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34 Year Old Aims for 10 Crore in 10 Years: Should They Increase SIP or Invest in More Mutual Funds?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 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
Mahendra Question by Mahendra on Jul 07, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 34 years old and with 10 years in mind for investment to reach 10CR, I have planned to invest 2 lakh monthly in SIP with stepping up by 10 % every year. I have already invested 15 lakhs in Mutual fund th. SIP, 15 lakhs in shares and 20 lakhs in PPF. and .Shall I increase the already invest amount in MF or shall take 1-2 more MFs scheme like Multi-Cap/Large Cap/another Flexi Cap OR any hybrid MF schemes Would taking 1-2 more MF scheme will overdiversify the portfolio? Can you please suggest some pointers on this.

Ans: Current Investment Analysis
You have invested Rs. 15 lakhs in SIPs, Rs. 15 lakhs in shares, and Rs. 20 lakhs in PPF. Your plan to invest Rs. 2 lakhs monthly with a 10% yearly step-up is commendable.

Assessing Diversification
Adding 1-2 more mutual funds could be beneficial. However, ensure they align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Multi-Cap Funds
Multi-cap funds offer exposure across market capitalizations. They balance risk and reward effectively.

Large-Cap Funds
Large-cap funds invest in established companies. They provide stability and steady returns.

Flexi-Cap Funds
Flexi-cap funds have flexibility to invest in any market cap. They adapt to market conditions, optimizing returns.

Avoiding Over-Diversification
Too many funds can dilute returns. Stick to a manageable number, focusing on quality and performance.

Investment Strategy
Step-Up SIP
Continue with your step-up SIP strategy. It will enhance your investment corpus significantly over 10 years.

Hybrid Funds
Consider hybrid funds for balanced risk. They invest in both equity and debt, providing stability and growth.

Final Insights
Evaluate your current funds. Add 1-2 more aligned with your goals. Avoid over-diversification by focusing on quality. Your step-up SIP strategy is excellent for reaching your Rs. 10 crore goal.

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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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  |280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jul 07, 2024

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Hello Sir, I am 34 years old and with 10 years in mind for investment to reach 1CR, I have planned to invest 30K monthly in SIP with stepping up by 10-12% every year. I am already investing the below amounts in MF schemes 5K - Parag Parikh Flexi Cap, 5K - Motilal Oswal Mid Cap, 5K - Nippon India Small Cap, 5K - HDFC Balance Advantage Fund. I am a bit confused for the remaining 10K i.e., where to invest. Shall I increase the already invest amount in MF or shall take 1-2 more MFs scheme like Multi-Cap/Large Cap/another Flexi Cap OR any hybrid MF schemes Would taking 1-2 more MF scheme will overdiversify the portfolio? Can you please suggest some pointers on this.
Ans: Hello Prateek & thanks for writing to me. Assuming that you are able to generate an XIRR of 12%, you will be able to create a corpus of Rs.1 Crore in around 10 years.

As your time horizon is 10 years, I recommend you invest only in equity schemes which can potentially generate higher returns than hybrid schemes like a balanced advantage fund or dynamic asset allocation fund.

You can consider investing equally in:

1.Small Cap Scheme
2.Mid Cap Scheme
3.Flexi Cap Scheme
4. Multi Cap Scheme

Your 5th scheme can be a thematic scheme like a momentum fund or a special opportunities fund or a broader category like a special opportunities fund.

You can consider investing solely in equity schemes for the first 7 to 8 years and then change the asset allocation to have a mix of hybrid schemes like BAF/DAAF's, Multi Asset Funds and aggressive hybrid funds in the last 2-3 years of your 10 year horizon.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 24, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello, Greetings of the day!. My MF Portfolio include the following funds for monthly SIP. Axis Midcap Fund Rs 2500, HDFC Flexi cap Fund Rs 2500, Kotak Emerging Equity Fund Rs 3500, Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund Rs 2500, Nippon India Small Cap Fund Rs 4000, Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Rs 3500. I would like to add another Rs 4000 to my monthly SIP. Should I consider adding another Small Cap Fund or increase my SIP in existing funds. I started SIPs 4 years ago and I plan to continue investing for another 5-6 years. Please advise as my goal is to have a corpus target of 50 lacs.
Ans: You have a well-diversified portfolio with exposure across various market segments – large-cap, mid-cap, flexi-cap, and small-cap funds. It's great that you started 4 years ago and are continuing your SIPs with a clear investment horizon of 5-6 more years.

