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24, Unemployed, BCom Incomplete: Should I Finish My Degree to Find a Better Job?

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |963 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Jan 23, 2025

Patrick Dsouza is the founder of Patrick100.
Along with his wife, Rochelle, he trains students for competitive management entrance exams such as the Common Admission Test, the Xavier Aptitude Test, Common Management Admission Test and the Common Entrance Test.
They also train students for group discussions and interviews.
Patrick has scored in the 100 percentile six times in CAT. He achieved the first rank in XAT twice, in CET thrice and once in the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test.
Apart from coaching students for MBA exams, Patrick and Rochelle have trained aspirants from the IIMs, the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and the S P Jain Institute of Management Studies and Research for campus placements.
Patrick has been a panellist on the group discussion and panel interview rounds for some of the top management colleges in Mumbai.
He has graduated in mechanical engineering from the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. He has completed his masters in management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.... more
Vikram Question by Vikram on Jan 21, 2025Hindi
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Career

I am 24 years old, no employment, I am undergraduate (bcom), I couldn't complete my 3rd year due to financial issues and it has been two years but couldn't pass and then to I don't feel like completing degree then to I had given interview many places like epicenter, first source, reliance, dmart, etc. every where I had rejected but when I meet Hr. She said who have completed your degree first and get your certificate . I know a computer knowledge, I know 3 language's English, Hindi and Marathi now my problem is should I complete my degree or not for finding a best job

Ans: Try completing your degree as only 3rd year exams are left. That will help you to get a decent job. Else in the future lack of degree could become a stumbling block in your promotions in your job.
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Pradeep

Pradeep Pramanik  | Answer  |Ask -

Career And Placement Consultant - Answered on Aug 03, 2024

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I have completed my civil engg from reputed govt college in 2016 and after that I went for gate coaching i got 35 marks in gate 2017. (I know this is not my best I can do better). After that I started preparing for technical govt exams. After one year some of my prelims were missing by .25 marks 2 marks that time I gave up. And started doing site internship to start my own civil engg consultancy firm. But I got one opportunity to do job as lecturer in polytechnic college so I started doing job at polytechnic college. After 6 months again I started doing studies and cleared mains of state 2019 PSCs Assistant engg. And missed rrb je post by 2 marks in mains. After that exam corona came and I couldn't keep myself on the track and one year again wasted. In 2021 March I have started preparing for prelims and cleared prelims and for mains exam I joined one online class named super 40 and already half syllabus was over at time.of joining so I started watching lectures and as lectures were lengthy and so much lectures were there so I couldn't do revision properly and I lost my self confidence due to that coaching and it was totally waste of money. Again that time it was time everyone was saying do software classes to get job and many of mine friends done those classes so I also joined one to get job and successfully wasted another 6 months. I don't know what to do now. I still feel that If I can study for another 5/6 months I can clear rrb je. In between I got offer of 25k per month as site engineer I denyed that. It's been 8 years since my degree and still. unemployed. Please help me out.
Ans: Dear Friend , When You are not focussed or keep on changing your plans , it is bound to happen. In these precious 8yrs you could have made your career in Civil Engg. However you wanted to start your consultancy or then wanted to try your hand in Govt Jobs or some times you tried your hand in teaching but quit the job. If you delay in taking a firm decision , even getting a job in your core field will be difficult. So get into a stable job and build you career.

