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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 12, 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 - Jul 01, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 32 years old. In hand Salary is 130,000. Below is break up of expenses - 1.Home Loan EMI = 44,000. 2. Monthly Assistance to Parent = 7,000 3. Other Household Expenses = 20,000 4. Health and Term Insurance = 3500 Investments = Equity = 6.5 lakh (Mine) + 2Lakh ( Wife) Mutual Fund = 8.5 Lakh (Mine) + 1 lakh (Wife) Emergency Fund = 2 lakh invested in FD. Below are Mutual funds which we own Monthly Investment in Mutual Fund 15,500 approx (mine) + 11,000 (Wife) Mine Mutual fund SIP = 1. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap = Rs.2200 2. DSP Midcap = Rs. 3300 3. SBI small Cap = Rs. 1,000 4. Motilal Oswal Focused Fund = Rs. 2,000 5. Mirae Asset ELSS Saver Fund = Rs. 2,500 6. Axis Blue Chip = ?4500. Wife Sip = 5 Sip each of 2000 month = 10,000 1. QUANT small Cap 2. Quant Flexi Cap 3. SBI Magnum Midcap 4. ICICI PRUDENTIAL BSE SENSEX INDEX FUND 5.HDFC Retirement Savings Fund Wife Invest monthly 1,000 in gold bees and 2,500 in Post office RD. My target - 1. Payoff my home loan of 54,000,00 in next 7 years 2. Retirement corpus at 60 = 4 Cr 3. Child 1 = Marriage and Education - 1.5 Cr 4. Child 2 = Marriages & education = 1.5 Cr 5. Buy Car of around 10 lakh in next 2 years. Need you suggestions how should I achieve my target. I have surplus of 20,000 every month should I invest in Equity of increase contribution to Mutual Fund.

Ans: Firstly, commendations on your meticulous planning and clear financial targets. You've made substantial investments and have a structured approach to your finances. Let’s dive deeper into how you can achieve your ambitious goals.

Current Financial Position
Your monthly income is Rs. 130,000, and you have a surplus of Rs. 20,000 after accounting for all expenses. You have diversified investments across equities, mutual funds, and an emergency fund, showcasing a balanced approach. Here's a detailed breakdown of your expenses and investments:

Home Loan EMI: Rs. 44,000
Monthly Assistance to Parents: Rs. 7,000
Household Expenses: Rs. 20,000
Health and Term Insurance: Rs. 3,500
Total Monthly Expenditure: Rs. 74,500
Surplus: Rs. 20,000
Investments
Your investment portfolio is diversified, with significant investments in equity, mutual funds, and fixed deposits. Here’s a summary:

Equity Investments: Rs. 6.5 lakh (yours) + Rs. 2 lakh (wife)
Mutual Funds: Rs. 8.5 lakh (yours) + Rs. 1 lakh (wife)
Emergency Fund: Rs. 2 lakh in FD
Goals
You have set clear financial goals:

Pay Off Home Loan: Rs. 54 lakhs in 7 years
Retirement Corpus: Rs. 4 crores by age 60
Child 1 Education and Marriage: Rs. 1.5 crores
Child 2 Education and Marriage: Rs. 1.5 crores
Buy a Car: Rs. 10 lakhs in 2 years
Debt Management
Your primary debt is the home loan of Rs. 54 lakhs. Paying off this loan in 7 years requires disciplined repayment.

Current EMI: Rs. 44,000
Target: Pay off Rs. 54 lakhs in 7 years
To achieve this, consider making additional principal payments using your surplus and any bonuses or windfalls. This will reduce the principal faster and save on interest.

Investment Strategy
To achieve your financial goals, let’s review and adjust your investment strategy.

Mutual Funds
You and your wife have invested in a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. This is a good strategy for long-term growth.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap, DSP Midcap, SBI Small Cap, Motilal Oswal Focused Fund, Mirae Asset ELSS Saver Fund, Axis Blue Chip: Continue with these SIPs. They offer a good balance of growth and stability.

Wife’s SIPs in QUANT Small Cap, Quant Flexi Cap, SBI Magnum Midcap, ICICI Prudential BSE Sensex Index Fund, HDFC Retirement Savings Fund: These funds provide a diversified exposure.

Given your surplus, you can increase your SIP contributions. For instance, an additional Rs. 5,000 per month can be split into your existing funds to maximize growth.

Equity
Equity investments offer higher returns but come with higher risk. Your current equity investments (Rs. 6.5 lakh) should be monitored and managed actively.

