Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2025

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
viraj Question by viraj on May 31, 2025Hindi
Money

Hello sir I am 35 years old with a home loan of 1300000 with emi of 145000 with 13 years remaining and personal loan of 1000000 with an Emi of 9500 with 8 years remaining. Our combined earning is 1,05,000, we are investing 3500 in sip and 2600 in lic monthly. We have responsibilities of three senior citizens with monthly health expenditure of 15,000. We can hardly save due to responsibilities. Please guide on how can we improve our savings and reduce loan at faster rate.

Ans: You are 35, managing a home loan, personal loan, family responsibilities, and still investing. That itself shows great intent. Even though the situation looks tight, you are not ignoring savings.

Let us now build a step-by-step, 360-degree action plan to improve your savings and reduce debt.

Understand Where You Stand Today

Your monthly earnings: Rs 1,05,000.

Home loan EMI: Rs 1,45,000. (Seems higher than income, we’ll recheck)

Personal loan EMI: Rs 9,500.

SIP investment: Rs 3,500.

LIC premium: Rs 2,600.

Health cost for senior citizens: Rs 15,000 monthly.

Your income and outgo seem mismatched.

This may be because of error in the EMI figure you shared.

Home loan EMI cannot be Rs 1,45,000 on Rs 13 lakhs loan.

Assuming your home loan is Rs 13 lakhs and EMI is Rs 14,500.

With that correction, we proceed.

Breakdown of Current Monthly Outflow

Let’s estimate monthly spending based on revised understanding:

Home loan EMI: Rs 14,500

Personal loan EMI: Rs 9,500

SIP: Rs 3,500

LIC premium: Rs 2,600

Health expenses: Rs 15,000

Groceries, utility, child care, etc.: Rs 40,000–45,000 (assumption)

This totals around Rs 85,000 to Rs 90,000.

So you are left with Rs 10,000–15,000 monthly.

You are under pressure, but not stuck.

Rework Your Loan Structure First

You are paying two EMIs.

Home loan is long term.

Personal loan is short term but expensive.

Let’s handle them wisely:

Continue paying the home loan EMI normally

Focus on clearing the personal loan first

Try to prepay Rs 3,000–5,000 extra on personal loan monthly

Once personal loan is closed, redirect that Rs 9,500 EMI to savings

That simple shift increases your investable surplus after 8–12 months.

Even small prepayments make a huge difference in loan duration and interest.

LIC Premium – Recheck the Value

You are paying Rs 2,600 in LIC monthly.

That is Rs 31,200 per year.

Most likely, this is a traditional endowment or money-back policy.

These are low-return products.

You get only 4% to 5% returns.

They mix insurance and investment, which is not good.

Check surrender value.

If the policy is older than 3 years, you can surrender it.

Use that surrender amount to boost your emergency fund or mutual fund.

Replace it with a pure term insurance policy.

That gives high cover at low cost.

Keep insurance and investment separate always.

Build an Emergency Fund Slowly

You are supporting three senior citizens.

That itself makes emergency planning very important.

Start building a 3-month emergency fund.

It can be Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh depending on expenses.

Keep it in a liquid mutual fund or short-term debt fund.

If anything happens—job loss or health issue—you should not touch investments.

Build this over 10–12 months. No need to rush.

Start with Rs 2,000 monthly.

SIP – Increase Slowly but Steadily

You are already doing Rs 3,500 monthly SIP.

That’s a great start.

Once personal loan closes, increase SIP to Rs 10,000.

Even if you raise it by Rs 1,000 every 6 months, that’s progress.

Always use regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner and MFD.

Avoid direct funds.

Direct funds give no support or review.

When markets fall, you will feel lost.

You may exit early or switch wrongly.

With regular plans, you get proper guidance, help during bad times, and long-term planning.

That’s worth the slightly higher cost.

Avoid Index Funds – Choose Actively Managed Ones

Many online suggestions promote index funds.

Please avoid them.

Index funds copy the market. No active control.

When the market falls, they fall fully.

They cannot protect downside or exit bad sectors.

You are already under financial pressure.

You cannot afford pure market risk.

