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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - May 06, 2024Hindi
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I am 47 yrs and was a NRI since kast 3 yeats i am in India and currently iam not working. I have a corpus of around 50 l. Kindly advice where do i invest this amount so that i can have some monthly income out of it. Currently i am investing 10k PP flexi cap and 2k in SBI small cap. Kindly assist. .

Ans: It's great that you're proactively seeking advice on how to invest your corpus for regular monthly income. Let's dive into some recommendations:

• Firstly, congratulations on your corpus of 50 lakhs! That's a significant amount that can pave the way for financial stability.

• Since you're not currently working and seeking monthly income, it's essential to prioritize investments that offer steady returns.

• Given your age of 47 years, it's crucial to strike a balance between growth and stability in your investment portfolio.

• One option to consider is investing a portion of your corpus in fixed-income instruments like bonds, fixed deposits, or debt mutual funds.

• These instruments typically offer relatively stable returns and can provide you with a regular income stream to meet your monthly expenses.

• Additionally, you may want to diversify your portfolio by allocating some portion towards equity investments for potential capital appreciation over the long term.

• Equity mutual funds, particularly large-cap and balanced funds, can be suitable options for this purpose, as they offer a blend of growth potential and lower volatility compared to small and mid-cap funds.

• It's essential to assess your risk tolerance and investment horizon before making any decisions. Since you're seeking monthly income, opt for investment avenues with lower volatility and consistent returns.

• Don't forget to factor in inflation while planning your investments. It's essential to ensure that your returns outpace inflation to maintain your purchasing power over time.

• Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to develop a customized investment strategy tailored to your financial goals, risk profile, and income needs.

• A CFP can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate the complexities of investment planning, ensuring that your financial goals are met efficiently.

Remember, investing is a journey, and it's essential to stay committed to your financial goals while adapting to changing market conditions. With careful planning and prudent decision-making, you can build a robust investment portfolio that provides you with the desired monthly income and long-term financial security.
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 May 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 28, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, Good Evening!! I have a corpus of around 18 Lacs. I am around 49Years of age having a contractual job having monthly salary of 40 Thousand. Please suggest how and where to invest this amount(%-Stocks/Mutual Fund etc.) to have safe and good returns to have a good financial stability in future.
Ans: With your corpus and income, you're in a good position to plan for your financial future. Here are some suggestions tailored to your situation:

Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months' worth of expenses in a liquid savings account or a short-term fixed deposit. This will provide you with financial security in case of unexpected expenses or loss of income.
Debt Repayment: If you have any high-interest debt, consider using a portion of your corpus to repay it. Paying off debt can provide a guaranteed return by reducing interest expenses.
Retirement Planning: As you're nearing retirement age, prioritize building a retirement corpus. Consider investing in a mix of equity and debt mutual funds based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. A Certified Financial Planner can help you determine the appropriate asset allocation.
Asset Allocation: Given your age and risk profile, consider a conservative asset allocation with a higher allocation to debt instruments such as fixed deposits, bonds, and debt mutual funds. You can allocate a smaller portion to equity mutual funds for potential growth.
Diversification: Diversify your investments across different asset classes, sectors, and geographies to reduce risk. Avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.
Regular Review: Periodically review your investment portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and changing market conditions. Rebalance your portfolio if necessary.
Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who can provide personalized advice based on your financial situation and goals. They can help you create a comprehensive financial plan and make informed investment decisions.
By following these strategies and seeking professional guidance, you can work towards achieving financial stability and security for the future. Remember to invest patiently and stay focused on your long-term goals.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 17, 2024

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My monthly in hand salary is 66820, I have to spend around 38K per month, so how to invest the remaining amount, so that I have the corpus of 1.6cr - 2 Cr Cr, when I am 50?, I am now 33 year old.
Ans: Assessing Your Financial Goals
You want to build a corpus of Rs. 1.6 to 2 crore by age 50. At 33, you have 17 years to achieve this goal. Your monthly in-hand salary is Rs. 66,820, and you spend around Rs. 38,000 per month. This leaves you with Rs. 28,820 for investments. Let’s plan a strategy to help you achieve your target.

Monthly Savings Allocation
With Rs. 28,820 available monthly, consider diversifying your investments. Diversification helps in balancing risk and returns. Here’s a suggested allocation:

Equity Mutual Funds:
Invest in equity mutual funds for long-term growth. Equity funds have the potential for high returns, which can help in reaching your target corpus.

Debt Mutual Funds:
Allocate a portion to debt mutual funds for stability. These funds are less volatile and provide steady returns. They balance the risk of equity investments.

Public Provident Fund (PPF):
Consider PPF for tax-free returns and safety. It’s a long-term investment with a lock-in period, aligning well with your 17-year horizon.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds involve professional fund managers making investment decisions. They aim to outperform the market. Here are some benefits:

Professional Expertise:
Fund managers use their expertise to select stocks, aiming for higher returns.

Flexibility:
Actively managed funds can adjust portfolios based on market conditions.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct funds might seem attractive due to lower expense ratios. However, investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) offers several advantages:

Expert Guidance:
A CFP provides personalized advice based on your financial goals.

Regular Monitoring:
They monitor your investments and make adjustments as needed.

Peace of Mind:
Having a professional manage your investments reduces the stress of decision-making.

Investing Through a CFP
Investing through a CFP ensures a comprehensive approach. They consider all aspects of your financial life:

Risk Tolerance:
They assess your risk appetite and recommend suitable investments.

