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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 25, 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
Azad Question by Azad on Aug 24, 2025Hindi
Money

Hello Sir. I am 38 year old and in my family wife and 1 son 4 year old. I have my own house. Currently my annual family income (business) is 15 lac (after tax) and my expenses is 10 lac. I am saving around 5 lac per annum. My total savings till now is around 80 lac in fd-od. I get around 18-20% annual return on this. 7-8 % from fd and 10-12 % from ipo, ofs, short term secured loan and other small opportunity. It works very well till now don't know how it's work in future. I have a small portion of land also around 8.33% my share in that. That belongs to extended family and don't know when that liquid. Current value my share (8.33) is 18-20 lac. I have a health insurance of 15 lac. Term insurance of 2 cr till age 60. Emergency fund 5 lac in fd. I have started 20000 pm sip 2 month back In 3 fund hdfc flexi cap, bandhan small cap, and icici balance advantage fund. I want to know more about financial planning for my son education and my retirement.

Ans: Your current financial discipline is impressive. You have a good foundation. You also seem open to learning and improving. That mindset is your biggest asset.

Let’s now assess your financial situation from all angles. Then build a solid path for your goals—retirement and your son’s education.

» Income, Expenses and Savings Discipline

– You have a steady post-tax income of Rs. 15 lakh yearly.
– Annual expenses are Rs. 10 lakh. So, Rs. 5 lakh is saved each year.
– That gives you a 33% savings ratio. This is good at your income level.
– Try to push savings towards 40% as income grows.

» Investment Analysis: Current Allocation

– Rs. 80 lakh corpus is primarily in FDs and opportunity-based investments.
– Returns of 18–20% so far show good risk-taking and timing ability.
– But IPOs, OFS, and loans are not reliable long-term strategies.
– You’ve started SIPs of Rs. 20,000/month. This is the right step.
– 3 funds include flexicap, smallcap, and balanced advantage. Good blend.
– Your emergency fund of Rs. 5 lakh in FD is ideal for your lifestyle.
– Term insurance of Rs. 2 crore till age 60 is strong coverage.
– Health cover of Rs. 15 lakh is also reasonable for now.

» Risks in Current Strategy: What Needs Attention

Overdependence on short-term, high-yield plays (IPOs/OFS) is risky.

These options can dry up in economic slowdowns or policy changes.

FDs offer low real returns after tax and inflation.

Equity allocation is still low despite your high risk capacity.

SIP started recently and corpus is still low in long-term funds.

Your opportunity-based gains can be irregular in future.

Current portfolio lacks long-term compounding focus.

» Recommended Asset Allocation Strategy

You are only 38. You can hold higher equity exposure for next 15 years.

Ideal equity exposure: 70% of your long-term investments.

Debt exposure: 30% including emergency fund and contingency reserves.

Reduce idle FD share gradually and move to long-term funds.

Start this shift slowly over next 12-18 months.

Your 20K SIP can grow to Rs. 40–50K over 3 years.

Increase SIP by 10% each year without fail.

» Fund Category Allocation Suggestion (Within Mutual Funds)

40% in flexicap and large & mid-cap fund types.

25% in aggressive hybrid or balanced advantage funds.

20% in midcap and smallcap mix.

15% in international or thematic funds only after core is strong.

Don’t exceed 1–2 smallcap funds. They are highly volatile.

Don’t hold more than 4–5 total funds. Keep it manageable.

» Why You Must Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Direct funds may look cheaper but are not guided.

No expert reviews or asset rebalancing is included.

Wrong fund selection can hurt long-term goals.

Market timing and exit strategy may be missing.

Investing via regular plans through a MFD with CFP ensures active monitoring.

You get behavioural guidance to stay disciplined.

Many investors lose more by reacting than by choosing wrong funds.

» Why Index Funds Are Not Advisable for You

Index funds simply copy the market.

No scope to beat market even if opportunity exists.

In India, active funds still outperform across cycles.

No downside protection during crashes.

Active fund managers shift sector exposure tactically.

That helps reduce volatility and improve returns.

Index funds offer no such benefit.

» Son’s Education Goal Planning

Your son is 4 years old.

You have 13–14 years till college.

Ideal target corpus: Rs. 50–70 lakh or more.

This can be met with a step-up SIP of Rs. 20K/month now.

Increase SIP by 10–15% yearly.