Instead, use actively managed funds.

They are more balanced, offer higher return potential, and are reviewed by fund managers.

Also, with help of a CFP, you’ll get better long-term allocation.

Monthly Budgeting Will Boost Surplus

You must do strict budgeting now.

Even saving Rs 2,000 extra monthly helps long term.

Here’s how to find savings:

Track every expense weekly

Avoid all impulsive online shopping

Reduce eating out or food delivery

Review mobile, DTH, broadband plans

Use cashback or reward apps smartly

Avoid credit card usage if not repaid fully

Small savings add up.

You can save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 more monthly just by tracking and reducing.

Use this to increase prepayment or SIP.

Health Insurance – A Must in Your Case

You are spending Rs 15,000 monthly on medical needs.

This is high.

Check if you have health insurance for your parents and in-laws.

If not, buy senior citizen health cover now.

Yes, premium will be high.

But it will save big money later.

Medical bills can ruin your finances in one year.

Health insurance gives peace and control.

Don’t delay this.

Take help of a Certified Financial Planner to choose the right plan.

Child’s Future – Plan Slowly but Early

You haven’t mentioned children, but most families start saving for child education by age 35.

Once your personal loan closes, begin a separate SIP for that.

Even Rs 2,000 monthly grows well over 10–12 years.

Keep this goal separate.

Do not mix with retirement or general savings.

Tax Savings – Review Sections You Use

If you are not using full benefits under Sec 80C and 80D, you must.

Home loan principal (under 80C), LIC premium, and EPF are already counted.

Add ELSS mutual fund SIP (also under 80C).

Medical insurance for parents and self gives 80D benefit.

Use all options.

This saves tax and increases investible surplus.

Loan Prepayment Strategy in Steps

Here’s the simple order to follow:

Prepay personal loan by Rs 3,000 extra per month

Once it closes, channel Rs 9,500 EMI to SIP and home loan

Put Rs 6,000 into SIP and Rs 3,500 as extra home loan EMI

This will save lakhs in long-term interest

Keep doing this until home loan reduces significantly

Every loan prepayment now builds future peace.

Start small but stay consistent.

Stay Away from High-Risk or Locked Products

Some agents may pitch these products:

ULIPs

NPS with long lock-in

Insurance-linked investments

Real estate under loan

Please avoid all these.

You already have loans and low surplus.

Do not add locked products or risky assets.

Keep it simple: mutual funds + loan repayment + insurance.

Checklist for You to Start Now

Let’s list the immediate actions:

Confirm and correct EMI figures (especially home loan)

Surrender LIC after review, invest the amount in mutual funds

Prepay personal loan with Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 extra monthly

Build Rs 1.5 lakh emergency fund over next 12 months

Buy Rs 5 lakh health cover for family and parents

Increase SIP by Rs 500 every 6 months, aim for Rs 10,000 later

Use regular mutual funds through MFD and Certified Financial Planner

Avoid direct and index mutual funds completely

Rebudget monthly to find extra Rs 2,000 savings

Set up separate SIP for child’s education once personal loan closes

Avoid new liabilities until surplus improves

Finally

You are trying your best under tough conditions.

That itself deserves appreciation.

Now shift focus to step-by-step action.

Close personal loan early.

Redirect every rupee saved to mutual funds and home loan.

Avoid mistakes others make—like wrong insurance or locked plans.

Stay focused for 2 to 3 years.

You will see clear improvement.

Build slowly but wisely.

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

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Listen
Money
Hello sir My salary is 70k.my home loan EMI is 23000. Personal loan EMI is 18000. And credit card expenses also. Please guide how I save money
Ans: I understand that managing multiple loan EMIs along with credit card expenses can be challenging, but with a strategic approach, you can effectively save money and improve your financial situation. Here are some steps to consider:

Evaluate Your Expenses
Genuine Compliments on recognizing the need to save money despite your financial commitments. Start by reviewing your monthly expenses, including necessities like rent, utilities, groceries, and discretionary spending. Identify areas where you can cut back or eliminate unnecessary expenses.

