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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 14, 2025

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
Chandan Question by Chandan on Jun 14, 2025
Money

Hi i am Chandan,i am 30 yrs old i want to invest 10k per month for 5yrs.where i have to invest I am thinking of SIP, but I don't which one is good Please advise me

Ans: You are 30 years old and planning to invest Rs. 10,000 every month. You want to invest for 5 years. You are considering SIP, but not sure where to start. First, let me appreciate your disciplined thought. Starting early is the right move. Let us now go step by step in detail with a 360-degree assessment.

Age and Investment Time Frame
You are young with good time ahead for building wealth.

You have a 5-year time horizon.

This is short-to-medium duration for mutual fund investments.

Your age supports moderate risk-taking.

Your goal timeline limits how much equity risk you can take.

SIP – Right Approach for Monthly Investment
SIP is the best method for disciplined investing.

SIP removes timing risk from your investments.

Rs. 10,000 monthly for 5 years builds a good corpus.

SIP suits your salaried or regular income situation.

SIP gives cost averaging during market ups and downs.

Goal-Based Planning is Very Important
Please define your goal for this investment.

Is it for car, house, marriage, or business?

Goal clarity helps in fund selection and strategy.

Goals also define risk tolerance and fund category.

Without a goal, the purpose of investment becomes weak.

SIP must be linked to a specific goal for best results.

Risk Appetite and Fund Category Selection
For 5 years, high equity allocation may be risky.

Short time doesn't allow recovery if market falls.

You can choose balanced funds with mix of equity and debt.

Or choose hybrid equity-oriented funds with moderate volatility.

These funds protect downside and give better return than FD.

Don’t go for full small-cap or sectoral funds.

Avoid over-exposure to volatile market in short term.

Mutual Fund Category Analysis for 5-Year SIP
Let us now assess major mutual fund categories one by one:

1. Large Cap Funds

Invest in top 100 companies.

Suitable for moderate-risk investors.

Less volatile than mid and small cap funds.

But may not give high return in just 5 years.

Still, can be a part of your portfolio.

2. Mid Cap Funds

Invest in mid-sized companies.

Carry more risk than large caps.

May outperform over 7-10 years.

For 5 years, can be partly used.

Don’t allocate full Rs. 10,000 here.

3. Small Cap Funds

Invest in smaller companies.

Highly volatile and risky.

Return not predictable in 5 years.

Avoid this category for short goals.

4. Flexi Cap Funds

Invest across large, mid, small companies.

Gives diversification with active allocation.

Suitable for 5-year goals with moderate risk.

Should be part of your portfolio.

5. Aggressive Hybrid Funds

Invest 65-80% in equity, rest in debt.

Offers cushion during market fall.

Good fit for 3–5-year investment horizon.

Reduces portfolio risk and gives decent growth.

Can form core of your SIP plan.

6. Conservative Hybrid Funds

Higher debt, lower equity.

Suits low-risk investors only.

Return may be lower than inflation.

Not suggested for your age.

7. Balanced Advantage Funds

Fund manager shifts between debt and equity.

Based on market condition and valuation.

Controls risk smartly.

Suitable for your 5-year plan.

Can be combined with aggressive hybrid funds.

Direct vs Regular Funds – A Caution for Beginners
Many investors choose direct funds for lower expense ratio.

But direct funds come without advice or guidance.

You lose expert support from Certified Financial Planner.

You may choose wrong fund or exit at wrong time.

Regular funds via MFD with CFP give personalised review.

CFPs track your goals and rebalance when needed.

Direct route often leads to emotional mistakes and loss.

Pay small extra cost but gain better service and peace.

Avoid Index Funds – Not Suitable for Your Need
Index funds only copy the market.

They do not protect during market fall.

Cannot remove underperforming stocks.

You lose flexibility and downside control.

Active funds beat index in mid and small cap.

For 5 years, index risk is higher.

Actively managed funds better suit your goal.

Tax Planning Angle
If you withdraw after 3 years, tax rules apply.

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

STCG within 1 year taxed at 20%.

Debt funds taxed as per your income slab.

Choose fund with tax efficiency based on your needs.

Plan redemption with Certified Financial Planner to save tax.

Role of Emergency Fund and Insurance
Before starting SIP, keep emergency fund ready.

At least 6 months of expenses in bank or liquid fund.

Take health insurance for all family members.

If you have dependents, take pure term life insurance.

Do not mix insurance and investment.

Avoid ULIP or endowment type policies.

If already bought such plans, consider surrendering.

Reinvest in mutual funds for better return and flexibility.

Fund Allocation Suggestion – Without Specific Scheme
For Rs. 10,000 per month, you can split in 2 or 3 funds:

Rs. 4,000 in Balanced Advantage Fund.

Rs. 4,000 in Aggressive Hybrid Fund.

Rs. 2,000 in Flexi Cap Fund.

This combination gives equity growth and stability. Over 5 years, this gives balance.

Avoid going all-in on equity. Risk is high in short period.

Review, Monitoring and Behavioural Control
SIP is not set and forget.

Review your portfolio yearly with a CFP.

Don't stop SIP if market falls.

That’s when SIP gives maximum benefit.

