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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 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 - May 15, 2024Hindi
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Hello Gurus, I am 33 year old and want to make 5 cr corpus till my retirement age. Currently i am investing 7k in mirae assett large and mid cap fund (started since 3 year back with initial 2500 rs) and 3000 in parag parikh multicap fund started this year only. I am also increasing SIP amount YOY. 2nd - Is there any best investment instrument availabel comparatively mutual funds. Should i consider investing in MF only or buy plots/shops which could earn rent for me after retirement. Is it good to rely on mutual funds only (long term investment)

Ans: Planning Your Retirement Corpus
Greetings! Let's assess your current investment strategy and explore avenues to achieve your target corpus of 5 crores by your retirement age.

Current Investment Portfolio Review
Mirae Asset Large and Mid Cap Fund: Congratulations on maintaining a disciplined investment approach in this fund for the past 3 years. It offers exposure to both large and mid-cap segments, providing diversification and growth potential.

Parag Parikh Multicap Fund: Your recent investment in this fund demonstrates a desire for diversification across different market segments. This fund follows a flexible approach, investing in a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and international stocks.

Evaluating Investment Avenues
1. Mutual Funds vs. Real Estate
Mutual Funds: Mutual funds offer diversification, professional management, and liquidity. They are suitable for long-term wealth accumulation and can help you achieve your retirement goals with disciplined investing and systematic increase in SIP amounts.

Real Estate: While real estate can be a lucrative investment, it requires significant capital, involves maintenance costs, and lacks liquidity. Additionally, rental income may not always be guaranteed, and property values can fluctuate over time.

2. Best Investment Instruments
Apart from mutual funds, other investment instruments such as Fixed Deposits, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and National Pension System (NPS) offer stability and tax benefits. However, they may provide lower returns compared to mutual funds over the long term.
Recommendations
Continue Systematic Investing: Continue increasing your SIP amounts annually to accelerate wealth accumulation. Consistent investing coupled with compounding can significantly contribute to achieving your retirement corpus goal.

Diversification: Consider diversifying your mutual fund portfolio by adding funds from different categories such as large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and debt. This will spread risk and optimize returns.

Real Estate Investment: If you have a keen interest in real estate, you can explore it as a part of your investment portfolio. However, ensure thorough research, evaluate rental potential, and consider the long-term implications before investing.

Regular Review: Periodically review your investment portfolio and make adjustments based on changing market conditions, financial goals, and risk tolerance.

Conclusion
While mutual funds offer a convenient and efficient way to achieve your retirement goals, it's essential to consider diversification and explore other investment avenues like real estate based on your risk appetite and financial objectives. By maintaining a balanced approach and staying committed to your investment plan, you can work towards building a substantial corpus for a comfortable retirement.

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  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir... GM Like to plan for corpus of my retirement... Am at 56 now,, like to retire by age 65 No exposure to Mutual finds n Sip as of now No knowledge on mfs at all Like to have atleast 5 cr corpus by 65 I have couple of investments in Real estate Right now my monthly earnings from job is around 1 lakh... Can u suggest n advise as how n what amounts to be invested to have above corpus... Thank u
Ans: You are 56 years old and plan to retire by 65. You aim for a retirement corpus of Rs. 5 crores. Your monthly earnings from your job are Rs. 1 lakh. You have investments in real estate but no exposure to mutual funds or SIPs. Let’s create a strategy to achieve your goal.

