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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7258 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 13, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 09, 2024Hindi
Money

Hello, I want to get advise upon financial planning, my target is to generate atleast 4+ crores by 2046. Currently I am 29 years old, have stated my SIP from year 2021 of Rs 1000 and have gradually increased to 5k since last year. My SIP goes in quant small cap fund direct plan growth the present value of my invested amount is Rs 225036 and have stock portfolio of Rs 90855 (including 4qty of SGB), over all my shares invested present value is Rs 134112. Additionally have an FD of Rs 50k, and have lately started investing in PPF Rs 1000, also have covered myself with health insurance policy of SI Rs 10 lakh. Suggest me how can I scale up my investments and schemes where I can reach to the set aim. Also, should I go for Post Office scheme KVP or keep continuing with PPF. I am earning 45k/month, and don't have any liabilities or loans.

Ans: Firstly, let me congratulate you on setting a clear financial target. Generating Rs 4+ crores by 2046 is an ambitious yet achievable goal with disciplined savings and smart investments. You're 29 years old, and you have about 22 years to achieve this target. You’ve made a good start by investing in SIPs, stocks, and PPF, and it’s excellent that you have health insurance coverage as well.

Current Financial Overview
Let's start by reviewing your current financial situation:

SIP Investment: Started in 2021 with Rs 1000, increased to Rs 5000 since last year, invested in a small cap fund direct plan growth. Present value: Rs 225036.
Stock Portfolio: Current value: Rs 134112.
Fixed Deposit: Rs 50,000.
Public Provident Fund (PPF): Recently started with Rs 1000.
Health Insurance: Sum Insured of Rs 10 lakhs.
Monthly Income: Rs 45,000.
No liabilities or loans.
Investment Strategy to Achieve Rs 4+ Crores
To achieve your goal of Rs 4+ crores by 2046, you need a well-structured investment plan. Let's break down the steps:

1. Increase Your SIP Contributions
Your SIP contributions are currently at Rs 5000 per month. Given your income and lack of liabilities, you can gradually increase this amount. Aim to increase your SIP contribution by 10-15% each year. This compounding effect over 22 years will significantly boost your corpus.

Why Increase SIP?

Power of Compounding: Higher contributions lead to higher returns over time.
Rupee Cost Averaging: Regular investments reduce the risk of market volatility.
2. Diversify Your Mutual Fund Portfolio
Currently, your SIP is in a small cap fund, which is high-risk but can offer high returns. However, diversification is crucial. Consider investing in a mix of:

Large Cap Funds: These funds are less volatile and provide stable returns.
Mid Cap Funds: Balanced risk and return.
Multi Cap Funds: Invest across market capitalizations, offering diversification within the fund.
Benefits of Diversification:

Reduced Risk: Spread investments across different sectors.
Stability: Large and mid cap funds offer more stability compared to small caps.
3. Review and Adjust Your Stock Portfolio
Your stock portfolio has a present value of Rs 134112, which includes 4 units of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB). Continue monitoring your stocks and ensure diversification here as well. Investing in blue-chip stocks can provide stable growth, while mid and small cap stocks can offer higher returns.

Stock Investment Tips:

Regular Review: Keep track of your investments and market trends.
Diversify: Invest in different sectors to mitigate risks.
Long-Term Holding: Focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gains.
4. Continue with PPF Investments
PPF is a secure, tax-free investment option. It’s wise to continue investing in PPF due to its safety and tax benefits. Aim to increase your PPF contribution to Rs 5000 per month. This will provide a stable, risk-free component to your portfolio.

Why Continue PPF?

Tax Benefits: Contributions are eligible for tax deductions.
Safety: Backed by the government, ensuring capital protection.
Long-Term Growth: Compounded annually, offering attractive returns.
5. Avoid Direct Funds and Index Funds
Direct funds and index funds have their disadvantages. Direct funds require active management, which can be time-consuming and challenging without professional help. Index funds, on the other hand, are passively managed and may not outperform actively managed funds, especially in the Indian market.

