How ‘Well’ Do You Do?

Just when you think you were doing your best to make ends meet, somebody moved the ends! Life is tough between paying bills, buying a house, paying off debt, providing food and clothing and not to forget all that jazz comprising the paraphernalia of our modern day living. Controlling your expenditure, managing your debt and a wee bit of judicious financial planning today can pave the way for realizing your long-term financial goals, be it paying off your credit cards, saving for a special abroad trip, or financing your child's education.

Wondering where all the money disappears within the first week of pay day? Of course, you squander it! It is a natural tendency to spend more than we earn, thanks to all the credit cards that have secured their permanent seats in our wallets, various easy-loan schemes and pay-in-installment facilities. Month-end catches us in a sticky situation. Our tentative financial planning goes for a toss and the mounting bills put a large semi-colon in our ambition to save money for the down-payment of our dream apartment in the posh high-rise. Medical emergencies compel us to scrounge money from children’s funds and daughter’s marriage forces us let go of our dream holiday we’ve been saving for a decade.

Financial planning is undoubtedly very crucial in life. Early planning can save you from a lot of financial impediments at a later stage. That said, saving money should be fun, not a bog-down! Do you want it to be easy? Here are some fair-weather tips on how to be financially disciplined and happy.

Start budgeting: You have a fixed income and mostly a fixed monthly expense. Start setting aside money for bigger investments and purchases like house down payment, sudden medical emergencies and retirement. The remainder is your disposable income. Have a budget and plan your lifestyle accordingly.

Understand your credit report: It is important to know where you stand. Hence, acquire a thorough understanding of your credit report and free yourself from debt in a planned way.
Pay time on time: Pay your bills on time. Thanks to online banking options, paying bills has become convenient and quick. Set up reminders if you have multiple accounts. Remember, the payment dates and ensure you have enough funds in your account so that you don’t end up paying off hefty fine amounts.

Pay down your debt: High EMIs are a pain and you don’t really want to pay double the money, unnecessarily. Think over your plans. Save enough money for bigger down payments so that you do not need to let go off whopping amounts as monthly installments later.

Have short term financial goals: Determine your short term goals – major expenses, savings, pay-offs and also the amount you need to keep aside every month. Stick to them. You will be amazed at the amount of money you save at the end of the term.

Collect and use coupons: That’s what they are for! Collect all discount coupons. Organize them by store name, expiry date, and value used etc .and take them along when you are out shopping next. Trust us, coupons help you save big, big money!

Shop at discount stores: Why spend a fortune for something that is available at half the price? Make a shopping list and hit the stores that offer discounts.

Organize all your financial documents: Create a file folder for all your expenses, insurance, assets, income and liabilities. In this folders put everything associated to that file – rent papers, fuel, electricity and grocery bills, taxation papers, et al and determine how much you spend in each category monthly. Create a balance sheet with your incomes in one column and expenditure in another. This practice will give you a clearer idea about where all your money actually goes and how do you need to balance the income-expenditure equation!

Find fun ways to reduce costs: Watch matinee show movies. Stay fit; cut on (or lessen) dine-outs. Spend quality time with family over coffee at home instead of at a coffee shop. Most importantly, remember to leave your credit cards at home.

Follow the 3Rs: The 3Rs stand for risk evaluation, risk assessment and risk management. Consider worst-case scenarios and have a back-up plan. What possible difficulties may arise while inheriting wealth, planning your finances, an accident or in the case of an unexpected turmoil? Develop management strategies to handle all the implications of a risk that may hamper your finance management plan.

Stop visiting convenience stores: Convenience stores are a myth. Convenience equals to inflated costs. Mineral water costing Rs. 13 at a local store costs Rs. 20 at a convenience store.

Get into a plan: Do you really need all that you are paying for? Start availing plans instead of paying higher charge for ‘unlimited benefits’ that you would never avail. Cell phone and internet are a case in point. Similarly, if you have a magazine that you buy fairly regularly, subscribe to it. Paying a one-time annual subscription fee will be more cost effective. Don’t carry all your money in your wallet or purse because you will end up spending all of it. Take as little money as possible. Sometimes it helps just to take change rather than notes.

