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Ramalingam Kalirajan |7100 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 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

Question by Supercell on May 16, 2024Hindi

Hi! I am having financial crisis, my take home salary is 55k, I have a personal loan EMI of 19.7k(upto sep.26), monthly expenses around 20k. Also took an overdraft of 1.25 lakhs for medical emergency. Still every month I spent 6-7 k on my wife's treatment. How can I plan for future saving. Should I anyhow lower my emi

Ans: Understanding Your Financial Crisis
Financial crises can be overwhelming, but with a strategic approach, you can regain control. Your situation includes a personal loan EMI of ?19.7k, monthly expenses of ?20k, and ongoing medical costs for your wife amounting to ?6-7k per month. Additionally, you have an overdraft of ?1.25 lakhs.

Analyzing Your Current Situation
Income and Expenses:

Your take-home salary is ?55k.
Total monthly commitments are around ?45-46k, leaving little room for savings.
Debt Obligations:

Personal loan EMI until September 2026.
Medical overdraft increasing financial strain.
Steps to Financial Stability
1. Evaluate and Lower Your EMI
Lowering your EMI could provide immediate relief. Consider the following strategies:

Loan Restructuring:

Contact your bank to negotiate a longer repayment term or a lower interest rate.
This will reduce your monthly EMI and ease your cash flow.
Refinancing Options:

Explore refinancing the loan with a different lender offering lower interest rates.
This can significantly reduce your monthly payment burden.
2. Create a Detailed Budget
Effective budgeting is crucial. Here's how to start:

Track Your Expenses:

Monitor every expense, no matter how small.
Identify non-essential expenditures that can be minimized or eliminated.
Prioritize Spending:

Focus on essential expenses like medical costs and loan EMIs.
Allocate any surplus towards savings or debt repayment.
3. Increase Your Income
Boosting your income can provide additional financial stability:

Freelance or Part-Time Work:

Look for opportunities to utilize your skills in freelance or part-time jobs.
Even a small additional income can make a significant difference.
Upskilling:

Invest time in learning new skills that can lead to a higher-paying job.
Online courses and certifications can enhance your qualifications.
4. Emergency Fund
Building an emergency fund is essential for financial security:

Small, Regular Contributions:

Start with small, manageable amounts each month.
Aim to save at least ?1,000-?2,000 initially, then gradually increase.
Automate Savings:

Set up an automatic transfer to a separate savings account.
This ensures consistent contributions without relying on manual efforts.
5. Address Medical Expenses
Managing ongoing medical costs is critical:

Insurance:

Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage.
Explore family floater plans or additional riders for comprehensive coverage.
Government Schemes:

Investigate government healthcare schemes that might offer support for your wife's treatment.
Schemes like Ayushman Bharat can provide significant relief.
Adopting a Napoleon Hill Mindset
Napoleon Hill, in his seminal work "Think and Grow Rich," emphasized the power of desire, faith, and persistence. Apply these principles to your financial journey:

Desire:

Clearly define your financial goals, such as becoming debt-free and building savings.
Write them down and visualize achieving them daily.
Faith:

Believe in your ability to overcome financial challenges.
Cultivate a positive mindset and remain confident in your financial recovery plan.
Persistence:

Stay committed to your budget and savings plan.
Overcome setbacks with determination and adapt your strategy as needed.
Conclusion
Your financial situation requires careful planning and strategic action. By lowering your EMI, creating a detailed budget, increasing your income, building an emergency fund, and managing medical expenses, you can achieve financial stability. Embrace the principles of desire, faith, and persistence to navigate this challenging period and secure a brighter financial 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.