Fixed Income & Safety Face-offs
FDs, debt funds, PPF, liquid funds, RDs, NPS and gold — the safe-money choices, compared honestly.
Lessons
- FD vs Debt Mutual FundsThe guaranteed number vs the market-linked one — and why the old tax argument for debt funds is dead.
- Savings Account vs Liquid FundsYour savings account pays ~3%. A liquid fund pays ~6-7% for nearly the same job. Where should idle cash sit?
- RD vs SIPBoth invest a fixed sum every month. One buys a guaranteed 6.5-7%; the other buys whatever the market delivers. Same habit, different engine.
- PPF vs FDOne is tax-free and locked for 15 years; the other is taxed and flexible. The post-tax gap is far bigger than it looks.
- ELSS vs PPFThe two classic 80C choices: a 3-year-lock equity fund vs a 15-year tax-free guarantee. Risk seat decides.
- NPS vs Mutual Funds for RetirementThe cheapest investment product in India vs the most flexible one. Locks, annuities and an extra tax break decide it.
- Gold: Physical vs ETF vs SGBJewellery loses 10-25% the moment you buy it. The paper routes fix that — and one of them even paid you to hold gold.