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A beginner's guide to education inflation is a stepping stone in saving and investing for your child's education. With children come specific and inescapable responsibilities. It starts with providing your child with a safe home, loving and nurturing space, and quality education to help them grow and become their better selves. Yet all these needs come at a high cost.  The average inflation rate across sectors is rocketing beyond belief and has bypassed the rate of household inflation. From basic needs to luxury, the average cost of different items has increased manifold.   College is a lifetime experience; it offers quality education, changes one’s mindset, and opens up a vast network of opportunities. Generally, the chance to better oneself is why Indian parents and students work hard to get into some of the world's most significant educational institutions, not just India. Yet, this access to quality education comes at a great price. Consider the example of IITs in India; despite the devastating pandemic, the tuition fees for undergraduate courses jumped from Rs. 90,000 to 2 lakhs! Similarly, top universities in the USA in 2022, announced tuition fee hikes while Canada increased its international tuition fees by nearly 5% annually across all provinces.  The increase in tuition fees and other consequential education expenses results from inflation; Education inflation is a real threat to your savings. The hard truth is that it will rise even higher in the years to come.  It has become imperative for parents to understand how Education inflation can affect their savings. And why it is essential to protect their savings via investment.  Before we talk more about why parents should be protecting their savings from Education Inflation, let us look at some of the factors responsible for the rise in education costs.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9WG4-C_1Jk YouTube: EduFund Factors responsible for the rise 1. The rising cost of amenities The tuition fees don’t comprise the entire cost of education. It is also the amenities that come along with it. Food, accommodation, extracurricular, commutation, and other living expenses contribute significantly to the cost of education.  2. The rise in the number of educators With more universities and the expansion of different courses, the demand for educators has increased as well. And this contributes notably to the overall cost of education.  3. Increased demand for higher education Higher education has upgraded to be a necessity from the space of mere desire. A University degree is a means to financial success and prestige in the modern world.  4. Lower public funding The public sector's investment in the field of higher education is much lower than the other segments. Universities rely on tuition fees as their primary source of income which means that the burden of the cost falls on the shoulders of parents and guardians. While you cannot control this financial phenomenon, you can strive to understand why you need to protect your savings from it.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jPHG8h87Dzo YouTube: EduFund Why do parents need to protect their savings from Education inflation? 1. Preserve your purchasing power The value of money depreciates with time. Even though you might earn some extra currency over time, the real value matters the value of the Indian rupee depreciating against the dollar and pound over the years. And you need to check whether you’ll be able to retain your present purchasing power after a certain number of years.  Consider ensuring that your return on savings is higher than the rate at which the value of money depreciates. The consistently soaring education Inflation is one of the significant factors affecting such depreciation. 2. Shield your child’s future  With a world full of information and opportunities, your child should be free to dream about their future. And to make this happen, it is essential to shield their future against all the odds. With proper planning and strategic allocation of your funds, it is possible to compete with the rising cost of education.  3. Maintain your standard of living  To lead a happy and healthy life, look at the practical aspects of things. Your savings must consider your living standard. Your funds should be able to balance between needs and wants.  4. Make harmony with your retirement plans You are to retire and there is no denying that. Are you willing to work this hard all your life? or, would you like to grow old sipping your coffee and relaxing while watching the rain? Life has its phases and you need to enjoy them the way they are meant to be enjoyed.  While taking the cost of your child’s higher education into account, it is so important to take your retirement into consideration. 5. Take your health into account Physical and mental health are pertinent to your well-being and your family’s bright future. A financially secure plan can protect you from avoidable stress, and various lifestyle diseases and prepare you for certain unavoidable medical expenses.  Only when you are healthy will you be able to enjoy the money you are saving. Thus, your health is another reason to protect your savings from Education inflation.  Education inflation is rising at 10-12% in India which makes protecting your savings essential to retain your purchasing power in the future. Give your child the future they deserve by keeping up with the times and saving in advance. How to build an education corpus?   1. Calculate the total cost  Plan the total cost to get an approximate amount that you need to save. Setting the target will create a goal and make the journey easy. The education cost varies from course to course so take the help of professional experts to chart an education corpus plan.    A unique college cost calculator can do wonders for parents. The College Cost Calculator on the Edufund app takes into account various factors and calculates the future cost of college, which makes it easy for parents to set a goal.   2. Start investing as early as possible  Parents who can start saving and investing early manage to create a substantial amount of education corpus. The longer time you have in your hands, the more interest you can accumulate.   3. Choose the right investment tools Know your investment options and invest in the right funds to get maximum returns. The financial plan must include the right methods and investment vehicles to accumulate funds. Savings accounts with 3% to 4% per year and FDs with 5% to 7% per year are safe and secure ways to save. Traditional life insurance policies offer 5% – 6% interest per year.    Invest in equities at the beginning as they yield inflation-beating returns in the long run. Investors prefer SIPs in mutual funds for wealth creation. Scroll through the Edufund app to know your savings option as it provides access to 4000+ direct mutual funds, SIPs as low as INR 100, US stocks and ETFs, ELSS funds, and digital gold.   4. Protect your investment Aggressive investments will accumulate the desired funds, but it is vital to protect the investment from eroding because of adverse market conditions.   Remember the reason why you need an education corpus and shift the corpus to debt instruments as the goal nears to keep it safe and secure.    Start withdrawing two to three years before you will need the money and then shift it to bank fixed deposits or debt funds, as it will give fixed and safe returns.   5. Track your investment   Keep track of the investments regularly and finetune them based on the need of the hour. Creating a plan is easy but sticking to it is a bit difficult. Don’t divert funds for non-essential needs, as building an education corpus is vital for the child’s future.   Education inflation over the years and in the future Here is a look at the cost of popular courses in the past and the expected costs of the courses in the future. These costs are for one year of college.  Course Cost in 2015 2020 Expected cost in 2025 Expected cost in 2030 Engineering 145000 171374 202545 239386 Hotel Management 77000 98200 128205 159636 MBBS 800000 1000000 1250000 1562500 MBA 1140000 1586000 2206126 3068721  FAQs Why education is becoming expensive:   There are many factors responsible for the rising cost of education. A few factors could be- the rising cost of amenities, the rise in the number of educators, the increased demand for higher education and lower public funding.   How do you calculate the future cost of education?   There is a formula to calculate the future cost of education. It is calculated with the formula Future value = Present value (Expected returns + Rate of interest)  What is the rate of inflation for college?   The cost of education has been increasing by 10% every year in India. Between 2012 and 2020, the cost of education rose in the range of 10- 12% every year.   How does inflation affect students?   As education costs go up, it becomes increasingly tough for students to get into their dream universities. This further affects their employment prospect.   TALK TO AN EXPERT

