I am 34 , married with 1.4lacs in hand salary. I have a SIP of 6k per month, 3k per month in Gold scheme , RD of 7k per month and an outstanding home loan with EMI 10k per month. liabilities also include house rent of 30k per month. How can i increase my corpus in next 5 years to have a financial cushion , also is it good with these expenditures that i go for buying a flat worth 80lacs?
Ans: You’ve made a very thoughtful beginning. Managing multiple financial priorities together is not easy. You’re already investing and handling EMIs and rent smartly. That’s a solid start.
Let’s assess your financials deeply. Then we can build a plan to grow your wealth faster. Also, let’s evaluate your flat-buying idea practically.
? Income and Current Outflow Assessment
– Your take-home salary is Rs 1.4 lakh per month.
– Home loan EMI is Rs 10,000.
– House rent is Rs 30,000.
– SIP investment is Rs 6,000.
– Gold scheme SIP is Rs 3,000.
– RD savings are Rs 7,000.
– Total outflow from above is Rs 56,000.
– You are likely spending more on household, travel, bills, etc.
– We can assume living expenses at around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000.
– That means your monthly surplus is likely Rs 20,000 or lower.
– This limits your ability to save or commit to new EMIs.
? Investment Pattern Review
– SIP of Rs 6,000 per month is a healthy beginning.
– This should be directed to well-managed, diversified mutual funds.
– Actively managed mutual funds offer better scope for long-term growth.
– Avoid index funds as they mimic the market and limit outperformance.
– Fund managers in active funds manage volatility better.
– Gold investment is Rs 3,000 monthly.
– Don’t overinvest in gold. It is a hedge, not a growth asset.
– Gold grows slowly and doesn't beat inflation in long term.
– Maintain gold exposure below 10% of total investments.
– RD of Rs 7,000 monthly is conservative and safe.
– Good for short-term needs like vacations, premiums, or buffer.
– But don't over-allocate to RD. Returns are low and taxable.
– It doesn’t beat inflation after tax.
– PF is not mentioned but is usually part of salaried income.
– You can include that when evaluating retirement readiness.
? Feasibility of Buying a New Flat Now
– Your rent is Rs 30,000 monthly.
– That may motivate you to buy and build equity.
– But buying an Rs 80 lakh flat now is risky.
– Even with Rs 20 lakh down payment, loan will be Rs 60 lakh.
– EMI on Rs 60 lakh for 20 years will be around Rs 52,000.
– This is over one-third of your income.
– Add property taxes, maintenance, insurance, repairs, interiors.
– Total monthly burden will go above Rs 60,000.
– That’s too high with your current income and surplus.
– You already pay Rs 10,000 EMI on another home loan.
– Taking a second, larger EMI is risky.
– It may compromise your lifestyle and savings.
– You should build more savings and stability first.
– Once your income rises and corpus grows, consider property.
– Buying real estate for living or investment is a long-term lock-in.
– Property is not liquid, incurs large costs, and is hard to exit.
– Mutual funds offer better flexibility, tax efficiency, and growth.
? Steps to Build a Financial Cushion in 5 Years
– Aim to increase monthly surplus steadily.
– Start by tracking all expenses weekly.
– Plug wasteful spending and lifestyle leaks.
– Increase SIP from Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 over next 12 months.
– Prefer regular plans through MFD with CFP guidance.
– Avoid direct mutual fund plans. They offer no support or guidance.
– Regular plans give you behavioural support and handholding.
– Choose 2-3 diversified equity mutual funds with proven fund managers.
– These funds actively manage risk and seek better-than-market returns.
– Equity funds will create wealth over 5+ years.
– Redeploy RD savings after maturity into SIPs.
– RDs are good for goals under 2 years.
– For longer periods, SIPs offer compounding and better returns.
– Reduce gold SIP to Rs 1,500 or pause if needed.
– That frees more for mutual fund SIPs.
– Gold can be bought later in lump sum for marriage or gifts.
– Use yearly bonuses or hikes to boost your SIPs.
– Each increment should push your SIPs by at least 20%.
– Use Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs) to manage large lump sums.
– Build a 6-month emergency fund.
– This should be separate from RD or SIP.
– Prefer liquid mutual funds for emergency parking.
– Buy term insurance of at least Rs 1 crore.
– It’s urgent because you have liabilities and dependents.
– Premiums are low at your age.
– Also buy a Rs 10 lakh floater health insurance for family.
– Employer cover may not be enough or portable.
– Medical costs can derail savings quickly.
? Tax Efficiency and New Capital Gains Rules
– You must plan taxes for all investments.
– For equity mutual funds: LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG is taxed at 20%.
– For debt funds: Gains taxed as per income slab.
– Use tax-saving mutual funds only if you need Sec 80C cover.
– But don’t over-prioritise tax saving over long-term wealth growth.
– Avoid frequent fund switches.
– This increases STCG and reduces compounding.
– Stay invested for minimum 5 years for real wealth creation.
? Revisit Flat Purchase After 5 Years
– By then, you will have better income and higher savings.
– You’ll also have better clarity on job, school, and city stability.
– Use your improved financial cushion to evaluate then.
– Don’t buy based on peer pressure or rent discomfort.
– For now, rent is cheaper and offers flexibility.
– Use the difference to invest aggressively and smartly.
– Property is not wealth. Liquidity and investments are real wealth.
– Focus on building financial assets before physical assets.
? Lifestyle Balance and Habit Building
– Don’t aim for extreme savings.
– Keep a balance between living well and saving wisely.
– Use apps or spreadsheets to track cash flow.
– Automate all investments.
– Don’t wait for month-end leftover to invest.
– Pay yourself first. Spend later.
– Keep financial goals visible.
– Break them down to small milestones.
– Review them once every 6 months.
– Celebrate small wins like SIP completion, RD maturity, etc.
– This keeps motivation high and habits consistent.
? Finally
– Your income is good, but structure needs alignment.
– Prioritise increasing SIPs and insurance cover.
– Delay property buying. It is not urgent now.
– Build a corpus first. Then think of buying.
– Avoid gold overexposure and unnecessary RDs.
– Use equity mutual funds for high growth.
– Prefer regular plans under CFP-guided MFDs.
– Avoid direct funds and index funds. They limit your returns.
– Take term and health insurance without delay.
– Build emergency fund this year.
– In 5 years, your corpus can grow well with discipline.
– Keep focus. Avoid emotional decisions on property.
– Wealth grows with patience and planning, not pressure.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment