Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 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
S Question by S on Jun 11, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 32 year old I have investment of 4 lakh in mutual funds, 3 lakh in FD, 3.5 lakh in shares and 15 lakh in ppf. I need 5 cr in next 23 years. My current sip is 15000 per month. How much I need to invest

Ans: Planning for a secure financial future requires meticulous planning and strategic investments. You have an admirable goal of accumulating Rs. 5 crores in the next 23 years. Given your current investments and regular SIP of Rs. 15,000 per month, it’s essential to assess and fine-tune your investment strategy. Let's explore this in a detailed, analytical manner.

Current Financial Snapshot
Firstly, let’s review your existing investments:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 4 lakhs

Fixed Deposit (FD): Rs. 3 lakhs

Shares: Rs. 3.5 lakhs

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs. 15 lakhs

Monthly SIP: Rs. 15,000

You’ve built a solid foundation. The diversity in your portfolio is commendable. However, aiming for Rs. 5 crores means your current strategy might need some adjustments.

Evaluating Your Current Investments
Mutual Funds
Your Rs. 4 lakhs in mutual funds is a strong start. Mutual funds offer diversification and professional management. Ensure your mutual funds align with your risk appetite and investment horizon. Actively managed funds, guided by a Certified Financial Planner, can provide superior returns compared to passive funds like index funds.

Fixed Deposits
Your Rs. 3 lakhs in FDs provide safety but relatively lower returns. FD returns often barely outpace inflation. Consider redirecting a portion of this to higher-yielding investments, keeping some for liquidity.

Shares
Your Rs. 3.5 lakhs in shares indicate a direct exposure to the stock market. While direct shares can yield high returns, they also come with higher risks. Regular review and, if needed, guidance from a Certified Financial Planner, can ensure they align with your financial goals.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Your Rs. 15 lakhs in PPF is excellent for a risk-free, long-term investment. PPF provides tax benefits and compounding over the years. Continue maximizing your PPF contributions to Rs. 1.5 lakhs annually for steady growth.

Enhancing Your Investment Strategy
To reach Rs. 5 crores, you need a robust and dynamic investment plan. Here’s a detailed strategy:

Increase Monthly SIPs
Your current SIP of Rs. 15,000 is a strong contribution. However, increasing this amount gradually can significantly impact your corpus. Aim to increase your SIP by at least 10% annually. This incremental increase can align your contributions with inflation and salary increments, boosting your final corpus.

Diversify Mutual Fund Investments
Ensure your mutual funds are diversified across various sectors and market capitalizations. A mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds can balance risk and reward. Additionally, consider sectoral and thematic funds to capitalize on specific market trends. Actively managed funds often outperform passive index funds, offering better returns through expert management.

Explore Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)
ELSS funds provide the dual benefit of tax saving under Section 80C and potential for higher returns. Investing in ELSS can enhance your equity exposure while optimizing your tax outgo. The three-year lock-in period also instills a disciplined investment approach.

Review Direct Share Investments
While direct share investments offer high returns, they require regular monitoring. Evaluate the performance of your share portfolio periodically. Consider reallocating underperforming stocks to mutual funds or other diversified instruments. Professional guidance from a Certified Financial Planner can optimize your direct equity investments.

Maintain Adequate Emergency Fund
While investing for long-term goals, ensure you maintain an emergency fund. This fund should cover at least six months of expenses. An emergency fund prevents the need to liquidate long-term investments during unforeseen circumstances, ensuring your financial goals remain unaffected.

Assess and Adjust Periodically
Regular reviews of your investment portfolio are crucial. Market conditions and personal financial situations change over time. Periodic assessments, ideally with a Certified Financial Planner, ensure your investment strategy remains aligned with your goals. Adjustments may involve rebalancing your portfolio, switching underperforming funds, or reallocating assets based on market trends.

Strategic Asset Allocation
Equity Investments
Equities should form a significant portion of your portfolio. They offer higher returns over the long term, essential for achieving your Rs. 5 crore target. Mutual funds and direct shares can provide this exposure. Ensure a diversified approach to mitigate risks.

