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Nikunj Saraf  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on Dec 19, 2022

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
Ashish Question by Ashish on Dec 19, 2022Hindi
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I am 40 years and I invested in an International Equity Mutual Fund to have some global exposure in my portfolio with the below investment details.

Mirae Asset NYSE FANG+ ETF FoF-- 1.25L -- Dec-21

But this fund is currently giving me -40% Return and performing the lowest in its category from last 3 months. As any new investment in US funds has been stopped for some time now AUM of this fund has come down to 692 Cr. Please suggest if I should hold or Stop the loss and sell it.

Ans: Hi Ashish Gaba since the fund will be investing majorly in US and US markets are very volatile currently losses may incur in the near future. If your investment horizon is for short term, I would advise to redeem the fund and diversify your future portfolio.

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  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 26, 2024

Money
Hello sir, I have invested 48.49k in mirae asset NYSE FANG + ETF fund and currently it is 72.13k, as this mutual fund is stopped for further investing, should i stay invest or do SWP and utilise this fund somewhere else. I already have parag pariek flexi fund (345k), quant infrastructure fund (66k) , zerodha nifty large mid 250 index (76k) (recently started), kotak equity oppertunities(58k) & axis small cap (53k)
Ans: First of all, congratulations on your investment journey. You've done an excellent job in building a diverse portfolio. It's impressive to see how your investments have grown over time. Now, let's evaluate the current scenario and decide the best way forward.

Current Portfolio Overview
Your investment portfolio includes various funds:

A significant investment in a technology-focused fund, which has shown substantial growth.

Holdings in a flexi-cap fund, infrastructure fund, large-mid cap index, equity opportunities fund, and small cap fund.

This diversification is a positive sign. It shows you are spreading your risk across different sectors and types of funds.

Analyzing the Technology-Focused Fund
The technology-focused fund you mentioned has performed exceptionally well. From Rs 48.49k to Rs 72.13k, that's an impressive increase. This fund’s closure to new investments often indicates that it has reached a substantial size or the fund house wants to manage it efficiently.

Given its closure, let's consider your options.

Pros of Staying Invested:

Potential for Continued Growth: Technology stocks, especially the leading ones, have shown resilience and growth potential.

No Immediate Need for Action: If you believe in the long-term potential of the technology sector, staying invested might be wise.

Cons of Staying Invested:

Market Volatility: Technology stocks can be volatile. Recent trends show fluctuations, which might affect returns.

Concentration Risk: A large portion of your growth is tied to this sector. Diversification might be safer.

Pros of Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP):

Regular Income: SWP can provide a steady income stream. Useful if you need liquidity.

Rebalancing Opportunity: You can reinvest in other sectors or funds to balance your portfolio.

Cons of Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP):

Missing Out on Growth: If the technology sector continues to grow, you might miss out on future gains.

Tax Implications: SWP might have tax consequences depending on your holding period.

Assessing Your Other Funds
Now, let’s look at your other investments.

Flexi Cap Fund:

Pros: These funds invest across market caps, providing flexibility and diversification. Your substantial investment here shows confidence in this strategy.

Cons: Returns can vary depending on market conditions. It's essential to monitor the fund’s performance regularly.

Infrastructure Fund:

Pros: Infrastructure development in India offers growth potential. This sector is crucial for economic development.

Cons: These funds can be cyclical. They might underperform during economic downturns or policy changes.

Large-Mid Cap Index Fund:

Pros: Index funds offer broad market exposure and lower expense ratios.

Cons: They mimic the index performance, lacking the potential for outperformance that actively managed funds might offer. Your investment here might limit growth potential compared to active funds.

Equity Opportunities Fund:

Pros: These funds can take advantage of market opportunities, offering potential for higher returns.

Cons: Higher risk due to active management. Performance depends on the fund manager's skill.

Small Cap Fund:

Pros: Potential for high returns. Small cap stocks can grow significantly over time.

Cons: Higher risk and volatility. Small cap stocks can be affected by market conditions more than large caps.

Direct vs Regular Funds
You mentioned investing through direct funds. Let’s discuss the disadvantages of direct funds and the benefits of regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Disadvantages of Direct Funds:

Lack of Guidance: Direct funds require you to research and choose funds on your own. Without expert guidance, this can be risky.

Time-Consuming: Regular monitoring and rebalancing are necessary. It can be time-consuming and challenging without professional help.

Benefits of Regular Funds:

Professional Advice: Investing through a CFP ensures you get expert advice tailored to your financial goals.

Portfolio Management: CFPs can help in regularly monitoring and rebalancing your portfolio, ensuring it remains aligned with your objectives.

Strategic Recommendations
Based on the analysis, here are some strategic recommendations:

Rebalancing Your Portfolio:

Diversification: Consider diversifying away from technology to other sectors with growth potential. It will reduce concentration risk.

Risk Management: Rebalance your portfolio to align with your risk tolerance and investment goals.

Consider SWP for Liquidity:

Partial SWP: You might opt for a partial SWP from your technology-focused fund. It provides liquidity while keeping some exposure to potential growth.

