Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 04, 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 25, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hi Sir, I am 53, volunteerly retired from pvt firm. I am doing NPS.. looking for pension in my 60 th year. I have invested in MF and Stocks and they are doing well and earning in the range of 12-18%. My NPS is doing arround 10-11%. I am looking my retirement monthly income arround Rs.50,000. Right now I have 10 lakhs in the NPS. What measures should I take to achieve my NPS income. I have no regular income but I can invest lump sum to achieve this Target if so How. Two way I can make lumpsum is by selling the plot worth 30 lakhs and shifting my MF/Stock amount to NPS account..Advise.

Ans: As you approach retirement at 53 with the goal of securing a monthly income of Rs. 50,000, it's essential to craft a robust financial plan that leverages your current assets and optimizes your investments for long-term stability and growth. Here’s a detailed strategy to help you achieve your retirement income target.

Assessing Your Current Financial Landscape
Existing Assets
National Pension System (NPS): Currently holding Rs. 10 lakhs, with an average return of 10-11% annually.
Mutual Funds (MFs) and Stocks: Investments performing well, yielding between 12-18% returns.
Real Estate: A plot valued at Rs. 30 lakhs, which you are considering selling to enhance your retirement funds.
Retirement Income Goal
Monthly Income Objective: Rs. 50,000
Retirement Income Planning
Optimizing National Pension System (NPS)
Enhancing Returns

To meet your income target effectively through NPS:

Increase Contributions: Boost your monthly contributions to NPS. Given the opportunity to invest a lump sum from the plot sale, this can significantly augment your NPS corpus.

Asset Allocation Strategy: Diversify NPS investments across equity, corporate bonds, and government securities. This diversified approach balances risk while aiming for growth in retirement funds.

Utilizing Lump Sum Funds
Strategic Investment

Proceeds from Plot Sale: Selling the plot and reinvesting in NPS can accelerate your retirement savings trajectory. This infusion allows for faster accumulation towards your income goal.

Tax Optimization: Evaluate tax implications and utilize NPS tax benefits to maximize retirement savings from the plot sale proceeds.

Leveraging Mutual Funds and Stocks
Asset Management

Portfolio Review: Evaluate MF and stock holdings. Consider reallocating a portion into NPS to align with retirement income objectives and diversify risk effectively.

Risk Mitigation: Maintain a balanced risk profile with continuous monitoring of MFs and stocks. Ensure these investments contribute positively towards your retirement income target amidst market fluctuations.

Long-Term Financial Security
Planning for Future Needs

Inflation Protection: Incorporate inflation adjustments to preserve retirement income purchasing power. NPS’s market-linked returns can help hedge against inflation risks over the long term.

Emergency Fund: Maintain a liquid emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses. This safety net ensures financial resilience during unexpected events, safeguarding retirement plans.

Final Insights
Achieving a sustainable retirement income of Rs. 50,000 requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates income generation, risk management, and strategic asset allocation. By maximizing NPS contributions, utilizing proceeds from the plot sale to bolster NPS investments, and maintaining a diversified portfolio across NPS, MFs, and stocks, you can effectively work towards your retirement income target with confidence.

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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 2024

Listen
Money
Hi Sir, This is Murugan, from Chennai, working for an IT company. I have started to invest in NPS for the past 7 months (4216?, 10% of my basic salary) for my retirement plan. My take-home salary is ?60,000 (after NPS deduction). I don't have a debit. I would like to invest ?20,000 for my future and also for my child's (4-year-old) education purposes (long-term plan). Please suggest any ideas to achieve my goal. Thanks, Murugan.
Ans: It's great that you've started investing in NPS for your retirement. To achieve your goal of investing ?20,000 for both your future and your child's education, consider the following suggestions:

SIP in Mutual Funds:
Allocate a portion of ?20,000 towards SIPs in mutual funds. Opt for diversified equity funds for long-term growth potential.
Choose funds based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Child Education Fund:
Create a separate fund or invest in child education-specific mutual funds or SIPs for your child's education.
Start a recurring deposit or systematic investment plan (SIP) to accumulate the desired amount by the time your child starts higher education.
Emergency Fund:
Set aside a portion of your monthly income for an emergency fund, aiming to accumulate 3-6 months' worth of expenses.
Consider a liquid or short-term debt fund for this purpose.
Insurance:
Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance coverage for yourself and your family to protect against unforeseen events.
Review & Adjust:
Periodically review your investments to track performance and make necessary adjustments.
Increase your investments gradually as your income grows.
Remember to maintain a balanced approach between equity and debt investments based on your risk tolerance. Consult a financial advisor to create a personalized investment plan tailored to your financial goals and situation.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

