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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7981 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 16, 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 - May 16, 2024Hindi
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Firstly, thanks for patiently answering everyone's questions ????. Can you please suggest a suggest a MF which i wznt to invest in for next 10 years for my kids higher education. I see lot of children related mutual funds but unable to decide on one. I am ok to take high risk since ny inv would be for more than ten years.

Ans: Investing for your child's education is a thoughtful decision that requires careful consideration. I appreciate your dedication to securing their future. Let's delve into selecting the right mutual fund for this purpose.

Understanding Your Investment Horizon and Risk Appetite
Investing for your child's education over a ten-year period is a commendable strategy. Since you're comfortable with high risk, you have the potential for higher returns over the long term.

Evaluating Mutual Fund Options
When considering mutual funds for your child's education, it's essential to focus on funds with a proven track record of long-term growth. Look for funds managed by experienced professionals with a history of delivering consistent returns.

Active vs. Passive Management: Making the Right Choice
While index funds offer low fees and broad market exposure, they may not outperform actively managed funds, especially during volatile market conditions. Actively managed funds, overseen by skilled fund managers, have the flexibility to adapt to market changes and potentially outperform the market indices.

Emphasizing the Benefits of Active Management
Actively managed funds offer the advantage of professional oversight, where fund managers actively research and select investments to maximize returns and mitigate risks. This approach can be particularly beneficial in volatile markets, helping to navigate uncertainties and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds and the Benefits of Regular Funds through a Certified Financial Planner
Direct investing requires significant time and expertise to research, select, and monitor investments effectively. By working with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), you gain access to professional guidance and personalized investment strategies tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance. Through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a CFP credential, you can benefit from ongoing support and portfolio reviews, ensuring your investments remain aligned with your objectives.

Making an Informed Decision
Consider mutual funds with a focus on sectors or themes aligned with your child's educational aspirations. Diversification is key to managing risk, so opt for funds with a well-balanced portfolio across various asset classes.

Conclusion
Investing in mutual funds for your child's higher education requires a thoughtful approach that considers your investment horizon, risk tolerance, and the expertise of fund managers. By leveraging the benefits of active management and seeking guidance from a Certified Financial Planner, you can make informed decisions that lay the foundation for your child's bright future.

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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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jul 21, 2023

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Hi i have 3 kids (twins 2nd time around ) from last 4 years i have been investing only in PF for all 3 . Now i have some surplus income of 15k per month pls suggest some aggresive mutual fund or stocks . which can help me for their education 15 years later . also i read an article that buying directly from AMC helps me save 1-2% is that true ?
Ans: Hello Ravi and thanks for writing to me.

I only discuss mutual funds in this section. As I understand, you have Rs.15,000 to invest every month and you require a corpus in around 15 years to pay for their higher education. As your time horizon is long, you can consider starting monthly SIP's in:

1-UTI Small Cap Fund-Rs.5,000
2-Sundaram Small Cap Fund-Rs.5,000
3-DSP Midcap Fund-Rs.5,000

Mid and small cap schemes can be more volatile than large cap funds, but also offer the chance of generating higher returns over the long term. After some 9 or 10 years, you can consider pausing the SIPs in the small and mid cap funds and then consider investing in large cap and balanced advantage funds as they tend to be less volatile.

I do not find any goal or target amount. If you provide that information, then I may recommend other schemes.


Coming to the second part of your question, mutual funds offer 2 types of plans, one is called the regular plan and the other is called a direct plan. In a regular plan, there is a mutual fund distributor involved and the mutual fund company pays the agent a commission and hence the returns are a little lower than the direct plan. But mutual fund distributors provide valuable advice to clients on how to structure, rebalance and maintain a portfolio. So the excess 1%-2% returns should not be the only criterion to choose a direct plan.

I urge you to consult a financial advisor who can recommend schemes based on your own risk appetite and goals for your kids' education.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7981 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 2024

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Dear sir which mutual fund children education suitable my children age 8years and 3years .my age 44.Give some mutual fund name Can i invest 01 years in sip?
Ans: Planning for Bright Futures: Choosing Mutual Funds for Your Children's Education
That's fantastic that you're thinking about your children's education so early! With your 8-year-old and 3-year-old, you have a good amount of time to invest and grow a corpus for their future studies. Let's explore some key points to consider:

Choosing the Right Investment:

Long-Term Goal: Your children's education needs are long term (8-15 years for the elder one and 13-18 years for the younger one).

