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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 01, 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 - Feb 20, 2024Hindi
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We are a couple earning Rs 60000 per month. My husband doesn't have any parental property. We need to save for our children and also buy house in future. We don't have child now. Please advise

Ans: Dear couple,

It's commendable that you are proactively planning for your future despite the current absence of children. Here are some steps you can take to work towards your financial goals:

Establish a Budget: Begin by creating a budget that outlines your monthly income and expenses. Identify areas where you can cut back on unnecessary spending and allocate a portion of your income towards savings and investments.

Emergency Fund: Start building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies or job loss. Aim to save at least three to six months' worth of living expenses in a readily accessible account.

Save for Children's Future: Even though you don't have children yet, it's never too early to start saving for their future education and other needs. Consider opening a dedicated savings account or investment account specifically earmarked for your future children's expenses.

Plan for Homeownership: While homeownership may seem like a distant goal, it's essential to start saving for a down payment early on. Set a savings target for your future home and explore options such as investing in mutual funds or other suitable investment vehicles to help you reach that goal.

Explore Insurance Options: Consider investing in life insurance and health insurance policies to protect your family's financial well-being in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Compare various insurance plans to find the ones that best suit your needs and budget.

Invest for Growth: Begin investing in mutual funds or other investment instruments that offer the potential for long-term growth. Consult with a financial advisor to assess your risk tolerance and investment objectives and develop a diversified investment portfolio accordingly.

Regularly Review and Adjust: Periodically review your financial plan and make adjustments as needed based on changes in your income, expenses, and financial goals. Stay disciplined in your savings and investment approach to ensure steady progress towards your objectives.

Seek Professional Guidance: If you feel overwhelmed or unsure about your financial decisions, don't hesitate to seek advice from a qualified financial advisor. A professional can provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique circumstances and help you make informed decisions.

By taking these proactive steps towards financial planning, you can lay a solid foundation for your future family's financial security and well-being. Remember that consistency, discipline, and patience are key to achieving your long-term financial goals.

Best wishes on your journey towards financial stability and prosperity.
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 15, 2024Hindi
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Sir am 33 year old.. current taking salary of 75k net per month..and having car loan of 14 k and SIP of 8.5 k .need to save for child future,please suggest
Ans: Here are some suggestions on how you can save for your child's future with a monthly income of ?75,000, a car loan of ?14,000, and an existing SIP of ?8,500:

Analyze your current spending:

Track your expenses for a month to understand where your money goes. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back and free up additional savings for your child.
Revisit your car loan:

If possible, consider refinancing your car loan to a lower interest rate. This can free up some money each month that you can then redirect towards your child's savings.
Optimize your SIP:

Review your existing SIP and ensure it aligns with your child's future goals and your risk tolerance. You may want to consider increasing the SIP amount if there's room in your budget after accounting for other expenses.
Prioritize Child Savings:

Once you have a better understanding of your spending and have potentially reduced your car loan outgo or optimized your SIP, allocate a specific amount towards your child's savings.
Investment options for your child's future:
1. Increase Existing SIP:

Consider increasing your existing SIP in the well-diversified equity mutual fund by ?3,500 per month. This brings your total SIP contribution to ?12,000 per month. This focuses on long-term growth for your child's future.
2. Diversification with Debt Fund:

Start a new SIP in a low-risk debt fund with ?3,000 per month. This provides stability and helps manage short-term financial needs your child might have. You can choose a short-term or medium-term debt fund based on your preference for when your child might need the money.
Benefits of this approach:

Flexibility: This approach allows you to manage growth and stability within your child's savings plan. The equity SIP focuses on long-term growth, while the debt SIP provides a buffer for immediate needs.
Control: You have more control over the asset allocation. You can adjust the SIP amounts in each fund as your child grows and their financial goals become clearer.
Cost-effective: Avoiding ULIPs eliminates high fees associated with those products. Regular mutual funds generally have lower expense ratios.
Additional Tips:

Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your investment strategy and rebalance the portfolio (equity vs. debt) if needed, to maintain your desired asset allocation.
Start Early, Invest Regularly: Even small increases in SIP contributions can make a significant difference over time due to compounding.
Consider PPF or Sukanya Samriddhi (if applicable): If you're in India, explore options like Public Provident Fund (PPF) or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (for girl child) for additional tax benefits and safe, guaranteed returns.
Remember:

Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice considering your risk tolerance and your child's age and goals.
They can recommend specific mutual funds based on your investment goals and risk profile.
By following these steps and consulting a professional, you can build a strong foundation for your child's financial future.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 19, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi, I am 44 Years, Married, Wife age 39 and not working, 2 Kids age 10 and 6 years studying. Monthly In : approx.150000 (after deducting tax etc.). Monthly expenses approx. Rs. 1 Lac, Investment: Rs. 17500 PM in 7 different MFs, 12500 PPF PM, 50000 Insurance Per annum, 50000 NPS per annum, Not having own house (suffered a loss of approx. Rs. 25 Lac in a property in year 2015), currently on rent, not having any other support system...pl advise how to proceed further. Regards
Ans: Current Financial Overview
Your income is Rs. 1,50,000 per month.

