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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 08, 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
Ishika Question by Ishika on Sep 03, 2025Hindi
Money

I am 38 year old IT professional and i have twins daughters age 5 yrs i want to save money for their education so kindly suggest me where should i invest to complete my goal.

Ans: You are thinking about your twin daughters’ future at the right age.
Starting early gives you more years for compounding. That makes your goal easier.

Let me give you a 360-degree answer for your situation.

» Importance of early planning
– You are only 38, and daughters are just 5.
– You still have more than 12 years before higher education expenses.
– Early investment builds a strong education fund with less stress later.
– Inflation in education is very high, often more than 8% yearly.
– Planning today keeps you ahead of this rising cost.

» Estimating the future cost
– Education in India and abroad has sharp cost increases.
– By the time your daughters turn 18, you may need several crores.
– Marriage expenses may also come soon after.
– You should prepare for both, but education is more urgent.
– Clear focus is important for not diluting your savings.

» Investment mix for children’s goals
– Equity mutual funds should be your main vehicle.
– They give growth above inflation over the long term.
– Choose diversified actively managed funds, not index funds.
– Index funds lack fund manager expertise and can underperform during downturns.
– With actively managed funds, you get research-driven portfolio and better downside protection.
– For education, equities must form at least 60–70% of your investment mix.

» Why not index or ETF for children’s goal
– Index funds only copy market, they don’t beat it.
– In sideways or falling markets, index funds offer no protection.
– Actively managed funds can shift allocation based on market cycles.
– For long-term goals like education, such active management matters.
– ETFs also need demat, trading, and active monitoring which many parents cannot do.

» Why not direct funds
– Direct funds look cheaper but lack expert guidance.
– Wrong fund choice can harm your child’s future corpus.
– Regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner and MFD give continuous monitoring.
– They help you rebalance portfolio when goals get closer.
– The small extra expense is worth the peace and professional support.

» Debt and safe instruments role
– You also need some balance, not only equity.
– Debt mutual funds, fixed deposits, or bonds give safety.
– They help you protect the fund as daughters near 15–18 years.
– Debt portion also supports you during market corrections.
– But remember, debt grows slowly and will not beat inflation alone.

» Systematic Investment Plan discipline
– SIP is the best tool for you.
– It removes the burden of timing the market.
– You already have the habit of investing regularly.
– Increase SIP every year with your salary hikes.
– Even a 5–10% increase in SIP makes a big difference in final fund.

» Review and adjust
– Review your portfolio every year.
– Check if growth is in line with goal.
– If market returns are low for some years, increase contribution.
– When daughters reach 14–15 years, start shifting money slowly from equity to debt.
– This ensures safety of funds when the goal is near.

» Insurance protection
– You must protect the goal against uncertainties.
– Take enough term insurance cover.
– This ensures daughters’ education is not disturbed in your absence.
– Don’t mix investment with insurance.
– Pure term plan is cost-effective and better than LIC or ULIP style policies.

» Existing LIC or ULIP plans
– If you have any LIC or ULIP policies, review them.
– They often give low returns, around 4–6% only.
– These are not enough for education inflation.
– You may surrender or stop such policies and reinvest in mutual funds.
– This shift will grow faster and match your goal better.

» Gold and fixed deposits
– Gold and FD can be kept only for small portion.
– FD interest is fully taxable and returns are limited.
– Gold is useful for daughters’ marriage but not for education.
– Avoid over-investing in them for education corpus.
– Focus more on equity funds for growth.

» Retirement balance
– While saving for children, don’t ignore your retirement.
– You still have 20+ years for your retirement.
– Start building a retirement corpus along with education fund.
– This prevents financial stress later.
– Separate goals, separate portfolios is a better method.

» Tax awareness
– Equity mutual funds have new taxation rules.
– Gains above Rs 1.25 lakh per year are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains under one year are taxed at 20%.
– Debt funds are taxed as per your income slab.
– Keep this in mind while planning withdrawal.