Building Your Retirement Corpus
Assessing Your Current Situation
Age: 56 years
Retirement Age: 65 years
Current Monthly Earnings: Rs. 1 lakh
Goal: Rs. 5 crores by 65 years
Creating an Investment Plan
Emergency Fund
Set Aside Funds: Keep an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.
Recommended Amount: At least 6 months of expenses in a savings account or liquid fund.
Purpose: Provides financial stability in case of emergencies.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Start SIPs: Invest monthly in diversified mutual funds.
Monthly Contribution: Allocate a portion of your monthly income towards SIPs.
Benefit: Helps in disciplined investing and rupee cost averaging.
Diversified Portfolio
Mix of Funds: Invest in a mix of equity and debt funds.
Actively Managed Funds: Choose funds managed by experienced professionals.
Growth Potential: Equities offer higher returns over the long term, while debt funds provide stability.
Lump Sum Investments
Initial Investment: Use part of your savings for a lump sum investment.
Diversification: Split the lump sum across various funds to reduce risk.
Insurance Coverage
Health Insurance
Ensure Adequate Coverage: Have a health insurance policy covering major medical expenses.
Premium Allocation: Budget a portion of your income for health insurance premiums.
Life Insurance
Term Insurance: Secure a term plan to cover your family's financial needs.
Premium Budget: Set aside funds for life insurance premiums.
Regular Review and Adjustment
Quarterly Reviews
Performance Monitoring: Review the performance of your investments quarterly.
Necessary Adjustments: Make changes to stay aligned with your financial goals.
Annual Rebalancing
Portfolio Rebalancing: Adjust the allocation between equity and debt to maintain the desired risk level.
Goal Alignment: Ensure your investments align with your financial objectives.
Avoiding Real Estate Investments
Limited Liquidity
Issue: Real estate investments can be illiquid and hard to convert into cash quickly.
Solution: Focus on more liquid investments like mutual funds and SIPs.
Benefits of Regular Funds through a CFP
Expert Guidance
Tailored Strategies: Get investment strategies customized to your needs.
Continuous Monitoring: Regular assessment and adjustment of your portfolio.
Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lower Flexibility
Lack of Active Management: Index funds are passively managed and may not outperform the market.
Benefit of Active Funds: Actively managed funds have the potential for higher returns due to professional management.
Final Insights
To achieve your retirement goal of Rs. 5 crores by age 65:

Start SIPs: Invest a portion of your monthly income in diversified mutual funds.
Maintain Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health and life insurance.
Review Regularly: Monitor and adjust your investments periodically.
Seek Expert Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner for tailored guidance.
By following this strategy, you can build a substantial retirement corpus.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  |63 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 13, 2024Hindi
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Hi, am 45-year-old seeking retirement planning advice. Am having a net saving of 4 Crores (2.75 Crores in MF, 1 Crores in FD and the rest in PPF and Sukanya scheme. If I keep on investing 3 lacs /month for 5 years what kind of corpus am looking to create .My MF portfolio consist of: Axis Mid cap, DSP Equity opportunities, Edelweiss Balanced advantage, Edelweiss Midcap, HDFC Small cap, HSBC Midcap,Invensco india Midcap, Invesco India small cap, Kotak emerging equity, Koal flexicap , Mirae assets large and midcap, SBI balanced advantage, Tata balanced advantage, Tata Mid cap, Whiteoak capital . thanks in advance
Ans: Dear Friend,
Great to that you are committed in your investments and keen to have your retirement planning query resolved. It's great to see that you're proactively managing your finances. Very few people are managing their own finances. I always recommend my clients to take hold of your finances and do not depend on any other person or advice. Let’s see what kind of corpus you might expect after five years, along with some suggestions for your mutual fund portfolio. Assumed Annual Return 6% Fixed Deposit, Assumed Annual Return:** 7.5% for PPF and Sukanya Scheme. Assumed Annual Return 10% on Mutual Funds. you can expect approximately ?8.45 Crores after 5 years. your investment is highly dependent on Equity related Mutual funds which consider high risk .
Some recommendations, Consolidate Similar Funds, Having too many funds in the same category can lead to overlapping investments and doesn't significantly increase diversification.
Diversify Across Market Caps Ensure you have exposure to large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds for balanced growth. They offer low-cost diversification and track market indices.
Regularly Review Performance of your funds against benchmarks. As you're approaching 50, consider gradually shifting a portion of your investments to less volatile instruments like debt funds or fixed-income securities. Consider Index Funds or ETFs.
Ensure you have an emergency fund covering at least 6 months of expenses. Be mindful of the tax implications of your investments, especially when redeeming or rebalancing. Consult a Financial Advisor
Best regards,
Nitin Narkhede
Founder & MD, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub https://Nitinnarkhede.com
Free Webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |1216 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 12, 2025
Money
I am 38 years old and self-employed, earning an average of 1.8 to 2 lakhs per month. I have a home loan of 44 lakhs (EMI is 46,000, tenure 15 years). There is no other liabilities. My investments include 11 lakhs in mutual funds, 3 lakhs in fixed deposits, and 1.5 lakh in gold. Should I focus on prepaying the home loan given my irregular income, or keep my investments intact and continue with EMIs?
Ans: You are doing quite well, especially with your investments and controlled liabilities. Your financial discipline is truly appreciable.

