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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 25, 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
vinod Question by vinod on May 24, 2024Hindi
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Hi Consultant, My current portfolio in MF investment Rs.45lac current value 97lac, own house 1.5cr, PF Rs.35lac, other investment 20lac. current age 47yrs monthly expenses 50000 and child education required 1cr. Currently working monthly salary after tax deduction Rs.1.75lac PM. please reconfirm whether my investment is correct or any additional is required. Thanks vinod

Ans: Vinod! It’s impressive to see your disciplined approach towards financial planning. Your portfolio indicates a strong foundation. Let’s evaluate it to ensure it aligns with your goals and assess if any additional investments are required.

Evaluating Your Investment Portfolio
Mutual Funds: Current value is Rs 97 lakh from an initial investment of Rs 45 lakh. This growth indicates a good selection of funds and market performance.

Own House: Valued at Rs 1.5 crore, it’s a significant asset contributing to your net worth.

Provident Fund: Rs 35 lakh in PF ensures long-term savings with guaranteed returns.

Other Investments: Rs 20 lakh in various other investments adds to your diversified portfolio.

Monthly Expenses and Income
Monthly Expenses: Rs 50,000. This seems manageable with your current income and investment returns.

Salary: Rs 1.75 lakh per month after tax deductions, providing a stable cash flow for expenses and savings.

Child’s Education Goal
Required Amount: Rs 1 crore for child’s education. This is a significant goal and needs careful planning.
Diversification and Risk Management
Your portfolio shows diversification across different asset classes:

Equity through Mutual Funds: Offers growth potential.

Real Estate: Provides stability and value appreciation.

Provident Fund: Ensures long-term security.

Other Investments: Adds further diversification.

Evaluating Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds have shown better performance compared to index funds, especially during market fluctuations. These funds are managed by professionals aiming to outperform the market. Given your positive growth in mutual funds, it seems you have chosen well-performing actively managed funds.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Index funds passively track a market index and cannot outperform it. They provide average market returns and lack flexibility. Actively managed funds offer the potential for higher returns through strategic investment decisions by fund managers.

Reviewing Direct vs. Regular Funds
Direct funds have lower costs but lack professional guidance. Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a CFP credential provides expert advice, ensuring that your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Financial Goals and Timeline
Given your current age of 47 years and the goal of Rs 1 crore for child’s education, it’s important to evaluate the time frame. Ensure that your investments are aligned with this goal’s timeline.

Importance of Regular Review and Rebalancing
Regular review and rebalancing of your portfolio are crucial to maintain alignment with your financial goals. Market conditions change, and so do personal circumstances. A periodic review helps in adjusting your investment strategy accordingly.

Additional Investment Suggestions
Given your strong foundation, here are a few suggestions to further optimise your portfolio:

Increase Allocation in Growth Funds: Consider adding more actively managed funds to boost growth.

Consider Balanced Funds: To manage risk while ensuring steady returns.

Explore Tax-Efficient Investments: Such as ELSS funds for tax benefits and growth.

Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund covering at least 6-12 months of expenses. This fund should be easily accessible to manage any unforeseen circumstances without disrupting your investments.

Retirement Planning
While your portfolio is strong, continue to focus on retirement planning. Ensure that your investments will provide sufficient income post-retirement, considering inflation and lifestyle needs.

Conclusion
Your current investment strategy is well-structured and diversified. With regular reviews and minor adjustments, you can ensure alignment with your financial goals, including your child’s education. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide tailored advice to further optimise your investment strategy.

