Sir, My son completed his B.Tech (Computer Science) with CGPA of 8.2 and is working in Bengaluru for the last Two years. He wants to pursue MS in Germany. Which are best universities/colleges to consider in Germany. Please guide me.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Classic emotional blackmail...this is not new and I have seen this in many households. Your parents are not wrong from their point of view as they feel they will choose the best person for you. But obviously blackmailing you with consequences like your father will die etc is childish and immature...
You are an adult and know what you are doing. But also, take your parents into confidence by reassuring them that you know what's right for you. Eventually in due course of time, they will come around...They might not too...Don't stress over it as any relationship that you enter into if it is based on what your parents wish may not be the best for you...
It's not about them but they are making all this about them...turn the attention onto yourself by talking to them about your independent thoughts, financial independence and how the boy is right for you (if of course the boy is right for you).
Wait patiently till they turn over...make this attempt with baby steps without giving into fights or bouts of arguments!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Amar,
Any relationship based only on sex will be short-lived. Also, the other lady has perhaps sensed a risk to her marriage and cut off all ties with you. Kindly respect it and move on...How can you convince someone who has clearly chosen her family over you?

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Having a 1.8 Cr corpus and a 90,000 monthly pension puts you in a great position to enjoy your golden years. Now, let's talk about smart investment options to make your corpus last!

Understanding Your Needs

First things first, we need to understand your lifestyle and spending habits. Knowing your monthly expenses will help decide how much you can safely withdraw from your corpus each month.

Security and Stability

Since retirement is about enjoying life without worry, focus on a good mix of secure and growth-oriented investments. This will provide you with a regular income and the potential for future growth.

Investment Options to Consider

Here are some investment options to explore, keeping in mind your need for both safety and growth:

Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS): SCSS offers a safe and guaranteed return, with interest credited quarterly. It's a good option for a portion of your corpus.

Monthly Income Plans (MIPs): These are mutual funds that invest in a mix of stocks and debt. They offer regular monthly payouts, while also giving your money a chance to grow.

Debt Funds: Less risky than stocks, debt funds invest in government bonds and corporate bonds. They provide stable returns and are good for building a buffer.

Actively Managed Equity Funds (AMCs): AMCs invest in stocks, aiming for capital appreciation over the long term. They can be riskier, but offer the potential for higher returns if the fund manager makes good choices.

Remember, diversification is key! Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Spread your corpus across different asset classes to manage risk.

Seeking Professional Help

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can be a valuable resource. They can assess your needs, risk tolerance, and recommend a personalized investment plan that aligns with your retirement goals.

Regular Reviews are Important

The market keeps changing, so your investment plan needs to adapt as well. Schedule regular reviews with your CFP to ensure your investments are still on track.

Living Within Your Means

The key to a happy retirement is living within your means. Don't overspend your corpus. Plan your monthly expenses and withdraw only what you need.

Focus on Long-Term Growth

While some income is important, don't neglect long-term growth completely. A portion of your corpus can be invested in AMCs for potential capital appreciation.

Be Patient and Enjoy!

Building wealth takes time. Don't get worried by short-term market fluctuations. Stay invested and enjoy your retirement!

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: That's a fantastic ambition you have! Setting a clear goal like this at 27 shows real planning smarts. Reaching 2 crores by 31 through SIPs is possible, but it requires a well-crafted investment strategy. Here's why actively managed mutual funds might be a good fit for you:

Understanding Your Risk Appetite

First things first, we need to figure out your risk tolerance. Actively managed funds are generally considered riskier than passively managed options like index funds. This is because actively managed funds have a fund manager who tries to outperform the market by picking individual stocks. This can lead to higher returns, but also comes with the chance of underperformance.

Why Actively Managed Funds?

While index funds offer a diversified, market-matching approach, actively managed funds can potentially deliver higher returns if the fund manager makes good stock selection calls. This "outperformance" can be crucial for achieving your ambitious goal within a shorter timeframe. However, remember, actively managed funds aren't guaranteed to outperform!

Building a Diversified Portfolio

Here's the key: Don't put all your eggs in one basket! To manage risk, consider a diversified portfolio of actively managed funds across different asset classes like large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks. You can also explore sectoral funds that focus on specific industries like IT or pharma.

Remember, diversification is your friend!

Seeking Professional Guidance

Since actively managed funds involve more analysis and selection, consider getting help from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A CFP can assess your risk profile, investment goals, and recommend a suitable mix of actively managed funds to create a personalized investment plan for you.

Regular Reviews are Key

The market keeps changing, so your investment plan needs to adapt too. Regularly review your portfolio with your CFP to ensure your chosen actively managed funds are still aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint!