You are 38, self-employed, with Rs.1.8 to 2 lakhs monthly income.
Your current home loan is Rs.44 lakhs with EMI of Rs.46,000 for 15 years.
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds, Rs.3 lakhs in FDs, and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.
Your income is irregular, but you have no other liabilities.

Let us now do a 360-degree evaluation of whether to prepay the loan or stay invested.

 

Step-by-Step Financial Assessment
1. Evaluate the Stability of Your Income First
You earn between Rs.1.8 to Rs.2 lakhs per month.

 

But income is irregular. That needs caution.

 

Loan EMI is Rs.46,000 — about 25% of your average income.

 

If income drops in any month, EMI pressure will increase.

 

So we must first ensure EMI is always affordable, without stress.

 

Hence, liquidity is more important for you right now than aggressive loan prepayment.

 

2. Evaluate Your Emergency Reserve
You have Rs.3 lakhs in FD and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.

 

That makes it Rs.4.5 lakhs total liquid safety.

 

Your EMI is Rs.46,000, and personal expenses will also be there.

 

Ideal emergency fund for you = 6 to 9 months of expenses + EMI.

 

That is around Rs.6 to Rs.8 lakhs minimum.

 

So current emergency fund is slightly lower than ideal.

 

Please don’t use this for loan prepayment now.

 

3. Assess the Role of Mutual Funds
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds. That’s a solid step.

Now let’s assess whether to redeem this and prepay loan.

 

Should You Redeem Mutual Funds to Prepay?
Mutual funds, over long term, give better post-tax return than loan savings.

 

Loan interest is 8% to 9%, whereas mutual funds can give 11–13% in long term.

 

Especially if funds are equity-oriented and held for 5+ years.

 

You will also get capital gains tax exemption on Rs.1.25 lakhs LTCG annually.

 

If you redeem funds, you lose growth potential and compounding.

 

That hurts long-term wealth building.

 

So, do not redeem the entire Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds.

 

4. Disadvantage of Early Loan Prepayment in Your Case
Prepaying early will reduce interest over time, yes.

 

But you may run into cash flow stress in slow months.

 

Once money is used to prepay, it cannot be taken back easily.

 

Liquidity once lost = flexibility lost.

 

Also, income tax benefit under Section 24(b) gets reduced if loan balance drops.

 

So it’s better to maintain balance between repayment and investment.

 

5. Best Strategy for You – A Balanced Approach
Let’s now craft the best plan for you.

 

Maintain Strong Liquidity First
Keep FD and gold untouched.

 

Increase emergency fund to at least Rs.6–Rs.7 lakhs.

 

For that, set aside extra Rs.2.5–Rs.3 lakhs from savings over time.

 

This makes your EMI safe even in low-income months.

 

Continue Your Mutual Fund SIPs Without Stopping
SIPs give long-term growth and beat loan interest in most cases.

 

Don’t stop mutual fund investments to prepay loan.

 

Stay invested. Let wealth compound.

 

Start Small and Periodic Prepayments
Don’t do bulk prepayment now. Do systematic small prepayments.

 

For example, Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000 extra every 3–4 months.

 

When income is higher, use that surplus to prepay in parts.

 

Target 1–2 bulk part-payments per year.

 

This reduces tenure and interest slowly, without affecting liquidity.

 

Track Your Loan Amortisation Every 6 Months
Use netbanking or get a fresh loan statement every 6 months.

 

Check how each prepayment is reducing principal.

 

Adjust your strategy accordingly.

 

Avoid One-Time Full Prepayment
That would kill your long-term investment compounding.

