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Ramalingam Kalirajan |7279 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 10, 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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2024Hindi

I am 27 years old working in a Logistics company... Current salary is 60k and I started investing in mutual fund since my college and currently investing 20k per month in mutual funds...and I also have 16k loan to pay per month...I want to make 40Lac-50Lac in next 5-6 years... Please suggest

Ans: First off, great job on starting early with your investments in mutual funds. Starting early is one of the best decisions you can make for your financial future.

Let's dive into your situation and see how you can achieve your goal of making Rs. 40-50 lakhs in the next 5-6 years.

Assessing Your Current Financial Situation
You are 27 years old and working in a logistics company with a monthly salary of Rs. 60,000. You have an investment of Rs. 20,000 per month in mutual funds and a loan repayment of Rs. 16,000 per month. Your net disposable income after loan repayment and mutual fund investment is Rs. 24,000.

Setting Realistic Financial Goals
Achieving Rs. 40-50 lakhs in 5-6 years is ambitious but doable with a disciplined approach. The goal is to maximize your returns while managing risks effectively. You need to focus on the power of compounding and diversification in your mutual fund investments.

Investment Strategy: Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a great tool for wealth creation. They offer diversification, professional management, and the potential for high returns. Since you are already investing in mutual funds, let's break down how you can optimize your portfolio.

Categories of Mutual Funds
Equity Mutual Funds: These are the best for long-term wealth creation. They invest primarily in stocks and have the potential to provide high returns. However, they also come with higher risks.

Debt Mutual Funds: These are lower-risk investments that provide steady returns. They invest in bonds and other fixed-income securities.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: These funds invest in both equities and debts, providing a balance of risk and return.

Power of Compounding
Compounding is when your investment earnings start generating their own earnings. The longer you stay invested, the more your money grows. Since you have a 5-6 year horizon, this is crucial. By consistently investing Rs. 20,000 per month, you allow your investments to grow and compound over time.

Optimizing Your Mutual Fund Portfolio
Given your goal and investment horizon, here’s a strategy you could consider:

Increase Equity Exposure: Since you have a higher risk appetite and a 5-6 year horizon, focus on equity mutual funds. They have the potential to generate higher returns.

Diversify: Don’t put all your money into one type of equity fund. Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds to balance risk and return.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Continue with your SIP of Rs. 20,000 per month. This helps in rupee cost averaging and reduces the impact of market volatility.

Review and Rebalance: Periodically review your portfolio and rebalance if needed. Ensure that your investments align with your goals and risk profile.

Managing Your Loan
You have a loan repayment of Rs. 16,000 per month. While it’s important to invest, ensure you’re also managing your debt efficiently. High-interest debts should be paid off as soon as possible. If your loan is at a high-interest rate, consider repaying it faster or refinancing it for a lower interest rate.

Additional Investment Opportunities
If you can manage to save more, consider increasing your SIP amount. Even an additional Rs. 5,000 per month can significantly impact your overall returns over the next 5-6 years. Also, if you receive any bonuses or windfalls, consider investing a portion of that amount into your mutual funds.

Risk Management
Investing in equity mutual funds involves risks. To manage these risks:

Stay Invested for the Long Term: Don’t panic during market downturns. The market tends to recover over time.

Diversify: As mentioned, diversify your portfolio across different types of equity funds and sectors.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of your expenses. This ensures you don’t have to dip into your investments during emergencies.

Final Insights
You are on the right track by starting early and investing consistently. With disciplined investing and proper portfolio management, you can achieve your goal of Rs. 40-50 lakhs in the next 5-6 years. Focus on equity mutual funds, diversify your investments, and leverage the power of compounding. Manage your loan efficiently and consider increasing your SIP amount if possible. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to stay aligned with your financial goals.

Remember, investing is a journey. Stay patient, stay disciplined, and you will reach 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.