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Should I stay with my home loan at ICICI HFC or switch to a personal loan?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8027 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 13, 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
Anonymous Question by Anonymous on Jul 29, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, i had taken a loan of 26 Lakhs from ICICI HFC, the current rate of interest is 13.45 %, the current Principial balance is 17 Lakhs and recently checked whether they can reduce the interest to 10.35 % and which they are checking, I was also thinking to get a personal loan and close this and personal loan rate of interest is 10.75%. Request you to kindly whether i should stay with ICICI and reduce the tenure of loan by reducing the interest or should go for Personal loan so that I can have my land documents back with me.

Ans: It's better to stay with ICICI and negotiate the interest rate down to 10.35% rather than taking a personal loan. The reduced rate will lower your EMI and interest costs without the added burden of a new personal loan. Additionally, this approach helps you keep your land documents as collateral, which is typically safer than unsecured personal loans.

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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8027 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 27, 2024

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Hello Sir, I have taken a home loan from HDFC. Now only 27 EMI are to be paid. My current rate of interest is 8.55%. Yesterday, I received an email from HDFC saying that I can opt for a fixed rate of interest for the remaining tenure. They have not given that fixed rate of interest in the email. My question is that should I opt for the offer? Can you please suggest if it would be beneficial for me or not? Thanks in advance for your advice. - Satish
Ans: Satish, it's great that you're considering your options carefully when it comes to your home loan. Opting for a fixed interest rate can offer stability and predictability in your monthly payments, which can be comforting, especially as you near the end of your loan tenure.

However, before making a decision, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Consider factors such as the current interest rate environment, your financial situation, and any potential future changes in interest rates. While a fixed rate can shield you from fluctuations in interest rates, it may also mean missing out on potential savings if interest rates decrease in the future.

As a Certified Financial Planner would advise, evaluate the terms of the fixed interest rate offer from HDFC, including the rate itself and any associated fees or conditions. Compare it with your current variable interest rate to determine if the switch would be beneficial for you in the long run. Remember, every financial decision is unique, so take your time to make an informed choice that aligns with your goals and circumstances.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8027 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2024

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Hello Sir, I have taken a home loan from HDFC. Now only 27 EMI are to be paid. My current rate of interest is 8.55%. Yesterday, I received an email from HDFC saying that I can opt for a fixed rate of interest for the remaining tenure. They have not given that fixed rate of interest in the email. My question is that should I opt for the offer? Can you please suggest if it would be beneficial for me or not? Thanks in advance for your advice. - Satish
Ans: Hello Satish,

It's great that you're considering your options regarding your home loan. Opting for a fixed interest rate can provide stability and predictability to your monthly payments, but it's essential to evaluate whether it's the right choice for you. Here are some factors to consider:

Fixed vs. Floating Rate: Compare the current floating rate of interest (8.55%) with the fixed rate offered by HDFC. If the fixed rate is lower than your current floating rate, it could potentially save you money over the remaining tenure of your loan.

Future Interest Rate Trends: Assess the prevailing economic conditions and interest rate outlook. If there's a possibility of interest rates rising in the future, locking in a fixed rate now could protect you from potential increases in your monthly payments.

Your Financial Situation: Consider your financial stability and ability to afford potential fluctuations in your monthly payments. Fixed-rate loans offer certainty, but they may have slightly higher initial EMIs compared to floating-rate loans.

Loan Duration: Since you have only 27 EMIs remaining, the impact of interest rate fluctuations may be limited. Evaluate whether the potential savings from switching to a fixed rate justify any associated costs or changes in your monthly budget.

Terms and Conditions: Review the terms and conditions of the fixed-rate offer carefully. Understand any associated fees, penalties, or restrictions that may apply.

Ultimately, the decision to opt for a fixed interest rate depends on your individual preferences, risk tolerance, and financial goals. If you prioritize stability and prefer knowing exactly what your monthly payments will be, opting for a fixed rate may offer peace of mind.

