re not forced to sell equity at a loss.

The truth is, retirement isn’t the end of investing. It’s a new phase where your goal is to preserve wealth and outpace inflation. Avoiding equity entirely might feel safe, but it could be the biggest risk you take. The smart path? Balance — enough equity to grow, enough debt to sleep peacefully.

Personal Finance

• Your 60s financial checklist: How to simplify money management before retirement: Hitting your 60s? It’s time to merge accounts, drop idle cards, move to safer investments, automate bills, and update your will—smart moves that protect wealth and peace of mind. Click to see how to make retirement truly stress-free. Read here
  
  
• Overseas education: How remittances, loans and student earnings are taxed: Studying abroad? Beyond tuition and airfare, taxes in India and overseas can impact your budget. From TCS on remittances to local income tax on part-time jobs, smart planning can save you big. Click to avoid costly surprises. Read here
  
  
• Are These 3 Money Myths Sabotaging Your Finances? Think budgeting is a must, renting is wasteful, or wants and needs are easy to separate? These “rules” could harm your finances. Click to uncover the truth of about 3 money myths—and how ditching them might improve your life. Read here

Investing

• The Power of the ‘Bhav Bhagwan Che’ Principle in Stock Investing: In markets, “Bhav Bhagwan Chhe” means price tells the truth before news breaks. Paradip Phosphates proved it—big gains came before stellar results. Click to see how the BBC principle can help you spot trends early and avoid costly mistakes. Read here

• The First $10,000 is the Most Important: The first $10,000 you save changes everything—more than $100k or even $1M later. It’s the leap from constant worry to stability, confidence, and freedom. Click to discover why escaping “Level 1” is the most life-changing money move you can make. Read here

• How will asset tokenization transform the future of finance? Forget volatile crypto—asset tokenization could quietly transform global finance. By digitizing and fractionalizing real-world assets, it promises cheaper, faster, more transparent markets and unprecedented access for everyday investors. Click to explore how blockchain might reshape investing for billions worldwide. Read here

Economy & Sector

• Will Trump’s India tariffs shut down world’s biggest cut diamond supplier? Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian diamonds are pushing Surat’s famed cutters to the brink, threatening 200,000 jobs. With lab-grown gems rising and exports plunging, the “Diamond City” faces its darkest hour. Click to see why this glittering industry may lose its shine. Read here

• Who will be hit hardest by Trump’s 50% tariff on India? A sector-wise breakdown: President Trump’s doubled tariffs on Indian goods, now at 50%, are poised to severely impact key sectors. Auto parts, jewellery, textiles, and seafood industries face significant export losses, prompting businesses to explore alternatives in Dubai and Mexico. While pharmaceuticals are currently spared, broader economic consequences loom, including potential job losses, reduced investment, and a weaker rupee. Read here

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That’s it from our side. Have a great weekend ahead!

If you have any feedback that you would like to share, simply reply to this email.

The content of this newsletter is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security in any jurisdiction. The content is distributed for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to sell or buy any security or other investment or undertake any investment strategy. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information outlined in this newsletter unless mentioned explicitly. The writer may have positions in and may, from time to time, make purchases or sales of the securities or other investments discussed or evaluated in this newsletter.