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Moneywize

Moneywize   |178 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 06, 2025Hindi
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I am 34, earning 15 LPA planning to retire at the age of 45. I want to invest 20 lakhs lump sum to generate corpus of 7 cr. Where and how should I invest?
Ans: To generate a corpus of Rs 7 crore by the time you are 45, starting with a Rs 20 lakh lump sum investment at 34, you need to consider the power of compounding, high-return investments, and disciplined portfolio management. Here's how you can structure your investments:
Key Assumptions:
1. Time Frame: 11 years (from age 34 to 45).
2. Required Corpus: Rs 7 crore.
3. Initial Investment: Rs 20 lakh.
To grow Rs 20 lakh to Rs 7 crore, the required annual return would be approximately 24% compounded annually. Achieving such high returns involves a significant degree of risk, so it's important to balance the portfolio carefully.
Investment Strategy:
1. Equity Mutual Funds (High Risk, High Return):
• Equity is the primary asset class to generate high returns over the long term. Historically, equity mutual funds can provide returns of around 12-18% annually, but this is subject to market performance.
• Suggested Funds:
o Large-cap funds: For stability and steady growth (e.g., HDFC Top 100 Fund, Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund).
o Mid-cap and Small-cap funds: Higher growth potential but more volatile (e.g., Axis Midcap Fund, Nippon India Small Cap Fund, Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund).
o Flexi-cap funds: These provide exposure to both large and mid-cap stocks (e.g., Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, HDFC Flexi Cap Fund).
• Allocation for Equity Funds: Around 70-80% of your lump sum (Rs 14 lakh - Rs 16 lakh) can be invested in equity funds, targeting high growth.
2. SIP Investments (For Dollar-Cost Averaging):
• While you have a lump sum, consider continuing SIPs in equity funds over the years to help with dollar-cost averaging (DCA), which reduces the risk of investing a lump sum at market highs.
• Start SIPs of Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month, targeting high-growth equity funds to further compound your wealth.
3. Hybrid Funds (Moderate Risk):
• To balance the portfolio, invest in hybrid funds, which include a mix of equity and debt. They can moderate volatility and provide steady growth.
• Suggested Funds: HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund, ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund.
• Allocation for Hybrid Funds: Around 10-15% (Rs 2 lakh - Rs 3 lakh).
4. Real Estate (Optional):
• If you have any plans of investing in real estate, a portion of your portfolio can be used here. Though real estate generally appreciates at a slower rate, it can be a good long-term investment. However, avoid allocating too much to it since real estate is illiquid.
• Allocation for Real Estate: Optional, but around 5-10% of the lump sum (Rs 1-2 lakh).
5. Debt Instruments (Low Risk, Capital Protection):
• While the primary focus should be on high-return equity, it's prudent to keep a small portion in debt funds or bonds for stability.
• Suggested Funds: HDFC Corporate Bond Fund, ICICI Prudential Liquid Fund.
• Allocation for Debt Instruments: Around 5% (Rs 1 lakh).
Expected Returns:
1. Equity Funds: Targeting returns of 15-20% annually.
2. Hybrid Funds: Targeting returns of around 10-12% annually.
3. Debt Funds: Targeting returns of 6-7% annually.
Tracking and Adjusting:
1. Monitor Portfolio: Review the portfolio every 6-12 months to ensure the investments are aligned with your goal. Consider reallocating based on market conditions.
2. Tax Considerations: Ensure tax efficiency by investing in tax-efficient funds and making use of tax exemptions (e.g., ELSS for tax saving under 80C).
3. Rebalancing: As your investment grows, shift gradually from high-risk assets (equity) to lower-risk assets (debt/hybrid) as you approach the target.
Potential Outcome:
Assuming you achieve the required return of 24% annually (through a combination of equities, SIPs, and compounding), your Rs 20 lakh investment can grow significantly by 45. However, the exact growth rate will depend on market performance, the consistency of returns, and your disciplined investment approach.
Conclusion:
Achieving a Rs 7 crore corpus from Rs 20 lakh in 11 years is ambitious but possible with a high-risk, high-return strategy. By focusing on equity mutual funds, balancing with hybrid and debt funds, and continuing SIPs, you can potentially achieve your goal. However, monitor the portfolio periodically and adjust your strategy based on market conditions and risk tolerance.

