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The countdown to meet our financial goals has begun. <keyword id="25456" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-planning">Financial planning</keyword> is usually not our most well-thought-out decision as often our primary focus is saving tax. And, though it should play a key role, just saving tax is not necessarily the best way to go about it. The constant need to save tax instead of planning finances methodically, often leads to lack of liquid funds in times of need. It is, therefore, critical that you strike a balance between your long-term and short-term goals. 
 
This new year, make your savings work double time: save tax and get best possible returns. Here, are a few financial instruments in which you can park your money for long-term investment and ensure quick access to funds, if required. 
 
1. <keyword id="114852" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-Provident-Fund">Public Provident Fund</keyword> (PPF): PPFs top every investor’s list, and they should. The Budget 2014-15 made this scheme even more attractive by increasing the annual investment limit to Rs 1.5 lakhs. This scheme is a safe investment option for all, whether salaried or self-employed. The downside, however, is that it is a long-term saving with a lock-in period of 15 years. Further, you can withdraw money from the fund from the 7th year onward and that too only 50% of the balance. 
 
2. National Savings Certificate (NSC): Post offices issue NSCs as a small savings scheme. You can invest in either 5-year or 10-year NSCs. One great advantage offered by NSCs is that there is no upper limit to the amount you want to invest, though tax benefits will be available on an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh or lower only. 
 
3. Unit-linked <keyword id="35450" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="insurance">Insurance</keyword> Plan (ULIP): It is a long-term savings scheme that doesn’t offer much flexibility or decision-making to the investor. You invest for a period of 10-12 years, with a lock-in period of 5 years. Although <keyword id="6362086" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ulips">ULIPs</keyword> allow you to switch between equity and debt, your profits depend on the financial expertise of your fund planner. On the upside, ULIPs provide the investor with a life cover. 
 
4. Equity-linked Savings Scheme (ELSS): It is flexible with respect to investment duration, with a lock-in period of three years. There is no maximum limit to the amount you can invest in an ELSS, and investment of up to Rs 1.5 lakhs offers tax benefits. One of the many benefits of an ELSS is that no tax is levied on withdrawing your investment after the lock-in period. 
 
5. National <keyword id="6354432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="pension">Pension</keyword> Scheme (NPS): NPS is the cheapest market-linked retirement option as the annual fund management charges are a maximum of 0.25% of the amount invested. Your minimum investment criterion will vary according to the tier you are grouped in. You can invest in any one of the three types of NPS funds and divide your corpus according to your risk-taking ability. 
 
6. Post Office Time Deposit (POTD) scheme: It is primarily a small saving scheme, with the duration ranging from 1 year to 5 years. You can earn an interest of about 8.50%, depending upon your investment period. Though the interest is paid annually, it is compounded quarterly. Further, you can now exit the scheme after 6 months, which makes it a handy investment option. 
 
7. Banks’ Fixed Deposits (FDs): Banks offer 5-year FDs that serve the dual purpose of saving tax and investing money safely. You can invest a minimum of Rs 100 and a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakhs. Banks offer interest rate of 8%-9.75%, depending on the bank you choose. However, the interest earned on the fixed deposits is fully taxable. 
Plan now and save for that rainy day. 
 
 
 
(About the author: The article has been written by By Naveen Kukreja, Director, Paisabazaar.com) 
 
Image: Thinkstock

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