» Action steps for you
– Start SIPs in 3–4 good equity mutual funds.
– Keep a small allocation in debt funds for balance.
– Review yearly with a Certified Financial Planner.
– Protect goal with adequate term insurance.
– Slowly shift from equity to debt when daughters near higher education age.
– Avoid direct funds, index funds, ULIPs, or too much FD.
– Keep education and retirement planning separate.

» Finally
You have taken the right step at the right time.
Your daughters will benefit from your disciplined planning.
Education costs are rising fast, but you have enough years to prepare.
With the right mix of equity and debt, the goal is achievable.
Stay consistent, review regularly, and you will reach the target without stress.

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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 2024

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Hi Ramalingam Sir, I am 41 yrs old working in IT, looking for best investment for my children's education, 9 old girl, studying in 4th std- need to invest for 8 yrs 6 old boy, studying in 1st std- need to invest for 11 yrs My plan is to get 75 lakhs each when they reach 12th std, I am okay to invest 40 to 50k per month, pls advise
Ans: Given your investment horizon and target corpus for your children's education, it's important to adopt a disciplined and strategic investment approach. Here's a suggested plan:

Determine Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance and investment objectives to choose suitable investment options.

Asset Allocation: Allocate your investment across a mix of equity and debt instruments to balance risk and return potential.

Equity Investments: Consider investing a significant portion of your monthly contribution in equity-oriented mutual funds, such as diversified equity funds, large-cap funds, and balanced funds. These funds have the potential to deliver higher returns over the long term but come with higher volatility. Since you have a relatively long investment horizon, you can afford to ride out market fluctuations.

Debt Investments: Allocate a portion of your investment towards debt instruments like fixed deposits, debt mutual funds, or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for stability and capital preservation. Debt investments provide a steady income stream and help mitigate overall portfolio risk.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Invest systematically through SIPs to benefit from rupee cost averaging and mitigate market volatility. Set up SIPs in the selected mutual funds based on your risk profile and investment goals.

Regular Monitoring and Review: Monitor your investments periodically and review your portfolio's performance. Make necessary adjustments to your investment strategy based on changing market conditions, financial goals, and risk tolerance.

Consultation with Financial Advisor: Consider consulting with a qualified financial advisor who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.

By following a disciplined investment approach and diversifying your portfolio across various asset classes, you can work towards achieving your target corpus of 75 lakhs for each child's education within the specified timeframe.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 07, 2024

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I am 39 years old. My daughters are 13 years and 10 years old. I want to invest for their educational needs. In which SIP I should invest.
Ans: Investing for your daughters' educational needs is a thoughtful and proactive approach to secure their future. When selecting SIPs for this purpose, consider investment options that offer the potential for growth over the long term while aligning with your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Here are some SIP options you may consider:
1. Diversified Equity Funds: These funds invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks across various sectors and market capitalizations. They offer the potential for capital appreciation over the long term and are suitable for investors with a higher risk tolerance. Look for funds with a consistent track record of performance and experienced fund managers.
2. Balanced Funds: Balanced funds, also known as hybrid funds, invest in a mix of equities and fixed income securities. They aim to provide capital appreciation along with downside protection through exposure to debt instruments. Balanced funds can be suitable for investors seeking a balanced approach to risk and return.
3. Children's Education Funds: Some mutual fund houses offer specific funds designed for children's education planning. These funds typically have a long-term investment horizon and invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments to generate returns while managing risk. Consider exploring these options for dedicated education planning.
4. Index Funds: Index funds passively track a market index, such as the Nifty 50 or Sensex, and aim to replicate its performance. They offer lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds and can be suitable for investors seeking broad market exposure at a lower cost.
5. Target Date Funds: Target date funds are designed to align with a specific retirement or education goal and automatically adjust the asset allocation over time to become more conservative as the target date approaches. These funds can simplify the investment process and provide a hands-off approach to portfolio management.
Before investing in SIPs for your daughters' educational needs, assess your investment goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Consider diversifying your investments across multiple SIPs to spread risk and maximize returns over the long term. Additionally, consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or financial advisor to create a customized investment plan tailored to your daughters' future educational goals. Regularly review your investment portfolio and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards achieving your objectives.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 23, 2025Hindi
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Hi. I am a single mother aged 30 and my daughter is 6. My in hand salary is 1 lakh per month. I have saved 25 lakhs and want to invest this so that i get an annual income of 1.5lakhs that will cover my daughters school fees. Where can i invest this?
Ans: Your efforts to save Rs 25 lakh are impressive. With the right investments, generating an annual income of Rs 1.5 lakh to cover school fees is achievable. Let us create a strategic investment plan tailored to your goals.

