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Nitin

Nitin Sathe  | Answer  |Ask -

HR, Recruitment Expert - Answered on Jul 19, 2023

Air Commodore Nitin Sathe (retd) is an IAF veteran with experience in aviation, aviation management, recruitment and HR.He has commanded a frontline base in Jammu and Kashmir, served with the UN Peace Keeping Force in Congo and volunteered for tsunami relief operations. Today, he is a certified recruiter and personality assessor.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 19, 2023Hindi
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Career

Sir, I am a BTech MBA student with close to 20 years of experience in IT sector. I have climbed the ladder in corporate and currently working for a reputed MNC. I earn well. Few years back due to a severe health issue, had to undergo surgery and now struggle with my health due to loss of a internal organ. My energy levels are down and I am unable to focus and thrive in my job. At the same time, my marital life is full of misunderstandings and has no peace. I am not blaming anyone here but I am assessing my situation. Due to all this, I am more spiritually inclined towards salvation. However I have my parents, child and family to finish my responsibility. Basically I have lost the drive to work due to my poor health and all the stress in life but at the same time need money for family, medical expenses and parents. I lost my previous job due to being not committed and finally was fired because I did not live upto the expectations. I managed to get another job but here too I am unable to deliver due to all the issues in my life. (health, marital, lack of focus etc) I am 45 now. I tried yoga, and few other activities to boost my health. My doctor claims that I cannot work like before due to my health issue and my mind is very much oriented towards spiritual studies but I have a family duty to do. Can you tell me how should I handle all this ? I wanted to add more and hence re-submitting the question again, I love being alone with myself, I dont like people, crowd, and I am afraid of them, I want to be left alone and away from everyone. I am a normal person but I somewhat feel unnecessary to mingle and speak to people because everyone is just gossiping or talking politics or talking some irrelevant subject or conversing about someone else, providing opinions and perceptions, which at the end of the day leads to nothing ? Hence I avoid people and interaction unless it is into spirituality. After aligning to spirituality, i feel like functioning in this existence has become difficult because everything is just a play and a game and everyone's karma is dissolving or creating for their satisfaction of desires. This too is hampering my career,

Ans: You seem to be blaming your health for all the issues you are dealing with as of now. I suggest you do the following…
First read a book titled ‘Born to Fly’ It is about a pilot who loses all his limbs due to an accident and how he rebuilds his life to a more meaningful one. I am sure you will feel motivated by this reading.
Secondly, I do strongly feel that you need to go to a counsellor and get rid of the negative thoughts that seem to be plaguing you.
Thirdly, I do not agree that keeping away from people is a right thing to do. Human beings need to interact with each other to lead a fruitful life. You need to understand this and Counseling as above would help you.
I await hearing from you again after you do the above!
Best of luck!
Career

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Krishna

Krishna Kumar  |383 Answers  |Ask -

Workplace Expert - Answered on Mar 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 04, 2024Hindi
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Career
Hi Krishna I have worked as a software engineer for last 20 years and I am exhausted and feel like quitting the software industry. Even though work is manageable, due to my experience the expectation from Leadership is high, and delivery expectations also is too much. Workplace is toxic, and too much of politics. I am an introvert and feel like doing remote jobs for lesser pay or rather quit completely and continue with my spiritual journey since I have seen lot of pain and suffering with respect to my health, marriage etc etc. I am also drawn towards spiritual life because leading a materialistic life seems meaningless. I am 45 today, I have no more interest in material life but due to obligations towards family and 1 child, I am working for money and I also need money for medical expenses because I underwent through a major health crisis 10 years back where I lost organ for surgery, this has created major imbalance in hormones leading to depression, anxiety and unable to face everyday challenges. This is also the reason due to which I cannot continue working. I have some 50k monthly as passive income and only 1 child. With some ppf, pf amount. Would this be enough for me to continue on spiritual journey and exit material and hectic IT life due to health issues and no peace in what I am doing ? Can you suggest how I can get some remote jobs that I can do if in case I need money. I am a BTech MBA graduate and managed to survive in this pressure hectic IT life for 20 years and feel like giving up everyday. I sometimes feel it was better off to lead a life without this education, engineering because all we need is 2 pair of clothes, shelter and 2 times food and for that we need to struggle so much in a city when compared to a village life. Please guide me not just from your perspective but step into my situation and understand and share your thoughts, or have you seen anyone like me and how have they managed to lead life after quitting and leading a monastic life
Ans: Dear

