Let's Talk Money is your guide to financial stability and freedom. Join Monika Halan, a trusted financial expert, as she delves into a wide array of topics each week. From tackling debt to making friends with the stock market, from gold to mutual funds, Monika's insights are your compass to financial wellness.
But that's not all! Monika's here to answer your money questions. Send them in, and she'll help you make informed decisions.
It's time to take control of your financial destiny with Monika Halan. So, Let’s Talk Money!
In this episode, Monika examines the proposed mandatory 10% co-payment on health insurance claims and asks why patients should bear the cost of problems created by insurers and hospitals. She looks at the industry's argument around rising healthcare costs, the bargaining power insurers have with hospitals, and why shifting a larger share of the financial burden to patients could undermine the very purpose of insurance.
She also connects the co-payment proposal to the wider problems in insurance, including high distribution costs, rapidly rising distributor payouts, mis-selling and claim-related complaints. The episode argues for greater transparency in hospital pricing, stronger insurer accountability and better claims service, rather than simply transferring more risk to policyholders. The central question is whether insurance is being designed around consumer value or premium collection.
In the listener questions, KN Gupta asks why health insurance premiums keep rising while the real value of his cover falls; Shailesh seeks guidance on evaluating MF Central and Kuvera for direct mutual fund investing; and Radha Kantamani asks where policyholders can raise concerns after her family’s difficult experience dealing with health insurance during her father’s illness.
Chapters:
(00:00–00:00) Why Patients Should Not Pay for Insurance Failures
(00:00–00:00) The Case Against Mandatory Health Insurance Co-Pay
(00:00–00:00) Why Are Health Insurance Premiums Rising So Much?
(00:00–00:00) How Should You Choose a Direct Mutual Fund Platform?
(00:00–00:00) How Can Policyholders Fight Back Against Insurance Problems?
If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at mailme@monikahalan.com
1 Oct 2026
The Regulator Says Insurance is Broken
In this episode, Monika examines the problems in the way insurance is sold in India and the changes proposed by IRDAI in its September 23 consultation paper. She looks at the high costs of running the insurance business, the growth in distributor commissions, and why incentives can sometimes favour selling a policy rather than ensuring it is right for the customer. She also explores proposals around expense and commission caps, commission disclosure, salesperson accountability and defining mis-selling, while emphasising that these are proposals and not yet final rules.
She explains why insurance needs to move from a system focused on premium collection towards one that also rewards good advice and ongoing service. She also encourages policyholders to respond to the consultation process with their own experiences and suggestions, particularly around mis-selling and claims. The larger question is what an insurance industry genuinely designed around the policyholder should look like.
In the listener questions, Anonymous asks how to park her savings for a future plot or villa and whether she should continue using debt funds or consider equity for a longer-term home goal; Navas from Puducherry asks how to help his daughter begin investing with the money she has earned and how to choose a fee-only financial planner; and Avinash from Jaipur asks how to invest a large windfall bonus safely for 1–2 years while he looks for a home, with the aim of protecting his capital and keeping pace with inflation.
Chapters:
(00:00–00:00) Why India’s Insurance System Needs a Reset
(00:00–00:00) Making Insurance Sellers Accountable to Policyholders
(00:00–00:00) How Should You Invest for a Future Home Purchase?
(00:00–00:00) How Can You Teach Your Children to Invest?
(00:00–00:00) Where Should You Invest a Property Down Payment for Two Years?
If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at mailme@monikahalan.com
Monika’s book on basic money management
https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/ (https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/)
Monika’s book on mutual funds
https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-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/ (https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/)
Calculators
https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html (https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html)
You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan.
Twitter @MonikaHalan (https://x.com/monikahalan?s=11)
Instagram @MonikaHalan (https://www.instagram.com/monikahalan?igsh=MXQ0cTRnM2dmZWl4Ng==)
Facebook @MonikaHalan (https://www.facebook.com/iammonikahalan)
LinkedIn @MonikaHalan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikahalan?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)
Production House: www.inoutcreatives.com (https://inoutcreatives.com/)
Production Assistant: Anshika Gogoi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshika-gogoi-439735251?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app&original_referer=)
24 Sept 2026
Digital Dakoos and their Diet of Fear and Greed
In this episode, Monika looks at how cyberfraudsters exploit two powerful human emotions: fear and greed. She explains how scams such as digital arrest, fake KYC alerts and fraudulent investment opportunities create urgency and pressure people into acting without thinking. She shares simple rules for slowing down, verifying information independently and refusing to let a stranger take control of your next financial decision.
She also explores how a personal financial system can protect you from the temptation of easy money. From separating money for everyday spending, emergencies and long-term goals to creating a 24-hour rule for unsolicited investment opportunities and automating good financial habits, she explains how preparation can make you harder to exploit. The central message is simple: when you are afraid, pause and verify; when you are excited about making money, pause and check whether the opportunity actually fits your financial plan.
In the listener questions, Seefa A from Kerala asks how to choose between a SEBI-registered investment adviser and a mutual fund distributor, whether health insurance should be bought through an agent, and what to do about an existing regular mutual fund plan; Jayesh Shah asks how to structure his asset allocation and SIPs across short-term, children's education and retirement goals; and Sanjeev Samtani asks how to protect his family's financial security and investments when geopolitical tensions and war create uncertainty.
Chapters:
(00:00–00:00) Investing in Turbulent Times: Building a Portfolio That Can Survive a Crisis
(00:00–00:00) Should You Invest While Paying Off a Loan?
(00:00–00:00) How Should You Align Investments With Your Financial Goals?
(00:00–00:00) Should You Hire a Financial Adviser or Manage Your Portfolio Yourself?
(00:00–00:00) How Should You Protect Your Money During a War or Crisis?
If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at mailme@monikahalan.com
Monika’s book on basic money management
https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/ (https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/)
Monika’s book on mutual funds
https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-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/ (https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/)
Calculators
https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html (https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html)
You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan.
Twitter @MonikaHalan (https://x.com/monikahalan?s=11)
Instagram @MonikaHalan (https://www.instagram.com/monikahalan?igsh=MXQ0cTRnM2dmZWl4Ng==)
Facebook @MonikaHalan (https://www.facebook.com/iammonikahalan)
LinkedIn @MonikaHalan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikahalan?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app)
Production House: www.inoutcreatives.com (https://inoutcreatives.com/)
Production Assistant: Anshika Gogoi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshika-gogoi-439735251?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app&original_referer=)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
4.7 / 5
290 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
94
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
92
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