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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Jul 31, 2023

Colonel Sanjeev Govila (retd) is the founder of Hum Fauji Initiatives, a financial planning company dedicated to the armed forces personnel and their families.
He has over 12 years of experience in financial planning and is a SEBI certified registered investment advisor; he is also accredited with AMFI and IRDA.... more
Matta Question by Matta on Jul 23, 2023Hindi
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Money

Sir, I am of 75 years. we are in small business, know that is also closed from 1/1/23 we are invest in soverin gold bonds 8 lks, let us continue, or invest stock market..

Ans: Age is not a criteria to invest or not invest in stock markets. What matters more is your risk appetite, ability to withstand erratic movements of the market, invest for the long term of generally 7+ years (minimum 5 years) and keep your emotions under control. If you can do all this, a growth asset class like equity markets is good at any age.
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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Asked by Anonymous - May 25, 2024Hindi
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Sir i am 52 years .Now my salary is 1 lakh .i want to purchase gold 6 lakh or invest in mutual fund or FD in sbi pl guide
Ans: Assessing Your Financial Goals and Current Situation
At the age of 52, planning for financial security is crucial. Your current salary of Rs 1 lakh per month is substantial. Your goal to invest Rs 6 lakh wisely is commendable. Let’s explore the options of purchasing gold, investing in mutual funds, and opting for a fixed deposit (FD) with SBI. Each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. I will guide you through these to help you make an informed decision.

Purchasing Gold
Gold is traditionally considered a safe investment. It acts as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.

Advantages:

Inflation Hedge: Gold often retains value even when inflation rises.

Liquidity: Gold can be easily sold in the market whenever needed.

Tangible Asset: Holding physical gold provides a sense of security.

Disadvantages:

No Regular Income: Gold does not provide interest or dividends.

Storage and Security: Keeping physical gold requires safe storage.

Price Volatility: Gold prices can be volatile and may not always increase.

Purchasing gold can be part of a diversified portfolio, but relying solely on gold may not be the best strategy for growth.

Investing in Mutual Funds
Mutual funds pool money from many investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. They are managed by professional fund managers.

Advantages:

Professional Management: Certified Financial Planners manage funds, making informed decisions.

Diversification: Mutual funds invest in a variety of assets, reducing risk.

Potential for High Returns: Equity mutual funds have historically provided higher returns than gold or FDs.

Liquidity: Mutual funds can be easily bought or sold.

Disadvantages:

Market Risk: Mutual fund returns are subject to market fluctuations.

Management Fees: There are costs associated with fund management.

No Guaranteed Returns: Unlike FDs, mutual funds do not guarantee returns.

Given your age, consider balanced or hybrid mutual funds. These funds invest in both equities and debt, providing a balance of risk and return.

Fixed Deposit (FD) in SBI
Fixed Deposits (FDs) are a popular investment option for risk-averse investors. SBI offers competitive interest rates on FDs.

Advantages:

Safety: FDs are considered one of the safest investment options.

Guaranteed Returns: The interest rate is fixed and guaranteed.

Predictable Income: FDs provide regular interest payouts.

Disadvantages:

Lower Returns: FD returns are generally lower compared to mutual funds.

Inflation Impact: Returns may not always beat inflation.

Premature Withdrawal Penalty: Withdrawing funds before maturity can attract penalties.

FDs are suitable for conservative investors who prioritize capital protection over high returns.

Evaluating Your Risk Tolerance
Your risk tolerance is a key factor in deciding where to invest. At 52, you may want a mix of safety and growth.

High Risk Tolerance:

Consider Equity Mutual Funds: They offer higher returns but come with higher risk.
Moderate Risk Tolerance:

Balanced Mutual Funds: A mix of equities and debt for moderate returns with balanced risk.
Low Risk Tolerance:

Fixed Deposits and Gold: These provide safety and steady returns but with lower growth potential.
Recommendations
Based on the above analysis, here are my recommendations for you:

Primary Recommendation: Invest in Mutual Funds

Balanced Mutual Funds: These funds offer a good mix of safety and growth.

Professional Management: Managed by Certified Financial Planners, ensuring informed decisions.

Diversification: Reduces risk by spreading investments across various assets.

