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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11166 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 27, 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
Archan Question by Archan on Jan 28, 2024Hindi
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Hallo Sir, I'm Railway employee, aged 33 yrs, married and glad to have 8 months baby boy. My gross income Rs. 8,00,000/- Per annum... I have House building lone of Rs. 31,000/- pm. After all expenditure of per month. Deduction of NPS fund are there per month as the guide line of govt. Except the NPS deduction I have PPF account where I'm Investing of Rs. 1,500/-pm. Now I am determined to invest of Rs. 17,000/- pm per month to secure the future of my son and I have a long term goal minimum of 10 years. May please advise me where I shoud invest the Rs. 17,000/- pm. Let me also know how to invest the aforesaid amount in different ways to earn maximum profit. Thanking you in anticipation.

Ans: Congratulations on the newest addition to your family! It's heartwarming to see your dedication to securing your son's future. With a clear goal of investing Rs. 17,000 per month for the next 10 years, you're taking a significant step towards long-term financial stability.

Considering your circumstances, it's wise to explore a diversified investment approach tailored to your risk tolerance and financial goals. This might include a mix of equity mutual funds, debt instruments, and possibly even some exposure to balanced or hybrid funds.

By diversifying your investments, you spread risk and maximize potential returns over the long term. Remember, investing is a journey, and it's crucial to stay focused on your goals while navigating market fluctuations.

Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance aligned with your aspirations. Together, you can craft a robust investment strategy that caters to your son's future needs and ensures financial security for your growing family.

Your commitment to securing your son's future is truly commendable, and with strategic planning and prudent investment choices, you're laying a solid foundation for his bright tomorrow.
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  |11166 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 2024

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Hi Sir, This is Murugan, from Chennai, working for an IT company. I have started to invest in NPS for the past 7 months (4216?, 10% of my basic salary) for my retirement plan. My take-home salary is ?60,000 (after NPS deduction). I don't have a debit. I would like to invest ?20,000 for my future and also for my child's (4-year-old) education purposes (long-term plan). Please suggest any ideas to achieve my goal. Thanks, Murugan.
Ans: It's great that you've started investing in NPS for your retirement. To achieve your goal of investing ?20,000 for both your future and your child's education, consider the following suggestions:

SIP in Mutual Funds:
Allocate a portion of ?20,000 towards SIPs in mutual funds. Opt for diversified equity funds for long-term growth potential.
Choose funds based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Child Education Fund:
Create a separate fund or invest in child education-specific mutual funds or SIPs for your child's education.
Start a recurring deposit or systematic investment plan (SIP) to accumulate the desired amount by the time your child starts higher education.
Emergency Fund:
Set aside a portion of your monthly income for an emergency fund, aiming to accumulate 3-6 months' worth of expenses.
Consider a liquid or short-term debt fund for this purpose.
Insurance:
Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance coverage for yourself and your family to protect against unforeseen events.
Review & Adjust:
Periodically review your investments to track performance and make necessary adjustments.
Increase your investments gradually as your income grows.
Remember to maintain a balanced approach between equity and debt investments based on your risk tolerance. Consult a financial advisor to create a personalized investment plan tailored to your financial goals and situation.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11166 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

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Hi sir, I am 30 and currently doing a sip of 5k in ppfas and 5k in quant infrastructure fund. I have home loan of 65 Lakhs as well at 8.75%. I am planning to invest another 10k per month. Could you kindly suggest where I can invest for my son (3 years) higher education and for retirement. Can investing in nps beat mutual funds?
Ans: It's commendable that you're prioritizing financial planning at such a young age. Let's delve into your investment options:

• Firstly, I appreciate your disciplined approach to investing through SIPs, which is a smart way to build wealth over time.
• It's great that you're thinking ahead about your son's future education and your retirement needs.

• Considering your current investments, we can explore additional mutual fund options to diversify your portfolio.
• Diversification helps spread risk and optimize returns, essential for achieving long-term financial goals.

• When it comes to investing for your son's education and your retirement, it's crucial to align your investments with your time horizon and risk tolerance.
• For long-term goals like these, equity mutual funds offer the potential for higher returns, albeit with higher volatility.

• Regarding your query about the National Pension System (NPS) versus mutual funds, both have their pros and cons.
• NPS offers tax benefits and a structured retirement savings platform, but it comes with restrictions on withdrawals and limited investment choices.

• On the other hand, mutual funds provide greater flexibility in investment choices and withdrawal options.
• However, they lack the tax benefits of NPS.

• Ultimately, the decision between NPS and mutual funds depends on your individual preferences, risk appetite, and financial goals.
• It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that best aligns with your needs.

• As a Certified Financial Planner, I can help you analyze your financial situation and goals to create a customized investment plan.
• Together, we'll select suitable mutual funds that balance growth potential and risk for your son's education and retirement.

• Remember, investing is a journey, and it's essential to stay disciplined and focused on your long-term objectives.
• With careful planning and prudent decision-making, you can build a secure financial future for yourself and your family.

• Keep up the excellent work with your investments, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or need assistance.
• You're on the right track towards achieving your financial aspirations, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11166 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

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11395 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 09, 2026

Career
My sister has an option to go for EEE/ECE in VIT Vellore campus or AI/ML in VIT Amravati/Bhopal campus. Which option should she go for? Want to maximise on placement opportunities in these uncertain times. Other colleges in list: 1. CSE, AI in SRM University (Ramapuram) 2. CSE /AI in Alliance University 3. CSE/ AI in Mahindra Ecole School of Engineering. Would really appreciate some help.
Ans: Satvik, before I answer your question, I suggest you ask your sister which branch she is interested in or passionate about, and what types of problems she wants to solve in the future to make the best choice. However, she should also remain adaptable and open to changing her focus if her interests evolve during her undergraduate program by upgrading her skills and staying informed about job market trends. Answering your question, please note, for placement security, VIT Vellore ECE is the best choice, offering a strong balance of brand reputation, alumni network, recruiters, and access to tech placements, with VIT reporting top recruiters and a high CTC of ?1 crore across all campuses. VIT Vellore EEE is a good option only if she is committed to developing strong coding and electronics skills. The AI-ML branch at VIT AP or Bhopal is attractive, though the campus brand is not as established as Vellore; notably, VIT Bhopal reported a highest package of 51 LPA and over 1,100 placements for 2025. Mahindra University’s CSE/AI program is a promising emerging option, with an average salary of 9.1 LPA and a highest package of 40 LPA in 2024. SRM Ramapuram’s CSE/AI offers a reasonable backup, while Alliance’s CSE/AI should be considered last. Overall, the final recommendation is to prioritize VIT Vellore ECE over AI/ML at the newer campuses. All the Best for Your Sister's Prosperous Future!

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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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