Listen
Money
I am 61 years retired person, majority of retirement funds invested in FDs and have MF investment in few funds. Iam getting pension required for maintenance as of now. Parakh Parikh Flexi Fund (Balance Rs.3 lakh with monthly SIP of Rs 2500/-, other than this, I have SBIMF Small Cap Rs.5 lakh, SBI Bluechip 3.50 lakh, Sundaram Midcap 2 lakh, Nipon India Largecap Rs. 2 lakh, ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Rs. 2 lakh, Bandhan Infrastructure Rs. 2 lakh. Contrubuting Rs. 50,000/- pa in NPS for tax purpose. Please guide
Ans: That's a great question, sir! You've made smart choices by investing in FDs for safety and some MFs for growth. Here's a breakdown of your portfolio and some suggestions:

Current Portfolio Mix:

Large Focus: A significant portion is in large-cap funds (SBI Bluechip, Nippon India Largecap) offering stability but potentially lower growth.

Small & Mid-Cap Exposure: You have exposure to small-cap (SBI Small Cap) and mid-cap funds (Sundaram Midcap) which can offer higher growth potential but also come with higher risk.

Infrastructure Focus: Investments in ICICI Prudential Infrastructure and Bandhan Infrastructure provide exposure to a specific sector.

Flexi-Cap Fund: Parag Parikh Flexi Cap offers diversification across market capitalizations.

Potential for Improvement:

Review Asset Allocation: Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to assess your risk tolerance and adjust your asset allocation (mix of investments) if needed. They can help ensure a balance between stability (debt) and growth (equity).

Sector Concentration: Consider reducing your exposure to the infrastructure sector if a large part of your portfolio is already there. Diversification helps manage risk.

Review Fund Performance: Review the performance of your existing funds. A CFP can help analyze their performance and suggest replacements if necessary.

Benefits of a CFP:

Personalized Plan: A CFP can create a personalized investment plan considering your retirement goals, risk tolerance, and existing investments.

Ongoing Monitoring: They can monitor your portfolio and recommend adjustments as your needs evolve.

Your NPS contribution is commendable! It provides tax benefits and some retirement income.

Remember:

Risk Tolerance: As a retiree, your risk tolerance might be lower. A CFP can help adjust your portfolio accordingly.

Regular Review: Review your portfolio (at least annually) with a CFP to ensure it remains aligned with your goals.

By consulting a CFP, you can potentially optimize your portfolio for stability, growth, and income needs during your retirement!

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 01, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir I have NPS 25 Lakhs EPF 23 Lakhs. I will get Gratuity 12 lakhs and Leave encashment 15 lakhs. No FD No PPF no mutual fund. I need atleast 60 k pension. I will be retiring on 2026. How to manage this ?
Ans: You’re planning to retire in 2026 and need Rs. 60,000 monthly as a pension. Let's assess your situation and build a robust retirement strategy.

Current Financial Standing
NPS (National Pension System): Rs. 25 lakhs

EPF (Employees' Provident Fund): Rs. 23 lakhs

Gratuity: Rs. 12 lakhs

Leave Encashment: Rs. 15 lakhs

These assets are solid building blocks for your retirement. However, you have no Fixed Deposits, PPF, or mutual funds, which limits your portfolio’s diversity. Let’s explore how to efficiently utilize these funds to meet your pension needs.

Assessing Your Pension Requirement
You aim for a Rs. 60,000 monthly pension post-retirement. This amount should cover your living expenses, healthcare, and any other financial commitments you might have. Considering inflation, this pension needs to last for at least 20-25 years or more.

Structuring Your Retirement Portfolio
Diversification is crucial to managing risk and ensuring stable returns. Here’s how you can structure your portfolio:

1. NPS and EPF Utilization
NPS Corpus: At retirement, you can withdraw up to 60% of the NPS corpus as a lump sum and the remaining 40% must be used to purchase an annuity.

EPF Corpus: You can withdraw the entire EPF corpus as a lump sum at retirement. This corpus can act as your base for creating a stable income stream.

2. Gratuity and Leave Encashment Deployment
Your gratuity and leave encashment together amount to Rs. 27 lakhs. These can be strategically invested in instruments that offer both growth and stability.

3. Invest in Monthly Income Plans (MIPs)
MIPs are mutual funds designed to provide regular monthly income. You can allocate a portion of your gratuity and leave encashment towards these. MIPs usually have a balanced mix of equity and debt, offering both growth and periodic payouts.

