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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 2023

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
Rajshekhar Question by Rajshekhar on Apr 04, 2023Hindi
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I am 48..wants to invest 50 lacs out of which I want 25000 as fixed monthly income and other to invest for 10 years or more..

Ans: Pls, use a combination of equity funds and debt funds. From debt funds, do SWP for monthly income.
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 48..i want to invest 50 lacs in total out of which I want Rs.25000 as fixed monthly income and remaining amount I wish to invest for 5 years+.. please suggest.regards
Ans: Dear Rajshekhar,

Thank you for reaching out for financial advice. Based on your requirements, I suggest the following investment strategy to achieve a fixed monthly income of Rs. 25,000 and invest the remaining amount for 5 years or more.

Fixed monthly income:
To achieve a fixed monthly income of Rs. 25,000, you can consider investing in a combination of fixed deposits, post office monthly income schemes, or debt mutual funds with a dividend payout option.
For instance, if you invest Rs. 30 lakhs in a fixed deposit or a post office monthly income scheme with an annual interest rate of around 6%, you can generate a monthly income of approximately Rs. 25,000. However, please note that the interest rates might vary depending on the bank, post office, or financial institution you choose. Do consider taxes and inflation while making these investments.

Investment for 5 years+:
For the remaining Rs. 20 lakhs, you can consider a mix of equity and debt mutual funds. A balanced or hybrid mutual fund, which invests in both equity and debt securities, can be a good option for a 5-year investment horizon. This diversified approach can help in achieving moderate returns with lower risk exposure.
You can also explore other investment options such as National Pension System (NPS) or tax-saving fixed deposits if you're looking to save for your retirement or avail tax benefits.

Please note that this is general advice, and I would recommend consulting with a certified financial planner or advisor for a personalized investment plan based on your risk tolerance, financial goals, and specific circumstances.

I hope this helps you in achieving your financial objectives.

..Read more

Hardik

Hardik Parikh  | Answer  |Ask -

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 40 years old and have a balance of 30 lakhs in my savings account and ned guidance on investment with good returns both long term and short term
Ans: You are 40 years old, with Rs 30 lakhs saved. That’s a great start.

First, note your short-term goals like a holiday, buying a vehicle, or home upgrades.

Then, identify long-term goals like children’s higher education, retirement, or major expenses.

Short-term goals are for the next 1 to 3 years.

Long-term goals are those beyond 5 years.

Also, decide how much risk you are okay with.

High risk can give high returns, but also big losses.

Low risk gives lower returns, but safer.

Note your family responsibilities. They must come first.

Once you know your goals and risk, you can plan your money.

Building an Emergency Fund
Before investing, create an emergency fund.

This is for job loss, medical emergency, or sudden expenses.

Keep 6 to 12 months of expenses aside.

For example, if your expenses are Rs 50,000 per month, keep Rs 3 to 6 lakhs as a buffer.

This fund must be easy to take out in a hurry.

Put it in a savings account or a liquid mutual fund.

This fund helps you avoid taking loans in emergencies.

It keeps your family safe and secure.

Don’t invest this money in high-risk options.

Treat it as safety money, not for making more money.

Diversifying Your Investments
Don’t keep all Rs 30 lakhs in one type of investment.

If you put everything in one, and it does badly, you lose a lot.

Put some money in equity mutual funds for high returns.

Some in debt mutual funds for safety and stable returns.

Some in gold funds for protection from inflation.

Diversification spreads your risk.

It also helps you grow wealth in a balanced way.

Short-Term Investment Options (1-3 Years)
For short-term goals, don’t go for high risk.

Keep money in debt mutual funds.

They are better than just a savings account.

Debt mutual funds can give higher returns than a bank FD.

Another choice is a fixed deposit in a trusted bank.

They are safe and give fixed interest.

Don’t try risky options like forex or crypto for short-term.

Such options can wipe out your money.

Long-Term Investment Strategies (5+ Years)
For long-term goals, equity mutual funds are good.

Equity mutual funds have high growth potential.

But they go up and down in short term.

That’s why they are good only if you stay invested for long.

Start a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) in equity mutual funds.

SIP is like investing bit by bit every month.

SIP also makes you disciplined and removes market timing worries.

Over years, you can see your money grow.

Equity mutual funds are managed by experts.

Experts decide where to put your money for best growth.

Don’t stop SIPs if the market falls. Keep investing.

Long-term investing in equity funds can beat inflation.

