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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 20, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Saikat Question by Saikat on Jun 19, 2024Hindi
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Hi I'm 28 years old. My monthly intake is 30k and have 2 mutual funds with 2000rs SIP each. And have around 4 lakh bank savings. How can I make 4-5 crore in next 10 years please suggest.

Ans: Let's start by understanding where you are right now. You earn Rs 30,000 a month and have Rs 4 lakh in savings. You also invest Rs 4,000 monthly in mutual funds through SIPs. These are good steps, but we need to evaluate and enhance your strategy to reach your goal of Rs 4-5 crore in 10 years.

Setting Realistic Expectations
Given your current income and savings, aiming for Rs 4-5 crore in 10 years is quite ambitious. It requires a clear plan and disciplined execution. We must be realistic, considering the investment risks and returns involved. This goal may need a very high rate of return or significantly increased savings, which might not be practical or safe.

Enhancing Savings and Investments
To increase your chances of achieving your goal, you need to maximize your savings and investments. Here’s how:

Increase Savings Rate: Try to save and invest more from your monthly income. Aim for at least 20-30% of your income.

Review and Adjust Expenses: Evaluate your monthly expenses. Cut down on unnecessary expenditures to increase your savings.

Emergency Fund: Ensure that your Rs 4 lakh in bank savings acts as an emergency fund. This should cover at least 6 months of expenses.

Smart Investment Choices
Your current mutual fund investments are a good start. Let's explore how you can optimize them.

Diversify Investments: Don't put all your money in one type of investment. Diversify across different mutual funds, including equity and debt funds.

Actively Managed Funds: Actively managed funds often outperform index funds, especially in volatile markets. Professional fund managers can make strategic decisions to maximize returns.

Regular Fund Investments: Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide you with professional advice and better fund choices. Regular funds may have higher costs, but the expertise and potential returns can justify these expenses.

Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
Periodic Review: Regularly review your portfolio with your CFP. Adjust your investments based on market conditions and your financial goals.

Risk Management: Balance high-risk investments with safer ones. Diversification can help manage risk while aiming for higher returns.

Increasing Income Streams
Skill Enhancement: Consider enhancing your skills or gaining additional qualifications to boost your earning potential.

Side Hustles: Explore part-time work or freelance opportunities to increase your income.

Understanding Investment Risks
Market Volatility: All investments carry risks. Understand that high returns come with high risks. Market fluctuations can affect your investment value.

Long-Term Perspective: Investing is a long-term game. Don't panic with short-term market changes. Stay focused on your long-term goals.

Tax Planning
Tax-Saving Investments: Invest in tax-saving instruments under Section 80C to reduce your taxable income. This can increase your investable surplus.

Capital Gains Management: Understand the tax implications on capital gains from your investments. Long-term capital gains are taxed differently than short-term ones.

Benefits of Regular Investments Through a CFP
Expert Guidance: A CFP can help you make informed decisions based on your financial goals and risk appetite.

Strategic Planning: Regular investments through a CFP offer strategic planning, taking into account market trends and economic conditions.

Rebalancing Portfolio: A CFP can assist in rebalancing your portfolio periodically to maintain the desired risk-reward ratio.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Lack of Professional Guidance: Direct funds require you to make all investment decisions, which might not be ideal without professional expertise.

Time-Consuming: Managing direct funds can be time-consuming and requires constant monitoring.

Benefits of Mutual Funds Through CFP
Holistic Planning: CFPs offer holistic financial planning, considering all aspects of your financial life.

Tailored Advice: Investment advice tailored to your specific goals and financial situation.

Convenience: Less hassle and more peace of mind as the CFP manages your investments.

Final Insights
Reaching Rs 4-5 crore in 10 years is challenging but not impossible with a disciplined and strategic approach. Increase your savings rate, diversify investments, seek professional guidance, and continuously monitor and adjust your portfolio. Stay focused on your long-term goals and maintain a balanced approach to risk and returns.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2024

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I am 36 year old, I earn 80000/ month , I am investing 10000 sip in mutual fund from last1.5 year. Want to make 1 crore in 10 year. Please suggest me how to invest in proper way.
Ans: You are 36 years old and earn Rs 80,000 per month. You have been investing Rs 10,000 monthly in mutual funds for the past 1.5 years. Your goal is to accumulate Rs 1 crore in 10 years. Let’s explore how to achieve this goal with a structured investment plan.