Your current portfolio includes:

Axis Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 (mid-cap exposure)

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 2500 (flexible across market capitalisations)

Kotak Emerging Equity Fund: Rs 3500 (mid-cap exposure)

Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 (blend of large and mid-cap stocks)

Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Rs 4000 (small-cap exposure)

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 3500 (flexi-cap exposure, some international exposure)

With your goal of accumulating Rs 50 lakhs in the next 5-6 years, it's important to optimise your investment strategy to balance both risk and return.

Evaluating Your Portfolio and Future Steps

Let’s break down your portfolio and assess whether you need to add another small-cap fund or increase your SIPs in existing funds.

1. Exposure to Small Cap and Mid Cap Funds
You already have a good chunk of your portfolio allocated to small and mid-cap funds:

Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Rs 4000
Axis Midcap Fund: Rs 2500
Kotak Emerging Equity Fund: Rs 3500
Small-cap and mid-cap funds offer the potential for higher growth, but they also come with greater volatility. Adding another small-cap fund might increase your risk level. Since you are already contributing Rs 4000 per month to a small-cap fund, it's better to avoid overloading this category.

Instead of adding another small-cap fund, you can consolidate and strengthen your position by increasing the SIP in existing funds that have a proven track record.

2. Increase SIP in Existing Funds
Your portfolio already has a diversified mix, and rather than complicating your investments with more funds, consider increasing your SIP in the existing funds. Since you have a mix of mid-cap, large-cap, and flexi-cap funds, this could balance your risk and returns more effectively.

Here's how you could increase your SIP amounts:

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 2500 → You can consider increasing this. Flexi-cap funds offer flexibility to the fund manager to switch between large, mid, and small caps based on market conditions, which helps in reducing risk while ensuring growth.

Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund: Rs 2500 → This fund gives you exposure to both large-cap stability and mid-cap growth. Increasing your SIP here can give you a balanced mix of returns and reduce volatility.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 3500 → Known for its value-based investing approach, this fund also includes some international exposure. You can increase your SIP in this fund for geographical diversification.

3. Risk Management and Portfolio Stability
With a time horizon of 5-6 years, it’s crucial to strike the right balance between risk and return. Mid-cap and small-cap funds can be volatile, especially over shorter periods. Flexi-cap and large-cap funds tend to be more stable, especially during market downturns.

Given the allocation you already have towards small-cap and mid-cap funds, adding another small-cap fund could increase the overall volatility of your portfolio. Since your goal is to build a Rs 50 lakh corpus, it's important to focus on stability as you approach the latter part of your investment horizon.

4. Consider the Option of Hybrid Funds or Balanced Advantage Funds
If you are open to adding a new category, you might want to consider hybrid or balanced advantage funds instead of another small-cap fund. These funds offer a balance of equity and debt, which can provide stability, especially when markets become volatile.

Hybrid funds automatically adjust the equity and debt exposure based on market conditions. This could act as a buffer and reduce the risk of sharp losses, particularly if market corrections happen during your investment tenure.

5. Setting Realistic Expectations for Corpus Target
Accumulating Rs 50 lakhs in 5-6 years is a good target, but keep in mind that the returns from equity-based funds are market-dependent. Based on your investment horizon and risk appetite, your current SIPs and potential increases should bring you closer to your goal.

However, market performance can fluctuate, and there is no guaranteed return. It's advisable to regularly review your portfolio, at least once a year, and make adjustments if needed.

6. Review Asset Allocation as You Approach Retirement
Since you have 5-6 more years of investment, consider gradually shifting a portion of your portfolio to lower-risk instruments as you get closer to your target date. This will protect your corpus from sudden market crashes or corrections as you approach your withdrawal phase.

Final Insights

Here’s a recommended strategy:

Avoid adding another small-cap fund as you already have enough exposure to this category.

Increase your SIPs in the HDFC Flexi Cap Fund, Mirae Asset Large and Midcap Fund, and Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund. These funds provide balanced growth opportunities with moderate risk.

If you want to add a new fund, consider hybrid or balanced advantage funds to introduce some stability and reduce portfolio risk.

Review your portfolio annually and adjust the allocation to ensure you stay on track towards your Rs 50 lakh goal.

