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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 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
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 07, 2025Hindi
Money

Dear Sir/Madam, I am 41 years old currently working in a Product based IT company. I have my family with a kid of 13 years living in Bangalore at a rented apartment. The following are my details of Salary/Savings/Expenses - My take home salary - Monthly - 2.1 Lakhs (net income) Savings/Investments - 1. EPF balance - 27.5 lakhs and Voluntary contribution continuing extra 10% on top of statutory contribution 2. PPF balance - 7.55 lakhs and contributing 1.5 Lakhs yearly 3. NPS balance - 9.27 lakhs and contributing 1.5 lakhs yearly 4. NPS for Spouse - 84 Thousands yearly (Current balance - 111000 as started last year) 5. LIC Policies - Total premium 2.75 Lakhs approx (yearly for 5 policies) 6. Term Insurance - 1.5 Cr (Tata AIA Smart Sampoorna Suraksha with ROP - ULIP policy) 7. Personal Medical insurance - 65000 for 3 years (Family floater) with coverage of 20 lakhs 8. Atal pension Yojona for my wife - 9888 per year 9. MIS - 4.5 lakhs 10. Equity - 7.5 lakhs (1 Large cap stock, few Mid caps, mostly small caps) 11. Mutual funds holding 1.4 lakhs through SIP - Asset allocation - ICICI Business Cycle fund (17.2%), DSP Quant fund (16.5%), SBI Gold fund (4.3%), Edelweiss Nifty 100 Quality 30 Index Fund (16.42%), Tata Ethical fund (12.8%), Zerodha Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund (33.32%) [Only last year started] 12. Additional NPS contribution to 14% of my BASIC salary FYI - No emergency fund except considering Equity / Mutual fund that too 2-3 working days (weekend considered) Expenses - 1. Home Loan - 4868 monthly (Running from 2010 without any gap) 2. House Rent - 21000 monthly 3. Monthly Expenses - 60000 approx 4. Personal Loan - 9871 monthly (will be over by April 2026) 5. Having Credit Card - No usage (except emergency) 6. Son's School Fees - 2.5 Lakhs yearly (Do not know if this is an investment or expense but I placed it here) Near Future Plan - 1. To close my Personal Loan (First Priority) 2. Close my Home loan (2nd Priority as EMI is low) 3. Increase my SIP once Personal Loan is over (Approximately 10000 per month) + 15000 additional considering my salary hike (at least 10%) next year 4. No plan to sell any of my house and paternal home I need your advise on the following points (As I am not from Finance Background) - 1. Does my investment structure looks ok to you or do I need correction? 2. I have a plan to save some money for my son for his future studies (maybe for abroad in case if needed) 3. I have a plan to buy a new house in 2036/2037 (worth approximately 1.5 Crore with maximum 5 years EMI plan) 4. Will my retirement funds be enough to sustain equal livelihood after 60 years? Can I achieve my goals with my current financial planning? For you to understand, I opted for New Income Tax Regime starting this year and my CIBIL score is 805

Ans: You are doing a lot of things right already. Let us now build a deep and structured plan for your current priorities, future goals, and retirement.

Understanding Your Present Situation
Age: 41 years

Net Salary: Rs 2.1 lakhs per month

Expenses: Rs 60,000 monthly

Home Loan EMI: Rs 4,868

Personal Loan EMI: Rs 9,871

Rent: Rs 21,000

School Fees: Rs 2.5 lakhs yearly

CIBIL Score: 805

Tax regime: New (from this year)

You have a good income and disciplined savings.
You also have several goals in mind.
We will now cover all these goals in detail.

Step 1: Review of Existing Investments
Let us first assess your current investment structure:

EPF and VPF
EPF is strong at Rs 27.5 lakhs

Extra 10% VPF is very good

Keep this contribution going

Continue till age 58-60

PPF
Current balance: Rs 7.55 lakhs

Annual investment: Rs 1.5 lakhs

This is a good debt portion

Continue till age 60 for compounding

NPS (Self and Spouse)
You contribute Rs 1.5 lakhs yearly

Also contributing 14% of Basic extra

Spouse NPS: Rs 84,000 yearly

Combined NPS is growing well

Continue contributions till age 60

Helps in creating pension flow later

Partial withdrawals possible after age 60

Mutual Funds
You have the following MF allocation:

Equity Exposure: Rs 1.4 lakhs via SIP

You have both active and index funds

Overweight to index funds, especially Nifty LargeMidcap

Also have a thematic gold fund and quant fund

Only started last year, still early stage

Important: You have too many index funds.
Avoid over-exposure to index schemes.
Index funds don’t react well to market changes.
Actively managed funds give better long-term returns.
With index funds, there is no human strategy.
No downside protection during crashes.
Regular funds offer MFD and CFP advice support.
Use only regular plans through trusted MFDs.

Action: Reduce exposure to index funds.
Shift slowly to quality active funds in large and mid-cap.