Prioritize Debt Repayment
Your home loan, personal loan, and credit card debts are likely accruing high-interest charges, making them priority areas for repayment. Allocate a significant portion of your monthly income towards clearing off these debts as quickly as possible to reduce interest payments and free up more money for savings.

Create a Budget
Develop a realistic monthly budget that accounts for your essential expenses, debt repayments, and savings goals. Stick to your budget religiously and track your spending regularly to ensure you're staying on track. Consider using budgeting apps or spreadsheets to streamline the process.

Emergency Fund
Building an emergency fund is crucial to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies without resorting to further borrowing. Aim to save at least 3-6 months' worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account or liquid investment that you can easily access when needed.

Automate Savings
Set up automatic transfers from your salary account to a separate savings account or investment account each month. This "pay yourself first" approach ensures that you prioritize savings before spending and helps cultivate a consistent saving habit over time.

Review and Negotiate
Regularly review your expenses and look for opportunities to negotiate better deals or lower interest rates on your loans and credit cards. Explore options such as balance transfers or loan refinancing to consolidate debt and reduce interest costs.

Additional Income Streams
Consider exploring additional sources of income, such as freelancing, part-time work, or selling unused items, to supplement your salary and accelerate debt repayment. Every extra rupee earned can make a significant difference in achieving your financial goals.

Seek Professional Advice
As a Certified Financial Planner, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your specific financial situation and goals. I can help you develop a comprehensive financial plan that addresses debt management, savings strategies, and long-term financial security.

Conclusion
In conclusion, by prioritizing debt repayment, creating a budget, building an emergency fund, automating savings, reviewing expenses, exploring additional income streams, and seeking professional advice, you can effectively save money and improve your financial well-being despite your existing financial commitments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 02, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 18, 2025Hindi
Money
I have a home loan of 63 lakhs, current Emi 90 k per month.Want to repay it within 8 years. I am 45 years old with a Lic of 10 k, 35 k Mutual fund every month. How to increase my savings while paying the loan.My current salary is 2.70 per month.
Ans: You are earning well and saving regularly.
You are managing a large loan but still investing. That is very good.

Let us create a 360-degree action plan.
This will help you close the home loan in 8 years.
Also, it will help you grow savings comfortably.

Understanding Your Current Structure

Your home loan is Rs 63 lakhs. EMI is Rs 90,000 every month.

Your salary is Rs 2.7 lakhs per month. This gives you a strong income base.

You are investing Rs 35,000 monthly in mutual funds.

You are paying Rs 10,000 per month in LIC premium.

Total committed outflow: Rs 1.35 lakhs every month.

You are saving over 45% of your income. That is very good.

Your EMI is 33% of your income. This is acceptable and manageable.

Let us now check how to optimise this better.

Check the LIC Policy Closely

You are paying Rs 10,000 per month into LIC. That is Rs 1.2 lakhs yearly.

Most LIC policies are insurance-cum-investment. They give low returns.

These returns are around 4% to 5%. This is below inflation.

If the policy is not near maturity, think of surrendering.

Get the current surrender value from the branch or online.

If losses are not too high, consider exiting it.

Move that Rs 10,000 per month into mutual funds.

That will improve your long-term returns significantly.

A Certified Financial Planner can guide on policy exit timing.

Review Mutual Fund Investments in Detail

You are investing Rs 35,000 every month. That is excellent.

But are you investing in regular plans or direct plans?

Direct plans offer no personal advice or fund strategy support.

Choosing funds alone in direct plans may reduce long-term returns.

Many investors pick underperforming funds in direct plans.

Instead, invest in regular plans through a CFP and MFD.

Certified Financial Planners give a structured portfolio approach.

They guide based on your age, risk, and goals.

Also check if your current funds are active or index-based.

Index funds just copy the market. They don’t beat inflation well.

Actively managed funds perform better over long periods.

They can shift strategies as per market changes.

Index funds stay passive even during downturns. That is a risk.

If you are holding index funds, consider switching.

Shift gradually to active funds with CFP guidance.

Home Loan Repayment Strategy Over 8 Years

You want to close the loan within 8 years. That is a smart decision.

Prepaying your loan reduces total interest cost significantly.