Debt Investments
Debt instruments offer stability and regular income. Your PPF and a portion of your FDs fulfill this role. Consider investing in debt mutual funds for better tax efficiency and returns compared to traditional FDs. Debt funds can also provide liquidity and stability to your portfolio.

Gold Investments
While gold traditionally serves as a hedge against inflation, its returns may not always align with long-term financial goals. If you do consider gold, keep it to a small portion of your portfolio. Gold ETFs or sovereign gold bonds offer a more efficient investment route compared to physical gold.

Tax Efficiency
Tax Planning
Effective tax planning enhances your returns. Utilize tax-saving instruments like ELSS, PPF, and NPS (National Pension System). ELSS offers equity exposure with tax benefits. PPF provides assured returns and tax advantages. NPS can be a valuable addition to your retirement corpus with tax deductions.

Capital Gains Management
Be mindful of the tax implications on capital gains from your investments. Long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equities are taxed at 10% beyond Rs. 1 lakh. Plan your investments and withdrawals to optimize tax liabilities. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you in managing capital gains efficiently.

Retirement Planning
Your Rs. 5 crore goal likely includes retirement planning. Ensuring a comfortable retirement requires a well-thought-out strategy. Here are some considerations:

Start Early and Stay Invested
The power of compounding works best over long periods. Starting early and remaining invested ensures maximum benefits. Avoid the temptation to time the market; instead, focus on a consistent investment approach.

Balance Risk and Reward
As you approach retirement, gradually shift your portfolio from high-risk equities to more stable debt instruments. This transition reduces volatility and preserves your accumulated wealth. A Certified Financial Planner can help tailor this shift based on your risk tolerance and retirement timeline.

Ensure Adequate Insurance
Insurance is crucial for financial security. Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance. This protection safeguards your family against unforeseen events, ensuring your investment goals remain intact. Term insurance is cost-effective, while health insurance covers medical emergencies.

Final Insights
Achieving Rs. 5 crores in 23 years is an ambitious yet attainable goal with disciplined planning and strategic investments. Your current financial foundation is strong, and with regular reviews and adjustments, you can enhance your portfolio's performance.

Increasing your SIP contributions, diversifying your mutual fund investments, and periodically reviewing your portfolio are key steps. Balancing equity and debt, optimizing tax efficiency, and ensuring adequate insurance will fortify your financial plan.

Regular consultations with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized insights and adjustments to keep you on track. Stay committed, be patient, and maintain a long-term perspective to achieve your financial aspirations.

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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 06, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Iam 45 years of age i have sip of 22000 and total corpus is 49 lac till date my Target is 3 Crore by 2036 how much more should I invest to achieve my Target
Ans: It's great that you're planning ahead for your financial future. To determine how much more you need to invest to reach your target of 3 Crore by 2036, we'll need to consider several factors:

Investment Horizon: You mentioned that your target is to reach 3 Crore by 2036. This gives us a timeline of 15 years from now.
Expected Returns: While historical returns can give an indication, it's essential to be realistic about future returns. Depending on the asset allocation of your investments, you can estimate an average annual return.
SIP Contribution: You're currently investing 22,000 per month through SIPs, which is a good start. We'll need to calculate how much additional monthly investment is required to reach your target.
Inflation: Consider the impact of inflation on your target amount. Adjusting for inflation will ensure that your target amount maintains its purchasing power over time.
Review and Adjust: Regularly review your investment portfolio and adjust your contributions if necessary based on changes in your financial situation, market conditions, and progress towards your goal.
Without specific details about your current SIP investments, expected returns, and inflation rate, it's challenging to provide an exact figure for additional investment required. However, you can use online SIP calculators or consult with a financial advisor to determine the optimal investment amount to reach your target.

Remember, achieving long-term financial goals requires consistency, patience, and disciplined investing. Stay focused on your objectives, monitor your progress regularly, and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your target.

Best wishes for your financial journey!

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 19, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 02, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
My current monthly income is 1.2l i have a ppf of 15k and RD of 15k per month. I have 2 SIPs worth 3k each a month. Kindly suggest how much should I invest and where to invest so that I get around 4 5 Cr by the age of 45. FYI my current age is 29 and i hold no liabities as of now and unmarried.
Ans: You aim to accumulate Rs. 4-5 crores by the age of 45. With a current monthly income of Rs. 1.2 lakhs, you have a strong base to achieve this goal.

