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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7097 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 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
V Question by V on Apr 14, 2024Hindi
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I am 38 yrs old with 1lakh salary living in rented house, due to some family issue all my saving gone ,again i hv starting saving from this year through Sip of 1k in each companies ,BOI small cap, nippon india power&infra,quant small,motilal oswal midcap,icici prudential commodities ,icici bluechip ,kotak infra&economics reform,axis nifty IT ,icici pharma index , nippon small cap, quant elss , quant aboslute, bandhan sterling value fund, hdfc focus 30 ,nippon largecap, hdfc multi cap, quant flexi cap , mahindra small cap, prag parikh flexi cap, quant large cap, quant psu fund, sbi balanced advantage , aditya birla sunlife osu equity , sbi energy opportunities fund, ppf 8k. Whether i need to conssolidate or better to invest in all with this amount till 1 yr and then consolidate as i want to retire at the age 55yrs and how much corpus i need for retirement at 55yrs and what amount i need to save ,my monthly expense is 55-60k?? Please help!!

Ans: It sounds like you're taking a proactive approach to rebuilding your savings through SIP investments in a variety of mutual funds. However, having such a large number of funds in your portfolio can sometimes lead to over-diversification and increased complexity without necessarily providing significant additional benefits.

Here are some suggestions:

Consolidate: Consider consolidating your portfolio to a more manageable number of funds, perhaps around 5-10 well-chosen funds. Look for funds that cover different asset classes, investment styles, and market caps to ensure adequate diversification.
Review Performance: Evaluate the performance of each fund in your portfolio regularly. Keep funds that have consistently performed well over the long term and consider replacing underperforming funds with better alternatives.
Risk Assessment: Ensure that your portfolio aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals. Since you have a specific retirement goal in mind, it's crucial to assess whether your current portfolio allocation will help you achieve that goal.
Asset Allocation: Consider your desired asset allocation based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Allocate a portion of your portfolio to equities for long-term growth potential, but also consider fixed income or debt investments for stability and income.
Retirement Planning: Calculate how much you'll need for retirement at age 55 based on your current expenses, expected inflation, and any other sources of retirement income (like PPF). A financial advisor can help you determine an appropriate savings goal and investment strategy to reach that target.
Emergency Fund: Make sure you have an adequate emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, typically 3-6 months' worth of living expenses.
Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a financial advisor who can provide personalized guidance based on your financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance. They can help you create a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your needs.
By consolidating your portfolio, reviewing your investments regularly, and planning strategically for retirement, you can work towards building a more efficient and effective investment strategy.
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  |7097 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

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I am 38 yrs old with 1lakh salary living in rented house, due to some family issue all my saving gone ,again i hv starting saving from this year through Sip of 1k in each companies ,BOI small cap, nippon india power&infra,quant small,motilal oswal midcap,icici prudential commodities ,icici bluechip ,kotak infra&economics reform,axis nifty IT ,icici pharma index , nippon small cap, quant elss , quant aboslute, bandhan sterling value fund, hdfc focus 30 ,nippon largecap, hdfc multi cap, quant flexi cap , mahindra small cap, prag parikh flexi cap, quant large cap, quant psu fund, sbi balanced advantage , aditya birla sunlife osu equity , sbi energy opportunities fund, ppf 8k. Whether i need to conssolidate or better to invest in all with this amount till 1 yr and then consolidate as i want to retire at the age 55yrs and how much corpus i need for retirement at 55yrs?? Please help
Ans: It's commendable that you've restarted your savings journey through SIPs despite facing challenges. Given your situation, here's a suggested approach:
1. Review your portfolio: With a diversified portfolio of SIPs across various funds, it's essential to periodically review your investments' performance and their alignment with your financial goals.
2. Consolidation: Consider consolidating your SIPs into fewer funds to simplify your portfolio management and reduce administrative hassle. Choose funds that align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial objectives.
3. Retirement planning: To estimate your retirement corpus, calculate your expected annual expenses post-retirement and multiply it by the number of years you expect to live in retirement. Factor in inflation to determine the future value of expenses.
4. Savings target: Based on your retirement corpus requirement and the number of years left until retirement, calculate the monthly savings required to achieve your goal. Consider factors like inflation, investment returns, and any additional sources of income post-retirement.
5. Professional advice: Consult a certified financial planner (CFP) who can assess your financial situation comprehensively and provide personalized recommendations tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
6. Emergency fund: Prioritize building an emergency fund equivalent to three to six months' worth of living expenses to cover unexpected financial setbacks.
7. Regular review: Periodically review your financial plan and make necessary adjustments based on changes in your financial situation, goals, and market conditions.
By consolidating your investments, setting clear retirement goals, and seeking professional guidance, you can work towards building a secure financial future.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7097 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