Disadvantages of Index Funds:

Limited Flexibility: Restricted to the performance of the index.
Average Returns: May not capture high-growth opportunities.
Market Fluctuations: Susceptible to market downturns without active management.
6. Increase Your Health Insurance Cover
A health insurance cover of Rs 10 lakhs is good, but given the rising medical costs, it’s advisable to enhance your coverage. Consider a family floater plan if you plan to include dependents in the future.

Benefits of Increased Coverage:

Financial Security: Covers higher medical expenses.
Comprehensive Care: Access to better medical facilities and treatments.
7. Explore Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Actively managed funds are overseen by professional fund managers who make investment decisions based on market research and analysis. These funds can potentially offer higher returns compared to index funds.

Advantages of Actively Managed Funds:

Professional Management: Fund managers actively seek growth opportunities.
Higher Returns: Potential to outperform the market.
Flexibility: Adapt to changing market conditions.
8. Avoid Real Estate and Annuities
Real estate and annuities are not recommended due to their illiquid nature and lower returns compared to other investment options. Focus on more liquid and higher-growth investments like mutual funds and stocks.

9. Emergency Fund
You should maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of your expenses. This will safeguard you against any unexpected financial crises without disrupting your investment plan.

Building an Emergency Fund:

Liquid Investments: Keep it in savings accounts or liquid mutual funds.
Regular Savings: Allocate a portion of your income each month.
10. Regularly Review Your Financial Plan
Financial planning is not a one-time activity. Regularly review and adjust your investments based on your changing financial situation and market conditions.

Importance of Regular Review:

Stay on Track: Ensure your investments align with your goals.
Adjust to Changes: Adapt to life events and market shifts.
Optimize Returns: Make necessary adjustments to maximize growth.
Final Insights
Reaching your target of Rs 4+ crores by 2046 requires disciplined savings and strategic investments. By increasing your SIP contributions, diversifying your mutual fund and stock portfolio, continuing with PPF, and regularly reviewing your financial plan, you can achieve your goal.

Remember, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide personalized advice and help you stay on track. It's great to see your proactive approach to financial planning at such a young age. Keep up the good work, and you will surely reach your financial goals.

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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7258 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 26, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 21, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 35 year old and I want to build a corpous of 2-3 cr in next ten year i.e by 2034. I am investing 45k pm in equity through SIP. My current allocation is Rs20k in quant small cap growth direct, 10k in HDFC mid Cap opportunity fund, 5 in ICICI Large and Mid cap fund, 5k in ABSL PSU Equity fund, 5 k in quant infrastructure fund. (Note: I recently switched from Axis small cap fund to quant small cap fund having corpous of 2L). I am also committed to step up by 10% each year. Also I have NPS balance of Rs 27.00 lakh as on date and In NPS monthly contribution is Rs 22 k, which is separate from MF investment of 45K. Please advise whether change is needed in my plan or I may go with the same.
Ans: Congratulations on your commitment to building a significant corpus by 2034. Your current investment strategy is well thought out and shows a good understanding of equity investments through SIPs. Let’s review your plan and see if any changes or improvements can be made to help you achieve your financial goals more effectively.

Current Investment Portfolio
Your current SIP allocation is as follows:

Quant Small Cap Growth Direct: Rs 20,000 per month
HDFC Mid Cap Opportunity Fund: Rs 10,000 per month
ICICI Large and Mid Cap Fund: Rs 5,000 per month
ABSL PSU Equity Fund: Rs 5,000 per month
Quant Infrastructure Fund: Rs 5,000 per month
Additionally, you have an NPS balance of Rs 27 lakh, with a monthly contribution of Rs 22,000.

Evaluating Your Portfolio
1. Small Cap Funds
Small cap funds can provide high returns but come with significant volatility. Your allocation of Rs 20,000 per month in Quant Small Cap is substantial. Given the potential for high growth, this is a reasonable allocation but should be balanced with more stable investments.

2. Mid Cap Funds
Investing Rs 10,000 per month in HDFC Mid Cap Opportunity Fund is a good choice for capital appreciation. Mid cap funds offer a balance between the high growth of small caps and the stability of large caps.

3. Large and Mid Cap Funds
Allocating Rs 5,000 per month in ICICI Large and Mid Cap Fund adds stability to your portfolio. These funds invest in a mix of large and mid cap stocks, providing growth potential with less volatility than small caps.

