New Delhi, May 29 -- Investing in Public Provident Fund (PPF)? You can slightly boost long-term returns by timing contributions wisely. Try depositing your money before the 5th of each month to ensure it earns interest for the full month. This simple hack helps maximize compounding benefits over the years. Here's how.

The PPF is a government-supported savings scheme known for its safety, steady returns and tax advantages. The account has a 15-year tenure, which you can extend further in blocks of five years.

PPF accounts currently offer an interest rate of 7.1%, set by the government and revised annually. Although interest is credited on 31 March each year, it is calculated on a monthly basis, making the timing of deposits important for...