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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on May 23, 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
Hari Question by Hari on May 23, 2023Hindi
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Sir, Good afternoon, i would like to invest of Rs. 5000/Month what is the best option whether share market or Mutual fund

Ans: If you remain consistent, invest with a minimum 5 years’ horizon and do not get swayed by market fluctuations, equity will create wealth for you.

I would not recommend you to go in for any direct equity portfolio – as such it would be difficult to do so with Rs 5000 a month. I would recommend the allocation of following categories of funds for SIP for you, one fund per category (total 4 funds):-
1. Index Fund – 40%
2. Flexicap Fund – 20%
3. Large and Midcap Fund – 20%
4. Asset Allocator Fund – 20%

How to choose the fund? Go to any popular website which will give you comparison of various funds and simply choose a 5-Star fund, necessarily the best fund of the above categories. Then choose an investing platform and go ahead with investing.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6970 Answers  |Ask -

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

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i want to invest in share and mutual fund around 1.5 lakh each which is the best for me next 5 to 7 years both shares and mutual funds
Ans: Given your investment amount of Rs. 1.5 lakh each, it might be more prudent to limit your investments to mutual funds alone. This approach offers diversification and professional management, reducing the risks associated with direct stock investments. Here's a detailed plan for investing in mutual funds for the next 5 to 7 years.

Benefits of Mutual Funds
Diversification: Mutual funds invest in a wide range of assets, spreading risk.

Professional Management: Fund managers with expertise manage your investments.

Liquidity: Mutual funds can be easily bought and sold, providing flexibility.

Cost-Effective: Lower transaction costs compared to buying individual stocks.

Recommended Mutual Funds
Based on your investment horizon of 5 to 7 years, here is a selection of mutual funds that balance risk and return. This portfolio is designed to provide growth potential while maintaining a moderate risk profile.

Diversified Equity Funds
Large Cap Funds

Large cap funds invest in established companies with a strong track record. They offer stability and moderate returns. These funds are suitable for conservative investors seeking steady growth.

Mid Cap Funds

Mid cap funds focus on medium-sized companies with high growth potential. These funds provide higher returns but come with moderate risk. They are ideal for investors with a balanced risk appetite.

Flexi Cap Funds

Flexi cap funds invest across market capitalizations. They provide flexibility and a balanced risk-return profile. These funds are suitable for investors seeking long-term growth with moderate risk.

Hybrid Funds
Balanced Advantage Funds

Balanced advantage funds dynamically allocate between equity and debt. They offer stability and moderate growth, making them suitable for conservative to moderate investors.

Evaluating Your Portfolio
Your current portfolio is diversified, but focusing on mutual funds alone can simplify management and enhance returns. Mutual funds provide diversification and professional management, reducing the risks associated with direct stock investments.

You have shown great foresight by considering mutual funds for your investment. This approach is commendable as it aligns with long-term financial goals. Your decision to seek advice reflects a prudent and responsible investment strategy.

Analytical Assessment
Based on your investment horizon and risk profile, a mix of large cap, mid cap, flexi cap, sectoral, and hybrid funds is recommended. This combination balances stability, growth, and risk, aligning with your 5 to 7-year investment plan.

Recommendations for Investment
Large Cap Funds

These funds offer stability and steady growth, making them a foundational component of your portfolio. They invest in well-established companies with a proven track record.

Mid Cap Funds

Mid cap funds provide higher growth potential. They invest in medium-sized companies that are expected to grow. These funds add a layer of growth to your portfolio.

Flexi Cap Funds

Flexi cap funds offer the flexibility to invest in companies of all sizes. This approach maximizes growth opportunities while managing risk.

Sectoral and Thematic Funds

Sectoral funds, especially in technology and healthcare, provide high growth potential. These funds add diversity and cater to specific high-growth industries.

Hybrid Funds

Balanced advantage funds offer a dynamic mix of equity and debt. They provide stability and moderate growth, ideal for conservative to moderate investors.

Conclusion
Limiting your investment to mutual funds is a prudent choice. It offers diversification, professional management, and aligns with your 5 to 7-year investment horizon. By choosing a mix of large cap, mid cap, flexi cap, sectoral, and hybrid funds, you can achieve a balanced and growth-oriented portfolio.

Investing in mutual funds provides a structured and efficient way to build wealth. It minimizes risk through diversification and leverages professional expertise. Stick to your plan and review your portfolio periodically to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6970 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
i have invested lump sum 20000 in parag flexi cap fund and 6000 in kotak quant fund i want to invest aroung 20000 a month suggest me mutual fund with 5 years horizon
Ans: With a 5-year investment horizon, your focus should be on balancing growth potential with some risk management. Since you have already invested in a flexi cap and a quant fund, you have made a good start. Below are some mutual fund categories that can further diversify your portfolio and align with your 5-year financial goal.

