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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1221 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 17, 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 - Apr 16, 2024Hindi
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Sir , i am 35 yrs old earing 55k monthly , I am married and 2 son . I have no saving no sip ,my expenses are 25 k monthly so can you tell me how can I save for my child's future education .

Ans: Given your monthly income, expenses, and family responsibilities, it's essential to start saving and investing for your child's future education. Here's a simple plan to help you get started:

Budgeting and Savings:

Track Expenses: Monitor your monthly expenses to identify areas where you can reduce spending and increase savings.
Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months of expenses in a liquid and accessible form to handle unexpected expenses without tapping into your investments.
Start SIPs for Child's Education:

Investment Amount: Allocate a portion of your monthly savings towards SIPs in mutual funds to build a corpus for your child's education.
Asset Allocation: Consider a balanced allocation between equity and debt mutual funds based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals.
Investment Duration: Start SIPs with a long-term perspective (e.g., 10-15 years) to benefit from the power of compounding and potential market growth.
Education Planning:

Calculate Future Expenses: Estimate the future cost of education for your children based on the current cost and expected inflation rate.
Investment Goal: Set a specific investment goal and target amount to achieve by the time your children reach college age.
Regular Review: Periodically review and adjust your SIPs and investment strategy to stay on track towards achieving your education savings goal.
Insurance Coverage:

Life Insurance: Ensure you have adequate life insurance coverage to provide financial security to your family in case of any unforeseen events.
Health Insurance: Invest in a comprehensive health insurance plan to cover medical expenses and ensure your family's well-being.
Recommendation:

Start Early: Begin investing as early as possible to benefit from the power of compounding and achieve your education savings goal.
Systematic Investment: Start SIPs in mutual funds to build a disciplined saving habit and accumulate wealth over time.
Financial Discipline: Maintain financial discipline, avoid unnecessary expenses, and stay committed to your investment plan to achieve your financial goals.
Consult with a financial advisor to create a personalized education savings plan tailored to your needs, helping you achieve your financial goals and secure your children's future.
Asked on - Apr 17, 2024 | Answered on Apr 17, 2024
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Sir I want know this but the problem is how to start , how much invest in which sectors , how much amount sip should start , so I want to know in details about the bifurcation for each segment.
Ans: Here's a more detailed breakdown to get you started:

Step 1: Increase Savings and Track Expenses

Track expenses: Analyze your monthly spending for a few months to identify areas to cut back. Small adjustments can free up significant savings. There are many budgeting apps that can help.
Increase savings: Aim to save at least Rs. 10,000 per month. With a monthly income of Rs. 55,000 and expenses of Rs. 25,000, you have Rs. 30,000 remaining. Allocate Rs. 10,000 for savings and invest the rest wisely.
Step 2: Emergency Fund

Build an emergency fund of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,65,000 (3-6 months of living expenses) in a savings account or liquid fund for unexpected situations. This prevents dipping into your child's education fund.
Step 3: SIPs in Mutual Funds

SIP amount: Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) of Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 7,000 per month in a balanced mutual fund. SIPs inculcate discipline and benefit from rupee-cost averaging.
Asset allocation: A balanced mutual fund invests in both equity (stocks) and debt (bonds). This offers a balance between growth potential and stability. You can consult a financial advisor for a specific asset allocation based on your risk tolerance.
Step 4: Investment Duration

Start early: The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow through compounding. Ideally, you should invest for at least 10-15 years for your child's education.
Step 5: Education Planning

Future education costs: Research the current cost of your desired education level (e.g., undergraduate or postgraduate degree) and factor in an inflation rate of 5-7% to estimate the future cost.
Investment goal: Based on the estimated future cost and your investment timeframe, determine the total amount you need to accumulate.
Step 6: Regular Review

Review your SIPs and investment strategy annually. Adjust the SIP amount as your income grows and investment performance dictates.
Step 7: Insurance Coverage

Life insurance: Ensure you have adequate life insurance to protect your family financially in case of your absence. Term life insurance offers pure coverage at an affordable cost.
Health insurance: A comprehensive health insurance plan safeguards your family from medical emergencies and ensures you don't have to use your savings for healthcare costs.
Additional Tips

Discipline is key: Stick to your budget and avoid impulsive spending.
Seek professional guidance: A financial advisor can help create a personalized plan considering your specific needs and risk profile.
Remember, this is a general guideline. Consulting a financial advisor can provide a more personalized roadmap to secure your children's future education.
Asked on - Apr 17, 2024 | Answered on Apr 17, 2024
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Thankyou sir for your guidance.
Ans: :)
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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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 15, 2024Hindi
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Sir am 33 year old.. current taking salary of 75k net per month..and having car loan of 14 k and SIP of 8.5 k .need to save for child future,please suggest
Ans: Here are some suggestions on how you can save for your child's future with a monthly income of ?75,000, a car loan of ?14,000, and an existing SIP of ?8,500:

Analyze your current spending:

Track your expenses for a month to understand where your money goes. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back and free up additional savings for your child.
Revisit your car loan:

