Dear Sir, I have 18 lakhs home loan for rest 27 years to pay the emi of 14.5k and the ROI is 8.8%, also I have personal overdraft loan 22 lakh where I am paying only interest of rupees 23k per month and the ROI is 12.5%. I have taken these loans for 4 story home construction where my family is residing and using rent money for their monthly expenditure. My monthly take home salary is 1.4 lakh per month, 2 lakhs in mutual, reduced now sip amount to 1k per month because focusing on monthly free money to pay overdraft principal amount to pay early. Also I have taken health insurance for my family and term insurance too. I am also taking care of my single mother sister and her son, next year we will have the engineering college admission for him. Please guide me to come out of this debt burden early and manage my situation wisely for financial freedom.

Ans: You are 32 years old, staying in Hyderabad. Your monthly income is Rs. 1,88,750. But your EMI pressure is very high. You also have some decent long-term savings. Your question shows responsibility and the right mindset. That’s a good start.

Let’s now assess your situation fully and see step-by-step solutions.

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Understanding Your Current Financial Structure

You are paying six EMIs.

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Total EMI amount is Rs. 1,42,000 per month.

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Your other monthly expenses are Rs. 95,000. That includes rent, groceries, parents.

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Your total monthly outgoing is about Rs. 2,37,000.

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Your in-hand income is Rs. 1,88,750.

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That means, every month, you are in a negative cash flow of around Rs. 48,000.

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This cannot continue for long.

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You must act immediately. Else the pressure will only grow.

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You also have savings of Rs. 11 lakh in EPF and Rs. 3 lakh in NPS.

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Mutual fund of Rs. 1 lakh will mature by December.

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These are helpful, but not enough for short-term rescue.

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Break Down of All Existing Loans

Auto loan of Rs. 16 lakh – EMI Rs. 40,000

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Auto top-up loan of Rs. 3 lakh – EMI Rs. 14,000

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Overdraft loan 1 of Rs. 38 lakh – EMI Rs. 47,000

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Overdraft loan 2 of Rs. 10 lakh – EMI Rs. 12,000

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Personal loan 1 of Rs. 4 lakh – EMI Rs. 12,000

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Personal loan 2 of Rs. 5 lakh – EMI Rs. 17,000

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Together, this is too much EMI burden for your income level.

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Action is required to reduce EMI burden fast.

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Immediate Action Plan to Handle Debt Load

Do not take any new loans at all.

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This includes credit card EMI and BNPL schemes too.

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Sit with a Certified Financial Planner and create a debt priority list.

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Pay off the highest EMI burden with smallest balance first.

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Personal loan 2: EMI Rs. 17K for only Rs. 5L loan.

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If you can close this, it will ease pressure by Rs. 17K.

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Similarly, personal loan 1 is Rs. 4L but EMI is Rs. 12K.

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Focus on clearing these two personal loans first.

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You can consider part-withdrawing EPF to close one of these.

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EPF partial withdrawal is allowed for repayment of loans.

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It is better to close a high interest loan than keep EPF untouched.

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Do not touch NPS now. It is not liquid and meant for retirement.

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The mutual fund maturing in December can also help close part of another loan.

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Avoid touching EPF entirely for now. Use only if no other option.

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If possible, sell one of your vehicles and close auto loan or top-up.

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This is tough. But temporary sacrifice helps long-term relief.

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Restructuring Strategy for Existing Loans

Approach your bank for loan restructuring.

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This is allowed in hardship cases by RBI guidelines.

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You can request to increase tenure of personal loans.

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That will reduce EMI and ease cash outflow monthly.

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You can also consider consolidating all loans into one.

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A debt consolidation loan may give lower EMI burden.

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Approach bank where you have salary account.

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Show all EMI proofs and request for consolidation or top-up loan.

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Use that single loan to clear all smaller EMIs.

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This is not new debt, only better restructuring.

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Budget Correction and Expense Reduction

Your current household expense is around Rs. 50,000.

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Plus rent and parents' support, total fixed cost is Rs. 95,000.

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Review your monthly lifestyle budget very sharply.

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Cut down online subscriptions, eating out, shopping.

