Author: PiyushK

Piyush is a portfolio management executive with 15 years of experience in digital transformation and strategic finance. He holds an MBA from IIM Kozhikode and specializes in personal finance strategy, investment fundamentals, and AI-driven financial tools. He writes about making financial concepts accessible and building sustainable wealth through technology and automation.

Cartoon infographic titled "Your 2026 Investing Journey Map" on explainitlikeim5.com. A winding, multi-colored path starts at the bottom left with a sign reading "Start Here" next to a piggy bank labeled "Emergency Fund." The path progresses past an icon of a robot labeled "Set Up Autopilot," a basket overflowing with logos labeled "Buy a Basket of Stocks (ETF)," and a person meditating with headphones labeled "Stay Calm & Ignore Noise." The journey ends at the top right at a large castle on a cloud labeled "Future Wealth & Freedom." — Your 2026 Roadmap: This visual guide outlines the essential steps for a successful investing journey. Start with a solid foundation (emergency fund), automate the process, buy diversified funds (ETFs), ignore short-term market noise, and aim for long-term freedom.

How to Start your Investing Journey in 2026 (US Edition)

January 5, 2026January 5, 2026 PiyushK No comments

The Cost of Waiting Calculator Monthly Investment ($) Expected Annual Return (%) Historical S&P 500 Avg: ~10% Years to Grow If you wait… 1 Year3 […]

Investing Basics

5 Best Mobile Phones Under ₹30,000 in India

January 4, 2026January 19, 2026 PiyushK No comments

Transparency Note: We may earn a small commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps support […]

Uncategorized

S25 vs Iphone 17 Pro Max — Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Samsung S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Full Review & Verdict

January 2, 2026January 21, 2026 PiyushK No comments

The 30-Second Verdict If you want a phone that feels like a precision tool for getting things done, buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. After […]

Reviews

Infographic titled "Your 2026 FICO Score Strategy" with a central gauge showing a credit score range from Poor to Excellent. Five gears surround the gauge, each labeled with a credit factor and its percentage weight: Payment History (35%), Credit Utilization (30%), Credit Age (15%), Credit Mix (10%), and New Credit (10%). Arrows from the gears point to the gauge. A bar below reads "2026 Goal: 750+". — A visual guide to your 2026 FICO score strategy, showing how the five key credit factors influence your overall score.

How To Improve Your FICO (US) Credit Score Quickly: A 2026 Strategic Guide

January 2, 2026January 21, 2026 PiyushK No comments

The $100,000 Ghost in Your Bank Account Imagine walking into a high-end jewelry store in Mumbai today. You see 10 grams of 24K gold priced […]

Banking & Cards

The Ultimate Guide to FICO vs. CIBIL Scores (US & India)

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 PiyushK No comments

In today’s globalized world, understanding how credit works in different countries is more than just financial knowledge—it’s a key skill. Whether you’re an Indian professional […]

Banking & Cards

A high-quality, metaphorical illustration of a 'Financial Bridge' for a banking article

Banking – How To improve your CIBIL Credit Score (2026 Strategy)

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 PiyushK No comments

In the winter of 2025, a peculiar thing happened in the Indian financial markets. While the Nifty 50 delivered a modest 10.71% return, gold prices […]

Banking & Cards

The Journey of an Inactive Account — A step-by-step journey of a bank account from being active to becoming an unclaimed deposit, and finally, how you can reclaim it using the RBI's UDGAM portal. Alt Text: Infographic flowchart showing four stages: Active Account, Inactive/Dormant Account (1-2 years), Unclaimed Deposit (10+ years transferred to DEA Fund), and Reclaim via UDGAM Portal. It highlights the process and the total unclaimed amount of over ₹42,000 Crore

Banking – New RBI Rules for Inactive Bank Accounts: Reclaim Your Money

January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 PiyushK No comments

Imagine walking down a busy street in Mumbai and seeing a mountain of cash taller than the Antilia building. Now, imagine that this mountain belongs […]

Banking & Cards

How to Calculate Your ‘Freedom Number’: A Step-by-Step FIRE (Retirement) Guide for Indians

December 30, 2025December 31, 2025 PiyushK No comments

FIRE Retirement Planning: The Math Behind Escaping the 9-to-5 While Inflation Remains Tame Here’s a paradox that few investors notice: right now, in December 2025, […]

Retirement (FIRE)

Infographic illustrating the four stages of a home loan: Eligibility Check, Documentation, Application & Approval, and Disbursement & Possession, surrounding a central house icon. It also highlights benefits like PMAY Scheme, Tax Benefits, and competitive interest rates. — A step-by-step guide to the home loan process for first-time buyers from eligibility check to disbursement

Home Loans for First-Time Buyers – Complete Guide with Current Rates

December 30, 2025December 30, 2025 PiyushK No comments

The Best Time to Buy a Home Is Happening Right Now Consider this: On December 5, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India cut the policy […]

Buying a Home

Income Tax Act 2026 – Complete Guide for Indian Taxpayers

December 30, 2025January 8, 2026 PiyushK No comments

A Once-in-60-Years Shift in India’s Tax System Imagine receiving a letter that fundamentally changes how your government taxes you—but instead of fear, you feel relief. […]

Tax Planning