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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7931 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 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
Yawar Question by Yawar on Apr 11, 2024Hindi
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I am 25 earning 60 k per alomg with 5k worth of company stocks each month. Already married and wife is earning and independent. Want to buy a car and house as soon as possible without taking a loan. What to do? Currently i am investing 20k per month.

Ans: Building Your Financial Roadmap: Achieving Your Goals without Taking Loans
Congratulations on taking proactive steps towards your financial goals at such a young age! Let's craft a plan to help you buy a car and house without taking a loan, leveraging your current income and investments effectively.

1. Define Your Goals

Clarify your objectives for buying a car and house, including timelines and desired outcomes. Understanding your goals will guide your financial decisions and help prioritize your actions.

2. Assess Your Financial Situation

Evaluate your current income, expenses, and existing investments to determine your financial capacity for purchasing assets. Consider your monthly savings, company stocks, and any other assets you may have.

3. Budgeting and Saving

Create a detailed budget to track your expenses and identify areas where you can reduce discretionary spending. Maximize your monthly savings by cutting unnecessary expenses and directing those funds towards your car and house funds.

4. Increase Investment Contributions

Given your age and income, consider increasing your monthly investment contributions to accelerate your savings for the car and house. Allocate a portion of your 20k monthly investment towards short-term goals, ensuring liquidity for upcoming expenses.

5. Utilize Windfalls and Bonuses

Any windfalls or bonuses you receive should be allocated towards your car and house funds. This includes annual bonuses, tax refunds, or any unexpected income. Utilize these funds wisely to expedite your savings progress.

6. Reevaluate Company Stock Strategy

Continue investing in company stocks, but reassess your strategy to ensure diversification and mitigate risk. Consider periodically liquidating some stocks to fund your short-term goals, while maintaining a balanced portfolio for long-term growth.

7. Explore Additional Income Streams

Consider exploring additional income streams to boost your savings rate further. This could include freelance work, part-time gigs, or passive income opportunities. Every additional rupee earned contributes to your goal attainment.

8. Prioritize Your Purchases

Evaluate whether purchasing a car or a house should take precedence based on your priorities and timelines. Consider factors such as transportation needs, housing market conditions, and long-term financial implications before making a decision.

9. Stay Disciplined and Patient

Achieving significant financial goals like buying a car and house without taking a loan requires discipline and patience. Stay committed to your budget, savings plan, and investment strategy, knowing that your efforts will pay off in the long run.

10. Seek Financial Guidance

Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to fine-tune your financial plan and receive personalized advice tailored to your goals and circumstances. A professional advisor can provide valuable insights and strategies to help you achieve your objectives efficiently.

With careful planning, diligent saving, and strategic investing, you can realize your dreams of owning a car and house without relying on loans. Stay focused on your goals, and you'll soon enjoy the satisfaction of achieving them on your terms.

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  |7931 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 07, 2024Hindi
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I am 25 years old. Joined an IT company and earning 50k per month. I am a bachelor with monthly expenses of 15k.No liability or asset currently but I want to buy a house in future (in 3 to 4 years possibly taking loan of 30L to 40L) .How much to invest and where to build wealth and save for future & retirement please suggest. Also what else to consider for emergency fund or recession.
Ans: Congratulations on starting your career! That's a great first step towards financial security. You're earning well and have a good savings potential. Let's discuss how to manage your money effectively for your future goals:

1. Building a Strong Foundation:

Save for the Future! With a monthly salary of Rs. 50,000 and expenses of Rs. 15,000, you have a significant amount to save and invest. This is a great opportunity to build wealth for your future.

Emergency Fund! Life throws unexpected curveballs. Set aside 3-6 months' worth of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account like a Liquid Fund. This acts as a safety net in case of emergencies.

2. Investing for Your Goals:

Short Term vs. Long Term: You have both short-term (house purchase in 3-4 years) and long-term (retirement) goals. A good strategy allocates funds for each.

Actively Managed Funds: Consider investing in actively managed Debt and Equity Mutual Funds (MFs) through SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans). Actively managed funds have fund managers who try to outperform the market by picking stocks or bonds they believe will grow.