Tax Efficiency:
They help optimize your investments for tax benefits.

Goal-Based Planning:
Your investments are aligned with your financial goals.

Suggested Investment Plan
To achieve your target corpus, here’s a suggested investment plan:

Equity Mutual Funds:
Allocate 60% to equity mutual funds. These funds offer high growth potential.

Debt Mutual Funds:
Allocate 20% to debt mutual funds. These funds provide stability and regular returns.

PPF:
Allocate 20% to PPF. This ensures safety and tax-free returns.

Regular Review and Adjustments
Review your portfolio regularly. Market conditions change, and your portfolio should adapt. A CFP can help with this:

Performance Review:
Check the performance of your funds annually.

Rebalancing:
Adjust your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation.

Final Insights
Achieving a corpus of Rs. 1.6 to 2 crore by 50 is attainable with disciplined investing. Diversify your investments across equity, debt, and PPF. Invest through a CFP for expert guidance and regular monitoring. Stay committed to your investment plan and review it regularly. This approach will help you reach your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 27, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi, Im 49 years and have opted for retirement. Will be returning to India by Dec 2024. Currently have 7.5 Cr invested in NRE FD's which i dont intend renewing post Apr 2025. Please suggest where i should invest this corpus . I am looking at a monthly income of 4.5 lakhs post tax
Ans: To meet your Rs 4.5 lakh monthly income requirement, it’s essential to optimise your current corpus. A combination of investments with stable returns and moderate growth potential can provide this.

Required Monthly Income Post-Tax: At Rs 4.5 lakh per month, your annual need is Rs 54 lakh post-tax.

NRE Fixed Deposits Maturity Consideration: Since you don’t intend to renew your NRE FDs, exploring alternatives will ensure efficient tax management and long-term income.

Investing in Debt-Oriented Instruments for Stability

Debt-oriented instruments offer predictable returns and can help stabilise your portfolio.

Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS): Given your age, SCSS can offer high fixed interest rates. The scheme has a five-year lock-in, making it suitable for a long-term income goal.

Corporate Bonds and Government Bonds: Investment-grade corporate bonds or government bonds offer decent returns with relatively low risk. However, choose high-credit-rated bonds for lower volatility.

Debt Mutual Funds: Debt funds are tax-efficient, especially in the long term. By holding investments for over three years, you can benefit from long-term capital gains with indexation benefits.

Balancing Income and Growth through Hybrid Mutual Funds

A combination of stability and growth helps offset inflation and maintain purchasing power. Hybrid mutual funds are ideal here.

Balanced Hybrid Funds: These funds balance equity and debt, providing moderate growth and stability. Income generation and capital appreciation ensure both income and growth needs.

Equity Savings Funds: These funds have limited equity exposure and focus on debt. The equity component brings slight growth potential, while the debt provides stability.

Tax-Efficient Monthly Income from SWP in Mutual Funds

Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) allow tax-efficient withdrawals. This strategy provides a monthly income while managing tax exposure effectively.

Using SWP from Equity-Oriented Funds: Equity mutual funds held for over a year are subject to lower long-term capital gains tax. An SWP allows regular income with reduced tax liability compared to traditional interest-bearing instruments.

Choosing Growth Option over Dividend: Opt for growth funds and SWP over dividend options to control the timing and tax impact of each withdrawal.

Incorporating Equity Exposure for Inflation Beating Returns

Equity investments add growth potential and counter inflation over time. A 20-30% allocation in equity-focused investments balances risk and returns.

Actively Managed Equity Funds: Actively managed funds offer the potential for growth and outperformance. These funds can be adjusted based on market trends and portfolio requirements.

Flexi-Cap and Large-Cap Funds: Focus on Flexi-Cap and Large-Cap funds with a moderate risk level. Flexi-Cap funds adapt to changing market conditions, while large-cap funds provide stability with blue-chip stocks.

Ensuring Emergency Fund and Health Coverage

Before finalising your investment, securing an emergency fund and medical insurance is vital.

Emergency Fund for Liquidity Needs: Set aside 6-12 months of expenses in a liquid, risk-free account. This fund helps manage unexpected expenses without affecting long-term investments.

Health Insurance for Medical Security: Ensure comprehensive health coverage to avoid out-of-pocket expenses. It’s crucial as you move into retirement without employer-sponsored coverage.

Tax Planning and Efficient Withdrawals

Tax-efficient planning is essential to maintain post-tax income at Rs 4.5 lakh monthly. Regularly reviewing the tax impact of each withdrawal helps meet your income target.

Capital Gains on Equity and Debt Funds: Keep your equity mutual fund withdrawals under Rs 1.25 lakh annually to stay in the 12.5% LTCG bracket. For debt funds, withdrawals are taxed as per your income slab.

Optimising SWP for Tax Efficiency: Withdraw smaller amounts consistently to benefit from lower tax liabilities. An SWP with a higher initial corpus but lower withdrawal rate balances tax efficiency and income.

Monitoring and Reviewing Investments Regularly

Periodic reviews help optimise portfolio returns and manage risk as your retirement progresses.

Annual Portfolio Review: Adjust your portfolio annually based on income needs, market trends, and any changes in tax laws. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can provide valuable insights for these adjustments.

Evaluating Income against Inflation: Income needs may increase over time due to inflation. Consider small increments in equity allocation to preserve purchasing power.

Final Insights

Crafting a retirement income strategy requires balancing stability, growth, and tax efficiency. By optimising each investment type and using tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, you can achieve your monthly income target while maintaining capital.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

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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