Do away with credit cards: Okay, just keep one credit card! They are evil enticers that only egg you on to spend more and more money only to leave banks and credit card companies feast on whatever little remains in your coffers. Moreover, paying in cash makes you realize that you are really parting with your money and thus keeps a tab on your expenditure.

There is nothing that you ‘must have now’: Shopping is addictive (remember the movie, I am a shopaholic?). While it makes you feel good, it brings along the evils of debt, having to borrow from friends and 'buyer's remorse'. Stop spending money mindlessly. There is nothing that you can’t do without.

Whenever you get money, hoard it all away: If that seems unreasonable, put at least a part of it away for future use and make sure you don’t use it. It’s like keeping money in a piggy-bank. When you break the piggy-bank, you’ll be amazed at and proud of your savings!
Don't borrow money from friends and close or distant family for money: Money matters and personal debts, especially with family or friends are pressurizing more than anything else. You don’t want to perturb the close relationship you share with your near and dear ones. Unable to return the borrowed amount would only result to a show-down.

Stay in control. Do not give in to the temptation to spend. Spending more than required does not reflect your status; it only empties your pockets. So stay in control and do not brag about your spending ability. You’ll reap the benefit later on in life.

For an achiever, the sky is the limit. However, in the parlance of financial planning and security, it is wiser to have realistic goals. Take care of all the implications that your financial decisions will have in your life. Start early instead of waiting till you near your retirement age. Do not bank solely upon your investments to give your financial benefits; investments do not fall in the purview of financial planning. Be in-charge of your money and monitor it at every step of your life. Financial security is your safest bargain to survive in this unpredictable world.

Lastly, if you hit a milestone in your goal to save enough money to realize your long term goals do not go on a crazy spending spree and blow all of it to celebrate your accomplishment.

Care for Your Car

It is a well-established fact that NCR boasts of more cars on its roads than pedestrians. Buying and driving cars comes as naturally to us as breathing, so much so that often a family houses more cars than the number of inhabitants! The tendency to acquire newer models and machines with latest technology is on the rise. However, a car with superb features and elegant style requires a good amount of maintenance too. Here are a few easy tips that will ensure that your ‘baby’ does not suffer from frequent breakdowns and runs smoothly to give you a joyful ride, every single time you are behind the wheels.

Buying your dream machine certainly calls for investments of various sorts. But once acquired, how much do you really care about its regular maintenance? Besides the regular car servicing, washing and shielding it from extreme weather conditions, here are a few vital maintenance tips that will ensure that your car outlives your expectations, both in terms of years and optimum performance.

1. Check engine oil
The engine is the soul of the car. It is no fallacy that the actual performance of a car largely depends upon the engine oil. The decrease in oil levels can easily be monitored through the indicator. Do not take a toll on your car’s life; do not be over confident of its performance either. For a long, smooth journey and effective engine performance it is crucial that you check the engine oil level at a regular interval of 10 to 15 days, irrespective of your usage of the machine. To check the oil, park on level ground and wait until the engine has cooled down. Locate the dipstick. Pull it out, clean it and push it all the way back in until its top is sealed back in the dip tube. Wait for a few seconds and pull it back again. Check the oil level. A marking between high and low indicates that you are good to go.

2. Check brakes
The security aspect of driving your dream car cannot be neglected. Brake-failures are common and may cost you your life. Therefore a few important factors need to be paid utmost attention to in order to ensure that your car runs at your will. Check if the brake pedal is too soft owing to a small quantity of brake fluid and whether it squeaks when pressed. The accumulation of dust further produces undesirable sounds when the brakes are applied. Clean brake dust regularly with a damp sponge or clean water as they contain all sorts of harmful stuff. Accumulation of road grime, dust or even heat and moisture on the brakes will directly affect the wheels.
If you car pulls on to a side when you apply the brake, it indicates an alarming problem in the adjustment of the brake clearance. Brake problems do not crop up out of the blue; they develop gradually. Monitoring these factors from time to time is an absolute must to avoid a bumpy, dangerous ride. Check the following:
- Check disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface wear.
- Check drum brake linings for wear and cracks.
- Check whether the cable of the parking brake adjuster needs to be tightened.
3. Check transaxle fluid
While checking the brakes, also check the transaxle fluid level both manual and automatic. Fluid loss may lead to a severe problem. Therefore, add the desired quantity of fluid as indicated by the dipstick.

