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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 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
Rajesh Question by Rajesh on Jun 04, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 37 year old and earning 2lac/month. I save 33k per month, 13k in SIP(small call, blue chip and flexi) and 20k in post office RD. I have a home loan of 1.50 cr whose monthly installment is 1.29 lakh. I do have 3 childrens ( 2 teenage kids and 1 small kid). I need your guidance to pay the loan amount ASAP and also want to save the corpus amount for my kids higher studies. Note. For my monthly needs i do have another passive income which fullfil our basic needs.

Ans: Securing Your Family's Future: A Financial Roadmap
It's great that you're thinking about paying off your home loan early and saving for your children's education! You're taking charge of your family's financial well-being. Let's explore some strategies to help you achieve your goals:

1. Analyzing Your Cash Flow:

Track Your Expenses: For a month, track all your income sources and expenses (including your passive income). This will help you identify areas where you can potentially cut back and free up more cash for debt repayment and savings.

Debt-to-Income Ratio: Calculate your debt-to-income ratio (total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income). A lower ratio indicates better debt management. A CFP can help you analyze this ratio and suggest strategies for improvement.

2. Prioritizing Debt Repayment:

Additional Lump Sums: Do you have any upcoming bonuses or windfalls? Consider using them for additional home loan payments to reduce the principal faster.

Part Pre-Payment: Explore the option of a part pre-payment on your home loan. This can significantly bring down your overall interest outgo.

3. Exploring Refinancing Options:

Compare Interest Rates: Research current home loan interest rates offered by different lenders. If you find a significantly lower rate than your existing one, refinancing your loan can save you money in the long run.

Processing Fees: Consider any processing fees associated with refinancing and weigh them against the potential interest savings.

4. Saving for Children's Education:

Investment Time Horizon: For your older children (likely closer to needing funds for education), a 5-8 year investment horizon might be suitable. This allows for some aggressive investment options.

Younger Child: For your younger child (with a longer horizon, say 10-15 years), a balanced actively managed SIP can offer growth with some stability.

5. Choosing Actively Managed SIPs:

Actively Managed vs. Index Funds: Actively managed funds have fund managers who try to outperform the market by selecting promising stocks. This has the potential for higher returns than passively managed options like index funds, but also involves more risk. A CFP can help you choose the right option based on your risk tolerance.

Diversification: Consider investing in a diversified mix of actively managed SIPs across different market segments (large-cap, mid-cap) to spread your risk and maximize growth potential.

Remember, a CFP can't recommend specific schemes. However, they can help you understand the features and risks of different actively managed fund categories based on your goals.

Additional Considerations:

Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an emergency fund with 3-6 months of living expenses to handle unexpected situations.

Life Insurance: Review your life insurance coverage to ensure your family is financially protected in case of an unfortunate event.

Taking Action:

Schedule a CFP Consultation: A CFP can create a personalized roadmap considering your specific situation, risk tolerance, and financial goals.

Review and Monitor: Your financial situation and goals might change over time. Regularly review your progress with your CFP and make adjustments to your plan as needed.

By following these steps and seeking professional guidance, you can effectively manage your debt, save for your children's education, and achieve your long-term financial goals. Remember, actively managed funds can be a powerful tool for growth, but they also carry risk. Consulting a CFP can help you make informed investment decisions for a secure future.

Don't wait! Take charge of your financial well-being today.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 24, 2024

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I am 39 having a monthly gross salary of 1.10 and received in hand is 81000. I have two children 10 and 5 years old. I want to take a home loan of 50 lac. Monthly expenses are about 35000/- . My second source of income gives me on an average 25000/- p.m. No other savings is there. However I have a health insurance and term loan and a Lic for Sum assured 25lac. Now I want to have my own house and I want to take a home loan of 50 lac. At present I am residing in parents home. Sourav Pranjal
Ans: Financial Overview and Assessment
Your financial profile shows a solid income and manageable expenses. However, acquiring a home loan requires careful consideration. Let's break down your financial situation and evaluate the feasibility of a Rs 50 lakh home loan.

Income and Expenses
Primary Income: Rs 81,000/month

Secondary Income: Rs 25,000/month

Total Monthly Income: Rs 1,06,000

Monthly Expenses: Rs 35,000

Net Savings Potential: Rs 71,000

Existing Financial Commitments
Health Insurance: Ensures medical security

Term Loan: Provides life cover

LIC Policy: Sum assured of Rs 25 lakh

Evaluating Home Loan Feasibility
Home Loan Requirement: Rs 50 lakh

EMI Calculation: The EMI for a Rs 50 lakh home loan for 20 years at an 8% interest rate would be approximately Rs 41,822.

