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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 10, 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
Abhijit Question by Abhijit on May 06, 2024Hindi
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Hello, I am 33 years old, and I need advice on short term investment. I have 5L saving and wanted to invest till Dec 2024 so please let me know any short-term investment plan to get better returns. Next year Jan 2025 my plan is to buy a house and at that time I can use the same investment.

Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach to financial planning, especially with your goal of buying a house in early 2025. With a short investment horizon of just over a year, it's essential to balance potential returns with the risk of market fluctuations.

Considering your timeframe and the need for liquidity in early 2025, a conservative approach is advisable. One option to explore is investing in fixed deposits (FDs) or short-term debt mutual funds.

FDs offer a fixed interest rate and are considered a safe investment option. Look for banks or financial institutions offering competitive rates for a tenure matching your investment period. FDs provide capital protection and assured returns, making them suitable for short-term goals.

Alternatively, short-term debt mutual funds invest in fixed-income securities like government bonds and corporate bonds with maturities ranging from a few months to a couple of years. While they offer potentially higher returns compared to FDs, they carry slightly higher risk due to market fluctuations. However, since your investment horizon is relatively short, the impact of market volatility may be minimized.

Before making any investment decisions, assess your risk tolerance and liquidity needs. Ensure that the chosen investment aligns with your financial goals and provides the necessary flexibility to access funds when required for your house purchase in early 2025.

Lastly, remember to compare interest rates or returns offered by different investment options and consider factors like taxation and fees associated with mutual funds before making a decision.

With careful planning and consideration, you can maximize returns on your short-term investment while safeguarding your capital for your future home purchase.

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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

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Hello sir, I want to invest some amount of money from my salary about 7000-8000 per month to meet my short term goals like marriage and buying a car in a horizon of 4-5 years , I am already invested in Mutual funds and Stocks for meeting my long term goal .My current age is 25 ,kindly suggest me some strategies for short term invest of 5 years.
Ans: Short-Term Investment Strategies for Achieving Your Goals
Assessing Your Short-Term Goals
With a horizon of 4-5 years, your objectives of funding a marriage and buying a car require a conservative investment approach to minimize risk while aiming for reasonable returns. Let's explore suitable strategies to meet these goals effectively.

1. Debt Mutual Funds
Consider allocating a portion of your monthly investment towards debt mutual funds, which offer stability and relatively lower risk compared to equity investments. Opt for short to medium duration debt funds or dynamic bond funds that provide potential for higher returns than traditional fixed deposits.

2. Recurring Deposits (RDs)
Investing in Recurring Deposits (RDs) can be a simple and convenient option to accumulate funds for short-term goals. RDs offer fixed returns with the flexibility of monthly contributions, allowing you to build a corpus gradually over time.

3. Liquid or Ultra Short-Term Funds
Liquid funds or ultra-short-term funds are suitable for parking your short-term savings, offering liquidity and stability. These funds invest in short-term debt securities, providing potential for higher returns than traditional savings accounts while maintaining capital preservation.

4. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in Balanced Funds
Consider investing in SIPs in balanced funds, which offer a mix of equity and debt exposure, balancing growth potential with downside protection. Balanced funds can provide stability during market fluctuations while aiming for reasonable returns over the medium term.

5. Goal-Based Investing
Segment your short-term goals, such as marriage and car purchase, and allocate investments accordingly. Determine the required amount for each goal and set up separate investment accounts or portfolios to track progress towards achieving them.

6. Regular Review and Adjustment
Periodically review your investment strategy and make adjustments based on changing market conditions, goal timelines, and personal circumstances. Consider reallocating funds between investment options to optimize returns and manage risk effectively.

Conclusion
By diversifying your investments across debt mutual funds, RDs, liquid or ultra-short-term funds, and SIPs in balanced funds, you can create a robust short-term investment strategy to achieve your goals within the 4-5 year horizon. Stay disciplined in your savings approach and monitor your progress regularly to ensure you're on track to meet your objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 31, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 31, 2024Hindi
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Sir, my salary is 35k per month and my age is 21, I save roughly around 10k, I have no investments, please guide short term and long term investment plans. My long term future plan is to save some money for a home.
Ans: You earn Rs 35,000 per month. You save Rs 10,000 monthly. At 21, you have ample time to grow your savings. Let's create a plan for short-term and long-term goals.

Short-term Investment Plans
Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund. Save at least 6 months of expenses. This provides a safety net for unexpected needs.

Recurring Deposit: Consider a recurring deposit. It offers stable returns with low risk.

Liquid Funds: Invest in liquid mutual funds. They provide better returns than savings accounts and are easily accessible.

Long-term Investment Plans
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Start SIPs in equity mutual funds. These offer potential for high returns over time.

Diversification: Diversify your investments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. This balances risk and growth.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Open a PPF account. It offers tax benefits and guaranteed returns, ideal for long-term savings.

Avoid Index Funds
Active Funds: Choose actively managed funds. They have the potential to outperform index funds through expert stock selection.
Benefits of Regular Funds
Professional Guidance: Invest through regular funds with the help of a Certified Financial Planner. They provide expert advice and portfolio management.

Long-term Growth: Regular funds can adapt to market changes better than direct funds, ensuring sustained growth.

Saving for a Home
Goal-based SIP: Start a separate SIP for your home goal. This ensures dedicated savings for your future home.

Equity and Debt Mix: Invest in a mix of equity and debt funds. This balances high returns and stability.

Insurance Needs
Term Insurance: Consider a term insurance policy. It provides financial security for your family in case of unforeseen events.

Health Insurance: Ensure you have a comprehensive health insurance plan. It covers medical expenses and protects your savings.

Periodic Review
Regular Check-ups: Review your investments regularly. Ensure they align with your goals and make adjustments as needed.

Rebalancing: Rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation. This keeps your investments on track.

Financial Discipline
Consistent Saving: Continue saving Rs 10,000 monthly. Increase your savings rate as your income grows.

Avoid Debt: Stay away from unnecessary debt. Use credit responsibly and pay off any loans promptly.

Final Insights
Your early start and disciplined saving habits are commendable. Focus on building a diversified investment portfolio. Use SIPs in equity mutual funds for long-term growth. Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage. Regularly review and adjust your investments to stay on track for your home goal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...Read more

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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