1. Aggressive Hybrid Funds
Aggressive hybrid funds invest about 65%-80% in equities and the rest in debt. These funds are designed to provide growth with a cushion of safety through their debt component. For a 5-year horizon, these funds can help you capture equity growth while reducing volatility.

These funds help limit downside risk if the equity market corrects in the short term.
Over a 5-year period, aggressive hybrid funds may offer better risk-adjusted returns than pure equity funds.
2. Large and Mid-Cap Funds
Large and mid-cap funds offer a balance between stability and growth. Large-cap stocks are more stable, while mid-caps provide the potential for higher returns.

Large-caps tend to provide stability during volatile periods.
Mid-caps, although riskier, can offer higher returns in a growth market.
Over a 5-year period, this category can provide a balance between risk and reward. You already have exposure to flexi caps through your Parag Flexi Cap Fund, but large and mid-cap funds can further strengthen this strategy.

3. Multi-Asset Funds
Multi-asset funds are designed to invest across multiple asset classes such as equities, debt, and gold. This diversification helps reduce the impact of market volatility. In the short-to-medium term, these funds can provide a more stable growth trajectory.

These funds are suitable for investors who want diversification without actively managing different asset classes.
They offer a balanced return, reducing the dependency on just one asset class.
For a 5-year horizon, these funds can give you peace of mind by spreading the risk across various assets.

4. Dynamic Bond Funds
Dynamic bond funds adjust their portfolio based on interest rate movements. Since interest rates can fluctuate over a 5-year period, dynamic bond funds offer flexibility in managing this.

These funds can offer more stability compared to equity funds.
While they generally provide lower returns than equity funds, they can be part of your portfolio for a balance of stability and growth.
For a 5-year horizon, dynamic bond funds can add a layer of stability to your portfolio without completely moving out of growth opportunities.

5. ELSS Funds for Tax Saving
Though primarily tax-saving instruments, ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) funds can also serve your investment needs. They have a mandatory 3-year lock-in, which ensures you remain invested for the short term and benefit from equity growth.

ELSS funds offer tax deductions under Section 80C, making them an attractive option.
They primarily invest in equities, which can help your portfolio grow over the medium term.
Considering your 5-year horizon, the 3-year lock-in period is manageable. You can continue to hold the funds for two more years to maximize your returns.

Key Considerations
Risk Tolerance: Since you have a 5-year horizon, it’s important to balance risk and return. While equities provide growth, debt and hybrid funds can reduce volatility.
Diversification: You’ve already invested in equity-based funds. Now, you can consider adding hybrid or multi-asset funds to diversify your portfolio.
Review Your Portfolio: Although a 5-year horizon isn’t long enough for frequent changes, it's important to review your portfolio periodically to ensure it's aligned with your goal.
Disadvantages of Index Funds
Index funds, while low-cost, lack the flexibility of actively managed funds. Over a 5-year period, actively managed funds can better adapt to market conditions. Index funds merely track a market index, and during downturns, they offer no protection from losses.

Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market in the short-to-medium term.
Fund managers can take advantage of market inefficiencies, which index funds cannot.
Given your 5-year horizon, active fund management is preferable for potentially better returns.

Final Insights
Your decision to invest Rs 20,000 monthly is a smart step towards building a robust financial future. With a 5-year horizon, a balanced approach combining equity and hybrid funds can provide both growth and stability. Diversifying across different fund types will ensure that your portfolio remains resilient in the face of market volatility.

While your existing investments in a flexi cap and quant fund are a good start, adding large and mid-cap, aggressive hybrid, and multi-asset funds will strengthen your portfolio. Dynamic bond funds can offer stability, and ELSS funds can help you save on taxes while investing for growth.

By choosing actively managed funds over index funds, you allow your portfolio the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. A certified financial planner can guide you in selecting the right mix of funds and regularly reviewing your portfolio to stay on track.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

