Hi Anu, My husband doesn't do house chores. We both work full-time, but I still end up cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. When I ask for help, my partner will say, ‘Just tell me what to do,’ but then he conveniently forgets. Maybe he doesn't like it or he is genuinely forgetful. I have tried many ways to make him explain. Once I only did my share of laundry to make him realise but he simply ignored. Every week this pattern repeats. Is this normal? How can married couples divide responsibilities fairly to avoid fights?

Ans: Hi Girish

You are 55, working in Dubai, and currently covered under your company’s medical insurance worldwide. That cover is excellent, but please remember one important thing: it ends the day your employment ends. Health insurance planning has to look beyond employment.

Can you take a health insurance policy in India at age 60?
Yes, you can. Most insurers in India do allow entry at 60 years and even later.
However, at that age:

Premiums are significantly higher

Medical tests and scrutiny are much stricter

Any lifestyle condition or past medical history can lead to waiting periods, exclusions, or higher premiums

So while it is possible, it is not ideal to start fresh at 60.

Will taking a policy now help reduce premium later?
The bigger benefit is not just premium, but certainty and continuity.

If you take a policy now at 55:

You enter at a lower age slab

Mandatory waiting periods (usually 2–4 years) get completed well before retirement

By the time you are 60, the policy becomes mature and far more useful

Underwriting happens when you are younger and healthier

Premiums will still rise with age, but you avoid the sharp jump and uncertainty of entering as a new senior citizen.

But since you already have full medical cover, is this necessary?
Think of this Indian policy as a retirement safety net, not a replacement for your employer cover.

You do not need to actively use it now.
You just need it to run in the background, so that when you return to India, you are not forced to buy insurance at the worst possible time.

Many NRIs make the mistake of postponing this decision and then struggle at 60 when options become limited.

What kind of policy should you consider?
Keep it straightforward:

A family floater for you and your wife

Decent coverage, not the bare minimum

Focus on hospitalisation benefits

Buy it with the intention of continuing it for life

Avoid over engineering the policy. Simplicity works best in health insurance.

Final advice
Health insurance is one area where early action quietly pays off later.
You may never thank yourself at 60 for buying a policy at 55, but you will definitely regret not doing it if a medical issue arises.

Most obvious question how can I take the family floater insurance most insurance will issue when you are visiting India

Few insurance will issue incase your are not able to visit Indian the cost of medical test in your abroad hospital or clinic will cost you heavy on pockets

Naveenn Kummar
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

Ans: I understand how you feel stuck when the scale doesn’t move despite cutting back on obvious “problem foods.” Healthy weight loss isn’t about eliminating entire food groups or starving yourself. It’s about creating a sustainable calorie balance, protecting your metabolism, and finding the right mix of food, movement, and lifestyle. Cutting rice, sweets, and fried food helps, but if overall calories are still high (large portions, hidden oils, snacks), weight loss stalls. Eating too little can backfire — your body adapts by slowing energy expenditure, making fat loss harder. If you’re not eating enough protein or doing strength training, you may lose muscle, which lowers metabolism. A healthy way to lose weight is by adapting to a balanced, protein-rich diet with controlled portions, strength training, good sleep, and stress management without feeling tired or deprived.

Ans: Indian meals are deeply cultural and comforting, and it’s not realistic (or enjoyable) to cut them out completely. The good news is you can manage borderline diabetes without giving up traditional food by making smart adjustments in portion, timing, and combinations. It’s less about restriction and more about balance. Choose whole grains like multigrain atta, jowar, bajra, ragi, or brown rice and mix with protein & fiber like rice/roti with dal, sabzi, and salad. Replace gulab jamun/halwa with fruit-based desserts (baked apple, fruit chaat, dates in moderation). Replace gulab jamun/halwa with fruit-based desserts (baked apple, fruit chaat, dates in moderation). Eat smaller meals more often, stay hydrated and exercise regularly.

Ans: That’s such a relatable challenge! I completely understand the temptation when biscuits are always around! The good news is you can absolutely enjoy tea-time without guilt if you keep diabetes-friendly snacks handy. The trick is to choose options that are low in refined carbs, high in fiber or protein, and portion-controlled so they satisfy cravings without spiking blood sugar. Include roasted chana (gram), unsalted nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios), seeds mix (flax, pumpkin, sunflower), roasted makhana (fox nuts) or low GI fruits like apple or guava slices paired with a few nuts, cucumber/carrot sticks with dips like hummus or hung curd.

Ans: People with diabetes can safely eat fruits, but the key is choosing low-to-moderate glycemic index (GI) fruits and controlling portion sizes. Apples, papayas, berries, guava, and citrus fruits are generally safe, while very sweet fruits like mangoes, grapes, and bananas should be eaten in moderation. The safe limit is usually 1–2 servings of whole fruit per day, paired with meals rather than eaten alone to avoid sugar spikes.

Ans: Intermittent fasting can help with weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity in people with prediabetes, but it must be done cautiously and under medical supervision. Research shows fasting windows like 14–16 hours may lower blood sugar and reduce diabetes risk, but skipping meals without monitoring can cause dangerous sugar drops, especially if you’re already pre-diabetic. A safer approach is a balanced diet with controlled portions, higher protein, whole grains, and regular activity.

Ans: During menopause, weight gain and fatigue are common due to hormonal changes and a slower metabolism, but the right diet can help. A balanced approach is beneficial, such as a Mediterranean-style diet or a modified high-protein plan that emphasizes whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. This supports weight management, stabilizes mood, and boosts energy without leaving you hungry. Pairing this with strength training, good sleep, and stress management can help you manage weight, energy, and mood swings sustainably.

Ans: Clean eating doesn’t mean avoiding all packaged foods. It’s about choosing foods that are minimally processed, nutrient-dense, and close to their natural state. It includes limiting sugary snacks, refined grains, fried foods, etc. and focusing on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. Packaged foods can fit into clean eating if they’re simple, whole, and free from excessive additives, sugar, or preservatives.

Ans: Drinking black coffee in the morning is generally safe for most healthy adults, and while it can slightly boost metabolism and suppress appetite, it does not directly burn belly fat. Sustainable fat loss requires overall diet control and lifestyle changes, and not coffee alone.