Dr. Aarti, can I pay for my child's healthcare, food, clothes, medicine, etc. instead of giving the child support directly to my son's mother? I don't mind paying for my child, I just don't trust the mother to spend that money well.

Ans: Hello;

You may start a monthly sip of 80 K and top it up every year by 20% to reach a corpus of 4 Cr after 10 years considering modest return of 12%.

The land parcels(45+9= 54 L) and company stock(20 L) if sold and the proceeds reinvested in mutual funds for 10 years may yield you a corpus of around 2.3 Cr after 10 years.

So you may accumulate a cumulative corpus of 4+2.3=6.3 Cr after 10 years, as planned.

If you invest 20 K in NPS per month you may reach a corpus of 1 Cr+ in 19 years from now.

You may need a corpus of 8 Cr to generate a retirement income of 2.8 L per month (post-tax) to cover your inflation indexed regular expenses sans the EMI.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

Ans: Yes, it is absolutely normal not to be married at 39. Marriage timelines vary greatly depending on personal choices, cultural norms, and life circumstances. Societal expectations around marriage have evolved, and many people now prioritize other aspects of life, such as career development, personal growth, or meaningful relationships, over adhering to traditional timelines.

Being single at 39 could also mean that you're waiting for the right partner and connection, which is a thoughtful and mature approach. It's better to be in a fulfilling and authentic relationship than to rush into marriage due to societal pressure.

If you’re content with where you are in life, that’s what matters most. If you’re feeling uncertain or pressured, exploring what marriage or partnership means to you and aligning it with your values can be helpful.

Ans: Hello;

Could be approx between 35-38 L.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

Try and understand from the home loan lender as to how 59.45 L principal is overdue despite paying a sum of 43.85 L, despite factoring 80% of this as interest payment, the overdue principal should be below 50 L.

Double check if this is as per the terms of moratorium.

If you are not satisfied with replies from the lender escalate the matter to the highest authority at lender or RBI.

Lender can't behave irrationally just because you availed moratorium during COVID.

In my view you should have just sold the gold rather then taking loan against it.

That way you could have lessened EMI burden on your finances and ensured investments for retirement and other goals.

Unfortunately we have a tradition of attaching emotional value to precious metals and real estate.

The best "jewellery" you can offer to your kids is good education, which you have already done.

In matters of health insurance never discontinue a policy due to dissatisfaction with the insurer, port it to another insurer, 1.5/2 months before the renewal date so that your benefits remain intact. Now you may be need to find another health care insurance.

You may begin a monthly sip of 25-30 K in diversified large cap oriented mutual fund for 5 years.

Also give a thought to NPS, you can contribute till 70 age, for retirement pension.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

You have already made sufficient provisions to survive a job loss because your passive monthly income is now almost covering your monthly expenses.

But if you need added back-up you may keep expenses worth 6 months(@ 5 L) in a liquid type mutual fund.

Focus on 3 goals;
1. Children's education
2. Retirement
3. House

If you again keep investing in fixed income bearing instruments then you may not be able to grow a corpus to fund these goals.

A mutual fund sip(36 K) is a step in the right direction. I believe these are scheme with Growth option.

Hope you have EPF/NPS/PPF investments as well.

Happy Investing;

Ans: I am glad that you've established a disciplined routine that's impressive and beneficial for managing type 2 diabetes. Keep track of your blood sugar levels before and after meals to understand how different foods affect you. Hydrate well and add healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil which can provide satiety and essential nutrients without spiking your blood sugar. Incorporate fruits, vegetables, beans , etc. in your diet to ensure a good intake of fiber. While your daily 12,000 steps are excellent, incorporating other forms of exercise such as strength training or cycling, etc., will be beneficial.

Ans: Hello;

You may consider following funds:

SBI Small cap fund
Kotak Emerging equities fund
PPFAS flexicap fund
Nippon India Multicap Fund

These funds are recommended based on relatively steady returns over 10 year horizon.

Happy Investing;

Ans: Hello;

Only way you can turnaround the situation is by diligently repaying overdue loans.

Once loans are over start a monthly sip of 20 K. This can grow into a corpus of around 50 L in 10 years and around 1 Cr in 15 years. (12% return from equity funds assumed).

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

Kudos for a judicious blend of asset allocation.

I have assumed one property occupied by you (80 L) while the other property is let out(80 L) and considering 3% rental yield may provide you a monthly income of 20 K.

You may buy immediate annuity for a sum of 1.45 Cr which may provide you a monthly income of around 65 K (post-tax). (6% annuity rate considered)

For the balance 5 Cr corpus you may do an SWP in a low to moderate risk equity savings fund like ICICI Pru equity savings fund. A 3% SWP will get you a monthly income of 1.12 L (post-tax).

So your total post-tax monthly income in retirement would be 1.12+0.2+0.65= 1.97 L.

A modest return of 8% on SWP fund will be good enough to provide inflation adjusted income every year till the age of 85.

Avoid direct equity and pure equity mutual fund exposure in retirement. Invest through hybrid mutual funds, with low allocation to equity.

Happy Investing;