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Help! My Son Hates Math - How Can I Guide His Future?

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4548 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 05, 2024

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from Classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
Nayagam has published an eBook, Professional Resume Writing Without Googling.
He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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Asked by Anonymous - Aug 28, 2024Hindi
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Career

Hello Sir, My son is studying in Grade 7 with a CBSE course. He is extremely out of math and does not have any interest in that subject. He feels suffocated as soon math is there. We don't want to burden him with that , only somehow to go with Math till it's mandatory. He has an interest in animals , zoology ,and nature. Pretty much enjoy national geography contents. Just wanted to get correct guidance on his future classes , subject / stream to choose. Let him go and excel at what he enjoys. Thank you in advance.

Ans: I was drawn in by your words, "Let him go and excel at what he enjoys." Giving their kids opportunities to pursue their interests is how most parents should value their kids. Please respect his passion for nature, animals, and zoology. And science without math, which can be PCB, would be the best track for him in his twelfth year. Assure him that you would make an effort to satisfy his interests in science courses for his eleventh, twelfth, and higher education, but also persuade him not to be afraid of math as it is required up to the tenth grade. Ask him nicely to progressively raise his score. You can schedule a math tutor to come to your house, and the tutor ought to be able to persuade your kid of the value of learning math. Please be aware that his interests may change after two to three years because he is just twelve years old and his brain is still in the "development stage." All the BEST for Your Bright Future.

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Asked on - Sep 09, 2024 | Answered on Sep 24, 2024
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Hello Sir, Thank you for your kind reply. He already given him Math tutor ( did not get any home tutor , but face to face tution at teacher's house) . But We find him very difficult to make him study. He is hardly having any concern on regular study. Just wanted to check how is the prospect NIOS vs mainstream. As NIOS is having less pressure and all , may be suitable for him. Considering not every student is not same , we sometimes feel he is overburdened with the study pressure and shows very nominal interest in study. So thought of NIOS could help as less pressure compared to mainstream. But really worry about his future. Kindly suggest.
Ans: Now, he is only in 7th Standard. By the time, he reaches 10th & 12th, there might be changes in his aptitude & interest. If you feel, he is not able to cope with Mainstream, you can make him join NIOS to reduce burden. Even NIOS students are eligible to apply for UG programs. You have not mentioned what the other reasons are for his lack of interest in studies? Health? Addiction to electronic gadgets? Psychological? Or you both are working parents and have no time to spend time with him? Lack of communication by parents with children might also be one of the reasons.
Asked on - Oct 19, 2024 | Not Answered yet
Hello Sir, Thank you for your repsponse. We are really not sure why he is not interested to study. We keep trying to motivate and make him understand by exampke that without study there is no way. But things are not moving. Health wise he is good. He has lil addition to games , but thats very very infrequent. I am working , but she is not working. She takes care his study everyday evening dedicatedly for 2-3 hours. He mostly opens up with his brother ( younger one ) , but rarely opens up with us. Even if we keep go behind him by many means , still he rarely opens up. He is very open in communication while in household help , and any other interest with us but except study. Please suggest.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8468 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2025

Money
Hello Sir I have a question that i have existing home loan of now rs 2900000 and 25 years of time has left rest i have paid , i am investing 1 lac per month in mutual funds and investing in gold as well shall i pay my laon first or keep.investing in mf and gold and keep paying emi plus extra amount in loan my loan roi is 8.80%
Ans: Your approach is sincere and responsible. Managing Rs. 29 lakh home loan while investing Rs. 1 lakh monthly needs clarity. You also invest in gold. Your focus seems on building wealth and becoming debt-free. Let’s assess your current situation from all angles and guide accordingly.

Understanding the Current Scenario
You have a home loan balance of Rs. 29 lakh.

Loan interest rate is 8.80%.

Loan tenure left is 25 years.

You are investing Rs. 1 lakh every month in mutual funds.

You are also buying gold regularly.

You are paying regular EMIs.