Secondary Recommendation: Fixed Deposits for Safety

Allocate a Portion to FDs: Ensure safety and guaranteed returns for a part of your investment.
Tertiary Recommendation: Small Allocation to Gold

Hedge Against Inflation: A small portion in gold can protect against inflation and currency risks.
Conclusion
Investing Rs 6 lakh requires careful consideration of your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Mutual funds, especially balanced ones, offer a good blend of growth and safety. FDs can provide guaranteed returns and capital protection. A small allocation to gold can hedge against inflation. This diversified approach will help secure your financial future while providing potential for growth.

Thank you for seeking my guidance. I appreciate your thoughtful approach to planning for your future. Feel free to reach out for further personalized advice.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 21, 2024

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I am 30 having one sip 55k per month paragh parik direct growth started this from last one year and have gold bonds of 100 gms when i can get financial independence
Ans: You are in a good place with your investment strategy. Investing Rs 55,000 per month in SIPs and holding 100 grams of gold bonds shows that you are thinking long-term. Achieving financial independence is an admirable goal, and you are already on the right track. Let’s analyze your current position and see how you can reach financial independence.

Evaluating Your Investment Strategy
SIP Investment: You are investing Rs 55,000 monthly in a mutual fund. This consistent investment will help you build a significant corpus over time.

Gold Bonds: Holding 100 grams of gold bonds adds stability to your portfolio. Gold is a safe asset, especially during economic uncertainty.

Both investments are solid choices, but you need a diversified approach to achieve financial independence.

Considerations for Financial Independence
Financial independence means having enough money to cover your expenses without relying on active income. To achieve this, consider these factors:

1. Target Corpus for Financial Independence
Estimate your monthly expenses, including future inflation.

Multiply your monthly expenses by 300 to 400. This will give you a rough estimate of the corpus you need.

Adjust your investments to match this target. This corpus should generate enough returns to cover your expenses.

2. Diversification for Stability and Growth
While SIPs and gold are excellent investments, consider diversifying further. Add debt funds or fixed income securities to balance your portfolio.

Diversification reduces risk and ensures stable growth. It also protects against market volatility.

Avoid putting too much money into one asset class. Balance between equity, debt, and gold.

3. Reviewing the Direct Fund Investment
You have invested in a direct mutual fund. Direct funds often have lower expenses but may lack guidance from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Without professional advice, you might miss opportunities to optimize your returns. It’s essential to assess if you are maximizing your investment’s potential.

Consider switching to a regular plan with the help of a CFP. This will ensure your investments align with your long-term goals.

Planning for Future Goals
To achieve financial independence, it's crucial to plan for future needs and unexpected expenses. Here’s how:

1. Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund. It should cover at least 6 to 12 months of living expenses.

This fund should be easily accessible and kept in a liquid fund or a savings account.

An emergency fund protects you from unexpected financial shocks without disturbing your investments.

2. Retirement Planning
Even if financial independence is your primary goal, plan for retirement. Consider how much money you need after retirement and adjust your investments accordingly.

Calculate how much you need to save monthly to reach your retirement corpus. This will ensure you can maintain your lifestyle after retiring.

Use retirement-specific funds or products that offer tax benefits and stable returns.

3. Insurance Coverage
Adequate insurance is crucial. Ensure you have term insurance and health insurance to protect your family and assets.

Term insurance offers financial security to your family in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Health insurance covers medical expenses, protecting your savings and investments.

Steps to Achieve Financial Independence
Now that you understand your current position and future needs, here’s a step-by-step plan:

1. Set Clear Financial Goals
Define what financial independence means to you. It could be retiring early, pursuing a passion, or spending more time with family.

Calculate your target corpus based on your goals. Consider future expenses like children’s education, healthcare, and lifestyle changes.

2. Increase Investment Contributions
If possible, increase your SIP contributions gradually. This will accelerate your wealth creation.

Consider adding more funds to your portfolio to enhance diversification. This ensures consistent growth with balanced risk.

Review your SIP performance annually and adjust if needed.

3. Regular Portfolio Review
Conduct a portfolio review every six months. Check if your investments are on track to meet your goals.

Rebalance your portfolio if necessary. If one asset class grows significantly, adjust it to maintain balance.

Consult with a Certified Financial Planner to get professional advice. This ensures your investment strategy aligns with your goals.

