Career Crossroads: Confused About My Next Move!

Ans: Please let me know your weight and BMI as well.
It seems that you are developing insulin deficiency and resistance both.
After certain period, the oral medications become less effective. In such situations, it might beneficial and important to get started on Insulin.

The sudden spikes in sugar levels could also be due to stress or altered sleep pattern or change in dietary factors. However, that would not explain such as spike for long.

Please consult your physician and get on steps needed for effective sugar control.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: It seems that you are on Gliflozins (SGLT-2 inhibitors such as Dapa, Empa ). These are effective anti-diabetic medications but carries the risk of infections in genitalia.
So, it is important to maintain good genital hygiene, stop medications for short period when you have such infection. Also, stop medications in any acute illness.

Please consult a physician and get it treated.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: Based upon information provided by you, it is possible to reverse your diabetes status. However, in the beginning, the lifestyle modifications alone may not be enough.
There is a concept called 'Legacy effect' after UKPDS study, which indicate that if we control our sugar early, it is likely to have long term benefit and may reverse/ remission of diabetes.
The ideal candidate for remission/reversal are following:
1. Diabetes identified in last 5 years,
2. Blood sugar levels/ HbA1c less than 8% and on less than two anti-diabetic medications
3. Self motivated

Congratulations to you as you appear very motivated.
I would suggest stop alcohol completely and get started on one oral anti diabetic medicine.

It is possible that your blood sugar levels would come under control in next 6 months.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: Hello;

It is nice to know that you have good health care cover for yourself and family.

But you must also have adequate term life insurance atleast till the age of 60.

Life is full of uncertainties and hence to ensure financial security for your dependents, in case of any unforeseen event, life insurance is highly desirable.

Cheapest life insurance in India is the one offered by Indian Post Deptt. Also known as Postal Life Insurance.

Ofcourse it's not available for all and max cover is 50 L, but you may check eligibility by visiting nearest post office.

If you are eligible then you may supplement it with another term life cover of 1.5 Cr.

I have live example in front of me where a hale and hearty young person(32 years) postponed buying life insurance and suddenly he expired in a freak swimming accident.

Now his young son and wife are literally on the road.

Don't look at premium as a cost rather an investment to protect your family in unfortunate circumstances.

Best wishes;

Ans: Not sure why you are being advised pp after 90 min.
The timing of pp is two hours after the first bite of breakfast.

A good control mean, PP in range of 70 to 180 mg%. However, more around 100 to 140 mg%. The HbA1c should be below 7% Specially those whoa re above 65 years of age and preferably below 6.5% for a tighter control if person is younger than 65 years.

These days, more individualised approach is followed for these parameters for effective control.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: If your Hba1c even after three or more medicines is more than 8.5, it would be a good idea to consult a physician and get started on Insulin.

Insulin is safe and effective and can help in reducing sugar levels quickly. It should be done with lifestyle modifications including weight reduction, physical activity and dietary modifications.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: The blood sugar levels and how tight control should be done is also influenced by age.
Her fasting blood sugar levels are acceptable. Post meal (2 hrs after the meal) can be in range of 70 to 180 mg%. Therefore, she is doing largely fine on that also. You can reduce post meal sugar level by some dietary modifications and cutting down on sugary and carbohydrate meals. Also, adding salads and fibers would also help.
It would be helpful to get to know her HbA1c levels so, I would get a sense of her overall sugar control.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
New Delhi

Ans: The medicines you are referring to are in group of Gliflozins (SGLT-2 inhibitors). These medicines are very effective and pass the sugar through urine. Anyone on these medicines should drink a lot of water. Yes, you can drink a lot of water in the night or any time.

Not the less water. If you are feeling thirsty, drink water. anytime.
Urine test once in a year is okay.

Ans: At the age of 40, you are in a great position to start planning for your financial future. Achieving Rs 5 crore in 20 years is definitely possible with disciplined investments. To achieve this goal, investing through SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) in equity mutual funds can be your best option. Let’s dive into how much you need to invest and how to plan it right.

How Much Should You Invest?
To accumulate Rs 5 crore in 20 years, you need to invest regularly in equity mutual funds. Over long periods, these funds tend to offer higher returns, typically around 10-12% annually.

If we assume a return of 12% per year, you might need to invest around Rs 50,000 per month in SIPs to reach your goal of Rs 5 crore in 20 years.

Now, Rs 50,000 may seem high, but remember, you can start smaller and gradually increase your SIPs. Let’s look at how this can be done.

Start Small, Increase Over Time
If you cannot invest Rs 50,000 right away, don’t worry. You can start with a smaller amount, like Rs 20,000 or Rs 30,000 per month. Then, increase your SIPs every year by a certain percentage, like 10%. This approach is called SIP Top-up, and it allows you to invest more as your income grows. By doing this, you’ll eventually reach the required monthly investment over time.

Why Choose Actively Managed Mutual Funds?
You might wonder, “Why should I choose actively managed funds over index funds or direct mutual funds?”

Actively managed mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who constantly monitor and adjust the fund’s portfolio. This allows them to perform better in volatile markets. Index funds, while cheaper, do not have this flexibility, which could limit your returns in the long run.

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner who can guide you with regular funds is also a safer option than going for direct mutual funds. The expertise of a CFP ensures your portfolio is well-diversified, managed effectively, and aligned with your financial goals.

Avoiding Direct Funds
Direct mutual funds may seem appealing due to lower costs, but they lack professional guidance. Without a CFP or professional manager, you might miss crucial market signals or fail to rebalance your portfolio at the right time. Investing in regular funds with the help of a Certified Financial Planner ensures that your investments are optimally managed.

Diversify Your Investments
While equity mutual funds should form the majority of your portfolio for growth, it’s essential to diversify your investments across different categories. This could include:

Equity Mutual Funds for long-term growth.

Debt Funds for stability and to reduce risk as you approach your target.

This diversification will protect your investments from market volatility and give you a more balanced portfolio.

Tax Implications of Mutual Funds
Understanding the tax rules is crucial to managing your investments efficiently.

Equity Mutual Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.

Debt Mutual Funds: Both LTCG and STCG are taxed as per your income tax slab.

Knowing these tax rates can help you plan your withdrawals and avoid unnecessary tax burdens.

Key Points to Stay Focused On
Discipline: Make sure to invest every month without skipping your SIPs. Over time, your money will grow, and even small amounts will compound into a larger corpus.

Don’t Panic: Markets can be volatile. However, do not panic and withdraw during market corrections. Stay invested for the full 20 years to reap the benefits of compounding.

Review Regularly: Meet with your Certified Financial Planner at least once a year to review your portfolio. This ensures you stay on track and make adjustments as needed.

Final Insights
At the age of 40, investing Rs 50,000 per month in equity mutual funds through SIPs can help you accumulate Rs 5 crore in 20 years. If this amount seems high initially, start smaller and increase your SIPs each year. Avoid index funds and direct mutual funds to ensure you get the best professional advice and fund management.

Focus on disciplined investing, avoid panic during market fluctuations, and diversify your portfolio for stability.

Best Regards,

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