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Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |1025 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 05, 2024Hindi
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Career
I'm 18 years old and currently preparing for neet as a dropper student. I'm from bihar but I live in haryana since my childhood. I have a boyfriend, he is doing btech and it has been 1.5 years since we are together we love each other he supports me in everything but the problem here is I lied him about my birthplace and told him that I belong to UP as UP is a bit better place than bihar. Idk i just feel ashamed to tell anyone that I'm from bihar so I just tell everyone that I'm from UP. Now I'm feeling very guilty in my own that I lied to him about such a basic and important thing and yesterday he Also mentioned that his mother never want a bihari girl, and he is a punjabi. I just don't know what should I do how will he react after knowing the truth and also I'm afraid that he will broke up with me.. I'm also having my neet exam in 6 months. I planned that i will tell him after my exam but I'm just feeling too guilty that I'm hiding this thing from him
Ans: Hello.
Keep mum for the next 6-7 months. Keep a safe distance from your boyfriend. Focus only on NEET preparation. Try to excel in NEET. Wait till the results are out. If you score well and get admitted to Govt Medical College, then open up in front of your boyfriend. He and his family members will accept you because you are becoming a doctor! But after taking the NEET examination, if you feel that you can't score as expected, then tell the truth to your boyfriend. If he loves you from the bottom of his heart, he will forgive you. But if not. then you assume that god has saved you from him!
Last but not least:- Dedicate your 24 hours only for NEET preparation. This time will never come in your life again. You can be a KING in just a few days with solid preparation and will get lifelong respect in society. The bright future is in your hands and not in the hands of your boyfriend.
Best of luck with your upcoming NEET Examination.

If satisfied, please like and follow me.
If dissatisfied with the reply, please ask again without hesitation.
Thanks.

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Prof Suvasish

Prof Suvasish Mukhopadhyay  |5 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

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my Son has done BTech in computer Science in 2023 from NIT Jalandhar and campus placed in Indian Fintech and earning 15CTC. He is gaining experience there for more than one year for now. What is advisable for future course go for Masters in USA or any other country or continue with job in India by switching companies. Due to job market crunch he is also preparing for upto Group B level Govt jobs as Plan B. What would be best advice for long term and settling after marriage.
Ans: Please have one directional goal. No dual policy. Let him go for MS from some good American University and after that he can get a good job in USA. No point in switching companies in India. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Forget about Govt. job in India. His talent won't be utilized and there will be routine transfers. So hit the bull's eye. Have a decent GRE and TOEFL score, have three good recommendation from his professors, one good SOP (statement of purpose) and after seeing the GRE score I will suggest the universities. Mostly in all the reputed universities of USA at least one student of mine is there sas a Professor and half of the year I stay in USA. No worries. I am there to counsel him. Only he must fix one aim. No ambiguity. Have unique aim, work hard with proper decision, rest the guidance will be given by me. Recommended more than hundred students to different reputed universities of US right from Princeton to Texas A&M, Clemson to Vermont. Never forget that I AM THERE BY THE SIDE OF YOUR SON LIKE AN INVISIBLE SHADOW TO PROTECT HIM AND GUIDE HIM.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6970 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 05, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi I am 39 years old working professional with take home salary of Rs. 2.25 lacs/month. I have taken home loan in last month for Rs. 30 lacs with monthly EMI of Rs. 60k. My monthly House hold expenses are Rs. 50k. From 2022 I am investing Rs. 35k in MF via monthly SIP in ratio of 40:30:20:10 in Large:Mid:small:Debt. I have 2 Sons for 8 years and 3 years respectively. My Goal is to have sufficient corpus for their higher education and to achieve financial independence ASAP. Pl guide..
Ans: Your proactive approach towards securing financial independence and planning for your children’s education is commendable. At 39, you have a robust salary, structured expenses, and disciplined investments. Let's examine your financial standing, assess your goals, and outline strategies for optimal growth and security.

Current Financial Overview
Monthly Income: Rs 2.25 lakh

Home Loan EMI: Rs 60,000 (new loan of Rs 30 lakh)

Household Expenses: Rs 50,000

Monthly SIP in Mutual Funds: Rs 35,000 (split across large, mid, small-cap, and debt funds)

You have taken significant steps with a home purchase and ongoing SIPs. Let’s optimise these resources to achieve financial independence and build a corpus for your children’s education.

Goal-Based Financial Planning
1. Higher Education Corpus for Children
Education expenses rise significantly due to inflation, particularly for quality higher education.

With your sons aged 8 and 3, plan for their higher education in 10-15 years.

To achieve this, increase your SIPs in equity-focused funds. Equities provide inflation-beating returns over the long term.

Maintain a systematic approach, with SIPs focused on growth-oriented funds (large and mid-cap funds are ideal).

Regularly review this corpus every 2-3 years to ensure it aligns with educational costs.

2. Financial Independence
Early financial independence requires strategic savings and investment growth.

Aim to build a corpus that covers at least 25 times your annual expenses.

At present, Rs 50,000 monthly expenses indicate a future goal corpus of Rs 1.5-2 crore, adjusting for inflation.

Your current SIPs are a great start, but gradually increase SIPs to achieve a sizeable retirement fund.

Consider adding more equity exposure for growth and inflation protection, while adding debt as retirement nears.

Debt Management and EMI Strategy
Home loan EMI is Rs 60,000, a significant commitment for 20 years. This can limit cash flow for other investments.