The benefits of long-term goals are that it helps individuals to realize their dreams over time. Sometimes you need to prioritize and work things out. Setting long-term goals gives people the opportunity to achieve desired results eventually. What are long term goals? Long-term goals are the desires, visions, or ambitions that people know will take some time to achieve. These goals are generally accomplished in the future. The timeline varies from a few years to several years as the long-term goals cannot be achieved in a day, month, or even one year.  Long-term goals can be professional or personal goals like a young man of 20 wanting to become a manager at the age of 30, marrying and settling down by the age of 35, taking a break and traveling for six months by the age of 40, setting up an education corpus for a child or planning the retirement fund. Benefits of long term goals 1. Gives direction Without long-term goals, individuals will only think about the present and not think about the future, which as everyone knows is quite unpredictable. Suppose an individual is earning INR 40,000 per month and does not have any long-term goals. He will then spend most of his salary without worrying about future consequences. What happens if he suddenly falls ill or he requires a lump sum amount in the future? Long-term goals give direction, help people to think ahead, and make provisions accordingly hence they are beneficial in both personal and professional life.  2. Key to changing your life Long-term goals act as a key to changing your life. Every person has a vision for a bright future. The benefit of long-term goals is that it works as the inspiration behind the goals that motivate and urge to make dreams a reality. Once the goals are set people often are encouraged to reach the end of the road by any means. They are no longer afraid of the difficulties in their path instead are driven to reach their goals.  3. Motivational tools  A long-term goal is an important motivational tool that gives the individual a focus point. When you have set a long-term goal then you have a target to achieve and it becomes easy to work for and towards it with complete dedication and determination.  4. Increases self-confidence Long-term goals inspire a better future and help you to see what you want and what you can achieve in the long run. Measurable and specific long-term goals encourage a positive mindset, help to avoid procrastination, and increase productivity. All these factors at the end of the day boost the self-confidence of a person.  5. Gives purpose to everyday actions Setting up goals is not an easy task nor is moving towards it with complete dedication but once you set up long-term goals they can persuade a person towards his end goal. Long-term goals give purpose to everyday actions and urge an individual to move forward even if the daily activities seem boring.  6. Encourages organized behavior Breaking your goals into medium, short and long-term goals encourages organized behavior. It shows that the individual is capable of handling complex processes and prioritizing his objectives. Long-term goals look scary at the beginning but with time it has the power to transform your way of thinking. Individuals who set up long-term goals are seen to be more organized in their behavior and actions than people without any goals in their lives.  7. Take advantage of the full potential Setting goals requires proper planning and when a person tries to set long-term goals he has to utilize his full potential. He will have to find out his actual objective and research the best available means to reach the desired goals.  8. Helps in self-improvement One of the important benefits of long-term goals is that it helps in self-improvement. People who set up these goals have to maintain their focus if they want to achieve such goals. Long-term goals shape the direction of the thinking process and encourage people to move toward it diligently. It keeps on reminding you that you have done the hard work and only a little work remains. The scope for self-improvement is immense as you have to improve your habits and move towards the goal somehow or the other to achieve them at any cost.  9. Achieve success Long-term goals give people the time to align the necessary resources with the objectives in an effective manner. It keeps you accountable, ensures better handling, and ultimately increases the chances of success.  INVEST NOW Conclusion The benefits of long-term goals are that it gives individuals the time to get a grasp on things and achieve them at a steady pace. There is no need to overwork yourself instead people have the time to set a comfortable pace that is also achievable. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Which is the better investment option for a daughter -  MFs or girl-child schemes?  Indian parents are often on the lookout for the right kind of investment schemes that will lessen the financial burden of education and marriage expenses of their girl child. They want to safeguard their child’s future and hence try to create a financial corpus as security for the days to come.  Before entering into a discussion about MF vs Girl Child Schemes, let us know about each of them in brief. What is Mutual Fund or MF? Mutual Fund refers to investment vehicles that accumulate money from several investors for buying a portfolio of various securities. The portfolio includes several options like real estate, bonds, stocks, or a combination of different investments.  Investing in mutual funds is considered beneficial in recent times because of the high returns on investment. The most common drawback of a mutual fund is the high fees of the investor but this can be mitigated by choosing the right investor.  You can take the help of the EduFund App to reduce excessive charges with the help of saving experts.  What are Girl Child Schemes? Girl child schemes are investment plans that offer benefits to the girl child. These are divided into two categories: State Government Schemes and Central Government Schemes. Some of the highly popular ones are Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa, and Dhanlalakshmi Scheme.   The girl-child investment plans help parents to accumulate money so that it can later meet the financial requirements of the girl child. Mutual fund vs Girl child schemes Both Mutual funds and Girl Child Schemes serve the same purpose and that is to act as investment vehicles. Parents often take the help of either of these or both to create an appropriate portfolio that will be able to meet the desired needs of their girl child.  Let us make comparisons and also see the difference between the two based on certain parameters. 1. Interest rates Both schemes offer higher interest rates that lead to more savings. Girl child schemes generally offer a return of 7% to 8.6% whereas mutual funds offer returns of 12% to 14% easily in the long run.  2. Saving on taxes Gains on equity funds, LTCG, ELSS, and dividends received on mutual funds can be claimed as tax-exempt as mutual fund investments up to INR1.5 lakh per annum are under tax deduction. All the girl child schemes are exempted from tax to benefit the girl child. 3. Low minimum investment  Both schemes have the option of low minimum investment. Some investors have waived the minimums and individuals can now invest as low as $1 or INR 100. There is already a fixed minimum value for a girl child scheme be it INR 200 0r INR 500 or INR 1000 and investors have to start with that amount only.  The Edufund App gives its investors the option of starting mutual fund schemes or SIP at INR 100 only.  4. Terms and conditions The terms and conditions of the girl child schemes are straightforward with no room for any assumption. Mutual fund schemes are subject to market change and should be read properly by investors.  5. Limitation of amount The minimum and maximum amount of investment in girl child schemes are pre-decided and you cannot go above or below the said amount. Mutual funds on the other hand give the option of deciding the minimum and maximum amount by yourself as per your ability.  6. Flexibility Girl child schemes do not offer any flexibility whereas investors can choose from a broad spectrum of mutual funds schemes.  7. Premium In several girl-child schemes, the premium is waived off in case the policyholder dies prematurely, whereas that is not the case with a mutual fund. 8. Safe and secure Although mutual funds are considered safe investments with greater returns, in the long run, girl-child schemes are a better option for conservative investors who are more concerned with the safety of their investments than high returns.  9. Partial Withdrawals Several girl child schemes allow investors to withdraw partially after a specific period but mutual funds schemes have a specific lock-in period and cannot be withdrawn partially.  Conclusion In the discussion between MF vs Girl Child Schemes, both the schemes are meant to benefit the investor at the end of the day. If the investor is ready to take a certain amount of risk with their investment then they can create a financial corpus of a good amount through mutual funds. But, if they are looking for a safe investment vehicle then girl-child schemes are the best option. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Education Gap An education gap is frequently a fruitful one-year break from academics taken by a person to pursue interests that are typically unrelated to their daily life or line of work. The phrase "gap year" refers to students who take a year or fewer away from their regular academics, generally between high school and university. Some students may take a gap year before beginning the last part of their secondary school, or even shortly after finishing university, to better equip themselves for the job market. Simply put, a gap year can be taken across life phases, such as between high school and university, after university and before the formal job, or while changing careers or retiring later in life. Why should students take an education gap year? There are various reasons why your child would consider taking a gap year. Students typically see it as a chance to obtain personal or professional experience, attain specific goals, and/or pursue personal interests. If your child is thinking of taking a gap year, you should examine if it's the best option for them and what they could learn from it.  