Understanding Your Goal
Achieving Rs 1 crore in 10 years requires a strategic approach. Your current SIP of Rs 10,000 per month is a great start. However, reaching Rs 1 crore will require adjusting your investments and possibly increasing your monthly contribution over time.

Assessing Your Current Investment
Your Rs 10,000 SIP in mutual funds is a wise choice. Mutual funds offer growth potential through diversified equity investments. They are suitable for long-term goals due to their potential for high returns.

Projecting Future Growth
To reach Rs 1 crore in 10 years, your investments need to grow at a certain rate. Here’s a plan to optimize your investments:

Increase SIP Amount
Consider increasing your SIP amount gradually. Start by increasing it by a manageable amount, say Rs 2,000 every year. This approach leverages the power of compounding and helps in achieving your target faster.

Diversify Mutual Fund Portfolio
Diversify your investments across different mutual fund categories:

Large-Cap Funds: These funds invest in established companies with stable growth.

Mid-Cap Funds: These funds invest in mid-sized companies with higher growth potential.

Small-Cap Funds: These funds invest in smaller companies with higher risk but potential for high returns.

Multi-Cap Funds: These funds invest across various market capitalizations, providing balanced growth.

Opt for Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds can outperform index funds due to professional management. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help select the best funds tailored to your risk profile and goals.

Regularly Monitor and Review Investments
Regularly reviewing your investments ensures they are on track to meet your goals. Here’s how to do it:

Quarterly Review
Review your portfolio every quarter. Check the performance of your mutual funds and make adjustments if needed.

Annual Rebalancing
Rebalance your portfolio annually. Ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. A CFP can assist in this process.

Tax Planning and Efficiency
Efficient tax planning can enhance your returns. Here are some strategies:

Use Tax-Saving Mutual Funds
Invest in Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS). They offer tax benefits under Section 80C and have the potential for high returns.

Long-Term Capital Gains
Long-term investments in mutual funds enjoy favorable tax treatment. Hold your investments for the long term to benefit from lower capital gains tax.

Managing Risk
Balancing risk and return is crucial. Here’s how to manage risk effectively:

Diversification
Diversify across various asset classes and mutual fund categories. This spreads risk and enhances potential returns.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of living expenses. This ensures financial stability during unforeseen circumstances.

Leveraging Incremental Increases
As your income grows, increase your SIP contributions. Incremental increases can significantly impact your investment corpus over time.

Seeking Professional Guidance
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide personalized advice. They can help in selecting the right funds, monitoring performance, and making necessary adjustments.

Conclusion
Reaching Rs 1 crore in 10 years is achievable with disciplined investing. Increase your SIP contributions, diversify your portfolio, and regularly review your investments. Efficient tax planning and risk management will further enhance your returns. Professional guidance from a CFP can ensure your investment strategy aligns with your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 23, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 10, 2024Hindi
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I have 1 crore cash .... How can I make 5 crore in next 10 years
Ans: You want to grow Rs. 1 crore into Rs. 5 crores in 10 years. This is a very ambitious goal and requires a strategic approach. Achieving this will require disciplined investments and careful planning.

Power of Compounding
Compounding is your strongest ally in achieving such growth. The longer your money stays invested, the more it can grow. The key is to choose investment avenues that offer both growth potential and compounding benefits.

Choosing the Right Investment Mix
To achieve your goal, you need a balanced investment portfolio. This means spreading your investments across various types of mutual funds. Consider a mix of equity funds, which offer high growth potential, and balanced funds, which offer stability.

Equity Mutual Funds: Equity funds should form the core of your investment. They have the potential to generate higher returns over the long term. Choose funds managed by experienced fund managers.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds: These funds invest in both equity and debt instruments. They offer moderate growth with lower risk. This helps in cushioning your portfolio against market volatility.

Avoid Index Funds: Index funds only track the market. They don't try to outperform it. Actively managed funds aim to deliver better returns than the index. With an ambitious target, actively managed funds could serve you better.

Importance of Regular Investment
Investing your Rs. 1 crore in one go can be risky. Instead, consider a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). This spreads your investment over time and reduces the impact of market volatility.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Start a SIP in your chosen mutual funds. This approach will help you average out the purchase cost and manage risks better.

Top-Up Your SIP: Consider increasing your SIP amount every year by 10-20%. This strategy will accelerate your corpus growth.