Avoid checking NAVs every day.

Focus on reaching your goal, not daily return.

Stay invested and keep increasing SIP if income increases.

Emotional Stability and Patience is Key
Don’t compare returns every month.

Market will have ups and downs.

Your goal matters more than market timing.

SIPs reward only those who are patient and calm.

SIP Top-Up – Use Growth in Income
When salary grows, increase SIP by 10–15% yearly.

Small top-ups make big difference in 5 years.

Talk to CFP about SIP top-up planning.

This gives power of compounding a boost.

Finally
You are thinking correctly with monthly SIP idea.

5 years is a short time for full equity.

Choose hybrid and flexi funds for risk balance.

Avoid direct funds to protect from mistakes.

Avoid index funds due to lack of flexibility.

Link SIP to your goal for better discipline.

Review yearly and stay focused.

Avoid ULIPs or LIC combo plans.

Follow goal-based plan with help of Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Hi Sir . I am 38 years old and want to invest 30k each month in SIP. I am looking for a long term wealth creation . Can you suggest where to invest.
Ans: considering your long-term wealth creation goal, you can consider investing in a diversified portfolio of mutual funds. Here's a broad strategy:

Large Cap Funds: These funds invest in well-established companies with a track record of stable performance. They offer stability and moderate growth potential over the long term.
Mid Cap and Small Cap Funds: These funds invest in mid-sized and small-sized companies with high growth potential. They can offer higher returns but come with higher volatility.
Multi-Cap Funds: Multi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across companies of different market capitalizations. They offer a diversified approach to wealth creation and can adapt to changing market conditions.
Index Funds: Consider including index funds that track broad market indices like Nifty 50 or Sensex. They offer low expense ratios and provide exposure to the overall market.
Balanced Funds: Balanced funds, also known as hybrid funds, invest in a mix of equities and debt instruments. They offer a balance between growth and stability, making them suitable for long-term investors.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Invest systematically through SIPs to take advantage of rupee-cost averaging and mitigate the impact of market volatility.
Before finalizing your investment strategy, assess your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner to create a personalized investment plan tailored to your needs. Remember, patience and discipline are key to long-term wealth creation.

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Hi I’m 23 years old and I want to invest 5k per month in Sip for at least 20 years. Can you please suggest some sip's?
Ans: Kickstarting Your Investment Journey at 23: A Smart Move!
Investing ?5,000 per month through SIPs for 20 years is a fantastic decision at your young age! Here are some ideas for potential SIP investments, but remember, this is not financial advice:

Building a Diversified Portfolio:

Equity Funds: Consider investing a portion in equity funds that offer growth potential over the long term. Actively managed equity funds involve experienced fund managers who try to pick stocks to outperform the market. Actively managed funds come with higher fees compared to passively managed funds. You can explore Large-cap, Mid-cap, or Flexi-cap funds based on your risk tolerance.

Debt Funds: Invest a portion in debt funds for stability and to balance your portfolio's risk profile. Debt funds can provide regular income and help manage volatility.

Here's a Sample SIP Allocation (you can adjust based on risk tolerance):

60%: Large-cap or Multi-cap Actively Managed Equity Funds for long-term growth.

20%: Mid-cap Actively Managed Equity Funds for potentially higher growth (with higher risk).

20%: Debt Funds (short/medium/long-term) for stability and income generation.

Important to Remember:

Do Your Research: Research actively managed funds and choose those with a good track record and a reputable fund house.

Review Regularly: Review your SIPs at least annually to ensure they remain aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.

Seeking Professional Guidance:

Personalized Plan: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can create a personalized SIP plan considering your risk tolerance, investment goals, and future needs. They can suggest specific actively managed funds based on your risk profile.
By starting early, staying invested for the long term, and potentially consulting a CFP, you can be on track to achieving your financial goals!

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Sir i invest every month 10000 Rs plz suggest which is best sip and any other
Ans: Investing regularly is a commendable habit, and you're doing great dedicating 10,000 Rs every month. As a Certified Financial Planner, I understand the importance of choosing the right investment avenue.

Mutual Funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can be a wise choice. They offer diversification, professional management, and the flexibility to invest small amounts regularly. Additionally, they suit investors aiming for long-term wealth creation.

When it comes to SIPs, it's crucial to consider your risk appetite, investment goals, and time horizon. Opting for actively managed funds can be advantageous. Unlike index funds, actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market, thanks to skilled fund managers who actively select investments.

Moreover, investing through a Certified Financial Planner can offer personalized advice and ongoing support. They can assist in selecting suitable funds, monitoring your portfolio, and making necessary adjustments based on market conditions and your changing financial circumstances.

While direct funds may seem appealing due to lower expense ratios, they lack the guidance and expertise provided by financial professionals. Regular funds, accessed through a Mutual Fund Distributor with a CFP credential, offer personalized service and assistance, ensuring your investments align with your financial goals.

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Keep up the excellent work with your monthly investments, and may your financial journey be filled with success and prosperity.

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www.holisticinvestment.in

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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

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

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

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

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

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

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

How to build it:

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

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

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

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

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

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

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

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

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

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

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

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

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

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

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

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

7. Build the Habit First

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

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

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

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

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