3. Planning for Your House:

Down Payment Ready? For your house purchase, aim to save a good down payment (ideally 20% or more) to minimize your loan amount and interest payments. Debt Funds or Recurring Deposits (RDs) can be suitable for this goal.

Loan Management: Taking a home loan is a big decision. Carefully research interest rates and terms. Remember, a home loan is a long-term commitment, so factor in potential EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) impact on your budget.

4. Retirement Planning:

Start Early! You're young, which is a huge advantage for retirement planning. Starting early allows time for compounding to work its magic. Invest in Equity MFs for long-term wealth creation for retirement.

Review and Rebalance: The market keeps changing. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you periodically review your portfolio, rebalance if needed, and ensure your investment strategy remains on track for your retirement goals.

5. Recession proofing:

Diversification is Key! Investing across different asset classes like Equity and Debt MFs helps spread risk. This can help you weather economic downturns like recessions.

Discipline is Important! Stick to your SIP contributions and avoid impulsive decisions based on market volatility. A CFP can help you stay disciplined and focused on your long-term goals.

Remember, financial planning is a journey, not a destination. Consulting a CFP can create a personalized plan that considers your goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. This will help you achieve your dreams of homeownership, a secure retirement, and overall financial well-being.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7931 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2024Hindi
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I am 39 years ,want buy a house loan 75 lakhs and car 15. Lakhs and I have policies of 20 lakhs and investment of 5 lakhs and my monthly salary is 1.65lakhs how can I manage it
Ans: Assessing Your Financial Goals
You are 39 years old and aim to buy a house with a Rs 75 lakhs loan and a car worth Rs 15 lakhs. You have insurance policies worth Rs 20 lakhs and investments totaling Rs 5 lakhs. Your monthly salary is Rs 1.65 lakhs. Let’s create a strategy to manage these financial goals.

Understanding Your Financial Situation
Income and Expenses

Your monthly salary is Rs 1.65 lakhs. It's essential to understand your current monthly expenses to allocate funds for loan repayments and other financial commitments.

Existing Investments and Policies

You have Rs 20 lakhs in policies and Rs 5 lakhs in investments. These can serve as a safety net and help in meeting future financial goals.

Financial Planning for House and Car Purchase
House Loan Strategy
Loan Amount and EMI

A Rs 75 lakhs home loan with a tenure of 20 years at an interest rate of around 8% results in an EMI of approximately Rs 62,000.

Down Payment

Typically, you need to make a down payment of 20% of the house value. For a Rs 75 lakhs house, the down payment would be around Rs 15 lakhs. Use your existing investments for this purpose.

Home Loan Eligibility

With a monthly salary of Rs 1.65 lakhs, you are likely eligible for a Rs 75 lakhs home loan. Lenders usually consider up to 50% of your salary for EMI payments. Ensure your EMIs for all loans do not exceed this limit.

Car Loan Strategy
Loan Amount and EMI

A Rs 15 lakhs car loan with a tenure of 5 years at an interest rate of around 9% results in an EMI of approximately Rs 31,000.

Down Payment

You might need to make a down payment of 10-20% for the car loan. For Rs 15 lakhs, this would be Rs 1.5-3 lakhs. This can be managed through your monthly savings.

Monthly Budget and Loan Repayments
Income Allocation

Total Monthly Income: Rs 1.65 lakhs
Home Loan EMI: Rs 62,000
Car Loan EMI: Rs 31,000
Remaining Income: Rs 72,000
Monthly Expenses

Estimate your monthly expenses, including household, utilities, groceries, and other essentials. Let’s assume your monthly expenses are Rs 50,000.

Savings and Investments

After deducting loan EMIs and monthly expenses, you are left with Rs 22,000. This can be allocated towards savings and investments.

Emergency Fund
Ensure you maintain an emergency fund equivalent to at least six months of expenses. This should be kept in a liquid or savings account to cover unforeseen expenses.

Insurance and Investments
Review Insurance Policies

Ensure your insurance policies provide adequate coverage. Consider a term insurance plan for higher coverage at a lower cost. Your existing policies worth Rs 20 lakhs might need to be supplemented for adequate family protection.