You are also thinking to prepay the home loan partially.

This situation is not uncommon. Many in your position face the same decision. Let us now break it down for better understanding.

Loan Repayment vs Investment: Core Conflict
Loan EMI gives guaranteed interest saving.

Mutual funds and gold have market risk. Returns are not fixed.

Loan rate is 8.80%. This is a high cost in long term.

Mutual funds can give 12% in long term. But no guarantee.

Gold can give 6-7% return over long term. Also not guaranteed.

So comparing loan vs MF or gold is not just about return.

Risk, liquidity, and financial goals must be seen together.

Evaluating Home Loan Repayment Strategy
Home loan gives tax benefit on interest under Sec 24(b).

But this benefit reduces over time as interest part reduces.

Long tenure increases total interest paid.

If you prepay loan now, you save high future interest.

Partial prepayment every year brings great interest saving.

Even Rs. 1 lakh prepayment per year can cut 4-5 years from loan term.

So prepayment makes sense if no other high priority goals pending.

Understanding Mutual Fund Investment Potential
You are investing Rs. 1 lakh monthly. That is commendable.

Mutual funds help build long term wealth.

Actively managed funds perform better than passive ones in India.

Index funds don’t beat inflation much after tax.

Active funds adjust to market cycles better.

Your SIP of Rs. 1 lakh may give strong corpus in 15-20 years.

Taxation on MF has changed now. Need to plan redemption smartly.

Short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

Role of Gold in Portfolio
Gold acts as hedge in portfolio.

It protects against currency devaluation and global risk.

But gold alone should not be large part of investment.

It gives 6-7% return in long term.

It is not cash flow generating.

Use gold for diversification only. 10-15% is enough.

Assessing Your Loan Repayment Capacity
If you can spare extra Rs. 20-30K per month, loan prepayment makes sense.

Continue EMI as usual. Add lump sum when possible.

Avoid using your mutual fund SIP for prepayment.

Don’t stop gold purchase fully. Just reduce it if needed.

Balance your cash flow between all goals.

Combining Both: Smart Way Forward
You can do both prepayment and investments side by side.

Continue Rs. 1 lakh monthly in mutual funds.

From bonuses, windfalls, use part for home loan prepayment.

Avoid stopping SIP. It compounds over time.

Increase SIP by 5-10% yearly if income grows.

This way you build wealth and reduce debt slowly.

Tax Impact and Liquidity Planning
Prepaying home loan gives emotional peace.

But MF investments are liquid in emergencies.

Loan prepayment is not reversible.

Once paid, money is locked in property.

Keep emergency fund ready. 6 months expenses is good target.

Your Child and Family Needs
You have a child. Future education will need funds.

Mutual funds can fund child education and marriage.

Prepaying loan is less flexible than investing for child's future.

So don’t rush to be debt free if child goals are underfunded.

Cash Flow Planning for Better Balance
Track your monthly cash flow closely.

Prioritise emergency fund first.

After that, child education fund.

After that, home loan prepayment.

Avoid big gold purchases if loan EMI is tight.

Keep gold for portfolio balance only.

Emotional vs Logical Decision-Making
Loan-free life feels peaceful.

But wealth creation needs patience.

Don’t get swayed by fear of loan.

Instead, make clear plan.

Mix investment with prepayment.

What You Can Practically Do Now
Continue SIP of Rs. 1 lakh.

Build emergency fund equal to 6 months expense.

Invest at least Rs. 5-10K monthly for child education.

Reduce gold purchase to 10-15% of monthly investment.

Once emergency fund is ready, prepay Rs. 1-2 lakh per year in home loan.

Final Insights
Your loan is at 8.80%.

Mutual funds can beat this in long term.

But loan is risk-free return.

Emotional peace matters too.

Balance both wisely.

Stay consistent.

Do yearly review of all investments.

Increase SIP and loan prepayment step-by-step as income grows.

Avoid random investment decisions.

Be goal-based always.

Invest through certified professionals who guide with long-term vision.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

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