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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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 13, 2024Hindi
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My age is 32 and I earn 40,000 PM. I invest 11400/ month in MF. My investments are 2000 in UTI index equity fund, 2000 in Parag Parikh Flexi Fund, 2000 Quant Midcap Fund, 1500 Tata Small Cap fund, 1500 Nippon small cap fund, 1200 in Quant flexi cap, and 1200 in Axis Small cap. I have also invested a lump sum of 60,000 in Quant Infrastructure fund. Kindly advise if my portfolio is okay
Ans: Evaluating Your Mutual Fund Portfolio
At 32, investing in mutual funds with a disciplined approach is a commendable step towards building wealth for the future. Let's evaluate your current portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Portfolio Composition
UTI Index Equity Fund:

Provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of large-cap stocks, tracking the performance of the underlying index. Offers stability and long-term growth potential.
Parag Parikh Flexi Fund:

A well-managed fund with a flexible investment approach across equity and debt securities. Known for its focus on quality stocks and global diversification.
Quant Midcap Fund:

Invests primarily in mid-cap companies with growth potential. Offers the opportunity for higher returns but comes with higher volatility.
Tata Small Cap Fund and Nippon Small Cap Fund:

Small-cap funds focus on companies with small market capitalization, offering high growth potential. However, they are more volatile and suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite.
Quant Flexi Cap and Axis Small Cap Fund:

Flexi-cap and small-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations. Ensure you're comfortable with the risk associated with small-cap investments.
Quant Infrastructure Fund (Lump Sum):

Infrastructure funds invest in companies involved in infrastructure development, such as construction, energy, and transportation. Consider the long-term prospects of the infrastructure sector and the fund's performance.
Assessing Portfolio Diversification
Your portfolio includes a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds, offering diversification across market capitalizations. However, it's essential to review the overlap between funds to avoid concentration risk and ensure adequate diversification.

Portfolio Review and Optimization
Risk Assessment:

Evaluate your risk tolerance and investment horizon to determine if the current allocation aligns with your financial goals.
Performance Review:

Monitor the performance of individual funds and compare them against their benchmarks and peer group. Consider making adjustments if any funds consistently underperform.
Asset Allocation:

Ensure your asset allocation is balanced and in line with your risk profile. Consider rebalancing if necessary to maintain the desired mix of equity and debt investments.
Professional Advice:

Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to review your portfolio and receive personalized recommendations based on your financial situation and goals.
Conclusion
Your mutual fund portfolio shows a diversified mix of investments across market capitalizations and sectors. Regularly review and assess your portfolio's performance to ensure it remains aligned with your financial objectives. Remember, investing is a long-term journey, and periodic adjustments may be necessary to navigate market fluctuations and achieve your wealth accumulation goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 13, 2024

Money
dear sir, i m 54 years old male and having investment in MF of 58 lacks of current value of 1 Cr above.also having PF Fund 24 lacs,super enuation 16 lacs and 7 to 8 lacs in NPS. my monthly salary on hand 1.8 lacks. every month invest 75k in MF and 12k in NPS. after retirement i should have monthly 1 lac for my expense. kindly suggest how much should i invest every month. i have two daughters and got marries and no liability on my head.
Ans: You have done an excellent job in building your financial portfolio. With Rs 1 crore in mutual funds, Rs 24 lakhs in Provident Fund (PF), Rs 16 lakhs in superannuation, and Rs 7-8 lakhs in NPS, you have a strong financial base. Your monthly salary of Rs 1.8 lakhs and current investments of Rs 75,000 in mutual funds and Rs 12,000 in NPS show a disciplined approach to saving for retirement.

You mentioned that you will require Rs 1 lakh per month after retirement. This is an important goal and will guide our investment strategy.

Assessing Your Retirement Income Needs
To ensure that you have Rs 1 lakh per month during retirement, we need to consider various factors. Your existing corpus will need to generate sufficient income to meet your monthly expenses without depleting the principal too quickly.

Assuming you retire at 60, you have six more years to build your retirement corpus. The challenge is to ensure that your investments grow sufficiently to provide you with a steady income of Rs 1 lakh per month. Given your current investment discipline, you are on the right path, but a few adjustments could optimize your strategy.

Investment Strategy for Mutual Funds
Reviewing Your Mutual Fund Portfolio:

Your current mutual fund portfolio of Rs 1 crore indicates good growth over time.

However, it’s essential to review the performance of these funds regularly.

