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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |551 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on May 27, 2024

Sushil Sukhwani is the founding director of the overseas education consultant firm, Edwise International. He has 31 years of experience in counselling students who have opted to study abroad in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. He is part of the board of directors at the American International Recruitment Council and an honorary committee member of the Australian Alumni Association. Sukhwani is an MBA graduate from Bond University, Australia. ... more
Marina Question by Marina on May 09, 2024Hindi
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My son has completed bcom with acca in 2021 .He wants pursue his masters in uk He is working as audit associate. Which are best university and scholarship s.

Ans: Hello Marina,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am happy to hear that your son has completed his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) with Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and now aspires to pursue his Masters in the UK. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that given your son’s experience in auditing, pursuing a Masters in the UK after earning a B.Com with ACCA is an excellent choice. Concerning your query regarding the best university, I would like to let you know that there are several leading universities in the UK that are renowned for the accounting and finance programs they offer viz., University of Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Warwick, and University of Cambridge. Your son can apply to any of these universities.

Next, concerning your query pertaining to scholarships, you would be glad to know that a number of universities in UK offer scholarships to overseas students, and your son might qualify for a few of them. They are Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, scholarships offered by individual universities, as well as External Scholarships.

I would recommend that your son thoroughly examines the admission prerequisites for each university, as well as looks into the program syllabus and possibilities for scholarships. Not just that, he should begin the application process in advance and seek counsel from academic counselors or experts in the field for guidance on selecting the best program and crafting a compelling application.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint
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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |551 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Jun 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 07, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir ,My son is bcom with acca affilate works in pwc 18 months, wants do his masters in uk.He has got a offer at warwick University for msc in business and finance, also at Edinburgh for accounting and finance. He is confused which one to choose.His bcom score is 8.2cgpa .Is it worth going to uk.since we are middle class family .which University is better. Which course would be better with good scope in future.
Ans: Hello,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your son is a BCom with ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) affiliate and now wishes to pursue his Master’s in the UK. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that it is an important decision to choose between Warwick University and the University of Edinburgh for a Master’s degree, especially when taking into account long-term employment opportunities and financial investment. Warwick University is well-known for its outstanding business school and its MSc in Business and Finance program, which provides a broad view on financial management and business strategies, possibly leading to a variety of managerial positions and consultancy possibilities. The University of Edinburgh on the contrary is renowned for its Accounting and Finance program, which offers a specialized concentration that could be useful for an auditing, accounting, or financial analysis job.

Considering your son’s background in BCom and ACCA, coupled with his professional experience at PwC, I would like to tell you that both the programs could be a good fit for his abilities. Nevertheless, his professional objectives might also play a key role in this decision. If your son intends staying in accounting or wishes to work as an auditor or financial analyst, the specialized program at Edinburgh could be more beneficial. On the other hand, if your son is thinking about a career in business strategy and consulting or is seeking more senior managerial positions, Warwick would be a better fit. Concerning monetary considerations, I would like to let you know that both the universities are esteemed and probably going to offer significant returns on investment in the form of improved employment prospects, although part-time work, scholarships, and meticulous budgeting will be crucial considering your middle-class background. Lastly, in order to make an educated choice, I would suggest that you assess the unique curriculum, career assistance, and networking possibilities at both the universities.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint

..Read more

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6505 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 05, 2024

Money
Hello, This is Capt. Samir. I have invested in mutual funds and doing an SIP of 70k per month. Would like to know if the mutual funds that I have invested in are good to hold and the corpus that can be generated in the next 10 years. I am looking forward for a 2 cr corpus by 2034 from MF. Kindly advise if SIP needs to be increased to generate the said corpus. Mutual Funds DSP-Global innovation FOF-Reg fund -G -3000 Sip WHITEOAK flexi cap reg fund- 3000 SIP CANARA REBECCO Mid cap fund - 3000 SIP HDFC Business fund- 200000 LUMPSUM HDFC top 30 fund - 3000 SIP Aditya Birla frontline equity fund - 2 folios - 3000 SIP in one only DSP small cap fund- 5000 HDFC small cap fund- 5000 Merai asset large cap fund-5000 ICICI prudential Blue chip fund-5000 Canara Rebecco manufacturing fund Growth - 5000 Kotak focused equity fund -5000 JM midcap fund Growth - 5000 SBI ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES FUND - 400,000 LUMPSUM Kotak Multicap fund: 5000 ICICI PRU energy and fund: 5000 HDFC Nifty 200 momentum30 index fund- 10000 HSBC EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FUND - 3L lumpsum Thanks Samir
Ans: It’s great to see that you are already investing consistently and have a target in mind. Your aim of generating Rs 2 crore by 2034 from mutual fund investments is achievable with a systematic approach. Let's break down your current investment strategy and assess whether any adjustments are needed to meet your goal.