4. Sector-Specific Funds
ABSL PSU Equity Fund: Rs 5,000 per month in a sector-specific fund like this can be risky due to its concentrated exposure.
Quant Infrastructure Fund: Another sector-specific fund which can be highly volatile and dependent on government policies and economic conditions.
Suggested Portfolio Adjustments
To achieve your goal of Rs 2-3 crore in 10 years, here are some suggestions:

Diversify Sector-Specific Investments
Sector-specific funds like ABSL PSU and Quant Infrastructure can be high-risk. Diversifying into more broadly diversified equity funds can reduce risk. Consider reallocating some of these investments to multi-cap or flexi-cap funds.

Increase Stability with Large Cap Funds
Increase your allocation to large cap funds. These funds offer more stability and consistent returns, balancing the high-risk small and mid cap investments.

Maintain ELSS for Tax Benefits
If you are not already investing in ELSS funds, consider allocating a portion of your SIPs to them. They provide tax benefits under Section 80C and can help in wealth accumulation.

Step-Up SIP Strategy
Your plan to step up your SIPs by 10% each year is excellent. This strategy helps in combating inflation and increasing your corpus significantly over time. Continue with this disciplined approach.

National Pension System (NPS)
Your NPS contributions are a great way to build a retirement corpus. The NPS offers tax benefits and the potential for good returns. Keep contributing Rs 22,000 per month and ensure you review the asset allocation within NPS regularly.

Example Reallocation
Here’s a suggested reallocation for a balanced and diversified portfolio:

Large Cap Fund: Rs 10,000 per month
Multi-Cap/Flexi-Cap Fund: Rs 10,000 per month
Mid Cap Fund: Rs 10,000 per month
Small Cap Fund: Rs 10,000 per month
ELSS Fund: Rs 5,000 per month
This allocation provides a balance of growth and stability, with a focus on diversified funds to reduce risk.

Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regularly monitor your investments to ensure they are performing as expected. Rebalance your portfolio annually to maintain the desired asset allocation. This helps in mitigating risks and ensuring alignment with your financial goals.

Conclusion
Your current investment strategy is commendable, and with a few adjustments, you can further optimize your portfolio for better risk management and growth. Diversifying your sector-specific funds into broader equity funds and maintaining a disciplined step-up SIP strategy will help you achieve your goal of Rs 2-3 crore by 2034.

Feel free to reach out for personalized advice or assistance in structuring your investment portfolio. I'm here to help you optimize your investments and achieve your financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Archana

Archana Deshpande  |93 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Dec 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 11, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
I am 35, MBA from a reputed college. I recently took over as senior project manager in a software company. Over the last few months, I’ve been asked to lead more high-stakes presentations, but every time I step in front of a group of senior professionals, my nerves take over. I can’t seem to communicate my ideas clearly, and I end up rambling or losing the audience. It’s frustrating because I know the content is strong, but I can’t deliver it with the confidence it needs. I’m starting to feel like this could affect my career growth if I don’t improve. I want to know how to seem more confident and present my ideas with clarity.
Ans: Hi!!

I can understand what you are going through.
I have helped many a people to become better communicators, presenters and public speakers. I agree with you when you say .. that these skills will augur well for your career growth.
What I can say is this .. that it is a learnable skill. Practice and more practice is the only way ahead. You said your content is strong, that is 50% of the job done, so build up on this confidence and practice your delivery in front of the mirror or in front of encouraging family/friends.
The only way to gain confidence is to "JUST DO IT"....to calm your nerves- deep breathing techniques and visualizations techniques will be useful.
I can help you on this journey of being a person who delivers with panache!

There are books by Dale Carnegie on public speaking which can help you out. Also read about Abe Lincoln and his journey of becoming a great orator, it can maybe help you.

Remember, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE is the key to unlock your confidence and become the person who delvers with panache.

All the best!!