Emergency Fund
An emergency fund of Rs. 2 lakh in FD is a good start. Ensure this fund is accessible and covers at least 6 months of expenses.

Child Education and Marriage
You aim to save Rs. 1.5 crores each for your children's education and marriage.

Current Investments: Diversify into child-specific mutual funds or balanced funds.
Monthly Contribution: Increase SIPs in balanced or child-focused funds.
Retirement Planning
Your target is Rs. 4 crores by age 60. Given your current age (32), you have 28 years to achieve this goal.

Increase SIP Contributions: Utilize your surplus to increase your SIP contributions.

Equity Exposure: Maintain a balanced portfolio with a mix of equity, debt, and mutual funds.

Car Purchase
You plan to buy a car worth Rs. 10 lakhs in the next 2 years. To achieve this:

Short-term Investments: Utilize short-term debt funds or recurring deposits to save for this purchase.
Investment Allocation
Let’s allocate your Rs. 20,000 surplus effectively:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 10,000 additional SIP in existing funds.
Equity: Rs. 5,000 for direct equity investments.
Short-term Savings: Rs. 5,000 in short-term debt funds or RDs for car purchase.
Insurance Coverage
Ensure your insurance coverage is adequate:

Health Insurance: Rs. 10 lakhs cover for unforeseen medical expenses.
Term Insurance: Ensure it covers at least 10 times your annual income.
Evaluating Index Funds
You’ve invested in an index fund (ICICI Prudential BSE Sensex Index Fund). While index funds offer low-cost exposure, they might not provide the superior returns of actively managed funds. Actively managed funds can outperform the market with expert fund management, especially in volatile markets. Consider shifting to actively managed funds for better returns.

Direct vs. Regular Funds
You might consider investing in direct funds for lower expense ratios. However, regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner offer professional advice and better management of your portfolio. The expertise of a CFP ensures your investments are aligned with your goals and risk profile.

Final Insights
Achieving your financial goals requires disciplined savings and strategic investments. Utilize your surplus effectively, diversify your portfolio, and maintain a balance between risk and return. Regularly review and adjust your investments to stay on track.

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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 33 years old with an in-hand salary of 57,000 per month and planning to get to 65k-75k per month by this year end, recently started investing in Mutual funds. I have a fund of 2.5 lakh in the bank for emergency and marriage related expenses in the near future as well. My current investments for a 25 year horizon are- 1)- DSP NIFTY 50 equal weight index fund growth ETF 1000rs per month 2)-DSP Natural resources and new energy fund- 500rs per month (can stop if it's not the right investment right now) 3)-ICICI INFRASTRUCTURE growth fund- 1000 per month ( can stop if the investment is too risky long term) 4)-Nippon India nifty small cap 250 index fund- 500rs per month 5)-PF Deduction from Salary 1800 per month. 6)- PPF- 1000rs Per month I am planning to invest a total of 15,000 per month in the next 6 7 months including the above investment systematically in different mutual funds for various mixtures and then increase my investment along with my salary increment. I want to have 5 crore of total earning in today's Value in next 20- 25 years and also have a Regular retirement income of 25,000 after 25 years in today's money value. I dont have kids right now and am planning to get married and have kids in the next 1-3 years depending on the finances. I have "need" expenses (parents) of 10,000 per month and 10,000 (personal expenses) per month. I don't spend much on leisure as I am introvert and I usually spend time with friends hanging out, Can you Please suggest a way to achieve this Target or if I need to increase my investment?
Ans: It's wonderful to see your proactive approach towards financial planning, especially with your long-term goals in mind. Let's break down your current situation and chart out a plan to achieve your targets:

Income & Expenses:
Your current in-hand salary of 57,000 per month is a solid foundation. It's excellent that you're aiming to increase it to 65k-75k per month by the year-end. This upward trajectory in income will provide you with more flexibility in managing your expenses and investments. Your monthly expenses of 20,000 (10,000 for parents and 10,000 personal) are well-understood, leaving you room to allocate the rest towards savings and investments.

Emergency Fund:
Maintaining an emergency fund equivalent to 6-9 months' worth of expenses is a wise move. Your emergency corpus of 2.5 lakhs covers this criterion, ensuring you're prepared for any unexpected financial emergencies without disrupting your long-term investments.

Investment Portfolio:
Your current investment portfolio consists of a mix of mutual funds and traditional savings instruments. While the DSP Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund and Nippon India Nifty Small Cap 250 Index Fund offer exposure to broad market indices, the DSP Natural Resources and New Energy Fund and ICICI Infrastructure Growth Fund provide thematic exposure to specific sectors. Additionally, your contributions to PF and PPF demonstrate a commitment to long-term savings.