4. Check tyres
The functionality of your car depends upon how smooth the four wheels run. Car tyres have an important bearing on the performance and safety of the car Hence, checking the tyres is mandatory. Make sure that your car’s tyres are filled with recommended air pressure since both high and low pressure will impede a smooth drive. It goes without saying that deflated tyres be filled with air as soon as the problem is noticed and punctures repaired well within time to avoid accidents. Tyre rotation is a healthy practice as it keeps the wear on the tyres even. When your car’s tyres are balanced, there is an overall reduction in vibration thus ensuring that the tyres run smoothly and longer.

5. Check electrical system
Understanding a car’s electrical system might not be everybody’s cup of tea. But it is an integral part of the car and requires its fair share of attention and maintenance. It is quite frustrating to have your car stall midway due to electrical faults and leave you deserted in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, proper maintenance of the electrical system is prescribed to ensure that you are not stuck anywhere and your car gives you a hassle-free drive.

6. Check air conditioner
What is a car without comfort? A smooth running air conditioner has a considerable contribution in providing a comfortable ride to the passengers. Given the scorching heat of the NCR region and the mugginess in the weather, an efficient car air conditioner is a must.

7. Check car cooling system
The cooling system of a car prevents the car engine from overheating. Therefore, the use of a good quality coolant is an absolute necessity. Also, the coolant level should be monitored at regular intervals, say fortnightly, the frequency increasing during summers.

8. Check car gears
Handling the car gears is a task that needs to be excelled right at the on start of learning how to drive. Maneuvering the gears needs special attention since they define and control the speed of your machine. They simply cannot be fiddled with. The clutch should be placed properly and adequately while changing gears.

9. Check car alternator
The alternator of a car produces electricity which is used to maintain battery storage charge and to help all the electrical accessories, including the ignition and the engine control systems to run properly. It is belt-driven by the engine and produces an Alternating Current (AC). This is turn is converted internally to 12 volts of Direct Current (DC) by the diode bridge or rectifiers. Any negligence in the maintenance of the car alternator can yield severe damages to your car. Therefore it is mandatory to get the car alternator checked every time you take your car for servicing.

10. Check car battery

If your car is a human body, its battery is the neural centre. The car battery governs the entire electrical system of your car. It stores the energy produced by the alternator and supplies it to the systems, like lights and fuel injection system that require a smooth, uninterrupted flow of current. Make sure your battery runs properly. Once the car battery collapses, your machine would be as good as a vegetable.

11. Check car starter

Car Starter is simply a DC motor that turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the combustion process by creating compression within the cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid operated from the key switch inside your car.

12.Check car fluids
Check the oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, wiper fluid, power steering fluid, and hydraulic clutch fluid (if applicable) regularly. Checking the radiator fluid is quite easy and also a must. Fluids are to a car what water is to humans. Checking them is easy but can cost you a fortune if not done on time.

13. Check paint and wax
Do not compromise on this front. Choose a superior quality of supplies to keep your car interiors and exteriors sparkling. There is a wide variety of sophisticated paints and waxes available in the market with compounds that protect the polish from fading. Waxing ensures that your vehicle shines beautifully and remains free of corrosion.

14. Check spare parts
Local spare parts, although available at much a cheaper price will affect the overall performance of your vehicle, especially in the long run. Whenever you drive your car to a workshop, do not compromise on the quality of the spare parts. Always go for branded, original products as they will only keep your car in good shape for years together.