Focus on funds with a proven track record and actively managed funds. These funds offer potential for higher returns than index funds.

Ensure that your portfolio is diversified across various asset classes like large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds.

SIP vs Lump Sum:

Continue with your monthly SIP of Rs 75,000 in mutual funds. This systematic approach will help you average out market volatility.

If you receive any lump sum amounts, such as bonuses or incentives, consider investing them in a staggered manner.

Debt Fund Allocation:

As you approach retirement, consider increasing your allocation to debt funds. Debt funds offer stability and can help preserve your capital.

A gradual shift towards a balanced portfolio with a higher debt component will reduce your exposure to market risks.

Optimizing Your NPS Contributions
Your monthly contribution of Rs 12,000 to NPS is a wise choice. NPS offers a mix of equity and debt, making it a balanced investment for retirement.

Consider reviewing your NPS allocation to ensure it aligns with your risk appetite.

You can opt for a more conservative approach as you near retirement, reducing equity exposure and increasing debt allocation.

Superannuation and Provident Fund Planning
Your superannuation of Rs 16 lakhs and PF of Rs 24 lakhs are excellent sources of retirement income.

Upon retirement, you can consider withdrawing a portion of these funds for immediate needs.

The remaining amount can be invested in a mix of debt instruments and hybrid mutual funds to generate regular income.

Consider options that offer both growth and income, ensuring that your principal remains intact.

Calculating Your Monthly Investments
To achieve Rs 1 lakh per month after retirement, we need to estimate the required corpus. Although exact calculations depend on various assumptions, your current investment pattern suggests that you may need to increase your monthly contributions slightly.

Estimating Future Corpus:

Considering inflation and future expenses, you might need a retirement corpus of around Rs 2-3 crores.

To reach this target, continue with your current SIPs and consider increasing your monthly investment by Rs 10,000-15,000.

You can distribute this additional investment across debt funds, equity funds, and NPS, ensuring a balanced portfolio.

Creating a Retirement Income Strategy
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP):

Upon retirement, consider setting up a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from your mutual funds. SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount regularly, providing a steady income.

SWPs are tax-efficient and help manage your cash flow.

Hybrid Funds:

Invest in hybrid mutual funds that combine equity and debt. These funds offer growth potential while reducing risk.

Hybrid funds can be part of your retirement income strategy, providing a balanced approach.

Debt Instruments:

Allocate a portion of your retirement corpus to debt instruments like fixed deposits, government bonds, or Senior Citizen Savings Schemes (SCSS).

These options provide fixed returns and ensure capital preservation.

Managing Risk and Ensuring Growth
Regular Portfolio Review:

Review your portfolio at least once a year with the help of a Certified Financial Planner. This will ensure that your investments remain aligned with your retirement goals.

Rebalance your portfolio as needed, especially if there are significant changes in market conditions or your financial situation.

Contingency Planning:

Keep a contingency fund in place, equivalent to at least 6-12 months of expenses. This fund should be easily accessible and can be in liquid funds or savings accounts.

The contingency fund ensures that you don’t need to withdraw from your investments in case of emergencies.

Final Insights
Your disciplined approach to saving and investing has put you in a strong position as you approach retirement. By making some strategic adjustments, you can ensure that you achieve your goal of Rs 1 lakh per month in retirement.

Continue with your SIPs and NPS contributions, but consider increasing your monthly investment slightly.

Diversify your portfolio, with a gradual shift towards more conservative investments as you near retirement.

Set up a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) to manage your retirement income efficiently.

Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to stay on track.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a comfortable retirement with the financial security you desire.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 19, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 19, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, am 37, am earning around 2.4 L per month. Am having a home loan with 71k EMI per month, tenure is 8 years, already 3 years have passed. I do investment of 1.5L into Sukanya account for my daughter and 1.5L into PPF. I also do 40k per month SIP, that includes 10k Parag Parikh Flexicap fund, 6k Quant Active fund, 5k Motilal Oswal Midcap fund, 5k Quant Smallcap fund, 5k Canara Robeco Smallcap fund, 6k Tata Digital India fund and 3k ICICI prudential Nasdaq Index fund. Kindly review my investment portfolio and looking forward to your expert suggestions .
Ans: You have a well-structured portfolio with a mix of traditional and modern investment options. Here's a detailed review of your current investments:

1. Home Loan Consideration
EMI Commitment: Rs 71,000 per month is a significant portion of your income. With five years remaining on the loan, your focus should be on managing this efficiently without over-leveraging yourself.
2. Traditional Investments
Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA): Investing Rs 1.5 lakhs per year is a great move for your daughter's future. SSA offers tax benefits under Section 80C and provides a decent interest rate, ensuring a secure corpus for her education or marriage.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs 1.5 lakhs annually in PPF is a prudent choice for long-term wealth creation. The tax-free interest and the secure nature of PPF make it an excellent tool for retirement planning.

3. SIP Portfolio Analysis
Diversification: Your SIPs are well-diversified across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and sectoral funds, which is good for balancing risk and reward.

Fund Selection:

Parag Parikh Flexicap Fund: This fund is known for its consistent performance, with a mix of domestic and international equities. It adds stability to your portfolio.

Quant Active Fund: This fund is a good choice for active management and offers exposure to multiple sectors. However, Quant funds are known for their aggressive approach, so monitoring is key.

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund: A focused approach on mid-cap stocks, which are riskier but offer higher growth potential. It’s a good fit for your risk appetite.

Quant Smallcap Fund and Canara Robeco Smallcap Fund: Small-cap funds can be volatile, but they offer high growth potential over the long term. Since you have two small-cap funds, you might consider if this exposure aligns with your risk tolerance.

Tata Digital India Fund: This sectoral fund focuses on the IT sector. While it has delivered strong returns, sectoral funds can be risky if the sector underperforms. Consider if you need this level of sectoral exposure.

ICICI Prudential Nasdaq Index Fund: While this fund gives exposure to global tech giants, it's tied to the performance of the Nasdaq index. Since it’s an index fund, it lacks active management, which could be a disadvantage in volatile markets.

4. Suggestions for Improvement
Review Small-Cap Exposure: You have a significant portion in small-cap funds. Small-cap funds can be volatile, and holding two such funds increases your risk. Consider consolidating or reducing exposure if it doesn't match your risk tolerance.

Reassess Sectoral Allocation: Your investment in Tata Digital India Fund ties you to one sector. If the sector performs poorly, your returns could be negatively impacted. Diversifying into a broader thematic fund might be a safer alternative.

Consider Active Management: The ICICI Prudential Nasdaq Index Fund, being an index fund, may not perform as well in bear markets. Consider switching to an actively managed international fund that can adapt to changing market conditions.

5. Final Insights
Your current investment strategy is robust, with a good mix of traditional and market-linked investments. However, you should regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Consider consolidating your small-cap exposure and reassessing your sectoral allocation to reduce risk.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 28, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hi sir, I am 40 yr old having work-expereince of 10 yrs behind me in ITes, customer support & service, banking and sales & marketing (product). My life till now can easily be converted into a bollywood biopic having its own twist & turns, roadblocks, struggles laughter, joy and sorrow. Change is the only constant in life and that exactly applies in my case. Although it has been a satisfactorily life till now given that I know myself and how I lead my life. Whenever I start to read something new I feel like going deep into it. I am also easily attracted to novel things & concepts. I usually get into procastination mode whenever I come across something entirely new and start to imagine myself trying it out in realilty.Why does this happens? Why can't I focus on one single thing at a time and see it to completion? I know in todays world generalists are looked down upon and it is an era of specialists, experts and professionals having good domain knowledge of their area of work. It is always better to be an expert than be a jack of all trades (which seems very filmy nowadays where a hero is expected to do everything on his own). Lately I have developed an avid interest in technology and i keep on reading various articles & books on IT and technology. I am also pursuing an online cyber security course from Great Learning Institute, Bangalore. I want to know am I going in the correct direction in life or is it something else I should do which ensures more satisfaction in life? Lately, I have become bit irriiated as well due to the above reasons as I tend to do multiple things at a time (multitasking). My parents are also fed up of me now. My mother keeps nagging me all day.I dont know how to really deal with her, as she always finds perfection in everything. That becomes too much at times. Does this happens in every household? Should I go out and travel to some place in order to temporarily escape from all this? Kindly suggest me some course of action. Pls answer. Thanks
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You will be distracted and keep trying new things until you actually figure out what you want for yourself in life.
- How does you life seem like a few years down the line?
- What must you do NOW to actually get to where you want in life?