Why Not Index Funds or ETFs?
Many people suggest index funds and ETFs.

But index funds follow the index and can’t change when needed.

They just copy the index and don’t try to do better.

Actively managed equity mutual funds have fund managers.

Fund managers can move money around if needed.

They can also avoid bad sectors.

This flexibility can give better returns.

Index funds are cheap but lack active handling.

That’s why actively managed funds are better for long term.

Regular Funds vs Direct Funds
Many people buy direct funds to save commission.

But direct funds are tricky to handle alone.

They don’t give guidance or service.

A regular mutual fund through a CFP gives you support.

A CFP helps you choose best funds for your goals.

CFP can also help you review and change when needed.

Direct funds can leave you confused in tough markets.

Regular funds with a CFP give peace of mind and better results.

Retirement Planning
Retirement can be 15-20 years away for you.

But start planning now.

The more years you have, the better.

Set a retirement goal in rupees.

Then start investing for that goal.

Equity mutual funds can help create a large retirement corpus.

Keep reviewing your retirement plan every year.

Add more money if you can.

Make sure your retirement life is peaceful.

Tax Planning
Taxes can reduce your returns if you don’t plan.

Use Section 80C to save tax. You can put up to Rs 1.5 lakhs there.

ELSS mutual funds come under 80C.

ELSS also give good returns in long term.

Know that equity mutual funds have a new tax rule.

If you sell them after 1 year, LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

If you sell them within 1 year, STCG is taxed at 20%.

For debt mutual funds, any gain is taxed at your income slab.

Plan your investments to pay less tax.

Keep paperwork ready to avoid tax confusion later.

Regular Portfolio Review
Don’t just invest and forget.

Look at your investments every 6 months.

Are they working for your goals?

Are any changes needed?

A CFP can help you see if your funds are good.

If some funds are not working, move to better ones.

Review is important to stay on track.

Life changes like a new child or job can affect your plan.

Review helps adjust your plan to your life.

Insurance Cover
Insurance is protection, not investment.

Check if you have enough life insurance.

Term insurance is best. It’s pure protection.

Also, check your health insurance.

Medical costs are going up fast.

Health insurance keeps your family safe.

Don’t mix insurance with investment.

Avoid ULIPs and endowment plans. They give poor returns.

If you already have them, think of surrendering and moving money to mutual funds.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Don’t let friends or family push you to invest in what they like.

Don’t get greedy with crypto, forex, or quick money ideas.

Such things can wipe out your savings.

Don’t try to time the market.

Stay steady with SIPs and long-term funds.

Keep some money in safe places for peace of mind.

Don’t ignore small expenses; they add up.

Setting Up a Monthly Investment Habit
After keeping an emergency fund, decide how much to invest each month.

SIPs are best for this. Start with what you can easily spare.

As your income grows, increase SIPs.

Monthly investing is better than putting big amounts once.

It makes you disciplined and lowers risk.

Benefits of Working with a CFP
A CFP gives you a full plan for your money.

They check your goals, income, and risk.

They suggest the right funds for you.

They help you with paperwork and taxes too.

A CFP also helps you stay calm when markets go up or down.

Their help keeps you away from bad choices.

You also get regular check-ins and updates.

This way, you reach your goals step by step.

Finally
You have Rs 30 lakhs ready, which is a strong start.

Build an emergency fund first for safety.

Put money in equity mutual funds for long-term goals.

Use debt funds or FDs for short-term needs.

Keep insurance in place for safety.

Avoid direct funds if you are not sure.

Work with a CFP for advice and service.

Review your plan often to stay on track.

Avoid quick rich schemes like crypto or forex trading.

Keep goals clear and steady.

Your financial future can be secure and bright if you stay focused.

Stay disciplined, be patient, and let your money grow.

If you have questions, a CFP can help clear them.

Keep working on your plan, step by step.

Your money can give you peace and freedom if you use it wisely.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

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

» Your Current Position

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

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

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

» Your Family Goals

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

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

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

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

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

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

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

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

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

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

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

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

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

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

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

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

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

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

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

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

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

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

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

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

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

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

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

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

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

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

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

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

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

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

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

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

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

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

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

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

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

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

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

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

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

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

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

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

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

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

» Your Emergency Buffer

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

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

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

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

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

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

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

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

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

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

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

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

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

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

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

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

How to build it:

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

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

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

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

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

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

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

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

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

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

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

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

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

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

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

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

7. Build the Habit First

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

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

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

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

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