4. Create a Fixed Income Stream
Consider investing in Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) or Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) once you retire. These instruments provide regular monthly income with relatively lower risk.

Managing the Inflation Impact
Inflation will erode the purchasing power of your Rs. 60,000 pension over time. To combat this, you need to ensure that a portion of your investments is in growth-oriented assets.

1. Balanced Mutual Funds
Balanced mutual funds offer a mix of equity and debt, providing growth potential while managing risk. They can help you beat inflation over the long term. Consider systematic withdrawals from these funds to supplement your pension.

2. Step-Up SIPs for Growth
If you start investing now in equity mutual funds through SIPs, you can accumulate a corpus that will help increase your pension in later years. Step-up SIPs, where you increase your investment amount annually, can be particularly beneficial.

3. Dynamic Asset Allocation
Adopt a dynamic asset allocation strategy. This involves shifting between equity and debt based on market conditions and your financial goals. It helps in optimizing returns while managing risks.

Emergency Fund Maintenance
Retirement can bring unexpected expenses. Ensure you have an emergency fund equivalent to at least 6-12 months of living expenses. This should be kept in liquid assets like a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

Health Insurance Planning
Health expenses can be a major financial burden post-retirement. Ensure that you have adequate health insurance coverage. Since you’ll be retiring soon, check if you can increase your health cover. Additionally, you can consider a super top-up plan for added coverage.

Estate Planning and Nomination
It’s essential to have a clear estate plan to ensure your assets are transferred smoothly to your beneficiaries. Nominate your family members on all financial instruments and consider writing a will.

Regular Review and Monitoring
Retirement planning is not a one-time task. Regularly review your portfolio and financial plan to ensure it’s on track to meet your goals. Adjust your investments based on market conditions and life changes.

Best Practices for a Secure Retirement
Start Early: The sooner you begin investing, the more time your money has to grow.

Diversify: Don’t rely on a single investment type. Diversification reduces risk.

Stay Informed: Keep up with changes in financial regulations, tax benefits, and market trends.

Managing Debt and Expenses
You didn’t mention any current debts, which is positive. However, ensure that you don’t take on new loans close to retirement. Plan your expenses meticulously, focusing on essential spending.

Balancing Risk and Returns
As you approach retirement, it’s wise to gradually shift from high-risk investments to more stable ones. However, don’t avoid equities entirely, as they help in combating inflation.

Finally
You’re on the right track with your NPS, EPF, and other savings. To achieve a Rs. 60,000 monthly pension, diversify your investments and focus on both income generation and growth. Regularly review your financial plan and stay informed about market trends.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 01, 2025Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 30 male. Working in Mumbai in BFSI sector. My in hand salary is 67k. Looking to start investement for retirement. Please suggest if NPS would be good option. If there is any fund which is similar to NPS can suggest as well. Looking to start with 10k as beginning. Also please suggest if the NPS in tier 1 can help in tax saving as well.
Ans: Your decision to start investing early for retirement is excellent. At 30, you have time to build a strong corpus.

Let’s assess if NPS is a good choice.

Understanding NPS for Retirement
NPS is a government-backed retirement scheme.
It invests in equity, corporate bonds, and government securities.
You can choose an active or auto allocation strategy.
Tier 1 NPS is locked until retirement.
60% of maturity value is tax-free. The rest must be used for an annuity.
Tax Benefits of NPS
Contributions under Section 80CCD(1) are part of Rs. 1.5 lakh limit.
Extra Rs. 50,000 deduction is available under Section 80CCD(1B).
Employer contribution is tax-free under Section 80CCD(2).
Annuity payouts after retirement are taxable.
Limitations of NPS
NPS has restrictions on withdrawals before retirement.
Equity exposure is capped at 75%, reducing long-term growth potential.
Returns depend on market conditions and fund manager performance.
40% mandatory annuity purchase reduces liquidity at retirement.
Alternative Investment Options
Mutual funds offer better flexibility and growth potential.
Actively managed equity funds outperform index-based options.
Midcap and flexi-cap funds provide long-term capital appreciation.
Hybrid funds balance risk and return for stability.
Portfolio Strategy for Retirement
A mix of equity and debt ensures a stable corpus.
Invest through SIPs to reduce market timing risks.
Increase allocation as income grows.
Keep a mix of large, mid, and small-cap funds.
Avoid over-reliance on any single investment product.
Final Insights
NPS is good for disciplined retirement savings.
Tax benefits are attractive, but liquidity is limited.
Mutual funds offer better long-term growth and flexibility.
A combination of both can work well for retirement planning.
Increase investment gradually as salary increases.


Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1746 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x