Continue your regular EMI of Rs 90,000 monthly.

Apart from this, plan for yearly prepayment.

Target to prepay around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per year.

Use bonuses, gifts, or matured FDs for this prepayment.

Even partial prepayments reduce your loan tenure quickly.

Don’t stop SIPs for prepayment. That will hurt long-term savings.

Instead, cut unnecessary monthly expenses for extra savings.

Any salary hike can also be channelled to loan prepayment.

If you follow this, you can close the loan in less than 8 years.

After closing, you can invest that Rs 90,000 EMI into mutual funds.

That will grow into a strong retirement corpus.

Tighten Expenses to Boost Savings

Track your monthly expenses honestly.

Split them into essential and optional categories.

Look at areas like eating out, entertainment, and gadgets.

You may find Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month to save.

Redirect that into SIP or yearly prepayment.

Even Rs 5,000 extra SIP every month has big future value.

Also create a “prepayment reserve” from gifts or side income.

Use that pool only for reducing loan balance every year.

Control spending through digital tracking apps or a handwritten logbook.

Involve family in this savings habit. That keeps motivation high.

Maintain Emergency Fund and Risk Cover

Don’t compromise your emergency fund while repaying the loan.

Keep at least 6 months of monthly expenses in a safe place.

This includes EMI, SIPs, and monthly costs.

Ideally keep Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh as emergency backup.

Health cover for all family members must be active.

Also take Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore term insurance.

This protects your family if something unexpected happens.

Many ignore risk cover when focusing on EMI. Don’t make that mistake.

These protections should not be compromised under any condition.

Do not use emergency fund for loan prepayment. That is dangerous.

Asset Rebalancing After Loan Closure

Once your loan ends in 8 years, your EMI becomes free.

That is Rs 90,000 monthly ready for new goals.

Shift this full amount into mutual fund SIPs.

Let it grow for your retirement and daughters’ education.

Continue till age 60 or 65. Your corpus will grow big.

Mutual funds give flexibility, liquidity, and better growth.

Don't fall for new insurance policies again later.

Stay focused on goal-based investing only.

Your future self will thank you for this discipline.

Taxation Planning Alongside Investments

New mutual fund rules affect capital gains tax.

Equity mutual funds: LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed as per your income slab.

So, hold equity funds long term. Avoid frequent switches.

Avoid large one-time redemptions unless needed.

Plan exits with a Certified Financial Planner. They help reduce tax impact.

Stay within limits to reduce tax liability smartly.

Your Year-by-Year Action Plan

Year 1 to 3

Review LIC. Exit if not near maturity. Shift to mutual funds.

Track expenses. Identify Rs 10K to 15K extra to save.

Build Rs 2 lakh yearly for prepayment.

Increase SIP by Rs 5K if possible.

Maintain health and life insurance.

Avoid new loans or unnecessary spending.

Year 4 to 6

Continue Rs 90K EMI. Also continue Rs 35K to 40K SIP.

Prepay Rs 3 lakh to 4 lakh every year if income allows.

Get regular portfolio reviews from your CFP.

Increase SIP if your salary grows.

Avoid real estate, gold, or new insurance products.

Year 7 to 8

Finalise last loan payments. Close it completely.

Get loan closure certificate. Keep it safe.

Plan to invest Rs 90K EMI as SIP every month.

Shift focus fully to retirement and future needs.

Reassess goals and re-align mutual funds accordingly.

Finally

You are already doing many things right.

You earn well. You save. You invest. You plan ahead.

Only fine-tuning is needed.

Close LIC if it is not helpful. Shift to mutual funds.

Avoid index funds and direct plans.

Choose active mutual funds through CFP-guided regular plans.

Prepay home loan every year without stopping SIPs.

Avoid lifestyle inflation. Use income growth wisely.

Stay insured and keep emergency fund untouched.

By 53, you will be debt-free and financially strong.

After that, you can invest big and retire comfortably.

Let your money work for you, not the other way around.