Review of Your Existing SIPs and Lump Sum Investments
You are currently investing Rs 70,000 per month through SIPs and have made some lump-sum investments as well. Let's evaluate the funds you have chosen based on their category, diversification, and potential for long-term growth.

Global Innovation Fund: This fund gives you exposure to international markets, which helps diversify your portfolio. Keep an eye on global market trends, but this fund can add value if the global tech and innovation sectors grow.

Flexi Cap and Mid Cap Funds: Flexi Cap and Mid Cap funds offer a balance of growth potential and risk. They tend to outperform in the long run, but they also come with volatility. These funds are good to hold for a long-term horizon.

Lump Sum Investments in Sector-Specific Funds (Energy and Manufacturing): Sector-specific funds can be high-risk but may offer high returns if the sector performs well. The energy sector has potential but may be volatile due to factors like government policies, oil prices, and global energy trends. Manufacturing is more stable but less likely to deliver aggressive returns. Keep these funds for diversification, but be cautious.

Small Cap Funds: You have exposure to two small cap funds. While small cap funds can offer high returns, they come with high volatility. Keep in mind that small cap funds should ideally not exceed 20% of your portfolio due to their risk profile.

Large Cap and Blue Chip Funds: Large Cap funds are a safer bet in the long term and provide stability. They might not offer the highest returns but will protect your capital. Continue your SIPs in these funds.

Focused Equity Funds: These funds invest in a limited number of stocks, which can give concentrated returns but also carry higher risk. As you are looking for a long-term goal, these funds can add value, but balance them with more diversified funds.

Index Funds: While index funds are low-cost, they track the index and may not offer outperformance. Actively managed funds can give you better returns over the long term. If you are invested in index funds, consider reviewing their performance and reallocating to actively managed funds with a Certified Financial Planner.

Is Your Portfolio Diversified Enough?
Your portfolio has a good mix of different fund categories—small cap, mid cap, flexi cap, and large cap. You also have exposure to international markets and sectoral funds. However, be cautious about over-investing in small caps and sectoral funds due to their high volatility. Consider reducing the allocation to sectoral funds if their performance dips.

Will You Achieve Rs 2 Crore by 2034?
You aim to accumulate Rs 2 crore by 2034. Based on your current SIP amount, it is important to assess if this is enough. Considering an average return of 12% per annum from your mutual funds, Rs 70,000 per month SIPs may get you close to your target. However, it is wise to periodically review your portfolio and step up your SIP amount by 10-15% every year to stay on track.

Recommendation:

Increase your SIP amount: If possible, increase your SIPs by 10% every year to boost your corpus and mitigate the impact of inflation.
Step-Up SIPs: Some mutual funds offer a "Step-Up SIP" option where you can increase your monthly SIP amount automatically by a fixed percentage every year. This will help you stay on track for your Rs 2 crore goal.
Lump Sum vs SIPs
Lump sum investments can boost your corpus, but they depend on market timing. Since you already have a few lump-sum investments, it’s good to continue with SIPs to average out market volatility. If you come into additional funds, like a bonus or windfall, consider allocating some towards lump sum investments in diversified funds.

Expense Ratios and Fund Performance
It’s important to regularly monitor the expense ratios of the funds you are invested in. High expense ratios can eat into your returns over the long term. Actively managed funds with high expense ratios should justify the cost with higher returns. If you find that the returns are not justifying the high costs, consult a Certified Financial Planner to switch to better-performing funds with reasonable expenses.

Managing Risk and Rebalancing
Your current portfolio leans towards high-risk, high-return funds like small caps and sectoral funds. As you approach your target year, start reducing exposure to high-risk funds and shift more towards stable funds like large caps and flexi caps. This will help preserve your capital and reduce volatility.

Every year or two, review your portfolio and rebalance it. For example, if small caps have outperformed, they may now constitute a larger portion of your portfolio than you originally planned. Rebalance by selling some small cap units and buying more large cap or flexi cap units.