Your monthly expenses are approximately Rs. 1,00,000.

You are investing Rs. 17,500 per month in mutual funds, Rs. 12,500 per month in PPF, Rs. 50,000 annually in insurance, and Rs. 50,000 annually in NPS.

Assessing Your Investments
Mutual Funds

Investing in seven different mutual funds is good for diversification.

PPF

PPF is a safe investment with tax benefits.

Insurance

Ensure you have adequate term insurance coverage.

NPS

NPS is good for retirement planning with tax benefits.

Financial Goals and Strategies
Goal: Buying a House
You previously faced a loss in property investment.

Saving for a house should be a priority.

Consider saving separately in a high-interest account.

Goal: Children’s Education
Plan for your children’s education expenses.

Start SIPs in education-focused mutual funds.

Goal: Retirement Planning
You are already investing in NPS and PPF.

Consider increasing contributions to NPS.

Monthly Savings Allocation
Increase Savings

Try to save more from your monthly income.

Aim for saving 25-30% of your income.

Investment Diversification
Equity Mutual Funds

Allocate more to large-cap and mid-cap funds.

These funds offer balanced growth and stability.

Debt Funds

Invest in debt funds for stability and regular income.

Balanced Funds

Consider balanced advantage funds.

These funds provide a mix of equity and debt.

Insurance Review
Term Insurance

Ensure you have adequate term insurance coverage.

A cover of Rs. 1 crore is recommended.

Health Insurance

Ensure comprehensive health coverage for your family.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund.

Keep at least 6 months of expenses in a liquid fund.

Professional Guidance
Consult a Certified Financial Planner.

They can provide personalized advice and regular reviews.

Action Plan
1. Increase SIPs

Gradually increase SIP contributions.

Focus on large-cap, mid-cap, and balanced funds.

2. Save for House

Save separately in a high-interest account for buying a house.

3. Plan for Education

Start SIPs in education-focused mutual funds.

4. Review Insurance

Ensure adequate term and health insurance coverage.

5. Maintain Emergency Fund

Keep an emergency fund for at least 6 months of expenses.

Final Insights
Your financial plan should focus on increasing savings, diversifying investments, and planning for future goals.

Regularly review and adjust your investments to stay on track.

Seek professional guidance to ensure a comprehensive financial strategy.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on May 19, 2025

Money
Dear Sir, Me and my wife are 39 years old, our total in hand income from salary is 1.3 lakhs. I have a car loan EMI of 28100, 4 yrs left in tenure. We have personal loan EMI of total of 25k monthly and 4 yrs remaining. We have invested in 3k monthly in PPF and 6k monthly SIP in MF (both of us incuded). We pay rent of 26k per month. Our kid is 2.5 yrs old and we have put him in daycare as we have to go office. Daycare expenses are 9k per month, including his 3 times meal. Petrol expenses are 7k per month (have to take our own car as using public/shared/office transport takes additional 1 hr to an fro from office). Broadband and moble connection together costs us 2.2k per month and Electricity is 1.8k per month. Remaing amount is spent in Groceries+Misc. We dont have any gold/own house/land/parents house or any savings left nor do we have any cash left. We dnt have any insurance for neither of us. Our child is growing and we need money for his education and futue, we need to buy a home for ourself. How to plan for our child's education and future and our retirement and our income and our future.
Ans: Dear Deepankar,
At 39, with a child and heavy EMIs, focus first on stability. Get term insurance (?1 crore each) and family health insurance (?10–15 lakh). Build a 3-month emergency fund by cutting discretionary spends. Consider refinancing loans to reduce monthly EMIs. Pause SIPs temporarily; restart once debts ease. Shift to a more affordable rental if possible. Delay home buying until finances improve. Track every expense and optimize where possible. Later, restart SIPs for your child’s education and your retirement. Discipline and clear priorities now will secure your family's financial future. Consult a financial planner to structure goals and investment strategy effectively.
Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

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

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