1. Your Financial Situation
Monthly Income and Expenses
Your in-hand salary of Rs 1 lakh provides financial stability.

Daughter's Education
The annual school fee of Rs 1.5 lakh is a manageable target with focused investments.

Savings Corpus
You have saved Rs 25 lakh, which is a strong foundation for your investment plan.

2. Investment Goals
Primary Goal
Generate Rs 1.5 lakh annually to cover your daughter’s school fees.

Secondary Goal
Preserve and grow your corpus to meet future needs.

Risk Appetite
Moderate risk tolerance is ideal for stable income generation.

3. Investment Recommendations
Your investments should strike a balance between growth, stability, and liquidity.

Diversify into Multiple Avenues
Actively Managed Equity Funds
Invest 50% of your corpus in equity funds. These funds offer higher growth over time. They help you beat inflation and build wealth.

Debt Mutual Funds
Allocate 30% of your savings to debt funds. These are stable and less volatile. Choose short- or medium-duration debt funds for predictable returns.

Fixed-Income Instruments

Invest 10% in PPF or similar instruments.
These offer tax-free, secure returns over the long term.
Liquid Funds for Emergency Needs
Set aside 10% in liquid mutual funds. These are flexible and ideal for emergency withdrawals.

4. Creating an Income Stream
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
How it Works
SWP ensures regular income by withdrawing fixed amounts monthly or yearly.

Advantages

Generates Rs 1.5 lakh annually from your mutual funds.
Keeps your corpus intact for long-term growth.
Dividends as an Alternative
Invest in funds or stocks that offer steady dividends.
Use dividends to supplement your annual school fee payments.
5. Risk Management
Your investment plan must be resilient against risks:

Market Volatility
Diversification reduces the impact of market fluctuations.

Inflation
Equity investments ensure returns that beat inflation.

Emergency Fund
Keep 6 months’ expenses in a separate liquid fund for unforeseen needs.

6. Tax Efficiency
Equity Funds
Long-term capital gains (above Rs 1.25 lakh) are taxed at 12.5%. Withdraw amounts within tax-free limits.

Debt Funds
Gains are taxed based on your income slab. Plan redemptions to optimise taxes.

Fixed Income Instruments
PPF offers tax-free returns, enhancing overall efficiency.

7. Insurance for Financial Security
Life Insurance
Buy a term insurance policy with a sum assured of Rs 1 crore. This will secure your daughter’s future.

Health Insurance
Opt for a comprehensive health cover for yourself and your child. Ensure the sum insured is adequate.

8. Future Planning
Your daughter’s education is your immediate focus. However, long-term planning is essential:

Higher Education Costs
Start an additional SIP for her higher education. Small amounts invested now will grow significantly.

Retirement Planning
Allocate a portion of your salary to build your retirement corpus. This will ensure financial independence later in life.

9. Step-by-Step Action Plan
Year 1
Invest Rs 12.5 lakh in equity funds through a Certified Financial Planner.
Invest Rs 7.5 lakh in debt funds for stability.
Set aside Rs 2.5 lakh in a liquid fund.
Invest Rs 2.5 lakh in fixed-income instruments like PPF.
Year 2-3
Use SWP from debt funds to generate Rs 1.5 lakh annually.
Review portfolio performance every year with a Certified Financial Planner.
Year 4-5
Increase equity fund allocation gradually.
Start an SIP for your daughter’s higher education.
Final Insights
Your dedication as a single mother is inspiring. With strategic investments, you can secure your daughter’s education and future. Focus on disciplined planning and professional guidance to achieve your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..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
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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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