Analysis of EMI Affordability
Net Savings Potential: Rs 71,000

Expected EMI: Rs 41,822

You can comfortably afford the EMI. Your net savings post-EMI payment would be Rs 29,178, which provides a good cushion for emergencies and additional savings.

Planning for Future Expenses
Children’s Education: Planning is crucial for your children's education expenses. Start a SIP in a diversified equity mutual fund to build a corpus for this.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6 months of expenses, including EMI.

Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds SIPs: Invest in diversified mutual funds to grow your wealth over time.

Stocks SIP: Direct stock SIPs can offer higher returns but come with higher risk. Balance with mutual funds for stability.

Insurance and Savings Recommendations
Increase Term Insurance: Ensure your term insurance covers at least 10 times your annual income.

Review LIC Policy: Evaluate the performance and consider if switching to mutual funds can yield better returns.

Advantages of Mutual Fund SIPs Over Direct Stock SIPs
Professional Management: Managed by experts who make informed decisions.

Diversification: Reduces risk by spreading investments across multiple stocks.

Ease of Investing: Less time-consuming and easier to manage.

Liquidity: Easy to redeem units when needed.

Final Insights
Home Loan Feasibility: You can afford the home loan. Ensure you have a buffer for emergencies.

Children’s Education: Start saving through SIPs to build a corpus.

Emergency Fund: Maintain 6 months of expenses as a buffer.

Term Insurance: Increase coverage to secure your family’s future.

Investment Strategy: Diversify between mutual funds and stocks. Prioritise mutual funds for stability and professional management.

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 Jun 05, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 01, 2025
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Dear Sir, 1) I am 40 yrs old working for CPSU. Post deduction of monthly CPF + VPF contribution 39000/- ( Corpus: 80 Lacs) & NPS : 28900 (Corpus : 18 Lacs). I am getting in hand salary of 1 Lacs per month. 2) PPF investment - 1.5 Lacs/year ( Corpus: 14 Lacs).Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana- 1.5 Lacs/year 3)Monthly Investment in MFs is 35000/- (PPFAS: 10000/-, Axis Blue Chip: 5000/-;ICICI Prudential Nifty 50: 5000/-; PGIM Large and Mid Cap direct growth:5000/-; Quant MID Cap & Small Cap: 5000/- each ) with corpus 10.5 lacs . 4) Equity Shares worth 18 lacs. Equity SIP: 20000/- Per Month 5)I have taken Home loan on 50 lacs with repayment period of 20 yrs, EMI approx: 37000/-. 6) I have 4 -5 LIC Policies of which yearly premium is 175000/- 7) I want to repay the Home in 15 yrs. I have miscellaneous expenses of about 7000/- PM. Please suggest the ways to pay the loan early and build corpus of 8 crore at 60 yrs age.
Ans: Your disciplined investment habits and clarity on goals are truly inspiring.
You wish to:

Pay off a Rs. 50 lakh home loan in 15 years (currently on a 20-year term)

Build a retirement corpus of Rs. 8 crore by age 60 (currently age 40)

Let’s work out a 360-degree financial plan that supports both these goals efficiently.

Understanding Your Financial Setup
Monthly in-hand salary is Rs. 1 lakh after CPF, VPF and NPS deductions

Monthly SIP of Rs. 35,000 in mutual funds

Equity investment of Rs. 18 lakh and equity SIP of Rs. 20,000

Rs. 14 lakh in PPF with Rs. 1.5 lakh annual contribution

Rs. 1.5 lakh/year in Sukanya Samriddhi

Home loan of Rs. 50 lakh; EMI is Rs. 37,000 for 20 years

Annual LIC premium of Rs. 1.75 lakh across 4–5 policies

Monthly expense of Rs. 7,000

This gives a solid platform to build a long-term strategy.