Use combination of flexicap and large & midcap funds.

Avoid using this goal fund for other needs.

Don’t mix this with your own retirement savings.

» Retirement Planning Strategy

You are 38 now. Let’s assume retirement at 60.

That gives 22 years of accumulation.

Try to build Rs. 3–5 crore in today’s value.

Actual target should be inflation-adjusted based on lifestyle.

Begin with Rs. 20K–25K SIP for this goal.

Increase SIP by 10–15% each year.

Add surplus from opportunity gains to this corpus.

In the final 5 years before retirement, reduce equity risk.

Use aggressive hybrid funds or dynamic asset funds in later stage.

» Insurance and Contingency Preparedness

Rs. 15 lakh health insurance is decent now.

After age 45, review this for a top-up of Rs. 20–25 lakh.

Term cover of Rs. 2 crore till 60 is fine for now.

At age 50, reduce cover if you have enough corpus.

Don’t mix insurance with investment.

If offered ULIP, endowment, or money-back policies, do not buy.

They block your cash flows and give poor returns.

Keep insurance purely for protection.

» Real Estate Inheritance: Don’t Depend on Timeline

Your land share is small and non-liquid.

Avoid planning any goal based on this.

These assets are uncertain and take years to unlock.

Keep this as passive or windfall wealth.

Don’t count it towards core goal funding.

» Taxation Perspective of Investments

Mutual funds offer better post-tax returns than FDs.

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG in equity is taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains are taxed as per your slab.

FDs are fully taxable every year.

Shifting from FD to MF improves tax efficiency over long term.

» Structuring SIPs with Goal Linkage

Have 2 separate SIP buckets: one for retirement, one for son’s education.

Tag each fund to a specific goal.

Review performance once every 6 months.

Do not redeem unless goal is near.

When goal is 2–3 years away, move to short-term funds.

Don’t use SIPs for short-term plans.

» Emergency Fund and Liquidity

Rs. 5 lakh in FD is a good emergency reserve.

Keep 3–6 months of expenses in FD or liquid fund.

Don’t mix this with opportunity-based investments.

Liquidity is more important than return here.

Review this amount every 2–3 years.

» Roadmap for Next 5 Years

Increase SIPs to Rs. 40K/month gradually.

Allocate all extra income towards long-term mutual funds.

Cut down on FDs. Retain only for emergency and near-term needs.

Continue opportunities investing only with 10–15% of savings.

Review your portfolio structure every year with a CFP-led MFD.

Don’t do frequent fund changes. Stay patient.

Keep family involved in basic financial discussions.

» Review Support from MFD with CFP Credential

Investing via regular plans with a certified planner gives accountability.

You get access to timely portfolio reviews and goal tracking.

Behavioural support helps during volatile market phases.

Most wealth is built through staying invested, not timing exits.

Direct plan investors often chase past returns and lose discipline.

A good MFD-CFP helps you stay goal-focused for years.

» Finally

– You are already on the right path.
– Now bring structure and long-term clarity.
– SIP discipline will create serious wealth over next 15 years.
– Opportunity investing can be continued but not over-relied upon.
– Don’t fall for market noise. Stick to goal-based investing.
– Increase SIPs consistently and review goals once a year.
– Your child’s future and your retirement will both be secure.

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 16, 2024Hindi
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Hi, i am 42 years old 2 children 7 and 11 yrs each. earning currently 2 lakh net. I planning to create a retirement plan. I have done some investments but have never planned with specific goals so far. I intend to grow my money as much possible. And i am willing to take few risks, like i have started doing derivatives in options ( only nifty and I am not doing intra day). Please advice if my investment are reasonable and what are the other options i have to invest. Here are my assets and liability Land at current value : 70 lakhs Gold at current value : 21 lakhs Fixed Deposit : 10 lakhs PF balance : 11 lakhs Sukanya samridhi (annual1.5lakh) : 20 lakh Ppf for son ( annual 1.5 lakh): 14 lakh Direct equity ( 6 lakh invested) : current value : 17 lakhs Mutual Funds Franklin templeton tax saver growth( sip 4000) : 12 lakh Pp flexi cap growth(Sip 2000): 77 thousand Newly started Sip Quant small cap (sip 1000) Edelweiss momemtum (SIP) Liability ( car loan) : 20 lakhs
Ans: Given your age, income, and willingness to take risks, you have a decent mix of assets, but there are areas to focus on for a balanced retirement plan:

Assets:
Your assets are well-diversified with real estate, gold, fixed deposits, and various investment instruments like PF, Sukanya Samriddhi, PPF, direct equity, and mutual funds. However, your direct equity and derivatives trading can be volatile; ensure they align with your risk appetite.

