Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Ramalingam Kalirajan |10908 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2025

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 - May 18, 2025

I am 33 unmarried, and earn 40k per month, with 38 in hand after PF deductions, i have approx 6 lakhs in FDs, accumulated through dedicated recurring deposits over the years, i currently have a recurring deposit of 3.5k per month. I payed approx, 68k in mediclaim insurance this year. Could you suggest any further investments, which would help me buy a house a few years down the line, atleast pay the down-payment.

Ans: You are 33, unmarried, and earning Rs. 40,000 monthly. Your take-home salary after PF is Rs. 38,000. You have Rs. 6 lakhs saved in fixed deposits. You are investing Rs. 3,500 monthly in a recurring deposit. You also paid Rs. 68,000 in medical insurance recently. Your goal is to buy a house in a few years. You want help to plan the down payment.

This is a good start. You have discipline in saving. You now need to add direction. Let’s look at a complete 360-degree plan to help you achieve your home-buying goal.

Understand Your Current Financial Position
Rs. 6 lakhs in fixed deposits is a good emergency reserve.

A regular monthly saving habit is already in place.

Your mediclaim insurance expense is quite high.

You want to build funds for a home down payment.

Time frame for this goal is “few years,” so it needs clarity.

Let’s assume your goal is in 5 years.

Review and Reduce Insurance Premium
Rs. 68,000 as health insurance seems high for a single person.

Check if it includes top-up or critical illness cover.

Also check if it’s an individual or family floater policy.

You may be overpaying. Review the cover amount.

Check if you are eligible for a corporate plan from your job.

If not, switch to a simpler plan with Rs. 5 lakh cover.

Save the premium difference for investment.

Fix an Emergency Fund First
You should keep 6 months’ expenses aside in a liquid option.

Your current fixed deposits can serve this purpose.

Do not use all your FDs for investments.

Keep at least Rs. 2 lakhs untouched as emergency backup.

Emergency fund gives stability and reduces panic.

Re-evaluate the Recurring Deposit
RD interest is fully taxable as per slab.

Returns after tax are low. Not ideal for your goals.

RDs lack flexibility and growth potential.

You may stop the RD and divert that Rs. 3,500 elsewhere.

Use this money for higher growth options.

Start Systematic Investment in Mutual Funds
Begin SIPs in hybrid mutual funds for stable growth.

For your house goal in 5 years, go for moderate-risk funds.

Hybrid funds combine equity and debt for better balance.

Equity funds alone are too risky for short goals.

Don’t invest lump sum. Use monthly SIPs.

You can start with Rs. 3,500 per month.

As salary grows, increase SIPs slowly.

Avoid Direct Mutual Fund Plans
Direct plans may look cheaper. But they lack guidance.

Wrong selection in direct plans can cost more later.

Regular plans through certified financial planner offer advice.

You get ongoing monitoring and strategy updates.

Choose regular plans only, not direct.

Let professionals manage fund selection.

Avoid Index Funds for Your Goal
Index funds copy market index. They can’t protect in market falls.

In short periods, they can give big losses.

They don’t have active decision-making.

Actively managed hybrid funds are safer for your 5-year goal.

Skilled fund managers reduce downside during market crashes.

Always choose active funds over index funds.

Estimate Future Down Payment
Decide approximate budget for the house you want.

If house is Rs. 40 lakhs, you need Rs. 8 to 10 lakhs.

This becomes your 5-year financial goal.

Your target is to accumulate Rs. 10 lakhs in 5 years.

Don’t include emergency fund in this calculation.

Focus investments only on this goal.

Allocate Your Current Assets Wisely
Keep Rs. 2 lakhs as emergency in FD or liquid fund.

Use the remaining Rs. 4 lakhs gradually in mutual funds.

Do not invest the full Rs. 4 lakhs in one go.

Divide the amount over 12 months for safer entry.

Start SIPs of Rs. 3,500 monthly from income.

Also use Rs. 30,000 every quarter from FD into hybrid funds.

This will build your goal corpus slowly and safely.

Avoid Annuities or Insurance Plans as Investments
Insurance is for protection, not returns.

Annuities give low return and lock your capital.

Investment-cum-insurance plans give poor returns.

Never mix insurance with investment.

Always choose pure term insurance and mutual funds separately.

Do not fall for traditional LIC plans, ULIPs or endowment plans.

Track and Increase Your Monthly Investment
Your current SIP capacity is Rs. 3,500.

As your salary grows, raise SIP by 10% every year.

This is called SIP step-up.

Even Rs. 500 increase yearly makes a big difference.

You can reach Rs. 10 lakh faster this way.

Start a Separate Goal-Based Fund
Open a dedicated mutual fund folio only for house goal.

Don’t mix this with retirement or other needs.

This will keep your purpose clear.

Review your fund every 6 months.

If you are off track, increase SIP slightly.

Understand Tax Implication on Returns
Equity mutual funds above Rs. 1.25 lakh gain are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term equity fund gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt and hybrid funds are taxed as per your income slab.

Your slab is likely 5% or 10% as per Rs. 40,000 salary.

Invest smartly to avoid high taxation.

Avoid Real Estate Investment for Now
Buying property now as investment is not right.

Property needs big capital and high loan.

It gives low returns and high maintenance costs.

Focus now on saving for your first house.

Think of investment property only after stability.

Plan for Long-Term Security Too
Apart from house, think of retirement savings.

You can open PPF account and deposit Rs. 500 per month.

This is tax-free and long-term.

It gives slow growth but full safety.

Don’t depend on EPF alone for old age.

Keep Your Financial Life Simple and Disciplined
Budget monthly expenses.

Avoid credit card debt and personal loans.

Track your expenses in an app or diary.

Keep 2-3 bank accounts only.

Invest only in mutual funds and PPF.

Don’t follow hot tips or quick money ideas.

Take Help from a Certified Financial Planner
A certified planner helps you invest correctly.

They give long-term direction and safety.

They help select right mutual fund based on goal.

They monitor your progress and update you.

Direct plans don’t offer this benefit.

Don’t try to do everything alone.

Finally
You are already saving and planning. That is the right habit.

With small changes, you can grow your money faster.

Shift RD into mutual fund SIPs for better results.

Reduce insurance premium and use difference for SIPs.

Keep emergency money separate.

Don’t invest in index funds or direct plans.

Plan your home goal with hybrid mutual funds.

Invest monthly and review regularly.

Avoid annuities, ULIPs and LIC plans for investment.

With smart planning, your house goal is possible in 5 years.

Keep saving, keep investing, and take expert help.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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.