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Moneywize

Moneywize   |178 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 06, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 38, living with my parents who have savings of Rs 40 lakhs and monthly pension of Rs 15,000. I live in a house valued at 1.5 crore, a car and a corpus of 50 lakh. My annual salary is 15 lakh, my wife, 32, a teacher, earns 8 lakh per annum. Our daughter is 11 years and we have invested 30 lakh for her education. Will it be a good idea to retire at 48? Hopefully my daughter will be a graduate by then.
Ans: Retiring at 48 is an ambitious goal, especially given that your daughter will be in the later stages of her education at that time. However, it can be achievable with the right strategy, keeping in mind that both your current and future financial needs (such as your daughter's education, living expenses, and healthcare) should be carefully planned.
Key Financial Points:
1. Current Assets & Liabilities:
o Savings and investments: Rs 50 lakh corpus + Rs 40 lakh savings from your parents.
o House: Rs 1.5 crore (valuable asset, no immediate cash flow but provides stability).
o Car: An asset, though it depreciates.
o Monthly Pension: Rs 15,000 (provides additional cash flow).
2. Income:
o Your Salary: Rs 15 lakh per annum.
o Wife's Salary: Rs 8 lakh per annum.
o Total household income: Rs 23 lakh annually (pre-tax).
3. Daughter’s Education:
o You’ve already invested Rs 30 lakh for her education, which can cover part of her expenses, but you need to plan for the balance.
4. Retirement Goal:
o Retiring at 48 means you’ll need a substantial retirement corpus to cover your lifestyle expenses, especially since you plan to live without any active income.
o Estimate your monthly living expenses (post-retirement) considering inflation, healthcare, and contingencies.
Key Considerations for Retirement at 48:
1. Monthly Expenses Post-Retirement:
o Assuming your family needs Rs 60,000 per month (inflated from your current expenses) and an additional Rs 30,000 for health and emergency purposes, your annual expenses would be approximately Rs 10 lakh. This figure may rise over time due to inflation.
2. Corpus Needed:
o If you plan to live on Rs 10 lakh per year post-retirement, assuming a withdrawal rate of 4% (a standard guideline for sustainable withdrawals), you would need a retirement corpus of Rs 2.5 crore.
o If your daughter's education expenses require more funding, factor that in as well.
3. Current Assets & Future Growth:
o Savings Growth: Your Rs 50 lakh corpus can grow if invested well in equity mutual funds, stocks, or balanced funds (expected returns of around 10-12% p.a.).
o Parents’ Savings: The Rs 40 lakh savings from your parents can be used to generate returns in low-risk avenues like debt funds or fixed deposits, if they plan to support your retirement plans.
4. Planning for Future Education & Miscellaneous Expenses:
o Your daughter’s education will likely require more than Rs 30 lakh for her undergrad and possibly postgraduate education. Estimate the total requirement (say Rs 50-60 lakh for the complete course, including inflation) and plan for it.
5. Retirement Income Strategy:
o Pension or Annuity: Consider a monthly income plan or annuity products to ensure a steady stream of income during retirement. For example, a monthly annuity from your parents' corpus or part of your own corpus can provide financial stability.
6. Investment Strategy:
o Equity Mutual Funds: Start or increase SIPs in equity mutual funds (for long-term capital growth). Equity can provide high returns but also carries risk, so it’s ideal for long-term goals like retirement.
o Debt Funds: Consider shifting to debt or hybrid funds as you approach retirement to preserve capital.
o Real Estate: Your house is a valuable asset, and if you plan to sell or downsize in the future, it can be a key part of your retirement corpus.
Steps to Achieve Your Retirement Goal:
1. Increase Savings:
o Save a higher portion of your monthly salary towards retirement, even increasing your SIPs or contributions in the coming years. Aim to invest at least 30-40% of your combined income in SIPs or mutual funds.
2. Asset Allocation:
o Focus on equity funds for growth in the early years. As retirement nears, shift some of the corpus to safer instruments like debt funds or bonds.
3. Plan for Healthcare:
o Healthcare costs can significantly impact retirement. Ensure you have adequate health insurance for yourself and your family, considering long-term care as well.
4. Create a Contingency Fund:
o Have an emergency fund equivalent to 12-18 months of expenses to avoid dipping into retirement savings during emergencies.
5. Revisit Your Goal Periodically:
o Regularly check your progress and adjust your investments based on market performance, income changes, and any unexpected expenses (e.g., your daughter’s education needs).
Conclusion:
• Retiring at 48 is a feasible goal, but it will require diligent planning and a disciplined investment approach. Your savings and investments should aim to grow sufficiently over the next 10 years to generate a steady income stream, along with provisions for your daughter’s higher education.
• With careful asset allocation and savings growth, your goal of retiring by 48 and managing your family’s finances can be well within reach.