Liabilities:
The car loan is a liability that can impact your monthly cash flow. Consider paying it off sooner to reduce interest costs and free up monthly income.

Suggestions:

Increase Equity Exposure: As you're willing to take risks, consider increasing exposure to equity mutual funds and direct equity investments.

Review Derivatives Trading: Be cautious with options trading due to its speculative nature. Ensure it doesn't dominate your portfolio.

Emergency Fund: Build a separate emergency fund to cover 6-12 months of expenses.

Health and Life Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health and life insurance coverage to protect your family's financial future.

Retirement Corpus: Calculate the required corpus for retirement based on your desired lifestyle post-retirement. Use a retirement calculator to estimate the monthly contributions needed to achieve this goal.

Diversify Investments: Explore other investment avenues like debt funds, international funds, to further diversify your portfolio and manage risks better.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 25, 2025

Money
Hello Sir. I am 38 year old and in my family wife and 1 son 4 year old. I have my own house. Currently my annual family income (business) is 15 lac (after tax) and my expenses is 10 lac. I am saving around 5 lac per annum. My total savings till now is around 80 lac in fd-od. I get around 18-20% annual return on this. 7-8 % from fd and 10-12 % from ipo, ofs, short term secured loan and other small opportunity. It works very well till now don't know how it's work in future. I have a small portion of land also around 8.33% my share in that. That belongs to extended family and don't know when that liquid. Current value my share (8.33) is 18-20 lac. I have a health insurance of 15 lac. Term insurance of 2 cr till age 60. Emergency fund 5 lac in fd. I have started 20000 pm sip 2 month back In 3 fund hdfc flexi cap, bandhan small cap, and icici balance advantage fund. I want to know more about financial planning for my son education and my retirement
Ans: You are doing well in many areas.
You have strong savings, good income, and decent insurance coverage.
Your SIP initiation is also timely. You are on the right path.
Let us now work on creating a clear, 360-degree plan for your son’s education and your retirement.

» Income, Expenses and Savings Health

– Annual income is Rs. 15 lakh.
– Household expenses are Rs. 10 lakh.
– You save Rs. 5 lakh each year. That is good.
– Try to increase savings to Rs. 6–6.5 lakh over time.
– This surplus must be directed into structured investments.

» FD and Opportunity Investment: Good Past, But Caution Ahead

– You have Rs. 80 lakh in FD-OD and opportunity assets.
– Your average return of 18–20% is above market average.
– FD returns are 7–8%, which are taxable.
– IPOs, OFS, and short-term loans gave 10–12% returns.
– These strategies worked well earlier.
– But they are irregular and not sustainable.
– IPOs can become illiquid when markets turn.
– Short-term loans involve credit risk.
– Do not rely on them fully for future goals.
– Slowly reduce share in FDs and risky assets.
– Move towards structured long-term mutual funds.

» Equity Mutual Fund Investment Review

– You have started Rs. 20,000/month SIP. That is excellent.
– You chose 3 funds: flexi cap, small cap and balanced advantage.
– This mix gives growth, aggression, and stability.
– It is a good base to start your mutual fund journey.
– Keep monthly SIP discipline. Do not pause it.
– Increase SIP every year by 10–15%.
– Your target SIP should become Rs. 40,000/month in 3 years.

» Emergency Fund and Insurance Review

– Rs. 5 lakh in FD for emergencies is suitable.
– This covers 6 months of expenses. Good backup.
– You have Rs. 15 lakh health cover. That’s fair for now.
– Add top-up health insurance after age 45.
– Term insurance of Rs. 2 crore till age 60 is good.
– Do not take any endowment or ULIP plans.
– If you already hold such policies, plan to surrender them.
– Shift those funds into mutual funds.

» Avoiding Direct Mutual Funds: Key Reasons

– Direct funds give no professional support or reviews.
– You must track, analyse, and adjust yourself.
– Wrong fund selection can hurt your future.
– Regular plans via MFD with CFP give better guidance.
– MFD gives periodic reviews and goal tracking support.
– Also helps with portfolio correction during market cycles.
– The small cost is worth the behavioural and advisory support.

