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Sunil

Sunil Lala  |203 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 28, 2024

Sunil Lala founded SL Wealth, a company that offers life and non-life insurance, mutual fund and asset allocation advice, in 2005. A certified financial planner, he has three decades of domain experience. His expertise includes designing goal-specific financial plans and creating investment awareness. He has been a registered member of the Financial Planning Standards Board since 2009.... more
Nimish Question by Nimish on Dec 01, 2023Hindi
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I am 27 years old IT professional. My monthly income is 90k. PF and VPF 9500 from 90k. Invested 90k in ELSS funds. Have 1.5k SIP in Index fund, 1k in Retirement fund, 1k in small cap fund, investing 50k from last year in NPS as well. I have a home loan emi ongoing which is 49k. I have Recurring deposit of 10k each month which is for creating emergency fund. I have 1Cr. Term insurance policy for which I pay 1360 per month. How do I maximize my savings? Should I increase my SIP amount or start new investments to reach a target of 10 Cr. By age 50?

Ans: Convert VPF & RD in MF SIP to maximise your returns and if possible increase SIP amount
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  |7550 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hello, I have a monthly saving of approximately rs 6000 in nps, rs7000 in pf with the rate of interest of approx 6.9, rs 23000 in SBI small cap mf, rs 16000 in ICICI prudential Blue chip mf, rs 5000 in kotak gold fund mf and rs 3000 in HDFC index s&p BSE sensex mf. I am 31 years old and i would like to know how much should I increase the investment and/ if I need to reallocate my sip to ensure retirement at 50 years old with a monthly expenses of 1lc.
Ans: You're off to a good start with your investments! Given your age and the goal of retiring at 50 with a monthly expense of 1 lakh, you have approximately 19 years to achieve this goal. Here are some suggestions to align your investments with your retirement goal:

Increase SIPs: At 31, you have time on your side. You might want to consider increasing your SIP amounts annually, perhaps by 10-15% to account for inflation and salary increments.
Reallocation:
Equity Allocation: Given your long-term horizon and age, you can afford to have a higher allocation to equities. Consider reallocating more towards equity mutual funds.
Diversification: Ensure you're not overly concentrated in a single asset class. Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds to spread the risk.
NPS & PF: NPS and PF are good vehicles for retirement savings, but they are more conservative. You might want to consider taking some risk by increasing your equity exposure through mutual funds to potentially earn higher returns.
Review & Rebalance: Periodically review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Rebalance if necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation.
Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses in a liquid and safe instrument.
Consult a Financial Advisor: Given the complexity of retirement planning, it might be beneficial to consult a financial advisor who can provide personalized advice based on your financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.
Remember, retirement planning is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency, discipline, and periodic reviews are key to achieving your retirement goals.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7550 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hi Sir,I'm 25 years old and earn 28,000 a month. I have SIPs of 2500 each in Tata digital India fund and Axis small cap fund and around 2,75,000 in Savings account. Please suggest me if I should do modification to my current SIPs or increase my SIP amount and what to do with savings in account. My risk appetite is high as I don't have any expenses and can invest aggressively. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Ans: Given your age, income, and high risk appetite, you have a great opportunity to invest aggressively for long-term growth. Here's a suggested approach:

Certified Financial Planner (CFP): Consult a CFP to create a personalized financial plan considering your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Modify or Increase SIPs:

Equity Funds: Since you have a high risk appetite, consider adding more equity funds to your portfolio.
Sectoral Funds: Explore adding sectoral or thematic funds for higher growth potential. However, these funds come with higher risk.
Increase SIP Amount: Gradually increase your SIP amount in existing or new funds to accelerate wealth accumulation.
Savings:

Emergency Fund: Maintain 3-6 months' expenses in a high-interest savings account as an emergency fund.
Invest: Invest a portion of your savings in equity mutual funds or stocks for long-term growth. You can also consider tax-saving ELSS funds to save tax and grow wealth simultaneously.
Review and Adjust:

Regular Review: Regularly review your portfolio with your CFP to ensure it's aligned with your goals and risk appetite.
Adjust SIPs: Make necessary adjustments to your SIPs based on performance, market conditions, and changing goals.
Considering your income and savings, you can aim to increase your SIPs by allocating a higher percentage of your income towards investments. For instance, increasing SIPs to ?5,000 or ?7,000 monthly can accelerate wealth accumulation.

