Paishaala — Money, Made Simple
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Learn how money really works.
Practical personal-finance guides for ordinary people across India.
Riya Sharma
What a credit report remark means, and how lenders read it
Written off, settled, DPD, suit filed: what each remark on an Indian credit report means, how long it stays, and how lenders weigh it when deciding on a loan.
Nov 12, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
Teaching kids about money with Diwali gift cash
A teacher's plan for your child's Diwali cash: the three-jar split by age, a minor savings account, the parent match, one allowed mistake and a 30-day worksheet.
Nov 10, 2026
Saving & Budgeting
Dhanteras gold: coins, digital gold and bonds explained
Coins, digital gold, Sovereign Gold Bonds and gold funds compared before Dhanteras 2026: entry charges, safety, how you sell and which form fits your reason.
Nov 05, 2026
Investing & Insurance
A Diwali clean-up for your credit report
After the festive season, pull your full CIBIL report, spot the footprints Diwali left behind, dispute the errors and follow a 90-day plan to a cleaner file.
Nov 03, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
Diwali Scam Messages: A Teacher's Checklist for the Festive Weeks
Electricity cut-off, KYC block, bonus credited, parcel on hold: the seven message scams that peak before Diwali, the one test that beats all of them, what to do in the first ten minutes, and how to protect elders.
Oct 28, 2026
Scams & Safety
Diwali Special: What Your Rashi Says About Your Money Habits
A lighter Diwali lesson: try the free Astro Profile in English, Hindi or Hinglish, then compare what your stars say with what your statements say, and fix one festive money habit before the sales begin.
Oct 27, 2026
Saving & Budgeting
Why Your CIBIL Score Is Stuck and What Moves It
Paying on time but the score will not budge? A teacher's walk-through of the five reasons a CIBIL score gets stuck, a table to diagnose yours, and a six-month plan to restart movement.
Oct 22, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
What Is Form 16 and How to Read It
A plain-language lesson on Form 16: what it certifies, who gets one, how to read Part A and Part B, the lines to check against Form 26AS, and what to do when it is wrong or missing.
Oct 20, 2026
Taxes
How to Compare Credit Cards Without Hurting Your Score
Applying to several banks to compare cards leaves hard enquiries. Use soft checks and pre-qualification first, compare the fees that matter, then apply once.
Oct 15, 2026
Loans & EMI
How Often Should You Check Your CIBIL Score, and What to Look For
Checking your own CIBIL score never lowers it. Learn the monthly rhythm that catches errors in time, what to scan in the report, and when an extra check is worth it.
Oct 13, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
What Does an Indicative Loan Range Actually Mean?
Seen 'your indicative loan range' on an eligibility check? Learn what it means, how it is calculated, why it differs by lender type, and how far to trust it.
Oct 07, 2026
Loans & EMI
What to Do in the First Hour After a Money Scam
Lost money to a scam in India? The first hour matters most. Call 1930, block your bank access, file on the cybercrime portal, and avoid the recovery scam.
Oct 06, 2026
Scams & Safety
What Is FOIR and Why Does It Decide Your Loan?
FOIR, the fixed obligation to income ratio, is how lenders judge what you can afford. Learn the formula, the usual caps, what counts, and how to lower yours.
Oct 01, 2026
Loans & EMI
What Is a Credit Utilisation Ratio and Why Does It Matter?
Learn what your credit utilisation ratio is, how to calculate it, why CIBIL cares, the statement-date trap, and simple ways to keep it under 30%.
Sep 29, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
How to Open a Bank Account Online in India
A simple guide to opening a bank account online in India — the documents you need, the steps, video KYC vs OTP accounts, and how to stay safe.
Sep 22, 2026
Banking & UPI
Term Insurance Explained: A Beginner's Guide
Term insurance is the cheapest, simplest life cover — pure protection for your family. Here is how it works, how much cover you need, and what to check.
Sep 17, 2026
Investing & Insurance
How to Use a Credit Card Wisely: Habits for Beginners
Simple, honest habits for using a credit card wisely in India — pay in full, keep utilisation low, watch the fees, and build your credit score.
Sep 15, 2026
Loans & EMI
NEFT, IMPS and RTGS: How Bank Transfers Work in India
NEFT, IMPS and RTGS explained simply — which bank transfer method to use, their speed, limits, and when to pick each.
