I am a parent of a CSE student at VIT Chennai. Which online courses are essential for placement preparation?

Ans: Every source of protein is somewhat different from other sources. The key is balanced approach. Even if one eat paneer and it has fat, we need fat also in the diet.
Then, the taste is also a factor.

Weight loss diets are designed as per health need of the person. There are very low calories Diet (VLCD) to a range of diets such as intermittent fasting.

Consult a physician and a qualified dietitian to discuss specifics.


Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: Hello Meghanasagr.
It would be best to roll back from the NEET examination and consider other career options available.. Even you should think about the partial drop. You have a lot of options for commercial UG courses. Please find your liking and make a wise decision. Along with the UG, you can join some certificate courses that will boost your career and give you a flying kick-start. Best of luck for your upcoming future.

If satisfied, please like and follow me.
If dissatisfied with the reply, please ask again without hesitation.
Thanks.

Radheshyam

Ans: As you have mentioned that you have diabetes for last 10 years. I am not sure how many oral anti diabetic drugs you are taking. Since it is fairly long duration since first detection, it is less likely to control diabetes without medication.

The people who are within five years of detection, are on two or less oral antidiabetic drugs and who have HbA1C are better fit for remission. However, in your case, it is possible.

Please provide details about your diabetes, weight, height, lifestyle.

There are three pronged approaches to control diabetes : medications, physical activity and diet (and also in extended way sleep and mental health). If we can improve on other aspects, the need for medication can be reduced.


Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: Hello.
You are eligible to appear for the NEET Examination.

If satisfied, please like and follow me.
If dissatisfied with the reply, please ask again without hesitation.
Thanks.

Radheshyam

Ans: Eat a lot of fruits (specially non sugary ones) and vegetables. Your 60% of food plat should have these including raw and boiled vegetables and multicoloured fruits.

Reduce all form of added and refined sugars and fructose containing items. Prefer home made meals and anything which comes in packages should be avoided.

Eat 70% of your stomach's capacity. Stop much before you feel full.

drink water before starting any meal.

Use smaller/quarter plates for lunch and dinner and do not go for second serve.

eat almonds and walnuts for snacks.

You should be fine.

For uric acid, can start some medication for shorter duration. Consult a physician.

Dietary modification and physical activity are key to control Cholesterol and TG.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: I believe you do not have any other health issue.
Please take a lot of food with high fibre content. You can take curd and some probiotic in the meals.

Consider some digestive enzymes which are available in market.

Over period of time, it should be okay.


Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: Four to five days a week but how much alcohol every day?

I am not sure about your age and for how long you are drinking? The liver and other organs are affected over a period of time. The changes are also determined by family history and genetic factors.

My advise would be to reduce alochol consumption and preferably, stop completely.
In some countries, alcohol bottles carries the warning that it can cause liver cancer; very simialr ways the cigarette packs have warnings.
Best,
Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty practice
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: To achieve a Rs 2 crore corpus by age 45, an SIP of Rs 60,000 per month with a 10% annual increase is indeed a strategic approach. Here’s how this plan can align with your target.

Calculating Your Path to Rs 2 Crore
Current SIP Investment: With a starting SIP of Rs 60,000 per month at a 12% CAGR, your investments have the potential to grow substantially over time.

Annual Step-Up: Increasing your SIP by 10% each year harnesses the power of compounding, helping you reach your goal faster. This incremental increase supports growth to match inflation and your rising income.

Expected Growth Rate: With a 12% CAGR, a disciplined 10-year investment horizon should help you accumulate approximately Rs 2 crore. This CAGR is reasonable for equity mutual funds based on historical performance.

Practical Benefits of This Strategy
Power of Compounding: The combination of a 10% step-up and 12% CAGR significantly accelerates growth, turning monthly contributions into substantial wealth over 10 years.

Simplicity in Execution: A single SIP contribution with a systematic increase each year streamlines your investment process, making it easier to manage.

Steps for Success
Commit to the Annual Step-Up: Consistently increasing SIP contributions is crucial. Even during years with market volatility, stick to the increase for long-term gains.

Portfolio Review with a Certified Financial Planner: Annual reviews ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your goals, especially as you approach the 10-year mark.

Final Insights
An SIP of Rs 60,000 with a 10% annual increase and 12% CAGR is a robust plan for reaching Rs 2 crore in 10 years. With disciplined investing and regular review, this strategy should help you reach your financial target by age 45.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: At the age of 42, you are earning a stable monthly salary of Rs 3 lakh after tax deductions. You have a 9-year-old son, and your dream is for him to become a doctor. Additionally, you plan to retire by the age of 55. I appreciate your foresight in planning for both your son’s education and your retirement.

It’s essential to address both goals with a structured financial strategy to ensure a secure future for your family. Let's break down how you can achieve these two significant objectives.

