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Praseeja

Praseeja Nambiar  | Answer  |Ask -

Career Counselling Expert - Answered on May 09, 2023

An internationally certified career coach, Praseeja Nambiar works as a counsellor at the Stonehill International School, Bengaluru.
In the last nine years, she has helped over 1,000 students with their admissions into Indian and international universities.
Nambiar received her training from Global Career Counselling and the University of California, LA (UCLA) Extension and is certified as a career coach by Certified Career Services Provider.
She contributes to the International Career and College Counselling institute by training other counsellors across the globe.
Nambiar is also an evaluator for the Council of International Schools and will soon be leading the IB careers-related programme at Stonehill International School.... more
Anuradha Question by Anuradha on May 09, 2023Hindi
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Career

Hi. My 18 year old son is doing very badly in his studies. He has failed in his first semester exam (B com). D barred for low attendance in second semester. He is a jovial & intelligent boy. I think his habit of procrastination is ruining his career prospects. Earlier he was a mild mannered boy but now he flies into rage whenever I talk to him about studies. Please guide how to handle this situation.

Ans: I suggest meeting a coach or a psychologist who will then help you manage his behaviour pattern. Please remember, there is no stigma attached to meeting a psychologist. People think it has to do with mental health. No, it is not. They are qualified professionals who can identify behaviour patterns in young adults and help you with strategies to succeed. This is called life coaching. There are many qualified professionals in your city. You might want to reach out.
Career

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8853 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Aug 13, 2024

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Career
Hello sir, my son is 18 year old after 10th i took his admission to electrical engineering 1st year of his engineering he is regularly going for college in 2nd semester got 5 subject ATKT due to government bless rule he got admission to 2nd year also but my son started avoiding to going to college hole day just watching mobile not studying for his ATKT subject also saying i dont want to study i want to become a youtuber but doing nothing hole day just watching mobile if i scold him and stop his wifi he is saying i will leave the house he is not bother about food nor about his health nor his Carrier just required WIFI for mobile i am very tense for his carrier and future he dont have friends also please advise how can i make him understand how study is important and how can i complete his engineering to get job to earn money thank you pravin k
Ans: Pravin Sir,

Addition to electronic gadgets is one of the problems, some parents face nowadays.

First of all, approach a good Professional / Qualified Student Counsellor along with your son in your locality. Make sure, the Counsellor has Psychology Background also. There might be some changes. If needed, you can approach a Psychologist, having specialised knowledge in Counselling the children of your son's age.

Follow-up counselling sessions with the counsellors are also important until he changes his attitude.

If possible, visit his college and request for couselling your son. Almost all colleges have counsellors who can help.

Some other tips:

1) Tell him, he also can become YouTuber. But ask him what plans he has to become a YouTuber?
2) Switching off WiFi & being authoritarian will not work.
3) Communicate or interact with him politely whenever possible.
4) Tell him he can use his mobile but, at the same time should focus on his studies as well.
5) Make sure, atmosophere at home is good. Such as, parents also should avoid spending too much time on Electronic Gadgets. Most of the children imitate only their parents.
6) If possible, tell him to participate in physical activities as well.

All the BEST for Your Bright Future.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9750 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 15, 2025Hindi
Money
Flexi cap =14000, HDFC Balance Advantage Fund - Direct plan- Growth = 2000 Lage and Midcap Fund= 6500 Midcap Fund= 3000 Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund= 1000 Small Cap= 2500 Nifty 500 Momentum 50 ETF= 1000 Sector Fund ( Energy + Bussniss Cycle )= 3000 Current Corpus = 9 lakh , one home loan 8.50L ( 2 kids= 14 and 6 old) 2Cr after 15 years and 50 lakh after 10 years , plz suggest
Ans: You are already investing in multiple mutual funds. Your target corpus is Rs?2?crore in 15 years and Rs?50?lakh in 10 years. You also have a home loan of Rs?8.5?lakh and 2 kids aged 14 and 6.

Let’s assess your situation and restructure it with a 360-degree, goal-oriented, simple language plan.

? Understand Your Monthly SIP Structure
– Flexi Cap: Rs?14,000
– Balanced Advantage: Rs?2,000
– Large & Mid Cap: Rs?6,500
– Mid Cap: Rs?3,000
– Small Cap: Rs?2,500
– Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Rs?1,000
– Nifty 500 Momentum 50 ETF: Rs?1,000
– Sector Funds (Energy + Business Cycle): Rs?3,000

Total SIP: Rs?33,000 per month. Corpus now is Rs?9?lakh.

? First Issue: Over-diversified Fund Portfolio
– You are in too many funds.
– Some of them are overlapping.
– Index and ETF investments also dilute focus.
– Sector funds and thematic funds are not suitable for goal planning.
– They are risky and not diversified.