Focus Area 1: Home Loan Prepayment Strategy
1. Step-up your EMI every year

Increase EMI by 5% to 10% every year, based on salary increments

This will reduce interest cost and cut loan tenure to under 15 years

EMI step-up is more efficient than one-time lump sum prepayment

2. Use salary hikes and bonuses for prepayment

Allocate 50% of every increment or bonus towards home loan prepayment

Make one lump sum prepayment every year if possible

Target prepayment of Rs. 1 lakh per year at least, in initial years

3. Avoid PPF or NPS withdrawals

Don’t touch your PPF or NPS for home loan prepayment

These are retirement-oriented, tax-efficient long-term instruments

Keep these safe for post-retirement income and compounding benefits

4. Avoid premature closure of equity or MF assets

Do not liquidate your equity or mutual fund holdings for loan prepayment

Equity assets are expected to deliver superior returns over 15–20 years

Use salary surplus and annual cash flows instead of redeeming investments

Focus Area 2: Retirement Corpus of Rs. 8 Crore at 60
1. Maintain and increase SIP every year

Current SIP of Rs. 35,000 + Rs. 20,000 = Rs. 55,000 per month

Increase SIP by 10% each year as income rises

This systematic hike will help you reach the Rs. 8 crore goal without strain

2. Switch from direct mutual funds to regular through CFP+MFD route

Direct plans lack advisory support, often leading to poor decisions

Regular plans through a qualified CFP give access to periodic review

A Certified Financial Planner ensures proper rebalancing and discipline

3. Avoid index funds; prefer actively managed funds

Index funds lack downside protection during market crashes

They do not rebalance based on changing fundamentals or valuations

Active funds can outperform across market cycles with dynamic strategies

4. Ensure right mix of large, mid and small cap funds

Your SIPs are spread across large cap, mid cap and large+mid cap

Maintain a 60:30:10 ratio across large, mid and small cap

Review and rebalance the mix once every year or after market changes

5. Equity SIP to be continued till retirement

Continue Rs. 20,000 SIP in equity for long-term wealth creation

Over 20 years, this can build a substantial corpus if left uninterrupted

Direct equity may be volatile, so keep risk-reward under regular review

Focus Area 3: Insurance Portfolio Review
1. LIC policies need performance evaluation

Annual premium of Rs. 1.75 lakh is high for low-return products

Check policy surrender value and benefits carefully

Most LIC policies offer returns of only 4% to 5% annually

2. Surrender and redirect into mutual funds if suitable

If surrender values are reasonable, reinvest into long-term mutual funds

This shift can give returns of 11%–13% with long-term SIP discipline

Only do this after analysing each policy separately with a Certified Planner

3. Ensure adequate term life cover

LIC endowment policies do not provide sufficient term cover

Buy a pure term plan equal to at least 15–20 times your annual income

Premium will be low and cover will be very high

4. Health insurance should be comprehensive

Don’t rely only on company health cover

Buy a personal health policy covering self and dependents

Choose a policy with minimum Rs. 10 lakh sum insured

Focus Area 4: Efficient Tax Planning
1. Continue PPF and SSY contributions

These are EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) instruments

Help in long-term tax-free compounding

Also fulfill Section 80C requirements fully

2. NPS contribution adds under Section 80CCD(1B)

Your contribution of Rs. 28,900/month in NPS is excellent

Don’t withdraw till retirement age to enjoy tax-free annuity-like benefits

Asset allocation in NPS can also be reviewed annually

3. Use mutual fund tax strategy smartly

For equity mutual funds: LTCG over Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG is taxed at 20% on equity funds if held less than one year

Debt funds are taxed as per income slab for both STCG and LTCG

Plan redemptions smartly to reduce tax impact

Focus Area 5: Emergency and Short-Term Liquidity
1. Emergency fund is essential

Keep 6–9 months of expenses in liquid or ultra-short debt funds

Can be used for health emergencies, job loss, or family needs

Avoid dipping into investments or taking loans during emergencies

2. Avoid using credit cards or personal loans

If expenses increase, don’t rely on credit cards or EMIs

Build a buffer fund for occasional big-ticket needs

Stick to a budget and automate savings first

Focus Area 6: Monitoring and Rebalancing
1. Do a full review every 6 months

Revisit your asset allocation and fund performance twice a year

Identify underperforming funds and shift to better options with professional help