If possible, consider refinancing your car loan to a lower interest rate. This can free up some money each month that you can then redirect towards your child's savings.
Optimize your SIP:

Review your existing SIP and ensure it aligns with your child's future goals and your risk tolerance. You may want to consider increasing the SIP amount if there's room in your budget after accounting for other expenses.
Prioritize Child Savings:

Once you have a better understanding of your spending and have potentially reduced your car loan outgo or optimized your SIP, allocate a specific amount towards your child's savings.
Investment options for your child's future:
1. Increase Existing SIP:

Consider increasing your existing SIP in the well-diversified equity mutual fund by ?3,500 per month. This brings your total SIP contribution to ?12,000 per month. This focuses on long-term growth for your child's future.
2. Diversification with Debt Fund:

Start a new SIP in a low-risk debt fund with ?3,000 per month. This provides stability and helps manage short-term financial needs your child might have. You can choose a short-term or medium-term debt fund based on your preference for when your child might need the money.
Benefits of this approach:

Flexibility: This approach allows you to manage growth and stability within your child's savings plan. The equity SIP focuses on long-term growth, while the debt SIP provides a buffer for immediate needs.
Control: You have more control over the asset allocation. You can adjust the SIP amounts in each fund as your child grows and their financial goals become clearer.
Cost-effective: Avoiding ULIPs eliminates high fees associated with those products. Regular mutual funds generally have lower expense ratios.
Additional Tips:

Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your investment strategy and rebalance the portfolio (equity vs. debt) if needed, to maintain your desired asset allocation.
Start Early, Invest Regularly: Even small increases in SIP contributions can make a significant difference over time due to compounding.
Consider PPF or Sukanya Samriddhi (if applicable): If you're in India, explore options like Public Provident Fund (PPF) or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (for girl child) for additional tax benefits and safe, guaranteed returns.
Remember:

Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice considering your risk tolerance and your child's age and goals.
They can recommend specific mutual funds based on your investment goals and risk profile.
By following these steps and consulting a professional, you can build a strong foundation for your child's financial future.
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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 15, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir M 34 years old and my income is just 22k help me how to plan and save for my kids and education one is 7yrs old and one is 5yrs old and m leaving in rented house till now no investment nothing pls guide me as m going down day by day and not able to concentrate on anything and help me planning financially as i want to educate my kids well and how to invest for more income and any scholarship also let me know
Ans: I understand your concerns about financial planning, especially with the responsibility of your children's education on your shoulders. Here's a simplified plan to help you get started:

Emergency Fund: Start by building an emergency fund. Aim to save at least 3-6 months' worth of expenses. This fund will provide a safety net in case of unexpected expenses or job loss.

Budgeting: Create a monthly budget to track your income and expenses. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back on expenses and save more.

Children's Education: For your children's education, consider investing in a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) or Public Provident Fund (PPF). These are government-backed schemes with tax benefits that can help you save for their future education.

Investments: With a monthly income of 22k, it's crucial to start small but consistent investments. Look for Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds that align with your risk tolerance and investment goals. Even a small amount invested regularly can grow significantly over time.

Scholarships: Research and apply for scholarships for your children. Many organizations and educational institutions offer scholarships based on merit or financial need.

Rental House: While renting provides flexibility, consider your long-term housing needs. If possible, start saving for a down payment on a house. Owning a home can provide stability and serve as an investment for the future.

Additional Income: Explore ways to increase your income, such as taking up a part-time job or freelancing. Every extra rupee can make a difference in your savings and investments.

Remember, financial planning is a journey, not a destination. Start small, stay consistent, and review your plan regularly to make necessary adjustments. Seek advice from a financial advisor if needed to tailor a plan that suits your specific situation and goals.
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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 18, 2024Hindi
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I have Rs 1.2 crore in my bank account. My wife earns Rs 80,000 per month and I earn Rs 2 lakh per month. We have three children – two daughters and one son – who will need approximately 10 to 15 lakh each for their higher studies 7 to 12 years from now. How shall I go about meeting my children’s education goal and also plan for my retirement. My wife and I have about 15 and 7 years for our retirement.
Ans: It's great that you're thinking ahead for your children's education and your retirement! Here's a suggested plan to meet your goals:

1. Children's Education Fund:

• Since you have 7 to 12 years for your children's higher education, you can invest in relatively aggressive investment options like mutual funds or diversified equity funds. These have the potential to offer higher returns over the long term.
• Allocate a portion of your savings every month towards this goal. Considering inflation and assuming an average annual return of 10%, you would need to invest roughly Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month to accumulate the desired amount for each child's education.

2. Retirement Planning:

• Since you and your wife have 15 and 7 years left for retirement respectively, you'll want to focus on building a retirement corpus.
• Consider investing in a mix of equity and debt instruments to balance risk and returns. You can invest in mutual funds, provident funds, and Public Provident Fund (PPF) for a balanced portfolio.
• Aim to save at least 15-20% of your combined monthly income for retirement. Considering your current earnings, you can aim to save around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per month for retirement.

3. Asset Allocation:

Since you have a relatively long investment horizon for both goals, you can afford to have a higher allocation towards equities for potentially higher returns. As you approach your retirement age, gradually shift towards more conservative investment options to preserve capital.

