What MBA Roles Should a 2024 Mechanical Engineering Graduate Apply For?

Ans: Having no Gall bladder poses difficulty in digesting fats
So make sure your diet is not oily
Also always have early dinner

Ans: Was there an elevated BP

Ans: Reflux can be due to many reasons depending upon the age
But the main triggers and need addressal are
1.Timely meals
2.Avoid spicy food
3.no talking while eating
4.No drinking water with meals
5.Early dinner by 6 pm
6.Regular exercise like walking
7.Stroll after dinner would be good

Ans: Snorning could be related to a number of physical and other issues. It could be also linked to Obesity and overweight and other factors.
It would be a great starting point to visit a physician and get detailed work up done. The respiratory medicine or sleep medicine experts are other group of specialists who can guide the process.

Best
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya

Ans: At 59, retirement is a big milestone, and it’s important to evaluate your finances carefully to ensure you and your wife can enjoy a comfortable life.

Let’s assess your financial position step by step and address your query on whether you should retire next year or continue working.

1. Current Financial Situation Overview
Here’s a snapshot of your current financial standing:

Stock Market Investment: Rs 1.2 crore.

Mutual Fund Investment (MFI): Rs 2.3 crore.

SBI Life Pension: Rs 1.2 lakh per month from July 2026 onwards.

Own House: You already own your house, which is excellent as it eliminates rent or mortgage payments.

No Loan Liabilities: This is another great position to be in as you enter retirement debt-free.

Responsibilities: You have the marriage expenses of your two sons to consider.

Your total liquid investment portfolio (stocks + mutual funds) is Rs 3.5 crore.

2. Monthly Income Needs Post-Retirement
The first step in retirement planning is calculating your monthly expenses. These will include:

Household Expenses: Regular day-to-day expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

Medical and Healthcare Costs: This is a crucial area that tends to increase with age. Make sure to factor in insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs.

Miscellaneous and Lifestyle Expenses: Travel, leisure, and gifts or family functions may come under this category.

Assume you need Rs 1 lakh per month for your regular living expenses. This could increase slightly over time due to inflation. To cover this, you need a steady stream of income throughout your retirement.

3. Pension Starting in 2026: Planning for the Interim
Your pension from SBI Life will provide Rs 1.2 lakh per month starting in 2026. This will comfortably cover your monthly expenses from that point onward.

However, between the time you retire next year and when your pension kicks in, you’ll need to rely on your current investments for income. This is a period of about three years, and you should plan how to draw from your investments wisely during this time.

4. Sustainability of the Current Corpus
Let’s assess your investment portfolio and whether it can generate enough income to support your lifestyle for the rest of your life.

Stock Market Investment (Rs 1.2 crore): Stock investments can provide good returns, but they are volatile. You need to be cautious about withdrawing money during market downturns.

Mutual Funds (Rs 2.3 crore): This provides more stability compared to stocks but also comes with risk, especially if you are heavily invested in equity funds.

Disadvantages of Index Funds: If your portfolio includes index funds, be aware that these don’t provide the flexibility to respond to market conditions. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, offer better growth potential, especially in volatile times, as fund managers can make strategic decisions.

The total investment corpus of Rs 3.5 crore should be enough for a comfortable retirement if managed properly.

5. Asset Allocation for Retirement
Now that you are close to retirement, your investment strategy should shift towards wealth preservation, with some room for growth to keep pace with inflation. Here’s what you can do:

Shift to Debt and Hybrid Mutual Funds: You should consider moving some of your money from stocks and equity mutual funds into debt or hybrid mutual funds. These funds offer more stability and lower risk while still providing moderate returns.

Regular Funds vs Direct Funds: If you are currently investing in direct funds, it’s important to understand that these require active monitoring. A better approach for retirement is to invest through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), who can help you choose regular funds that are professionally managed.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Once you retire, consider setting up a SWP from your mutual fund investments. This allows you to withdraw a fixed amount every month, providing you with a steady income while keeping your principal intact for as long as possible.

LTCG and STCG Taxation: Be mindful of the new capital gains tax rules. Long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equity funds above Rs 1.25 lakh will be taxed at 12.5%, while short-term gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, LTCG and STCG are taxed according to your income tax slab.

6. Marriage Expenses for Your Sons
You have two upcoming significant expenses – the marriage of your two sons. It’s essential to plan for these carefully:

Set Aside a Separate Fund: Keep a portion of your investments aside specifically for these expenses. Since marriage costs can vary, estimate the budget and invest in a liquid or short-term debt fund so that the money is accessible when needed.