Ensure goals are still on track and risk is under control

2. Use tools like goal trackers and net worth calculators

These tools help to track your wealth journey

Maintain a clear spreadsheet or app-based tracker

Review your progress toward 8 crore goal each year

Finally
Your structure is solid, and your intentions are clear

A few tweaks will boost your efficiency and goal achievement

Focus on annual increases in SIP and EMI to fast-track both goals

Review insurance and direct equity investments through professional eyes

Stick to long-term discipline and avoid short-term reactions

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 01, 2025
Money
Dear Sir, 1)I am 40 yrs old working for CPSU.Post deduction of monthly CPF + VPF contribution 39000/- ( Corpus: 80 Lacs) & NPS : 28900 (Corpus : 18 Lacs). I have in hand salary of 1 Lac per month. 2) PPF investment - 1.5 Lacs( Corpus: 14 Lacs).Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana- 1.5 Lacs 3)Monthly Investment in MFs is 35000/- (PPFAS: 10000/-, Axis Blue Chip: 5000/-;ICICI Prudential Nifty 50: 5000/-; PGIM Large and Mid Cap direct growth:5000/-; Quant MID Cap & Small Cap: 5000/- each )with corpus 10.5 lacs. 4)Equity Shares worth 18 lacs. Equity SIP: 20000/- Per Month 5)I have taken Home loan on 50 lacs with repayment period of 20 yrs, EMI approx: 37000/-. 6) LIC Policies Annual Premium: 1.7 Lacs 7) I have Post retirement benefit scheme corpus of 48 Lacs 8)I want to repay the Home in 15 yrs. I have miscellaneous expenses of about 7000/- PM.please suggest the ways to pay the loan early and build corpus of 8 crore at 60 yrs age.
Ans: You have built a solid base with multiple income streams and disciplined investing.

At 40, you are in a strong position to create a secure and abundant retirement corpus.

Your goals are clear:

Repay your home loan in 15 years instead of 20.

Build Rs. 8 crore corpus by age 60.

This plan needs structured action and disciplined execution. Let’s assess everything carefully from a 360-degree view.

Salary and Cash Flow – A Good Start
Your in-hand salary is Rs. 1 lakh per month.

After Rs. 39,000 CPF + VPF and Rs. 28,900 NPS deduction, you save a big portion.

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

Equity SIP of Rs. 20,000 shows higher risk appetite.

Miscellaneous expense of Rs. 7,000 is low and controlled.

Overall, your income-to-expense ratio is strong.

There is good scope for maximising returns and building wealth faster.

Home Loan – Strategy to Close in 15 Years
EMI of Rs. 37,000 on Rs. 50 lakh loan is well within limits.

Goal: Close this loan 5 years earlier without stress.

First, increase EMI gradually every year by 5-10%.

Use annual bonuses or salary increments to make part-prepayments.

Even Rs. 1 lakh extra per year can reduce term by 3-4 years.

Review loan structure with lender once in 3 years to get best rate.

Do not stop SIPs or equity investment for loan closure. Balance both together.

LIC Policies – Immediate Assessment Needed
You pay Rs. 1.7 lakhs yearly as LIC premium.

These are investment cum insurance plans.

These offer low returns and poor liquidity.

Surrender policies and reinvest money into mutual funds for better growth.

Get a simple term insurance of Rs. 1 crore for family safety.

This will reduce premium cost and improve overall wealth creation.

This one decision alone can add lakhs to your final corpus.

Direct Mutual Funds – Not the Right Choice
You are investing through direct plans in some mutual funds.

This looks cost-saving but can become risky in long term.

Direct funds do not offer any ongoing guidance.

Market changes are frequent. Without advice, you may exit or switch wrongly.

Wrong timing can damage your entire portfolio.

A Certified Financial Planner with MFD code gives portfolio strategy.

Regular fund investments give peace of mind and better asset allocation.

Charges are marginal but value is high.

Please shift your funds to regular plans through an MFD having CFP credentials.

Index Fund Exposure – Needs Reevaluation
You are investing in Nifty 50-based index fund.

Index funds are low-cost but not always right.

They follow the market passively.

No option to reduce exposure in weak sectors.

No active strategy during corrections or crashes.

Actively managed funds perform better in Indian market conditions.

They provide risk-adjusted returns with more flexibility.

Certified Financial Planners can help select best actively managed schemes.

Avoid depending on index funds for long-term goals.

Your Existing Investment Mix – Analysis
Your investments are well diversified across multiple asset classes.

Let us evaluate one by one:

CPF + VPF Corpus – Rs. 80 lakhs

Very stable and safe.

Good for post-retirement pension-like benefit.

No changes needed.

NPS Corpus – Rs. 18 lakhs

Another strong pillar for retirement.

Tax-efficient and low-cost.

Suggest keeping equity allocation at 50%-60%.

PPF Corpus – Rs. 14 lakhs

Excellent for safe long-term returns.

Tax-free and fixed interest.

Continue till maturity.

Sukanya Samriddhi – Rs. 1.5 lakhs/year

Good for daughter’s education or marriage goals.

Stay invested till maturity.

Mutual Fund SIPs – Rs. 35,000/month

Right asset for long-term wealth creation.

