Hello Sir, I'm 35 year. And getting 28lpa. Currently I'm invest in 6 SIPs (31k) monthly, 5k in NPS, 26k is personal loan, 17k car emi and purchasing 15k stock in every month. Stock buying I started from jan2024. I have around 25lakh in my sip fund and 10lakh other fund. Now I'm planning to buy a home that cost around 90 lakh. So my question is, can take the 80% home loan and keep my SIP. Or withdraw my all sip fund and reduce home loan amount. Btw my personal loan will complete end of this year. Please suggest withdraw the sip fund is good option or taking the home loan is good option.

Ans: Your query reflects careful consideration of financial priorities. Let's analyse whether using your stock investments to repay the home loan is the right step.

Evaluate the Existing Stock Portfolio
Your stock portfolio has grown from Rs 7.75 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs in 2.5 years.

This indicates a strong return of approximately 29%. If these stocks have long-term growth potential, continuing to hold them might be advantageous.

Consider whether these stocks align with your risk tolerance and long-term financial goals.

Impact of Repaying the Home Loan
Your remaining home loan is Rs 5.5 lakhs. Paying this off will eliminate your EMI burden.

Repaying the loan early saves on interest costs, but assess the prepayment charges, if any.

Compare the effective interest rate on your home loan with the expected annualised return from your stock portfolio.

Home loan interest rates are usually lower compared to stock market returns over the long term.

Increasing SIP After Loan Repayment
Repaying the loan frees up EMI money that can be channelled into mutual fund SIPs.

By increasing SIPs, you benefit from disciplined investing and rupee cost averaging.

Use the additional SIPs to diversify into funds aligned with your risk profile and financial goals.

Considerations for Long-Term Wealth Creation
Mutual funds, especially actively managed ones, provide better diversification than direct stocks.

Your current SIP of Rs 30,000 per month is a good start. Increasing this amount post-loan repayment accelerates wealth creation.

Actively managed funds can outperform index funds through skilled fund management. Avoid direct funds unless you have deep knowledge and time to manage investments.

Evaluating Stock Liquidation
Selling your stocks could trigger capital gains tax. For gains above Rs 1.25 lakh, you will pay LTCG tax at 12.5%.

Factor in transaction costs and tax implications before selling.

Retain stocks that have strong fundamentals and growth prospects. Sell only non-performing or high-risk holdings.

Holistic Financial Planning
Build an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses if you don’t already have one.

Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance coverage for your family’s security.

Maintain a balanced portfolio with exposure to equity, debt, and alternative assets.

Monitor your investments regularly and rebalance them to align with changing goals and risk tolerance.

Final Insights
If your home loan interest is significantly higher than potential stock returns, repayment is wise.

Otherwise, consider maintaining the stock portfolio and continuing your SIPs.

A mix of both strategies—partial loan repayment and increased SIPs—may offer balanced benefits.

Engage a Certified Financial Planner for a tailored strategy that ensures long-term financial success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Congratulations on your upcoming retirement and achieving a debt-free, responsibility-free status. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each option to help you decide whether to clear the home loan or invest in SIPs. Each approach has its merits, but since you value peace of mind above all, we'll examine both from a holistic perspective.

1. Clearing the Home Loan
Immediate Debt-Free Status: By using Rs. 40 lakh to clear your home loan, you can become debt-free instantly. This would eliminate monthly EMI obligations of Rs. 57,000, giving you a sense of financial relief.

Interest Savings: Paying off the loan early will save you a substantial amount in interest. Over 126 remaining EMIs, the interest saved by closing the loan could outweigh potential SIP returns, depending on the interest rate of your home loan.

Emotional and Psychological Relief: For those seeking peace of mind, being debt-free is often invaluable. If not having the burden of a loan is your priority, this option ensures freedom from monthly repayments, letting you enjoy your retirement worry-free.

Financial Flexibility: Without the Rs. 57,000 monthly EMI, you’ll have additional flexibility. This can help you better manage your retirement finances or even allow for smaller, less risky investments over time.

2. Investing in SIPs
Potential for Higher Returns: Over the long term, equity SIPs typically offer higher returns compared to the interest you would save by paying off a loan. For an 8–10-year horizon, SIPs in a diversified portfolio can potentially grow the Rs. 40 lakh corpus, creating a larger retirement cushion.

Liquidity Advantage: By investing in SIPs, your money remains accessible. Should you need funds later, you can redeem SIPs, whereas funds used to clear the loan would be tied up.

