I am 44, I want to start investing in MF, Can you pls suggest me how to start investing in MFs?

What will be minimum amount to invest in MF, pls suggest.

By the time I am 60 years i want to save 1Cr and i want 50lakh for my children education.

Ans: It is a college that is coming up. The placements out there may not be good.

Ans: Symbiosis Bangalore could have a slight advantage over the other two. But not much to differentiate the two.

Ans: There is not much difference between MBA and PGDM. MBA is given by a university and PGDM if the course is from a specific college. Look at the placement report of the college you are applying to. Also talk to the students regarding placements. Both UPES and Chandigarh University are decent colleges.

Ans: You are earning Rs. 2 lacs per month.
You also have a daughter who is 7 years old.
You are contributing Rs. 1.5 lacs yearly in PPF.
You are managing two loans – home loan (Rs. 25 lacs) and personal loan (Rs. 10 lacs).

This is a good time to set your path for financial security.
Let’s plan step-by-step for your daughter’s future and your peaceful retirement.

Assessing Current Financial Position
Salary of Rs. 2 lacs is a strong foundation.

PPF is good for stable and tax-free retirement savings.

Two loans are ongoing and need structured repayment.

You have a child who will need support after 10 years.

You have taken initiative in savings and responsibilities.
That is a very good start.

Cash Flow Clarity and Budget Planning
Track exact monthly expenses.

Split expenses as needs, wants and savings.

Ensure minimum 30% of income goes to savings.

Avoid overspending due to EMI pressure.

You must prioritise high-value savings.
Keep lifestyle growth below income growth.

Handling Loans Effectively
Home loan is long-term with tax benefits.

Personal loan has high interest. Clear it first.

Avoid adding any new loan now.

Increase EMI or part-payment towards personal loan.

Home loan can continue but avoid extending tenure.

Loan EMIs should not cross 40% of your income.
Freeing yourself from personal loan early is important.

Planning for Child’s Future Education
Your daughter is 7 now.

She will need funds after 10 years.

Estimate future value around Rs. 30-40 lacs (inflation adjusted).

PPF alone will not be enough.

Start investing monthly in mutual funds.
Use actively managed mutual funds with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner.

Advantages of these funds:

Professional fund management.

Better returns than index funds.

Consistent performance in volatile markets.

Avoid index funds. Index funds give average returns.
They don’t protect in falling markets.
Also, avoid direct plans. They seem cheaper but miss expert guidance.
Invest through MFD with CFP credential for right fund mix.

How to Invest for Child’s Education
Create a dedicated goal-based SIP.

Invest monthly in diversified equity mutual funds.

As goal approaches, move funds slowly to debt.

Rebalance portfolio every year.

Use SIPs so the market ups and downs don’t affect you.
Stay invested for 10 years without withdrawing.

Planning for Happy Retirement
You are 40 now. You have 18-20 working years.

After that, income will stop.

Expenses will continue and grow.

You need monthly income in retirement.

Let’s estimate you may need Rs. 60,000 monthly in retirement.
It will increase with inflation.
That means you need to create large retirement corpus.
PPF alone won’t meet it.

Start investing every month separately for retirement.
Use mutual funds with a longer horizon and SIPs.
Add balanced advantage and equity mutual funds.
These give better growth with some safety.

At retirement:

Use mutual fund withdrawals smartly.

Avoid annuities. They lock money and give poor return.

Avoid index funds. They do not manage risk.
You need active management and fund switching as you age.
Certified Financial Planner can guide on that path.

Emergency Fund and Insurance Protection
Keep minimum 6 months' expenses in liquid form.

FD or liquid mutual fund is fine.

This is not for returns. It is for safety.

Also, protect your family first:

Term insurance for yourself.

Coverage should be at least 10 times your annual income.

Rs. 1.5 crore is basic.

Continue till your retirement age.

Health insurance:

For whole family, including child.

At least Rs. 10 lacs family floater.

This way your savings remain untouched during medical needs.

PPF Usage and Expectations
PPF is stable, tax-free, long-term tool.

Continue yearly investment.

But don’t depend only on PPF for retirement.

Return is low when compared to equity mutual funds.

You can use PPF for partial retirement support.
Main wealth creation should happen via mutual funds.

Other Recommendations for 360 Degree Planning
Don’t invest in ULIPs or traditional insurance plans.

If you already hold such policies, surrender and shift to mutual funds.

Do not mix insurance with investment.

Don’t buy any new LIC or endowment plan.

Also:

Do not buy gold for investment.

Keep gold for personal use only.

Avoid investing more in land or real estate.
It lacks liquidity and returns are not guaranteed.

Building Wealth with the Right Approach
Set financial goals for education, retirement, home, and holidays.

Assign amounts and timelines.

Use separate mutual funds for each.

Review portfolio every year with CFP.

Increase SIPs every time salary increases.

Stick to plan. Don’t panic with market movements.

Wealth is built slowly and steadily.
Not by guessing, but by planning and staying disciplined.

Tax Awareness and Efficiency
Mutual funds have tax efficiency if held for long term.

Equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%

STCG is taxed at 20%

Debt funds:

Taxed as per your income slab

So always prefer long-term holding for mutual funds.
Avoid frequent buying and selling.

Also, continue PPF for tax saving.
Use ELSS only if you need extra tax saving.
But don’t use ELSS only for 3-year lock-in.
Keep long horizon for growth.

How to Review Progress Every Year
Review net worth once a year.

Check loans, investments, insurance, and expenses.

Rebalance mutual fund allocation if needed.

Compare goal progress and make SIP changes.

Track actual expenses vs planned.

Make this a yearly habit.
Use support from Certified Financial Planner.
You don’t need to do everything alone.

Finally
Your financial base is strong with Rs. 2 lacs monthly income.
You already started savings in PPF and are handling loans.

Your next focus must be:

Clearing personal loan fast

Starting mutual fund SIPs for child and retirement

Protecting with insurance

Building emergency reserve

Stay consistent and plan every rupee well.
This way, your child’s future will be bright.
And your retirement will be peaceful and happy.

Avoid risky shortcuts.
Avoid investing in property or gold for growth.
Don’t get trapped by fancy insurance-cum-investment plans.
Stay with smart, long-term, goal-based mutual fund strategy.

If you want a step-by-step implementation plan,
take help from a Certified Financial Planner.
They will guide, monitor, and help you stay on track.

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

Ans: Both are good colleges and good option. There is not much to separate the two. NMIMS would be older college, but the advantage of OP Jindal is the residential course. Based on your convenience you can select.

Ans: Hello,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am glad to hear that your son is currently studying in the 12th grade, after which he intends pursuing his undergraduate degree in Australia. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that owing to visa restraints and labor market competition, acquiring a job in Australia post graduation may be difficult. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand for fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, which is beneficial for your son. To improve his possibilities, I would suggest that your son selects a university that has strong linkages with industry and internships and hands-on training possibilities. Acquiring real-world experience while he studies can hugely benefit him. He should also make sure that the course he opts for qualifies him for the Post-Study Work Visa (subclass 485), which permits graduates to stay back and work in the country temporarily. Moreover, if he intends seeking permanent residency in the future, he should regularly review the Skilled Occupation Lists as this will prove beneficial. Locating a job post graduation is definitely possible with meticulous planning and active participation throughout his studies.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint

Ans: See if there are other options for Graduation. Can do BMS from a good Mumbai University if you have given the entrance test or any other graduation course will do, There are many options for the same.

Ans: If the placements are common with BITSOM 2 year management students then it would be a good option.

Ans: Yes it is good. You have an option to opt out of the college after graduation if you want to write MBA entrance tests and get into better college.