...Read more

Archana

Archana Deshpande  |93 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Dec 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 13, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
Hello Ms Archana. I have been reading your advice and I really need your help. I am a science graduate from Mumbai. After a lot of thought, I have decided to pursue a side BSc in Psychology to further my interests and career growth. The issue is, that I’m struggling to juggle my 9-to-6 full-time job as a digital marketing specialist in Delhi along with my coursework, assignments, and exams. I am always stressed out, either falling behind at work or feeling overwhelmed by my studies. I know time management is key, but I’m not sure how to create a schedule that helps me stay productive without burning out. Can you please help?
Ans: Hey!!
Kudos to you for dreaming big and also working towards it by investing time and energy in learning and development.
Not everyone can do it... so pat yourself on the back for it!!

You are absolutely right when you say TIME MANAGEMANT is the key to avoid burnout. However I'll add compartmentalizing and self care along with time management.

Let's take them one at a time ...here I go-

1. You want to perform at your peak then self care is a must, 20 mins of physical activity(it can be anything, run, brisk walk, suryanamaskars, dancing along with fast paced music, anything that gets your heart beat up)
10 -20 mins of meditation, if you believe in the higher power make efforts to connect with it/him/her.
2. 9 to 6 be fully committed to the office, after that switch off, learn to say NO for anything that comes after this time. You can do only so much right? This was one part of compartmentalizing...
3. be fully present in whatever activity you are doing... this is ZEN, nothing more nothing less. This way you will be razor sharp in your focus and get jobs done faster. When you are studying don't think office and vice versa. This is switching off, this is compartmentalizing. This will take conscious efforts but is doable
4.your course is important to you, so schedule a study time and stick to it .The days you have an holiday too... try to relax a little, schedule a study time, finish your studies and go relax and unwind a little, you deserve it...don't cram too much in a day.
A relaxed mind will always perform better and focus better. I really can't tell you the importance of unwinding and mediation, you really have to do it to experience it and reap the benefits of it
5. Always encourage yourself, be your best cheer leader, don't beat yourself down, be kind to yourself too, your mind and body
need that from you. You are already doing so much.
6 .The only way to stop being overwhelmed is also to put out all your tasks of the day on paper and schedule it, prioritize it.... one task at a time, start taking action. And when the task is don't forget to strike the task out with a clean line over the task with a pen... this is a message your giving to your mind. ...'I got one task done, I am capable of getting another done'.. Ahaha... the joy of getting a job done!!
7. Get a good nights sleep, do "yog nidra' before sleeping
8. Always breathe deep whenever overwhelm creeps in and see how calm you become. A calm mind is key to getting more done.

And remember to write "your gratitude" out in the night before sleeping, you'll sleep peacefully and get up fresh.
Also do remember, all tasks can be done happily too... there is no need to drag yourself or be always overwhelmed!
You chose to work and study as well.... honour your choices joyously and go about life with a spring in your step...All best !!

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |465 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2024Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I (30F) had been in some Relationships at different stages of my Life, which Failed due to different Reasons and I am not Virgin. After getting exhausted emotionally, I quit Dating, 2 years ago & I decided to settle down for an Arranged Marriage, as a last resort. Since the last 2 years, I have met many Eligible Bachelors who seemed to show genuine interest in me, at the initial stage. But at some point of time, all of them asked me about my Virginity & Body Count. I had always been Honest with all of them. And almost all of them Rejected me for this one Reason. Some of them straightaway told me that they couldn't Trust any Woman who's not Virgin. Some of them gave some other Trivial Reason to Reject me, though, I could intuitively guess the Real Reason for Rejection. And some of them, just Ghosted me, immediately. I had been feeling very Bad about getting Rejected, it felt as if I was being Punished for my Honesty. Now I have begun to Question myself, whether I really need to tell my Prospective Partner about my Past? Why should my Past matter to my Future Partner? Do I owe, my Future Partner, any explanation for the way I have lived my Life until now? Is it really Fair to Judge me only on the basis of my Virginity, rather than my entire being as a whole? Does my entire worth depend only upon my Virginity? Why do Men raise Questions about my Past, in the first place, while I never asked any of them about their Past, as I don't care about my Partner's Past? Why are Men so Insecure about Sexually Active Women, is their Male Ego so Fragile that they can't accept a Woman's Past? Do they have the Right to Ask a Woman about her Sexual History, in the first place? Do they really need to know about my Past? Do I really have any Obligation to be Honest with them & disclose about my Past, before Marriage itself? My Family members are advising me that it's not Wrong to say a few White Lies, for the sake of Marriage? Would it be Wise, on my part to follow their Advice & Lie to Arranged Marriage prospects that I am Virgin? Or else, in what other ways can I Answer, Questions about my Virginity, Body Count & Sexual History, raised by future prospects, such that I don't get Rejected?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand your frustration. You made some very valid points. You are absolutely right- no one has any business asking you about your virginity. And you are also correct that it does not define you at all. But the truth is, to some people, it matters more than it should. They are not entirely at fault alone; it is the whole society. Nevertheless, you are right. While it is your decision whether you want to lie or be honest, I would suggest telling the truth. Not for their sake; for yours. You should not have to live your married life always thinking "Would my past have mattered to him?" or wondering if things would have been different if you told him the truth. Moreover, being honest will set you free; maybe it comes with rejections, but at least you do not ever have to bear the weight of lies or feel guilty about deceiving someone. And most importantly, you won’t have to settle for someone who cares so much about such superficial things. Happy marriages cannot start with a lie.