4. Emergency Fund:

Make sure to maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months of your combined living expenses. This fund should be readily accessible in case of unexpected expenses or emergencies.

5. Regular Review:

Regularly review your investment portfolio and make adjustments as needed based on changes in your financial situation, market conditions, and investment goals.

6. Professional Advice:

Consider consulting with a financial advisor to tailor a plan specific to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment preferences.

By following this plan diligently and investing consistently over the years, you should be well-prepared to meet your children's education expenses and enjoy a comfortable retirement.
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Asked by Anonymous - Mar 18, 2024Hindi
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Hello, Hope you're doing good! I am 32 yrs old and planning to invest till 60 yrs i.e till next 28 yrs. I am investing in below MFs and some other savings schemes, I need you suggestion on the same: MFs Investment: 1. ICICI Prudential Nifty Alpha Low Volatility 30 ETF FOF - 1,500/- PM 2. Tata Resource & Energy Fund - 2,000/- PM 3. ICICI Prudential Technology - 1,500/- 4. Nippon India Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 5. SBI Nifty Next 50 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 6. ICICI Prudential Nasdaq 100 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 7. ICICI Prudential Nifty Bank Index Fund - 2,000/- PM Apart from this I am also investing in NPS around 17,500/- PM and PF around 30,500 including both. Also investing 5,000/- in Max Life Online Savings Plan (10 yrs investing period and 15 Yrs total Policy period). My goal is to be accumulate wealth for my retirement. Thank you in advance for your help.
Ans: Your investment approach reflects a thoughtful strategy aimed at building long-term wealth for your retirement. Diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, including equity mutual funds, index funds, and savings schemes like NPS and PF, is a wise move.

Maintaining a disciplined investment habit and staying committed to your financial goals over the next 28 years will be crucial. Regularly reviewing your portfolio's performance and adjusting it as needed to stay aligned with your objectives is essential.

Remember, the journey to retirement wealth accumulation is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, stay focused, and trust in the power of compounding to grow your investments steadily over time.

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Asked by Anonymous - Feb 27, 2024Hindi
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Hi i am 49 and currently have a total corpus of approx 2.5 crs ( 1cr in MF/50 lacs in stocks/ another 80-90 lacs in PF/ EPF/ NPS and some other instruments.i am planning to retire in 13 years i.e at 62 . i will be able to accumulate another 5 cr approx more till then and with the current portfolio and interests of those looking at 10 cr of corpus then . will it be sufficient for my 15- 17 years of life after that looking at 3-4 lakhs montly expenses then
Ans: With a planned retirement in 13 years and an estimated total corpus of around 7.5 crores, your goal of achieving a corpus of 10 crores by retirement seems achievable. However, it's essential to conduct a detailed analysis to ensure financial sustainability for the subsequent 15-17 years.

Consider the following factors:

Inflation: Account for inflation in your expense calculations to maintain the purchasing power of your corpus over time.
Investment Returns: Assess the expected returns from your current investments and future contributions to meet your target corpus.
Expenses: Review your anticipated expenses post-retirement, including healthcare, travel, and other lifestyle needs.
Contingency Planning: Build a buffer for unforeseen expenses or emergencies to safeguard your retirement corpus.
Regular Review: Periodically review your portfolio's performance and adjust your investment strategy if needed to stay on track towards your retirement goals.
Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific financial situation and retirement aspirations. With careful planning and prudent management, you can aim for financial security and peace of mind in your retirement years.
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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1221 Answers  |Ask -

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Asked by Anonymous - Feb 01, 2024Hindi
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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1221 Answers  |Ask -

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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 26, 2024Hindi
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I'm 48 year old and a housewife. My husband is 52 and working in a restaurant with a salary of 24k p.m. I'm looking into investing with whatever remains out of this salary, approx. 5k (my daughter who is 22 year old is contributing a part of her income for household expenses). Please advise the best schemes/ MFs that we can invest into and also advise the procedure to MF as we have no knowledge about it. Also if my daughter can invest approx 5k-8k, what are the best plans for her to invest in SIP. Please advise. Thankyou.
Ans: It's wonderful to see your proactive approach towards investing and securing your family's financial future. Investing in mutual funds through SIPs can be a great way to start building wealth gradually over time.

For you and your husband, consider starting with SIPs in diversified equity funds or balanced funds that suit your risk appetite and investment goals. As beginners, it's crucial to choose schemes with a track record of consistent performance and managed by reputable fund houses.

For your daughter, she can also opt for SIPs in equity funds aligned with her risk tolerance and long-term financial objectives. Encouraging her to start investing early can help her harness the power of compounding and achieve her financial goals.

To start investing in mutual funds, you can approach a Certified Financial Planner or a mutual fund distributor who can guide you through the process, help you select suitable funds, and assist with the necessary paperwork.

Remember, investing is a journey, and it's essential to stay disciplined, patient, and well-informed along the way. With dedication and the right guidance, you can pave the way towards a financially secure future for your family.
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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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