At the outset let me express my gratitude to you for putting up your question. It's indeed very profound.

First and foremost, your personal health is of foremost importance. Nothing should come in between that.

Secondly, money is essential but it's like the fuel not the engine.

Thirdly, work we must because it makes us fulfilled but we should not let work define our identity.

Fourthly, family commitment is our responsibility never run away from that.

Finally, spiritual journey or pursuing hobbies should not be taken up because we feel frustrated with some other things in life. They should be an end in itself.

I can feel what you are going through because many are in a similar situation like you but they don't have clarity or courage to accept that. So cheers to you for being aware of your situation and accepting it.

Here are few thoughts that I would share, however please take them as pointers and not as an advise, because we all have our own emotional disposition. That's why I believe an advise that may work for one person will not work for another because we all have our own emotional state and that defines the way we feel after taking certain decisions.

1. Slow down...you may want to ask your company to make you contractual with reduced responsibility and pay or you can take up contractual assignment with some other companies. In today's cost cutting environment companies would prefer that.

2. Talk to your spouse about your current state, let me tell you our spouse has a better feel of what we should and should not do. Moment you talk to your better half world of options will open. But more than that you will realise that you have someone in life who cares for your well being...that feeling is what we all need...someone caring for us.

3. Give up the notion of self identification through work. After salary that's the biggest drug that keeps us going in a job. We can't see ourselves outside of work as if we are born to work.

Lastly pray to God seeking guidance and clarity, trust me prayer is very powerful because it makes us calm and it's the calm mind that gives clarity.

Wishing you the very best. Trust me you will be alright soon.

With Love
Krishna

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7279 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 17, 2024Hindi
Money
Question on Financial Planning: I am 53 years old and took retirement in 2023, a year ago. I have a corpus of approximately ?20 crores allocated as follows: ?6.5 crores in stocks ?5 crores in mutual funds ?5 crores in debt instruments ?2 crores in gold ?1.8 crores in a savings bank account** (to cover the next 12 years of household expenses). My monthly expenses are approximately ?1 lakh, and I receive: ?70,000 per month as house rent (?8.4 lakhs annually) ?10 lakhs annually as dividends from stocks. I have allocated ?5 crores in debt instruments to fund the higher education of my two sons (expenses will arise after 1 year and after 4 years). My goal is to grow my equity portfolio over the next 12 years since I do not depend on it for my current monthly expenses. Additionally: I have adequate health insurance. I own properties worth ?7.5 crores. I have no liabilities. My query: Is my financial planning on track, or do you see any areas for improvement or correction? I am open to suggestions for optimizing my investments, especially considering my goals of equity growth, funding my sons' education, and maintaining a comfortable retirement.
Ans: Your financial planning reflects strong foresight and effective resource allocation. With a corpus of Rs. 20 crores and no liabilities, your position is financially stable. Let us evaluate your financial setup from a 360-degree perspective and suggest areas for optimisation.

