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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8227 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 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 - May 09, 2024Hindi
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Money

Hi Sir, I am 38 Yrs old , I am earning 1.3 L Per Month , if I wants to make corpus of Rs. 2 Cr on my retirement - how much should I invest and give me different suggestions along with MF

Ans: Planning for your retirement at 38 is a wise decision, and aiming for a corpus of Rs. 2 Crore demonstrates a clear vision for your financial future.

Understanding Your Goal:

To achieve a corpus of Rs. 2 Crore by retirement, several factors need consideration, including your current age, income, risk appetite, and investment horizon.

Determining Investment Required:

To calculate how much you need to invest monthly to reach your goal, we must consider factors such as expected rate of return, inflation, and investment duration.

Savings vs. Investments:

Given your monthly income of Rs. 1.3 Lakh, you could allocate a portion towards savings and investments. By investing a significant portion in mutual funds, you can potentially accelerate the growth of your retirement corpus.

Investment Strategies and Mutual Fund Suggestions:

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): You can start a SIP in equity mutual funds with a diversified portfolio. Allocate funds to large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds to spread risk and maximize returns over the long term.

Debt Funds: Alongside equity funds, consider investing in debt funds to provide stability to your portfolio. Debt funds offer steady returns and can act as a hedge against market volatility.

Balanced Funds: Balanced funds, also known as hybrid funds, invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments. They offer a balanced risk-return profile, making them suitable for investors with moderate risk tolerance.

Sectoral Funds: For investors willing to take higher risks, sectoral funds focused on specific industries can provide opportunities for significant capital appreciation. However, they come with higher volatility and should be approached with caution.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds:

Consider investing through a Certified Financial Planner who can provide personalized advice and assistance in selecting the right mutual funds. Regular funds offer the advantage of professional guidance and ongoing portfolio management, ensuring your investments align with your financial goals.

Calculating Monthly Investments:

To determine the monthly investment required to reach a corpus of Rs. 2 Crore by retirement, we need to consider factors such as expected rate of return and investment duration. A Certified Financial Planner can help you calculate this figure based on your specific circumstances and goals.

Final Recommendations:

Investing in mutual funds is an excellent way to build wealth for retirement, given their potential for long-term growth and diversification benefits. However, it's crucial to develop a well-rounded investment strategy tailored to your risk tolerance and financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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 - Jul 16, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir... GM Like to plan for corpus of my retirement... Am at 56 now,, like to retire by age 65 No exposure to Mutual finds n Sip as of now No knowledge on mfs at all Like to have atleast 5 cr corpus by 65 I have couple of investments in Real estate Right now my monthly earnings from job is around 1 lakh... Can u suggest n advise as how n what amounts to be invested to have above corpus... Thank u
Ans: You are 56 years old and plan to retire by 65. You aim for a retirement corpus of Rs. 5 crores. Your monthly earnings from your job are Rs. 1 lakh. You have investments in real estate but no exposure to mutual funds or SIPs. Let’s create a strategy to achieve your goal.

Building Your Retirement Corpus
Assessing Your Current Situation
Age: 56 years
Retirement Age: 65 years
Current Monthly Earnings: Rs. 1 lakh
Goal: Rs. 5 crores by 65 years
Creating an Investment Plan
Emergency Fund
Set Aside Funds: Keep an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.
Recommended Amount: At least 6 months of expenses in a savings account or liquid fund.
Purpose: Provides financial stability in case of emergencies.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Start SIPs: Invest monthly in diversified mutual funds.
Monthly Contribution: Allocate a portion of your monthly income towards SIPs.
Benefit: Helps in disciplined investing and rupee cost averaging.
Diversified Portfolio
Mix of Funds: Invest in a mix of equity and debt funds.
Actively Managed Funds: Choose funds managed by experienced professionals.
Growth Potential: Equities offer higher returns over the long term, while debt funds provide stability.
Lump Sum Investments
Initial Investment: Use part of your savings for a lump sum investment.
Diversification: Split the lump sum across various funds to reduce risk.
Insurance Coverage
Health Insurance
Ensure Adequate Coverage: Have a health insurance policy covering major medical expenses.
Premium Allocation: Budget a portion of your income for health insurance premiums.
Life Insurance
Term Insurance: Secure a term plan to cover your family's financial needs.
Premium Budget: Set aside funds for life insurance premiums.
Regular Review and Adjustment
Quarterly Reviews
Performance Monitoring: Review the performance of your investments quarterly.
Necessary Adjustments: Make changes to stay aligned with your financial goals.
Annual Rebalancing
Portfolio Rebalancing: Adjust the allocation between equity and debt to maintain the desired risk level.
Goal Alignment: Ensure your investments align with your financial objectives.
Avoiding Real Estate Investments
Limited Liquidity
Issue: Real estate investments can be illiquid and hard to convert into cash quickly.
Solution: Focus on more liquid investments like mutual funds and SIPs.
Benefits of Regular Funds through a CFP
Expert Guidance
Tailored Strategies: Get investment strategies customized to your needs.
Continuous Monitoring: Regular assessment and adjustment of your portfolio.
Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lower Flexibility
Lack of Active Management: Index funds are passively managed and may not outperform the market.
Benefit of Active Funds: Actively managed funds have the potential for higher returns due to professional management.
Final Insights
To achieve your retirement goal of Rs. 5 crores by age 65:

Start SIPs: Invest a portion of your monthly income in diversified mutual funds.
Maintain Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health and life insurance.
Review Regularly: Monitor and adjust your investments periodically.
Seek Expert Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner for tailored guidance.
By following this strategy, you can build a substantial retirement corpus.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8227 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 18, 2025

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I am 45 with two houses.one loan is still running. With a monthly income of 1.5 lakhs how much and what kind of investment o should make to have a retirement corpus of 3 to 4 Cr.
Ans: You are 45 years old with a monthly income of Rs 1.5 lakh.

