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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10925 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 13, 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
Yathish Question by Yathish on Apr 13, 2024Hindi
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Hi I am 28 year old I want financial advice I have 2 lakhs of emergency fund, apart from this which is kept in FD, I WANT & planning to invest 10k per month in M.F I am concidering to invest ?6350 in 6 large cap funds, ?2,625 in 5 midcap funds, ?525 in 3 smallcap funds, 1000 in 1 flexicap funds Is this correct way for diversification or I should just invest in only 1 or 2 stocks in each sections apart from above mentioned 15 MF? & Are there any financial advisor in Bengaluru who could suggest me with some ideas for my present stock portfolio which I need to trim?

Ans: You're off to a good start with your financial planning! Let's discuss your proposed investment strategy and address your questions.

Diversification Strategy:
Your plan to diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and flexi-cap funds is a good approach. Diversification helps in spreading the risk and capturing growth opportunities across different market segments.

However, investing in 15 mutual funds might be a bit too diversified, which can sometimes dilute returns and make portfolio management complex. Consider consolidating your portfolio to fewer funds while still maintaining diversification.

Alternative Strategy:

Large Cap: Consider investing in 2-3 large-cap funds for stability and consistent returns.
Mid Cap: 1-2 mid-cap funds can offer higher growth potential.
Small Cap: Similarly, 1-2 small-cap funds for higher growth but higher risk.
Flexi Cap: 1-2 flexi-cap funds can provide flexibility across market caps.
Considerations:

Expense Ratio: Keep an eye on the expense ratios. Lower expense ratios can significantly impact your returns over the long term.
Fund Performance: Regularly review the performance of your funds and consider replacing underperforming ones.
Market Conditions: Market conditions can influence the performance of different segments. Keep yourself updated with market trends and adjust your portfolio accordingly.

Financial Advisor Selection:
Please search for "online financial planning & Retirement planning services with a Holistic Approach" in Google and then follow the below steps with the results.

Research: Start by researching reputable brokerage firms that offer mutual fund advisory services. Look for firms with a strong track record, experienced financial advisors, and a range of services tailored to your needs.

Consultation: Schedule a consultation with the brokerage firm to discuss your financial goals, risk tolerance, investment preferences, and other relevant factors. This initial meeting will help the advisor understand your needs and recommend suitable investment strategies.

Advisory Services: Once you've selected a brokerage firm, the advisor will work with you to develop a personalized mutual fund investment plan. They will recommend specific funds based on your financial objectives and provide ongoing guidance to help you navigate the market.

Regular Reviews: Schedule periodic reviews with your advisor to assess the performance of your mutual fund investments, review changes in your financial situation, and make any necessary adjustments to your investment strategy.


By following these steps, you can access the expertise of professional brokerages to assist you in financial planning and investment management.

Stock Portfolio Trimming:
A financial advisor can provide personalized advice on trimming your stock portfolio based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions. They can help you identify which stocks to hold, sell, or add based on fundamental and technical analysis.

In conclusion, while your diversification strategy is commendable, consider consolidating your mutual fund portfolio for simplicity and better management. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice tailored to your financial goals and situation.
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  |10925 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2024Hindi
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Hi Our(mine and wife's) networth is 34L. Wife is 28 and I am 30. We have invested in physical Gold 50gms, stocks 12lac getting approx 15 - 25% returns p.a rebalancing once or twice a year and mirea asset large and midcap 1.3lac, quant less 64k, sbielss, zerodha less, mirae less each 21k and Nippon small cap 8k. We need to achieve our target of 7 cr at my age of 40. We planned to invest 1l per month 25k in gold, 20k in stocks, 10k Rd , 25k into our account were we will get 7.5%p.a in sb account, elss 12k and 8k for bonds. Is it a good way of diversification... We will use the money accumulated in our account to buy stocks incase of COVID like event when stocks were utter cheap. We have 5l as emergency fund and both parents and us are having medical insurance... I am learning about term insurance have to take one. Apart from this I am paying 11k as car emi. We are not planning to buy a home now. Or in near future. We are building a strict portfolio. Kindly help.
Ans: It sounds like you and your wife have a well-thought-out plan for your financial future! Let's break down your current situation and investment strategy, and see if there are any areas for optimization:

Current Financial Snapshot:
Net Worth: ?34 Lakhs
Investments:
Physical Gold: 50 grams
Stocks: ?12 Lakhs (with annual returns of 15-25%)
Mutual Funds:
Mirae Asset Large and Midcap: ?1.3 Lakhs
Quant: ?64,000
SBI, Zerodha, Mirae, and Nippon Funds: Various amounts
Investment Strategy:
Monthly Investments:

?25,000 in Gold
?20,000 in Stocks
?10,000 in RD
?25,000 in Savings Account (earning 7.5% p.a.)
?12,000 in ELSS
?8,000 in Bonds
Emergency Fund: ?5 Lakhs

Insurance: Medical insurance for both, planning for term insurance

Liabilities: Car EMI of ?11,000

Property Plans: No immediate plans to buy a home

Suggestions for Optimization:
Asset Allocation:

Your asset allocation seems reasonable, with a mix of physical assets (gold), equity (stocks and mutual funds), and fixed income (RD, savings account, bonds). Ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.
Stock Portfolio:

Continue with your disciplined approach to investing in stocks. However, consider diversifying further by adding exposure to different sectors or market caps to reduce risk.
Mutual Fund Selection:

Review the performance of your existing mutual funds periodically. Consider consolidating your investments into a few high-performing funds to simplify management.
Emergency Fund:

Ensure your emergency fund covers at least 6-12 months of expenses. If not, consider increasing it before allocating more funds to investments.
Insurance:

Prioritize getting term insurance to provide financial protection for your family in case of unforeseen events. Aim for coverage that adequately meets your family's needs.
Liabilities:

Evaluate the cost of your car EMI relative to your overall financial goals. If possible, consider paying off the loan early to reduce interest payments.
Future Planning:

As you're not planning to buy a home in the near future, continue focusing on building your investment portfolio and increasing your net worth.
Final Thoughts:
Your investment strategy shows discipline and a clear focus on long-term wealth accumulation. With careful monitoring and periodic adjustments, you're well on your way to achieving your target of ?7 crores by age 40. Keep reviewing your plan regularly and consult with a financial advisor if needed to ensure you stay on track to meet your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10925 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Hello Sir/Ma'am, I hope you are doing well. Could you please provide your guidance regarding my investment portfolio? I am 46 years old and currently have a mutual fund portfolio valued at 2 crores, with an approximate XIRR of 23%. My objective is to invest an additional 1 crore in mutual funds. I plan to hold these investment for the next 6-7 years before making any withdrawals using the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). My goal is to achieve a total portfolio value of 6 crores in the next 5-6 years. At present, I am invested in 20 mutual funds, which I realize is quite a lot. Could you please review my current funds and suggest where I should invest the additional 1 crore? I would like to eliminate any unnecessary overlap and focus on investments that will help me achieve my goals. I am considering switching from Motilal Oswal Defence Index to Motilal Oswal Mid Cap and from Quant Infrastructure Fund to Quant Mid Cap. These are just preliminary ideas. Could you help me streamline my portfolio and recommend where to invest the additional 1 crore considering aggressive risk taker ? ##############LARGE Cap 1. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - 18L ##############Flexi Cap 2. HDFC Flexi Cap Fund - 29L 3. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - 17L 4. Quant Flexi Cap - 10L ############# Multi Cap 5. Nippon India MULTICAP FUND - 25L ############# Mid CAP 6. HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities - 14L 7. Motilal Oswal Mid cap - 5.5L #############Small Cap 8. KOTAK SMALL CAP FUND - 11L 9. ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund - 5L 10. Tata Small Cap Growth Direct Plan - 4L 11. HDFC Small Cap Fund Direct - 2.6L 12. Nippon India Small Cap - 3.5L ############INDEX 13. HDFC Index Nifty 50 Growth Direct Plan - 10L 14. ICICI Prudential Nifty Midcap 150 Index Growth Direct Plan - 7L 15. HDFC NIFTY Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct - 5L 16. Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Growth Direct Plan - 2.5L 17. UTI Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index Growth Direct Plan - 11L 18. UTI Nifty Next 50 Index Growth Direct Plan - 11L 19. Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Growth Direct Plan - 2L ################# Thematic 20. Quant Infrastructure fund - 9.5L
Ans: Current Portfolio Overview
Your mutual fund portfolio is valued at Rs. 2 crores. You have an impressive XIRR of 23%. You plan to invest an additional Rs. 1 crore. You aim to achieve a portfolio value of Rs. 6 crores in 5-6 years. Your current investments are spread across 20 mutual funds.

This diversification is quite extensive. Streamlining is needed to avoid overlap and enhance performance.