4. Monitor Lifestyle Inflation
As your income increases, avoid increasing expenses unnecessarily. This is known as lifestyle inflation.

Keep your expenses in check and invest the surplus income. This will help you reach financial independence faster.

Focus on saving and investing wisely rather than increasing your lifestyle costs.

Final Insights
You are on the right path with your current investments. However, to achieve financial independence, consider diversifying your portfolio and increasing your investment contributions. Regularly review your investments and consult with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure you are on track. With discipline and careful planning, financial independence is within your reach.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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I’ve always aspired to work in the Ministry of External Affairs, but I know the competition is tough. I will be appearing for the SSC CGL exam this year. For Tier 2, which sections or strategies should I prioritise to boost my chances of landing my dream role in this recruitment drive?
Ans: The SSC CGL exam is a competitive entry-level job in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), with the main role being Assistant Section Officer (ASO). Tier 2 of the exam consists of multiple papers, with Paper I being required for all postings, including MEA. The main focus areas are mathematical quantitative aptitude, thinking and general intelligence, English language and understanding, and general knowledge.

Quantitative aptitude (200 Marks) is a high-scoring but time-consuming area, with areas such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, menuration, data interpretation, and number system. Practice and strengthen basic skills, focusing on accuracy and speed. Resources for pattern comprehension include R.S. Aggarwal's Gradeup and Testbook quantitative aptitude with online mocks.

English language and comprehension (200 Marks) is high-scoring and essential for MEA, with areas like grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, synonyms and antonyms, and sentence correction. Strategies include daily reading schedules, vocabulary expansion using Norman Lewis's Word Power Made Easy, and solving cloze tests.

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Hello Sir, I’m back to you with a question . Sir, doing mechanical in top nits or iiits or bits, what are the possibilities to do ms in computer science. I keep hearing from everyone to go for cse to do ms cs , but my daughter prefers good college first and then cse, based on her capability it’s extremely difficult to get cse in tier1 , so she says I will do mechanical in tier 1 and do ms cs abroad. Please guide on the pros , cons Sir
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However, transitioning from Mechanical to CS for an MS overseas can be challenging due to the need for prior knowledge in CS principles. With more self-learning and certificates, it is possible. Additionally, CS is tough for MS admissions in the US, and students may have to create a strong profile through internships, online courses, and certifications in CS domains without a CS degree.

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If your daughter's main goal is to pursue an MS in CS, it is better to consider Tier 1 Institutes with CS or IT branches and top-tier institutes with Mechanical focus actively pursuing CS. All the Best for Your Daughter's Prosperous Future.

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Hello sir/ma'am, i am 24 yrs old and my boy friend 25 yrs old.I met him in a friendly chat app .We were talking on calls,texting and video calls and met each other in real after a 1 yr of relationship.He is the first guy and love in my life and want to marry him.I even made my family to agree for our marriage.He too says he loves me so much and has imagined his life with me and want to marry me.He even told his parents will stick on to whatever he says.He hasn't yet conveyed to his parents yet and told he will introduce to them after his younger sister marriage.We both are students still. I recently found that,he goes to the chat apps again and chats to other girls.When i asked ..he told just friends and even questioned me saying don't u have guy friends? and don't u meet them?....i told him u r the first guy n i dont have any. When our relationship has gone till marriage...why is that he wants to chat to multiple girls?...Now,i started feeling like he doesn't love me as he expressed. He even had past 3 online relationships n all 3 breakups,he told all these before..he told i am the first girl in real life.. I am worried now.Why do guys chat with multiple girls though they are in a serious relation?..does he really love or is it a game? No physical between us.We just met once in a temple and he just kissed my hands while we are going back and got very emotional while he was about to leave. I am worried..what should i do?.please,suggest.
Ans: Dear Ammarao,
Not all men chat with multiple women when they are serious about their relationship. Some might, but most men in exclusive relationships don't continue chatting. If his chats are truly friendly, there isn't much to worry about. But if you think there is more to it, I would suggest you reconsider the relationship.

Please talk to him directly and ask him if these women are only friends and if they know he is in a committed relationship. If he is being too defensive, you can tell him that in a relationship, it is also important to focus on what your partner is comfortable with. If you do not like these online friendships, communicate it to him.