Having 7–8 funds increases confusion, not returns.

? Second Issue: You Hold Index and ETF Funds
– Nifty Smallcap 250 Index is unmanaged and volatile.
– It tracks the index without protection.
– ETF (Momentum 50) also depends on short-term trends.
– They work only in rising markets.
– In flat or falling markets, they drop fast.

Actively managed funds are better for long-term goals.
A Certified Financial Planner can guide your allocation.

? Third Issue: Sector and Theme-Based Funds
– Sector funds are risky and cyclical.
– Energy or Business Cycle funds are for advanced investors.
– They are not suitable for education or retirement goals.
– Sectors may underperform for long periods.
– You don't need them for goal-based planning.

Better to exit sector funds and shift to core diversified equity.

? Fourth Issue: Lack of Defined Goal Buckets
– You aim for Rs?50?lakh in 10 years.
– You also aim for Rs?2?crore in 15 years.
– But the current fund setup doesn’t align clearly.
– You must split SIPs for each goal.
– Each goal should have its own mix of funds.

Without goal buckets, tracking and reviewing becomes difficult.

? Fifth Issue: No Mention of Emergency Fund
– You have a home loan to repay.
– You have school-going kids.
– But there is no emergency buffer shown.
– Emergency fund should be equal to 6–12 months’ expenses.
– Park this in liquid or ultra-short term funds.

Emergency savings protect investments from being disturbed.

? Suggested Mutual Fund Portfolio Restructuring
Let us simplify your SIP basket.

Remove these from portfolio:
– Nifty Smallcap 250 Index
– Momentum 50 ETF
– Both Sector funds

Keep and continue:
– Flexi Cap Fund
– Large & Mid Cap Fund
– Mid Cap Fund
– Balanced Advantage Fund
– Small Cap Fund (with smaller exposure)

Now divide SIPs in buckets:

For Rs?50?Lakh Goal in 10 Years:
– Large & Mid Cap Fund (Rs?7,000)
– Flexi Cap Fund (Rs?7,000)
– Balanced Advantage Fund (Rs?3,000)

Total = Rs?17,000/month

For Rs?2?Crore Goal in 15 Years:
– Mid Cap Fund (Rs?4,000)
– Small Cap Fund (Rs?3,000)
– Flexi Cap Fund (Rs?3,000)
– Large & Mid Cap Fund (Rs?3,000)
– Balanced Advantage Fund (Rs?3,000)

Total = Rs?16,000/month

This separation makes goal tracking clear and efficient.

? Continue SIPs Through Regular Plans via MFD
– Direct plans lack support.
– Regular plans through a CFP or MFD give guidance.
– Helps manage volatility and stay invested.
– Better asset allocation and exit strategy.

Emotional discipline and handholding increase wealth over years.

? Equity Mutual Fund Taxation
– Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) above Rs?1.25?lakh/year taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains taxed at 20%.
– Plan redemptions smartly to reduce tax burden.

A Certified Financial Planner can optimise exit strategy for minimum tax.

? Home Loan vs Investment
– Your home loan is Rs?8.5?lakh.
– Don’t prepay aggressively.
– Let SIPs run and grow long-term wealth.
– Only part-prepay if cash is idle.

Low-interest home loans help create tax benefits.

? Children’s Education Planning
– Elder child may need college funds in 4 years.
– Use part of your Rs?9?lakh corpus here.
– Shift Rs?3–4?lakh to a short-term debt fund.
– This keeps funds safe and ready.

Don’t keep child education corpus in equity now.

? Retirement Planning Outlook
– Rs?2?crore goal in 15 years is achievable with Rs?16k/month SIP.
– You must increase SIP every year.
– Even a 5–10% increase can improve returns.
– Your EPF/PPF can also support retirement corpus.

Combine mutual funds with PF benefits for better retirement readiness.

? Insurance Protection Review
– No mention of term insurance.
– Buy Rs?1 crore term plan now.
– You have 2 kids and a home loan.
– This is non-negotiable.
– Premium is low if taken early.

Separate protection gives peace of mind to family.

? Importance of Annual Review
– Fund performance needs yearly check.
– Some funds may need to be changed.
– Risk appetite may change.
– Goals may shift.

Annual check with Certified Financial Planner keeps your plan healthy.

? Final Insights
– Reduce the number of funds to avoid overlap.
– Exit index, ETF, and sector funds.
– Focus only on actively managed, diversified equity mutual funds.
– Make separate SIPs for each goal.
– Continue home loan EMIs, avoid prepaying.
– Build emergency fund now.
– Use regular mutual fund plans via CFP or MFD.
– Start term insurance immediately.
– Review fund performance and progress every year.

You have a solid start. A clear structure and consistent investing will achieve both your goals safely.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

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