Avoid Dipping into Retirement Corpus: Try to fund these expenses from your current investments or savings, without affecting your primary retirement corpus. This way, you don’t risk your long-term financial security.

7. Healthcare and Medical Coverage
Medical costs tend to rise with age, and healthcare is often the biggest unknown in retirement planning. Here’s what you need to do:

Comprehensive Health Insurance: Make sure you and your wife have comprehensive health insurance coverage. You should have a policy with at least Rs 10-15 lakh coverage, depending on your health condition.

Set Aside a Medical Emergency Fund: Keep a separate liquid fund for medical emergencies. This could be Rs 10-15 lakh, which you can access quickly if needed.

8. Lifestyle and Leisure
After working hard all your life, retirement is the time to enjoy. You and your wife may want to travel or indulge in hobbies. Make sure to budget for these activities as well.

Set a Leisure Budget: Keep a specific amount aside for your travel and hobbies. This could be funded through a part of your stock portfolio, allowing you to benefit from any market upswings before you spend the money.
Finally: Is Your Corpus Enough?
Your current corpus of Rs 3.5 crore (stocks + mutual funds) is significant and should be enough to provide you with a comfortable retirement if managed wisely.

Here’s a summary of what you should consider:

Use your investments to cover your expenses for the next three years until your pension starts.

Rebalance your portfolio to reduce risk by shifting to debt and hybrid mutual funds.

Set up a SWP to generate regular income from your investments.

Keep a separate fund for your sons' marriages and medical emergencies.

If you are comfortable with your current lifestyle and do not foresee major additional expenses, your current corpus should be sufficient. However, if you want to enhance your financial security further, continuing to work for a few more years could allow you to grow your corpus and strengthen your position.

Best Regards,

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

Ans: Hello;

If a young person of your age is able to save 70% salary, that itself a great achievement.

Further you have taken early steps to invest your savings into FDs which is again a good aspect.

Buy a decent term life insurance plan for coverage atleast till 60 years of age. Do buy critical illness and accident benefit riders as available.

Consider NPS(E-E-E type of investment) for your retirement planning purpose. 2 L per FY is allowed as deductible as per IT Act. But their is no upper limit to amount you can invest in NPS provided it is through your legitimate sources of income.

Best part is that you can take equity exposure to grow your corpus + it has limited withdrawal option before 60.

Although PPF has low interest rate it again comes under E-E-E category of investment. It has 15 years tenure extendable by 5 years. You are allowed partial withdrawals after 6 years. You can invest maximum of 1.5 L in a financial year.

Mutual funds are fascinating set of investment product that can be used to generate corpus for bike loan to retirement as per your risk profile, investment horizon and asset allocation.

Parents can use SCSS, POMIS and staggered FDs in big banks for their pension needs.

If they need further pension then you may think about annuities and SWP.

Also get healthcare cover for yourself and your parents.

Happy Investing!!

You may follow us on X at @ mars_invest for updates.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Ans: You are at an exciting point in your life, and planning ahead is a great decision. With your current savings and income, you have the foundation to start building a strong financial portfolio.

Let's look at the different aspects of your financial journey and how you can achieve your goals.

1. Current Financial Snapshot
Monthly in-hand salary: Rs 75,000
Recurring Deposit: Rs 15,000 monthly
Savings: Rs 1 lakh
Goal: Increase income to Rs 1.5-2 lakh per month in 2-4 months
Goal: Accumulate Rs 1 crore in 4-5 years
Goal: Marriage at the end of next year
You have ambitious goals, and with careful planning, they can be achieved.

2. Income Growth Plan
You are already on a good salary and looking to double your income soon. Aiming to increase your income is always smart. You should:

Upskill: Focus on building skills that are in demand in your field. Take online courses or certifications.

Job Opportunities: Explore career opportunities that match your experience and skillset.

By increasing your income, you will have more to invest and save, helping you achieve your goals faster.

3. Savings and Emergency Fund
You currently have Rs 1 lakh in savings, which is a good start. However, building an emergency fund is essential for your financial security. Aim for 6 months of expenses saved in a liquid form.

Emergency Fund Goal: Around Rs 4.5-5 lakh.
This will protect you from unexpected expenses, like medical emergencies or job loss.