If they're considering a university course or a professional position, they'll need to demonstrate that their year was not just enjoyable but also valuable and significant. So, while arranging a gap year, consider how different hobbies can help them grow personally and intellectually. It should assist children in obtaining a better awareness of the world and building initiative, maturity, dedication, and individualism outside of formal schooling. Types of Gap Year  The intent of a gap year defines its type. Some students opt for a gap year because they want to pursue an academic course while some want to travel.   There's always a reason to opt for a gap year. Here are different types of gap years based on the reason.   1. Studying Gap Year  A studying gap year is when your child decides to take a gap year before starting college/ university. There are programs or universities that have very competitive acceptance rates. Taking a gap year and updating their resume by doing summer courses or working with an organization helps increase their chances at their dream college.   2. Traveling Gap Year  Many students decide to travel either within the same country or to others. Taking a break every now and then to relax and to meet new people helps them think better. Taking a traveling gap year might help them discover what their true passion is and then they can apply to a university accordingly.   3. Volunteering Gap Year  There are many NGOs and government organizations serving a great purpose to society. Sometimes, taking a year off of their education and volunteering for a great social cause can help increase their sense of community. And later on, if they decide to apply to study abroad, volunteering would be a plus for their application.   4. Working Gap Year  The employment world can be very different from what a student thinks it is. Taking a gap year to work either to gain experience and skills, earn money, or build a professional network is always a good idea.   Reasons for a gap in education Here are some reasons why you need to take an education gap! 1. Increase their outlook and perspective Taking a gap year may be a terrific chance for your child to engage in another nation, whether they just want to visit and experience another place or build an understanding and knowledge of global concerns. 2. Acquire necessary work experience and skills Working during their deferred year allows them to obtain significant experience, skills, and information, which may be helpful when looking for employment later. Students might also apply this information in vocation-related degree programs like nursing, law, or veterinary science. 3. Make some money Following that, a working year off before attending university might be a fantastic chance to make some additional money. They may not earn enough to cover all of their university expenditures. Still, they may be able to cover expenses such as housing, study materials, transport, or perhaps the first academic session of their college fees. 4. Make beneficial contacts During their deferred year, they will most likely encounter individuals from many walks of life. This may include people you can contact for career chances and references, or just overseas pals who can be visited if you have the opportunity to travel to their home nation later.  5. Make foreign contacts Staying and working alongside locals during a gap year allows children to get to know them better, helping them to gain a more comprehensive awareness of diverse cultures and viewpoints. They'll meet all kinds of individuals; if they click with them, they could become lasting friends. Funds for an education gap An Education Gap can be expensive. Transport costs, living costs, visas/work permits, driving licenses, health coverage, mobile and internet expenses, system costs, equipment including a thorough first aid pack, hospital, pharmaceutical, or expenditure on health, and possibly passport renewals are all included. Many companies provide beginning packages to assist children settling into their new country. This includes setting up a bank account, health coverage, lodging, transportation from the airport, and even helping them in finding work when they arrive. They frequently include specifics on everything a child will need to accomplish both before and after they come, which may be a helpful resource when budgeting overall spending. Features of the Education Gap One of the severe aspects of the education gap is its tendency to compound over time and grow more powerful and pronounced, increasing the likelihood that a student may underperform academically and socially or quit out. Furthermore, suppose kids do not gain core academic abilities such as learning, arithmetic, and computing, as well as interpersonal and social skills. In that case, it could be more challenging for them to master this core knowledge later in their schooling. Remediating learning gaps becomes increasingly challenging as children continue through their schooling, either because they have fallen far behind their peers or because high school teachers lack specialized training or the ability to teach core academic abilities. Many educators, school reformers, academics, and policymakers have argued for increased investments in preschool education, particularly accessibility to prekindergarten programs, for these and other reasons. Conclusion Without appearing overly tragic or pessimistic, and with a clear vision and focus on the positive road forward, the reason for an educational gap should be well-backed by statistics. When illustrating the significance of a specific break to life goals, it is crucial to be forthright and honest. Primary reasons to choose an education gap include: Learning life skills. Financial management. Obtaining work experience. Planning forward and giving the future some thought. FAQs Is an education gap year going to affect my child’s chances at top universities? As long as your child is utilizing the gap year the most by either pursuing some short-term course, volunteering, gaining professional experience, etc. It will not affect their chances at top universities.   What kind of work can my child do during a gap year? Your child can take up jobs like a tutor, office administrator, market research, catering, and hospitality, etc.   Are there any disadvantages to taking a gap year?  Although there are many benefits of taking a gap year, there could be some disadvantages as well. For eg. your child would be a year behind their peers and classmates. The gap year may cost you a lot of money if your child decides to take up an expensive summer course.  TALK TO AN EXPERT

Education can be a costly affair not only in terms of tuition fees but also the add-ons like different gadgets for students only add to your cost of living alone. Electronic gadgets form an important part of such expenses but there are some gadgets to make your student's life easier. Being informed about which gadgets serve your educational needs can be helpful in deciding if you need a laptop or a smartphone. In the long run, you don’t want to make investments you might regret later. You also want to take note of the following gadgets as expenses to consider while applying for an education loan.  Gadgets for students 1. Smartphone or Tablet  Gone are the times when a mobile phone was solely seen as a source of distraction for students. These days a smartphone is one of the primary requirements. Be it, online classes, watching educational videos, accessing your email account, or simply surfing the internet, a smartphone is a go-to.  An alternative to smartphones is tablets which come with slightly bigger screens and better resolutions. For example, an iPad will have a higher aspect ratio than an iPhone. This means that the iPad will have more resolution and screen size than the iPhone. But it also means that an iPhone is more compact as a device as compared to an iPad. While purchasing either, you are required to make the right choice by weighing it against your requirements.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdwqQH0xkFw 2. Laptop or PC Unlike earlier, everything that can be accessed through a computer is also accessible through smartphones. However personal computers are favored over smartphones because of the experience they offer. A personal computer might comprise a monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, speaker, webcam, internal hard drive, and so on. Although these gadgets have to be purchased separately and can take up considerable space. But it is a good investment if you are a student because it creates a dedicated space for studying.   With laptops, the experience might not be as top-notch. Nevertheless, Macbooks are popular amongst students because of their compact design and the convenience of portability. A laptop works wirelessly and comes with a keyboard, built-in speakers, a web camera, and a touchpad in the place of a mouse. It is a brilliant investment especially if you are staying away from home for educational purposes.  3. External Hard drive  Nowadays every document you own can be saved up as a soft copy in cloud memory or your e-drive connected to your email account. This helps you take up less physical space with your studying materials. Even so, owning an external hard drive is a smart move if you want to be extra careful about preserving all of your materials.  An external drive allows you to access your documents easily without taking up much of your study space or the internal space on your device. All you have to do is connect the drive to your laptop or PC. Another attractive feature of an external hard drive is its portability.  