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 Jun 04, 2025

Money
Hello sir I am 35 years old with a home loan of 1300000 with emi of 14500 with 13 years remaining and personal loan of 1000000 with an Emi of 9500 with 8 years remaining. Our combined earning is 1,05,000, we are investing 3500 in sip and 2600 in lic monthly. We have responsibilities of three senior citizens with monthly health expenditure of 15,000. We can hardly save due to responsibilities. Please guide on how can we improve our savings and reduce loan at faster rate.
Ans: You're managing multiple responsibilities, including loans and elder care. Handling such financial stress while aiming to save shows your strong intent and discipline. Let's analyse your situation in detail and guide you with a structured plan.

Family Income and Expense Assessment
Monthly income: Rs. 1,05,000 (combined)

Loan EMIs: Rs. 14,500 (home loan) and Rs. 9,500 (personal loan)

SIP investment: Rs. 3,500 per month

LIC premium: Rs. 2,600 per month

Medical expense for seniors: Rs. 15,000

Total fixed outflow: Rs. 45,100 per month approx.

Remaining amount for household and other needs: Rs. 59,900 approx.

You are left with little to save beyond what’s already being committed.

High loan EMIs and elder care are reducing surplus.

Improving cash flow will need step-by-step restructuring.

Review and Action on Insurance Policies
You are paying Rs. 2,600 per month to LIC.

If it’s a traditional policy, return on investment may be low.

Such policies generally give only 4% to 5% annual returns.

These are neither good investments nor good insurance covers.

Please verify if this is an investment cum insurance policy.

If yes, and it has run for more than 3 years, consider surrender.

Use the surrender value to reduce high-cost personal loan.

From now, focus only on pure term insurance.

Term plans offer higher cover at lower premium.

You may also explore critical illness cover for the elders.

Personal Loan Repayment Strategy
Personal loan interest is generally 11% to 16% per annum.

This is a high-interest liability eating into your cash flow.

Prioritise clearing personal loan first over home loan.

You can reduce the burden with small prepayments each quarter.

Target even Rs. 5,000–Rs. 10,000 extra payment every quarter.

Use any bonuses, gifts, incentives or tax refunds for this.

Once personal loan is cleared, use that EMI for home loan.

Do not use savings or emergency funds to prepay now.

Home Loan Optimisation Ideas
Home loan is a longer-term, low-interest loan.

Interest rate may be between 7.5% to 9% approx.

Continue regular EMI; don’t rush to close it now.

Once personal loan is gone, channel EMI savings to home loan.

This will reduce your total loan term significantly.

You can aim for one lump-sum prepayment every year.

That helps reduce either EMI or tenure depending on option.

Reworking Monthly Budget and Expenses
Track your expenses for 2 to 3 months in detail.

Categorise into essential, flexible and avoidable expenses.

Find patterns where cost-cutting is possible.

Cooking at home more often reduces food bills.

Combine subscriptions like OTT, data plans, etc.

Avoid using credit cards unless paid in full each month.

Automate SIPs and insurance to avoid missing dates.

Plan medical expenses via medical shops with loyalty programs.

Medical Cost Management for Senior Citizens
Monthly medical cost is Rs. 15,000, which is quite high.

See if some generic medicines or alternatives can help.

Compare medical costs online or through pharmacy apps.

Get a family floater health insurance policy with coverage for parents.

Explore government schemes or state subsidies for elderly healthcare.

Opt for cashless treatment wherever possible.

Maintain a medical emergency fund of Rs. 30,000 minimum.

SIP Evaluation and Future Planning
SIP is Rs. 3,500 monthly, which is a good start.

Increase it only after personal loan is cleared.

SIP should continue even during tough times, even at Rs. 1,000.

Avoid pausing or redeeming unless very necessary.

Over time, increase SIPs when surplus is available.

Don't stop SIPs when you start prepaying loans.

SIP gives you disciplined long-term growth.

Invest through regular funds with guidance from a CFP.

Why Regular Funds via CFP-MFD Is Better
Direct funds need continuous research and tracking.

Wrong fund selection leads to poor long-term results.

No handholding is available during market downturns.

A certified financial planner offers personalised portfolio guidance.

He/she will align your SIPs with your goals.

You’ll get yearly reviews and rebalancing support.

Regular funds may charge slightly more but offer better clarity.