Investment Horizon: Considering their ages, you have a long investment horizon, which allows for potentially higher growth options.

Actively Managed Funds for Growth:

Given your long-term perspective, actively managed funds can be a good option. Here's why:

Outperform the Market: These funds have fund managers who try to pick promising stocks and beat the market average. This has the potential for higher returns compared to passively managed options.
Matching Time Horizon with Risk:

Aggressive Balanced Actively Managed Funds: For your elder child (8 years old, longer time horizon), consider a more aggressive balanced actively managed fund. This offers a mix of equity and debt, with potentially higher growth but also more risk.

Balanced Actively Managed Funds: For your younger child (3 years old, even longer time horizon), a balanced actively managed fund might be suitable. This offers a good balance between growth and stability.

Remember, I can't recommend specific funds. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can suggest specific actively managed funds based on your risk tolerance and investment goals.

A Word on Investment Tenure:

While a 1-year SIP is possible, it's generally not recommended for long-term goals. SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is a great way to invest regularly for long-term goals. Rupee-cost averaging helps you benefit from market ups and downs. Consider a longer SIP tenure to benefit from compounding (earning interest on your interest).

Benefits of a CFP:

A CFP can create a personalized plan for you. They can:

Analyze Your Risk Tolerance: Are you comfortable with potential market fluctuations? A higher risk tolerance allows for potentially higher returns through aggressive investments.

Recommend Investment Mix: A CFP can suggest a suitable mix of actively managed funds based on your risk tolerance and your children's age-specific needs.

Review and Rebalance: Your financial situation and goals might change over time. A CFP will monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Additional Considerations:

Review Existing Investments: Do you have any existing investments? A CFP can assess their suitability for your children's education goals.

Government Schemes: Explore government schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for your daughter's education (if applicable).

Investing in Your Children's Future:

By starting early and planning strategically, you can ensure your children have the resources they need for a bright future. Actively managed funds within a diversified portfolio can be a powerful tool for growth, but remember, they also carry risk. Consulting a CFP can help you navigate your options and make informed investment decisions for your children's education.

Don't wait! Schedule a consultation with a CFP to get started on your child's education planning journey.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1514 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 14, 2025
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Hello, Anu I have been married to my wife for 2 Month now. Everything is ok going ok in our marriage. We are enjoying time together, eating out, travelling and also having good intemate time with each other. But we are able to have sex with each other, initial because of being uncomfortable to do intemate thinks together, but now mainly due to possibilities that me might have to face pain, my genetals remains dry through out that give in irritation, also I am not able to penetrate, as I kind of thinks that her veginal opning is small. I do tried fingering but see didn't liked it. Also trying to do so I am often loose confidence and also also loose arrosal and desire to go ahead. Please help use so that we can enjoy more of our sexual life.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
There's obviously an issue when it comes to sexual intimacy. But when you are very strictly focused on something not happening, it becomes stress and sexual intimacy in stress never happens.
If there is no medical issue, then it's purely about indulging in a lot of foreplay, a lot emotional bonding and most importantly learn to laugh a lot together. This releases a lot of strain and stress if any from both of you as a couple which in turn will help in intimacy.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7981 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

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Dear sir ,I am paying home loan EMI of 18000 per month ,and 5600 for LIC and 2700 for term life insurance. 5300 is deducting every month from my salary for NPS .I have health insurance also .After all my deductions and expenses, I am saving 20000 rupees. I have a daughter of 6 months old. I want to invest that amount for my daughter's education and marriage expenses. Please suggest me where to invest 20000 amount per month 1) Should I invest in sukanya Yojana scheme or mutual funds 2) please suggest where to invest my savings.
Ans: Since you have a stable monthly saving of Rs 20,000 after all expenses, your focus should be on long-term wealth creation.