4. Noise Cancellation Headphones  Headphones have existed as a wanted product in the market for a long time. One of the new features that have caused a terrific comeback for headphones is its noise cancellation. As the name suggests, noise-canceling headphones are meant to block out all of the external noise not only while listening to an audio clip but also during recordings or incoming and outgoing calls. The level of concentration a student can achieve is always considered a virtue that helps them excel in academics. Noise-cancellation headphones can help them attain that level of undivided attention which is also a requirement for online classes that have become the trend during the pandemic.  5. Printer  Even though many new and cool gadgets have flooded the market, printers shall never run out of fashion. If your subject or the academic course you have enrolled in requires you to get things printed regularly, going to a shop to get it done makes no sense.  Well-known brands like Epson, HP, Brother, Samsung, and Canon have introduced a range of budget printers to the market in recent years. By purchasing one of these, you would not only save up on your daily expenses but also preserve your precious time. In fact, having a printer at home can come in handy during emergency assignment submissions.   6. Electric Kettle & Emergency Lamp As a student, you might be required to pull all-nighters frequently. Even if that is not the case, staying up late might simply be part of your daily study routine. In such circumstances, gadgets that can make your life easier are electric kettles and emergency lamps.  Make yourself a cup of coffee or tea if you feel drowsy. You are no longer required to leave your study table to go to the kitchen as long as own an electric kettle. An emergency table lamp will come in handy if you are sharing your room with a fellow student or living in a dorm.   7. Kindle  Kindles will never run out of favor among students as long as academics is about gathering knowledge by reading books. A Kindle is an e-reader manufactured and sold by Amazon. One can read not only e-books but also e-magazines and other such digital content on this wireless gadget.  Call it a side effect of globalization, but nowadays students are required to keep moving from one location to another during different stages of their education. As such, a Kindle is an indispensable gadget - it is the alternative to carrying hard copies of bulky books. Moreover, it comes with cool features like a highlighting tool and sometimes a waterproof body. Dictionaries will be at your disposal while reading if you have them downloaded on your Kindle. You will not be required to carry a dictionary everywhere you go, as long as carry your books in your Kindle.    8. External Batteries & Portable Chargers   Being a student means you will require safe-to-use and convenient gadgets to charge devices like your phone, laptop, tablet, speaker, and so on. A range of portable chargers has been developed in recent years by reputed companies to make life easier. The concept of clutch batteries or chargers that are the size of a clutch or purse is becoming increasingly popular in this era of digitization.    For students who depend on rigorous online activity as part of their academic curriculum, these allow them to charge their devices wherever they are. For charging devices iPhones, special external batteries like the Ubio Labs Shadow Series have been developed which are not only easy to carry but also stunning to look at. 9. Rocketbook Everlast smart reusable notebook  Rocketbook is a digital notebook for all those who love to write over typing. It is a useful and affordable gadget for students who have trouble taking notes on their laptops and need a notebook that can be reused and even used later to add transfer notes digitally.   It’s a popular and efficient product for college students, school students and even working professionals.    10. Anti-theft laptop bag   Want to protect your expensive laptop then get an anti-theft laptop bag to ensure maximum security for your gadgets as a student. It is an affordable bag. bag rucksack and helps you protect your precious belongings at school or college from theft.    11. External hard drive  An external hard drive is a must for every student. It helps you store all your data safely. If you are a student who uses a lot of storage on your laptop for photos, videos, college projects, or freelance work – this is the right gadget for you. It helps you protect your data from a virus on your laptop or in the event your laptop breaks down.   Hard drives come in different capacities and based on that; the product has different price points.     12. Laptop tray with fans  A laptop tray is a great addition to the list of gadgets students need. It cools down your laptop and ensures your work is not hindered because of an overheating laptop or sudden shutdown because of overuse. Make you get a laptop tray the size of your laptop.   These trays are portable and let you work on your laptop without any disturbance.     13. Folding Bluetooth keyboard  A folding keyboard is great for students who do not have a laptop. You can attach it to your phone or tablet and type away your notes or do-to lists. It's lightweight, easy to carry, and connects with your laptop, phone, iPad, or tablet with ease.   It is a great alternative for students who do not have to buy a laptop but need a writing keyword to type their assignments and projects.    14. Wi-Fi range extender  The Wi-Fi range extender is a great product for students. The Internet is man’s new best friend and a student’s savior during college. Good Wi-Fi can help you with your workload. A range extender can cover your entire house or apartment, you do not have to sit in a particular corner to get the best service.    15. Portable phone charger  Student hours are long and tiring. You may not always have a battery on your phone or a plug to charge it quickly. That’s when a portable charger comes in handy, you can charge your phone while traveling, during class, or in a car.   It is a must-buy gadget for students and working professionals.   Conclusion Choosing the correct devices to make your student's life easier should not be a taxing chore. Make sure to devote time to saving up beforehand for each investment. Having funds dedicated to such purchases and knowing what you should purchase can make your student's life not only easier but also fulfilling. FAQs Which gadget is best for students? Here are some gadgets for students that make their lives easier: Smartphone or Tablet Laptop or PC External Hard drive Noise Cancellation Headphones Printer Electric Kettle & Emergency Lamp Kindle External Batteries & Portable Chargers Rocketbook Everlast smart reusable notebook Anti-theft laptop bag External hard drive Laptop tray with fans Folding Bluetooth keyboard Wi-Fi range extender Portable phone charger Why are gadgets useful for students? Gadgets serve many purposes; they make our lives easier, help us stay connected with the world, and make significant life decisions. From helping with homework to traveling the world, gadgets are useful, for students for education, learning, and life experiences. What are some fun gadgets? Here are some fun gadgets for students: FitbitSmartphone or TabletLaptop or PCNoise Cancellation Headphones

Getting into one of the best film schools in the world is no joke. But once you get through, you can expect future rewards of fame and recognition in the movie industry. Choosing the best school for you is a task that you cannot afford to take lightly because you have to consider not only the school's international ranking but also its faculty, departments, courses, and the practical equipment available. Another critical factor is the tuition fee and the cost of living, particularly in the case of global education. Choose a school that will set you up for a career with great returns because film studies courses are anything but cheap. Here is a list. Best Film Schools in the World 1. USC School of Cinematic Arts, USA Located in Los Angeles, USC or the University of South California School of Cinematic Arts is unanimously considered the best in the country, funded by the likes of George Lucas. With its million-dollar funds, it can afford to provide students and research scholars with luxury amenities like an IMAX theatre and labs. USC School of Cinematic Arts is also one of the oldest. It was founded in 1929 along with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  The School has many divisions including Cinema & Media Studies, Film & Television Production, John Wells Division of Writing for Screen & Television, John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts, Interactive Media & Games, Media Arts and Practice, and Peter Stark Producing Program. It offers a range of courses in film studies including BA, BFA, and MFA. Various renowned film directors, cinematographers, animators, producers, researchers, and so on, form the alumni of this film school.  2. National Film and Television School, UK National Film and Television School, popularly known as NFTS, has been ranked as UK’s best for many years. Despite being located on the outskirts of Northwestern London, NFTS is quite famous amongst film scholars. It was established in 1971 and stands out amongst the film schools in the UK because of its amazing curriculum.  The well-known American e-mag The Hollywood Reporter has listed NFTS among the best international film schools in the world in 2021. Among the alumni of NFTS is David Yates, the director of the Harry Potter movies. Other than offering a good number of specialized PG courses, it also offers diploma and certificate courses.   3. American Film Institute, USA American Film Institute is undoubtedly the best one in all of LA and definitely one of the top 5 film schools in the world. If you are aspiring to attend the coolest film school in the world, AFI is the answer to your prayers. It offers you the opportunity to produce your own short projects during your course. If these works are extraordinarily good, you also get the opportunity to meet legends like Steve McQueen for personal training in the art of filmmaking.   