As 2025 draws to a close, Monika invites listeners to pause and take stock of their financial lives with a simple but powerful money report card. Using a series of clear yes-or-no questions, this episode walks through the absolute basics of money management — cash-flow systems, emergency funds, insurance, debt control, savings discipline, asset allocation, retirement planning, and the importance of reviewing nominees and wills. The aim is to help listeners check whether their financial foundations are truly in place as they head into a new year. Monika explains why these non-negotiables matter far more than chasing returns or reacting to headlines. From separating bank accounts for income, spending, and investing, to keeping high-interest debt under control, building long-term equity exposure, diversifying across asset classes, and planning well ahead for retirement, this episode serves as a practical year-end audit. Financial freedom, she reminds listeners, is built through systems, consistency, and periodic review — not shortcuts or noise. In listener queries, an anonymous NRI working in the merchant navy asks about portfolio diversification, marriage, and building a second income stream; an anonymous retiree from Pune seeks guidance on government-backed investment options and monthly income after returning from the Gulf; and Reshma from Bengaluru writes about navigating divorce, career transition, retirement planning, and securing her daughter’s future.

Chapters:

(00:00 – 00:00) Your 2025 Money Report Card: Are the Basics in Place?

(00:00 – 00:00) Scoring Yourself on Savings, Debt, Insurance, and Retirement

(00:00 – 00:00) Building Wealth and Passive Income as a Young NRI

(00:00 – 00:00) Safe Government Investment Options for Retired Couples

(00:00 – 00:00) Planning Finances After Divorce and Protecting Dignity in Retirement

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Monika’s book on basic money management

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Monika’s book on mutual funds

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-mutual-funds/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Monika’s workbook on recording your financial life

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calculators

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan. 

Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production House: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.inoutcreatives.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production Assistant:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Anshika Gogoi⁠⁠⁠