Current Investments
Your current investments include:

PPF: Rs. 15,000 per month

RD: Rs. 15,000 per month

SIPs: Rs. 6,000 per month (2 SIPs of Rs. 3,000 each)

Assessing Your Current Investments
PPF:

Advantages:

Safe and secure investment.

Tax benefits under Section 80C.

Decent long-term returns.

Disadvantages:

Lock-in period of 15 years.

Limited growth compared to equities.

Recurring Deposit (RD):

Advantages:

Guaranteed returns.

Suitable for short-term goals.

Disadvantages:

Taxable interest income.

Lower returns compared to mutual funds and stocks.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs):

Advantages:

Disciplined investment approach.

Potential for high returns over long term.

Rupee cost averaging benefits.

Disadvantages:

Market-linked risks.
Recommended Investment Strategy
Increase Equity Exposure
To achieve Rs. 4-5 crores by 45, you need higher equity exposure. Equity investments have historically provided higher returns compared to debt instruments.

Increase SIPs:

Increase SIP investments to Rs. 40,000 per month.

Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds.

Balanced Approach
Maintain a balanced approach by continuing some investments in safe instruments.

Continue PPF:

Keep contributing Rs. 15,000 per month.

Provides stability and tax benefits.

Review RD:

Evaluate RD returns.

Consider diverting some RD funds to equity or hybrid funds for better growth.

Consider Hybrid Funds
Hybrid funds provide a mix of equity and debt, offering balanced risk and returns.

Monthly Investment:

Invest Rs. 10,000 per month in hybrid funds.

Suitable for moderate risk tolerance.

Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses.

Safety Net:

Maintain liquidity for unforeseen expenses.

Keep it in a liquid fund or high-interest savings account.

Regular Reviews and Rebalancing
Monitor and rebalance your portfolio periodically to stay aligned with your goals.

Portfolio Review:

Quarterly or semi-annual reviews.

Adjust based on market conditions and personal goals.

Final Insights
To achieve Rs. 4-5 crores by 45, increase your equity exposure. Consider enhancing your SIP contributions significantly. Maintain a balanced approach with continued PPF contributions and emergency funds. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio. This strategy aligns with your financial goals and risk profile, ensuring a secure and prosperous future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |233 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 31, 2025Hindi
Money
My age is 29 started I have SIP corpus 80000 at present and investing 15000 per month in mutual fund and 10000 per month in PPF and 10000 per month in NPS Guide me how much should I invest more to achieve 2 lac per month if I retire at 45 years of age
Ans: Dear Sir,

Thank you for sharing your details. At 29 years old, with a current SIP corpus of ?80,000, monthly investments of ?15,000 in mutual funds, ?10,000 in PPF, and ?10,000 in NPS, and a goal of retiring at 45 with ?2 lakh per month, here’s an analysis:

1. Goal Analysis

Time Horizon: 16 years (29 → 45)

Target Passive Income: ?2 lakh/month (~?24 lakh/year)

Assuming post-retirement duration of 30 years (life expectancy ~75), the required corpus at 6–7% post-tax return would be approximately ?4–5 crore.

2. Current Investment Status
Investment Monthly Corpus (Assuming current value) Horizon 16 yrs Assumed Returns
Mutual Fund SIP ?15,000 ?80,000 16 yrs 12% CAGR
PPF ?10,000 - 16 yrs 7% CAGR
NPS ?10,000 - 16 yrs 8% CAGR

Using current investments only, the expected corpus will fall short of ?4–5 crore needed to generate ?2 lakh/month.

3. Suggested Approach

Increase Equity Allocation:

Consider increasing mutual fund SIP to leverage higher growth potential.

Suggested: ?35,000–40,000/month in equity MFs to reach corpus target.

PPF & NPS:

Continue existing contributions. These provide tax efficiency and stability.

Portfolio Diversification:

Mutual funds: Split across large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid/small-cap funds for growth and risk management.

Maintain PPF for safe long-term returns.