Listen
Money
I am 38 yrs old with 1lakh salary living in rented house, due to some family issue all my saving gone ,again i hv starting saving from this year through Sip of 1k in each companies ,BOI small cap, nippon india power&infra,quant small,motilal oswal midcap,icici prudential commodities ,icici bluechip ,kotak infra&economics reform,axis nifty IT ,icici pharma index , nippon small cap, quant elss , quant aboslute, bandhan sterling value fund, hdfc focus 30 ,nippon largecap, hdfc multi cap, quant flexi cap , mahindra small cap, prag parikh flexi cap, quant large cap, quant psu fund, sbi balanced advantage , aditya birla sunlife osu equity , sbi energy opportunities fund, ppf 8k. Whether i need to conssolidate or better to invest in all with this amount till 1 yr and then consolidate as i want to retire at the age 55yrs and how much corpus i need for retirement at 55yrs and what amount i need to save as my monthly expense is about 55-60k?? Please help
Ans: It's commendable that you've restarted your savings journey through SIPs despite facing challenges. Given your situation, here's a suggested approach:
1. Review your portfolio: With a diversified portfolio of SIPs across various funds, it's essential to periodically review your investments' performance and their alignment with your financial goals.
2. Consolidation: Consider consolidating your SIPs into fewer funds to simplify your portfolio management and reduce administrative hassle. Choose funds that align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial objectives.
3. Retirement planning: To estimate your retirement corpus, calculate your expected annual expenses post-retirement and multiply it by the number of years you expect to live in retirement. Factor in inflation to determine the future value of expenses.
4. Savings target: Based on your retirement corpus requirement and the number of years left until retirement, calculate the monthly savings required to achieve your goal. Consider factors like inflation, investment returns, and any additional sources of income post-retirement.
5. Professional advice: Consult a certified financial planner (CFP) who can assess your financial situation comprehensively and provide personalized recommendations tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
6. Emergency fund: Prioritize building an emergency fund equivalent to three to six months' worth of living expenses to cover unexpected financial setbacks.
7. Regular review: Periodically review your financial plan and make necessary adjustments based on changes in your financial situation, goals, and market conditions.
By consolidating your investments, setting clear retirement goals, and seeking professional guidance, you can work towards building a secure financial future.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7097 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

Listen
Money
I am 38 yrs old with 1lakh salary living in rented house, due to some family issue all my saving gone ,again i hv starting saving from this year through Sip of 1k in each companies ,BOI small cap, nippon india power&infra,quant small,motilal oswal midcap,icici prudential commodities ,icici bluechip ,kotak infra&economics reform,axis nifty IT ,icici pharma index , nippon small cap, quant elss , quant aboslute, bandhan sterling value fund, hdfc focus 30 ,nippon largecap, hdfc multi cap, quant flexi cap , mahindra small cap, prag parikh flexi cap, quant large cap, quant psu fund, sbi balanced advantage , aditya birla sunlife osu equity , sbi energy opportunities fund, ppf 8k. Whether i need to conssolidate or better to invest in all with this amount till 1 yr and then consolidate as i want to retire at the age 55yrs and how much corpus i need for retirement at 55yrs and what amount i need to save ,my monthly expense is 55-60k?? Please help!!
Ans: It's commendable that you've restarted your savings journey through SIPs despite facing challenges. Given your situation, here's a suggested approach:
1. Review your portfolio: With a diversified portfolio of SIPs across various funds, it's essential to periodically review your investments' performance and their alignment with your financial goals.
2. Consolidation: Consider consolidating your SIPs into fewer funds to simplify your portfolio management and reduce administrative hassle. Choose funds that align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial objectives.
3. Retirement planning: To estimate your retirement corpus, calculate your expected annual expenses post-retirement and multiply it by the number of years you expect to live in retirement. Factor in inflation to determine the future value of expenses.
4. Savings target: Based on your retirement corpus requirement and the number of years left until retirement, calculate the monthly savings required to achieve your goal. Consider factors like inflation, investment returns, and any additional sources of income post-retirement.
5. Professional advice: Consult a certified financial planner (CFP) who can assess your financial situation comprehensively and provide personalized recommendations tailored to your goals and risk tolerance.
6. Emergency fund: Prioritize building an emergency fund equivalent to three to six months' worth of living expenses to cover unexpected financial setbacks.
7. Regular review: Periodically review your financial plan and make necessary adjustments based on changes in your financial situation, goals, and market conditions.
By consolidating your investments, setting clear retirement goals, and seeking professional guidance, you can work towards building a secure financial future.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7097 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 17, 2024Hindi
Money
Sir, I am 38 years old and married and currently have no children or loan. I get a monthly income of Rs 75000/- out if which Rs 30000/-goes into monthly mutual fund sips. My monthly expenses are Rs 30000/-. I also transfer excess cash in an emergency fund when possible. I Invest Rs 50000/- each per year in NPS and PPF respectively and i have a mediclaim cover of Rs 10 Lakhs.I have 20 more years untill retirement. I would like to build a retirement corpus of Rs 2 crores. Kindly guide me as to how to go about it. Also is it recommended to open fixed deposits and if so then about how much worth should i open the same?
Ans: Your current financial strategy shows strong discipline and foresight. You are well on your way to building a substantial retirement corpus. Let's delve deeper into your financial situation and provide a comprehensive guide to ensure you achieve your retirement goal of Rs 2 crores in 20 years.