Remember, while investing aggressively can potentially lead to higher returns, it also comes with higher risk. Ensure you're comfortable with the risk associated with your investment choices and consult your CFP for personalized advice.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7550 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hello, I am 25 yrs old and my take home monthly salary is approx 80k. I do freelance as well, so total in hand income comes around 1.2lacs pm. I am investing in PPF since 2020. Used to invest around Rs. 1000/- pm but slowly increased my investment to 12,500 from last month onwards and looking to continue the same. Since beginning of this year, I have started to invest in mutual funds with a monthly SIP of 15,000. I invest in a mix of small, mid and large cap funds. Does it makes sense to consider investing in ELSS tax saver funds? Do they generally give good returns as compared to SML cap funds? I am looking to step up my SIP by 10% every year. My goal is to attain financial freedom in the next ten years with more 1cr. as a corpus. I also have a LIC jeevan anand policy and I invest around 1,250/- every month which will mature in next 10 years. In order to achieve my financial goal fast, should I increase my monthly SIP to maybe 30k by decreasing the amount invested in other schemes? I know that SIPs generally comes with a better return but with a high risk. Is there any other scheme that I should opt for which gives higher return? Please suggest how to go about it based on my current income and living expenses. I also have some liabilities after investments such as: Personal loan: 45k Consumer loans: around 10k House expenses: 20k My current investment portfolio so far: SIP: 40K (Recently started as mentioned) PPF: 2.2 lacs EPF: 1.8 lacs LIC: 1 lac Thank you!
Ans: It's impressive to see your proactive approach towards financial planning at such a young age. Let's delve into optimizing your investment strategy to achieve your goal of attaining financial freedom with a corpus of ?1 Crore in the next ten years.

Evaluating Your Current Investments
Your investment journey, including PPF, SIPs in mutual funds, and a LIC Jeevan Anand policy, demonstrates a solid foundation for wealth creation. However, let's explore potential enhancements to accelerate your wealth accumulation.

Considering ELSS Tax Saver Funds
ELSS tax saver funds offer the dual benefit of tax savings under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act and potential for higher returns. While they carry market risk like any equity investment, historically, ELSS funds have provided competitive returns compared to other equity categories over the long term.

Assessing Asset Allocation and Risk Tolerance
Diversification across asset classes is essential to manage risk effectively. While your current portfolio includes a mix of equity (SIPs), debt (PPF, LIC), and EPF, it's crucial to align your asset allocation with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Stepping Up SIP Contributions
Increasing your monthly SIP contributions to ?30,000, as you've proposed, can expedite your journey towards your financial goal. By redirecting funds from other schemes, such as reducing contributions to your LIC Jeevan Anand policy, you can allocate more towards equity investments, potentially generating higher returns over the long term.

Exploring Alternatives for High Returns
While SIPs offer a disciplined approach to wealth accumulation, exploring other investment avenues can complement your portfolio. Consider avenues like direct equity investments, provided you have the expertise and time for thorough research. However, be mindful of the associated risks and volatility.

Managing Liabilities
Addressing your existing liabilities, including personal and consumer loans, should be a priority. Prioritize paying off high-interest debt to free up more funds for investment and improve your overall financial health.

Maintaining a Balanced Approach
Balancing your investment goals with your living expenses is crucial to ensure financial stability. Regularly review your budget and investment strategy to optimize returns while meeting your lifestyle needs.

