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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10836 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 29, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Sep 28, 2025Hindi
Money

My Daughter is recently joined job she wanted to Do SIP for her and her Brothers monthly 5k for Both. Could you please suggest good funds.

Ans: It is very nice that your daughter has started earning and already wants to support her and her brother’s future. This early sense of responsibility shows strong values and forward-thinking. Starting SIPs early, even with smaller amounts, creates a solid foundation for long-term wealth creation. With Rs. 5,000 monthly for each goal, the plan needs proper direction and discipline.

» Current intention and strength

– She wishes to start SIP for herself.
– She also wants to invest Rs. 5,000 for her brother.
– This shows early awareness about financial independence and family support.
– Smaller SIPs at younger age grow very big over time.
– Early action builds the habit of disciplined investing.

» Importance of separating goals

– Her own SIP should be tagged to personal goals like retirement or future assets.
– Brother’s SIP should be tagged to his education or marriage.
– Keeping separate SIPs for separate goals avoids confusion later.
– Clear tagging helps track progress easily.

» Why SIP is best choice now

– SIP allows gradual investing without pressure.
– Even small Rs. 5,000 monthly grows big in long run.
– It teaches patience and consistency.
– Rupee-cost averaging helps balance market ups and downs.

» Why not index funds

– Many people talk about index funds as cheap options.
– But index funds only copy the market index.
– They do not use research or active management.
– They do not protect in down markets.
– Returns remain average and sometimes below inflation after costs.
– Actively managed funds allow expert managers to select better stocks.
– Active funds provide scope for higher returns with risk control.
– For young investors with long-term horizon, active funds are safer.

» Why not direct funds

– Direct funds look cheaper as they avoid distributor cost.
– But direct investors often lack professional guidance.
– Wrong scheme selection, panic selling in market fall, and no review harm returns.
– Regular funds through Certified Financial Planner give handholding.
– CFP ensures rebalancing, proper asset allocation, and behavioural discipline.
– Value from guidance is much bigger than small cost saving.

» Suggested SIP strategy for her

– For herself, she can keep Rs. 5,000 monthly SIP in actively managed equity funds.
– This will create long-term retirement or wealth corpus.
– At young age, equity allocation can be higher.
– She has more than 20 years, so volatility does not hurt.

– For her brother, Rs. 5,000 monthly SIP also in equity funds is better.
– If his education goal is near, equity portion must reduce 3–4 years before use.
– If the money is for marriage, she can keep equity for 15–20 years.

» Emergency and protection aspects

– Along with SIPs, she must build emergency reserve also.
– At least 3 months of salary should be kept in liquid funds.
– If she does not have term insurance or health insurance, those must be arranged.
– For her brother’s SIP, she should ensure money continues even if she cannot contribute later.

» Tax awareness for future

– Equity mutual fund gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh yearly will be taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term equity gains are taxed at 20%.
– If she stays invested long-term, tax effect will be lower compared to FD.
– For debt mutual funds, tax will be as per income slab.
– Planning redemption properly under CFP guidance will reduce tax outgo.

» How to increase impact

– Rs. 5,000 monthly is good start, but she should increase SIP with salary hikes.
– Even Rs. 500 or Rs. 1,000 yearly increase makes big difference.
– Long-term compounding will work strongly with such step-up SIPs.

» Role of Certified Financial Planner

– She should not choose schemes randomly from apps or tips.
– A Certified Financial Planner can align her SIPs with exact goals.
– CFP can also help in reviewing yearly and switching when needed.
– This prevents mistakes like over-diversification or chasing returns.

» Behavioural discipline for her

– She should not stop SIP during market crash.
– She should not withdraw early unless goal requires.
– She should track yearly progress, not daily NAVs.
– Patience and regularity are key to success.

» Final Insights

Your daughter is showing maturity by thinking of both her and her brother’s future. Starting Rs. 5,000 SIP each in actively managed mutual funds through CFP-guided regular plan is the right step. Over years, increasing these SIPs, keeping insurance protection, and reviewing annually will help her create meaningful wealth. This habit will support both her retirement needs and her brother’s future goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
Asked on - Oct 04, 2025 | Answered on Oct 06, 2025
How can I count you Sir. For choosing better SIP
Ans: I appreciate your trust and willingness to connect.
Let's embark on this financial journey together.
You can reach me through my website mentioned below.
This platform has restrictions on sharing personal contact. Hope you understand.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic_investment_planners/
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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Naveenn Kummar  |228 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 10, 2025

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Hi, I'm 49 married with 2 kids aged 16 and 11. I work in mid mgmt in a Finance co. Wife is 45 works at a Bank. Combined annual salary is 80 lakhs. Live in a home which just got loan free. Have a rental income of 40k monthly that my wife gets. Mom also lives with us and she gets a rental income of 45k per month. I have invested in a small office space which will be ready by mid 2027 and has a construction linked plan, have to pay 40L more. I Have stocks of 45L and EPF of 60L PPF of 12 L. Have ancestral property in land at native place not much but say 25L. Mom has pledged 50% of her assets to my sister. Liability of office and company car is 6L. School fees and tution fees are paid from rental income and wife chips in. There's maintenance, club membership fees, insurance, repairs and maintenance, kids pocket money, groceries, internet, mobile, maids etc. which I pay. I'm thinking of quitting my job and starting something on my own. I am a guest lecturer at a college which is pro bono and also helping 2 Startups of friends over weekend with a tiny equity stake in one. Is it a right decision? Pressure at work is high, growth chances are minimum. Many colleagues asked to go. The environment isn't very encouraging. Pls advise if I'm ok financially with about 45 lakhs liability. Never got a chance to save as EMIs were 75% of income. I'm unable to get a direction.
Ans: You are 49, with a stable dual-income family, home loan cleared, and some investments in place. You feel stagnated in your job and want to start something of your own. It’s a natural and valid thought at this life stage — but the decision needs to be planned, not impulsive.

At present, your financial base is decent but not fully liquid. You still have about ?45 lakh in liabilities, upcoming education costs for your children, and limited cash reserves. Your wife’s job and rental income can sustain household expenses, but not much beyond that.

The wise move is to continue your job while you explore your business or investment idea part-time. Use the next 18–24 months to:

Clear pending loans, especially the office property.

Build a minimum ?20–25 lakh emergency corpus.

Fund your children’s education separately.

Test and refine your business idea alongside your job.

Before quitting, also discuss openly with your spouse whether she is comfortable with you stepping away from a steady income. Her emotional and financial comfort will determine how smooth your transition is.

In short:
Keep your job, continue your startup or investing interest part-time, strengthen your finances, and plan a structured exit once liabilities are cleared. Freedom feels best when it’s backed by security, not uncertainty.

Contingency buffer and health insurance details:
For detailed financial planning and portfolio reconstruction, please connect with a Qualified Personal Finance Professional (QPFP).

Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

...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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