You own two houses, and one of them still has an ongoing loan.

You aim for a retirement corpus of Rs 3 to 4 crore.

Your remaining working years will determine how much you can invest.

Your current savings and investments (other than real estate) will impact your strategy.

Your loan repayment is a key factor in cash flow management.

Key Considerations Before Investing

The number of years left until retirement affects your investment choices.

Your monthly expenses will determine how much you can save.

The existing loan reduces your free cash flow.

If your properties are for self-use, they won’t contribute to retirement income.

Rental income, if applicable, can be factored into your plan.

You need to balance investments with loan repayment.

Loan Repayment Strategy

If the home loan has a high interest rate, consider prepaying it.

If the interest rate is low, investing instead may yield better returns.

Ensure that EMIs do not exceed 40% of your income.

A longer loan tenure means more interest paid.

A shorter tenure increases EMI but saves on interest.

How Much to Invest Monthly?

The required investment depends on your retirement age and expected returns.

If you have 15 years left, you need a higher monthly investment.

If you have existing savings, the required investment reduces.

Inflation will increase your future expenses.

A structured investment plan ensures you reach your goal.

Types of Investments to Consider

A mix of equity and debt ensures balanced growth.

Equity mutual funds offer potential for higher returns.

Debt funds provide stability and safety.

Fixed deposits can be used for emergency funds.

Gold and sovereign bonds add diversification.

A portion can be allocated to liquid funds for short-term needs.

Why Equity Mutual Funds?

They have historically given higher returns than other assets.

Long-term investments help beat inflation.

Professional fund managers handle investments efficiently.

You can start with SIPs to invest consistently.

Diversification reduces risk compared to direct stock investment.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Avoid locking too much money in real estate.

Insurance is not an investment; avoid ULIPs or endowment plans.

Do not delay investing, as starting late requires more funds.

Keep emergency funds separate before investing.

Review your investments yearly to ensure they stay on track.

Managing Risk and Market Volatility

Markets fluctuate, but long-term investments tend to grow.

A staggered investment approach reduces risk.

Asset allocation should match your risk tolerance.

Rebalancing investments periodically ensures the right mix.

Avoid emotional decisions based on short-term market trends.

Ensuring Liquidity for Retirement

Build a liquid corpus alongside long-term investments.

Ensure part of your corpus is easily accessible post-retirement.

Plan withdrawals systematically to avoid financial stress.

Avoid over-exposure to illiquid assets like property.

A mix of short-term and long-term funds ensures cash flow.

Final Insights

Your financial plan must balance investments, loan repayment, and savings.

A disciplined approach with regular investments will help you achieve Rs 3-4 crore.

Equity mutual funds can be the primary growth driver.

Debt and fixed-income investments add stability.

Periodic review and adjustments will ensure success.

Start investing immediately to maximize your retirement corpus.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Considering the current market conditions, I'm trying to decide whether it's wiser to invest in real estate or to continue investing in mutual funds. I already have some experience with mutual funds and have seen moderate returns, but I'm also attracted to the idea of owning a tangible asset like property, which could offer appreciation and rental income. I want to understand which option real estate or mutual funds is likely to offer better returns over the next 5 to 10 years, especially given the current economic environment, interest rates, inflation trends, and market volatility. How do factors like liquidity, maintenance, taxes, and risk compare between the two? Should I shift some of my investments into real estate for diversification, or is it more prudent to stay invested in mutual funds and possibly increase SIP contributions? I'm looking for a long-term strategy that helps with both capital growth and financial security.
Ans: Hello;

It is difficult to give an advice without knowing specifics of the case.

I would ideally recommend to include both in your portfolio but if it has to be a choice between the two, I would recommend real estate, as a general advice.

Liquidity, Maintenance, property tax are hassles and costs in real estate but asset price and monthly rentals are generally flat or headed northwards over time unless it is some odd case.

MFs holdings are highly liquid, No maintenance charges and efficient tax treatment. But it is subject to market vagaries.

Consult an investment advisor or a certified financial planner to seek more clarity and firm up your decision.

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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2025Hindi
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i got 86.02 percentile in jee mains, i am under SC category from WEST BENGAL. can i get NIT DURGAPUR CSE BRANCH or any other branch
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2025Hindi
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What are the chances to get admission for my son in NIT Trichy or Surathkal or Warangal if he gets around 149 marks in the Apr session of JEE mains 2025. We are from general category & would like to pursue for either Data Science or Electronics of Chemical Engineering. If not these institutes what are the chances for other govt institutes.
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Son's Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Son's Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect His Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

His JEE Main percentile
His category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
His Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
His Preferred locations (or if he is open to any location in India)
List of at least his 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If he is open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select His Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches he is interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your Son's admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4421 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 13, 2025

Listen
Career
My son got 94.56 percentage in jee mains in OBC category.he passed 12th delhi school.his residency in gurugram haryana.which college he can gwt
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Son's Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Son's Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect His Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

His JEE Main percentile
His category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
His Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
His Preferred locations (or if he is open to any location in India)
List of at least his 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If he is open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select His Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches he is interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your Son's admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

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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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