Dividend Investing: Passive Income or a Trap? How to Do It Right in 2025
Why dividends are attractive Where investors get trapped What to analyze beyond yield A practical approach FAQs
Why dividends are attractive Where investors get trapped What to analyze beyond yield A practical approach FAQs
How inflation reduces savings value Inflation increases prices over time, so cash parked at low rates loses buying power; the gap between savings yields and inflation is the “inflation drag,” which compounds into large losses over years. Real return is the inflation‑adjusted gain: Real Return = (1+Nominal)÷(1+Inflation)−1(1+Nominal)÷(1+Inflation)−1; subtracting inflation is a rough shortcut, but the exact
Deductible basics A deductible is the initial amount paid by the policyholder on a covered claim; after this threshold, the insurer pays according to policy terms, and premiums typically fall as deductibles rise because risk‑sharing increases. Health deductibles generally reset annually, while auto and home deductibles apply per claim and are subtracted from the settlement
What digital gold gets right Where it falls short Better long-term alternatives When digital gold can make sense A quick decision guide FAQs
When BNPL makes sense Where BNPL backfires BNPL vs. credit cards Safer ways to use BNPL Red flags to watch FAQs
The 4‑step decision Why the 6% threshold? Analysis suggests that when expected portfolio returns and tax advantages are weighed, paying off debts above roughly 6%6% tends to beat investing unmatched dollars for many savers; below that, investing may produce better long‑run outcomes, especially for those far from retirement. Adjust this threshold up or down depending on risk
Health insurance pitfalls Term life insurance mistakes Cost‑saving fixes to implement now FAQs
Why the brain loves “buy now” How marketers tilt the field Why “good intentions” fail Even disciplined planners succumb when present bias meets high-arousal cues—the momentary value swamps future considerations, leading to time-inconsistent choices that earlier selves wouldn’t endorse. Real-time personalization makes this worse by targeting precisely when susceptibility spikes, shrinking the window for rational
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The biggest score drags How long negatives last Most derogatory items remain for seven years; Chapter 7 bankruptcy can last ten years, while hard inquiries typically affect scores for up to two years with the impact fading sooner. Late-payment damage is front‑loaded—largest initially, then diminishing as new positive history accumulates over months and years. Fastest
Quick definitions Which is better? When to choose each A practical hybrid Start with a 60–90 day snowball to clear two or three smallest balances, then switch to avalanche to maximize savings—this can combine motivation with math without materially delaying payoff when APRs are spread out. Keep minimums on all debts, automate payments, and channel
What a credit report includes A credit report is a detailed file of credit accounts and activity compiled by bureaus such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion (India: CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, CRIF Highmark), used by lenders to evaluate risk and price loans. Although layouts differ by bureau, the core sections are consistent: personal information, credit accounts,