Evaluating Fund Categories
Large Cap
ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Rs. 18L
Bluechip funds provide stability. They should form the core of your portfolio.
Flexi Cap
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund - Rs. 29L
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - Rs. 17L
Quant Flexi Cap - Rs. 10L
Flexi Cap funds offer balanced exposure. They adapt to market conditions.
Multi Cap
Nippon India Multi Cap Fund - Rs. 25L
Multi Cap funds provide a mix of large, mid, and small caps. They offer diversification within a single fund.
Mid Cap
HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities - Rs. 14L
Motilal Oswal Mid Cap - Rs. 5.5L
Mid Cap funds have higher growth potential. However, they are riskier.
Small Cap
KOTAK Small Cap Fund - Rs. 11L
ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund - Rs. 5L
Tata Small Cap Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 4L
HDFC Small Cap Fund Direct - Rs. 2.6L
Nippon India Small Cap - Rs. 3.5L
Small Cap funds can deliver high returns. They are suitable for aggressive investors.
Index Funds
HDFC Index Nifty 50 Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 10L

ICICI Prudential Nifty Midcap 150 Index Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 7L

HDFC NIFTY Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct - Rs. 5L

Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 2.5L

UTI Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 11L

UTI Nifty Next 50 Index Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 11L

Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Growth Direct Plan - Rs. 2L

Index funds have lower fees but lack active management benefits. Active funds can outperform by selecting high-potential stocks.
Thematic Funds
Quant Infrastructure Fund - Rs. 9.5L
Thematic funds focus on specific sectors. They offer higher risk and reward.
Portfolio Streamlining Suggestions
Reduce Overlap
Consolidate Flexi Cap funds. Keep one or two best-performing funds.
Reduce Mid Cap and Small Cap funds. Focus on top performers.
Minimize Index funds. Their passive nature may limit growth.
Recommended Fund Adjustments
Switch from Index funds to actively managed funds. Active funds can outperform the market. They offer better stock selection and management.
Consider reducing your Thematic fund exposure. They carry sector-specific risks.
New Investments
Allocate new Rs. 1 crore across top-performing Large Cap, Flexi Cap, and Small Cap funds.
Focus on funds with strong historical performance and potential.
Portfolio Allocation Strategy
Large Cap: 40% of your portfolio. They provide stability.
Flexi Cap: 30% of your portfolio. They adapt to market changes.
Small Cap: 20% of your portfolio. They offer high growth potential.
Thematic Funds: 10% of your portfolio. They add diversity and high risk-reward.
Final Insights
Streamlining your portfolio will reduce overlap and enhance returns. Focus on a mix of Large Cap, Flexi Cap, and Small Cap funds. Avoid over-diversification and index funds. Invest additional Rs. 1 crore in high-performing funds. This strategy will help achieve your goal of Rs. 6 crores.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |459 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 22, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 34 years old, married, with no children yet, but we plan to start a family by the end of 2026. Our monthly household take-home income is 4.4 lakh. We have cumulative EMIs of 1.50 lakhs per month: (1) Home Loan (1 Cr Outstanding, 9 years left): 1.1 lacs per month, (2) Car Loan (8 lacs outstanding 4 years left): 25k per month (3) Personal Loan (4 years left) - 15k per month. Our investments include 50 lakh in stocks and mutual funds, and 30 lakh in PF. I have a term plan with cover till age 85, costing additional 1.3 lakh per year in premium for next 7 years. Me and my wife are covered by our employer for medical insurance, and our parents will also have PSU pension and medical cover after retirement. We spend around 1.2 lakh per month on household expenses in Gurgaon. We invest 1 lakh monthly having 20-90 split in stocks and MFs and keep 2 lakh in an emergency savings account. My long-term goal is to pay off all loans, build a financial buffer to move back to my hometown a tier 2 city and do remote work from there - this might reduce our househol income by 30-40%. Given these details, how should I plan our investments to achieve the goals and how many years are we looking to achieve this?
Ans: Hi,

You have done great investments at such age. Let us go through the details one by one:
1. You have a term cover and health insurance for yourself as well as family.
2. You should have emergency fund of 6 months' worth expenses in liquid mutual funds for uncertain times, 2 lakhs is way too less.
3. Currently 3 loans - Home, Car and Personal. All loans will be finished in 9 and 4 years respectively(total EMI - 1.5 lakhs). Overall loans are high. Try to close PErsonal loand first followed by car loan to reduce the EMI burden.
4. 50 lakhs current holdings in stocks and mutual funds.
5. 30 lakhs in PF.
6. 1.4 lakh monthly expenses.
7. Current SIP - 1 lakh permonth in stocks and mutual funds.

You have build a great wealth for yourself at your age. You are also planning to start a family. Keep your invesments like this with consistency and you will finish loans and be able to move to your home as well.

Although direct stock investment needs loads of time and research - hence not recommended. It is advisable for you to keep your investments limited to mutual funds only. And it would be great to take a professional's help as even a slightest mistake can break or make your wealth.