Aim to prepay your loan when possible to reduce interest outflow and loan tenure.

You may consider setting aside a small portion of bonuses or salary hikes for periodic prepayments.

Reducing debt earlier will provide more cash flow to focus on investments.

Optimising Your SIP Strategy
Equity Allocation: Your SIP allocation is split 40:30:20:10 across large, mid, small, and debt categories.

Large-cap funds offer stability, while mid and small caps drive growth. The debt allocation provides balance but may be increased as you approach retirement.

Avoid Index Funds: Index funds, while popular, lack active management, which can be limiting. Actively managed funds adjust to market conditions, providing a higher potential for returns. Certified Financial Planners (CFP) can guide you on the best funds for your goals, particularly with growth in mind.

Consider Regular Funds Over Direct: Regular funds provide personalised guidance, performance reviews, and rebalancing through Certified Financial Planners, which direct funds lack. Regular investments managed by certified experts offer better long-term growth.

Building Contingency and Protection
1. Emergency Fund
Ensure an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses (about Rs 4-6 lakh), kept in easily accessible accounts like liquid funds.

This fund will protect your long-term investments in case of unexpected expenses.

2. Insurance Needs
Adequate life and health insurance are essential, especially with dependents and ongoing liabilities.

Life insurance should cover at least 10 times your annual income, which could be achieved with a simple term insurance policy.

Health insurance for the family is essential to avoid dipping into savings during medical emergencies. Ensure coverage is comprehensive to handle inflation in healthcare.

Tax Efficiency in Investments
New tax rules affect mutual fund capital gains. For equity funds, long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, while short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab. Plan to withdraw strategically to minimise tax impact.

Periodic portfolio reviews and structured withdrawals can help reduce your tax liability.

Nurturing Long-Term Wealth Growth
PPF and Debt Instruments: PPF and debt mutual funds provide stability but may fall short on inflation-adjusted growth. Maintain debt instruments as a smaller part of your portfolio until retirement nears.

Equities for Wealth Accumulation: Equities remain ideal for long-term goals like retirement and education due to their inflation-beating growth.

Review your mutual fund choices periodically to ensure they are high-performing and aligned with your growth goals.

Final Insights
Achieving financial independence and funding your children’s education are achievable with disciplined investments, a focus on growth, and debt management. Regular monitoring, along with a Certified Financial Planner’s advice, will ensure you stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner

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

...Read more

Prof Suvasish

Prof Suvasish Mukhopadhyay  |5 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

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Career
I am a 29 year old completed her Masters in Psychology 5 years ago. Presently i am working, on a contractual basis ,as a Patient Counsellor for Oncology department in a local well reputed hospital and my work contract is coming to an end. I always aspire to make a mark in the field of Psychology and contribute in a better way for Indian space, bring awareness and popularity in India. My mind also goes to UGC NET or school counseling, plus I am yet to do any M. Phil or PhD yet however I am little unsure regarding my capacity. But I do want to go ahead in my career. I need your guidance regarding taking the next step for a better career. Please help me out.
Ans: I am really very happy to see the positive mind frame of yours. I do think teaching ( i.e. College Teaching) will be the best job for you. At a time you and teach and counsel. Please don't be unsure about your capacity, from your writing it is crystal clear that you do have the required capacity to do M.Phil and Ph.D. Only your age is a bit high, because if you do M.Phil and Ph.D then it will take at least six years time and by that time you will be 35. If you are ready you can apply to some Universities of Germany for doing Ph.D directly. There M.Phil is not required. In Germany for ladies education is free. Only you need to have knowledge of primary German language for a smooth sailing. In school there is little bit use of Psychology, because the subject of Psychology is not there.
Your next step will be having a permanent job. Unless the basic needs are assured you can't concentrate. In India very few persons get job satisfaction. So if you appear for the state PSC exam, you may crack it, but Psychology won't be there, you may be a Deputy Collector or Sales Tax Officer with periodic transfer and lot of respect cum status. But don't be morose. Even being in other job you can give free counselling of Psychology online free of cost just to pursue your hobby. My basic answer is that first grab a full time job and then pursue your passion. Right now don't go for M.Phil and Ph.D.Higher degrees and age are proportional to each other. In last five years you must have completed M.Phil and started Ph.D. But no point in lamenting over the spilt milk. So two option 1) Do Ph.D from Germany 2) Grab a Govt or Private job which is not contractual. Take proper decision. That is the most important thing in career building. Never go for split mind and never try for true option. Make your aim fix and target it and I am sure you will achieve it.
Now just procure a permanent job and pursue your hobby of Psychology.Best of Luck. Prof. Mukhopadhyay

...Read more

T S Khurana

T S Khurana   |173 Answers  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

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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