AFI was established as a film organization in 1965 to train budding American filmmakers in motion picture arts and runs on private funding. David Lynch, who is known for his critically acclaimed works, also has a special inclination toward this film school. 4. Beijing Film Academy, China  Beijing Film Academy or BFA is the most sought-after film school in all of Asia. BFA started a small institution called the Performance Art Institution of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture in 1950. But by 1956, the name was changed to Beijing Film Academy. Currently, it is one of the largest film schools in the world. Film Industries are witnessing exponential growth in Asia and this makes BFA a great choice. Also, personalities like James Cameron have been part of it as visiting fellows. The curriculum is vast with Bachelor’s, Master and associate courses in various areas like film theory, directing, producing, acting, animation art, cinematography, sound art, and scriptwriting among others.  5. La Fémis, France La Fémis connects one to the rich history of filmmaking which began with the Lumiere brothers in 1894. This French institution is based in Paris on the very site of the Pathé studios which is where filmmaking itself originated.  La Fémis has produced famous filmmakers in the past who have made history at the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival as well and Venice Film Festival. It even precedes the Tisch School of the Arts of New York City and China’s BFA in being one of the most rewarded schools worldwide. The main curriculum is a self-designed 4-year course based on a fine balance of theory and praxis.  Best Film Schools in India Film and Television Institute of India, Pune   Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata   National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad   Whistling Woods International, Mumbai   Ramesh Sippy Academy of Cinema and Entertainment, Mumbai   Asian Academy of Film and Television   LV Prasad Film and TV Academy, Chennai   Centre for Research in Art of Film and Television (CRAFT), Delhi   The ICE Institute   KR Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts   Kalapurnam Institute of Visual Effects and Animation    Best Film Schools in Europe London Film School   National Film and Television School   Academy of Performing Arts’ Film and TV School   La Femis   Lodz Film School   London Metropolitan University Sir’s John CASS Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design   University of Television and Film Munich   National Film School, Italy   National Film School of Denmark   Norwegian Film School   Screen Academy Scotland   University of the Arts London’s College of Communication   Russian State University of Cinematography   FAQs Which is the best film school in the world?   The Los Angeles Film School, California   Toronto Film School   Vancouver Film School   London Film School   Academy of Performing Arts Film and TV School   La Femis   Lodz Film School   Beijing Film Academy   Which is the hardest film school to get into?   One of the hardest film schools to get into is the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Only 3% of applicants are admitted to the School of Cinematic Arts.   Which college has the best film school?   American Film Institute   California Institute of the Arts   Chapman University   Columbia University    Emerson College   Loyola Marymount University   New York University   University of California, Los Angeles   Which country has the best film schools in the world?   The United Kingdom tops the list as it has some of the best film schools in the world. Reputed universities and award-winning alumni from the best universities in the UK make it a most sought-after destination for film studies.   Conclusion Preparing to get admission to one of the best film schools in the world can feel like a full-time job in itself. Knowing the basics about these schools is a good start to that journey. Once you are aware of what you are signing up for, you can attain more determination and tenacity for realizing your dreams. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

The Indian markets recovered and boomed in November 2021, followed by a sharp decline of 9-10% from January 2022 until June 2022. The fall continued, with the single most significant fall of 2.5% in September 2022. Investors have been cautious about what the D-street will offer them during Samvat 2079 Muhurat. Let us see how the market has performed for every Samvat Samvat se Samvat Tak - Nifty performance Note: According to the Hindu Calendar, the Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. Hence, when the Gregorian is in 2022, it is the beginning of Vikram Samvat 2079, which will be post-Diwali next week Source: Economic Times, EduFund Research For global equities, Samvat 2078 turned out to be a challenging year, given headwinds including rate hikes, the energy crisis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, continued supply disruptions, outflows from foreign investors, and heightened inflation.  What does the index indicate this Diwali?  India’s equity market is likely to outperform its global peers in the upcoming Hindu year of Samvat 2079. This will be on the back of improving corporate earnings. Cumulative profits of the top 500 companies as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) hit an 11-year high of 4.3 percent in 2021-22 (FY22). This has been a positive sign of revival after the massive destruction caused by COVID-19.  Corporate earnings to GDP ratio – an all-time high for India with a sharp rebound post-COVID.Note: According to the Hindu Calendar, the Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar Gregorian calendar. Thus, when we are in 2022, it is the beginning of Samvat 2079 which is after Diwali next week. Source: Economic Times, EduFund Research   Going by the GST and advance tax collections, for the second quarter of FY 2023, the aggregate revenue for the Nifty 50 companies is likely to witness a healthy double-digit growth of up to 20% year-on-year. This will be a massive improvement for the seventh quarter in a row and will be led by strong credit offtake. A revival in private capital expenditure due to stocking up of goods before the festive season.   Amid inflation concerns and higher input costs in India, some of the factors which have worked well for the Indian economy are healthy GST collections, the highest GDP growth in the Asian region, an above-normal monsoon, and strong earnings. These factors are likely to keep the economy in better shape when compared to other emerging economies, particularly at a time when there is a lot of uncertainty around the global market.   On the FII and DII movement, the market has seen a heavy withdrawal in 2022 particularly in Q1 and Q2 of CY 2022 due to non-competitive interest rates, geo-political issues, inability to beat inflation, and better return opportunities in other markets. However, the FIIs generally love pouring money during Muhurat trading due to its favorable market conditions and there have been signs of declining FII withdrawal from the Indian market in Q3. This is likely to provide the much-needed impetus to the Indian market.  How has the FII/DII participated in the market?  Note: Net Purchase / Sales of FII/DII in Cash Source: Moneycontrol How are the valuations?  With the recent correction in the market, and the improving earnings of India Inc. the valuation as defined by the P/E ratio has fallen in line with the long-term average for CY22. This makes the market more attractive from a long-term investor point of view. Note: Simple Average is taken for the yearly P/E ratio Source: Nifty PE Ratio, EduFund Research  Particularly for 2022 after April, the valuations have been becoming attractive owing to improving earnings and also correction in the market.  Note: Data for Nov and Dec 2022 is not available Source: Nifty PE Ratio, EduFund Research   What should you do?  The Indian markets have faced a significant hit and have performed the worst in September 2022 due to rising inflation and interest rate hikes. However, we believe any correction in the market is inevitable and should be used as an opportunity to acquire more units of investment to make the most of the opportunity.   The Indian benchmarks are currently trading at rich levels, and we have an optimistic view with regard to the Indian economy’s growth. This is primarily due to the reforms the government and the Central Bank are taking to beat the rising inflation and improve private capex. Additionally, we are bullish that several multinational companies have been moving their units from China to India, with Apple starting its facility in India.   Having said this, one cannot ignore the harsh reality of high inflation, declining currency value, and rising geopolitical issues with tensions between the US and North Korea and Russia and Ukraine. Also, with a high probability of another rate hike by the US Fed later this year and the depreciating rupee, Indian inflation is likely to stay high next year.   Thus, it would help if you focused on single names that perform well in a volatile environment and are undervalued, as highly valued stocks are less likely to perform during periods of inflation and high-interest rates. For investors who are less adaptable to a volatile environment, mutual funds work the best, particularly in the hybrid category with a dynamic asset allocation approach.  DisclaimerThe Content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this content constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, or endorsement. Please consult your advisor before investing. Mutual Funds are subject to risk, read the offer documents carefully before investing.