We can't control what's important to whom, but we can respect them, even if we disagree. If you are not comfortable disclosing your body count or past, simply answer their question with yours- "Does that matter to you a lot?" If they say yes, you can reject him because your values don't align.

Hope this helps.

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |465 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2024Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I am 33 year old women and have been looking for matches in matrimony from year 2021 but was not getting suitable matches. Got connected with multiple profile but it didn't workout well.Just last month i saw one profile i liked it and sent request. My request got accepted and then i shared the contact no with my dad which was registered on matrimony. My dad called his dad and discussed about profiles and they liked it. Now the guy is in USA and his dad said he will be coming back next year. Till then his dad said let them connect on video call. So his dad shared my contact no with him and said he will call me. 2 days passed but he didn't call so my dad informed his dad and his dad called him and then he said he is quite busy in work and will ping me either in weekdays if free or on weekends. But then i didn't receive any reply and then again my dad called them after 10 days and asked why their son has not called yet so his dad also said he is busy but he will definetly call her and till then as per their earlier request we also said if you want to come and meet the family then can do that.so his dad said if we don't have any plan for the next week on weekends[i.e on 24th nov] then we will surely come but then on 23rd nov my dad called them regarding the meet and then they said they are out so mostly will not be able to come tomorrow and his dad said i will ask son to talk to your daughter first today. After this there was no conversation bcoz his son didn't call. Later when i searched him on facebook coincidently on one of his post i saw his contact number and i checked on whatsapp and then i came to know he has saved my contact no. But then i am confused why he haven't called me yet. First time i have got some good vibes about someone but this is really killing me. I was doing lot of overthinking then i asked my dad again if we can ask his contact number and my dad said no this will look desperate to them. I already have his contact number but confused like should i text him what can be the consequences.Lots of thoughts running into my mind. Please help me.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
First of all, there is no hard and fast rule that says that men have to make the first move. If you like someone, you can easily give him a call or drop a text. If a man finds that desperate, you should not settle for someone like that.

Next, judging by the series of events, I would say there is a good chance of either of two things happening- first, he might actually be very busy. But I don't think people are ever so busy that they can't take five minutes of their time to make a call. But then again, you are still strangers and hence, you are not his priority currently. Second, they might be breadcrumbing you. Just giving you enough hope to keep you hooked while they search for more potential matches. The most concerning thing is that the entire family can't keep their word or have the decency to inform about the change of plans.

Your father is not wrong; right now if you contact him after he has repeatedly failed to contact you, it will not look good, and worse, you will not feel good about it. My question is, do you really want a man like this? I know you have been trying for a while and not getting good results can be frustrating, but that does not mean you have to settle for this. I truly believe you deserve better. You can wait some more and see where it goes, but I strongly suggest not pursuing things from your end anymore. Let them do so if they are truly interested. Suppose they don't, understand that you have dodged a bullet.

Best Wishes.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

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

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

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

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

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

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x