Before making a decision, I recommend reaching out to HDFC to request the specific fixed interest rate offered and to clarify any doubts or concerns you may have. Additionally, consider consulting with a financial advisor or mortgage expert who can provide personalized advice based on your situation.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |536 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Feb 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 19, 2025
Relationship
Recently, we got Engaged after a Courtship Period of 6 Months. Prior to this, my Fiancee had been in a Long Term Relationship, while I had never been into any Serious Romantic Relationship, apart from Platonic Friendship, with the Female Gender. Some 3 Months ago, my Fiancee confessed everything about her Past Relationship. Apparently, her Ex Boyfriend was quite Toxic. He used to Abuse her Emotionally but still Manipulate her into having Sexual Intercourse with him, which he was really good at. She also confessed that she enjoyed the Sexual Intimacy, even though she felt Emotionally invalidated in her previous Relationship. Apparently, their Relationship ended when she started being Assertive & tried taking a stand for herself. Then he Gaslighted her & Broke up the Relationship which was almost 5 years long. Initially, I felt uncomfortable hearing all these details from her as I was Virgin without any Prior Relationship Experience. But gradually, I began to Empathize with her. I appreciated her Honesty, as most other Women may not have Confessed all these before having an Arranged Marriage. Hence, I decided to Love her, without Judging her Past. Over the next 3 Months, we both became Emotionally close to each other & got Engaged with the Blessings of both Families. At the beginning of the Valentine's Week, I expressed my desire to lose my Virginity to her & also check our Sexual Compatibility, only if she's comfortable with it. She agreed & promised me that she would be taking the lead to ensure that my 'First Experience' would be memorable. On the 14th of February (Valentine's Day), she was the one who took me out on a Romantic Date, pampered me with Gifts, Treated me to exquisite Food & Drink. She had Pre-booked a Room in a Classy Hotel & had it arranged like it was meant for the First Night of a Just-Married Couple. We freshened up & got into the act. Initially, it was going great, but when we were in the middle of it, she started moaning the name of her Ex Boyfriend, in a Sub-conscious state. I was shocked & turned off. Immediately, I left the Hotel Room & went back Home & cried throughout the Night, thinking about my First Experience which was Ruined like this. The next day, she came over to meet me at my Place & gave me a Flower Bouquet with an Apology Note. My Heart wouldn't let me meet or talk with her. Hence, she expressed herself in Text. She profusely apologized for ruining my First Experience, though it was not intentional. She promised me that she would make up for this Bad Experience with a much better Experience, if I am willing to give her another chance. But I have a Gut Feeling that she was missing the Sexual Intimacy, which she used to enjoy with her Ex Boyfriend & that she can never Love me, as deeply as she Loved him, that she was unable to forget him even after going through an Abusive Relationship & a Traumatic Breakup. During the last 3 Months, I had treated gently with Empathy, showering her with Affection, so that she'd heal from her Past Relationship Trauma & I never tried to Pressurize her into having Sex with me, I just expressed my Desires & gave her the choice, whether or not to fulfill them. She seemed to have agreed, wholeheartedly. Several times, I asked her whether she was Physically, Mentally & Emotionally Prepared for it, just to Reassure myself that I am not being Manipulative like her Ex Boyfriend. Even if she had expressed 1% Uncertainty to go ahead, I wouldn't have insisted her & put it away to a later point of time, when she felt comfortable with me. She reassured me that she's completely ready & did all the Arrangements herself, which really touched my Heart as most other Girls expect the man to put in most of the efforts & feel as if they are doing him a Favour by 'giving him Sexual Pleasure'. But what happened on our First Night, Devastated me completely. Now I feel that she had been Faking it all the time. I told her clearly that I felt Cheated & that it would be Difficult for me to Trust her again. She excused herself saying that it was just a 'Mistake' & she didn't even consider it as 'Cheating' as it happened involuntarily. But I am Worried about such scenarios recurring after we get Married. What if she keeps thinking & fantasizing about her Ex Boyfriend, everytime we get Intimate? It would be as if, she's just present with me, physically but not Emotionally. It Would Ruin my Peace of Mind as I want to Enjoy a Blissful Sex Life with my Wife after getting Married. I am worried that this Incident may keep playing in my Subconscious Mind, everytime we get Intimate & that I'll never be able to enjoy Sexual Intimacy ever again. I told her that I am not really Sure about going ahead with the Marriage, but I am not able to discuss this matter with my Parents (or even her Parents) as they wouldn't approve of the Pre-marital Sex, which we engaged in. I am also Worried that even if I Cancel this Marriage, I may or may not get another Girl who's as good as this one & I am also worried about how the Next Girl would be Judging me, if I disclose all this to her. I am losing my Sleep over-thinking all this & unable to lead my Daily Life, Peacefully. Meanwhile, my Fiancee messages me several times every day, Requesting for another chance to Please me Sexually (in order to keep me attached to her, so that I don't try to Cancel the Marriage). I don't understand what to do, in this situation, Please advise me. Shall I Cancel the Marriage? What shall we tell our Parents? Or does she really Deserve another Chance?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
First of all, I am really sorry you are going through such a tough time. Secondly, from all the details you have given, you were certainly not manipulative. Now coming to your query, I understand that it can be very difficult to discuss such an intimate moment with parents or make them understand why you decided to break things off, but if that is the only thing holding you off, I would say it's better to have a few uncomfortable discussions than a lifetime of wondering "if your wife is thinking about her ex." And even if she does not, would you ever truly believe that? You have two options- either you postpone the wedding and ask for some time to figure things out, in the meanwhile seek couples' counseling and see if this is a compatible match, or you completely rethink the alliance. After all, it is a matter of your entire life. The one thing I would definitely suggest is not to make hasty decisions or decisions based on "will I find someone else?" These both will make you make choices that are made in desperation. Remember it is better to be alone than in an unhappy and lonely marriage. And why would anyone judge you? You are not in the wrong here.

