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Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |233 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 04, 2025

Naveenn Kummar has over 16 years of experience in banking and financial services.
He is an Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)-registered mutual fund distributor, an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)-licensed insurance advisor and a qualified personal finance professional (QPFP) certified by Network FP.
An engineering graduate with an MBA in management, he leads Alenova Financial Services under Vadula Consultancy Services, offering solutions in mutual funds, insurance, retirement planning and wealth management.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 31, 2025
Money

Hello Sir - I am at 37.5 age now. I am having a MF portfolio of 1.6Cr as of today and i plan to do a regular SIP of 1Lakh per month for next 15 years. I have a apartment worth 45 lakhs and Monthly EMI is 15K so my rent is equal to EMI for next 10 years. I have a site worth 15 lakh Invested last year and I have a term Insurance of 2 Cr. Gold worth of 20 lakhs. My aim is to retire by 53 with a corpus of 25cr. Which includes all my goals. Please suggest me a complete plan including Insurances and Emergency Fund.

Ans: At 37, you are already in a strong financial position with a portfolio of ?1.6 Cr, SIPs of ?1 Lakh per month, and assets like property and gold. It’s great to see you have clarity on retiring by 53 with a defined goal of ?25 Cr — this is exactly the kind of focus that makes financial journeys successful.

Looking at your numbers, with disciplined SIPs for the next 15 years and assuming a 10–11% return, you are on track to reach close to your goal. A few refinements will make your plan more robust:

1. Insurance Protection

Term Insurance: ?2 Cr cover is good but may be increased slightly based on your income and future responsibilities.

Health Insurance: Apart from your corporate health cover, it is essential to take a family floater policy of ?10–20 Lakhs, along with a top-up plan of around ?90 Lakhs. Some insurers now also offer unlimited cover options, which are worth exploring for long-term peace of mind.

Critical Illness & Personal Accident with Disability: These should be taken as standalone policies, not bundled riders, for better protection and claim flexibility.

2. Emergency Fund
Maintain at least 6–12 months of household expenses and EMIs in liquid funds or FDs, so that unexpected needs do not disturb your investment plan.

3. Investments & Asset Allocation
Keep equities as the core (60–65%) of your portfolio, supported by 10–15% in debt/liquid assets, around 10% in gold (already covered), and avoid further real estate exposure since you are already adequately invested. Diversify SIPs across large cap, flexi cap, mid cap, and international funds.

Final Thought: Retirement planning is not only about investing for growth but also about protecting the journey with adequate insurance and safety nets. A QPFP review every year ensures your plan adapts to changes in markets and life events, while compounding works quietly in the background to build wealth.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner
???? www.alenova.in
https://www.instagram.com/alenova_wealth/
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 20, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi I am 40 years old and have 18 lakh in ppf. 3.5 lakh in pf and fd of 21 lakh with mf portfolio as 4.2 lakh 80 thousand in share market and 4 lakh as emergency fund with monthly income as 65k . I want to retire at 45 and still want same monthly income so what should be my investment plan for it.
Ans: Your disciplined savings and investment strategy are commendable. Let's structure a plan to achieve your goal of retiring at 45 while maintaining your current monthly income.

Current Financial Snapshot
Investments and Savings:

Rs 18 lakh in PPF
Rs 3.5 lakh in PF
Rs 21 lakh in FD
Rs 4.2 lakh in mutual funds
Rs 80 thousand in share market
Rs 4 lakh as an emergency fund
Monthly Income:

Rs 65,000
Retirement Planning Goals
Goal:

Retire at 45 with a monthly income of Rs 65,000
Analysis and Insights
Current Situation:

Your existing investments are good but need strategic alignment.
A focused approach is essential for achieving your retirement goal.
Investment Plan
Increase Equity Exposure:

Equity investments offer higher returns over the long term.
Allocate a portion of your FD and emergency fund to equity mutual funds.
Gradually increase your mutual fund portfolio.
Balanced Funds:

Invest in balanced or hybrid funds for stability.
These funds provide a mix of equity and debt.
Debt Funds:

Include debt funds for safe and steady returns.
This ensures a balance between growth and safety.
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs):

Increase your SIP contributions regularly.
A disciplined approach ensures consistent growth.
Diversify Investments:

Spread your investments across different asset classes.
This reduces risk and maximizes returns.
Recommended Asset Allocation
Equity:

Increase equity mutual fund investments.
Aim for 60-70% of your portfolio in equity.
Debt:

Maintain 20-30% in debt funds and fixed deposits.
This ensures stability and regular income.
Gold:

Consider investing in gold funds or ETFs.
Gold acts as a hedge against inflation.
Retirement Corpus Calculation
Estimated Corpus Required:

You need a corpus that generates Rs 65,000 monthly.
Assuming a 5% withdrawal rate, you need around Rs 1.56 crore.
Steps to Achieve Retirement Goal
1. Increase Investments:

Enhance your SIPs and lump-sum investments in mutual funds.
Aim to save and invest aggressively for the next 5 years.
2. Reduce Expenses:

Minimize unnecessary expenses.
Save more towards your retirement goal.
3. Regular Review:

Review your investments quarterly.
Adjust based on performance and market conditions.
4. Professional Guidance:

Consult a Certified Financial Planner.
Personalized advice ensures optimal investment strategies.
Final Insights
Disciplined Investing: Stay committed to your investment plan.
Diversified Portfolio: Spread investments across equity, debt, and gold.
Regular Monitoring: Adjust and rebalance your portfolio as needed.
Focus on Growth: Prioritize equity investments for higher returns.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 23, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi, I am 35, married and having one kid 3 years old. I have 40 Lakhs in MFs, and continue doing 2 lakhs SIP every months. Gold around 1 KG, real estate property combined worth around 3 Crores. US equity around 20 lakhs (QQQ). I want to retire in 10 years with corpus around 15 Crores, how should plan my investments going forward. (I can save around max 3 lakhs INR/month)
Ans: You have a diverse investment portfolio. It includes mutual funds, gold, real estate, and some US equity. Your monthly SIP of Rs 2 lakhs is commendable.

Retirement Goal
Your target is Rs 15 crores in 10 years. With your current savings and investment habits, achieving this goal is possible.

Increase Monthly Savings
Maximise Savings: Increase your monthly savings to Rs 3 lakhs. This will accelerate your wealth accumulation.

Systematic Investing: Continue with SIPs. They provide disciplined investing and benefit from market volatility.

Diversify Investments
Equity Mutual Funds: Focus more on equity mutual funds. They offer higher returns over the long term.

Actively Managed Funds: Choose actively managed funds. They adapt to market changes better than index funds.

Avoid Index Funds: Index funds often yield lower returns. Active management can provide better performance.

Indian Equity Investments
Increase Indian Equity: India is transitioning from a developing to a developed country. This offers better growth prospects.

Regular Review: Monitor and rebalance your equity portfolio. Ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and goals.

Gold Investments
Maintain Gold Holdings: Gold provides a safety net. However, don't increase your gold investments significantly.

Balanced Portfolio: Keep your gold holdings stable. Focus on equities for growth.

Mutual Fund Strategies
Diversify Mutual Funds: Spread your investments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. This balances risk and returns.

Regular Funds: Invest through a Certified Financial Planner. They provide professional guidance and management.

Avoid Direct Funds: Direct funds require extensive knowledge and time. Professional management ensures better performance.

Real Estate Holdings
Stable Asset: Your real estate holdings are significant. Keep them as they provide stability and potential appreciation.

No Further Investments: Avoid increasing real estate investments. Focus on more liquid and growth-oriented assets.

Emergency Fund and Insurance
Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an emergency fund. It should cover at least six months of expenses.

Adequate Insurance: Maintain sufficient health and life insurance. This protects your family from unforeseen events.

Review and Adjust
Periodic Review: Regularly review your portfolio. Adjust based on performance and changing goals.