Role of Diversification
Don’t put all your money in one type of investment. Diversifying your portfolio will spread the risk and increase the chances of achieving your goal.

Diversify Across Sectors: Invest in mutual funds that focus on different sectors. This way, if one sector underperforms, others can balance it out.

Diversify Across Market Capitalisation: Include funds that invest in large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks. Large-caps offer stability, while mid and small-caps offer higher growth potential.

Avoiding High-Risk Investments
While it may be tempting to go for high-risk investments like direct stocks or sector-specific funds, they can be volatile. Your focus should be on consistent growth rather than chasing quick returns.

Avoid Direct Stock Investments: Stocks can be unpredictable. For your goal, mutual funds are a safer and more reliable option.

Avoid Real Estate and Annuities: Real estate is not liquid, and annuities offer lower returns. Stick to mutual funds for better growth potential.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Your investment strategy needs regular monitoring. As market conditions change, your portfolio may need adjustments.

Review Quarterly: Check your portfolio’s performance every quarter. This will help you stay on track to meet your financial goals.

Rebalance Annually: Rebalancing ensures your portfolio stays aligned with your risk tolerance and goals. Shift funds from one category to another based on performance and future outlook.

The Role of a Certified Financial Planner
Having a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) by your side can be beneficial. They can guide you in selecting the right mutual funds, adjusting your strategy, and keeping you focused on your goals.

Expert Guidance: A CFP will help you navigate market uncertainties and keep your investments aligned with your financial plan.

Tax Efficiency: A CFP can also help you plan tax-efficient withdrawals and investments, ensuring you keep more of your returns.

Final Insights
Your goal of turning Rs. 1 crore into Rs. 5 crores in 10 years is achievable with the right strategy. Focus on a diversified mutual fund portfolio, regular SIPs, and annual reviews to keep your investments on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2025

Money
I am 47 year old and retiring on Feb 26.I have my own house and I will get 70k pension per month and one crore rs after retirement.How I will make 3 crore in next 10 years plz suggest me
Ans: You are 47 years old and retiring in February 2026. You will get Rs 70,000 monthly pension and a Rs 1 crore retirement lump sum. You own a house and want to create a Rs 3 crore corpus in the next 10 years.

Your goal is bold. But you are starting well.

Let us now build a practical and complete plan to grow your wealth.

Your Current Financial Standing

Let us first summarise your current base:

Age: 47 (retiring in less than 1 year)

Monthly pension after retirement: Rs 70,000

One-time lump sum at retirement: Rs 1 crore

No rent outgo as you own your house

Retirement corpus goal: Rs 3 crore in 10 years

You have no loans. No rent. Fixed monthly pension.

That gives your wealth room to grow faster.

But to reach Rs 3 crore, you must use that Rs 1 crore wisely.

Pension is for lifestyle. Not for investing.

Corpus is for wealth building.

Use the Pension Only for Monthly Expenses

Your Rs 70,000 pension should handle your lifestyle needs.

Don’t use the corpus for monthly expenses.

Keep that Rs 1 crore untouched for investment.

Live within your pension limit as much as possible.

If monthly cost exceeds Rs 70,000, reduce expenses or adjust lifestyle.

Even Rs 5,000 savings monthly from pension can help future growth.

But core focus must be on growing the Rs 1 crore lump sum.

Do Not Park Rs 1 Crore in Fixed Deposit

FD is not the solution for your retirement corpus.

FD interest is fully taxable as per slab.

You will lose value after tax and inflation.

Also, fixed deposit does not beat inflation.

It gives only 6–7% returns before tax.

This will never help you reach Rs 3 crore in 10 years.

You need equity exposure.

Without equity, your growth will be flat.

Split the Rs 1 Crore into 3 Investment Buckets

To reduce risk and manage needs, divide corpus into 3 buckets:

1. Short-Term Bucket (Rs 10–15 lakhs)
Use this for emergency and medical needs.
Invest in ultra-short debt mutual funds.
Liquidity is easy, and returns are better than savings.
Keep 6–12 months of expenses here.

2. Medium-Term Bucket (Rs 20–25 lakhs)
This is for goals like travel, gifting, or car needs.
Use hybrid mutual funds with balanced risk.
Avoid insurance-cum-investment or traditional products.
They give low return and lock your money.