Regular Investments

Continue your regular investments. Allocate the remaining Rs 22,000 towards systematic investment plans (SIPs) in mutual funds or other suitable investment avenues. This helps in wealth accumulation and achieving long-term financial goals.

Final Insights
To manage your financial goals of buying a house and car while ensuring stability, follow these steps:

Down Payment: Use existing investments for the house down payment. Save monthly for the car down payment.

Loan Repayments: Ensure EMIs for both loans fit within 50% of your monthly income.

Monthly Budget: Track expenses carefully to maintain a balance between EMIs, expenses, and savings.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund for at least six months' expenses.

Insurance Coverage: Review and supplement your insurance policies for adequate coverage.

Investments: Continue regular investments to build wealth and secure your financial future.

By following this strategy, you can effectively manage your financial goals and maintain financial stability.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7931 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 18, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 29 yrs old, unmarried in hand salary is around 1.34 lakhs. I am planning to get married to my partner in hand salary around 1.60 lakhs. Luckily we dont have liability /loans. Only have a high housing rents of 23000 and 26500 per month. I have an fd of valutaion around 9 lakhs. My partner has around 13lakhs in stocks fd etc. We both have emergency funds of around 3-3.5 lakhs in liquid. Currently i am investing 30000 in sip each month and he is investing 30000 in elss. Both invest around 10000-15000 in stocks on and off. Could you kindly suggest some investing advise our goals are to buy a house in the next 5 yrs and buy a mid range car. We also want to have some savings for future for kids.
Ans: Your current financial situation is strong. You both have good salaries, no liabilities, and substantial savings. Here’s a comprehensive plan to achieve your goals.

Current Investments and Expenses

High Rent: Rs. 23,000 and Rs. 26,500 per month are high. Consider if there are ways to reduce this.

Emergency Funds: You both have Rs. 3-3.5 lakhs in liquid emergency funds. This is excellent and should be maintained.

Fixed Deposits: You have Rs. 9 lakhs, and your partner has Rs. 13 lakhs in stocks and FDs.

SIP Investments: You invest Rs. 30,000 in SIPs monthly, and your partner invests Rs. 30,000 in ELSS.

Stock Investments: Both invest around Rs. 10,000-15,000 in stocks on and off.

Goals

Buy a House in 5 Years

Buy a Mid-range Car

Save for Future Kids

Investment Strategy

House Purchase Plan

Down Payment Savings: Aim to save for a down payment of at least 20% of the house cost. For a house costing Rs. 1 crore, you’ll need Rs. 20 lakhs.

Increase SIP Allocation: Increase your SIP investments to Rs. 40,000 per month if possible. Focus on large-cap and hybrid funds for stability and growth.

Short-term Debt Funds: Invest some money in short-term debt funds or recurring deposits. These are less volatile and offer better returns than savings accounts.

Car Purchase Plan

Car Fund: Decide on a budget for your mid-range car. For a car costing Rs. 10-15 lakhs, start a dedicated savings plan.

Recurring Deposit: Open a recurring deposit for car savings. Monthly contributions will help build this fund over 3-5 years.

Future Kids Savings

Child Education Fund: Start investing in child education funds or balanced mutual funds. SIPs of Rs. 10,000 per month in diversified equity funds can grow significantly over the long term.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): If you have a daughter, invest in SSY. It offers attractive returns and tax benefits.

Review and Adjust Investments

Review Current SIPs

Diversify Portfolio: Ensure your SIPs are diversified across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. Add some balanced or hybrid funds for stability.
Regular Stock Investments

Systematic Investment in Stocks: Consider a more systematic approach to stock investments. Regularly invest fixed amounts in strong, fundamentally sound companies.
Utilize Fixed Deposits

Partial Liquidation: Consider partially liquidating FDs and investing in mutual funds for better returns. Keep some FDs for security and liquidity.
Tax Planning

Utilize ELSS Funds: Continue investing in ELSS for tax benefits under Section 80C. Aim to maximize the Rs. 1.5 lakhs limit.
Insurance

Health Insurance: Ensure you both have adequate health insurance coverage. Consider a family floater policy post-marriage.