Sep 10, 2026
Banking & UPI
What Is a Fixed Deposit? A Beginner's Guide for India
Fixed deposits explained simply for beginners — how an FD works, the interest, DICGC safety, tax, and when it makes sense.
Sep 08, 2026
Saving & Budgeting
What Is TDS? A Beginner's Guide to Tax Deducted at Source
TDS explained simply for beginners in India — what Tax Deducted at Source means, where it applies, Form 16 and 26AS, and how to claim a refund.
Sep 02, 2026
Taxes
Common CIBIL Score Myths in India — and the Real Facts
Think checking your own score lowers it, or that CIBIL is the only bureau? These are the most common credit score myths in India — and the real facts.
Sep 01, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
Secured and Unsecured Loans: What's the Difference?
Secured vs unsecured loans in India explained simply — what collateral means, how the rates and risks differ, and which loan type to choose.
Aug 27, 2026
Loans & EMI
What Is a SIP and How Does It Work?
What is a SIP and how does it work in India? A plain-language guide to systematic investment plans, rupee-cost averaging, and the honest risks.
Aug 25, 2026
Investing & Insurance
Common Money Scams in India and How to Stay Safe
From fake loan apps to UPI fraud, here are the most common money scams in India, the warning signs they share, and simple ways to stay safe.
Aug 20, 2026
Scams & Safety
Savings Account or Current Account: Which One Do You Need?
Confused between a savings account and a current account? Here is what each is for, how they differ, and how to pick the right one in India.
Aug 18, 2026
Banking & UPI
How Is EMI Calculated? A Simple Guide With Examples
Learn how your loan EMI is calculated — the formula, a step-by-step example, and what changes your monthly payment. Written simply for Indian borrowers.
Aug 13, 2026
Loans & EMI
How to Make a Monthly Budget on a Low Income
A step-by-step guide to making a monthly budget on a low income in India — how to plan income, cut costs, save first, and handle irregular earnings.
Aug 11, 2026
Saving & Budgeting
What is KYC? Why Banks Ask for It, and How to Stay Safe
What is KYC in India? A plain-language guide to Know Your Customer — why banks ask, accepted documents, eKYC and Video KYC, and how to spot KYC scams.
Aug 06, 2026
Banking & UPI
What is a Mutual Fund? A Beginner's Guide for India
A plain-language beginner's guide to mutual funds in India — what they are, how they work, types, SIPs, safety, and how to start investing.
Aug 04, 2026
Investing & Insurance
How Does a Credit Card Work? A Simple Guide for India
A credit card is a short-term loan from your bank. Learn how the billing cycle, grace period, interest, and fees really work — in plain English.
Jul 28, 2026
Loans & EMI
How to Spot a Fake Loan App in India (Warning Signs & Safety Guide)
Learn how to spot a fake loan app in India — the warning signs, permissions to avoid, how to verify an RBI-registered lender, and what to do if trapped.
Jul 24, 2026
Scams & Safety
How to build an emergency fund on a low income in India
How to build an emergency fund on a low income in India — how much to save, where to keep it, and a simple step-by-step to start with as little as ₹500 a month.
Jul 23, 2026
Saving & Budgeting
Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing in India: A Beginner's Guide (2026)
New to taxes in India? A plain-language ITR guide for beginners — who must file, which form, documents, step-by-step, deadlines, and penalties.
Jul 14, 2026
Taxes
How to Improve Your CIBIL Score (2026)
Practical habits that raise your CIBIL score in India — pay on time, lower credit utilisation, fix report errors, and how long real improvement takes.
Jul 13, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
How to Check Your CIBIL Score for Free (2026)
Check your CIBIL score for free without hurting it — where to do it, a step-by-step guide, and how to fix errors on your credit report in India.
Jul 12, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
What Is a CIBIL Score and How Is It Calculated?
A CIBIL score is a 300-900 number showing how reliably you repay credit. Learn how it's calculated, what counts as good, and how to build one.
Jul 10, 2026
Credit & CIBIL
Welcome to Paishaala — Let's Make Money Simple
Paishaala explains money in plain language — saving, borrowing, credit scores, banking and more, for everyday India. Here's what to expect.
Jul 10, 2026