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Ravi

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Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Jan 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 15, 2025Hindi
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Recently, I (28M) had surgery and have been bedridden for 15 days. During this time, my girlfriend told me her female friend wanted to meet up with a guy. This guy was bringing along a male friend whom I’ve asked my girlfriend to avoid in the past because he tends to get touchy with her. They planned to stay in a hotel, and her friend wanted to be with the guy at night, meaning my girlfriend and the touchy guy would likely share a single room. A couple of days before the trip, she asked me if she should go. I told her it was her choice but made it clear I wasn’t happy about it. Despite that, she went, and when I confronted her, she gave responses like: • “I didn’t invite the touchy guy; the other guy did.” • “Just because you’re bedridden, you don’t want me to go outside.” • “I didn’t touch him; he got touchy with me.” Yeah, maybe I’m jealous or overthinking, but this whole situation has made me unsure about marriage altogether. Am I overreacting?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I really cannot comment if you are overreacting or have every reason to feel this way without knowing a bit more about the entire situation. But what I can tell is that you should communicate your feelings to your partner. Let her know that while maintaining individuality or pursuing individual wishes in a relationship is important, it is equally important to pay heed to what makes your partner uncomfortable. Your request, from what information you have provided, seemed reasonable, while her reasoning that it is the guy's fault, not hers also makes perfect sense. So I think the best course of action is to let the situation calm down and have an open conversation. Could she have avoided this meetup to make you happy? Yes. But, she could've thought that if she avoids one thing for your happiness, you might start asking her to give up more things in the future, which is a real issue in many relationships. I think it is important to clear up all of these concerns and feelings before moving on with lifelong commitment.

Hope this helps

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4050 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jan 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 14, 2025Hindi
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This is my second attempt at SSC CGL, and I’ve improved since last year. But I’m still anxious about the descriptive paper. Can you suggest ways to stand out in this section and make my essay and letter writing more impactful?
Ans: The SSC CGL descriptive paper requires a clear, structured, and effective presentation. To improve your essay writing skills, review the subject matter thoroughly and avoid deviations from the central theme. Sketch an initial outline and adhere to a straightforward framework, including an Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. Start with a hook and express your thesis or stance in a concise manner. Arrange arguments in a logical order, using data, examples, and facts to establish credibility. Avoid repetition and maintain brevity.

In summary, concisely summarize the primary themes and offer a fair perspective. Avoid vernacular language and maintain appropriate sentence structure and grammar. Maintain a clean writing style and avoid overwriting.

For writing a letter, adhere to the conventional format, maintain clarity and conciseness, and articulate the purpose in the first paragraph. Use simple language and avoid intricate terminology.

Regularly engage in writing essays and correspondence on various subjects to develop adaptability. Stay informed about the latest news and hot topics. Develop time management skills and consistently proofread your work for errors.

Developing impactful essays and letters with clarity, structure, and content relevance enhances your chances of success in the SSC CGL descriptive paper. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future.

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Kanchan

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Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 05, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
How to manage stress?
Ans: The first step is to become aware of what triggers your stress. This self-awareness allows you to address the root causes rather than just the symptoms. Once you identify these triggers, you can start exploring techniques that help you cope effectively.

One effective approach is to incorporate regular self-care practices into your daily routine. This could include activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature. These practices not only help calm the mind but also improve your overall mood and resilience to stress.

Talking to someone you trust, whether a friend, family member, or professional, can also be a powerful way to manage stress. Sharing your feelings and experiences helps lighten the emotional load and provides different perspectives that might help you navigate your challenges more effectively.

It's also important to focus on what you can control and let go of things that are beyond your influence. This shift in mindset can reduce feelings of helplessness and frustration. Setting realistic expectations for yourself and others can also alleviate unnecessary pressure.

Remember to give yourself permission to rest and recharge. Adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and time for relaxation are essential for managing stress. When you take care of your body and mind, you're better equipped to handle life's demands.

Lastly, cultivating a mindset of gratitude and mindfulness can help you stay present and appreciate the positive aspects of your life, even during stressful times. These practices can create a sense of balance and help you respond to stress in healthier, more constructive ways. By integrating these approaches into your life, you can build resilience and find a sense of peace amidst the chaos.

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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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