 

Also removes your income tax benefit under Section 24(b).

 

Stay flexible. You are self-employed.

 

You need cash buffers more than salaried people.

 

Final Insights
Do not do bulk home loan prepayment from mutual funds now.

 

Keep SIPs going and maintain your compounding.

 

Grow your emergency fund to Rs.6–7 lakhs minimum.

 

Use surplus months to make small part-payments towards home loan.

 

This protects your peace and builds wealth at the same time.

 

Reassess in 2–3 years. You may be able to prepay more later.

 

You are already in a good financial position. Your thoughtful approach is praiseworthy.

 

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2025

Money
i wish to purchase new car i10, should i purchase the same through own money or should i take a vehicle loan from bank and the money own by my to be kept as FDR or liquid mutual fund
Ans: It’s a good sign that you’re thinking before buying a car. You’re not rushing into it. That shows maturity and smart thinking.

We will now evaluate own money vs vehicle loan — from every angle.

 

Understanding the Nature of a Car Purchase
A car is not an investment.

 

It is a consumption asset, not a growth asset.

 

It depreciates every year. Its value goes down, not up.

 

So the cheaper the total cost, the better for your wealth.

 

Option 1: Use Own Money Fully
Pros

No interest cost. You save on total expenses.

 

You are free from monthly EMI pressure.

 

Car becomes fully yours from day one.

 

No need to deal with bank, forms, hypothecation etc.

 

Cons

Your liquid money reduces.

 

You may not have enough cash for emergencies.

 

Opportunity loss if you had invested that money.

 

Option 2: Take Vehicle Loan & Keep Own Money in FDR or Liquid Mutual Fund
Let’s evaluate this with care.

Vehicle Loan Pros

You can preserve your savings for emergencies.

 

EMI can be budgeted monthly, if income is stable.

 

Some banks offer competitive interest rates.

 

Vehicle Loan Cons

You will pay interest on a depreciating item.

 

Loan adds to your monthly obligations.

 

You must pay insurance, EMI, fuel, and service together.

 

FDR and Liquid Mutual Funds give lower returns than loan cost.

 

So you will likely lose more in interest than you gain.

 

Let's Compare: Interest Rate vs Investment Return
Vehicle loan interest is usually 9% to 11% per year.

 

FDR gives around 6% to 7% before tax.

 

Liquid mutual funds give 6% to 7.5% on average.

 

So you pay more to the bank than you earn from investment.

 

Tax on interest or gains reduces actual return further.

 

This means taking a car loan and investing your own money leads to net loss.

 

Best Option for You: Smart Compromise Approach
Let me share a wise solution.

 

Don’t use full own money. Don’t take full loan either.

 

Instead, pay 70–80% from own funds.

 

Take a small car loan for the remaining 20–30% only.

 

This keeps EMI low and retains some liquidity.

 

You reduce interest cost and also keep Rs.50,000–Rs.1 lakh aside.

 

Park that in liquid fund for any urgent need.

 

Repay this small loan fast in 1–2 years.

 

Only Take a Car Loan If:
Your job income is stable.

 

You already have 3–6 months emergency fund ready.

 

You don’t have big loans running now.

 

You can pay EMI without affecting savings.

 

You commit to close the loan early.

 

Avoid This Mistake:
Never buy a more expensive car because loan makes it “feel affordable.”

 

Loan should not expand your car budget.

 

Whether you buy with loan or cash, pick a simple car within limits.

 

i10 is a wise, middle-ground choice. Good thought.

 

Tax Angle (If Business Use)
If you are using the car for business, vehicle loan interest may be tax-deductible.

 

But for personal use, there is no tax benefit.

 

So do not take loan just for imagined tax saving.

 

Final Insights
A car is a need, not an investment.

 

Using your own money fully keeps things simple and cheap.

 

Taking a full car loan and investing the money gives net negative return.

 

Best option is a split approach — pay major part from own funds.

 

Take small loan only if needed and close it early.

 

Always keep emergency money aside before buying.

 

Avoid emotional buying or overbudget cars.

 

Your financially balanced approach is very appreciable.

 

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

...Read more

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

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