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Even saving Rs. 5,000 a month helps in EMI pressure.

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Rent is Rs. 30,000. See if you can shift to slightly cheaper house.

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Even Rs. 5,000 rent cut helps monthly flow.

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Request parents to allow break in support for 6 months.

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Or reduce support to Rs. 5,000 temporarily.

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Explain situation openly. This is temporary.

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These all together can give Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 cash flow.

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Start Emergency Fund, Even Small Amount

You don’t have any liquid emergency fund right now.

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Begin with saving just Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 2,000 per month.

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Keep this in savings account or sweep FD.

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Do not lock this in PPF or NPS.

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Emergency fund gives you mental peace and confidence.

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No New Investment Until Loans Are Handled

You already have EPF and NPS. That is enough for now.

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Do not start new SIPs or gold chits until EMI load reduces.

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Mutual fund maturity in December must go to debt closure.

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Re-start new investments only after EMI comes below Rs. 70K.

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That is your comfort level based on income.

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Rebuild Credit Score Gradually

If you miss EMIs, your credit score will drop fast.

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Restructuring loan is better than missing EMI.

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Closing small loans improves credit score steadily.

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Keep 100% payment record after restructuring.

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Don’t Use Credit Cards for Loans Again

Do not take loan on credit card.

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Interest is very high and can trap you quickly.

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Pay credit card in full. No minimum due payment method.

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Emotional and Mental Health is Also Important

Loan stress can cause worry and anxiety.

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You are trying to handle the situation. That is good.

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Talk to someone in family or trusted friend.

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Keep your mental strength high. That helps decisions.

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Every month, even 1 step ahead is progress.

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Final Insights

You are facing heavy loan pressure, but solutions exist.

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Prioritise high EMI, low balance loans first.

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Restructure loans with bank. Try consolidation option.

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Use EPF partial withdrawal only as backup plan.

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Sell unused vehicle if required to reduce auto loan.

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Pause all new investments for now.

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Cut budget wherever possible.

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Begin tiny emergency fund.

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Mental peace and clarity will help you handle this better.

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Follow this plan for 12 months and review again.

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Things will improve. Stay focused.

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

Ans: Debt pressure is high. But your income is also good. You can surely come out of this with discipline.

Let us take a 360-degree view. I will explain in small points.

Current Income and Obligations
– Your monthly income is Rs. 1.9 lakh.
– EMI outflow is Rs. 84,000 monthly.
– Expenses are Rs. 82,000 monthly.
– Total outflow is Rs. 1.66 lakh monthly.
– That leaves Rs. 24,000 monthly as surplus.
– But this margin is very tight and risky.
– Any small shock can disturb your budget badly.

Loan Details – Breakdown and Priority
Let’s look at the costliest loans first.

1. Loan at 26% interest
– Outstanding: Rs. 2.92 lakh
– EMI: Rs. 12,087
– Remaining: 35 months
– This is extremely high cost.
– Needs to be closed first.

2. Loans at 17% interest
– Total of 3 loans in this range
– Total outstanding: Around Rs. 3 lakh
– Combined EMI: Rs. 14,000
– Interest outgo is high.
– These also need urgent attention.

3. Loan at 13% interest
– Outstanding: Rs. 2.27 lakh
– EMI: Rs. 10,573
– Still above average cost.
– Should be handled after the 17% loans.

4. Loans at 10.75% and 8.5%
– These are at acceptable cost.
– Can be handled slowly after high-cost ones.
– Don’t prioritise early repayment here.

5. Loan against mutual fund (at 11%)
– EMI: Rs. 2,000
– Interest-only structure
– No urgency now, but must be monitored.

Total Loan Burden and Stress
– You are paying Rs. 84,000 as EMI.
– That is 44% of your monthly income.
– Ideal EMI burden is below 30%.
– So you are overburdened now.
– Financial stress will remain till loans are cleared.

Mutual Fund Holding – Use Carefully
– You have Rs. 10 lakh in mutual funds.
– Don’t redeem full amount.
– Use only part of it to reduce high-cost debt.
– Protect remaining to support long-term wealth.