Staying Invested Matters

Don't get swayed by market fluctuations. Actively managed funds aim for long-term growth. Stay invested and avoid frequent withdrawals to benefit from the power of compounding.

Discipline is Your Secret Weapon

Consistent SIP contributions are key to reaching your goal. Even small amounts invested regularly can grow significantly over time.

Focus on Long-Term Growth

Actively managed funds are for long-term investors. Don't expect quick riches. Stay focused on your 2 crore target by 31 and avoid chasing short-term gains.

Be Patient and Persistent

Building wealth takes time and discipline. There will be ups and downs, but staying patient and persistent with your SIPs will increase your chances of success.

Believe in Yourself!

You've set an ambitious goal, and that's a great first step. With the right approach and guidance, you're well on your way to achieving it. Keep the faith and stay invested!

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Here's some guidance on your ideal budget for a property in Gurgaon:

Financial Strength:

Combined Income: Rs. 2.5 lacs per month is a good starting point.
Savings: Rs. 1.5 cr (Rs. 1 cr in MF + Rs. 50 lacs in Stocks) is a significant sum.
Investments: Rs. 1 lac monthly SIP shows strong saving habits.
Challenges:

Dependent Child: Having a child with Cerebral Palsy will require long-term financial planning for their care.
Monthly Expenses: Your current expenses are Rs. 1.35 lacs (including rent).
Considering these factors:

Don't stretch too thin: While you have a good income and savings, prioritize your child's needs and future medical care.
Target a 15-20 year loan term: This keeps your monthly EMI manageable.
Recommended Budget:

Focus on affordability: Aim for a property with a total cost (including registration and other charges) between Rs. 50 lacs - Rs. 1 crore. This translates to a monthly EMI of around Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 60,000 (assuming a 15-20 year loan term).
Location: Consider areas in Gurgaon with good healthcare facilities and accessibility for your child's needs. Explore areas like Sectors 56, 70, 84 or Gurgaon outskirts like Sohna or New Palam Vihar which may offer better affordability.
Additional Tips:

Talk to a Financial Advisor: Discuss your situation with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to create a personalized financial plan considering your child's needs and future goals.
Research Property Options: Look for resale flats, builder floors, or upcoming projects in your budget range. Use online portals like MagicBricks or NoBroker to get an idea of prevailing prices.
Factor in Additional Costs: Remember, there are additional costs besides the property price – registration charges, stamp duty, maintenance fees, etc.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,


Chief Financial Planner,


www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Dear Amar,
Please DO NOT indulge in relationships at your work place even if the meetings are outside. Unnecessary complications...
What was the yellow rose all about? Do you go around giving roses to every lady that you meet? She surely picked on it that you possibly have feelings for her and hence is maintaining her distance...
Just because she came to a hotel to have coffee, how did you assume that she is interested in you? Making sense, now? Your assumptions are possibly working against you...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Clearly your son has gotten used to all the comforts at home. What is the necessity to do anything?
Also, I suspect that writing one exam or the other is a way of escaping from what he truly wants to do in life. He is unclear and afraid to face what he might want and afraid that he might fail. This fear of failure will simply make him write one exam after the other in the hope that he does not have to decide what he needs to do.
Kindly take him to a Career Counselor who can evaluate his strength areas and suggest an academic course that is suitable for him. After which seek an appointment with a professional who can streamline his thinking and put him on a goal-focused path. This might help him.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I don't mean to sound judgemental here...but what exactly are you stressed about? You seem to be hopping about from one relationship to another without working on things when they get stressful.
Did it occur to you that when things sour between two people that it is possible with some effort to work on things? The answer does not lie in running away and jump into the arms of another women.
There's a clear pattern of possible 'escapism' when things get uncomfortable...So, STOP and reevaluate what you are running from, what comfort do you run towards and how is this actually helping your mental state...
Do the right thing for yourself and your wife...take care of your marriage first before jumping into another relationship; you will only find something wrong with that as well...So, please STOP and check what exactly is happening...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Sir/ Madam,

Few considerations for your reference
You could look at metro cities depending on what kind of standard of living you may be comfortable with
Choose the city considering the education you may consider
Look for cities which have International schools for example- IB or CIE. International schools often provide a seamless transition for children moving between countries.
Choose cities basis the accessibilities like airports etc and family friendly environment you can have
Consider climate lifestyle
Future career opportunity if you wish to change
Check the pros and cons and unique priorities you and your family may have

Hope this helps

All the best

Thanks and Regards
To your success. Be you. Be confident
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded-Is it a skill or attitude?
www.ashwinidasgupta.com