Reinvestment Strategy: Use the SWP proceeds to invest in other funds or sectors, balancing your portfolio.

Monitoring and Regular Review:

Regular Check-Ups: Keep an eye on your investments. Regular reviews ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your goals.

Adjust as Needed: Be ready to adjust your investments based on market conditions and personal circumstances.

Final Insights
Your investment journey has been commendable. The growth in your technology-focused fund is impressive. However, it's essential to consider the risks and potential rewards of staying invested or opting for an SWP. Diversification and regular portfolio review are crucial for long-term success.

Consider the benefits of professional guidance through regular funds. It can provide the expertise and peace of mind necessary for achieving your financial goals. Rebalancing your portfolio and ensuring it aligns with your risk tolerance will help in navigating market fluctuations effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 20, 2025

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My Mutual Fund Aditya Birla and SBI PSU is going decline, losing the invested value. should i exit. Please advise.
Ans: Your mutual fund investments are currently losing value.

Understanding whether to exit or hold is crucial.

Let us assess the situation comprehensively.

Factors to Evaluate Before Exiting
Investment Time Horizon
Review your financial goals and investment duration.

Equity funds need at least 5–7 years to deliver results.

Fund Performance
Compare the performance of your funds to their benchmark index.

Check the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns.

Poor short-term performance is not always a concern.

Market Conditions
Mutual fund performance depends on market cycles.

Temporary declines may reverse with market recovery.

Fund Category and Risk
PSU funds are sector-specific and carry higher risk.

Evaluate if the sector aligns with your goals.

Diversified equity funds are less volatile.

Reasons for Current Decline
Sector-Specific Risks
PSU and sector funds are impacted by policy changes or economic shifts.

These funds may recover when the sector performs well.

Broader Market Trends
Market corrections affect all equity mutual funds.

Short-term dips are common in volatile markets.

Fund-Specific Issues
Poor fund management can impact returns.

Check the fund manager’s track record and strategy.

Alternatives to Exiting
Hold and Reassess
Staying invested during market dips often helps in the long term.

Exit only if the fund consistently underperforms for 3–5 years.

Portfolio Diversification
Avoid overexposure to sector-specific funds.

Add diversified funds to reduce risk.

Switching Funds
Consider switching to better-performing funds.

Choose funds with consistent returns over time.

Tax Implications of Exiting
Equity Mutual Funds
Long-term gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

Exit Load
Exiting before the minimum holding period attracts exit loads.

Check your fund’s terms before redeeming.

Action Plan for Your Situation
Retain the Funds
Hold if the funds match your risk appetite and goals.

Monitor performance quarterly for any significant changes.

Reallocate Gradually
Shift a portion of funds to diversified equity funds.

Opt for actively managed funds for better risk management.

Regular Portfolio Review
Assess your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner.

Review fund categories, performance, and alignment with goals.

Finally
Mutual funds require patience to yield returns.

Exit only after detailed evaluation of performance and goals.

Monitor your portfolio regularly and consult a Certified Financial Planner for guidance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 26, 2025

Money
I Have following mutual fund Canara Robeco Flexi Cap Fund Growth, Canara Robeco Large and Mid Cap Regular Growth, Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund Regular Growth, Aditya Birla Sun Life Small Cap Fund Growth, HDFC MNC Fund Regular Growth & Aditay Birla small cap fund Regular Growth. Rs 100000/- was invested in each of fund. should I sold this fund and reinvest is new fund or continue in same fund
Ans: You have built a good foundation with reputed fund houses. Investing Rs 1,00,000 each in these funds shows your interest in growing wealth through equities. You have already taken the right step by selecting diversified categories such as flexi cap, large and mid cap, large cap, small cap, and thematic MNC funds. Let us now assess them carefully and decide if any changes are needed.

» Portfolio Appreciation

Your mutual fund selection is strong in quality. You have chosen established fund houses with good track records. These funds are known for consistency and transparency. This shows your research and smart thinking. You already hold a balanced mix of different fund categories. That is an excellent start.

However, there is some overlap and scope for refinement. A few small adjustments will make your portfolio sharper and more effective for long-term growth.

» Fund Category Review

Your portfolio includes:
– One Flexi Cap Fund
– One Large & Mid Cap Fund
– One Large Cap Fund
– Two Small Cap Funds
– One MNC Fund (Thematic)

This structure gives exposure to all parts of the market, but also brings duplication in some areas. Two small cap funds may create overlap because they both invest in similar types of companies. Small caps are high-risk, high-return funds. Holding two small caps adds extra volatility without adding much diversification.

Having one small cap fund is enough to capture the growth potential of that category. You can continue the one that has shown stable long-term performance and disciplined risk management. The other can be redeemed and reallocated to strengthen core holdings.

Your flexi cap and large & mid cap funds already provide diversified coverage across market segments. These are strong as core holdings because fund managers here can shift between large, mid, and small caps based on market conditions. These two funds can be retained as part of your core equity portfolio.