Avoid Index Funds in Your Case
Index funds copy an index and are unmanaged.

No scope for correction during market falls.

No downside protection or tactical calls.

Your income is limited, so active fund management is better.

Active funds can outperform during both bull and bear phases.

Professional fund managers help control risk.

Hence, avoid index or ETF-based investing.

Emergency Fund and Cash Reserve Planning
You currently may not have any emergency buffer.

This is risky, especially with dependent elders.

Build an emergency fund of Rs. 30,000 initially.

Later grow it to cover 3 months’ expenses.

Use liquid funds or sweep-in fixed deposits.

Emergency fund should be easy to withdraw, not market-linked.

Debt Restructuring Options
Consider loan restructuring only as last resort.

Do not go for top-up loans or balance transfers now.

Consolidation may lead to more interest outgo over time.

Focus instead on disciplined repayments and prepayments.

Maintain clean credit history for future needs.

Boosting Income and Side Opportunities
Explore work-from-home freelance income options.

Your spouse can try online gigs if possible.

Rent out unused space or storage if available.

Use cashback apps for groceries, medicines, and bill payments.

Any tax refunds or gifts should go to debt repayment.

Long-Term Goal Prioritisation
First focus: clear personal loan in next 3 to 4 years.

Second focus: build emergency and medical fund.

Third focus: build SIP corpus slowly and steadily.

Avoid taking any more loans unless very essential.

No premature withdrawal from investments for lifestyle spending.

Finally
You are handling a tough situation with great determination.

Financial restructuring must be slow and steady, not rushed.

Every Rs. 500 you save today will reduce future debt.

Keep revisiting your plan every six months.

Involve your spouse actively in money management.

Financial peace is possible with consistent small actions.

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 Jun 20, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 05, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 32 years old with monthly income of 80,000. I have a home loan of 23 lakhs with EMI 24,000. I have another loan for a commercial property of 33 lakhs with EMI 31,000. Along with it, I have a gold loan of 5 lakhs. Also, I am in a rented place where rent is 18,000. Currently, I am only paying EMIs and my spouse pays for household expenses. I only have 1 lakh rupees in FD. I request your help in further planning to reduce debt or increase investments.
Ans: You are 32 years old with stable income.
You are managing high loan EMIs regularly.
This shows good discipline and financial responsibility.

But right now, your cash flow is tight.
Debt is eating most of your income.
There is no space for savings or investment.
This needs immediate planning and careful correction.

Let us look at your financial situation in detail.
Then we will create a practical action plan.

Income and Loan Outflow Analysis
Your monthly income: Rs.80,000

Home loan EMI: Rs.24,000

Commercial loan EMI: Rs.31,000

Gold loan EMI: Not mentioned, but assumed EMI for Rs.5 lakh loan

House rent: Rs.18,000

Household expenses: Paid by your spouse

Savings: Rs.1 lakh in fixed deposit

From this, we can assess:

Loan EMIs alone are Rs.55,000 or more

Rent is Rs.18,000

Total fixed outgo is Rs.73,000+

Remaining cash flow is just Rs.7,000 or less

That means you are under financial pressure.
You cannot invest or save regularly.
That also increases financial stress.

Let us fix this situation step-by-step.

Step 1: Understand Loan Type and Value
You have three loans currently:

Home loan: Rs.23 lakhs

Commercial property loan: Rs.33 lakhs

Gold loan: Rs.5 lakhs

Gold loan usually has short tenure.
Its interest is also higher.
Commercial loan may not give tax benefit like home loan.
So this structure needs change.

You are paying nearly 70% of your income to EMIs.
This is too high.
Safe EMI-to-income ratio is 40%.
So reduction of debt is the top priority.

Step 2: Emergency Fund Creation
You have Rs.1 lakh in FD.
That is not enough as emergency fund.
You must build 4 to 6 months of EMI buffer.

That means Rs.2.5 lakhs minimum in emergency fund.
Emergency fund gives safety.
It avoids more loans in case of job loss or crisis.

Ways to increase emergency fund:

Use bonuses or incentives

Temporarily reduce other spends

Save tax refunds or gifts

Pause non-essential spending

Keep this fund in a liquid instrument.
Do not break it unless emergency comes.