Final Thoughts
By enhancing your SIP contributions, exploring ELSS tax saver funds, and maintaining a disciplined approach to investment, you're on track to achieve your financial freedom goal. Remember to seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner to tailor a personalized plan aligned with your aspirations and circumstances.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1442 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 13, 2025Hindi
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Hello..I met him on Jan 4 th of 2024.. this year he is not with me. We were in a relationship for almost 8 months. Everything was fine and blissful. Last December he told me he needs some time to decide about our relationship. First of all it was a blow to my confidence..I thought he will stay by my side no matter what it is. After a few days he told me he wants to move on. I was in no contact for 10 days. After I went back and called him..he told me he is talking with another girl and he likes her and going to marry her. My world was broken. The reason for this? Our horoscopes doesn't match also he brings up caste differences even though there is not much difference. We were each other's best friends cared and loved each other so much. Stood by eachother's tough times..I begged him I cried d...I lost all my self respect..I somehow wanted to keep him with me...but he threw me away. It pains a lot. I haven't recovered yet..but he is going to marry her very soon...the toughest part here is I have to see him everyday atleast for the next 6 months. How will I handle if he gets engaged? How will I handle when he gives out his wedding cards? I have big goals in life I want to achieve them. But I am terrified what if it all crumbles because of my inability to handle this pain and suffering? What should I do? Your suggestion is very much needed.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You did invest too much of yourself in him; but who can stop the way feelings move, right?
As hard as it maybe to accept this reality, move on...initially, it will be painful, but it's not worth losing yourself to anyone. Protect your identity and know that it does not stem from anyone or anything BUT it's YOU who defines it.
Maybe the past year that you lost time and could not focus on your goals, this year can be your year. Let him do what he needs to; why focus on someone who did not have the decency or courage to tell you things on your face. What will you gain by actually being with a person like that? I am sure you deserve much more...
Your goals and aspirations need you; go for it!

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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Anu Krishna  |1442 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 19, 2025

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The seconds of time during taking action..I get into the overthinking/over-analysing thoughts... 1. Imaginative: Where I becom's the character & live life(see images, speak..) in those..like being rich,powerfull,disciplined,wife,kids....things which I want/perceive from social media...+ memos of past also.. 2. Stuck: Where I becom's a "OBJECT" & voices + images of brain guides me to quit task's when doing things/challenging...by saying.. *What this thing(task/book..) gonna benefit you? *Don't do it, you will do worse/fail..people gonna judge/laugh to you...look yourself!!..no good face, no good dress, u don't hv courage/skill to do that thing. 3. Coping: "Quit it" & use Mobile(songs,reels,yt videos..) to stop/distract myself from those dark clouds. i) What/How [solution] to don't get stuck in those next time. ii) How to use that overthinking for my advantage.. with hving control. iii) I tried to fill the possible voids by dress/looks but things were same..so it's internal.. What to do for that?
Ans: Dear Work,
Overthinking and over processing never helped anyone. Focus on your self-talk and change that.
- Journaling
- Sports
- Art work
- Meditation
- Breathwork
These are a few ways in which you can attempt to slow down the mind from racing thoughts. Once that happens, work on your self-talk to make it more useful where you start to direct yourself towards what you want to do.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7550 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 19, 2025

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Hello Sir. I have Rs1,00,000 that I want to invest as a lump sum in SBI Mutual Funds for the long term (15+ years). Considering that SBI has one of the largest Asset Management Companies (AMCs), could you please recommend which SBI Mutual Funds would be suitable for such an investment and have the potential to deliver good returns over this period? I am doing this investment for my daughter's education.
Ans: Your decision to invest Rs 1,00,000 for your daughter's education is commendable. A long-term horizon of 15+ years offers significant growth potential through mutual funds. Below are insights and recommendations to guide your investment.

Why SBI Mutual Funds?

SBI is one of India’s largest and most trusted AMCs.

They offer a wide range of funds suitable for different goals and risk levels.

Their consistent performance track record reflects sound fund management.

Key Factors to Consider for Long-Term Investments

Investment Objective:

Education is a critical financial goal.

Focus on wealth accumulation through equity-oriented funds.

Risk Appetite:

Equity funds involve volatility but offer high growth.

Ensure alignment with your risk tolerance.

Fund Type Selection:

Choose funds based on asset allocation and diversification.

Evaluate the performance of large-cap, mid-cap, and hybrid funds.

Tax Implications:

LTCG over Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

Understand taxation for equity and debt funds.

Suggested Fund Categories for Your Investment

1. Large-Cap Funds

Invest in funds focusing on well-established companies.

They offer stability and moderate risk.

Suitable for conservative investors.

2. Mid-Cap Funds

These funds focus on medium-sized companies with high growth potential.

They are riskier than large-cap funds but offer higher returns.