Your large cap fund adds stability. It invests in top companies that bring steady growth. Keeping this is good for balancing risk.

Your MNC fund is a thematic one. It focuses on multinational companies which usually have strong balance sheets and governance. But thematic funds can underperform during certain cycles. It is fine to hold it in small proportion (around 10–15% of total equity).

» Overlap and Diversification

Too many funds often lead to portfolio overlap. For example, many large and mid cap funds hold similar stocks that also appear in flexi cap or large cap funds. This reduces the real benefit of diversification. Instead of managing six funds, having four well-chosen funds is more efficient. It simplifies monitoring and helps you stay consistent.

You can consider continuing with one flexi cap, one large & mid cap, one large cap, and one small cap fund. This structure gives you exposure to all market segments without duplication.

The MNC fund can be kept only if you wish to maintain a thematic exposure. Otherwise, you can exit it and add more to the existing diversified funds.

» Performance and Holding Period

Before taking any redemption decision, check your holding period. If these investments are less than one year old, redeeming now will attract short-term capital gains tax at 20%. If held for more than one year, the long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakh in a year are taxed at 12.5%. So, plan redemptions carefully to minimise tax.

Also, mutual funds work best when held for long periods. Frequent switching does not help. If your funds have not completed at least 3 years, allow them more time. Good funds can underperform temporarily but perform strongly over longer cycles. Review after 3–4 years before making final decisions.

» Regular vs Direct Plans

If you are investing through regular plans linked with a Certified Financial Planner or mutual fund distributor, it is better to continue that way. Many investors think direct plans give higher returns because of lower cost, but they miss the professional guidance that comes with regular plans.

Regular plans give you ongoing support, portfolio monitoring, rebalancing advice, and behaviour management during volatile markets. These benefits lead to better long-term results than self-managed direct plans.

In direct plans, you must handle all reviews, changes, and documentation yourself. During market volatility, emotional reactions can lead to mistakes like panic selling or chasing returns. A Certified Financial Planner provides discipline, structure, and emotional stability. That value far exceeds the small cost difference.

Hence, continue through your Certified Financial Planner-linked channel. This ensures accountability and better overall performance.

» Market Volatility and Patience

Equity investing requires patience. Markets go through cycles. Sometimes, even good funds may look dull in short periods. Selling too early can harm long-term growth.

If your funds are fundamentally strong and belong to reputed fund houses with experienced managers, continue them. Avoid switching frequently based on short-term returns. Long-term compounding needs stability.

Remember, real wealth in mutual funds builds over time, not by jumping from one fund to another.

» Future Investments and Rebalancing

Going forward, you can channel your fresh investments or SIPs into fewer but stronger funds. Focus more on core categories like flexi cap and large & mid cap. Keep small cap allocation around 15–20% of total equity exposure.

Review the performance once every year. Remove consistent underperformers if they lag for over 3 years compared to their category average. Avoid frequent changes based on temporary movements.

If your goal horizon is less than 5 years, start gradually shifting that part of your corpus to debt funds. If your goals are long-term, continue with equity allocation.

Also, once every year, rebalance your portfolio if one category grows too much. For example, if small caps outperform, reduce slightly and shift gains to large caps or flexi caps. This keeps risk and return in balance.

» Tax Efficiency

Be aware of taxation while switching. The new rule states:
– Long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakh a year are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

To minimise tax, you can stagger your redemptions over two financial years if gains are large. Also, reinvest redeemed money immediately into suitable funds to maintain compounding.

» Role of Certified Financial Planner

A Certified Financial Planner not only suggests funds but also aligns them to your goals. This ensures each rupee invested works towards a clear purpose. A planner tracks your progress, reviews annually, and helps in rebalancing.

They also protect you from emotional investing mistakes. When markets rise or fall sharply, investors often make hasty decisions. Having a Certified Financial Planner ensures your portfolio stays disciplined and aligned.

Hence, rather than changing funds on your own, consult your Certified Financial Planner before switching. Their experience and data-driven analysis will help in deciding which funds to retain or exit.

» Practical Next Steps

– Keep 4–5 funds maximum. Too many reduce clarity.
– Retain one small cap, not both.
– Retain one flexi cap, one large & mid cap, one large cap.
– Keep MNC fund only if you want limited thematic exposure.
– Avoid frequent switches. Give funds at least 3–4 years.
– Use regular plans via Certified Financial Planner for guidance.
– Rebalance annually based on risk and goals.
– Plan redemptions considering tax rules.

This structure will give you a clean, manageable, and growth-oriented portfolio.

» Finally

Your fund selection already shows good thought and awareness. You are investing in quality funds across categories. The main improvement needed is simplification and proper proportioning.

Continue with core diversified funds, reduce duplication, and give them time to perform. Avoid chasing new funds or switching for short-term trends. With patience, consistency, and professional review, your portfolio can deliver strong long-term results.

Stay invested, stay disciplined, and let compounding do its work quietly.

Best Regards,

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

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

..Read more

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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...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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