Some funds may need rebalancing.

Mid-cap and small-cap should not cross 30% of portfolio.

Equity Shares – Rs. 18 lakhs

Good wealth-building asset.

High risk, but can deliver higher returns.

Do annual review with a Certified Financial Planner.

Target Rs. 8 Crore at 60 – What You Need to Do
You are now 40 years old.

You have 20 years to build Rs. 8 crore.

Let us look at possible actions:

Continue current SIPs of Rs. 35,000 monthly.

Increase this by 10% every year.

Shift direct funds to regular funds.

Rebalance mid-cap/small-cap exposure to keep risk moderate.

Reinvest LIC surrender value in long-term equity mutual funds.

Keep NPS equity allocation between 50%-60%.

Avoid index funds. Choose high quality actively managed funds.

Use Certified Financial Planner for long-term monitoring.

With this discipline, your Rs. 8 crore goal is very realistic.

Insurance – Only Term Plan is Enough
You are spending Rs. 1.7 lakhs yearly on LIC.

These policies mix insurance with investment.

Returns are around 4%-5% only.

Do this instead:

Surrender LIC policies after checking surrender value.

Buy a pure term insurance of Rs. 1 crore.

Annual premium will be around Rs. 15,000 only.

Invest balance Rs. 1.55 lakhs in equity mutual funds.

This will protect family and create higher wealth.

Tax Planning – Ensure You Don’t Overlap Sections
You are contributing to PPF, CPF, NPS, Sukanya.

All these are eligible under Section 80C and 80CCD(1B).

Ensure not to exceed maximum allowed limits.

Use balance funds for equity mutual funds or debt funds.

Emergency Fund and Short-Term Goals
Maintain 6 months’ expenses in a liquid fund.

Do not mix emergency fund with investments.

Plan separately for near-term goals like car, vacation, etc.

Use short-term debt funds for such goals.

Portfolio Rebalancing – Do it Yearly
Every 12 months, review and rebalance your portfolio.

Reduce exposure in overgrown asset classes.

Adjust between large-cap, mid-cap, and debt.

Track performance with support of Certified Financial Planner.

Exit poor performers and reallocate.

This keeps your goal aligned and risk under control.

Final Insights
You are already on a strong foundation at age 40.

Your income is good, savings rate is healthy, and investments are well spread.

But a few corrections are needed to maximise outcomes.

Shift LIC policies to equity mutual funds.

Avoid direct and index funds.

Work with a Certified Financial Planner for guidance.

Stay invested, increase SIPs yearly, and control unnecessary spending.

Your Rs. 8 crore goal is possible with this roadmap.

Stay focused, track yearly, and adapt as needed.

You are moving in the right direction.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 01, 2025

Money
Sir, I am 41 yrs old male. Earning 90k per month. I am planning to take home loan of 50 lakhs, EMI of 50k per month (even if EMI is 45k planning to pay 50k per month). My all savings are vanished for down payment. My kids are 9 & 7 yrs old. Invesment/Insurance Premiums: Term Plan - 5500/- annually (40 Lakhs SA) Mediclaim - 22k annually LIC policies - 1500 per month (some child policy) SIP - 2000 (HDFC Defense fund - Regular Growth SIP - 2500 (Acis India Mfg Fund - Regular - Growth) Kindly suggest to close my loan earliest and also suggest investment plans. Regards Dipesh Kajrolkar
Ans: Current Financial Snapshot
You earn Rs. 90,000 per month.

Planning Rs. 50,000 EMI on Rs. 50 lakh loan.

No liquid savings after down payment.

Two children aged 9 and 7.

Term insurance of Rs. 40 lakhs (Rs. 5,500 premium).

Mediclaim premium Rs. 22,000 yearly.

LIC child policy Rs. 1,500 monthly.

SIPs: Rs. 2,000 + Rs. 2,500 monthly.

You are sincere with goals. Now, let’s build a step-by-step financial structure.

First Focus: Loan + Liquidity Stability
You are opting for a 50k EMI on a 90k salary.
That is 55% of income, which is risky.

Keep EMI below 40% of income in future, if possible.

Start creating Rs. 1.5 lakh emergency fund slowly.

Use Recurring Deposit or Liquid Mutual Fund.

Start with Rs. 3,000 per month toward emergency fund.

You must protect family from sudden financial stress.

LIC Policy Needs Immediate Attention
LIC child policy is not effective for wealth creation.

They offer low returns and poor liquidity.

These are investment cum insurance plans.

Surrender the LIC policy and switch to mutual funds.