Assessment of Current Allocations
Equity Portfolio: Stocks (Rs. 6.5 Crores)
Your equity allocation reflects a growth-oriented approach.
A diversified stock portfolio is ideal for long-term growth.
Ensure the portfolio is well-balanced across sectors and market capitalisations.
Mutual Funds (Rs. 5 Crores)
Mutual funds provide diversification and professional management.
Review the fund categories to maintain a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.
Regular performance reviews are essential to optimise returns.
Debt Instruments (Rs. 5 Crores)
Allocating Rs. 5 crores for your sons’ education is prudent.
Ensure the debt investments are in low-risk instruments like bonds or fixed deposits.
Laddering maturity dates aligns well with your sons’ educational timelines.
Gold (Rs. 2 Crores)
Gold provides stability during market volatility.
Keep it as a hedge against inflation but avoid further allocation to this asset.
Savings Account (Rs. 1.8 Crores)
Holding Rs. 1.8 crores for 12 years of expenses is a cautious approach.
Move a part of this amount into liquid funds for better returns with liquidity.
Income and Monthly Expenses
Rental Income (Rs. 8.4 Lakhs Annually)
Rental income covers 70% of your monthly expenses.
Ensure the rental property is well-maintained to sustain consistent returns.
Dividends (Rs. 10 Lakhs Annually)
Dividend income provides an additional safety net.
Reinvest surplus dividends into mutual funds for compounded growth.
Monthly Expenses (Rs. 1 Lakh)
Your monthly expenses are comfortably managed.
Maintain a contingency fund of at least Rs. 20-25 lakhs for unexpected costs.
Recommendations for Optimising Equity Portfolio
Focus on Quality Stocks

Prioritise stocks of companies with strong fundamentals and consistent earnings.
Avoid overexposure to any single sector or company.
Systematic Equity Investments

Add to your equity portfolio gradually through Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs).
This reduces market timing risks.
Regular Portfolio Review

Review the equity portfolio annually.
Exit underperforming stocks and reallocate to high-growth opportunities.
Enhancing Mutual Fund Returns
Diversify Fund Selection

Include funds with different strategies to maximise returns.
A Certified Financial Planner can help identify high-performing funds.
Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Regular funds offer advisory support for timely rebalancing.
This helps navigate market volatility effectively.
Utilise Tax-Efficient Withdrawals

Plan withdrawals systematically to reduce tax liability on capital gains.
Debt Instruments: Securing Educational Goals
Low-Risk Instruments for Predictable Returns

Allocate funds to secure options like government bonds, fixed deposits, or debt mutual funds.
Match the maturity timelines with educational milestones.
Avoid Premature Withdrawals

Breaking long-term debt investments can reduce returns.
Use other funds for emergencies to protect this allocation.
Optimising Gold Allocation
Retain as a Hedge

Gold should form no more than 10% of your portfolio.
Avoid further investments unless there are specific requirements.
Leverage Gold for Liquidity

Gold-backed loans can provide temporary liquidity if needed.
Savings Account Allocation
Move Funds to Liquid Investments

Savings account returns are suboptimal for such a large balance.
Move funds into liquid funds for higher returns and liquidity.
Emergency Fund Segregation

Retain Rs. 50 lakhs for immediate emergencies.
Invest the rest in short-term debt instruments or liquid funds.
Maintaining a Comfortable Retirement
Healthcare Planning

Ensure health insurance policies are adequate for critical illnesses.
Maintain a separate corpus for medical emergencies.
Contingency Fund Maintenance

Keep Rs. 20-25 lakhs readily accessible for unforeseen expenses.
Review this fund periodically to adjust for inflation.
Estate Planning

Draft a will to avoid disputes and ensure smooth wealth transfer.
Assign nominees for all investments and properties.
Taxation Considerations
Equity Taxation

Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakhs are taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt Taxation

Debt instruments are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Choose tax-efficient options like tax-free bonds if needed.
Dividend Income

Dividends are taxed at your marginal income tax rate.
Reinvest dividends for tax-efficient growth.
Final Insights
Your financial plan is well-structured and aligns with your goals. However, optimising your equity and mutual fund allocations can enhance growth potential. Move idle funds from your savings account into liquid investments for better returns. Review and rebalance your portfolio periodically with the help of a Certified Financial Planner. Your current strategy provides a secure foundation for funding education, retirement, and wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

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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