Suitable for investors willing to take calculated risks.

3. Flexi-Cap Funds

Invest across large, mid, and small-cap companies.

They offer diversification and the flexibility to adapt to market conditions.

Ideal for investors seeking balanced growth.

4. Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS)

ELSS funds offer tax benefits under Section 80C.

They have a lock-in period of three years.

Suitable for investors aiming for tax-efficient long-term growth.

5. Hybrid Funds

Invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments.

They offer stability through debt and growth through equity.

Suitable for moderate-risk investors.

Benefits of Investing Through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

CFPs offer expert guidance tailored to your goals.

They help monitor fund performance regularly.

They ensure optimal fund selection and rebalancing.

Regular plans through CFPs provide dedicated service and support.

Why Choose Actively Managed Funds?

Active funds aim to outperform benchmarks through expert fund management.

They offer higher potential returns compared to index funds.

Fund managers actively adjust portfolios based on market trends.

Ideal for long-term investors seeking growth.

Key Steps to Start Your Investment

Define your financial goal clearly.

Consult with a CFP for fund selection.

Review the chosen fund’s historical performance and portfolio composition.

Use SIPs for additional investments to benefit from rupee cost averaging.

Monitor your portfolio periodically to ensure alignment with your goals.

Final Insights

Investing in SBI Mutual Funds is a smart choice for your daughter’s education. Selecting the right fund category ensures growth and stability over 15+ years. Partnering with a Certified Financial Planner ensures professional guidance and optimal returns. Stay committed to your goal, review your investments regularly, and focus on long-term growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7550 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2025Hindi
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I am an NRI with an NRO trading account through Zerodha, but I cannot trade in F&O and Intraday. I have been filing my returns consistently though I have had no income in India in the last 10 years. But I have investments in MF, PPF, NPS, Medical and Life Insurances, ULIPs which were initiated while working in India and had tax saving options and it is being continued. I would like to trade in F&O and Intraday. My wife is not employed till date and has a regular savings account with the Bank which is Resident Indian normal account. She has never filed any IT returns since as there was no income and transactions from my side were only for family maintenance. My question is, can I open a regular trading account in her name so that we can do trading in F&O and Intraday? What are the necessary things which I need to follow for filing IT returns and how my investments can be helpful to file returns through her account. She doesn't have any investments except LIC & Health Insurance policies in her name for which I pay from myside.
Ans: Yes, you can open a trading account in your wife's name to trade in F&O and intraday; however, there are a few important considerations:

Steps to Open a Trading Account:
Convert Savings Account to a Trading-Compatible Account: Ensure her existing bank account supports trading transactions. If not, convert it to a trading-compatible savings account.
KYC Compliance: Complete her KYC process with updated details, including PAN, Aadhaar, and a valid address proof.
Link Demat and Trading Account: Open a Demat and trading account in her name with a broker that supports F&O and intraday trading for resident individuals.
Nominate a Separate Source of Funds: Ensure the funds transferred to her account are not directly linked to your NRI account to avoid legal and taxation issues.
Tax Implications:
Income from Trading: Any income generated from trading in her account will be considered her income. Since she has no other sources of income, her income from trading may be taxed as per the slab rate applicable to her.
Gift Declarations: Funds transferred to her account can be considered a gift. Gifts from a spouse are exempt from tax, but the income generated (through trading) will be clubbed with your income under Section 64 of the Income Tax Act.
Filing IT Returns:
She will need to file her own ITR if her total income (including trading profits) exceeds the taxable limit (Rs. 2.5 lakhs for individuals below 60).
Any clubbed income will still require an ITR to declare the source and details.
Investments for IT Filing:
Investments in her name (e.g., LIC and health insurance) can help:

Claim deductions under Section 80C for LIC premiums.
Claim deductions under Section 80D for health insurance premiums.
Alternative Suggestions:
Joint Investments: Instead of opening an account in her name, consider using investments in her name (LIC, insurance, etc.) to improve her financial standing without additional compliance.
Professional Advice: Engage a CA familiar with NRI taxation and clubbing provisions to ensure full compliance and proper structuring.
If you'd like detailed help with tax planning, compliance, or investment strategies, let me know!

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

...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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