Life Insurance: Opt for term insurance plans. Ensure the coverage amount is sufficient to cover future liabilities and responsibilities.

Final Insights

Balancing your current savings with your future goals requires disciplined investing. Increase your SIPs, focus on diversified and balanced funds, and ensure regular contributions to short-term and long-term goals. Regularly review your investments and adjust based on performance and changing goals. By following this structured approach, you can achieve your dreams of buying a house, a car, and securing your future family’s needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7931 Answers  |Ask -

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

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I am 29 yr old female , i hv done md in radiology currently earning 12LPA . I have SIP of 1 Lakh, I dont know much about finance. Can anyone help me with investment , buying house and car?
Ans: You earn Rs. 12 lakh per year.

You invest Rs. 1 lakh per month in SIPs.

You want to invest wisely.

You plan to buy a house and a car.

You are new to finance.

A structured plan will help you.

Emergency Fund for Safety
Keep Rs. 3 lakh in a savings account.

Keep another Rs. 3 lakh in a liquid fund.

These funds cover unexpected expenses.

They also provide peace of mind.

You should not invest this amount.

Investments for Growth
Continue Your SIPs
Investing Rs. 1 lakh per month is excellent.

SIPs create wealth over time.

They help handle market ups and downs.

Stay invested for long-term growth.

Choose actively managed funds for better returns.

Add Debt Funds for Stability
Invest Rs. 5 lakh in debt funds.

These offer better returns than FDs.

They are also tax-efficient.

They balance risk in your portfolio.

Choose funds with good performance history.

Gold for Diversification
Invest Rs. 2 lakh in digital gold.

Choose sovereign gold bonds or gold ETFs.

These are better than physical gold.

Gold helps during market volatility.

It protects against inflation.

Buying a House – Key Considerations
A house is a big financial commitment.

Avoid buying too early in your career.

A loan will impact your cash flow.

Renting is better if you plan to move.

If buying, limit EMI to 30% of income.

A 20% down payment is necessary.

Avoid using all savings for a down payment.

Plan for home loan EMIs carefully.

Consider maintenance and property taxes.

Buying a house is not just an investment.

Buying a Car – Smart Planning
A car is a depreciating asset.

Avoid using all savings to buy it.

Consider a loan if needed.

EMI should not exceed 10% of income.

Check resale value before buying.

Choose a fuel-efficient model.

Buy insurance to cover risks.

Tax Planning for Savings
Use Section 80C for tax deductions.

Invest in tax-saving mutual funds if needed.

Use NPS for additional tax benefits.

Plan investments to reduce tax burden.

Final Insights
Your SIPs are a great step.

Keep an emergency fund for safety.

Invest in debt and gold for balance.

Buy a house only if financially ready.

Plan car purchase smartly.

Stay invested for long-term wealth.

Learn basic finance to make informed decisions.

A structured plan will secure your future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1503 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Feb 11, 2025

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Relationship
I've married a divorcee few years back who has two teenage kids, a boy and a girl studying final year chemical engineering. While I'm in ok terms with the boy, the girl who is supposed to be taken care of by her father according to court order but stays with us due to harrassment started showing her true colours by creating unnecessary problems, goaded by my wife's relatives who dont like her remarriage to me. I try very much to stay cool whenever she fights but sometimes lose my patience and shout at her. She is a very vengeful girl and I recently came to know that she is planning to file sexual harrassment charges against me. I am scared of the insults if she files such a case merely to hurt me and her mother. She openly mocks that the law and authorities will be always on her side. Kindly advise me on what precautions I can take to avoid getting framed and lose my dignity.
Ans: Dear manikantaprabhu,
Legal advice is a lawyer's domain and you can seek the guidance of one.
What does your wife have to say about her daughter's actions? Is she also unable to control what is happening? Why is the girl's father not in the picture?
Obviously the divorce of her parents hasn't been easy on the girl and at an impressionable age, they can easily be swayed by relatives at a vulnerable time like this. I would ask your wife to step in and take care of this as she is the only person who the girl can trust now. You have not shared what your wife is doing to manage the situation. She has a huge role to play right now in terms of providing emotional support to her daughter through a loving and caring environment. Things may change...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

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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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