Current Financial Overview
Income and Expenses
Monthly Income: Rs 75,000
Monthly SIP Investment: Rs 30,000
Monthly Expenses: Rs 30,000
Surplus for Emergency Fund: Rs 15,000 (when available)
Annual NPS Contribution: Rs 50,000
Annual PPF Contribution: Rs 50,000
Existing Coverage and Investments
Mediclaim Cover: Rs 10 Lakhs
Emergency Fund: Accumulated over time
Time Until Retirement: 20 years
Assessing and Optimizing Your Strategy
Mutual Fund SIPs
Investing Rs 30,000 per month in mutual fund SIPs is commendable. This disciplined approach will benefit from rupee cost averaging and compound growth over time.

Advantages of SIPs:

Regular Investment: Ensures consistent contributions irrespective of market conditions.
Rupee Cost Averaging: Buys more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, averaging the cost.
Compounding: Returns reinvested grow exponentially over time.
Recommendation: Continue your current SIPs. Periodically review the performance and diversify across equity, debt, and hybrid funds to balance risk and returns.

National Pension System (NPS)
The NPS is a good choice for long-term retirement planning. Your annual contribution of Rs 50,000 benefits from tax deductions under Section 80C and 80CCD.

Advantages of NPS:

Tax Benefits: Reduces taxable income, providing immediate tax savings.
Retirement Corpus: Builds a substantial corpus with market-linked growth.
Annuity Option: Ensures a regular pension post-retirement.
Recommendation: Continue your NPS contributions. Consider increasing the amount gradually to maximize the retirement corpus and tax benefits.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a safe, long-term investment with assured returns and tax benefits. Your annual contribution of Rs 50,000 to PPF is a prudent choice.

Advantages of PPF:

Safety: Government-backed, providing guaranteed returns.
Tax Benefits: Contributions and interest earned are tax-free under Section 80C.
Long-Term Growth: Suitable for retirement planning due to the 15-year lock-in period.
Recommendation: Continue your annual PPF contributions. It ensures a risk-free portion of your retirement corpus.

Emergency Fund
Having an emergency fund is essential for financial stability. It should cover at least six months of living expenses to manage unforeseen events without liquidating investments.

Recommendation: Maintain and gradually increase your emergency fund to the desired level. Allocate the Rs 15,000 monthly surplus when possible to build this fund.

Building a Rs 2 Crore Retirement Corpus
Calculating the Required Monthly Investment
To build a retirement corpus of Rs 2 crores in 20 years, let's assume an average annual return of 10% from your diversified portfolio (a mix of equity and debt).

Steps to Achieve the Goal:

Evaluate Current Contributions: Calculate the future value of your existing SIPs, NPS, and PPF contributions.
Adjust Investments: Determine if additional monthly investments are needed to meet the target.
Review and Rebalance: Periodically review and adjust the portfolio to stay on track.
Example:

Current SIPs: Rs 30,000/month
NPS Contribution: Rs 50,000/year
PPF Contribution: Rs 50,000/year
Assuming a 10% annual return, calculate the future value of these investments over 20 years.

Importance of Diversification
Equity Mutual Funds
Equity mutual funds offer high growth potential but come with higher risk. Diversifying across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds can balance the risk.

Recommendation: Allocate a portion of your SIPs to equity mutual funds. Diversify across different types to capture growth while managing risk.

Debt Mutual Funds
Debt mutual funds provide stability and lower risk compared to equity funds. They are ideal for balancing the overall portfolio.