Redirect that Rs. 1,500 into a child goal SIP.

This change alone will boost long-term growth significantly.

Insurance Protection Needs Fixing
Your term cover is Rs. 40 lakh only.

That’s very low for a family with two school-age children.

Increase term cover to Rs. 1 crore minimum.

Premium will still be affordable.

Stick to pure term plan only.

No need for ULIP, endowment, or money-back policies.

Your mediclaim is good at Rs. 22,000.
Please confirm if it covers entire family for Rs. 10–20 lakhs.

If not, buy family floater policy separately.

Children’s Education Planning
You need dedicated plans for two kids’ higher education.

They’ll need funds in next 8 to 10 years.

Start SIPs separately in child-focused hybrid mutual funds.

Allocate at least Rs. 3,000 per child per month.

These SIPs should increase yearly.

Shift these funds to debt 2–3 years before education begins.

Avoid using real estate or LIC for child’s education goals.

Rebuilding Investment Structure
You are already investing Rs. 4,500 per month in SIPs.

Good start. But fund selection needs improvement.

Avoid thematic or sectoral funds like defense or manufacturing.

They are high risk, not suitable for core portfolio.

Shift to diversified equity funds and hybrid funds.

Proposed SIP Structure (Rs. 6,000 per month):

Rs. 2,500 in flexi-cap fund.

Rs. 2,000 in aggressive hybrid fund.

Rs. 1,500 in multi-asset fund.

Increase SIP as your salary grows.

Do all investments via Certified Financial Planner using regular plans.

Why Not Index Funds or Direct Plans?
Index funds only give market average return.

They don’t protect in market falls.

You need active management to beat inflation and grow corpus.

Direct funds require full monitoring by you.

They offer no guidance or review.

Regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner with MFD license offer:

Ongoing monitoring

Timely rebalancing

Goal alignment

Peace of mind

Debt Management Tips
You wish to prepay your home loan early. Good intention.

Do not rush repayment in initial years.

Focus on building emergency fund first.

Once you have Rs. 2–3 lakh in hand:

Start partial prepayment once a year.

Target one EMI worth (Rs. 50,000) every year.

Prepay only when basic financial goals are on track.

Monthly Cash Flow Restructuring
Break-up suggestion for your Rs. 90,000 salary:

Rs. 50,000 – EMI

Rs. 5,000 – Household needs

Rs. 8,000 – Children school fees and activities

Rs. 3,000 – Emergency fund saving

Rs. 6,000 – SIP (investments)

Rs. 2,000 – Insurance (term + health)

Rs. 16,000 – Buffer, future SIP top-up, or bonus prepayment

As salary rises, increase SIP first, not lifestyle cost.

Must-Do Actions This Year
Increase term insurance to Rs. 1 crore.

Start monthly saving for emergency fund.

Surrender LIC after checking surrender value.

Use SIPs for child education, not insurance.

Avoid sector funds like defense, manufacturing.

Do not invest in annuities.

Get insurance and investment advice only from CFP.

Tax Planning Strategy
Use following wisely:

Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C via EPF, PPF, SIP (ELSS), or term insurance

Rs. 25,000 for health insurance under Section 80D

NPS can help save Rs. 50,000 more under 80CCD(1B), later

Focus on wealth creation, not just tax saving.

Retirement Planning Begins Later
Don’t worry about retirement corpus now.

Focus on:

Securing family with term and mediclaim

Funding children’s future

Closing home loan over 10 years

Building Rs. 10 lakh mutual fund corpus first

After age 45, shift focus to retirement investing.

Year-Wise Action Roadmap
Year 1:

Build Rs. 1.5 lakh emergency fund

Start SIPs for kids’ education

Get Rs. 1 crore term cover

Reallocate SIP from thematic to hybrid/flexicap

Review and exit LIC policy

Year 2:

Do first loan prepayment (Rs. 50,000)

Raise SIP by 10–15%

Keep Rs. 1.5 lakh in liquid funds as reserve

Year 3:

Check kids’ school and tuition expenses

Start planning for their higher education goals

Review all funds annually with CFP

Finally
You are managing responsibilities well.

You are ready to build a stronger plan.

Start with insurance fix, SIP structure, and goal mapping.

Don’t waste money on ULIP, child plans, or annuities.

Avoid direct mutual funds or index funds.

Work with a Certified Financial Planner for proper handholding.

Your kids will thank you later.

Stay focused, consistent, and simple.

Your wealth journey is very much on track.

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

..Read more

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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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