One more thing, as far as telling your parents is concerned, you can cite a reason like "compatibility issues which are slightly personal." I am sure they won't press on it. But please do not rush into anything.
Hope this helps.

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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |536 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Feb 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 01, 2025Hindi
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I (30M) have been in the process of Arranged Marriage, screening prospective matches. Out of all the Women I'd met, there's this one Woman (28F) with whom I'm able to get along quite well. She's quite good in almost all aspects such as Appearance, Personality, Education, Career, Social & Emotional Intelligence etc. and our Interests & aspirations for Future, also align to a great extent. It seems Feasible that we build a Life together. Even she seems to be interested in me. But there's one major problem. She doesn't seem to be Trusting me well enough to open up to me, completely. We've interacting with each other since a Few Months, over Social Media, WhatsApp Messages, Phone Calls & even met each other personally on several Dates & spent good time together, understanding each other. We've discussed almost all the important aspects required for leading a Fruitful Married Life, such as, Finances, Family Affairs, Children, Future Plans in terms of Career & Personal Life, Our Travelling Bucket Lists etc & we seem to be quite compatible on almost all these aspects. But there's one aspect that she's not willing to Share with me openly. That's about her Past Relationship(s) & Sexual History. I had brought up this topic for the first time on a Date, when we'd spent over a Month in Courtship & were meeting each other in person for the 5th time. I started off by telling her that I had not been involved in any Romantic Relationship(s) either Serious or Casual, during my College Years or in my Early to Mid 20's as I had been going through a lot struggles, during that Age and I had started meeting up with Ladies only since the past 2-3 Years, after I was settled well in a stable Career & got Serious about Marriage. And obviously, I am a Virgin. When I asked her to share about her Past, she excused herself & left, abruptly ending our Date. I understood that she might not be feeling comfortable with opening up at this stage. I profusely apologized if I'd crossed my Limits, unknowingly & asked her to meet up for another Date, after a week, wherein I Reassured her that whatever is discussed between the both of us regarding sensitive personal matters, shall only remain between the both of us & need not be shared with anyone else (including Parents). She agreed with me but still didn't open up about her Past. I waited Patiently giving her few more weeks' time to open up as per her Convenience, but she never did. Whenever I brought up this sensitive topic again, she'd either change the Topic or make some Excuse to Leave, ending our interaction abruptly. I still maintained Patience & kept Reassuring her gently, that I want to know about her Past, not to Judge her, but only to understand her better. Still she seemed reluctant to open up about her Past, but is actively conversing on any other Topic. The last time we'd met personally was on a Dinner Date, a week ago. When I gently raised the Topic again, she seemed to get somewhat irritated & asked me "How does my Past, really matter to you?" I Replied that it is very much important for me to know everything about her Past, to be able to Trust her completely & take the Relationship ahead and once again I reminded her of both my Promises that I would listen to her with empathy & understanding without Judgement and that I would maintain utmost Secrecy with Respect to her Sensitive Personal Matters. Still she seemed avoidant about the Uncomfortable Conversation & tried to Gaslight me as if I'm Disrespecting her Personal Boundaries. Our Date ended on an unpleasant note & since then our Interaction over WhatsApp has been just minimal. I don't understand what's the matter with her, she never Shied away from discussing any other Important topic & communicated her views, quite effectively, giving me the Impression that she's a Matured Person, but I don't understand why she's so reluctant to open up on this Important topic, in spite of repeated Reassurances from my side. Please advise me, how do I proceed with this Sensitive issue? I am very much into her & wouldn't want to throw away such a Wonderful prospect as we seem to be getting along, quite well, with each other. At the same time, I feel the need to know everything about her Past Relationship(s) including her Sexual History, so that I can be sure about certain things, which greatly matter to me. My Gut Instinct refuses to Trust & Accept her completely, without this missing piece of Jigsaw Puzzle. I'm in great Dilemma now, any Qualitative Advice from Experienced People would be greatly appreciated.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand your concerns but it might be nice if you understand her concerns as well. While most people promise to neither judge nor share sensitive details, they rarely keep their promise, especially when the experiences are coming from a woman. Her reluctance about sharing her past with you might be stemming from the same.
To be honest, the past should not matter as much as the present but since it is important to you, I would recommend you open up about it directly to her, expressing how her not opening up is stopping you from trusting her completely. If she still does not want to talk about it, I don't see any scenario where it would be the right choice to push her about it again. You have only met her and things are yet to be official. In that case, you should rethink this alliance. Secrecy might be important to her as much as knowing every detail is important to you. Neither is wrong here. Do not rush into any conclusion and speak to her first. Meet up exclusively for this discussion and see where things go from there.
Hope this helps