Equity Stocks
Rs 7.5 lakhs spread across large, mid, and small caps

Mostly small caps with some mid caps

Only one large cap

You are exposed to high volatility

Action: Reduce small cap exposure.
Shift part to large-cap active mutual funds.
Avoid concentrated risk in few direct stocks.

LIC and ULIP
Annual premium: Rs 2.75 lakhs for 5 policies

Also have ULIP-based term plan (Rs 1.5 Cr)

Action: You are over-invested in insurance policies.
LIC and ULIP give poor returns after adjusting inflation.
You should evaluate surrendering these LIC plans.
ULIP with ROP feature is expensive and return is low.
Consider replacing ULIP with pure term insurance.
Use surrender proceeds to start SIPs.

MIS and APY
MIS: Rs 4.5 lakhs, giving stable income

Atal Pension for wife is fine

Use this as small retirement backup

Step 2: Emergency Fund Creation
Right now, you don’t have any real emergency fund.
You consider equity and MF for it.
But they are not liquid during holidays or crashes.

Action:

Build emergency fund of Rs 3–4 lakhs

Use liquid mutual funds or sweep-in FD

Don't mix with equity holdings

Emergency fund gives safety during job loss or medical issue

Start monthly Rs 10,000 till it is ready

Use future bonuses or incentives to top-up

Step 3: Debt Management Plan
You are already clear about your loan priorities:

Personal Loan
EMI: Rs 9,871

Ends April 2026

First priority to close this loan

High interest makes it expensive

Use bonus or increment to prepay early

Aim to finish 6 months before schedule

Home Loan
EMI: Rs 4,868 only

Running since 2010

Almost at the end

Not a burden at all now

Enjoys tax benefit on interest

Don’t rush to close

Close this once personal loan is over

Step 4: Son’s Education Planning
Your son is 13 years old now.
You may need funds after 5 years.
Abroad education may need Rs 50 lakhs or more.

Current Education Funding Assets:

No dedicated corpus yet

School fee of Rs 2.5 lakhs per year is being paid

No specific investment marked for college

Action Plan:

Start a separate child-focused SIP now

Allocate Rs 15,000 per month

Use aggressive large and mid-cap mutual funds

Avoid ULIPs or endowment policies

Increase by Rs 2,000 every year

After 5 years, you may reach Rs 12–15 lakhs corpus

Remaining can be supported by NPS partial withdrawal

Or via educational loan (if abroad)

Step 5: Retirement Planning Analysis
You are saving in EPF, PPF, NPS, and MFs.
Let’s assess if this will be enough post age 60.

You have 19 years till age 60.
Assuming:

EPF continues

PPF and NPS continue

SIP grows to Rs 25,000 in 2 years

LIC/ULIPs are surrendered and reinvested

Bonus and rent adjustments are managed

You can expect to create:

EPF corpus: strong and compounding

PPF corpus: tax-free and risk-free

NPS: structured for post-retirement

SIP: flexible growth engine

Spouse NPS: adds pension stability

This structure looks sustainable.
But inflation must be monitored.
Ensure post-retirement monthly need is calculated every year.
Consider delaying retirement to age 62 for safer buffer.

Step 6: Future Home Buying Plan (2036–2037)
You plan to buy a Rs 1.5 Cr home
with a 5-year EMI plan.

That means:

Loan EMI could be Rs 2.2 to 2.5 lakhs

You must prepare Rs 50 lakhs down payment

Action:

Begin a separate investment fund from 2028

Target Rs 50 lakhs by 2036

Invest Rs 20,000 monthly in hybrid mutual funds

Don’t mix this with retirement or education funds

Keep funds earmarked for home goal only

Once house is bought,
loan will be over before your retirement.

Step 7: Insurance Correction Needed
You have ULIP-based term plan.
Also have 5 LIC policies.
No pure term cover apart from this.

Action Plan:

Buy a Rs 1.5 Cr pure term plan separately

Premium is low compared to ULIP

Don’t rely on ROP policies

Surrender ULIP and LIC policies

Redirect all proceeds into MFs

Keep medical insurance active and renew on time

Step 8: SIP Strategy Moving Forward
After personal loan closure in 2026,
you plan to increase SIPs by Rs 25,000.

Action Plan:

Rs 15,000 SIP for child education

Rs 10,000 for long term wealth / retirement

Choose only regular funds via MFD + CFP

Review portfolio every year

Do not go fully into passive index funds

Use active funds for alpha generation and downside protection

Don’t DIY your investments blindly.
Use structured guidance and fund review support.

Step 9: Tax Implication Awareness
You are under the new tax regime.
Many deductions are not useful now.
Your EPF, PPF, NPS continue growing tax-free.

MF tax rule:

Equity MF LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt fund gains taxed as per income slab

Hold equity funds longer than 5 years.
Do not book short term profits unnecessarily.

Step 10: Final Cash Flow Hygiene
Maintain budget every month

Track all EMIs, SIPs, policies, fees

Use spreadsheet or budget app

Avoid new credit cards or personal loans

Don’t co-sign loans for friends or family

Revisit goals yearly with a certified financial planner

Create a written financial plan

Discuss it with your spouse and involve her in all goals

Finally
Your current plan has a good foundation.
Only a few corrections are needed.

Fix the insurance structure.
Avoid index fund overload.
Build emergency fund.
Start child-specific SIP.
Increase long term SIPs post-debt closure.
Stay invested till retirement with discipline.

You are already doing well.
These small changes will bring better results.

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 Nov 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 02, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 44 year old IT professional. I belong to a middle class family. I have 2 daughters. One is in 11th class(16 yrs) and another is in 2nd class(8 yrs). My wife does not work and is housewife. I also have to take care of my parents who has no income source and they don't have medical insurance also. My in hand salary is 1,80,000 Rs(after TDS and EPF). I only have total Rs 10,000 of SIP as of now since 40 months. Mirae Asset Large cap fund - 5k per month Parag Parikh Flexi cap fund - 3k per month SBI Small Cap Fund Growth - 2k per month From this month(Oct 2024) I also started below more SIPs: HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund Direct growth - 5 K Motilal Oswal Midcap Direct Fund - 5k(in wife A/c) Quant Small Cap direct growth - 3k(in wife A/c) TATA Small Cap fund direct growth - 2k(in wife A/c) Also, I increased Parag Parikh Flexi cap SIP to 10,000) So, total 32,000 SIP as of now effective from last month.(me and my wife name). Contribution to EPF is 24K. I am paying rent 22,000 per month. I took a home loan last year for which I am paying EMI of 25k as of now which would be around 35 by next year once I get the flat possession. I also have a small flat of around 45 lakh which is free from Home loan now. It is on rent for 14k per month. Monthly exp : EMI - 22k which will be 35 k soon. Rent - 22k till I get home possession next year. SIP - 32k(me and my wife name) Total around 1 lakh is what my all exp and all investment(mentioned above) cost me as of now. Below are my requirements: Need money for elder daughter for her education soon in 2-4 yrs. Need to create a Corpus for younger daughter in around 10 yrs. Need to have corpus for my retirement. Should I start more SIP. If yes, then how much and which type and ratio. like Large, flexi or small cap fund? Should I sell my old flat to payoff my home loan or should I invest that in SIP all that amount instead? which is better option? How much amount of SIP should I have as of now to achieve my goals.
Ans: You've already taken some good steps with SIPs and your current investments. Let’s examine your requirements and see how to optimise your strategy to meet your goals.

Current Financial Situation and Analysis
You have a monthly income of Rs. 1,80,000 and SIP contributions of Rs. 32,000 in a mix of equity mutual funds. Additionally, you’re paying rent of Rs. 22,000 and have an EMI of Rs. 25,000, soon to increase to Rs. 35,000 after possession. You also own a small flat valued at Rs. 45 lakh, generating rental income of Rs. 14,000 per month.

Your financial goals are:

Funding your elder daughter’s education within the next 2-4 years
Creating a corpus for your younger daughter’s future in 10 years
Building a retirement fund
Let’s address each goal systematically and suggest ways to enhance your investment strategy.

1. Funding Elder Daughter’s Education in 2-4 Years
Education costs are rising every year, and the time horizon is short, requiring a low-risk approach.

Investment Strategy: For short-term goals, avoid equities as they are volatile. Consider shifting a portion of your SIPs or rental income to safer debt funds, fixed deposits, or recurring deposits. Debt mutual funds like ultra-short-term or low-duration funds are preferable here, as they offer better returns than savings accounts while keeping risks minimal.

Corpus Estimation: Estimate the total funds required based on your daughter’s anticipated course. Since you already have SIPs, you may consider partially redeeming the debt funds at the required time.

Additional Savings: If possible, allocate Rs. 10,000-15,000 from your current income to these safer investments to reach your goal faster.

2. Corpus Creation for Younger Daughter’s Future in 10 Years
This is a mid-term goal, which allows you to benefit from equity market growth, though a balanced approach is advisable.

Suggested Allocation: For this goal, equity mutual funds are suitable due to their growth potential over a 10-year horizon. A diversified portfolio combining large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds can balance growth and stability.

Fund Allocation:

Large Cap: 40% of your SIPs in large-cap funds provides stable growth with moderate risk.
Flexi Cap: 30% for flexibility to switch between market capitalisations, potentially capturing higher returns.
Mid Cap: 20% for higher growth potential, though mid-cap funds can be more volatile.
Debt Component: 10% to create a cushion against volatility and ensure liquidity for immediate needs.
SIP Increase: Consider increasing your SIP allocation by Rs. 5,000-10,000 in these funds gradually, if possible, to help accumulate the corpus required over time.

3. Building a Retirement Corpus
Retirement planning is crucial, especially with your responsibilities. With your current age, you have around 16 years to plan.

Target Corpus: Aim for a retirement corpus that can generate monthly income covering your expenses post-retirement. Estimate based on projected monthly expenses and expected returns.

EPF and PPF Contributions: Your EPF contribution of Rs. 24,000 monthly is beneficial. Additionally, investing in PPF can provide tax-free returns and add to your retirement security. Consider increasing PPF contributions if within your budget, as it is safe and offers compounding benefits.

SIP Allocation: Continue SIPs in flexi-cap and large-cap funds for long-term growth. Mid-cap funds can add extra returns but should be balanced with large-cap stability.

Regular Fund Investment via MFD with CFP: Since direct funds do not provide advisory support, investing through an MFD with CFP credentials can help you make strategic adjustments as market conditions change. A Certified Financial Planner’s guidance will keep your retirement goal on track.

Should You Sell the Old Flat?
Selling your old flat has pros and cons. Let’s analyse them to see which option might be better for you.

Option 1: Sell and Invest the Proceeds in SIPs
Selling the flat will release Rs. 45 lakh. If this is invested in SIPs, it could help fund your goals without taking on extra debt.

Advantages:

Higher Growth Potential: If invested in mutual funds, this amount can grow faster than real estate.
Enhanced Liquidity: You have better liquidity, with the option to redeem partial investments when needed.
Disadvantages:

Rental Income Loss: You will lose the Rs. 14,000 per month rental income, which currently adds to your cash flow.
Market Risks: Although SIPs have growth potential, they are subject to market volatility.
Option 2: Retain the Flat and Pay Home Loan EMI
Retaining the flat means you keep the rental income and pay the EMI on your new home loan.

Advantages:

Stable Rental Income: This monthly income supports your expenses or can be saved for future goals.
Equity Growth: You’ll continue to have real estate as a diversified asset in your portfolio.
Disadvantages:

EMI Burden: The increased EMI (Rs. 35,000) can strain your cash flow.
Limited Liquidity: Real estate is an illiquid asset, making it harder to access funds for immediate needs.
Recommendation: If your retirement and children’s corpus goals require more funding, selling the flat could be a practical choice. The proceeds can be invested to grow faster. However, if you value the rental income, consider retaining it and adjusting your SIPs and other investments accordingly.

Optimal SIP Strategy for Goal Achievement
Given your goals, here is a potential SIP structure for better returns and risk balance:

Large-Cap Funds: 40% of your SIPs for steady growth and reduced volatility.
Flexi-Cap Funds: 30% allocation, allowing fund managers to shift between small, mid, and large caps.
Mid-Cap Funds: 20% allocation for high growth with moderate risk.
Debt Mutual Funds: 10% in debt mutual funds for safety and liquidity, especially for the education goal.
Consider maintaining this allocation with regular monitoring by an MFD with CFP credentials. Actively managed funds can offer a better edge than index funds, with fund managers striving for optimal returns over time.

Additional Recommendations for Long-Term Stability
Health Insurance for Parents: Since your parents do not have any income or medical insurance, consider purchasing a family floater or senior citizen health insurance plan. This will prevent high medical costs from affecting your finances.

Emergency Fund: Ensure an emergency fund of at least six months' expenses in a high-interest savings account or liquid fund. This keeps funds accessible for unforeseen needs.

Regular Review: Financial markets change, and it’s essential to periodically review your SIPs and asset allocations. Adjustments based on your goals and risk tolerance will keep your financial plan effective.

Finally
You’re on the right track, having taken proactive steps in SIPs and real estate. With a focused approach to SIP allocation, goal-based planning, and periodic reviews, you can meet your family’s needs comfortably. Ensure a consistent increase in your SIPs, protect your family with insurance, and aim for long-term wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 2025

Money
I am 46 year old with monthly joint salary (incl. Wife) of 3.03L per month take home with 10% annual increment. I have investments in MF 33.76L (LC 15.56 + MC 8.9L + SC 2.9L + Silver +& Gold 2.19L + Debt 1.7L + orhers 2.46). I have invested in ETF 2.13L (LC 58K + MC 27K + SC 27K + Debt 21K + Gold 80K). Further Invested directly in Stocks through Demats 15.69L (LC 6L + MC 4.64L + SC 4.63L). I have FDs 18.44L & Kalyan fold scheme 1.8L maturing in 2025 end, 2026, 2027. I have ICICI PMS ( LC 26.18L + Contra 25.91 L) since 12 June 2024. I make monthly SIPs of 248200 (MF 98K + ETF 30K + Kalyan Gold deposit scheme of 20K + Stocks 50K + FD 50K). MY monthly EMIs are 51523 (Home Loan 21523 balance 33 EMI + 2 Car Loans 30000 Balance 35 EMI). My son is in Class 10th seeking Architecture career till Masters i.e. further education of 9 years). I have flat rented with monthly 14K rent from Indirapuram Ghaziabad 2BHK flat purchased in 2011 and 2.8K monthly Metlife payout balance for 15 years. My wife runs Eurokids Preschool Franchise and takes care of home expenses with her business turnovwr presently about 20L per annum. I want to take gap of 2 years for my sons +2 studies from Kota to prepare for Architectural exams (JEE paper 2, Advance, NATA and CAA), focus on my health (I am diabetic for last 15 years) and enhance my skills in BIM in civil engineering. I have family health insurance of 15L annually and Life Insurance of 10L from Aviva & LIC maturing in 3 years with additional payout of 12.75L. My monthly house Expenditure is only 20-30K incl. Payout to my mother, grocery and others as we have settled in Dhanbad with another 3BHK loan free house and preschool small business. Shall I return back to salaried work after 2 years gap to increase my current investment corpus of 1.32 Cr targeted for 1.5Cr. By March 2026 as I have been wolkaholic for past 22 years career?. Can plan my retirement with 1.5 cr corpus with SWP for living and carryover with Quantity & Contracts Consultant through work from home for pleasureas empty mind is devil'shome? Your expert advice shall be highly advisable in my future decision making.
Ans: With minimal expenses, good insurance coverage, and disciplined investing, reaching a ?1.5 Cr corpus by March 2026 is achievable. Post-gap, part-time consulting is advised to maintain income and engagement. Retirement with a ?1.5 Cr corpus is feasible if supplemented with SWP, rental income, and occasional consulting. Regular review, strategic reallocation, and a separate education fund will ensure financial stability and peace of mind. The current strategy is sound and sustainable.
You’ve built a solid foundation — taking a 2-year purposeful pause is not only justified, it’s well-earned. With minimal liabilities, diversified income, and ongoing SIPs, your target corpus and long-term retirement needs are well within reach. Returning to work as a contract consultant after 2 years is a great way to ease into semi-retirement with dignity, fulfillment, and financial security.

You're on the right path, Amit — just continue to review and rebalance every 6 months.

Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Dear Gurus, I am Male, Age 34 Years and a Class I Government Officer. I am Married from past 8 Years & have a daughter who is three years old. My gross salary is approx 2 Lakhs per month and in hand salary is around 1.5 Lakhs per month. My wife is also working and earns around 70K per month. I have a 2BHK Flat with present market value of approx 60 Lakhs and a recently purchased plot of value approx 50 Lakhs. Both the properties are fully paid. I live in a government accommodation which is provided to me by the department. I invest approx 50K in SIP in Mutual Funds per month and has a portfolio of around 10 Lakhs presently. I make additional contribution of 15K per month in my organizational fund earning approx 7 percent per annum and has a saving of approx 10 Lakhs in it presently. Apart from it i am also investing 1.2 LPA in PPF (Present corpus of 2 Lakhs) and 1.5 LPA in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for my daughter (presently 4.5 Lakhs already put in the account in last three years). All medical & travelling expenses of me and my family are looked after by the government. I have a monthly expense of approx 80000 including an EMI of 30K for a car loan (presently 12 Lakhs outstanding). Monthly expense is looked after jointly by me and my wife. I will have an assignment in near future in which i will be earning approx 4 Lakhs per month for a year starting this November 2025. I want to retire at an age of 44 Years and make my hobby (travelling) my full time work. After retirement i will also have a monthly pension of around 2 Lakhs per month (foreseeing increase in my salary in next 10 year horizon). I want to give the best of schooling, education and marriage to my daughter. I also need additional 1.5-2 Lakhs per month for personal needs and expenses addition to my monthly pension. How can i manage the same. Where to invest the extra approx 50 Lakhs i will be earning in next one year. Request for guidance please.
Ans: You have planned with foresight and discipline. Your savings, investments, and goals are inspiring. Let me share a 360-degree financial roadmap for you.

» Current financial strengths

– You have strong salary income with dual earning members.
– You have no housing loan burden as your house and plot are fully paid.
– You are already investing Rs. 50K monthly in mutual funds and building equity exposure.
– You also invest in organisational fund, PPF, and Sukanya Samriddhi for your daughter.
– Your government job gives pension, medical cover, and stability.
– You will soon have a one-year assignment with high extra income.
– You are thinking about early retirement at 44 with pension support.

» Current challenges

– You have a car loan of Rs. 12 lakhs which adds to monthly EMI.
– Monthly expenses of Rs. 80K may rise with lifestyle and child’s education.
– You need additional Rs. 1.5 to 2 lakhs per month after retirement for hobbies and travel.
– Your child’s education and marriage need a big dedicated corpus.
– Inflation will increase costs of schooling, healthcare, and lifestyle over 10 years.

» Pension as base income

– A pension of Rs. 2 lakhs per month is a huge security.
– However, pension alone may not cover education, marriage, and lifestyle costs.
– You need additional passive income streams and investment growth.

» Short-term priorities (Next 3 years)

– Clear the Rs. 12 lakhs car loan within 2–3 years.
– Allocate part of your upcoming assignment income to debt closure.
– Increase your emergency fund to at least 6–9 months of expenses.
– Continue investing in mutual funds with focus on growth-oriented categories.
– Strengthen Sukanya and PPF as long-term safe allocations for your daughter.

» Utilising the upcoming Rs. 50 lakhs

– Divide this amount into clear buckets for clarity.
– Around Rs. 15 lakhs can be used to close your car loan and build emergency reserve.
– Around Rs. 25–30 lakhs can be invested in diversified mutual funds for growth.
– Balance 5–10 lakhs can be kept in safer debt options for liquidity.
– This division will balance growth, safety, and flexibility.

» Mutual fund strategy

– Actively managed funds give better flexibility and professional oversight.
– Index funds are not recommended because they lack downside protection in volatile markets.
– With active funds, managers can balance risk and adjust portfolio better.
– Your current SIP of Rs. 50K is excellent. Try increasing it after the assignment year.
– Distribute between large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds for balanced growth.
– Keep regular monitoring with a Certified Financial Planner for course correction.

» PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi

– PPF gives tax-free returns and safe long-term growth. Continue yearly contribution.
– Sukanya scheme is excellent for your daughter’s education and marriage.
– Both provide stability while your mutual funds provide growth.
– Keep both accounts active till maturity for maximum benefit.

» Organisational fund

– You already invest Rs. 15K per month here.
– It gives steady but low returns compared to mutual funds.
– Keep continuing but avoid increasing contribution.
– Treat this as stable fixed income portion of your portfolio.

» Daughter’s education and marriage planning

– Education will need around Rs. 60–80 lakhs in 15 years.
– Marriage could need Rs. 50–70 lakhs in 20 years.
– You must plan dedicated investment buckets for these two goals.
– Use equity mutual funds for long-term growth.
– Add yearly top-ups from your salary increments or bonuses.
– Review progress every 3–4 years with a Certified Financial Planner.

» Early retirement goal at 44

– You have 10 years left to build wealth.
– Use this period to maximise equity allocation.
– Maintain discipline in SIPs and add lump-sums whenever possible.
– Avoid early withdrawals from investments meant for retirement.
– By retirement, combine pension, mutual fund corpus, and safe debt instruments.
– This mix will generate your required extra Rs. 1.5–2 lakhs monthly.

» Lifestyle and travel funding

– Keep a separate corpus for travel and hobbies.
– You can allocate part of the assignment income here.
– Invest in balanced funds to keep growth and liquidity.
– This way your pension covers basics, and investments cover lifestyle.

» Risk management

– You have medical expenses covered by the government.
– Still consider a family floater health policy for post-retirement years.
– Maintain term insurance till your daughter is financially independent.
– Review insurance coverage every 3–4 years.

» Tax planning

– Continue using PPF and Sukanya for Section 80C benefits.
– Use ELSS mutual funds for additional tax-efficient equity exposure.
– Be mindful of mutual fund capital gain taxation rules.
– Long-term equity gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh yearly are taxed at 12.5 percent.
– Short-term equity gains are taxed at 20 percent.
– Debt fund gains are taxed as per your income slab.
– Plan redemptions smartly to reduce tax outgo.

» Managing rising expenses

– Currently expenses are Rs. 80K. After retirement, inflation will double them in 15 years.
– Your pension plus investment income must match this higher expense.
– Therefore, equity growth is crucial for long-term wealth creation.
– Avoid over-dependence on safe but low-yield instruments.
– Strike balance between growth, safety, and liquidity.

» Avoiding investment mistakes

– Do not rely only on traditional products like PPF, SSY, or FDs.
– They are safe but cannot beat inflation over long periods.
– Avoid index funds due to lack of active management.
– Avoid direct mutual funds since they don’t give personalised guidance.
– Regular plans via MFD with CFP credential give monitoring and support.
– Do not over-diversify into too many schemes.
– Stick to a focused, goal-based portfolio.

» Finally

You have an excellent base of assets, salary, and pension. Your discipline in savings is strong. The upcoming Rs. 50 lakhs income is a game-changer. Use it wisely between loan closure, mutual funds, and safety reserves. Continue SIPs and increase allocation whenever income rises. Keep daughter’s education and marriage funds separate. Aim for steady equity growth for 10 years. At retirement, your pension and investments will easily cover lifestyle, hobbies, and family responsibilities. Regular reviews with a Certified Financial Planner will ensure you stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 02, 2025

Money
Hi, I am 48 years old working in an MNC with monthly take home 1.87 L having own house and a flat. Other source of income - 1.03 L per month from Rent that would increase @5% each year, 15K monthly from a sanitaryware retail business for 5 years old after salary payout (run by 2 staff). My monthly expenditure is household - 50k, home loan- 20K, Car loan-22K, children education - 35K. We are 6 member family with mother, sister (mentally retarded), wife, 01 son (class2) & 01 daughter(class7). Apart from unlimited corporate mediclaim, Personal Mediclaim for self, spouse & children - 5Lac. Separate Mediclaim for my 64 years old mother - 3 L. My investment status: PF - 50L, PPF- 12L, MIS-8.5 L, NSC- 5 L, Share- 15 L, MF corpus - 21L. Gold jwellery - 340 gm MF monthly investment in Regular growth Fund: Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - 5.5k Quant ELSS Tax saver - 4K Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver - 5.5K Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund - 1.5k Nippon India Value Fund - 5K Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund - 5K ABSL PSU Equity Fund - 3.5K Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund - 4K Axis Small Cap fund - 3K UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund - 2 k Quant Small Cap Fund - 2k Nippon India Small Cap Fund Plan - 1k HDFC BSE Sensex Index Fund - 2k ICICI pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostic Fund - 2k ICICI Pru Value fund - 1.5k Bandhan Small Cap Fund - 1.5K SBI goldfund - 5k HDFC Gold ETF - 3.5k Kotak Gold Fund - 2.5K HDFC Children fund - 4K ABSL Flexi Cap - 3k Canara rebeco Large Cap - 4k Sundaram Large & Mid Cap - 3k Future education plan for children is to prepare for NEET, ISI. Would like to retire at 55 years. I Would request for my financial health check & possibility of early retirement.
Ans: You have built a very strong base already. Your income is stable. Your rental income is rising. Your business income adds extra support. Your assets are well diversified. You also take care of a large family with responsibility and care. This shows discipline, maturity, and control. These qualities will help you move toward early retirement with confidence.

» Your Overall Financial Health

Your financial health is strong. You have good earning power. You have two income streams besides salary. You have decent savings. You also have no mention of toxic loans or bad debt. Your asset base is diverse.

Your household spending is controlled. Your loan EMIs are manageable. Your children’s education cost is under control for now. You also protect your family with mediclaim. This stability gives you a solid base for early retirement planning.

» Your Current Income Strength

Your monthly salary is Rs 1.87 lakh.
Your rental income is Rs 1.03 lakh.
Your business income is Rs 15,000.

So, your total monthly income is around Rs 3.05 lakh.

This is very strong in Indian conditions. Your income has good mix. Salary gives stability. Rent gives passive flow. Business income adds flexibility. Rental income rising at 5 percent per year adds long-term support. This will help you in retirement.

» Your Current Expense Pattern

Your monthly spending is:
– Household: Rs 50,000
– Home loan: Rs 20,000
– Car loan: Rs 22,000
– Children education: Rs 35,000

Your total expense is near Rs 1.27 lakh per month.

This is comfortable because your income covers it easily. Your loan EMIs will end one day. This will increase your monthly surplus. This surplus can be saved for retirement.

Your family size makes your spending reasonable. You offer support to your mother and sister also, which increases responsibility. You need a long-term plan to support your dependents even during retirement.

» Your Current Insurance Setup

You have corporate mediclaim. You have personal mediclaim for family. You also have mediclaim for your mother. This is very good. You are already reducing future medical risk.

But you have not mentioned term insurance. For a family of six dependents, term insurance is a must. Term insurance is low cost. It gives high protection. It secures your family if something happens to you. It is a must-have tool for long-term safety. You need to consider this as priority.

» Your Present Investment Composition

Your investments are as follows:

– PF: Rs 50 lakh
– PPF: Rs 12 lakh
– MIS: Rs 8.5 lakh
– NSC: Rs 5 lakh
– Shares: Rs 15 lakh
– MF corpus: Rs 21 lakh
– Gold jewellery: 340 gm

Your investment base is strong. You have long-term assets. You have a good mix of debt and equity. PF is your biggest asset. This builds retirement power. Your shares and mutual funds add growth. Your gold gives hedge against inflation and crisis.

Your MF SIP list is long and diverse. But you have three issues in your MF list:

You have many funds.

You hold index funds.

You hold many small-cap funds.

This creates overlap, confusion, and extra risk.

» Why index funds are not ideal in your case

You hold index funds. Index funds may look simple. But they have some clear disadvantages.

– They copy the market passively.
– They cannot protect you in down cycles.
– They do not change strategy when markets behave wildly.
– They do not give flexibility to shift to better sectors.
– They cannot avoid weak companies in the index.

Actively managed funds are better because:

– A skilled fund manager studies companies deeply.
– The fund manager can avoid overvalued stocks.
– The fund manager can chase missed opportunities quickly.
– The fund manager can change sector weights based on risk.
– The fund manager can create alpha over time.

Your long-term goals need return power and strategy. So actively managed funds fit you better than index funds.

You can reduce index fund exposure slowly and shift to strong, diversified, actively managed funds under guidance of an MFD with Certified Financial Planner credential. This will help you get better risk control and potential growth.

» Your SIP structure needs improvement

Right now your SIP list has too many funds. Some are ELSS. Some are small-cap. Some are gold. Some are mid-cap. Some are overlapping categories. This complicates your plan.

The goal for you should be:

– A simple list
– A focused list
– A structured asset mix
– A stable risk approach
– A long-term compounding plan

Too many small-cap funds create heavy risk. Market swings can stress the portfolio. You need more large-cap and flexi-cap orientation for long-term safety.

You can clean the portfolio step by step and keep only a few stable, actively managed funds that support your future retirement.

» Children Education Goal Needs Clarity

Your children plan to aim for NEET and ISI. These goals need high funding. Coaching fees, hostel fees, travel, books, application fees, and long college years will cost big money. You need a planned fund for this.

Your children fund SIP is good but scattered. You need a consolidated goal-based plan. You need more growth-oriented equity funds for this long-term goal. This goal must stay separate from retirement fund.

» Future Education Inflation

Education inflation is high in India. It increases at a fast pace. Medical coaching and engineering coaching cost rises every year. Hostel cost also rises. Travel cost increases. So children’s education fund should grow at a good rate. For long goals, equity funds work better.

Your stable income supports this. But you need proper allocation with limited funds instead of many scattered SIPs.

» Loan Structure and Future Benefits

You have home loan and car loan. Both EMIs are manageable. Your home loan will help you get tax benefit. This keeps your taxable income low.

Your car loan will end sooner. Once these loans end, your surplus cash flow will rise. You can shift this EMI amount to retirement SIP. This will boost your retirement plan.

» Retirement Plan at Age 55

You want to retire at age 55. You have seven years time. This is short. But you earn well. And you save well. This gives you a chance to move toward early retirement if you plan better.

You need to focus on the following points:

– You need higher monthly savings.
– You need more focused mutual funds.
– You need reduced overlap.
– You need increased equity allocation.
– You need to build an income plan for retirement.
– You need to plan for your mother and sister.
– You need to protect your family with term insurance.

Retiring at 55 is possible, but only with disciplined planning now.

» Retirement Income Requirements

In retirement, you must protect the lifestyle of six people. Your daughter and son will still study. Your mother will need medical care. Your sister will need lifelong care.

So your retirement corpus should be large and well protected. Your rental income after retirement will help. Your PF will help. Your mutual funds will help. Your business income may continue if your staff run the shop properly.

Your retirement income must be stable and inflation-protected. This will come from a proper mix of equity and debt mutual funds and fixed sources like rent and PF.

» Risk Assessment for Your Family Setup

Your family has high dependency ratio. You care for mother. You care for sister. You care for wife and two children. This increases long-term financial responsibility. You must think in three important directions:

– How to protect income
– How to grow savings
– How to reduce risk

Term insurance is the best tool for income protection. It is low cost and high benefit. It is needed since you support five people.

Your equity exposure should support long-term growth but should not be risky with too many small-cap funds.

Your debt exposure like PF, PPF, NSC, MIS gives stability. This mix creates balance.

» Gold Exposure Review

Your gold jewellery base is high. Jewellery has emotional value but low financial liquidity. You also invest in gold funds. This creates too much gold exposure. Gold protects inflation but does not grow fast.

You can reduce gold fund SIPs slowly. Keep gold only for hedge, not for growth. Long-term goals need equity for growth, not gold.

» Need for Streamlined Mutual Fund Portfolio

Your MF list has many funds. This creates confusion. It reduces visibility of returns. It increases tracking trouble. You need to shortlist a few strong, stable, actively managed funds. A Certified Financial Planner with MFD support can create structure.

Regular funds give better guidance and support. Direct funds lack handholding. Many investors take wrong decisions with direct funds. They redeem at wrong times. They invest in wrong categories. They miss rebalancing. Regular funds through MFD with CFP support give discipline, clarity, and proper tracking.

This helps you avoid emotional decisions. This helps you adjust portfolio in changing markets. This helps you get stability.

» Emergency Fund Planning

With a family of six members, emergency fund is critical. You need at least 6 to 12 months expenses stored safely. This protects you during job gap or medical emergency. You can keep this in liquid funds or short-term debt funds.

This will protect you from touching long-term investments. This gives peace during sudden issues.

» Children Future Safety Plan

Your sister needs lifelong support. You should create a dedicated fund for her. You can use equity and debt mix. The fund must stay locked until used.

Your children will need education fund. You must keep this separate. You can use long-term equity funds for this.

This avoids pressure during retirement.

» Estate Planning and Nomination Setup

Because you support many dependents, you must create proper nominations. You must create a Will. This gives clarity and reduces future confusion. Your family will not face legal issues later. This is important for your mother and sister's care.

» Retirement Income Strategy After Age 55

After 55, you will need a stable income flow. You will depend on:

– Rental income
– PF lump sum
– Equity mutual fund SWP
– Debt mutual fund SWP
– Interest from deposits
– Business income (if continues)

You must create a safe retirement allocation. You need mix of equity and debt. This gives growth plus stability.

You should not keep too much money in gold in retirement.

» Possibility of Early Retirement

You can retire at 55 if you:

– Increase SIP allocation
– Reduce unnecessary funds
– Shift index funds to strong actively managed funds
– Build bigger education fund
– Reduce gold fund SIPs
– Strengthen term insurance
– Build sister care fund
– Build emergency fund

Your income allows this. Your rental income supports this. Your current asset base helps. With seven years focused planning, early retirement becomes possible.

» Finally

Your financial health is strong. You have stable income. You have rental income. You have business income. You manage a large family with responsibility. You invest regularly. You have a strong asset base. All these elements give you hope and control.

You can retire early if you take structured steps. You need cleaner MF allocation. You need more focus on equity growth. You need reduced gold exposure. You need better risk distribution. You need term insurance and emergency fund.

With discipline, support, and structured guidance, your early retirement goal at 55 is possible.

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
Money
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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