Before relocating after few years, try to maximize your investments at the maximum potential and let compounding do its magic. Try to invest more than 1 lakh per month in mutual funds for a secured future.

Doing and managing investments along with your job is not recommended. It is always better to go for professional advice when it comes to money.

You can connect with a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

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

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |459 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 16, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Advait sir, I am 48 year having privet Job. I have started investment from 2017, current value of investment is 82L and having monthly 50K SIP as below. My goal to have 2.5Cr corpus at the age of 58. Please advice... 1. Nippon India small cap -Growth Rs 5,000 2. Sundaram Mid Cap fund Regular plan-Growth Rs 5,000 3. ICICI Prudential Small Cap- Growth Rs 10,000 4. ICICI Prudential Large Cap fund-Growth Rs 5,000 5. ICICI Prudential Balanced Adv. fund-Growth Rs 5,000 6. DSP Small Cap fund Regular Growth Rs 5,000 7. Nippn India Pharma Fund- Growth Rs 5,000 8. SBI focused Fund Regular plan- Growth Rs 5,000 9. SBI Dynamic Asset Allocation Active FoF-Regular-Growth Rs 5,000
Ans: Hi,

It is great that you are investing since 2017. Long investments and patience always gives results.
You can easily achieve your goal corpus by the time you turn 58, if investment done correctly.

The funds you mentioned have so much overlapping and scattered. It needs rework and complete reallocation. Maximum of 5 funds should be there. Take the help of a professional to align your portfolio with your goal and customized profile.

A random portfolio like yours can create an opposite impact and generate negative to zero returns.

And try to increase the monthly SIP by 10% each year. This will take care of inflation power.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

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

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |459 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 24, 2025

Money
Hello and namaskar.. I am 36 years old. Need your guidance in the following funds- (a) parag parekh flexi cap - 7500/- per month (B) GROWW nifty midcap 150 index fund -2500/- per month (C) mirae asset ELLS tax saver -5000/- (D) pGIM india mid cap opp. Fund -5000/- (E) quant small cap fund-4000/- (F) ICICI prudential equity and debt fund - 3000 (G) HDFC FLEXI CAP FUND - 4000 (H) Uti nifty 50 index fund - 5000 Additionally I want to invest 1lakh annually. Tell me where to invest this additional amount. These funds are ok or I should exit from any fund and invest in any other fund. I want to get 2 crore till the end of 2035. Am I going on the right track.
Ans: Hi Rajesh,

Appreciate your dedication in investing in mutual funds for long term. The funds selected by you are very random and not recommended for your goal. Overall investments are also not in alignment, this portfolio is a very random one.
Currently you are investing 36000 per month - keep your investments simple in largecap, midcap, smallcap and mutlicap fund. Keep additional 1 lakh as well in these funds.

You should consider exiting funds like quant and shift to more stable ones.

Your current funds are direct, but direct funds are over-rated. A random portfolio like this can instead give less returns than a professionally designed one. It is always better to go for a regular portfolio suggested by a professional. Proper funds with a designed dedicated plan will help you reach your goal of 2 crores in 10 years in an efficient way.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

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

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |459 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 24, 2025

Money
I am 62 years old and I forgot to apply for a monthly pension from EPFO, even though I worked for my previous company for 13 years. I am currently working for another company, but when I try to apply online, I don't see Form 10D; only Form 31 is showing, even though I have left my previous company. pls confirm me what is a issue.
Ans: Hi,

The issue is that you are still employed and online application for monthly pension i.e. Form 10D is available only after you have left service and updated your date of exit on the EPFO portal.
But as you are currently active with a new employer, the system only permits Form 31 for partial withdrawals.

Since you meet the requirements for a superannuation pension (age 62 with 13 years of service), please follow these steps to proceed:

1. Verify Your Service History - Check the "Service History" section of your UAN portal. Ensure your previous employer has officially updated your Date of Exit. The online system cannot process a pension claim without this status update.
2. Use the Offline Application Method - If the online portal remains restricted or encounters technical errors, you must submit a physical application.
* Download Form 10D: Obtain the hard copy from the official EPFO website.
* Employer Attestation: Complete the form and have it signed by your previous employer.
* Alternative Attestation: If your previous employer is unavailable or the company has closed, you may have the form attested by a Gazetted Officer, a Magistrate, or your Bank Manager.
3. Submission Details - Submit the signed form to your regional EPFO office along with the following:
* Three passport-sized photographs.
* A cancelled cheque (for the account where you wish to receive the pension).
* Valid proof of age.

For real-time status updates or specific account queries, you can reach the **EPFO helpline at 14470.

Let me know if you need more help.

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

...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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