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |536 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Feb 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 22, 2025Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I & my Girlfriend (both Aged 25), often Drink Socially. We both have an Understanding between us, that neither of us, would Drink with anyone else or at any Social Event, wherein both of us are not present together. We both agreed mutually, that we must only Drink together, either just by ourselves or at any Social Events, which both of us are attending together. This Unwritten Rule extends even to Get-togethers, with our Respective Families, Friends & Colleagues (including Office Parties), as we both may not always be together in all such Events. But Recently, I'd found out that my Girlfriend has breached our Agreement. She was attending an Office Party at a Night-Club, along with her Colleagues & there she got excessively drunk (upon her Colleagues' insistence) & Danced with them, rather wildly. I saw the video of her Drinking & Dancing with her Colleagues (including some Male Colleagues)... on one of her Colleague's Instagram. When I confronted her, she started crying that it was her Colleagues who insisted her to Drink beyond her usual limits & she was not completely in her Senses. She vaguely remembers Dancing with some of her Colleagues but has no Recollection of what happened later that night. Apparently she had crashed at a Colleague's Apartment along with some others & woke up late, the next Morning, to see most of her Colleagues, who'd Partied along with her, Knocked out & sleeping all over the Apartment, Male & Female Colleagues, together on the same Bed & Couch (she doesn't Remember anything that happened during the Night). I was deeply Disturbed by what she'd done & also by what else might have Happened that Night, which I am unaware of. I wanted to Break-up with her, then & there, but she kept Crying & Pleading me to Forgive her. Now it has become very Difficult for me to Trust her again. Whether her Behaviour counts as Cheating or not? Whether I'd be Justified in Break-ing up with her, over this incident? Or am I Being Unreasonable, due to Over-Thinking? Please give me some advice on how to proceed with this.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand it is very difficult to deal with situations that do not offer clarity or closure. First of all, you are doing great. You did not rush to any conclusion or decision. Kudos to that. Give her some time to remember. I know it was wrong of her to break a mutual arrangement, and worse, she put herself in a risky situation. Whether this counts as cheating or not depends on your personal boundaries- there really isn't just one definition for it. The real issue here is whether you will be able to move on from this event and trust her, without this causing repeated conflicts in your relationship. If that is also concerning you, then breaking up is justified.
However, if you think you care for her still and believe that she regrets the choices she made, you can rethink about giving the relationship another chance. After all, there is no proof that she has done anything else other than breaking a promise (which is not trivial either). But before making any decision, have an open discussion about trust and how to rebuild it in your relationship.

Hope these help

...Read more

Rajesh Kumar

Rajesh Kumar Singh  |78 Answers  |Ask -

IIT-JEE, GATE Expert - Answered on Feb 21, 2025

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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