4. The Recurring Deposit Strategy
While recurring deposits (RD) are safe, they do not offer high returns. The interest is often below inflation, which means your money loses purchasing power over time.

Recommendation: It’s better to invest the Rs 15,000 into a combination of equity mutual funds instead of an RD.
Equity mutual funds have historically delivered higher returns over the long term, especially if you are looking for wealth creation.

5. Investment Strategy to Accumulate Rs 1 Crore
To accumulate Rs 1 crore in the next 4-5 years, you need to focus on high-growth investments.

Here are some essential steps:

Increase Monthly Investment: Consider starting with a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) in actively managed equity mutual funds.

Diversify your Portfolio: Don’t put all your money in one fund. Spread it across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap mutual funds. Actively managed funds provide higher growth potential than index funds due to active stock picking by fund managers.

Avoid Direct Funds: Direct funds often require constant monitoring and decision-making. Investing through a Certified Financial Planner will help you gain access to regular funds, where the advice and monitoring are taken care of by experts.

A disciplined approach with monthly investments can help you get closer to your Rs 1 crore target. As you increase your income, increase your SIPs as well.

6. Marriage Planning
Marriage brings additional financial responsibilities, and it’s good to plan in advance.

Set a Budget: First, estimate the cost of your wedding. This will give you clarity on how much you need to save.

Short-term Investments: Since you need funds in a year, consider investing in short-term debt mutual funds. These offer better returns than a savings account or FDs while being relatively low-risk.

Marriage Fund: Start saving an additional amount dedicated to your marriage. For example, setting aside Rs 20,000 per month can help you build a sizable wedding fund.

7. Tax-Efficient Investments
As your income grows, your tax liability will also increase. To minimize your tax burden, you should:

Invest in Tax-Saving Mutual Funds: ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) mutual funds offer the benefit of wealth creation along with tax savings under Section 80C.

Utilize PPF and NPS: Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Pension System (NPS) are great options for tax-saving and long-term financial planning.

By investing in these instruments, you can reduce your tax liability and still grow your wealth.

8. Retirement Planning
Although retirement may seem far away, it’s never too early to start planning. You can use the power of compounding to build a large retirement corpus.

Start an NPS Account: This will allow you to save for your retirement in a tax-efficient manner while also growing your corpus.

Increase SIPs Over Time: As your income increases, allocate a portion of it to your retirement fund through SIPs. The earlier you start, the larger your corpus will be due to compounding.

9. Insurance for Financial Security
Protecting your family and your future with adequate insurance is important.

Life Insurance: Make sure you have term insurance that covers your life for at least 10 times your annual income.

Health Insurance: Ensure you and your spouse have adequate health insurance coverage. A cover of at least Rs 5 lakh is a good start. Don’t rely on your employer’s health cover alone.

10. Review and Adjust Regularly
A financial plan needs to be dynamic. As your salary increases and your goals evolve, make sure to:

Review your investments every year. Adjust your SIPs and asset allocation based on market conditions and your income.

Stay Focused on Long-term Goals: Market volatility is normal. Don’t panic during market corrections. Keep your focus on long-term wealth creation.

Finally: Creating Financial Freedom
Building wealth requires discipline, patience, and regular investments. You have already taken the first steps by saving and starting a recurring deposit.

Now, by switching to equity mutual funds, creating a diversified portfolio, and saving for your marriage, you are setting yourself up for financial success.

Remember to keep increasing your investments as your salary grows. With time and discipline, your goal of Rs 1 crore in 4-5 years is achievable.

Best Regards,

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

Ans: Hello;

Your equity corpus may grow to 1.33 Cr in 6 years time frame. 10% return considered.

EPF corpus may grow into a sum of 79.34 L. 8% return assumed.

PPF corpus may grow into a sume of 30 L. 7% return considered.

If you do a monthly sip of 2 L in a combination of pure equity and hybrid funds you may reach a sum of 2.12 L in 6 years. 12% return assumed.

If you invest sale proceeds from your tier-1 city house into an Arbitrage fund (low risk) it may grow into a sum of 2.29 Cr in 5 years. 5.5% return assumed.

Adding all these amounts gives us a comprehensive corpus of 6.83 Cr, as desired.

NPS fund is not factored into above calculation since it will be available to you only at the age of 60.

Also considering rapid growth of house rentals in tier 2 cities it is recommended that you buy a comfortable house for yourself.

Also please make sure to have adequate healthcare insurance cover for yourself and your family.

Happy Investing!!

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.