Closer to the end of your investment horizon, consider shifting some funds to debt or safer options to lock in the gains and avoid any market downturn risks.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 27, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir I am 36 yr Government employee, currently doing SIP of ?30,000 per month in MF with step up 10% and ?15,000 per month in EPF. Please review my portfolio. My MF portfolio today is 4 lakhs. My aim is long term for 15 years. My SIP details are:- 1. Navi Nifty Fifty Index Fund -3000 2. ICICI Multi Asset -4000 3. Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid- 5000 4. Mahindra Multicap -4000 5. Quant Small Cap - 5000 6. SBI Contra- 5000 7. MO Nasdaq 100 FoF-3000 8. HDFC Midcap Index -5000 I also want to increase my SIP to 40000 per month please suggest any additional fund or in same funds. Thank you
Ans: Your current SIPs show a diversified approach, balancing large, mid, and small-cap exposure. Your mix of hybrid, multi-asset, and thematic funds reflects an attempt to achieve both growth and stability. However, we can optimise your portfolio for better alignment with your 15-year goal. Below is a detailed analysis and recommendation:

Key Observations
Index Funds Allocation:
You are currently investing in two index funds (Navi Nifty Fifty and HDFC Midcap). While index funds are low-cost, they may underperform actively managed funds during volatile markets. Actively managed funds, guided by experts, offer flexibility to capture alpha. You may reconsider your index exposure for more dynamic options.

Sector and Thematic Exposure:
Your allocation to Nasdaq 100 Fund of Fund introduces currency and tech-sector risk. While this adds international diversification, ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance. Over-reliance on a single sector could increase portfolio volatility.

Aggressive Small-Cap Exposure:
A Rs. 5,000 SIP in Quant Small Cap Fund indicates a focus on high-growth potential. Small-cap funds can deliver significant returns but carry higher risk. Given your long-term horizon, such funds can fit your plan but should be closely monitored.

SIP Step-Up Strategy:
Increasing your SIPs annually by 10% is an excellent strategy to beat inflation and accumulate a larger corpus over time. This disciplined approach will help in achieving your financial goal smoothly.

Recommended Adjustments
Consolidate Index Exposure:
Consider shifting from index funds to actively managed large-cap and mid-cap funds. This will allow professional fund managers to capture growth opportunities, especially during market corrections.

Balance International Allocation:
Instead of over-investing in a tech-heavy fund like Nasdaq 100, explore diversified global equity funds that invest across multiple sectors and regions. This will lower concentration risk.

Increase Hybrid Fund Allocation:
Hybrid funds provide a blend of equity and debt. Increasing your hybrid fund allocation slightly could add stability to your portfolio, ensuring smoother returns during volatile phases.

Review Contra Fund Exposure:
SBI Contra follows a contrarian strategy, which may take time to deliver results. It is good for diversification but should not form a large portion of the portfolio. You could reduce allocation here if needed and channel it to a balanced advantage fund for consistent returns.

Suggested Funds and Allocation Strategy
Large Cap and Mid Cap Funds:
Allocate more to actively managed large and mid-cap funds for better long-term performance. Aim for at least 50% of your total SIP in such funds.

Hybrid and Multi-Asset Funds:
Increase allocation to multi-asset and aggressive hybrid funds to ensure stability. Hybrid funds can cushion your portfolio during market downturns.

Balanced Advantage Fund (BAF):
Adding a BAF would be a prudent choice. It dynamically shifts between equity and debt based on market conditions, reducing risk.

Additional Global Fund:
Replace some exposure from Nasdaq 100 with a more diversified global fund for better stability.

Suggested New Allocation for Rs. 40,000 SIP
Large-Cap/Multi-Cap Fund: Rs. 10,000
Mid-Cap Fund: Rs. 7,500
Aggressive Hybrid Fund: Rs. 7,500
Balanced Advantage Fund: Rs. 7,500
Small-Cap Fund: Rs. 5,000
Global Equity Fund: Rs. 2,500
This allocation balances growth, stability, and diversification, ensuring better alignment with your long-term goals.

EPF Contributions – A Strong Foundation
Your EPF contribution of Rs. 15,000 per month is a strong backbone for your retirement. EPF offers guaranteed returns with tax benefits, making it an excellent low-risk investment. Continue your EPF contributions, as it complements your mutual fund portfolio with stable returns.

Long-Term Tax Impact
Keep in mind that capital gains from mutual funds are subject to taxation. Equity gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains attract 20% tax. Plan your redemptions carefully to optimise your tax liability over the years.

Final Insights
With the right mix of funds and a disciplined approach, your long-term goal of wealth creation is achievable. Monitor your portfolio regularly and adjust your allocations as required. Continue with the SIP step-up strategy, as it will help you stay ahead of inflation. Lastly, ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to safeguard your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
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Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

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Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...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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