To guarantee a bright financial future for your kids, you must have a solid financial strategy. It's crucial to base your investments on the aspirations of your children and anticipated cash flow needs. In this blog, we have discussed the key milestones to plan for your child's investment plans. School When budgeting and preparing their investment for their child's education, parents should expect the primary school tuition price, and expenses like uniforms, books, extracurricular activities, transport fees, yearly vacations, picnics, etc., to be between (INR 1.25 - 2 lakh per year). Higher Education While planning for your child's higher education The yearly cost of study and living is the first and most important element that one has to take into account before enrolling in college. Universities offer housing on their campuses for both domestic and international students. However, if the institution you have selected to attend does not provide this amenity, you may simply obtain personal accommodations. Following are the estimated costs of studying UG and PG courses from India and abroad:  Govt Colleges in India will cost around Rs 5-6 lakhs. Private Colleges in India will cost around Rs 8-10 lakhs. Studying Abroad can cost up to INR 1 crore. Marriage Although it is stated that marriages are created in paradise, they take place on Earth and require a lot of money to make them memorable. You arrange your "Big Day" to be a special occasion for both you and the family that attend the ceremony. The Indian wedding market is presently worth over Rs. 1,000 crores and is expanding quickly, at a pace of 25–30% annually. The average cost of a wedding in India ranges from INR 20 lakhs to 5 crores. According to estimates, the average Indian spends one-fifth of his lifetime earnings on his wedding. Also, you need to assemble a skilled team, including event planners, florists, caterers, and fashion designers, to make your special day extraordinary. Therefore, before investing in a child investment plan, you must make plans for each of these milestones for your children. Below, we have included the investment strategy and several investment options for your kid's future. Investment strategy for children's investment plan List specific goals upfront, such as the child's preferred education and related costs. After paying all of your regular costs, you'll be able to estimate how much you can afford and how much you'll need to set aside each month. However, you must remember that loans can also be utilized to fund your education. As a result, you do not have to sacrifice other expenditures like healthcare and retirement to save for your child's education. As the financial goal approaches, reduce your stock exposure to lessen the likelihood of adverse market changes. Different investment options for your child Fixed deposits and other traditional products might not be enough to cover your child's college costs. Other products like equities funds, balanced funds, and shares should be taken into account. You can select one of the following investment strategies depending on your time frame: The best option is debt mutual funds if your child will need the money within five years. Such funds can provide liquidity while producing returns that are more than the rate of inflation. You can mix several financial products for long-term aims. You have the option of investing in gold, stocks, and debt. Although exposure to the stock market is hazardous, investing in equities allows investors to generate larger profits over the long run. PPF is one of the greatest investment options for financing a child's education. To establish a sizable corpus, you must begin this early and invest steadily. Numerous insurance providers provide a range of kid-focused solutions. When your child needs the money to pursue further education, you may choose to implement more mature policies. FAQ Which investment is good for a child's future? When your child is still small and you have at least 15 to 20 years till retirement, it is excellent to begin investing in equities mutual funds. This enables you to withstand shocks like stock market collapses and volatility. Why is future planning important for children? The best way to guarantee money for your children's future needs is through child plans. Many modern plans come with a variety of features that can help you develop your assets and ensure that your kids have money for college. Without having to deal with the pressure of a large investment, you may frequently make little investments. When is the best time to buy a child's education plan? Generally speaking, it is best to get a kid's education plan as soon as possible. This is so that you can leverage the benefits of compounding if your investment has more time to develop.  Investment plans for children help you and your child prepare financially for growing education costs, unanticipated illnesses, and bad circumstances. Planning for your child's future must begin as soon as feasible. This spreads out the risks involved and gives your assets more time to flourish TALK TO AN EXPERT

Investing is no longer regarded as affluent. It has become a necessity to secure one’s future. Let’s compare LIC vs Mutual Fund to help you decide which is the better choice for you. What are LIC plans? The government owns the insurance and investment company Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). It satisfies individual insurance needs by providing customized policies. LIC is a pioneer in the insurance sector and one of the oldest providers of life insurance. A family is protected by life insurance from unanticipated occurrences like death. It aids in safeguarding a family's financial future. The main goal of life insurance is to provide "death benefits" to the dependents in the event that the family's breadwinner passes away too soon. Benefits under LIC plans The benefits covered under LIC insurance are as follows: Risk coverage: The greatest benefit of LIC insurance plans is that it provide risk coverage. It helps you with finances during traumatic events like unplanned death and ensures your loved ones are taken care of financially in such a situation. Financial security: It provides you with financial security. It reassures you that your loved ones are protected and secured. Building financial corpus: It helps you build a financial corpus that can help you secure your family's needs and wants in the future. It safeguards their financial needs to the fullest. Tax benefits: The LIC covered to INR 1.5 lakhs per annum is completely tax-free under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. What are Mutual Funds? A common kind of investing, mutual funds aggregate client funds to invest in a variety of securities, including stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. Mutual funds are governed by the Securities Exchange and Board of India (SEBI). Investors have access to expert fund management via mutual funds. The investment decisions are made by the fund management team after careful consideration of the fund's goal. This skilled management enables assets like bank savings accounts and fixed deposits to outperform more conventional ones. Mutual funds come in two basic varieties: equity and debt mutual funds. Equity-related products and equity are the main investments of equity mutual funds. Large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, multi-cap, sectoral or thematic, tax-saving, etc., are a few of the several types of equity funds. Debt mutual funds, on the other hand, invest in corporate bonds, government securities, and other financial products. Liquid funds, dynamic bond funds, short-term and ultra-short-term funds, and others are some of the several forms of debt mutual funds. Benefits of Mutual Funds The following advantages are included with mutual funds: Proper fund management: Mutual Funds are managed by professionals and reputed companies like Asset Management Funds. They carry out extensive research and time the market to ensure that the fund performs well. Easy to Invest: Mutual Funds are great for people looking for easy investments. Mutual funds are managed by fund managers which means you do not have to monitor the market or adjust your stocks. The manager makes all the necessary decisions to secure your money. SIP options available: You can start a SIP for Rs. 100 or 50,000! That is the biggest benefit of starting a SIP in a mutual fund, you can decide the amount when to debit the money, when to pause, and when it steps up the amount. Better returns: Mutual funds have the potential to beat the market and inflation. They give you better returns than your FD, PPF, or savings account. However, there are market risks that can affect your returns. Diverse categories for investment: There are different kinds of mutual funds that you can invest in. Equity, debt, and index funds to make the most of your savings. Affordable investments with easy payment options: Mutual funds are affordable. From a student to a risk-averse investor to a financial advisor, anyone can invest in mutual funds. Comparison of LIC vs Mutual Fund Following is the difference between mutual funds vs LIC plans FeaturesLIC Mutual FundsMeaningA pure protection strategy like life insurance will provide your family with financial security in the event of your untimely passing.A pool of investments from many institutions and people is what gives rise to the financial instrument known as mutual funds.PurposeA conventional life insurance policy's primary goal is to secure the financial future of the policyholder's family in the event of an unexpected death.Mutual funds' primary goal is to increase the return on your assets so that you may achieve your long-term financial objectives.LiquidityThrough its lending facility, it manages liquidityInvestors are always free to sell their shares.Risk involvedComparatively speaking, life insurance is less risky than the alternatives.The risk involved is substantial since investments made through mutual funds are susceptible to market hazards.TenureThe policy has an established policy tenure.The tenure of mutual funds is nonexistent. Any amount can be invested at any time.ReturnsReturns vary depending on the type of insurance but are often modest in comparison to investments.Long-term returns are much higherRider benefitThe policy has additional rider benefits.Mutual funds do not offer rider perks as such.DiversificationWhen you put all of your money into one plan, there is no way to diversify your investments.Mutual funds include a variety of securities, which broadens the investor's portfolio.Tax benefitsSection 80c of the Income Tax Act of 1961 exempts up to INR 1.50 lacs in premium payments from taxation.Only section 80c of the Income Tax Act of 1961 applies to ELSS mutual funds when it comes to tax exemptions. LIC vs Mutual fund. Which is better? Life insurance is a must. In the case of the insured's untimely death, it offers the family financial security. But investment is just as significant. It aids in the development of a corpus that enables one to live comfortably and achieve all of one's ambitions. People frequently mix up their needs for investments with insurance, which is a mistake.  Financial experts advise investing in mutual funds and purchasing term insurance for insurance needs as a cheaper alternative that will also contribute to long-term wealth growth. Since SEBI regulates mutual funds and also establishes an upper ceiling on the expense ratio, the costs are capped. Mutual funds also have the potential to provide better returns than life insurance plans with an investment option since they invest in a variety of asset classes. Each person has their own style of thinking and attitude while making investment plans. Some people desire financial security, whilst others desire higher returns. Before making any type of investment, including those in mutual funds or LIC policies, it's crucial to evaluate your financial situation. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