Estimating the Cost of Medical Education for Your Son

The cost of becoming a doctor in India can vary greatly. Private medical colleges charge a premium, while government colleges are more affordable.

Currently, the cost of a full medical degree (MBBS) at a private college can range from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1 crore, depending on the institution. For top-tier colleges, this could go even higher.

If your son gets into a government medical college, the costs will be much lower, possibly around Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

Considering inflation, the cost of education could double in the next 10 years when your son is ready for college. This means you might need to accumulate Rs 1.5 crore to be on the safer side.

It's prudent to start a focused investment plan now. This way, you'll be prepared whether he chooses a private or government medical institution.

Strategic Investment Plan for Your Son’s Education

You should invest in a mix of equity and debt mutual funds to accumulate this corpus. Equities provide high growth potential, while debt ensures stability.

Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in actively managed equity mutual funds. This will help you build a sizeable corpus over the next 9 to 10 years.

Consider stepping up your SIP contributions annually. Increasing it by Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 every year can significantly boost your fund value.

Avoid index funds as they simply mimic the market and may not deliver high returns over the long term. Actively managed funds, with skilled fund managers, are better suited for higher returns.

You can also use Systematic Transfer Plans (STP) to gradually move from equity to debt funds as your son approaches his medical college admission. This will reduce market risk during the final years.

Building a Risk-Free Retirement Plan by Age 55

Your retirement target is just 13 years away. You will need a substantial corpus to ensure a comfortable, stress-free retirement.

Assuming you want to maintain your current lifestyle, you will likely need at least Rs 1.5 lakh per month post-retirement. Factoring in inflation, this amount could double in 13 years.

To retire with a monthly income of Rs 3 lakh, you may need a retirement corpus of around Rs 6 crore. This will ensure that your investments can generate the required cash flow without depleting the principal.

You should focus on maximizing your existing savings and investing in a balanced portfolio of equity and debt mutual funds. This combination will provide growth and stability.

Steps to Achieve a Secure Retirement Corpus

Increase your existing investments in equity mutual funds. Equities have the potential to deliver inflation-beating returns over the long term.

Invest in diversified equity funds and large-cap funds for stability and growth. These funds can perform well in different market cycles.

Avoid direct equity funds if you are not a seasoned investor. Investing through mutual fund distributors with CFP credentials ensures expert guidance and consistent monitoring.

As you get closer to your retirement, gradually move a portion of your portfolio to debt funds. This shift will protect your accumulated wealth from market volatility.

Debt funds are tax-efficient compared to fixed deposits. They offer indexation benefits, which can lower your tax liability on long-term capital gains.

The Importance of Tax Planning

Under the latest tax rules, equity mutual funds attract long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax at 12.5% if the gains exceed Rs 1.25 lakh annually. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.

Debt funds are taxed based on your income tax slab. It's wise to hold debt funds for over three years to avail indexation benefits and reduce your tax outgo.

Plan your withdrawals systematically to stay within the LTCG exemption limit. This will minimize your tax liabilities during retirement.

Setting Up an Emergency Fund and Adequate Insurance

Ensure that you have an emergency fund of at least 12 months' worth of expenses. Keep this amount in a liquid fund for easy access.

You should also have adequate term insurance to protect your family's financial future in your absence. The cover should be at least 10 times your annual income.

Additionally, review your health insurance policy to cover unforeseen medical expenses. As you approach retirement, healthcare costs are likely to increase.

Avoiding Real Estate and Other Risky Investments

Real estate investments require significant capital and lack liquidity. It may not be the best option if you are aiming for a flexible, liquid portfolio.

Focus instead on mutual funds, which offer higher returns, tax efficiency, and easy access to your money when needed.

Avoid mixing insurance with investments. Do not consider ULIPs, endowment plans, or any investment-cum-insurance policies. These often come with high charges and low returns.

Reviewing Your Financial Plan Regularly

It's important to review your investment portfolio annually. This ensures that your funds are performing optimally and aligned with your goals.

A certified financial planner (CFP) can help you adjust your portfolio based on changing market conditions, new tax laws, and your evolving needs.

Rebalance your investments periodically to lock in profits from high-performing funds and reinvest in underperforming areas with growth potential.

Additional Strategies to Accelerate Your Goals

Consider investing any annual bonuses or extra income into your SIPs or lump sum investments. This will further boost your retirement and education funds.

You can also explore side income opportunities or upskill in your current profession to increase your earnings. This additional income can help increase your savings rate.

Start exploring Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) for some diversification. These bonds offer tax-free returns on maturity and can serve as a hedge against inflation.

Finally

You have a clear vision for your son’s future and your retirement. Your steady income and disciplined approach are strong assets.

Focus on increasing your SIPs, diversifying your investments, and planning your taxes efficiently.

Stay consistent with your financial strategy. By following this structured approach, you can achieve both your goals well in time.

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