3. Long-Term Bucket (Rs 60–65 lakhs)
This is the main wealth creation bucket.
Invest in diversified equity mutual funds.
Use flexi-cap, large-cap, and multi-cap funds.
These funds manage risk and give higher return than FD.

This strategy balances safety and growth.

You don’t risk your entire money in equity.

But you also don’t waste time in low-yield tools.

Avoid Direct Plans – Invest Through Regular Plans with CFP

Direct plans look cheap but are not helpful.

They offer no advice or regular guidance.

No one will alert you during market crash or fund underperformance.

Most investors exit direct funds at wrong time.

Regular plans via MFD with CFP give:

Professional review of your portfolio

Timely rebalancing

Emotional support during market fall

Goal-based alignment

For you, regular plan is better than saving 0.5% cost.

That 0.5% saved may lead to 10% loss if you exit in panic.

Avoid Index Funds – Choose Actively Managed Mutual Funds

Index funds simply copy the market.

No research. No downside protection.

They perform like the market, no better.

If Nifty falls 30%, index fund also falls 30%.

You are in post-retirement stage now.

You cannot afford such direct shocks.

You need active management with flexible decisions.

Actively managed funds:

Shift money from bad sectors to strong ones

Can avoid weak stocks

Give higher risk-adjusted returns

Index funds don’t provide this.

They are not right for your life stage.

Build a Systematic Withdrawal Plan After 5 Years

You can let your corpus grow for 5 years.

Keep withdrawing only from pension till then.

After 5 years, you may start small SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan).

This will give monthly cash without touching the base capital.

Plan SWP from the debt or hybrid portion of your portfolio.

This keeps equity part untouched for longer growth.

Do not start SWP from Day 1.

Let corpus grow and compound for first 5 years.

Reinvest Regularly from Surplus or Bonuses

If you receive money from:

Maturity of old insurance

Sale of unused gold or assets

Gifts from family

Do not let it stay idle.

Add this to your corpus.

Even Rs 1–2 lakhs every year added to mutual funds will speed up growth.

Gold or idle money has no growth until you act.

Make sure every rupee works for you.

Review Your Existing Insurance Policies

If you hold LIC, ULIP, or endowment plans, review them.

These give low returns and long lock-in.

You are retired. You don’t need investment-linked insurance now.

If maturity is beyond 5 years, and return is under 6%, surrender and reinvest.

Put surrendered value into hybrid or equity mutual funds.

Also, buy one pure health insurance policy for retirement years.

Don’t depend only on employer cover or LIC policies.

Health costs rise after 50.

Prepare now.

Stick to New MF Capital Gain Tax Rules

When you redeem mutual funds, follow new rules:

Equity funds:

LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt funds:

Taxed as per your slab (both STCG and LTCG)

So, hold equity funds for more than 1 year.

Sell only when needed.

Plan withdrawals with your CFP to reduce tax outgo.

Set an Annual Review Plan

Do not leave investments untouched for 10 years.

Every year, review with your Certified Financial Planner:

Are your funds performing?

Is your goal still on track?

Any fund lagging behind?

Do you need rebalancing?

Is the SWP timeline changing?

If you don’t review, small issues become big later.

Track your journey every year.

Avoid Common Mistakes That Delay Growth

To reach Rs 3 crore, don’t do these:

Keeping Rs 1 crore in FD

Investing in ULIPs or endowment policies

Following free advice from social media

Choosing direct mutual funds without guidance

Starting withdrawals too early

Using index funds just for low cost

Ignoring medical insurance

Even one wrong product can block your goal.

Stick to your path.

What You Can Expect in 10 Years

If you follow the above:

Rs 60–65 lakhs in equity funds can grow aggressively

Rs 20–25 lakhs in hybrid funds can grow moderately

Rs 10–15 lakhs in liquid fund keeps your safety cushion

Your corpus can cross Rs 3 crore in 10 years.

But growth depends on:

Staying invested

Not withdrawing early

Investing in right funds with right mix

Managing risk with rebalancing

Let your money grow. Let time work.

You don’t need luck. You need discipline.

Finally

You have a strong starting point.

No loans. Decent pension. Rs 1 crore corpus. No rent burden.

Now you need a smart plan.

Use mutual funds. Stay away from index and direct plans.

Avoid FDs and insurance investments.

Build three buckets. Grow each based on purpose.

Review every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Let equity build your wealth. Let hybrid control your risk.

Stay consistent. Rs 3 crore is not far.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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