Hello Sir, I'm 36 years old. Unmarried. I have a total take home salary of 1.15 lakh. I have a personal Loan EMI of 38k. LIC premium of 24k per year. 15k living cost like rent , bills and groceries. How should I plan money if I'm getting married next two years?

Ans: You have made a significant financial decision by purchasing a house with a Rs 55 lakh loan. At 36, you earn Rs 1 lakh per month and plan to marry soon. Let us structure a robust financial plan to ensure stability and early retirement without working until 60.

1. Assess Current Financial Situation
Understanding your financial commitments is the first step.

Your home loan EMI will form a major part of your monthly expenses.

Calculate your fixed expenses like loan EMIs, utilities, and essential needs.

Identify discretionary spending and aim to save 30–40% of your income.

2. Prioritise Emergency Fund Creation
An emergency fund ensures financial security during unexpected events.

Set aside 6–12 months’ expenses in a liquid fund.

Keep this fund accessible but separate from regular savings.

This fund can handle unexpected expenses like medical emergencies or job loss.

3. Clear High-Interest Debt First
Your home loan is long-term and tax-efficient, so focus on other debts if any.

Repay credit cards and personal loans quickly as they have high interest.

Avoid unnecessary borrowing for lifestyle expenses.

4. Plan for Marriage Expenses
Marriages often involve significant costs, so plan them wisely.

Allocate a specific budget for marriage-related expenses.

Avoid using savings for marriage; consider creating a short-term investment plan.

Discuss shared financial goals with your partner before planning expenses.

5. Home Loan Repayment Strategy
Reducing your home loan burden over time is essential.

Use salary hikes or bonuses to make part prepayments annually.

Prepayments reduce the interest burden and shorten the loan tenure.

Claim tax benefits on principal and interest under Sections 80C and 24(b).

6. Invest Wisely for Early Retirement
Building a corpus for early retirement requires disciplined investing.

Allocate a significant portion of savings to equity mutual funds for growth.

Use hybrid or balanced funds for moderate risk and stability.

Invest in debt mutual funds for stable returns and diversification.

7. Health and Life Insurance
Insurance protects your family from financial instability.

Buy adequate term insurance for life cover, considering your loan liability.

Opt for health insurance to cover medical expenses for you and your future spouse.

Avoid investment-cum-insurance policies like ULIPs as they offer low returns.

8. Retirement Corpus Estimation
You need a sizeable corpus to retire before 60 comfortably.

Factor in inflation and increasing expenses while planning the corpus.

Use systematic investment plans (SIPs) for long-term wealth creation.

Choose funds with consistent performance and invest through an MFD with CFP credentials.

9. Tax Planning and Savings
Tax efficiency is vital for increasing your disposable income.

Maximise deductions under Section 80C using EPF, PPF, or ELSS investments.

Claim home loan interest under Section 24(b) for tax benefits.

Avoid investing in products with lower post-tax returns.

10. Discuss Financial Goals with Your Spouse
Financial alignment with your spouse is critical.

Plan for joint expenses like home management and child education.

Discuss shared goals like retirement, travel, or higher education for children.

Create a joint financial plan to achieve these goals effectively.

11. Revisit and Rebalance Investments Regularly
Your financial goals and risk tolerance may evolve over time.

Review your investment portfolio annually with a Certified Financial Planner.

Rebalance your investments to maintain optimal asset allocation.

Adjust investments based on income changes, expenses, or major life events.

12. Avoid Unnecessary Financial Risks
Avoid high-risk investments as they could derail your plans.

Stay away from speculative stocks or volatile investments.

Avoid over-diversification in mutual funds, which dilutes returns.

Ensure investments align with your risk profile and time horizon.

Final Insights
Planning for early retirement is achievable with disciplined saving and investing.

Build a robust portfolio with a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds.

Reduce loan liabilities through prepayments and tax benefits.

Align your financial goals with your partner to ensure stability and security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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