» Why Index Funds Don’t Suit You

– Index funds copy the market without judgement.
– They do not protect during market crashes.
– Active funds use sector shifts and tactical allocation.
– This helps reduce volatility and improve gains.
– In India, many active funds beat index consistently.
– You already use active funds. Continue that path.

» Son’s Education Goal Plan

– Your son is 4 years old now.
– You have 13–14 years to build the education corpus.
– Target Rs. 50–70 lakh in future value.
– For that, keep a separate SIP of Rs. 20,000/month.
– Use 2–3 diversified equity funds with long-term focus.
– Prefer flexi cap and large & midcap fund categories.
– Increase SIP every year by at least 10%.
– Shift to low-risk funds 2–3 years before usage.
– Don’t use this corpus for other needs.
– Tag it strictly for education.

» Retirement Planning: Framework and Action Plan

– You are 38 now. You have 22 years for retirement planning.
– Target corpus should be Rs. 4–5 crore in today’s value.
– Actual need will be higher due to inflation.
– Start Rs. 20,000/month SIP in retirement bucket.
– Increase this to Rs. 40,000 in 3–4 years.
– Use equity-oriented hybrid and flexicap funds.
– Don’t touch this corpus for other needs.
– Keep reviewing this fund yearly.
– After age 55, reduce equity exposure gradually.
– Shift part of corpus to conservative hybrid or low-duration debt funds.

» Real Estate Asset: Keep as Passive Holding

– Your share in family land is only 8.33%.
– Current value is Rs. 18–20 lakh.
– No timeline is known for liquidation.
– Don’t plan goals around this asset.
– Keep it as windfall wealth or legacy.

» Diversification of Overall Investments

– Too much money is still in FDs.
– Slowly move at least Rs. 40 lakh to mutual funds.
– Keep Rs. 10–15 lakh in FD for stability and emergencies.
– Keep Rs. 5–10 lakh in opportunity-based ideas.
– The rest should go into SIP or lump sum mutual fund investing.
– Spread across flexicap, hybrid, and growth funds.
– Limit small cap and thematic exposure to 10–15% only.

» Mutual Fund Categories You Can Explore

– Flexi cap funds for broad-based exposure.
– Large & midcap funds for balance of risk and return.
– Aggressive hybrid funds for steady growth.
– Balanced advantage funds for dynamic allocation.
– Limit small cap to one fund only.
– Avoid thematic or sectoral funds for now.
– Don’t keep more than 5–6 funds overall.
– Too many funds will reduce focus.

» Capital Gains Taxation Rules: New Update

– Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
– For debt mutual funds, gains are taxed as per your income slab.
– This makes equity MFs more tax-efficient than FDs.
– FDs are taxed yearly on interest at slab rate.
– This reduces real returns from FDs.

» Goal-Based SIP Segregation

– Keep education and retirement SIPs in separate folios.
– Tag each fund clearly to a specific goal.
– Don’t mix them with emergency or short-term use.
– Monitor SIPs once every 6 months.
– Review fund performance and rebalance when needed.
– Avoid frequent changes.
– Stay consistent.

» Behavioural Discipline Is More Important Than Selection

– Success in investing depends on discipline.
– Behavioural errors cause more damage than market falls.
– Avoid stopping SIPs when markets fall.
– Don’t chase recent high performers.
– Stick to plan. Review yearly.
– MFD with CFP helps you stay disciplined.
– Emotional decisions kill long-term wealth.

» What to Do Over Next 5 Years

– Increase SIP from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000/month.
– Reduce FD portion gradually.
– Set SIPs for education and retirement separately.
– Review insurance once every 2 years.
– Don’t buy any insurance-linked investment.
– Add top-up health insurance before age 45.
– Avoid loans and large lifestyle inflation.
– Keep tracking progress on goals yearly.
– Consult your MFD-CFP for regular planning.

» Finally

– You already have a strong foundation.
– With consistent SIPs, your wealth will grow steadily.
– Avoid dependency on IPO and short-term sources.
– Use mutual funds as your core investment vehicle.
– Don’t fall for high-return temptations.
– Stick to planned asset allocation.
– Your son’s future and your retirement will be secured.
– Stay focused and disciplined.

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

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

..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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