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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8285 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 14, 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
mastanvali Question by mastanvali on May 01, 2024Hindi
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Hi, I'm 36 years old. I live in hyderabad with wife and 2 kids . For their education and post retirement life ( planning to retire at the age of 55) , I stared investing in mutual funds from last 2 years . Current investment is 6.2L in below funds- 1.Axis small cap 2.parag parikh flexi cap. 3.Quant Absolute growth fund 10k in each per month for now. Planning to increase 10% each year. Am I going in right direction for my financial needs? Please suggest improvements based on my needs.

Ans: That's a great start to your investment journey! Starting to invest for your children's education and your retirement at 36 shows responsibility. Let's discuss your plan and suggest some improvements:

1. Investing for Goals!

Smart Thinking! Planning for your children's education and your retirement through SIPs in Mutual Funds is a smart approach. Actively managed funds like these have fund managers who try to outperform the market by picking stocks they believe will grow.

Long-Term Goals: Your investment horizon for both your children's education (assuming they are young) and your retirement (19 years) is good for long-term wealth creation.

2. Analyzing Your Portfolio:

Small Cap Focus: Having a majority of your investment in a Small Cap Fund might be a bit risky. Small Caps can be more volatile than other market capitalizations.

Diversification Matters: Consider adding a Large Cap or Mid Cap Fund for better diversification across different market segments.

3. Planning for Education Costs:

Cost of Education: Education costs can rise significantly. Review the potential cost of education closer to the time and adjust your investments if needed.

Early Start is Key! Starting early allows for compounding to work its magic. You're on the right track!

4. Planning for Retirement:

Consider Debt Funds: As you approach retirement, consider adding Debt Funds to your portfolio to provide stability and regular income.

Review and Rebalance: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can review your portfolio periodically and suggest adjustments to keep you on track for your retirement goals.

Here's the key takeaway: You've made a great start! Consider diversifying your portfolio, reviewing education costs closer to the time, and adding Debt Funds for retirement. Consulting a CFP can help you fine-tune your plan and achieve your financial goals.

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  |8285 Answers  |Ask -

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

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My age is 43 and I an investing in below MF for last 5 years .I retire at 58 and I have a daughter of 3 .I target to accumulate at least 4-5cr by retirement for my daughters marriage and retirement. Will the below investment help me or should I I change my mutual funds? I can invest 40K a month totally in Mutual Funds. Axis Blue chip Fund -2500 per month Canara Robeco Blue Chip Equity Fund -5000 per month LIC MF LARGE AND MIDCAP FUND -3500 per month Fund Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund 2000 -2500 Per month Axis Small Cap Fund - 4000 per month SBI Contra Fund -3000 Per month Since last 1 year investing in HDFC Balanced Advantage fund -4000 per month Quant Absolute fund - 3000 per month Besides the above I also have a term life insurance of 1.25cr and also tax savings MF @6K per month ( for last 10 yrs)and LIC policy of 10Lacs.
Ans: Evaluating Mutual Fund Portfolio for Long-Term Goals
Your commitment to securing your daughter's future and planning for your retirement is admirable. Let's delve deeper into your current mutual fund portfolio, assess its alignment with your goals, and explore potential adjustments to optimize returns.

Understanding Your Goals
Your target of accumulating Rs 4-5 crore by retirement for your daughter's marriage and your own retirement underscores the importance of strategic financial planning. With approximately 15 years until retirement, it's crucial to ensure your investment strategy is robust and aligned with these objectives.

Assessing Current Investments
Your existing mutual fund portfolio comprises a diversified mix of large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and balanced advantage funds. While diversification is key to managing risk, it's essential to evaluate each fund's performance and suitability for your long-term goals.

Reevaluating Fund Selection
While your current fund selection demonstrates a thoughtful approach, it's prudent to reassess each fund's performance and potential for delivering optimal returns. Consider factors such as historical performance, fund manager expertise, expense ratios, and portfolio composition.

Surrendering LIC Policy for Better Returns
The decision to surrender your LIC policy and reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds can significantly impact your overall returns. With term life insurance coverage already in place, redirecting funds towards investments offering potentially higher returns is a strategic move towards achieving your financial goals.

Optimizing Portfolio Allocation
Allocate the surrendered LIC policy amount into high-performing mutual funds with a proven track record of consistent returns.
Assess the performance of each fund in your portfolio and consider replacing underperforming funds with better alternatives to enhance overall portfolio returns.
Focus on funds that align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and long-term financial objectives.
Regular Review and Rebalancing
Regularly reviewing your mutual fund portfolio is essential to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk appetite. Periodic rebalancing helps optimize returns and mitigate portfolio risk by realigning asset allocation as needed.

Conclusion
Your commitment to securing your daughter's future and planning for your retirement through strategic investments is commendable. By reassessing your mutual fund portfolio, surrendering underperforming assets, and optimizing allocation towards high-performing funds, you can enhance your chances of achieving your target of Rs 4-5 crore by retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |594 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Apr 24, 2025

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Hello Sir. My Son has got offer from follwing University.. 1)University of Padua - Italy (BSC - Information Technology) - 3 years Course 2)University Of Strathclyde - UK (BSC - HON Computer Science) - 4 yrs 3)Caledonian University of Glassgow - UK (Bsc Hons Computing). 4 yrs 4) National College of Ireland (BSC - HON Computer Science Engg) - 4 yrs We are confused to select the university / country
Ans: Hello ASAD,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am glad to know that your son has received offers from the above mentioned universities. As an answer to your query, I would like to tell you that a prestigious and budget-friendly education in a lively Italian environment, along with a reputable academic standing and lower living expenses is offered at the University of Padua; its 3-year BSC - Information Technology may also provide a quicker path to higher education or jobs. Coming to the University of Strathclyde, top-ranked in the UK for Computer Science, this university is renowned for its linkages with industry, research possibilities, as well as outstanding student services, offering robust employment opportunities. Next, situated in a student-centric city with budget-friendly costs in comparison to other cities in the UK, Glasgow Caledonian University focuses on hands-on, industry-focused learning with impressive graduate employment rates. The National College of Ireland provides a small, contemporary campus in Dublin with robust ties with the technology sector, internships, and employment prospects in one of Europe’s key technology hotspots.

Lastly, deciding which university and country to select depends on your son’s professional objectives, ideal learning atmosphere, budget, as well as plans for the future- whether he prefers a shorter course term, robust industrial connections, global exposure, or residing in a specific nation.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4455 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 24, 2025

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EWS category rank female 30065 suitable NIT IIIT GFTI admission getting sir 2025
Ans: Rajeswari, Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

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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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