Find yourself at sea when it comes to investing rightly? Here are a few time-tested tips that will keep you on the right track.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

It makes sense to allow flexibility in your long-term investments. You never know the changes life may bring in course of time.

Don't base your judgement on the buying decisions of others. Trust your instincts and you will not have to regret much later.

Retirement planning is important. Don't procrastinate. Account for it now.

As a stock investor don't get carried away by the company's past performance. It is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Track your fund's performance once you have invested. And see to it that you compare apples to apples.

Don't invest in a fund if you do not understand its workings.

Don't buy insurance only for tax purposes. Ascertain your future needs and buy accordingly.

The Post Office is a good investment avenue. Consider it.

Term insurance is the cheapest risk cover you can get. Makes sense to buy one especially if you have borrowings.

While investing, preferably read the fine print first and the other details later. The risk factors are mentioned there.

Periodically conduct a review of your long-term investments. You may need to invest more or less and the earlier you know of it the better.

Invest in stocks only if you can take risks and preferably when you are young. At an old age, making good a monetary loss may not be easy.

If you plan to take a safe risk with stocks try the mutual fund route.

Always ascertain the cash flow of your investments and invest accordingly.

Know that EMIs on housing loans are linked to the Prime Lending Rates.

When hunting for a housing loan find out whether it a monthly or a yearly reducing balance you're offered. The monthly is better.

While buying insurance know that you have 15 days time to take a decision. You may return a policy within such time if you think it does not fulfill your needs.

Housing loan companies are known to not make changes even if your loan is on a fluctuating basis many a times. Monitor your loan account

Before deciding on a housing loan, get the terms and conditions clarified on pre-payment penalty, part payment, charges for shifting from fixed to floating etc.

In case of a housing loan know that it's a buyers market now. Bargain aggressively for interest rate reduction.

Pre-payment penalties on housing loans is history now.

Unit linked plans are linked to the sensex. Know that ups and downs of the stock market will influence them accordingly.

If you have bought unit linked risk plans, review them at regular intervals. You may consider a shift if your fund is not performing.

If you are not much of a risk taker do not buy unit linked insurance plans.

Consider investment in mutual funds as part of your short-term goals