Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.

Ans: You are asking a very relevant and mature question at the right age. Your clarity about home loan pressure, children’s education needs, and long retirement horizon shows good financial awareness. That itself is a strong base.

» Gold at current price levels – emotional comfort vs financial role
– Gold prices moving from Rs 12,000–13,000 to around Rs 15,000 per gram can create fear of “missing out”
– Gold should not be judged by recent price movement but by its role in your full financial life
– Gold is not an income-producing asset; it does not give interest, dividend, or cash flow
– At higher price levels, future returns from gold may remain uneven and slow for long periods
– For a 39-year-old with big goals ahead, gold should be a stabiliser, not a growth engine

» Physical gold – where it fits and where it does not
– Jewellery is more of a cultural and family asset, not a pure investment
– Making charges, wastage, and resale deductions reduce actual return
– Physical gold makes sense only for planned family needs like weddings or customs
– Avoid buying jewellery with the idea of wealth creation or education funding
– Keep physical gold exposure limited so it does not lock cash unnecessarily

» Digital gold and gold ETFs – risks many investors ignore
– Digital gold and gold ETFs depend on market liquidity and tracking accuracy
– Prices may not always move exactly in line with physical gold
– There is no control over exit timing during volatile market phases
– Holding gold in demat form adds market risk without giving income benefit
– Gold ETFs do not solve long-term wealth needs like education or retirement

» Why gold should be capped in your overall allocation
– Gold works best as protection, not as a return generator
– Too much gold can slow down overall portfolio growth
– For someone with 20–25 years to retirement, growth assets matter more
– Keeping gold exposure moderate helps balance emotions and stability
– This approach avoids regret both during market highs and lows

» EPFO – your silent strength in the portfolio
– EPFO gives steady, tax-efficient, and low-risk growth
– It brings discipline without daily market stress
– Increasing EPFO contribution improves retirement certainty
– EPFO suits long holding periods and capital safety needs
– It acts as a strong foundation asset, especially with a home loan running

» Equity mutual funds – still relevant even at market highs
– Equity markets will always look “high” at different points in time
– Long holding periods smooth out short-term volatility
– Actively managed equity funds adjust to market conditions better than index funds
– Index funds blindly follow markets and fall fully during corrections
– Active funds aim to protect downside and capture opportunities across cycles

» Why actively managed funds are better than index funds
– Index funds have no flexibility during market stress
– They carry full market risk with no risk management layer
– Active funds can reduce exposure to weak sectors
– Fund managers respond to earnings changes and valuation concerns
– Over long periods, this adaptability supports smoother wealth creation

» Education goals – keep them protected and time-aligned
– Children’s education is a non-negotiable goal
– Avoid risky concentration or emotional assets for this purpose
– Equity mutual funds with gradual risk reduction work better here
– Gold should not be the primary asset for education planning
– Stability and visibility matter more than price excitement

» Home loan vs investments – practical balance
– Do not stretch monthly cash flow chasing all options at once
– Keep EMIs comfortable so investments continue smoothly
– Avoid aggressive gold buying while a large loan is running
– Controlled debt and steady investing work better together
– Peace of mind is also a financial return

» Traditional savings – role and limits
– Bank savings and deposits are for liquidity, not growth
– Keep only emergency and short-term needs here
– Excess money parked here loses value over time
– Do not mix safety money with long-term goals
– Clear separation brings discipline

» Finally
– At current gold prices, avoid heavy fresh allocation
– Keep gold limited and purpose-driven, not return-driven
– Strengthen EPFO for stability and retirement certainty
– Use actively managed equity mutual funds for growth needs
– Balance safety, growth, and emotions without stretching finances
– This steady approach builds confidence across all life stages

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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