Suggested Action:
– Redeem around Rs. 4.5 to 5 lakh now.
– Use this to clear the 26% and 17% interest loans.
– This step alone will reduce EMI by Rs. 26,000 monthly.
– That will give you breathing space.

EPF Holding – Do Not Touch
– You have Rs. 9 lakh in EPF.
– It is your long-term retirement safety.
– Don’t withdraw this amount.
– It will grow slowly and tax-free.
– Use it only as last emergency support.

Monthly Budget – Must Be Reworked
– You are paying Rs. 45,000 to parents.
– Please check if it can be reduced temporarily.
– Even a small reduction can help you repay faster.

– Revisit all other expenses.
– Cut all non-essentials for next 18 months.
– No credit card spending. No new EMI.

– Focus completely on debt clearance.
– Even Rs. 5,000 saving monthly will help you.

Create a Debt Snowball Plan
– Focus first on the loan with highest interest.
– Pay off one loan fully, then use freed EMI for next.
– It creates psychological success and momentum.

Suggested Order:
– Clear the 26% loan first.
– Then clear the 17% loans.
– Then move to 13% loan.
– Later, focus on 10.75% and 8.5% loans.
– Close the mutual fund backed loan last.

Avoid Taking New Loans
– Don’t take personal loans again.
– Avoid top-ups, balance transfers, and credit cards.
– All such steps delay your recovery.

– Be strict with new credit usage.
– Maintain strong credit discipline.
– If needed, pause investments temporarily to repay faster.

Don’t Withdraw Full Mutual Fund
– Many people redeem all mutual funds to close loans.
– That feels good short-term.
– But you lose wealth creation and future safety.

– Only redeem what is needed.
– Keep Rs. 5 lakh invested for future goals.
– Build it back slowly after debt is cleared.

Don’t Break Your EPF
– EPF is not meant for debt repayment.
– Once you break it, it’s hard to rebuild.
– You will lose tax-free compounding.

– Use it only if there is no other way.
– In your case, mutual fund is enough.

Avoid Direct Mutual Funds
– If you are investing in direct funds, please switch.
– Direct plans give no personal guidance.
– You may not get help in emergencies.

– Use regular plans via a CFP-backed MFD.
– You get service, rebalancing, and emotional support.

Avoid Index Funds
– Index funds follow the market blindly.
– They don’t protect downside.
– In tough times, active funds perform better.
– You need strong guidance and strategy.

– Don’t invest passively when your finances are stressed.
– Use actively managed funds with goal-based planning.

Keep Emergency Buffer Intact
– After clearing loans, rebuild an emergency fund.
– You must keep at least 6 months of expenses ready.
– Use liquid mutual funds or FD.
– Emergency funds protect you from future debt trap.

Psychological Stress – Real and Serious
– Debt stress can impact mental peace.
– You must reduce stress step by step.
– Each loan cleared will give relief.
– Keep a small notebook to track each EMI closed.
– Celebrate small wins.
– Keep your family informed and involved.

Professional Guidance – Can Help You Recover Faster
– A Certified Financial Planner can create a plan.
– You will get emotional support and technical advice.
– They will help you stay focused and monitor your progress.

– This journey needs both money and mindset correction.
– A planner helps with both.

Simple Actions to Start Now
– Redeem Rs. 5 lakh from mutual fund.
– Use it to close all loans above 17%.
– Try to reduce Rs. 45,000 monthly parent support temporarily.
– Rebuild savings after debt is cleared.
– Don’t add new debt in any form.

Finally
– Your debt is high, but not unmanageable.
– You are earning well. That’s your strength.
– Reduce high-interest loans first.
– Don’t break your EPF.
– Redeem only part of mutual fund.
– Cut down monthly spending.
– Track EMI progress monthly.
– Use guidance from Certified Financial Planner.
– Avoid direct funds, index funds, and passive investing.
– Focus only on getting debt-free for now.

Stay disciplined. You will be free soon.

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

Ans: Hi,

You're badly trapped in the vicious debt cycle. Getting out of it needs a proper planning, strategy.
Please share the interest on each loan for me to help you in the best possible way.
Can book a 1:1 call with me or reach out on Instagram.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/