8 small steps that will help you save big

Even seemingly small tweaks can have a significant impact on your savings over the long term. ET Wealth shows you how.Don’t buy a term plan to cover retirementThis is how much a 35-year-old non-smoker male will pay to buy a Rs 1-crore term plan from Max Life Insurance. Age now 35 years 35 years Tenure 20 years 40 years Age at maturity 55 years 75 years Annual premium (Rs) 9,204 14,514 Total outgo (Rs) 1.84 lakh 5.81 lakh Smart tip: A life cover is meant to replace your income and provide for your dependants in case of your death. Therefore, it is not needed after retirement. If you wish to leave behind a legacy, create a kitty over time instead.Be a 'least risky' borrower for banksFor a salaried, male taking a Rs 75-lakh MCLR-based home loan with a 20-year tenure from SBI. Risk group 1 4 Home loan interest rate 8.65% 8.75% Interest outgo 82.92 lakh 84.07 lakh Savings on interest outgo* 1.15 lakh - Smart tip: While banks use their internal risk scoring mechanism to categorise borrowers, credit score is a key parameter. Borrowers with CIBIL credit scores of over 750 are considered least risky. Ensure you pay your credit card bills, EMIs and utility bills on time to boost your score.Hike EMI nominally when interest rates go up*Savings compared to higher interest outgo if EMI was not hiked. 70922097 Buy a longer term health coverFor a Rs 5 lakh cover with unlimited recharge from Religare Health Age 40 years 41 years One-year premium (Rs) 7,386 9,103 Premium over 2 years if one does not lock into current rates at 40 16,849 - Premium for 2 yrs if paid at one go at 40 (Rs) 13,665 - Savings* 3,184 (23.27%) - Smart tip: Your premium will rise steeply as you turn 41, as the age slab will change. You can save by buying a two- or three-year cover, by locking into the current slab’s premium. You can also pocket longer-tenure premium discount by paying at one go.Invest in direct plans of mutual fundsRs 2-lakh invested in an equity fund yielding 12% gross per annum with a 20-year investment horizon. Age Regular plan Direct plan Expense ratio 1.75% 1.25% Final corpus after 20 years (Rs) 14.08 lakh 15.41 lakh Difference (Rs) - 1.33 lakh Smart tip: Investing through direct plans of mutual funds can make a substantial difference to your final corpus.Don’t surrender Ulip in the fourth yearSurrender charges in year 4: Rs 2,000Surrender charges year 5 onwards: NilSmart tip: Don't surrender Ulip after paying premiums in the fourth year. Hold on for a year. This will save you discontinuance charges, especially if you can afford to pay premium for another year.Good health saves you moreAnnual premium for a 35-year-old healthy individual: Rs 6,300Annual premium for diabetes* patient: Rs 8,190Assuming a loading of 30% on the health insurance premium payable. *For a Rs 5 lakh coverSmart tip: Premium loading depends on the insurer. It can range from 30-300%, as per Wellthy Therapeutics. Final premium depends on multiple factors.Auto pay bills to avoid late charges Utility Late payment fee (Rs) MTNL 20 MSEB 70# Mahanagar Gas 100 Credit card 800* Total 990 *For outstanding amount of Rs 10,000-25,000 if not paid on due date; could vary as per bank and card #For a bill amount of Rs 3,230.Smart tip: Missing utility and credit card bill payments for a month could result in sizeable penalty outgo. Instead, opt for billpay and issue standard instructions for credit card bill payment to avoid these charges.

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