Future Goals:
Your goals are ambitious yet realistic. Accumulating 5 crores over 20-25 years for retirement and securing a regular retirement income of 25,000 in today's money value after 25 years require diligent planning and disciplined investing. Given your plans for marriage and starting a family in the next 1-3 years, it's crucial to factor in these additional expenses and adjust your financial strategy accordingly.

Recommendations:
Review Existing Investments:
Regularly assess the performance of each fund in your portfolio. Consider discontinuing those that consistently underperform or no longer align with your investment objectives. Focus on funds with strong track records and robust fundamentals.

Increase Savings Rate:
As your income grows, aim to increase your monthly investments proportionately. A higher savings rate will accelerate your journey towards achieving your financial goals. Review your budget periodically to identify areas where you can cut back on expenses and redirect those funds towards savings and investments.

Asset Allocation:
Diversification is key to managing risk effectively. Consider diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, including equities, debt, and alternative investments like real estate or gold. Maintain a balanced allocation that suits your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Retirement Planning:
Calculate the corpus required to generate a regular retirement income of 25,000 in today's value after 25 years. Use a retirement calculator to determine the monthly contribution needed to reach this target. Consider investing in retirement-focused mutual funds or pension plans to build a robust retirement portfolio.

Marriage & Family Planning:
Factor in the expenses related to marriage and starting a family when setting your financial goals. Start building a separate corpus for these milestones by allocating a portion of your savings towards dedicated savings accounts or investment vehicles tailored to short-to-medium-term goals.

Conclusion:
By implementing these recommendations and staying committed to your financial plan, you can work towards achieving financial independence and securing a comfortable retirement. Remember to review your plan regularly and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 30, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 51 yr old , Staying in NCR (Rental); Old Parental House in Lucknow (Vacant, To be sold later, Approx exptd - 60 L); * 18.90 L PA salary (In hand) ; Expenses 10.0L PA (Inclusive of House expenses, Electricity , House rent , Term Insurance Premium, Medical + super Top up Premium, Car Loan for next 30 month etc), 2 Term plan - 1.75 Cr (Cummulative SI) ; *Future Major Expenses : Daughter (1 no, 20 yrs) - Higher Education & Marriage, Son (1 No, 13 yrs) - Higher Education & Marriage; New house to purchase (In Lucknow in next 5-6 years after selling the exisiting Parental house , Budget: 75L - 85L); Investments : PPF (25th Term Running): 28 L ; Sukhanya (Daughter's ) : 4.0L; Shares : 10.0 L. I also earn approx 1-2 Lacs from Interest + Dividends which is again reinvested in SIP. Monthly investment is 72K in Mutual Fund SIP. SIP in Progress (Mostly its around 45-50 K PM) : DSP Elss D/G - 8000/- ; Nippon Mid Cap D/G - 5000/-; Nippon Multi Cap D/G - 8000/-; Parag Flexi Cap D/G - 5000/- ; Quant Elss D/G - 8000/- ; Mirae Elss D/G - 6000/- ; ICICI Pru Val Disc D/G - 7000/-; HDFC Def D/G - 5000/-; HDFC Flexi Cap D/G - 5000/-; HDFC Mfging D/g - 5000/-; HDFC Mid Cap opportunity D/G - 5000/- ; HDFC Top 100 D/G - 5000/- ; SIP Completed lying dormant (Units available) : Axis Bluechip D/G - 4287 units; Axis ELss D/G - 8049 units; Axis Elss D/IDCW - 4342 units; Sundaram Mid Cap D/G - 1123 units; UTI Nifty 50 index D/G - 3021 units ; ABSL Frontline Equity D/G - 4763 units ; DSP Top 100 D/G - 2203 units ; HDFC Hybrid - 5862 units; HDFC Top 100 D/IDCW - 3640 units ; HSBC ELSS R/IDCW - 1840 units ; HSBC ELSS D/IDCW - 259 units ; ICICI Pru Bluechip D/G - 4267 units ; ICICI Pru Multi Asset D/G - 1775 units ; Mirae Large & Mid Cap D/G - 3395 units ; Mirae ELSS D/IDCW - 8861 units; Nippon Large Cap D/G - 9915 units; Nippn Elss D/IDCW - 12705 units ; Quantum Long Term Equity D/G - 9702 units; I have been Investing from 1998 onwards in SIP ; Till now total invested in SIP : 65L ;; current value is 1.86 Cr). My Wish List : To make approx 10CR after 9 years (Retirement); So please Suggest / Guide me , how to move forward with current investments. Thanks in Advance Life is Crazy
Ans: You are currently 51 years old and have built a solid foundation in your financial portfolio. Your income is Rs 18.9 lakhs annually, with Rs 10 lakhs in expenses. You have well-established investments in mutual funds, PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and shares.