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Moneywize

Moneywize   |178 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 06, 2025Hindi
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Money
I am 34 years old and have no savings or EMIs. I live with my parents and earn Rs 35,000 a month with an annual bonus of Rs 18,000. I want to retire at 50 and settle in my home town. What is the best way for me to plan and invest for my retirement?
Ans: To achieve your goal of retiring at 50 and settling in your hometown, the key is to start investing early and developing a disciplined savings strategy. Here's how you can plan:
1. Determine Your Retirement Corpus
• To retire at 50, you need to calculate how much you’ll need to live comfortably. Consider your current lifestyle and future expenses.
• You can aim for a corpus that supports 70-80% of your pre-retirement income annually. For example, if you plan to need Rs 50,000 per month (Rs 6 lakh annually) in retirement, you'll need a corpus of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crore, depending on the duration of your retirement.
2. Build an Emergency Fund
• Set aside an emergency fund of 3-6 months of living expenses. This provides financial security in case of unexpected situations. You can keep this fund in a high-interest savings account or liquid mutual funds.
3. Invest in Retirement-Specific Instruments
• Public Provident Fund (PPF): PPF is a great long-term investment for retirement due to its tax benefits and safety.
• National Pension Scheme (NPS): NPS is another good option that offers both equity and debt exposure. It's designed for retirement and provides tax benefits.
• Mutual Funds: Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in equity mutual funds (consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and hybrid funds) for higher returns over the long term. Even though mutual funds come with some risk, they can offer substantial growth over time.
4. Invest in Stocks (for higher returns)
• If you're comfortable with higher risk, you can invest in individual stocks or equity mutual funds to generate wealth. Ensure to do thorough research before investing or consider opting for managed portfolios if you're new to investing.
5. Keep Your Expenses Low
• Since you live with your parents and don’t have major expenses, this is an opportunity to save a significant portion of your income. Consider saving and investing 30-50% of your monthly income in the beginning.
6. Automate Your Investments
• Set up automatic monthly transfers into your investment accounts (like SIPs in mutual funds) to ensure consistent investing.
7. Maximize Tax Benefits
• Contribute to tax-saving instruments like ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes), PPF, and NPS to reduce your taxable income.
• For long-term capital gains, keep in mind the tax exemptions and favorable tax rates for certain investment vehicles like PPF and NPS.
8. Increase Investment with Income Growth
• As your salary increases over the years, make sure to increase your investment amount accordingly. If you receive additional bonuses or increments, allocate a portion of them to your retirement fund.
9. Diversify Your Portfolio
• Diversification can help manage risk. Apart from mutual funds, PPF, and NPS, you could consider investments in gold or real estate if suitable for your situation.
10. Track and Rebalance Your Portfolio
• Regularly review your portfolio and rebalance it based on your retirement goals and market conditions. It’s also important to monitor inflation rates and adjust your goals accordingly.
Example Plan (Rs 35,000/month income):
• Monthly Savings (30% of income): Rs 10,500
• Bonus (Annually): Rs 18,000, invest 50% of it (Rs 9,000)
• Total Monthly Investment: Rs 10,500 + Rs 750 (bonus contribution) = Rs 11,250
• Invest in equity mutual funds via SIP: Rs 8,000
• PPF: Rs 2,000
• NPS: Rs 1,250
Potential Returns:
Assuming a return of 12% per annum from equity investments, you could accumulate a substantial corpus over time. If you start early, even small, consistent investments can lead to significant wealth.
Key Takeaways:
• Start investing early to take advantage of compounding.
• Aim to save and invest a portion of your income regularly.
• Focus on building a retirement-specific portfolio with tax-saving benefits.
• Gradually increase your savings as your income grows.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 06, 2025

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As per Budget 2025, for income upto ₹12 Laks has zero Income Tax liability. But the Tax slabs start from ₹0 to ₹4 Laks, which should have started from ₹12 Laks to ₹16 Laks, as income up to ₹12 Laks has zero Tax applicable. Also under Budget 2025, who is required to file Return compulsorily?
Ans: In the Union Budget 2025, the Indian government introduced changes to the income tax structure. The new tax regime now offers a basic exemption limit of Rs. 4,00,000. Individuals earning up to Rs. 12,00,000 annually are eligible for a rebate under Section 87A, which effectively brings their tax liability to zero.

Addressing Your Concern

You mentioned that the tax slabs should begin from Rs. 12,00,000, given the exemption up to Rs. 12,00,000.However, the tax slabs are designed to follow a progressive system. The initial slab of Rs. 0 to Rs. 4,00,000 ensures tax relief for lower-income groups.

Additionally, the Rs. 12,00,000 limit is specifically available as a rebate for income from salary and business/professional sources only. For individuals earning other income (such as rental income, capital gains, etc.), the tax will apply starting from Rs. 4,00,000. This is why the slab starts from Rs. 0 to Rs. 4,00,000.

Thus, the tax liability structure is based on the source of income, with the rebate applicable only for salary and business/professional income. The objective is to provide targeted relief to salaried individuals and small businesses while still taxing other types of income starting from Rs. 4,00,000.

Mandatory Income Tax Return Filing

As per Budget 2025, the requirement to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) remains unchanged. Individuals whose total income exceeds the basic exemption limit (Rs. 4,00,000) are required to file an ITR. Even if your income is below the taxable limit, filing an ITR can be advantageous for reasons like claiming refunds, applying for loans, or proving your income for future financial planning.

Final Insights

The revised tax slabs aim to provide relief to those with lower incomes while ensuring a fair contribution from all income groups. The structure encourages compliance and simplifies the tax process for salaried and small-business earners, while still ensuring taxes on other sources of income.

Best Regards,

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

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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