Emergency Fund and Insurance
Apart from investing in mutual funds, ensure that you have an emergency fund that covers 6-12 months of your expenses. This will protect you from dipping into your investments in case of unforeseen financial needs.

You already have a term insurance plan, which is great. Ensure that the sum assured is adequate to cover your family's financial needs in case of an emergency.

Tax Planning
Remember to account for taxation when planning your investment strategy. Long-term capital gains (LTCG) on equity mutual funds are taxed at 10% for gains above Rs 1 lakh. Plan your withdrawals strategically to minimize tax liabilities.

You can also invest in ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) funds to save on taxes under Section 80C. ELSS funds have a 3-year lock-in period and provide both tax benefits and market-linked returns.

Final Insights
Your current portfolio is well-diversified but high on risk.
Keep track of expense ratios and switch funds if necessary.
Step up your SIPs annually by 10-15% to meet your Rs 2 crore target.
Rebalance your portfolio every year to manage risk.
Maintain an emergency fund and ensure adequate insurance coverage.
Consider tax-saving strategies like ELSS to optimize your investments.
With a disciplined approach and periodic reviews, your goal of Rs 2 crore by 2034 is achievable.

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

...Read more

Moneywize

Moneywize   |164 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Oct 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 02, 2024Hindi
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Money
I’m Kavya from Varanasi. I am 33 with one daughter, aged 5. My husband and I both have health and life insurance policies. We’re considering adding a critical illness rider to our insurance. Is this a good idea for additional protection?
Ans: Hello Kavya,
Adding a critical illness (CI) rider to your existing health and life insurance policies can be a valuable way to enhance your financial protection. Here are some key points to consider:

What is a Critical Illness Rider?

A critical illness rider is an add-on to your existing insurance policy that provides a lump-sum payment if you are diagnosed with one of the specified critical illnesses covered by the policy. Common illnesses covered include cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and major organ transplants, among others.

Benefits of Adding a CI Rider:

1. Financial Support During Recovery:
• Medical Expenses: Helps cover treatments that might not be fully covered by your regular health insurance.
• Living Expenses: Provides funds to manage daily expenses if you're unable to work during recovery.

2. Flexibility:

• The lump sum can be used as you see fit, whether for medical bills, mortgage payments, or other financial obligations.

3. Peace of Mind:

• Offers additional security knowing that you have extra coverage in case of a serious illness.

Considerations Before Adding a CI Rider:

1. Coverage and Definitions:

• Illness List: Ensure the rider covers a broad range of illnesses relevant to your age and family medical history.
• Definitions and Criteria: Understand the specific definitions and diagnostic criteria for each covered illness.

2. Cost:

• Premium Increases: Adding a CI rider will increase your premium. Evaluate whether the additional cost fits within your budget.
• Affordability: Consider how the increased premiums affect your overall financial plan.

3. Exclusions and Limitations:

• Pre-existing Conditions: Check if any existing health conditions might exclude you from coverage.
• Survival Period: Some policies require you to survive a certain period after diagnosis to receive the benefit.

4. Policy Terms:

• Claim Process: Understand the process for filing a claim and the documentation required.
• Renewability: Ensure the rider remains in force for as long as you need it, without excessive increases in premiums.

5. Existing Coverage:

• Overlap: Review your current health and life insurance policies to identify any overlapping benefits.
• Gap Analysis: Determine if there are gaps in coverage that the CI rider would effectively fill.

Personal Considerations:

• Health Status: Both you and your husband’s current health status and family medical history can influence the necessity of a CI rider.
• Financial Obligations: Consider your financial responsibilities, such as your daughter's education, mortgage, or other long-term commitments.
• Risk Tolerance: Assess your comfort level with the potential financial risks associated with critical illnesses.

Next Steps:

1. Evaluate Your Needs:

• Assess your current financial situation, obligations, and the level of protection you desire.

2. Compare Policies:

• Look at different insurers and the specific terms of their CI riders to find the best fit for your needs.

3. Consult a Professional:

• Speak with a certified financial advisor or insurance agent who can provide personalized advice based on your circumstances.

Adding a critical illness rider can offer valuable protection and peace of mind, but it's essential to carefully evaluate how it fits into your overall financial plan. By considering the factors above and consulting with a professional, you can make an informed decision that best suits your family's needs.

...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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