15. Check auto essentials - maps, torch and escape hammer
Finally, a car is your investment; it is as much your status-symbol as a vehicle that gets you to places. An efficient car must not desert you, at any cost. Therefore it should be equipped with these auto essentials that ensure that you are never stranded, always on track and safe behind your wheels.

Spirited at Sixty

Osho describes old age thus,
“It is a ripening of your being, maturity, growth. If you live moment to moment, to all the challenges that life gives, and you use all the opportunities that life opens, and if you dare to adventure into the unknown to which life calls and invites you, then old age is a maturity. Otherwise old age is a disease. Unfortunately many people simply age, they become old, without any maturity corresponding to it. Then old age is a burden.”

There comes a day in everyone’s life when one suddenly grows out of the age-old routine of waking up, getting ready for work and reaching office on time. There are no alarm clocks and no office bags. After having successfully passed through the various phases of life, overcome multiple stumle-blocks, been through various ups and downs, you enter a new phase of life – retirement. But retirement does not mean retiring from life. It is merely changing gears and driving down a slower lane where the ride is more relaxed and beautiful.


An interesting psychological study shows that 55% of people believe that they will be a burden on their family post retirement if they are not able to take care of themselves. 24% dread ending up at an old-age home, 12% fear being left alone as destitute while 10% worry death. The figures are truly disheartening, but only if we see ourselves in any of these brackets.

Old age is the harvest of all our working years. We are left to reap what we have sown for so long. Old age is beautiful for those who have lived their yesteryears well. With each passing day of our youth and adulthood, we do our little bit to ensure that our retirement years are sweet and comfortable. It is upon us to think and plan towards living a happy old age. It is but foolish to adjourn the thought of living a happy old age while we are still young and can plan for it because before we wake up to our first day post retirement, it will be too late to reconsider our plans. Here are a few ways which will ensure that you live your golden years to the fullest.

Plan your finances: Life insurance plans, mutual funds, pension plans may sound boring and appear to be a long-drawn plan but they are not mere tax-saving techniques. Financial planning go a long way in helping you live through your golden years the way you always dreamt of. You have been saving all your life, cutting ends and depositing lump-sums in the bank only to use them when you have no source of income. Now is the time to reap the benefits. Your savings, assets, investments, pension, all make you financially sound in your life post retirement and ensure that you face the mature years with courage and pleasure.

Live healthy: Lead a healthy life while you still can. Age brings with itself manifold problems – weak knees, poor eyesight, ailing heart and nervous disorders. It is important that you start taking care of your body now so that you pass your old age in good health and high spirits. Take balanced diet, exercise regularly, rest adequately rest and practice to calm your mind through yoga and meditation. Most importantly, get yourself medically insured so that when illness strikes, you are well-braced to fund the cure.

Have a hobby: No matter how busy you are, it is important that you pursue an interest. This will not leave any place for vacuum when you are retired and have nothing to do. Exploit your talents, learn new languages or pottery, take up a sport, paint or simply give words to your thoughts.

Stay in touch: Friends are important, more so when you have no office colleagues around you, no fellow bus-passengers, no familiar faces to turn and smile to. Keep in touch with friends. Take time out to meet them as often as you can. Like they say, friends are forever! It is them who you will eventually turn to when you grow old.

Make plans: Old age can be quite frustrating for those who consider it as a ‘death knell’. Retirement, in its initial stage, seems like a honeymoon phase. However, with the paucity of ideas and after prolonged rest and relaxation, one might tempt to get a little disoriented. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your life after retirement. Figure out what you love doing the best, what opportunities you will have in front of you and how will you face them, whether you would like to utilize your knowledge and experience gained over the years and how, et al. Once you have a plan of action, you would want your golden years to approach faster so that you can get a release from the pressure-cooker years once and for all!

Travel: The best part about retirement is that you can move around like a free bird; you can take off for your dream destination without anyone raising an eyebrow at your absence. Once you are ready with your list of ‘places I must visit’, start saving for that dream holiday. Trust me it will be worth all the effort.

