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Getting FD at 7.05% for 18 Months - Is it worth it?

rapidboxer

TF Buzz
I'm considering putting ₹10 lakhs into a Fixed Deposit offering 7.05% interest annually, but I'm not sure if it's a wise move after taxes.
I know FDs are safe and liquid, but with taxes eating up the returns, is this really a smart move?
Would love to hear your thoughts — especially if you’ve found better post-tax, low-risk options.
 
Would love to hear your thoughts

My Perspectives
My perspectives on whether you should have that FD or not are summarised below.

Aim
As I see it, the aim should be to become wealthy and financially independent i.e. your monthly income (without working (i.e. secondary income)) should be more than your monthly expenditure, after you already have your own well-furnished house, car, etc.

Some Important Considerations in Personal Finance
To achieve the above aim, important facets to be considered over the long term (i.e. from say age 22 to say age 50 or earlier if possible) are:-

1. Diversification. Have investments in equity, gold, real estate, FD, PPF, et al - the whole basket. Gives stability to financial moorings.
2. Emergency Fund. Plan for minimum 6 months' salary as cash in savings account as your emergency kitty.
3. Health Insurance. It's a must have to cater for health insurance as per your age, health and future requirements.
4. Life Insurance. You must have life term insurance of 25x your annual income if you have family. If single/plan to remain single, then dispense with it.
5. Secondary Income. Plan for your secondary income (from profits in markets, FD interest, rent, etc) becoming more than your monthly expenditure.

Caveat
Remember, ideally no help from anyone or minimum help from your parents or friends - even if takes a long(er) time. The journey of becoming wealthy (i.e. your monthly secondary income being more say 1.5x times your monthly expenses, apart from you having 'basic' assets - like your own house, car, etc.) whilst facing all the odds and struggles is a huge accomplishment and a source of pride and contentment. So, have a figure in your mind as per your lifestyle needs (eg - Rs 10 cr at age 40, or Rs 20 cr at age 50, etc). Then go for it. Alone. Like a Tiger.

Note
I personally follow and implement most of these tenets in my life. So far, it's been a good journey.

Conclusion
So, based on the aforesaid insights, you can take a considered call. If you don't have any FD thus far, you can go for it. If you already have, you can re-assess your financial framework. It's your call. Make it count well.

Parting Shots
So, in whatever stage of your life you are, you must have a finger in all the above-mentioned pies and strive for becoming wealthy wherein all your monthly expenses will come from your secondary income and then you will not be dependent on your salary aka you will be financially independent.

Hope this helps. 🙂
 
I'm considering putting ₹10 lakhs into a Fixed Deposit offering 7.05% interest annually, but I'm not sure if it's a wise move after taxes.
I know FDs are safe and liquid, but with taxes eating up the returns, is this really a smart move?
Would love to hear your thoughts — especially if you’ve found better post-tax, low-risk options.
in which bank are you creating your fd?
 
If you can, try 5L with monthly interest payout option in Small Finance Banks.

Go with Unity SFB with 5L. They will give you 8.6% interest for 1001 days FD but if monthly payout, a little less will be given, at 8.538%.

Simlarlly Utkarsh SFB will give you 8.25% for 3 years FD and monthly payout at 8.193% annual.

Under DICGC your 5L will always be safe. Don't worry SFB aren't failing overnight anyways. I have 35L parked in 7 SFBs. 🙂
 
I suggest investing in an arbitrage fund, which will be taxed as LTCG after 1 year (no tax up to 1.25L profit). It will help you with liquidity during emergency.

If you have already planned for FD, then split the amount into 2 different banks' FD. The reason being only 5Lakhs are insured by government. private banks provide better returns for short term, for example IDFC used to give 7.9% for 500days. After recent changes in repo-rate by RBI, the rate has decreased to 7.5% for 500days.
 
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