You also have important future financial responsibilities, such as your children’s higher education and marriage, and purchasing a new home in Lucknow. The total value of your mutual fund SIPs stands at Rs 1.86 crores, with a goal of reaching Rs 10 crore over the next nine years when you retire.

Investment in Mutual Funds and Diversification
Your current SIP investments are well diversified, spreading across various market caps such as mid-cap, large-cap, and flexi-cap funds. You have a mix of growth and dividend plans, which provides both long-term wealth accumulation and income.

Your choice of SIPs shows a balanced approach to wealth generation. Mid-cap and flexi-cap funds offer growth potential, while large-cap funds ensure stability.

PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana provide safe, fixed returns. However, these are low-growth options compared to mutual funds. You should continue to maintain these for safety, but focus more on your mutual fund investments for wealth generation.

Share portfolio worth Rs 10 lakh adds to your overall asset mix. However, stock markets are volatile, and holding a concentrated share portfolio could lead to additional risks.

Future Major Expenses
You have outlined significant future expenses, including higher education and marriage for your daughter and son, as well as purchasing a new house in Lucknow. These expenses will require substantial financial planning, so it is good that you are thinking ahead.

For your daughter’s higher education and marriage, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and part of your mutual fund corpus should be sufficient. You can also plan for an education loan for higher studies to manage cash flow.

Your son’s higher education and marriage will occur a little later, giving you more time to accumulate wealth through SIPs and other investments.

Analyzing Your Current Financial Strategy
Your goal is to achieve Rs 10 crore in nine years. Given that your mutual fund portfolio has grown from Rs 65 lakh to Rs 1.86 crore, it is evident that you are on the right track. However, achieving Rs 10 crore will require consistent and disciplined investing, as well as possible adjustments to your current strategy.

Mutual Fund Allocation and Growth Strategy
SIPs: Continue your SIPs with a systematic increase every year to keep up with inflation and rising living costs. You are currently investing Rs 72,000 per month, which is commendable, but you may need to increase this amount by 10-15% annually to achieve your goal of Rs 10 crore.

Equity Funds: Focus on actively managed equity funds to generate inflation-beating returns. While large-cap funds are safer, mid-cap and flexi-cap funds offer higher growth potential. Given your long-term horizon, you can afford to take moderate risks with mid-cap and flexi-cap funds.

Review Performance: Keep reviewing your SIP performance annually. If any fund underperforms over a long period, consider switching to better-performing funds.

Liquidity and Emergency Funds
Emergency Fund: It is essential to maintain liquidity in case of emergencies. Ensure that you have at least 6-12 months’ worth of living expenses in liquid assets such as a savings account or short-term debt mutual funds.

Parental House Sale: You plan to sell your parental house in Lucknow for around Rs 60 lakh. This will help you fund your new house in Lucknow (estimated at Rs 75-85 lakh). It is wise to sell your parental property closer to when you plan to buy the new house, as holding real estate can tie up liquidity.

Tax Efficiency
With the new capital gains taxation rules, it’s crucial to manage your withdrawals from mutual funds strategically.

Equity Mutual Fund Taxation: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%. Therefore, ensure that you plan any redemptions wisely to minimize tax liability.

Debt Mutual Fund Taxation: Gains from debt funds are taxed as per your income tax slab. Given your salary, you fall into a higher tax bracket, so it’s better to focus more on equity-oriented funds for wealth creation and tax efficiency.

Additional Considerations for Reaching Rs 10 Crore
Increase SIP Investments: You are already investing Rs 72,000 per month. To reach your Rs 10 crore target, consider increasing this by 10-15% annually. This will significantly boost your corpus over the next nine years.

Maintain Asset Allocation: You already have a diverse portfolio. Ensure that you maintain an optimal asset allocation between equity and debt based on your risk profile. As you approach retirement, you can slowly shift a portion of your portfolio to safer debt instruments.

Selling Dormant Units: You have several dormant units in mutual funds that are no longer actively contributing to your portfolio’s growth. Consider consolidating these into your active SIPs for better growth and easier tracking.