Certified Financial Planner: Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner. They provide tailored strategies and adjustments.

Tax-efficient Investments
Tax Planning: Use tax-efficient investment options. This optimises your returns and reduces tax liability.

ELSS Funds: Consider Equity Linked Savings Schemes. They provide tax benefits under Section 80C.

Education Fund for Your Child
Separate Fund: Create a fund for your child's education. Start early to benefit from compounding.

Long-term Growth: Invest in equity mutual funds. They offer better growth for education goals.

Regular Income Post-retirement
Systematic Withdrawal Plan: Plan for a systematic withdrawal post-retirement. This ensures regular income and preserves your corpus.

Debt Funds: Invest a portion in debt funds. They provide stability and regular income.

Final Insights
You are on the right track with a diversified portfolio. Increasing your savings, focusing on Indian equity mutual funds, and regular reviews will help you achieve your retirement goal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 19, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 18, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hello Sir, I am 46, earning around 2.35L/month after all deductions and don't have any liability like Home Loan, Currently I am investing 55K/month in MF (HDFC MidCap Opportunity, Quant Active, Quant FlexiCap, Nippon SmallCap, HDFC Top100 Growth) and having around 10L in MF. PPF, NPS and PF is having around 50L. Need a corpus of 5 Cr in next 10 to 12 years. Kindly suggest better planning for retirement.
Ans: At 46 years old, you have a clear goal: a Rs. 5 crore corpus in the next 10 to 12 years. Your current investments and income provide a strong foundation, but fine-tuning your strategy will help you reach your target efficiently.

Current Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds:

You are investing Rs. 55,000 per month in mutual funds, focusing on a mix of mid-cap, flexi-cap, small-cap, and large-cap funds.
Your current mutual fund corpus is Rs. 10 lakh, which is a good start.
PPF, NPS, and PF:

Your combined PPF, NPS, and PF amount to Rs. 50 lakh. These are safe investments, offering moderate returns with tax benefits.
Assessing Your Goals
Given your goal of Rs. 5 crore in 10 to 12 years, a disciplined approach is crucial. Your existing investments are diverse, but focusing on the right allocation and increasing your SIPs could make a significant difference.

Recommendations for Better Planning
Increase SIP Contributions:

If possible, consider increasing your SIP from Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 70,000 per month. This will help in reaching your Rs. 5 crore target more comfortably.
Focus on Equity Funds:

Continue with your equity-focused mutual funds but consider reviewing your portfolio periodically. Make sure your portfolio remains aligned with your risk tolerance and market conditions.
Avoid Sector-Specific Funds:

Keep a balanced portfolio. Avoid over-exposure to any single sector to reduce the risk of volatility.
NPS Contribution:

Increase your NPS contributions if you haven't maxed out your tax-saving limit. NPS offers a good mix of equity and debt, which helps in long-term growth with some level of safety.
PPF Contributions:

Continue with your PPF contributions as it offers tax-free returns. This will act as a stable component in your overall portfolio.
Review Your Portfolio Annually:

Conduct an annual review of your portfolio to ensure it remains on track. Adjust your investments based on market trends and personal circumstances.
Tax Efficiency
Tax Planning:

Utilize the tax benefits offered by PPF, NPS, and ELSS funds. This will maximize your post-tax returns and enhance your overall corpus.
Capital Gains Management:

Be mindful of long-term capital gains tax when rebalancing your mutual fund portfolio. Plan withdrawals accordingly to minimize tax liability.
Emergency Fund
Maintain Liquidity:

Ensure you have 6-12 months' worth of expenses in a liquid fund or savings account. This will safeguard you against any unexpected financial needs without disrupting your long-term investments.
Final Insights
You are well on your way to achieving your retirement goal. By slightly increasing your SIPs and focusing on tax-efficient investments, you can confidently reach your Rs. 5 crore target in the next decade. Regular portfolio reviews and disciplined investing will ensure that your financial future remains secure.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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