Your daughter’s education and marriage expenses are long-term goals, so you need growth-oriented investments.

Review of Your Current Financial Position
Home Loan EMI: Rs 18,000 per month.
LIC Premium: Rs 5,600 per month.
Term Life Insurance: Rs 2,700 per month.
NPS Deduction: Rs 5,300 per month.
Health Insurance: Already covered.
Savings Available for Investment: Rs 20,000 per month.
Daughter’s Age: 6 months.
Since your daughter’s higher education is at least 15-18 years away, you can take advantage of long-term compounding.

Comparison: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana vs. Mutual Funds
1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Provides tax-free returns but with a fixed interest rate.
Lock-in until your daughter turns 21 years old.
Interest rates fluctuate yearly and may not beat inflation.
Best for stable returns but not high growth.
2. Equity Mutual Funds
Offers higher returns over long periods.
You can start SIP of Rs 20,000 per month in a diversified mix.
Highly liquid compared to SSY.
Flexibility to withdraw partially if needed.
Best Strategy for Investing Rs 20,000 Per Month
A balanced approach between mutual funds and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is ideal.

1. Equity Mutual Funds (70%) – Rs 14,000 per month
Invest for long-term wealth creation.
Actively managed funds perform better than index funds in India.
Split into large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
Investing through MFD with CFP credentials ensures proper selection.
2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (20%) – Rs 4,000 per month
This ensures safe and tax-free returns.
Ideal for conservative investment portion.
SSY deposits can be made until your daughter turns 15.
3. Gold & International Funds (10%) – Rs 2,000 per month
Gold protects against inflation and currency fluctuations.
International funds add global diversification to your portfolio.
Helps balance risks in an unpredictable market.
Final Insights
Avoid investing all your money in SSY since returns are low.
Mutual funds provide higher growth for long-term needs.
Diversify into gold and international funds for additional security.
Review and rebalance your portfolio every 6 months.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7981 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

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Hi. Recently I sold my house in my hometown for 60L and invested the proceeds (36L) over HL (24L) in a residential plot. Since the EMI I used to pay is freed up. I would like to invest it with an exposure to real estate. EMI was 25K, since I won't be getting income tax rebate, available fund per month would be 20K. Please help me choose an investment strategy. Thanks
Ans: Since real estate is already a part of your portfolio, you should focus on a diversified investment plan.

Review of Your Current Position
You sold your house for Rs 60 lakh.

After clearing Rs 24 lakh home loan, you reinvested Rs 36 lakh in a residential plot.

Your home loan EMI of Rs 25,000 is now free, but the post-tax benefit amount is Rs 20,000 per month.

You want investment exposure to real estate, but diversification is key.

Challenges with Further Real Estate Investment
Real estate is illiquid. Selling property takes time.

Rental yields in India are low, around 2-3% annually.

It requires high capital investment and additional maintenance costs.

Regulatory and legal issues may impact investment returns.

Alternative Investment Plan
A better approach is to invest in financial assets with a well-structured allocation.

1. Equity Mutual Funds (60%)
Rs 12,000 per month in equity funds for long-term growth.

Flexi-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds can provide strong returns.

Actively managed funds outperform index funds in volatile markets.

Investing via an MFD with CFP credentials ensures professional fund selection.

2. Debt Mutual Funds (20%)
Rs 4,000 per month in debt funds for stability.

Debt funds provide better liquidity than real estate.

Returns are higher than fixed deposits over the long term.

Taxation is as per your income slab, so it should be monitored.

3. Gold and International Funds (10%)
Rs 2,000 per month in gold or international funds.

Gold protects against inflation and economic uncertainty.

International funds give exposure to global markets for additional growth.

4. Emergency Fund & Liquidity (10%)
Rs 2,000 per month into liquid funds or short-term debt funds.

This will act as a safety net for unforeseen expenses.

Having a buffer prevents the need to sell long-term investments during emergencies.

Final Insights
Avoid further real estate investments due to liquidity issues.

A structured SIP approach in mutual funds will generate better returns.

Ensure diversification across equity, debt, and gold.

Review your portfolio every 6 months and rebalance if needed.

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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