Let's Talk Money with Monika Halan

This week, Monika returns from a whirlwind trip to Berlin and Hamburg with reflections on unpredictable European weather and a newfound appreciation for the Delhi heat. Back at her desk, she dives straight into the world of bonds—those unassuming financial instruments that actually run the show when it comes to signaling the health of an economy. Monika explains why the bond market is far more clo...

This week, Monika tackles a controversial question that might land her in hot water with many women: is a luxury bag truly an investment? From silk saris to high-end handbags, these purchases are often labeled as financial assets. But Monika breaks down what qualifies as an actual investment and whether these luxury items really fit the bill—or if they’re simply expensive indulgences. With her tra...

What is it about Warren Buffett that continues to inspire millions of investors across the globe? This week, Monika dives into the key highlights from the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting held on May 3, 2025. In what could be described as the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” over 20,000 people gathered to listen to the Oracle of Omaha—perhaps for the last time, as Buffett announced his de...

A horrific act of terror in Pahalgam last week has shaken the nation, and in this episode, Monika addresses the financial implications of a potential war. While the armed forces are on the frontline, civilians are not immune to the disruption—war impacts all of us, not just emotionally but economically. As the geopolitical climate intensifies, she lays out a clear, calm, and practical financial to...

Monika is back after a short break, and the first thing on the agenda is the topic that’s dominating every conversation—Trump’s tariffs. In this episode, she unpacks what these new trade policies mean not just for the U.S. and China, but for the rest of the world. This isn’t just about taxes on goods—it’s a signal that the global power structure is in flux. As America’s post-war dominance is chall...

In this episode, Monika begins with a heartfelt discussion on the complex intersection of love, family, and money. She shares emotional real-life examples from listeners who are supporting family members burdened by financial irresponsibility. From parents with speculative debts to spouses with no income, Monika lays out a step-by-step approach to setting financial boundaries without feeling guilt...

In this episode, Monika tackles the challenge of using retirement savings wisely. While most people focus on accumulating a retirement fund, the real challenge is making it last. She explains the Money Trinity, a three-bucket strategy that ensures financial security while combating inflation. The Now Fund covers immediate needs, the Next Fund balances safety and growth, and the Future Fund builds...

In this episode, Monika explores the three distinct stages of life: learning, earning, and harvesting. She explains how we spend our early years preparing for financial independence, followed by decades focused on building wealth, and ultimately, a phase where we utilize those earnings to support our later years. She highlights key financial milestones across different life decades and the importa...

In this episode, Monika discusses the excitement of receiving your first salary and how to make the most of it. She shares practical advice on balancing financial responsibility with celebrating this milestone, ensuring that young professionals set themselves up for long-term success. From prioritizing loan repayment and setting up a cash flow system to building an emergency fund, she outlines thr...

In this episode, Monika explores why even the smartest people fall into common money traps. Our emotions and habits often override logic, leading to costly mistakes like fearing market crashes, selling assets at the wrong time, or waiting too long to invest. She breaks down two key behavioral patterns—mental accounting and anchoring—that drive these poor financial decisions. Mental accounting make...

In this episode, Monika challenges listeners to examine their portfolios and uncover the story they tell. Using a real-life example of a doctor struggling with scattered investments, she illustrates the importance of organizing financial data in a clear and structured manner. Monika emphasizes that knowing one's net worth, understanding asset allocation, and tracking investments in an accessib...

In this episode, Monika helps listeners navigate a down market, explaining why market downturns feel more painful than they actually are. Drawing from behavioral economics, she highlights how loss aversion—our tendency to feel losses more strongly than equivalent gains—affects investment decisions. While markets have declined 12% from their peak, the last four years have delivered over 20% annuali...

In this episode, Monika dives into the debate surrounding Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) and whether they are truly the wealth-building tool they are often made out to be. A prominent fund manager recently warned that SIPs in small- and mid-cap mutual funds may not yield the high returns investors expect, igniting a firestorm of discussion. Monika explores the claims, comparing historical retu...

In this episode, Monika explains why investment planning is just one piece of the larger financial planning puzzle. Many investors focus solely on where to put their money but overlook critical aspects like cash flow management, risk protection, and long-term goal setting. She walks listeners through the fundamentals of financial planning—starting with tracking expenses and setting savings targets...

In this episode, Monika unpacks Budget 2025 and what it means for India’s middle class. She explains the government’s bold decision to leave over ₹1 lakh crore in taxpayers’ pockets by making income up to ₹12.75 lakh tax-free and raising the highest tax slab to ₹24 lakh. This massive relief comes amid rising middle-class frustration over stagnant tax breaks, poor public services, and increased wel...

In this episode, Monika investigates a pressing concern: the scale of income tax evasion within India’s middle class. She walks listeners through her extensive research to determine how many eligible taxpayers remain outside the tax net and how much revenue is lost. Using credible reports and official tax data, she arrives at a staggering number—8.3 crore people not paying taxes, leading to a reve...

In this episode, Monika helps you decide between the old and new tax regimes, guiding you through how to choose the right option for your financial situation. She explains the differences between the two regimes, how the new system was introduced in Budget 2020, and the pros and cons of each. Monika emphasizes the importance of understanding your deductions and income level to make an informed cho...

In this episode, Monika takes an insightful dive into the Indian tax system, exploring how taxes shape individual behavior and government policies. She explains the key components of taxation in India, including direct and indirect taxes, and highlights their impact on your income, spending, and investments. By analyzing the distribution of the tax burden, Monika lays bare the disproportionate loa...

In this episode, Monika explores a tough yet important topic: the inevitability of high taxes for the middle class and the rich, even with possible tweaks in Budget 2025. She explains the evolution of taxation from ancient civilizations to modern welfare systems and why higher taxation is expected to persist in democracies with large lower-income populations. Monika emphasizes the burden on the to...

In this episode, Monika shares a roadmap for managing your finances in 2025, reflecting on the market correction at the end of 2024 and its implications for investors. She delves into the fundamentals of projecting returns, linking them to GDP growth and inflation, and highlights the importance of having a solid financial plan. By emphasizing principles like asset allocation, long-term equity focu...

In this episode, Monika discusses a recent Supreme Court judgment that impacts credit card holders, overturning a 2008 ruling by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that capped interest rates on unpaid credit card dues at 30% per year. This decision now allows banks to set higher rates, arguing that credit cards, being unsecured loans, necessitate such charges. Monika highl...

In this episode, Monika explores the troubling issue of health insurance companies denying claims, a problem that has taken center stage globally and in India. A shocking incident in the U.S. on December 4, 2024, saw Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, America’s largest health insurer, shot dead as he walked to an investor conference. Reports suggest the attack may be linked to mounting publi...

In this episode, Monika delves into the RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 6.5% despite market expectations of a 25 basis point cut. She explains the repo rate’s role as the interest rate at which the RBI lends to banks, influencing liquidity and inflation. The decision stems from the central bank's inflation-targeting mandate, which restricts easing rates amidst high inflation. However,...

In this episode, Monika examines India’s slowing GDP growth, which fell to 5.4% in the second quarter (June-September 2024), pulling the first-half growth to 6%. A sluggish industrial sector, slower urban consumption, and muted private investments are key drivers, while rural spending and services have shown resilience. To meet the RBI’s projected 7% growth, faster economic activity is essential—a...

In this episode, Monika delves into a significant move by the Indian government and financial regulator to address the mis-selling of insurance products by banks. At a recent banking event, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the need for banks to prioritize their core business—mobilising deposits and lending. She noted that aggressive insurance sales have indirectly increased borrowin...