Be a volunteer: There are several organizations that may need your assistance and guidance. Volunteering at schools, libraries, hospitals, welfare projects and camps etc will not only keep you busy but also in touch with people and happenings. Your worries will decrease considerably while you help others improve their life.

Think of alternate careers: Plan to become a consultant or even start your very own business post retirement. A corporate executive can become a consultant while a sportsperson can take up coaching. Better still, be your own boss and run your niche empire. Chisel your skills and abilities while you are still young. Keep a track of all your contacts and utilize your talents and expertise. Be prepared for an investment, even on a moderate scale and be financially independent even in your golden years.

Old age is full of life, full of sweet harmony. Every experience is like a little snatch of a song. As someone has rightly said,

“Rich in experience that angels might covet
Rich in a faith that has grown with the years.”

The trick is to polish your hard learned lessons and brace yourself to live life to the hilt even when the shadows of age fall upon you. There is so much to life even after retirement. Think of the things that you have abhorred from the bottom of your heart all this while – the strangling tie, the threatening alarm clock, deadlines, schedules, planning for your children’s future, cutting ends, saving and sacrifices.

Old age will be your turn to help others tread along the way you have already travelled. There indeed is so much to do! Look around for opportunities. Do not dread age. It is just another phase of life; and yes, it can be very charming if you want and plan it to be. Look around for opportunities. Life, after all, is worth more than your job. Plan to make it fulfilling and productive so that you can live it up to the hilt.

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A Class Apart

Class is a matter of attitude. You don’t need to be dressed in an Armani or a Gucci to look classy. Nor do you need to have lots of money. It is not just fashion but also your general demeanour that can make you leave a classy impression. Surprised? Don’t be. Here's a way to get out there and be your ‘classy’ best!

What do Amitabh Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Sonia Gandhi, George Clooney, David Beckham, Barrack Obama and Martha Stewart have in common? The answer is ‘class’. While they are hailed as leaders in their respective fields, the world is awed by the charm of their strong, empowered personalities glazed by refinement and politeness. Truth is you don’t need to be well dressed or have a lot of money to look and be classy. Class is an intrinsic quality that comes from within. A classy person is elegant, sophisticated and well presented. They tend to dress and look clean and smart, thus exuberating connotations of the wealthy.

The ladylike style and the chivalrous stance are not just attitudes of the past. They make you what you are and go a long way in making you classy. Your actions, facial expressions, ability to give and receive compliments and how you carry yourself are but a few things that make you define your own class.

Surely, a lot of extremely wealthy people are typically deemed as classy. However, beautiful but brash women and attractive but arrogant men do not fall in this category. Instead, it is those who are polite, kind, helpful, sensitive, have a pleasant facial expression and friendly gestures that make you feel comfortable who know how to be classy, with or without money.

Want to know how to be classy without puncturing your pocket? Read on.

Smile please! Smiling helps generate a positive energy and lifts up spirits instantly. A smile creates a pleasant environment and reflects a positive side of your personality too.

Posture – Do not slouch while sitting or standing. Be confident and move with the flow. Stand up straight with your head held high to show that you are sure of yourself.

Receive compliments with pleasure – Do not shrug off from a person’s well-meaning comment about you. Learn how to take a compliment. Be it work, beauty, wardrobe, home or accomplishments, learn to accept compliments as generously as you would give them. Thank the person politely and feel good about yourself, just like a celebrity receiving an Oscar!

Don’t be a fishwife – Now this one is for the ladies who yell at their husbands at dinner, shout at her children and rant until everything is in place. Ladies, that behavior of yours is unappealing. No matter what life throws at you, replace your negatives with softness and grace. Don’t fake who you are but move in a direction that exudes class and respect for those around you.

Don’t be profane – Abusing is not cool! Classy women do not swear and definitely do not sound like a drunken waste. Use positive, creative vocabulary and tone down your mood swings, no matter how mad or panicked you are. Instead of using bad language and showing them the finger, be calm and composed and deal with bad times as smoothly as they would pass. Abusing is neither lady-like nor man-like. It is plain rude.