You may have already looked into financial advice for newlyweds if you're getting married or just engaged. Getting married may help you save money. The following are some financial tips on how to save money after marriage. 1. Set smart money goals To make sure you are making plans for both the now and the future, divide your financial goals into short, medium, and long-range categories. Your budget's general structure will be significantly influenced by your short, medium, and long-term financial objectives Short-term objectives include things like setting up a three to six-month emergency fund, paying off credit card debt, and preparing for a memorable vacation. These objectives normally take one or two years to accomplish. Medium-term objectives include paying off student loan debt, saving for a down payment on a home, and purchasing a new automobile outright. This might take ten years.  Saving for retirement is very important. It’s a long-term goal for which, you must invest and save a large portion of your working life’s income. The goal completion might take up to 40 year Additional read: 5 Financial Things to Consider Before Child Planning 2. Save for your children Although having children is a joyful experience, it is also costly. You should think about inflation, a greater quality of living, and growing school expenditures before deciding to have children. Quality education is the finest gift you can offer your child. However, even the most basic tuition nowadays is expensive. It becomes quite an expensive burden when you include extracurricular activities and additional coursework. By making wise investments, you can deal with education expenses and provide your child with the education they require. As your kid grows, these plans will create a nest egg for them, which they may use to help pay for their future wedding, higher schooling, or perhaps their own business. It will ensure the financial future of your child. 3. Consider having a joint account  While maintaining your individuality as a couple requires having separate accounts, it is also a good idea to have a combined account. You can both contribute money here each month to cover ordinary home expenditures like rent, bills, and food. This also makes it simpler to keep track of your individual and joint costs. 4. Create a spending plan Your spending plan turns the hypothetical financial situation that your budget depicts into reality. A spending plan fills in the blanks in your budget by outlining how you'll handle your costs and achieve your objectives.  When combining funds, it's extremely important to make sure you have a strategy in place to prevent misunderstandings and confusion. Regardless of your relationship state, those three aspects of personal money are crucial. However, you must establish some foundation before making judgments of that nature in a newly merged home. 5. Build an emergency fund Your engagement is a perfect moment to start saving for emergencies and paying off debt because you'll have to handle financial difficulties as a married couple. Make an effort to set away some cash each month to accumulate savings.  Try to keep three to six months' worth of spending in cash for emergencies. You may use the money to pay unforeseen bills and get through difficult times, like being laid off. Having the money saved up now can help you stay out of a lot of future financial trouble. Work on reducing your balances if you have debt, especially high-interest debt like credit card debt or pricey auto loans. You'll be putting yourself up for financial success if you can enter into your marriage debt-free and without any high-interest loans. 6. Always invest a portion of your income Investigate different investment opportunities that can help your money grow more, in addition to setting up an emergency fund and saving money in a bank. Choose equities, mutual funds, or VUL insurance, which combines investing and insurance. If your partner also has a job, you can invest their money. Buy fixed deposits, gold, PPFs, or even tax-saving bonds if you and your partner decide to invest in conservative financial products.  Also, if you and your partner decide to invest aggressively, you can pick an equity investment (stocks + equity mutual funds). You allocate a portion of the funds to debt and a portion to equity investments (This is called asset allocation). You may contact our professionals at EduFund, and they will assist you toward 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. Thus, there is no one method to handle your finances as a new couple, but with a little forethought, communication, and trust, you and your spouse may avoid financial arguments in your marriage. FAQs How can I save money after marriage? There are many ways to save money after marriage. Budgeting, creating short and long-term goal plans, investing a portion of your income towards mutual funds, and creating a source of passive income are some ways to save money after your marriage. It's important to create a financial plan or consult a financial advisor if you are thinking of saving for long-term goals like your child's education, buying a house, or saving for your retirement. What's the 50-30-20 budget rule? The 50-30-20 budget rule can help you save money and budget your expenses. It helps you divide your income into categories like 50% for spending, bills, and essential needs, 30% for wants and luxuries, and 20% for investments, savings, or paying off debt. How much money should a married couple save? How much money should you save as a couple depends on your financial wants and goals. Typically it's good to save and invest at least 10% of your income every month. However, you can assess your financial situation and budget after consulting a financial advisor. What are some ways to save after marriage? Here are some basic tips to save after marriage: Set smart money goals Save for your children's education Consider having a joint account Create a spending plan Build an emergency fund Always invest a portion of your income Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Given the rising cost of education, giving your children the best education possible should be your top priority as parents. By investing early in different child investment plans, you can create a sizable education corpus for all your child’s needs. Here are the different types of child investment plans. 1. Equity mutual funds When your child is still small and you have at least 15 to 20 years till retirement, it is excellent to begin investing in equities mutual funds. This enables you to withstand shocks like stock market collapses and volatility. Equity investing is not for everyone since it demands technical expertise and the capacity to keep current. To choose equities mutual funds is, therefore, the better option.  These are managed by professionals who are aware of how to choose the least hazardous stocks while still making sure that your money grows over time. You may put together a portfolio of equity mutual funds just for your child's schooling. When your child is 4 or 5 years old, you may accomplish this by creating an account specifically for children and choosing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in risky products like equities mutual funds. Then, when you and your child become older, you can take a more conservative approach. 2. Public provident fund (PPF) Parents continue to favor PPF even after the government lowered interest rates on provident fund accounts. Because you cannot take the corpus until the conclusion of the 15-year maturity period, PPF deposits promote discipline. You may build your corpus for educational purposes because the principle, interest, and total maturity amount are all tax-free. You may rest certain that your money is secure because the government backs PPFs. However, because PPFs' official interest rates have already decreased, relying only on them can result in a cash flow problem. Build your portfolio to provide larger returns to prevent this. For your child's future, choose a well-balanced investment portfolio that includes both PPFs and Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPS). 3. Direct Equity Direct equity, sometimes referred to as stock investing, is perhaps the most effective investment strategy. You get a stake in a company when you buy stock in it. You are personally responsible for funding the business's growth and advancement. You need to have the necessary time and market knowledge to make money from your investment. Publicly traded companies provide their stocks on reputable stock markets. Stocks are the finest long-term investments. You must actively manage your assets since several economic and commercial factors influence shares. You must also be aware that profits are not guaranteed, and you must be willing to assume the associated risks. 4. Fixed deposits Banks and other financial organizations provide FDs as one sort of investment. You earn a fixed rate of interest for a predetermined amount of time after making a deposit. Compared to mutual funds and equities, fixed deposits offer complete capital protection and guaranteed returns. You give in, though, since the rewards remain the same. The banks establish the interest rate on fixed deposits by the RBI's policy review decisions, and it changes depending on the status of the economy. Despite being typically locked-in investments, fixed deposits are commonly accepted as collateral for loans or overdraft facilities by investors. A fixed deposit with tax advantages and a 5-year lock-in is also available. 