Step 3: Evaluate Gold Loan for Fast Closure
Gold loan has higher interest.
It may be around 10% to 14% per annum.
Also, gold is a family asset.
It should not be under debt for long.

Steps to reduce gold loan:

Stop luxury spends till gold loan is cleared

Use future bonus to prepay

Explore restructuring with lower EMI

Use idle savings of spouse, if possible

Clearing gold loan will reduce mental pressure.
And give you small extra savings monthly.

Step 4: Commercial Loan Needs Rethink
Commercial property is not for self-use.
Rental income from it (if any) is not mentioned.
If it’s not generating income, it is a big burden.

You are also staying in a rented house.
But paying EMI for two loans.

This is not an efficient use of cash flow.

Suggestions:

If commercial property is not earning rent, consider selling it

Or explore loan transfer to lower interest

Can also check partial repayment options

If value is high, prepay part and reduce EMI

Taking action here will ease your monthly stress.
You can then free cash for other goals.

Step 5: Use Structured Budget to Create Surplus
Your income is fixed, but you can cut expenses.
Every rupee saved is future wealth.
You need monthly surplus of at least Rs.5,000.

Ideas to cut cost:

Reduce eating out, vacations, impulse spends

Share ride to office, cut fuel bills

Switch to cheaper data plans and subscriptions

Buy in bulk for groceries

Track all spends for 3 months.
You’ll find many small savings.
Together they will create a surplus.

Step 6: Insurance and Risk Coverage
If you are repaying loans, then insurance is important.
You must protect your family from loan burden.

Check these points:

Do you have a term insurance of Rs.50 lakhs or more?

Does your spouse have life cover too?

Do you have health insurance outside employer policy?

If not, get a term plan now.
Not ULIP or endowment policy.
Only pure term insurance with low premium.

Health cover should be Rs.5 lakhs minimum.
Don’t rely only on company plan.
Medical bills can ruin your budget.

Step 7: Investment Plan After Debt Control
You are not able to invest now.
But once gold loan is closed and surplus is built, start SIP.

Start small with Rs.2000 SIP.
Later, increase step-by-step.

SIP must be in actively managed regular funds.
Avoid direct funds unless supported by a Certified Financial Planner.
Direct plans give no human guidance.
No help during market crash or recovery.
This causes panic and wrong exits.

Regular plans with a CFP give:

Behavioural guidance

Portfolio review

Fund switch advice

Tax-efficient withdrawal strategy

Also avoid index funds now.
Index funds just copy index.
They cannot beat market.
They fall when market falls.
And give no protection during crisis.

Instead, active funds are better:

Fund manager makes timely decisions

Better sector rotation

Better recovery in falling market

Potential to beat index return

So once your EMI load reduces, focus on regular active fund SIP.
Start small but stay consistent.

Step 8: Long-Term Goals Planning
You are just 32 now.
Your retirement is far, but you must plan today.

List out future goals:

Children’s education

Spouse’s financial freedom

Emergency reserve

Retirement at 55 or 60

Once your debt burden is low, make separate investments for each goal.
Use SIP and lump sum together when possible.

Also review your loans and investments once every year.
Do this with a Certified Financial Planner.
It brings professional discipline and clarity.

Finally
You are managing your debt well with discipline.
But your cash flow is fully locked in EMIs.
There is no breathing room for growth or emergencies.

This is a risk to your long-term goals.
So your focus should be on reducing loan pressure first.

Take below actions in order:

Build emergency fund of Rs.2.5 lakhs

Repay gold loan within 6 months

Explore options for commercial loan (sell, refinance, reduce EMI)

Take term insurance and medical cover

Start SIP after freeing up at least Rs.5,000 monthly

Avoid direct funds, index funds, ULIPs, and real estate as investment

With a clear roadmap and yearly review, you can grow steadily.
Slow and structured steps will build financial strength.
Your current situation is tough, but fixable.

With a Certified Financial Planner, you will stay on track.
That guidance is the most powerful support for your journey.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1746 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
Money
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

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x