Tax Benefits and Compounding: Investments in equity mutual funds benefit from compounding and, if held long-term, offer favorable capital gains taxation (LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%). This could result in net returns that outpace loan interest, but the market risks must be considered.

Balancing Monthly Expenses: Continuing the loan means a fixed monthly outflow of Rs. 57,000. Ensure your retirement income is comfortably meeting your lifestyle and monthly expenses before committing to SIPs with the entire Rs. 40 lakh.

Assessing Peace of Mind
Since peace of mind is your top priority, consider the following approach for a balanced solution:

Partial Loan Repayment and Partial SIP Investment: You could use a portion of the Rs. 40 lakh to reduce the outstanding principal on your loan. This would lower your EMI burden, freeing up some cash flow each month. The remaining amount could go into SIPs, allowing for wealth growth alongside a manageable EMI.

Emergency Fund Consideration: Retaining a portion of the Rs. 40 lakh in safe, liquid instruments (like a Fixed Deposit or Liquid Fund) will provide you with emergency backup funds. This ensures peace of mind while allowing for potential SIP growth.

Evaluate Your Risk Comfort: If market fluctuations don’t align with your peace of mind goal, paying off the home loan in full might be preferable. However, if you are comfortable with moderate risk and fluctuations, SIPs could offer better returns in the long run.

Final Insights
Given that your priority is peace of mind, a balanced approach might serve best: use a portion to reduce the home loan, and allocate the remainder towards SIPs or safer investments. This way, you retain growth potential while minimizing debt obligations.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: At 31, you have a strong financial foundation. Your disciplined SIP investments, liquid funds, and home loan management are appreciable. Let’s assess your options to help you make the best decision.

Analysing Your Current Financial Situation
Existing Home Loan
Your outstanding home loan of Rs 19.86 lakhs has a tenure of 29 years.
The interest rate is 9.25%, which impacts your long-term cash flow.
The EMI will consume a consistent portion of your salary over the years.
SIP Investments
You have already invested Rs 5 lakhs through SIPs.
Regular investments in SIPs help in wealth accumulation and compounding returns.
Your monthly SIPs are likely aligned with your financial goals.
Liquid Funds
You hold Rs 2.5 lakhs in liquid funds.
This provides a buffer for emergencies or short-term needs.
Options to Consider
Option 1: Use Rs 9 Lakhs to Prepay the Loan
Prepaying the loan can reduce the principal significantly.
This reduces the overall interest burden and loan tenure.
However, this locks your funds into a low-return liability.
Option 2: Continue SIPs and Pay Extra EMIs Annually
Continue your SIP investments for higher long-term returns.
Paying 1–2 extra EMIs yearly can reduce the tenure significantly.
This approach balances wealth creation and liability management.
Option 3: Split Funds Between Prepayment and Investments
Use a portion of Rs 9 lakhs for partial prepayment.
Invest the remaining amount in SIPs or other high-return instruments.
This ensures debt reduction and continued wealth growth.
Evaluating Return on Investment
Home Loan Interest vs SIP Returns
Your home loan interest rate of 9.25% is a guaranteed expense.
Equity SIPs typically yield higher returns, averaging 12–15% annually.
Investing in SIPs could create wealth faster than prepaying the loan.
Tax Benefits on Home Loan
You may claim tax deductions on home loan interest and principal.
Prepaying reduces the tax-saving benefits.
Recommended Approach
Maintain Emergency Liquidity
Retain Rs 2.5 lakhs or more in liquid funds.
This ensures financial stability during unforeseen situations.
Focus on SIP Investments
Continue SIPs to benefit from long-term compounding.
Increase your SIP contributions gradually with salary increments.
Make Partial Prepayments
Use a portion of Rs 9 lakhs for partial prepayment.
Aim to reduce the principal significantly to lower interest outflows.
Pay Extra EMIs
Commit to paying at least 2 extra EMIs annually.
This reduces your loan tenure and interest burden effectively.
Avoid Common Pitfalls
Do Not Over-Allocate to Loan Prepayment
Avoid locking all your funds into loan repayment.
This limits your liquidity and investment potential.
Avoid Real Estate Investments
Real estate involves high costs, illiquidity, and uncertain returns.
Stick to diversified mutual funds or equity investments instead.
Maintain Disciplined Financial Planning
Ensure a balanced approach between debt reduction and wealth creation.
Review your financial goals annually for necessary adjustments.
Final Insights
Your financial journey is off to a great start. Continue with SIP investments to maximise long-term growth. Use surplus funds for partial loan prepayments and extra EMIs to manage your debt efficiently. Balancing both strategies will ensure a secure financial future and help you achieve your goals effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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