Will I get a new job at 47? Leaving job with stress as single mom

Ans: Hello dear
As far as possible, drop the idea of repeating JEE. Please do not compare engineering branches. Every branch has its application and opportunities, whether in a job or business. Please give preference to your choice of branch first, and then weigh the importance of the college. Both chemical and production are promising branches of engineering. However, if you are offered any branch in tier 3 IITs, it would be preferable to pursue it. Since you did not mention which branches you expect in tier 2 IITs, I am unable to provide proper suggestions. Yet, I recommend choosing IIT over NIT.
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Sanjive
Prefer CSE @ IIT Goa. Electrical is also a good branch. Choose this branch if you like it.
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear
Prefer CSE @ BIT Mesra, Ranchi if possible. Yet, EE is also a good core branch.
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Kamal
Prefer CSE @ Manipal Bangalore
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Samik
It would be better to search for the private college option via management or NRI quota seats.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello D
The chances are moderate to slim for CSE at NITs. Yet, you can keep hopes alive for ECE in a good, reputed college
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Hemi
Chances are bright to get admission to a good college. We can't provide the list of colleges here on this platform. All branches have equal weightage. It is unfair to compare with them. Please choose the branch of your choice.
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Radheshyam

Ans: It shows you are serious about planning a peaceful and worry-free retirement.

Most people struggle to take this first step. So you are already ahead.

You want to know whether to keep your money in fixed deposits (FD) or invest in mutual funds or ULIPs.

Let us now do a full 360-degree assessment to guide you towards the right option.

We will compare FD, mutual funds and ULIPs from every angle.

We will also help you choose what is best for retirement.

Purpose of Retirement Planning
Retirement means no salary income after a certain age.

But expenses like food, health, bills will still continue.

So you must create a stable, growing income source for post-retirement years.

This income must last for 20–30 years depending on your age.

So safety, growth, and liquidity must be balanced.

Understand Your Main Options
Let us now understand your three main options:

Option 1: Fixed Deposits (FD)
FD is simple. You put money in bank and get fixed interest.

Interest income is regular and safe.

FD returns are low, around 6% to 7% per year.

After tax, returns reduce more. Especially for people in 20% or 30% tax slabs.

FD does not beat inflation in long run. Your money loses value slowly.

It is not good for building large wealth for retirement.

It can be used for short-term needs or emergency corpus.

But not for long-term wealth creation or income generation after 60.

Option 2: ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan)
ULIP combines insurance and investment.

Lock-in period is five years. Withdrawals not easy.

Fund options inside ULIP are limited and fixed.

Returns are affected by high charges in early years.

Charges include allocation charge, admin charge, fund charge, mortality charge.

Even after 5 years, fund switching is restricted.

Returns are lower compared to mutual funds.

It is not flexible or transparent.

ULIP is not recommended for retirement planning.

You should surrender existing ULIPs and move to mutual funds.

Option 3: Mutual Funds (Via MFD with CFP Support)
Mutual funds are professionally managed investment funds.

You can invest small or big amounts anytime.

No lock-in except ELSS (which has 3 years lock-in).

There are different categories—large-cap, flexi-cap, mid-cap, hybrid, debt, etc.

You can get a mix of safety and growth.

SIPs help you invest monthly without stress.

You can also invest lump sum and grow it with compounding.

Actively managed mutual funds give better returns over long term.

If invested through Certified Financial Planner and MFD, it gives added benefits.

You get proper advice, fund selection, reviews and rebalancing.

This ensures long-term goals are met without panic.

It gives flexibility to switch, pause or increase SIP anytime.

You can plan for every goal—retirement, child’s education, and health corpus.

Why Direct Funds Are Not Suitable for Long-Term Investors
Direct funds seem cheaper as they have lower expense ratio.

But they come with no advice, no review and no handholding.

Most investors do not know when to switch funds or rebalance.

Mistakes in timing, selection and panic selling are common.

Returns reduce due to lack of guidance.

Investing through MFD and CFP ensures regular monitoring.

You get full service, documentation support and proper goal tracking.

Regular funds give better experience and results even with slightly higher cost.

Disadvantages of Index Funds and ETFs
Index funds copy the stock market index like Nifty or Sensex.

They do not try to beat the market.

They invest in all index companies, good or bad.

Index funds do not do active fund management.

In falling markets, they fall fully. No downside protection.

Actively managed funds can reduce damage by changing strategy.

In long term, active funds can outperform index funds.

They give better wealth growth if guided by MFD with CFP.

So do not rely on index funds for retirement planning.

Your Retirement Planning Strategy
To live a stress-free retired life, you must follow a strong and balanced plan.

Let us build your plan in simple steps:

Step 1: Build Emergency Fund
First, keep 6 to 12 months of expenses in FD or liquid fund.

This is for emergencies like health or job break.

This should not be used for long-term goals.

Step 2: Get Proper Insurance Protection
Take term insurance for income protection.

Take health insurance with good sum assured.

Never mix insurance and investment.

Avoid ULIP, endowment, or money-back policies.

Only use pure insurance for protection.

Step 3: Start SIP in Mutual Funds (Through MFD+CFP)
Decide how much you can save monthly.

Start SIP in 3 to 4 good mutual funds.

Choose mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and hybrid funds.

Use CFP support to plan asset allocation.

Every year, review and rebalance portfolio.

Increase SIP amount when income rises.

Stay invested for 15–20 years for strong corpus.

Use goal-based planning to track progress.

Step 4: Avoid ULIPs and Poor Insurance Products
If you already hold ULIP, make it paid-up or surrender.

Do not invest more money in ULIP.

Move those funds to mutual funds after lock-in ends.

Do not fall for new insurance-investment offers in future.

Step 5: Build Retirement Income Plan
When you retire, shift mutual funds slowly to hybrid and debt funds.

Create Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) to get monthly income.

This gives regular cash flow after retirement.

This is more flexible and tax-efficient than FD interest.

Importance of Certified Financial Planner Support
A CFP helps you plan your full life goals clearly.

You get support for retirement, education, and emergencies.

CFP does asset allocation and tax planning for you.

CFP helps you avoid wrong investments and fraud products.

CFP does regular review and fine tuning of plans.

This gives peace of mind and better results over time.

Risks of Keeping All Money in FD
FD gives low return, often lower than inflation.

If you retire with only FD income, you may fall short.

FD interest is fully taxed as per slab.

There is no growth or capital appreciation.

In long retirement period, FD will not support rising costs.

Tax Rules You Must Know for Mutual Funds
For equity mutual funds, gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains (less than 1 year) taxed at 20%.

For debt funds, all gains taxed as per your slab.

SWP is more tax-friendly than FD interest.

FD interest is added to income and taxed fully.

So mutual funds are better for tax-efficient income and growth.

Finally
Do not depend only on FD for retirement. It cannot beat inflation.

ULIPs are not suitable. Charges are high. Returns are poor.

Mutual funds give better growth, flexibility and tax savings.

Use MFD + CFP to get full planning support.

Protect your family with term and health insurance.

Start SIP and follow it with discipline for 15–20 years.

Review every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Shift to low-risk funds when retirement comes close.

Use SWP from mutual funds for monthly income after retirement.

Avoid emotional decisions. Stay invested. Stay focused on your goals.

That is the best way to enjoy a peaceful, stress-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Hello dear.
Prefer B.Tech. @ DS college if possible
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam