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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9255 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 23, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 45 years old, have a income of 2.5 lacs with variable pay every month after tax deduction. My total CTC is 65 lakhs/annum with stock. I have 2 flats worth 1.8 crores, one land worth 9 lakhs, one ancestral land worth 45 lakhs, have company stocks worth 20 to 30 lakhs. PPF current is 30 lakhs for 20 years of experience. My liabilities are home loan worth 80 lakhs, personal loan of 2 lakhs concluding in 3 months. My monthly expenses including EMI is 2lakhs. My kid education cost 2-3 lakh per year in Bangalore and she is 12 years in grade 7. Can you help me, how much I need to save every month, so I can have 5 crores in liquid money in 8 years and how much have for retirement plan by 65.

Ans: Absolutely understand your concerns. You have a good income and valuable assets, but you also have significant financial goals. Let's plan to achieve Rs. 5 crores in 8 years and ensure a comfortable retirement by 65.

Evaluating Current Financial Position
Firstly, let's assess your current financial position. Your monthly income is Rs. 2.5 lakhs with variable pay. Your CTC is Rs. 65 lakhs per annum, including company stocks. You own two flats worth Rs. 1.8 crores, one land worth Rs. 9 lakhs, and ancestral land worth Rs. 45 lakhs. Your company stocks are worth Rs. 20 to 30 lakhs. You have a PPF balance of Rs. 30 lakhs.

Your liabilities include an Rs. 80 lakh home loan and an Rs. 2 lakh personal loan, which will conclude in three months. Your monthly expenses, including EMIs, are Rs. 2 lakhs. Your child’s education costs Rs. 2-3 lakhs per year.

Setting Financial Goals
Your primary goals are:

Accumulating Rs. 5 crores in liquid money in 8 years.
Planning for retirement by age 65.
Assessing Income and Expenses
Your monthly income after tax is Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Monthly expenses are Rs. 2 lakhs, leaving you with Rs. 50,000 for savings and investments. Once the personal loan concludes in three months, you will have an additional Rs. 2 lakhs monthly for savings and investments.

Debt Management
First, prioritize managing your home loan. The personal loan will conclude soon, which is good. Continue paying your home loan EMIs on time. Consider prepaying part of the home loan if you receive bonuses or variable pay. This will reduce your interest burden.

Savings and Investments
To achieve your goals, you need a disciplined approach to savings and investments. Here's how you can plan:

Short-term Goal: Accumulating Rs. 5 Crores in 8 Years
Monthly Savings Required:

You need to save and invest a significant amount monthly.
With your additional Rs. 2 lakhs available after the personal loan conclusion, start saving Rs. 2.5 lakhs monthly.
Consider investing in mutual funds. Actively managed funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide better returns than direct funds.
SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) are a good way to invest consistently.
Investment Options:

Mutual Funds: Diversified equity funds, balanced funds, and debt funds can provide a balanced portfolio.
PPF: Continue investing in PPF. It offers tax benefits and secure returns.
Stocks: Continue holding company stocks. Monitor their performance and consult your CFP for advice.
Long-term Goal: Retirement Planning
Evaluate Retirement Needs:

Estimate your post-retirement expenses considering inflation.
Consider healthcare, lifestyle, and any other retirement goals.
Current Assets and Investments:

Your flats, land, and ancestral property are valuable assets.
Ensure they are well-maintained and consider rental income from flats if not already done.
Retirement Corpus:

Aim to build a retirement corpus that supports your post-retirement lifestyle.
Consult your CFP to estimate the required corpus.
Invest in Mutual Funds:

Long-term investments in mutual funds can help grow your retirement corpus.
Focus on equity funds for higher returns over a long period.
PPF and EPF:

Continue contributing to PPF.
If you have an EPF (Employees’ Provident Fund), continue your contributions.
Child's Education Planning
Your child’s education costs Rs. 2-3 lakhs per year. Consider creating a dedicated education fund.

Education Savings:

Allocate a part of your monthly savings towards this fund.
Consider child education plans or mutual funds specifically designed for education savings.
Invest in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY):

If you have a daughter, SSY offers attractive returns and tax benefits.
This can be a part of your education savings strategy.
Diversifying Investments
Diversification is key to managing risk and maximizing returns. Here's how you can diversify your portfolio:

Mutual Funds:

Invest in a mix of equity, debt, and balanced funds.
Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio with your CFP.
PPF and EPF:

Continue contributions for secure, long-term growth.
Company Stocks:

Hold and monitor their performance.
Consider selling a part if they appreciate significantly and reinvest in diversified funds.
Real Estate:

Your flats and land are valuable assets.
Consider rental income and long-term appreciation.
Building an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is crucial for financial security. Allocate a part of your savings to build a fund covering 6-12 months of expenses. This fund will help manage unexpected expenses without disturbing your investment goals.

Insurance Coverage
Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage. Here's what to consider:

Life Insurance:

Adequate coverage to support your family in your absence.
Term insurance is recommended for higher coverage at lower premiums.
Health Insurance:

Comprehensive health insurance for your family.
Consider a top-up plan for additional coverage.
Critical Illness and Disability Insurance:

Coverage for critical illnesses and disability.
This ensures financial support in case of severe health issues.
Monitoring and Reviewing Your Plan
Regularly monitor and review your financial plan. Here's how:

Quarterly Reviews:

Review your investments, expenses, and savings every quarter.
Make adjustments as needed.
Annual Reviews:

Conduct a detailed annual review with your CFP.
Assess your progress towards goals and make necessary changes.
Adjusting for Life Changes:

Adjust your plan for any major life changes, like job change, additional income, or change in expenses.
Maintaining Financial Discipline
Financial discipline is key to achieving your goals. Stick to your budget, avoid unnecessary expenses, and focus on your savings and investment plan. Here are some tips:

Automate Savings:

Automate your savings and investments.
This ensures consistency and reduces the temptation to spend.
Budgeting:

Maintain a monthly budget.
Track your expenses and identify areas to cut back.
Avoid Debt:

Avoid taking on new debt.
Focus on repaying existing loans and maintaining a debt-free lifestyle.
Final Insights
You have a solid foundation with a good income, valuable assets, and a disciplined approach to savings. Achieving Rs. 5 crores in liquid money in 8 years and planning for a comfortable retirement is possible with strategic planning and disciplined execution. Focus on prioritizing debt repayment, diversifying investments, and maintaining financial discipline. Regularly review and adjust your plan to stay on track towards your financial goals.

Start implementing these steps immediately. Track your progress, adjust your plan as needed, and stay committed. Financial freedom is achievable with determination and smart planning.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Hi. I am currently 32 years old male working in a government sector. My take home salary is 1 lakh monthly and it will increase approx. 5% every year (basic 3%, da twice increase min. 4,4%). My NPS (employee and employer) deductions at present is around 25000 every month and will increase when basic increases every year (assuming basic increases by 3% pa without considering future promotions for now). Apart from this I am investing 10k every month in the mutual funds (small, mid and large cap), 5k every month in sukanya sammridhi yojana for my daughters educational needs. Parked 2 lakh in stock market and current value is 4 lakh, 6 lakh in PF (current value inc. interest earned so far), have LIC policy paying rs. 7300 quarterly, have term insurance (increasing sum assured, upto 1 CR for 15 years) and seperate health insurance to cover my family health expenses apart from govt. CGHS. I am repaying some loans (worth 20000 per month) took in the past and all loans will be cleared by 2030 December. Now I want to plan for my retirement (my current household expenses 40 to 45k per month=grocery, clothing, house rent, other misc. Needs), my child education (child current age is 2), her weeding expenses (consider marriage at 25 age), planning to have one more child in a year. I have privilege to join my kids in Kendriya Vidyalaya, so till 12th education expenses you can consider min. I also want to buy a home at the age between 50 to 55 near to Bangalore to old Mysore road (consider approx. Amount for 2 bhk apartment not in city little outskirts like kengeri or little farther). Now please suggest me. How to plan for my retirement, child marriage and education, construction of home
Ans: I would suggest you to visit a SEBI Registered Investment Advisor and seek advice from them. The following link will help you to find the nearest Adviser for you.
https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebiweb/other/OtherAction.do?doRecognisedFpi=yes&intmId=13

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9255 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi I am an it professional. My annual ctc is 45 lacs. I have 26 lacs in epf, 24 lacs in equity, 1.1 lacs in gold soverign bond. I own a car and scooty. I have one flat in greater noida with 30 lacs as loan . My monthly expense is 70k. I also have paternal property worth 3cr which is in village from where currently i am getting nothing. My wife is home maker and i have 2 children(girl 9 years old, boy 4 years old) I want to retire after 5 years . How should i plan my investment
Ans: You have a diverse financial portfolio, which includes a high annual income, investments in EPF, equity, gold bonds, a car, a scooty, and a flat with a loan. Your monthly expenses are Rs. 70,000, and you also own a valuable paternal property. Your goal is to retire in 5 years. Let's discuss how you can plan your investments to achieve a secure retirement.

Evaluating Current Investments

1. Employee Provident Fund (EPF):
Your EPF balance of Rs. 26 lakhs is a stable and secure investment. It provides assured returns and tax benefits. Continue contributing to your EPF to build a strong retirement corpus. It will be a significant part of your retirement income.

2. Equity Investments:
Your Rs. 24 lakhs in equity indicate a good start towards wealth creation. Equity investments have the potential for high returns, especially over the long term. However, they come with market risks. To mitigate this, diversify your equity portfolio across various sectors and companies. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio with the help of a Certified Financial Planner.

3. Gold Sovereign Bonds:
You have Rs. 1.1 lakhs in gold sovereign bonds, which provide security and act as a hedge against inflation. It's good to have some exposure to gold, but don’t rely solely on it. Continue holding these bonds as part of your diversified portfolio.

4. Real Estate:
Your flat in Greater Noida, with a loan of Rs. 30 lakhs, is both an asset and a liability. Real estate can provide stability and potential appreciation, but it also ties up capital. Focus on paying off the loan efficiently to reduce interest burden and enhance equity in the property.

5. Paternal Property:
Your paternal property worth Rs. 3 crores is a significant asset. Although it currently generates no income, it has potential for future returns. Consider ways to monetize this property, such as leasing it out or developing it, to create an additional income stream.

Assessing Monthly Expenses

Your monthly expense of Rs. 70,000 includes household expenses, children's education, and lifestyle costs. As you plan for retirement, it's crucial to ensure that your post-retirement income can cover these expenses comfortably. Factoring in inflation is essential to maintain your standard of living.

Investment Planning for Retirement

1. Mutual Funds:
Mutual funds are excellent for long-term wealth creation. They offer diversification, professional management, and potential for high returns. Here’s how you can approach mutual fund investments:

a. Equity Mutual Funds:
Allocate a significant portion of your investments to equity mutual funds. These funds invest in stocks and have the potential for high returns. They are suitable for your moderate to high-risk appetite. Choose funds with a strong track record and diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.

b. Debt Mutual Funds:
Include debt mutual funds for stability and regular income. These funds invest in fixed-income securities and are less volatile than equity funds. They provide liquidity and help balance the risk in your portfolio. Opt for short-term and medium-term debt funds for better returns than traditional fixed deposits.

c. Hybrid Mutual Funds:
Hybrid funds offer a mix of equity and debt investments. They provide a balanced approach, combining growth potential and stability. These funds are suitable for investors nearing retirement, offering both capital appreciation and regular income.

Advantages of Mutual Funds:

Diversification: Mutual funds invest in a wide range of securities, reducing risk.

Professional Management: Fund managers have expertise in selecting and managing investments.

Liquidity: You can easily buy and sell mutual fund units, providing flexibility.

Power of Compounding: Reinvesting returns can significantly grow your investment over time.

2. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):
SIPs allow you to invest a fixed amount regularly in mutual funds. This disciplined approach helps in averaging the cost of investment and reduces market timing risks. Start a SIP with a comfortable amount and gradually increase it as your income grows. SIPs are ideal for building a substantial corpus over the long term.

3. Child Education Fund:
Plan for your children's higher education expenses. Create a dedicated education fund using a mix of equity and debt investments. This fund should grow over time to meet the future costs of education, ensuring your children have the best opportunities without financial stress.

4. Emergency Fund:
Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses. This fund provides a safety net for unexpected financial challenges, such as medical emergencies or job loss. Keep this fund in a liquid and easily accessible form, like a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

5. Life Insurance:
Ensure adequate life insurance coverage to protect your family in case of an unfortunate event. Term insurance is the most cost-effective option, providing a high sum assured at a low premium. Review your existing policies and enhance coverage if needed.

6. Health Insurance:
Having comprehensive health insurance is crucial to cover medical expenses without dipping into your savings. Opt for a family floater plan that covers your entire family. Review the coverage and enhance it if necessary, considering the rising healthcare costs.

7. Retirement Corpus Calculation:
Estimate the retirement corpus required to sustain your lifestyle post-retirement. Consider factors like inflation, life expectancy, and desired monthly income. A Certified Financial Planner can help you with accurate calculations and create a personalized retirement plan.

8. Reducing Debt:
Focus on reducing and eventually eliminating your home loan. This will free up your finances and reduce the interest burden. Prioritize debt repayment along with your investment goals.

9. Estate Planning:
Plan for the distribution of your assets to ensure your family's financial security. Create a will to specify how your assets should be distributed among your heirs. Consider setting up trusts if needed for managing and protecting your wealth.

Final Insights

Retirement planning requires a comprehensive and strategic approach. By diversifying your investments, reducing debt, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage, you can build a secure financial future. Here’s a summary of the key steps to take:

Continue contributing to your EPF for assured returns and tax benefits.

Diversify your equity investments to manage risk and maximize returns.

Hold on to your gold sovereign bonds as a hedge against inflation.

Pay off your home loan efficiently to reduce interest burden.

Explore ways to monetize your paternal property for additional income.

Invest in mutual funds, with a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds.

Start and increase SIPs for disciplined and regular investments.

Create a dedicated education fund for your children's future.

Maintain an emergency fund for unexpected financial challenges.

Ensure adequate life and health insurance coverage.

Estimate your retirement corpus and plan accordingly.

Focus on reducing and eliminating debt.

Plan your estate to secure your family's financial future.

By following these steps and regularly reviewing your financial plan with a Certified Financial Planner, you can achieve a comfortable and financially secure retirement. Your diverse portfolio and proactive approach will help you build a strong foundation for the future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 07, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir, Im 29 male,earning 75k post deductions, Im having 1.6Y baby,Ive term insurance and corporate health insurance. Ive set my goals as below Daughter education anount-(50-60 Lakhs) Considering the current fee structure assuming it would be this much Note:Amount mentioned for her whole education carrer. House purchase: It a long term goal I wanted to purchase own house. Not sure how much cost it would be in Bangalore after 10y.Kindly suggest how much one should save for the same. Retirement goal: For Retirement I would like to have a corpus of 2CR. Considering the above goals How can I achieve,Im doing investments as below 14K SIP Started from this year At present invested around 73K Direct stock value:65K SSY: 2K per month Emergency fund: Holding 6 month expenditure Liquid Amount 1L And I have a personal loan which will be completed by APR 2025. This is my current financial condition. Please suggest how can I achieve my Goals as per the current financial plan.
Ans: Hello;

I hope your term life cover is adequate (1.35-1.8Cr).
Apart from corporate health insurance it is always better to have personal health care cover as a precaution.

Glad to note that you reckoned these as important aspects of financial planning and mentioned about it upfront.

Now I recommend you the following:
Kid's higher education: 1 Cr (50-60L is less)
Retirement Corpus: 2 Cr
House: 1.75 Cr (Approx cost of 2 bhk flat in decent locality of Bengaluru 10 years hence)

Investments to fund these goals:
1. Kid's education:
Two investments will work in parallel to reach the goal.
12.5 K per month in SSY
10 K SIP in a aggressive hybrid mutual fund. Both these investments will yield corpus of around 46 L and 54 L in 15 years from now.(8% and 13% returns assumed respectively). So 1 Cr target achievable.

House: 14 K monthly sip will grow into a corpus of 35 L(=20% down payment for house worth 1.75 Cr; Balance through home loan)

Retirement corpus:
Start a monthly sip of 5 K flexicap mutual fund which will give corpus of 2.21 Cr, after 30 years.

Retirement corpus estimated on relatively lower side so request you to top it up as and when possible. Ofcourse you may have EPF which may complement it.

Do not dabble into direct stocks unless you have the knowledge and temperament to trade.

If you still want to do it earmark a fixed amount as your risk capital which you wouldn't mind even if it becomes zero and use it to deal in stocks, but strictly based on self knowledge and/or guidance from an investment advisor. Not based on TV and social media tips!!

6 month emergency fund provision in liquid funds is a good strategy.

Happy Investing!!

You may follow us on X at @mars_invest for updates.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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