Final Insights
You are on a good path toward achieving your Rs 10 crore goal. Your current portfolio is diversified and growth-focused, which is essential for long-term wealth creation. However, there are a few key points to focus on:

Increase your SIP contributions annually to maximize compounding benefits.

Monitor your portfolio’s performance regularly to ensure you are on track.

Maintain liquidity for emergencies and future needs like your children’s education and house purchase.

Plan your tax liabilities while redeeming funds to ensure that you retain most of your gains.

By following this disciplined approach, you should be able to achieve your retirement goal comfortably.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |233 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 05, 2025
Money
Dear Sir, I am 45-year-old and planning to create a fund for retirment till 2032. My take home salary is 2.5L after paying Taxes. I am having 16.5L in PF and contributing 18k per month in it. I am also having 3.6L in NPS and contributing 50k per year. 1k per month on Atal pension scheme 2010. I am having a family health insurance of 10L personnel and 6L from office. Term insurance 1.25Cr personnel and 3Cr office. I am also having 2 home loans of 65L and 6.5 Lakh. current value of houses is 1.5Cr and 55L. apart from this I am having a car loan of 5L and study loan of child of 6.24L. I am getting a rent of 14k from one of the houses. I am investing in mutual funds as details mentioned below (current value is 21.4L):- 1. HDFC Dividend Yield Fund Reg (G) - SIP of 2.5k started on 1.2.2022 and current value is -142.5k(CAGR17.42%) 2. HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund (G) -SIP of 2.5k started on 10.11.2017 and added 2.5k SIP on 10.2.2022 current value is -529.9k(CAGR14.96%) 3. Aditya Birla SL Large & Mid Cap Fund Reg (G)- SIP of 2.0k started on 15.12.2017 and current value is -298.4k (CAGR14.6%) 4. ICICI Pru Equity & Debt Fund (G)- SIP of 5.0k started on 11.12.2017 and added 2.5k SIP on 10.2.2022 current value is -1113.2k (CAGR21.85%) 5. HDFC Multi Asset Fund (G)- SIP of 5.0k started on 28.8.2024 and current value is -62.6k(CAGR9.32%) I have discussed rebalancing of funds with my advisor, and he suggested to stop the fund mentioned in point 3 (Aditya birla) and 5 ( HDFC multi asset) and rest are continued. He has created SWP of 10k from Aditya Birla and started new SIPs now as mentioned below: 1. Bandhan Small cap fund regular plan- Growth- SIP of 5K 2. DSP multiasset allocation fund regular growth- SIP 5k 3. SBI flexicap fund growth- SIP 2k 4. Mirae Asset multicap fund regular plan growth- SIP 5k Just want to check have I got the appropriate return on my portfolio? Was the expense ratio Ok for my fund? and the rebalancing is correct ? Plz guide. Am I doing my overall assets/ investment management correctly or you suggest any changes. Plz guide
Ans: Dear Sir,

Thanks for sharing detailed inputs. You’re doing many things right already ???? but there are some important points to tighten.

???? Retirement Outlook

With just 7 years left (till 2032), your focus should be on maximising corpus build-up.

Today’s expenses (~?40k) will inflate to ~?70k/month by 2032 (assuming 6% inflation). For 20–25 years of retirement, you’ll need ~?4–5 Cr.

???? Observations

Investments are well structured – Your CAGR of 14–21% shows good fund choices and rebalancing is broadly correct.

Loans are eating into cashflow – Multiple small loans (car ?5L, edu ?6.24L, small home loan ?6.5L) can be closed faster.

Expenses not fully mapped – Retirement planning starts with exact expense tracking; do this first.

Insurance cover is decent – Term insurance is strong, family floater is good.

? Action Plan

Close Small Loans First

Knock off car loan, education loan, and small home loan.

Redirect these EMIs fully into SIPs for retirement.

Continue MF SIPs & Rebalancing

The switch your advisor did is fine. Returns are healthy, stick with equity-heavy allocation for next 5 years.

From 2028, start moving some gains systematically into safer debt funds.

Health Insurance Top-up

Your current ?10L personal + ?6L office is good, but medical inflation is high.

Take a Top-up health cover of ?25–50L (very cost-effective) to avoid dipping into retirement corpus for future medical needs.

NPS & PF

Continue PF + NPS contributions. They’ll add stability to your retirement kitty.

???? Summary

Returns & fund choices ?

Need to close small loans and channel EMIs into SIPs ?

Take a top-up health insurance cover to safeguard corpus ?

Expenses tracking must be priority to validate adequacy ?

You’re well placed, just sharpen the cashflow redirection and insurance shield.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
www.alenova.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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