Watch your drink – Don't get drunk. Popping the bubbly and celebrating a good time with family and friends is not a sin, as long as you can handle it. Getting drunk in a party and dancing on a table-top is not cool. You would definitely not like people to recall what you did and have them repeat what an utter fool you made of yourself when you were in ‘high spirits’. Is it really worth it? Classy people know their limits, and when they think they have reached them they simply replace their poison with sparkling water, soda and lime. Plus, remember; classy people mix with the society. They do not cause an accident on their way back home!

Be eloquent – Speak loud, clear and correct. Slangs are not synonymous with class. It doesn’t matter if you cannot speak proper English. Do not be ashamed to converse in Hindi. Make the best use of your vocabulary but do not sound grotesque and alien. Accent or no accent, people want to know what you are saying, not where you come from.

Turning down a request – There is nothing wrong in saying ‘no’ and turning down a request. Take time for yourself to ensure that you turn down the invitation in a pleasant manner. Do not commit if you can’t make it.

Be proud in your shoes – walk proudly and with grace. Whether you are entering a room, buying your weekly grocery or ordering a burger, keep your head up, shoulders back, spine lengthened and tummy tucked in. Always remember, you are no less than anyone else out there. This will portray you as strong, confident and proud and you’ll be amazed at how many heads turn in your direction.

Nail your nails – Dirty fingernails are a big turn-off. They reflect poor sense of personal and social hygiene. Yellowed, chipped or ragged nails are not good either. Keep your nails well-trimmed, filed and buffed and at a good length. Keep a nail-cutter and a file always handy. Go for regular manicures or do them yourself at home. The same holds true for the toe-nails.

Be squeaky clean – Classy people are not dirty. They do not sleep with their faces made up like a birthday cake, like our soap-opera stars. They brush, floss and shower regularly. Do not get paranoid about cleanliness but do take proper care of your personal hygiene.

Develop a style – Finding a style that suits you the best depends largely upon your body type. Do not follow fashion blindly. Look around, mix and match and develop your unique style. Wear clothes that fit your body and make you look more sophisticated. Expensive brands aren't always better, but if you can afford it, they often wear well in the long run. A classy person is never overdressed or underdressed. Keep a few ensembles always in store to be worn at a sudden event. Follow dress codes at formal events. Remember that while you want to be noticed for your individual style, you don't want to look vulgar or profane. Dress up in an appropriate way while not sacrificing your own fashion sense. Anyone can be classy at any age, that's the beauty of classiness. It is a matter of having a timeless wardrobe, a classic wardrobe. You can match all your clothes to each other. However you do need to dress appropriately for your age.

Wardrobe matters – Learn to take pride in whatever you own. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a Gucci or an Armani. Put on your best face and go out into the world. Wear clean, pressed clothes with no threads, rips, stains or fades. Donne the outfit that you think makes you look your best, touch it up with some make-up and voila, you are ready to hit the town!

Make-up and accessorise – Being classy is all about exuding your natural beauty so do not hide it with layers of concealers and blush-ons. While men should keep make-up at bay, women should keep it to a minimum. Mineral powder is great to cover up flaws and a blusher to enhance your natural flush. A little bit of mascara and a lip-gloss that goes with your attire is all you need to have a classy appeal. Do not go overboard with your accessories. That will only makes you look like you’re walking right out of a fancy-dress competition. Match your dress with accessories – bags, jewellery, and sunglasses, etc and wear proper fitting shoes. All in all, try to be tasteful while accentuating the good features of your face and body. There you go ladies and gentlemen! It’s simple and effortless to look classy!

Be modest – A certain degree of modesty is necessary to exude true class. But you should know where to draw the line. The key is to be alluring and not obvious.

Behave! – Finally, a note on general demeanour. Bear good manners in mind. Always be considerate and polite. Say please and thank you. Mingle, without being haughty or rude. After all, you should not just be remembered for your impeccable taste and good fashion sense, but your warm and pleasant personality too.

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