And to answer these questions, you first need to identify a strong, solid goal in life. Either you work with a mentor or your boss or a friend or an expert who can help you identify your goal and purpose. That might help you stay the course and actually streamline your thoughts, your job and your daily life.
Travel used for learning is great but using it to escape only worsens things...So, work on Goal-Setting!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 16, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hi , I am a professor mech engineer , after death of my wife and due to having 5 year girl baby I planned for 2 nd marriage as I live alone away from home town because my of job with my little baby . I accepted a widow having 2 child ,she was working in a govt job 250 km away , after ensuring and agreeing her possibility of transfer and job vacancy @govt office near my house and ensuring she agreed that she will come to live with me along with her 2 kids and my little baby as her trasfer was due in comming few months . We lived apart during her job at 250 km away.,while meeting on weekly offs 6 /7 time in 6 months , then she take 360 degree u turn and said she will not get job transfer to my place and get her trasfer in other dept. in same previous office. And started telling many reasons like she will loose her children's inheritance in her in-laws property ,she will loose promotion , kids Don't want trasfer , and said we will live apart forever . This was contradictory to earlier agreed things .and my my purpose to live in family with my baby not fulfilled , so after long ruckus ,I mutually got divorce from her , Then After divorce I decided to marry non working women having no child and don't expect child as I am @48 year old and tired of living alone and managing job ,girl , house chores . I married to a divorcee girl from Pune ,she was BA first year college drop out girl of 44 yr age after 6 months of long dating on week ends . During 6 months I tried to know her indepth but was don't used to talk much as I was trying to know her true nature, we visited many places ,movies . She seemed perfect as per my requirement of girl wanting no child , and she is house wife . after marriage she behave well for 1 st week ,then she started trouble to hate my baby ( became kaikai )on pety things , she want my baby to house chores at the cost of her important year of 10th std study . She don't liked me taking tution of girl , she didn't like if I help my girl any way . She don't like if I spent some money on my girl . She used to fight all night and don't let me sleep . Now she stated demanding that she want baby , though I was against and b4 marriage agreed to not have any more child due to old age ,cost ,and no personal time for self , then I agreed to have child but b4 that I got her and my fertility tested ,she had weak eggs and syst on her reproductive organs and doc warned to not go for pregnancy due to risk and probability of unhealthy baby birth , but she kept repeating That she want child we consulted 4 Drs. She used to fight and go to her mother's home for 2/4 months after living with me for 2/3 days only . Now she wants divorce , and asks me to keep my girl in hostel if I want her in my life . This Ramayan has left me baffled , What should I do ??? .....
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The reason to marry for you mainly has been companionship, a mother for your daughter...
And marriage is not a transaction BUT a meeting of minds...when there is no compatibility, there is no space for agreeing on the same things or wanting to make things work which is possibly what has happened with your 2nd and 3rd marriage.
If you want this marriage to work, there has to be an equal commitment by both of you, so, start by emotionally bonding first. Slowly build on this by making goals for the marriage and the future...your only goal can't be mother for your child...not all women are going to readily accept this and some may even falter along the way. Allow the lady and your daughter to bond together for sometime so they develop a unique relationship...
Understand that transactional relationships do not last; so, invest enough time in building trust in that companionship for it to become something meaningful

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 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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