5. Employee provident fund The EPF is one of the investment vehicles geared toward retirement, and it enables salaried individuals to take advantage of a tax credit under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act of 1961. EPF contributions are often provided by the employer in addition to employee deductions that are typically made as a percentage of monthly wages. Once it reaches maturity, the EPF withdrawal corpus is entirely tax-free. The Indian government also determines the EPF rates each quarter and provides a guarantee on your EPF deposits. 6. National pension system The National Pension System is a more modern alternative for tax-saving investments (NPS). NPS plan subscribers must stay committed until retirement and can anticipate higher returns than those from PPF or EPF. This is true since the NPS offers plan choices that include stock investments. A portion of the tax-exempt NPS maturity corpus must be utilized to purchase an annuity that will give the investor a regular pension. 7. US stocks By purchasing US stocks, you may gain exposure to the most well-known brands, like Nike, Starbucks, and other well-known companies like Tech Giants Google, and Apple. These businesses are well-known and present around the world. You may diversify your portfolio by investing in such businesses. Over the previous five years, the US dollar has increased. You acquire US Dollars when you invest in US stocks. When these assets are kept for a lengthy period, the value of your investment rises about the USD exchange rate. Investment plans for children help you and your child prepare financially for growing education costs, unanticipated illnesses, and bad circumstances. Planning for your child's future must begin as soon as feasible. This spreads out the risks involved and gives your assets more time to flourish Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

Entrance exams are fundamental for advancing in a profession, and sometimes the more expensive the career exam, the more rewarding it proves for your professional life. If you want to know about “what are the most expensive career exams to take”, then you have come to the right place as this blog is going to deal with this query. Entrance exam in India with fees Career exams from reputed universities help you in creating a successful career path. Even education counselors recommend admission to popular universities as it helps in achieving desired career goals.  The most expensive career exams are in engineering, law, medicine, arts, and management. Let us go through some of them to get a clear picture of the cost of appearing in such exams. 1. GMAT The GMAT exam is for students who want to pursue an MBA course abroad. The cost of GMAT exams is $275 (INR 22,588.50) GST inclusive for Indian students. It is applicable for both online and offline exams.  2. JEE (AIEEE) Since the year 2014, AIEEE has been replaced with JEE exams. These are conducted in two stages, JEE Main and JEE Advanced, for admission to engineering colleges all over India.   3. JEE Main The cost of JEE Main entrance exams in India is INR 650 per paper for boys and INR 325 per paper for girls of the General category, and INR 325 per paper for both boys and girls of SC/ST/PWD/Transgender categories.  For outside India, the cost is INR 3,000/paper for boys and INR 1,500/paper for girls of the General category, and INR 1500/paper for both boys and girls of SC/ST/PWD/Transgender categories.  4. JEE Advanced The total cost of JEE Advanced is INR 2600 + GST for boys of the General category and INR 1300 + GST for boys of SC/ST/PWD/Transgender categories. Female students belonging to any category do not have to pay the fees.  5. NLU (CLAT)  NLU or the National Law Universities conduct CLAT for BBA LLB, BA LLB, LLM, etc.  The cost of the exams for both boys and girls in the General/OBC/PWD/PIO/NRI/OCI category is INR 4,000 and for boys and girls in SC/BPL/ST categories is INR 3,500. Students who want to receive the previous year's question papers have to pay another INR 500.  6. BITSAT Students appearing for BITSAT are eligible for several courses like B.E, BPharma, and M.Sc at BITS Pilani Campuses. The cost of the career exams is INR 3,400 for boys and INR 2,900 for girls for one session and INR 5,400 for boys and, INR 4,400 for girls for both sessions.   7. GATE GATE is a qualifying exam for admission to PG courses in IITs and IISc. The cost of this career exam is INR 850 for female students and students of SC/ST/PWD categories and INR 1700 for all other applicants. If the exam center is in Dhaka and Kathmandu, the cost is $100 (INR 8,214), and for Dubai and Singapore, it is $200 (INR 16,428).  8. CAT CAT or Common Admission Test are conducted by IIMs for admission to Post Graduate, Executive Education, and Doctoral programs. The cost of appearing in CAT is INR 2,300 for both male and female students in the General/NC/OBC categories and INR 1150 for SC/ST/PWD categories.  9. GPAT The NTA conducts the GPAT career exams for admission to MPharma courses. The cost is INR 2,000 for boys and INR 1,000 for girls in the General category, and INR 1,000 for students of Gen-EWS/Sc/ST/OBC/PWD/Transgender categories.  10. NEET-UG NEET UG replaced AIPMT and is now conducted by NTA for admission to the medical institutes in India for MBBS. The cost of appearing in NEET-UG for boys and girls of the General category is INR 1,600, for General-EWS/OBC-NCL category is INR 1,500 and for SC/ST/PWD/Third Gender categories is INR 900.   Conclusion The most expensive career exams are a challenge at the beginning, no doubt because you need to pay a huge amount of money just to appear for these exams. But once they get through and complete the course, the candidates can expect a good job with a good salary.  The education counselors on the Edufund App offer one-on-one guidance to simplify information and clear all the doubts about your dream university and career exams across regions and domains all over India and abroad. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

“How much money do you need for major entrance exams” is an important query that students need to know about before preparing for the examinations.  The entrance examination is the gateway into postgraduate, undergraduate, and professional degree courses. Most colleges or universities require students to sit in the entrance exams to evaluate their academic capabilities and aptitude.  Students who manage to score well in the entrance exams become qualified for the next round in the selection process. This increases their chances of getting admitted to the prospective school. Entrance exams are not free as the students have to pay a specific amount as fees for getting the application form and taking part in the preliminary exams. What is an entrance exam? Entrance exams are conducted by educational institutions or authorized independent bodies like NTA to select deserving students for admission into a specific study course or stream. These are competitive in nature and often held at national levels for all the students living in India, and some cases for Indian students living abroad. Major entrance exams in India with fees Entrance exams are conducted for different types of fields in India like engineering, management, medicine, science, law, fashion, etc. What are the important entrance exams and how much money do you need for some of the major entrance exams are discussed in this section.   1. Medical Examinations - National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) NEET-UG is conducted on an all-India level for admission to all the medical institutes in India for MBBS and BDS courses. The competitive entrance exam is conducted by NTA once a year.  The application fee for students belonging to the General category is INR 1,600, for General-EWS/OBC-NCL category is INR 1,500, and for SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender is INR 900. For students outside India, the fee is INR 8,500 irrespective of the category they belong to.  2. Engineering - Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) The JEE Main exam is held on a national level and conducted by the National Testing Agency or NTA for admissions to engineering colleges in India. On average 25,000 seats for engineering and architecture are filled through these entrance exams. For exam centers in India, the application fees for the JEE Main entrance exams Paper 1 and Paper 2B is INR 650 per paper for boys and INR 325 per paper for girls belonging to the General student category and INR 325 per paper for both boys and girls belonging to SC/ST/PwD/Transgender categories.  If the exam center is outside India then the application fee is INR 3,000/paper for boys and INR 1,500/paper for girls belonging to the General category and INR 1500/paper for both boys and girls belonging to SC/ST/PwD/Transgender categories.  3. Law - CLAT or Common Law Admission Test The National Law Universities in India offer admission to both Postgraduate (PG) and Undergraduate (UG) Law Programmes through CLAT. It is a national-level entrance exam conducted once a year for various courses like BBA LLB, BA LLB, LLM, etc.  The application fee for General/OBC/PWD/PIO/NRI/OCI applicants is INR 4,000 and for SC/BPL/ST categories is INR 3,500. Candidates interested in question papers from previous years will have to pay an additional INR 500 irrespective of their category. 4. Management Entrance Exams - CAT or Common Admission Test IIMs conduct a management aptitude test called CAT to evaluate and select students for the post-graduate program. It is a national-level entrance examination held once a year and is open for all graduates who wish to get admission to management programs and business administration courses. The application fee for CAT is INR 2,300.  5. Film and Television Entrance Examinations  - Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED) The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay conducts CEED for applicants who wish to get admission to the Master of Design and Ph.D. Programs. The application fees for the qualifying examination are INR 1,800 for women in the General category, INR 1,800 for SC/ST/PwD categories, and 3,600 for all other candidates plus the applicable GST for all categories.  - National School of Drama (NSD) Screening Test The NSD Screening Test is conducted for admission to the Diploma program in Acting and Theatre Techniques and Design. The online application fee is INR 50 but if applicants choose offline mode along with the prospectus then they will have to pay INR 225.  Conclusion  By now you have got the answer to your query “How much money do you need for major entrance exams”. This will prove helpful in determining the amount of money a student will have to pay for entering into a specific stream. TALK TO AN EXPERT