Recommendation: Include debt mutual funds in your SIP portfolio. They offer stable returns and act as a cushion during market volatility.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds
Balanced or hybrid funds invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments, providing growth potential with reduced risk.

Recommendation: Consider balanced funds to maintain a diversified portfolio with a balanced risk-return profile.

Fixed Deposits: A Conservative Approach
Fixed deposits (FDs) offer guaranteed returns and safety but generally lower returns compared to mutual funds. They are suitable for short-term goals and as part of an emergency fund.

Advantages of FDs:

Safety: Principal is secure with assured returns.
Liquidity: Can be easily liquidated if needed.
Predictable Returns: Ideal for short-term financial goals.
Recommendation: Allocate a portion of your emergency fund or short-term savings to FDs. Avoid over-reliance on FDs for long-term growth due to lower returns.

Tax Efficiency
Tax-Saving Instruments
Investing in tax-saving instruments like ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) can optimize tax benefits and contribute to wealth creation.

Advantages of ELSS:

Tax Deductions: Eligible for deductions under Section 80C.
Short Lock-In Period: Only a three-year lock-in compared to PPF.
Growth Potential: Equity exposure provides high growth potential.
Recommendation: Consider ELSS for tax-saving purposes and long-term growth. It complements your existing tax-saving strategies.

Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regularly monitoring and rebalancing your portfolio ensures it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Market conditions change, and so do your financial needs.

Recommendation: Review your portfolio at least annually. Rebalance if necessary to maintain the desired asset allocation and optimize returns.

Final Insights
Your current financial strategy is robust and well-structured. Investing Rs 30,000 monthly in SIPs, Rs 50,000 annually in NPS, and Rs 50,000 annually in PPF reflects a disciplined approach. To build a retirement corpus of Rs 2 crores in 20 years, consider the following steps:

Continue Current Investments: Maintain your SIPs, NPS, and PPF contributions. They form a solid foundation for your retirement corpus.
Diversify Portfolio: Include equity, debt, and balanced funds in your SIPs to balance risk and maximize returns.
Build Emergency Fund: Ensure your emergency fund covers at least six months of living expenses. Allocate the monthly surplus towards this fund.
Consider Tax-Saving Instruments: ELSS can provide additional tax benefits and growth potential.
Monitor and Rebalance: Regularly review and adjust your portfolio to stay aligned with your goals.
Fixed deposits can be part of your emergency fund or short-term savings but avoid relying heavily on them for long-term growth. By following these recommendations, you are on the right path to achieving your retirement goal of Rs 2 crores.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |1054 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Nov 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 21, 2024Hindi
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Hello, I am 3 yr neet dropper.in 2025 it will be my third attempt... I'm trying my best to crack neet ...i don't know what will happen will i score good marks or not ... please help me in suggesting good career options if not crack neet .....there are many options through neet marks also like bhms , veterinary...etc. i will also give entrance exam also like cuet ,gbpuat ,....but i want that what to choose which course will be best for me ...i want to make my life good and happy... having a good degree, good job ,...
Ans: Hello.
Have you analyzed your failure in 2 successive attempts in the NEET examination? If yes, then the question is what you have done for improvement and not then again the question arises why not? Here, I would like to suggest you focus now only on the NEET examination which is your 3rd attempt. Don't think about any other options right now till May 2025. After the NEET exam is over, you have ample time to explore the options available. Depending on your score in NEET 2025, we will guide you at that time. But yet, if you are confused, then looking towards your question and anxiety, you need personal counseling where you can express yourself face-to-face. Only after the NEET exam is over, you contact a counsellor for one-to-one counseling. Till then, keep mum and focus only on NEET. Take this exam as your mission and project. Work on this project, apply forces from all sides, success is there which is waiting for you eagerly.
Best of luck for your bright future.

Some tips: (1) Analyse separately Phy, Che, Bio (2) Prepare a list of hard topics (3) First focus more on the topics which are easy for you and then try to excel in hard topics (4) Appear more and more online/offline examinations (4) Prepare your short-cut file for all subjects (5) Prepare a file for each subject having only synopsis of all chapters (6) Try to solve the problems at the lightening speed and observe the period on regular basis (7) Create your time table to revise the topics on regular basis (8) Do not hesitate to ask your difficulties to your teachers, if you have joined to offline classes (9) Keep the habit of marking the answers which you know 100%. Don't guess the answers and mark them, as there is -ve marking scheme. (10) Be calm, quite, and smiling all the time to release the tension and always have a healthy chat with your friends.

If satisfied, please like and follow me.
If dissatisfied with the reply, please ask again without hesitation.
Thanks.

Radheshyam

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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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