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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8265 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 18, 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 18, 2024Hindi
Money

Good afternoon sir,Sir i am 27 years old and my salary is around 80k,i have been working since 1 year and has neither savings nor debt as of now. I am unmarried and my monthly expenses including rent,grocery,water and electricity constitute around 20k,i have emi of 1 yr tenure collectively of around 10k. Ihave monthy expenditure on flights of around 7k.Sir please guide on how to save big and also contribute effectively to my old parents.Thank you sir.

Ans: It's admirable that at 27, you're keen on managing your finances effectively and also supporting your parents. Starting early gives you a significant advantage for building wealth and ensuring financial security. Let’s develop a comprehensive plan to help you save, invest, and contribute to your family’s well-being.

Understanding Your Current Financial Position
First, let’s break down your current financial situation to identify areas for saving and investment:

Monthly Income and Expenses:
Salary: Rs 80,000 per month.
Fixed Expenses: Rs 20,000 (rent, groceries, utilities).
EMI: Rs 10,000 (one-year tenure).
Travel Expenses: Rs 7,000 for flights.
Remaining Disposable Income: Rs 43,000.
With Rs 43,000 left each month after essential expenses, you have a good opportunity to save and invest.

Establishing a Solid Savings Plan
1. Build an Emergency Fund
Importance of an Emergency Fund:

An emergency fund provides a financial cushion for unexpected expenses like medical emergencies or job loss.
Aim to save 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses.
Start with Small Steps:

Begin by setting aside Rs 10,000 per month until you accumulate your target amount.
Keep this fund in a high-interest savings account for easy access and growth.
2. Automate Your Savings
Set Up Automatic Transfers:

Arrange for a fixed amount to be automatically transferred to your savings account each month.
This approach ensures consistent saving without relying on manual effort.
Pay Yourself First:

Prioritize saving as if it’s a non-negotiable expense.
Transfer funds to your savings as soon as you receive your salary.
3. Create a Budget
Track Your Expenses:

Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to record all your monthly expenses.
Identify areas where you can cut back or optimize spending.
Allocate Funds Wisely:

Designate specific amounts for savings, investments, and discretionary spending.
Stick to your budget to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Investing for Long-Term Growth
1. Understanding Investment Options
Mutual Funds:

Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who invest in a diversified portfolio.
They offer various options, including equity, debt, and hybrid funds, catering to different risk profiles.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly in mutual funds.
It helps in averaging the purchase cost and benefiting from market fluctuations over time.
Public Provident Fund (PPF):

PPF is a government-backed savings scheme with attractive interest rates and tax benefits.
It’s a safe investment option for long-term savings.
2. Diversify Your Investments
Equity Mutual Funds:

Allocate a portion of your savings to equity mutual funds for higher returns.
Choose funds with a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks for diversification.
Debt Funds:

Invest in debt funds for stable returns and lower risk.
They provide income through interest payments and are less volatile than equity funds.
Balanced Approach:

Maintain a balanced portfolio with a mix of equity and debt funds.
This strategy helps manage risk while aiming for growth.
3. Set Clear Financial Goals
Define Your Objectives:

Identify your short-term and long-term financial goals, such as buying a car, saving for a house, or retirement.
Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
Align Investments with Goals:

Choose investment options that align with your risk tolerance and time horizon for each goal.
For example, equity funds for long-term goals and debt funds for short-term needs.
Managing Expenditures Effectively
1. Optimize Monthly Expenses
Review and Reduce:

Regularly review your monthly expenses to identify unnecessary costs.
Look for ways to reduce spending on non-essential items like dining out and subscriptions.
Budget for Discretionary Spending:

Allocate a fixed amount for discretionary expenses, including leisure activities and personal purchases.
Stick to this budget to avoid overspending.
2. Plan for Big Expenses
Travel and Lifestyle Costs:

Set aside a specific budget for your monthly travel expenses, such as flights.
Look for ways to minimize costs, such as booking in advance or using rewards points.
Plan for Major Purchases:

Save up for significant purchases rather than relying on loans or credit.
This approach prevents additional debt and financial stress.
Supporting Your Parents Financially
1. Assess Their Financial Needs
Understand Their Situation:

Discuss with your parents their financial needs and any existing expenses or debts.
Determine how much support they require and in what form (e.g., monthly allowance, medical expenses).
Create a Support Plan:

Develop a plan to contribute to your parents’ financial well-being.
This could include regular transfers, paying specific bills, or setting aside funds for emergencies.
2. Integrate Support into Your Budget
Allocate Funds for Family Support:

Include your contribution to your parents in your monthly budget.
Ensure this allocation doesn’t compromise your savings and investment goals.
Consider Joint Investments:

Explore joint investment opportunities that benefit both you and your parents.
For example, investing in a senior citizen savings scheme that provides regular income.
3. Encourage Financial Independence
Discuss Financial Planning with Your Parents:

Encourage them to plan for their financial future, considering their retirement and medical needs.
Offer to help them understand and manage their finances better.
Support with Knowledge and Resources:

Provide information and resources on managing finances and investments.
Help them make informed decisions about their financial security.
Building a Strong Financial Future
1. Continue Professional and Personal Development
Invest in Your Career:

Focus on advancing your career to increase your earning potential.
Seek opportunities for skill development, certifications, and networking.
Personal Growth and Financial Literacy:

Continuously improve your financial knowledge and personal development.
Stay informed about investment strategies, market trends, and financial planning.
2. Plan for Major Life Events
Marriage and Family Planning:

Consider future expenses related to marriage, starting a family, and children’s education.
Begin saving and investing early for these life events.
Home Ownership:

If you plan to buy a house, start saving for a down payment and research home loan options.
Factor in long-term costs like maintenance and property taxes.
3. Secure Your Future with Insurance
Health Insurance:

Ensure you have adequate health insurance to cover medical expenses.
This protection is crucial to avoid depleting your savings during emergencies.
Life Insurance:

Consider life insurance to secure your family’s financial future in case of unforeseen events.
Choose a policy that provides sufficient coverage based on your dependents’ needs.
Final Insights
At 27, you have a great opportunity to build a strong financial foundation. By prioritizing savings, diversifying investments, and managing your expenses effectively, you can achieve your financial goals and contribute to your family’s well-being.

Focus on creating a robust emergency fund and automate your savings to ensure consistency. Diversify your investments to balance risk and growth, and align them with your financial goals. Optimize your monthly expenses and plan for significant expenditures, while also supporting your parents financially and encouraging their independence.

Continue to invest in your personal and professional development, plan for major life events, and secure your future with adequate insurance coverage. With disciplined planning and a clear strategy, you can save significantly, invest wisely, and contribute effectively to your parents’ needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Career
Sir I have 138472 rank in jee mains 90.66 prcntile general category female outside delhi . Sir what can i get in JAC Delhi in any round or spot round . Can I get IIIT Delhi or any other ?
Ans: Manoj, IIIT Delhi, through JAC Delhi, places more importance on candidates from Delhi, especially in the highly competitive CSE field. The admission requirements for IIIT-D use JEE Main scores plus bonus points, giving more weight to candidates from Delhi. The cutoffs for outside Delhi General branches like CSE, CSAM, and CSB are typically in the top 30k to 50k places. IIIT-Delhi is out of reach even in spot rounds with your rank of 138k. Other JAC Delhi colleges include DTU, NSUT, IIIT-D, and IGDTUW (only for women). IGDTUW is a good choice for women, as fields like ME, ECE, and IT sometimes close at 70k-90k ranks but rarely go above 100k. At 138k rank, the chances are very low even for IGDTUW.

Back-up plans include CSAB special rounds, private universities/colleges that take your JEE rank. With a 90.66 percentile, you have a good chance of getting into good colleges/universities in CSE or ECE during state quota rounds. The final answer is IIIT-Delhi: ? At rank 138k, it's not possible. Other JAC Delhi schools, like IGDTUW: Not likely at all, not even in spot rounds

Pay attention to CSAB, State Counseling, and Private Colleges.

n order to produce a predetermined schedule of NITs/GFTIs/IIITs to which your rank will qualify for admission, here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Listen
Career
Hello, my jee mains 2025 sc rank is 7402 Can I get mechanical engineering in iiest shibpur?
Ans: Esteemed Pritam, You have not specified whether you are a resident of the Home State (WB) or the Other State (OS). In any case, there is an 85% likelihood that you will get ME in IIEST-Shibpur. Conversely, ensure that you have backups and satisfy the utmost number of options. In order to produce a predetermined schedule of NITs/GFTIs/IIITs to which your rank will qualify for admission, here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 19, 2025Hindi
Listen
Career
What IIIT OR NIT can I get with 77.92 percentile in jee mains 2025( OBC category female)
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Listen
Career
Hi Sir, My son got 88 percentile in session 2. Pl suggest what engg college can be applied with this score.
Ans: Tarun Sir, Here is, How to Predict Your Son's Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your Son's admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Son's Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

His JEE Main percentile | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
His category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
His Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
His Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least his 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If your son is open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Son's Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches your son is interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch your son is interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust his Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your son's expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs for your son.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your Son's admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...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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