Annual Bonus / Lump Sum Allocation:

Any bonus or additional savings should be invested in equity funds to accelerate corpus accumulation.

4. Next Steps / Discussion with QPFP

To finalize the exact SIP amounts and corpus projections, it is important to:

Share current detailed portfolio (fund-wise holdings, NAVs)

Discuss risk tolerance and lifestyle assumptions post-retirement

Review inflation assumptions for expenses and corpus requirement

A QPFP professional can model year-wise corpus growth, expected monthly withdrawal, and adjust SIP amounts to ensure you meet the target of ?2 lakh/month by 45.

Summary:

Current SIPs are good start, but to achieve ?2 lakh/month by 45, you likely need to increase equity SIP contribution significantly.

Maintain PPF & NPS for stability and tax efficiency.

Review portfolio annually with a QPFP professional.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
www.alenova.in
https://www.instagram.com/alenova_wealth

..Read more

Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |233 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 18, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 17, 2025
Money
I am 42 year old, with two kids 12 and 3. I have 4 lakhs in stock and mutual fund. I am trying to keep sip investment 25000 every month. 13 lakhs in PF. My house loan is 5600000 and EMI is 49000 for 30 years. I want to retire at age of 60. I want 2 crores at the time of retirement after the th amount required for kids education. I am expecting 20 lakhs for kids education. How much I need to invest per month.
Ans: Dear sir,

???? Your Current Snapshot

Age: 42 (Retirement target: 60 → 18 years left)

Kids: Age 12 & 3 (education goal upcoming in ~6 years & ~15 years)

Current Assets:

PF: ?13 lakhs

Stocks + MF: ?4 lakhs

SIP: ?25,000/month ongoing

Liability: Home loan ?56 lakhs, EMI ?49,000 (30 years – but practically, should be cleared before retirement).

Goals:

Kids’ education: ?20 lakhs (in today’s value)

Retirement corpus: ?2 crores at 60

???? Kids’ Education Goal

Let’s assume 8% inflation in education costs.

For 12-year-old: need in ~6 years
?20 lakhs × (1.08^6) ≈ ?31.7 lakhs

For 3-year-old: need in ~15 years
?20 lakhs × (1.08^15) ≈ ?63.4 lakhs

Total future requirement: ~?95 lakhs

???? Education needs itself are close to ?1 crore.

???? Retirement Goal

You want ?2 crores at age 60.
Let’s assume your MF equity SIP earns 11% annualized return.

Future value of existing PF (?13 lakhs @ 7% for 18 years) ≈ ?44 lakhs
Future value of current ?4 lakhs (equity @ 11%) ≈ ?22 lakhs

So without any extra investment, you already have ~?66 lakhs growing.

To reach ?2 crores, you need another ?1.34 crores in 18 years.

At 11% returns, SIP needed ≈ ?32,000/month

???? Putting Together

For Education:
To accumulate ~?95 lakhs in 6–15 years, you need separate investments:

6 years horizon (child 1) → equity + debt hybrid, SIP ≈ ?35,000/month

15 years horizon (child 2) → equity oriented, SIP ≈ ?15,000/month

For Retirement:
SIP required ≈ ?32,000/month (equity funds).

? Total SIP required = ?82,000/month

Currently you’re investing ?25,000/month. You’ll need to step up gradually (every year increase SIP by 10–12%).

???? Key Suggestions

Separate Buckets

Education funds → don’t mix with retirement SIPs.

Use debt/equity mix depending on time horizon.

Step-up SIP

If you start at ?25k now and increase by 10% yearly, by 18 years you’ll still reach close to goals.

But be disciplined to increase annually.

Loan Strategy

Try to reduce tenure of home loan. Clearing it before retirement is critical.

Any bonuses/surplus should partly go towards prepayment.

Insurance Check

Take adequate term life cover (at least ?1–1.5 crore).

???? To sum up:

Education: ~?50k/month (combined for both kids)

Retirement: ~?30–32k/month

Adjust with step-up SIPs if not possible immediately.

It is strongly recommended to consult a QPFP/Financial Planner to work on detailed cash flow budgeting, expense control, and long-term goal planning tailored to your family’s needs.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

..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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x